We are so honoured and delighted to announce that CSI’s Director of Programs Barnabe Geis has been selected as one of 50 changemakers and leaders by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. We’re thrilled that social entrepreneurship and social innovation are becoming more and more accepted and mainstream!
The award is in recognition of his work launching and leading many of CSI’s programs focused on supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators, both for profit and nonprofit, working to build the Next Economy – one that is regenerative, equitable and prosperous for all.
These programs have included educational courses such as Social Entrepreneurship 101 and Agents of Change: Sustainable Development Goals, both run by Peggy Sue Deaven, that have supported over 300 aspiring entrepreneurs, and accelerators such as our national Earth Tech program, run by Shea Sinnott, supporting cleantech companies working on climate and water solutions.
In 2018 Barnabe created CSI Climate Ventures to support the entrepreneurs and innovators working on climate solutions. Climate Ventures has accelerated 121 early-stage entrepreneurs that have earned and raised nearly $32M and sustained 376 jobs while participating in our programs.
“We are so proud of the work that Barnabe and his team have done, helping to prove that the Next Economy is possible,” says CSI’s Co-Founder and CEO Tonya Surman. “Over the last 10 years, Barnabe has stepped up to grow several of our Next Economy programs; from local to highly scalable, social and environmental, for profit and nonprofit, including companies such as Mommy Monitor and Flash Forest. It’s his tenacity and belief that ‘it’s up to us’ to use the power of enterprise to solve many of the world’s most challenging issues that make Barnabe worthy of this recognition.”
“This is truly a reflection of all of our work at CSI, from program managers, staff and the leadership team, to our partners and funders,” Barnabe says. “It’s been a privilege to get to play a role in the journeys of amazing entrepreneurs and innovators tackling pressing social and environmental challenges and proving that change is possible. I look forward to growing our programs to support many more ventures over the next couple years.”
Supporting social entrepreneurs at the early-stages to get their solutions and business models right is crucial to their future success and impact, and to fostering a resilient economy that will serve people and the planet and address the challenges of our time, from the climate crisis to rising inequality. CSI is developing an inclusive “acceleration ramp” to take hundreds of entrepreneurs across the country from idea to impact.
The Report on Business Changemakers Award
Changemakers is a new editorial award program produced by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. Its intent is to showcase the emerging leaders transforming business today.
Barnabe is in good company: the other Canadian leaders recognized by The Globe and Mail include Remi Desa, CEO of Pantonium, Thomas Benjoe, President and CEO of FHQ Developments, Atrisha Lewis, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault, and Kristina Menton, Director of Operations, Flight Test & Propulsion at Opener LLC.
“As the Canadian economy recovers from the pandemic, many people are seeking ways to make business more sustainable, inclusive, innovative and fair,” says James Cowan, editor of Report on Business magazine. “The 50 Changemakers on our inaugural list serve as inspiration and instruction for any business leader seeking to effect meaningful change.”
A community of changemakers
The people, groups, and organizations that make up CSI are all working toward meaningful change. If you want to support this work (or you’re working on a project yourself), consider becoming a CSI Member.
