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Social Enterprise Collective in Washington D.C. On April 3rd

March 27, 2025

For the third year, Pepperdine University’s Masters in Social Entrepreneurship and Change Program and the School of Public Policy will proudly host the Annual Social Enterprise Collective in Washington D.C. on April 3, 2025, at Eaton DC. This one-of-a-kind event celebrates the power of collaboration to create meaningful social impact.

This year’s theme, “We Need All of Us to Make a Difference,” emphasizes the importance of breaking silos and working together across government, nonprofit, business, and entrepreneurship sectors to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

Event Details:

Event Highlights:

  • Pitch Competition: Masters students from Pepperdine will present social enterprise ideas they’ve been incubating through the program. At the end of the night, we’ll announce three winners who will receive seed funding to launch their good-for-the-world organizations or projects.
  • Engaging Panels and Keynotes: Learn from leaders across sectors who are making collaboration the key to their impact.
  • Collaboration and Solutions Roundtables: Participate in interactive sessions to brainstorm and co-create solutions to pressing social issues.
  • Networking Mixer: End the evening with meaningful connections, celebrate the pitch competition winners, and find opportunities to amplify your mission.

Keynote Speaker

David Ryan Polgar: Founder and President of All Tech Is Human

Speakers

A’Lelia Bundles: Author, Journalist, Founder of Madam Walker & A'Lelia Walker Biographer

Ashraf Hebela: Head of Startup Banking and Co-head of Technology at J.P. Morgan

Christian Richardson: Creative Brand Strategist, Cultural Curator, and Storyteller

Chris Estes: Co-Executive Director of Community Strategies Group at The Aspen Institute

Allison Gilmore: Program Manager of John Lewis Young Leaders at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Raymond P. Towle: VP of Federation Relations & Coalition Partnerships at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Damara Catlett: Executive VP at Bryson Gillette Advocacy

Isabel Carlota Roby: Senior Staff Attorney (Latin America) at Robert F Kennedy Human Rights

Facilitator

Michelle Jaconi: Director of News Talent Strategy and Community Development at The Washington Post

Agenda Overview

  • Opening Welcome: 4:00 PM – 4:10 PM
  • Cross-Sector Impact Panel: 4:10 PM – 4:55 PM
  • The Role of Chambers of Commerce in Social Enterprise: 4:55 PM – 5:10 PM
  • Advocacy for Social Change Panel & Discussion: 5:10 PM – 5:45 PM
  • Break: 5:45 PM – 5:55 PM
  • Student Pitch Competition: 5:55 PM – 6:55 PM
  • Break: 6:55 PM – 7:05 PM
  • Keynote Fireside Chat: Unifying for Social Change: Lessons from Leaders in Collaboration: 7:05 PM – 7:50 PM
  • Pitch Competition Winners & Alumni Awards: 7:50 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Closing Remarks: 8:00 PM – 8:05 PM
  • Networking Mixer & Celebration: 8:05 PM – 9:00 PM

Sponsor a Future Changemaker

While the event is free, attendees are encouraged to support the next generation of social impact leaders. Through the Sponsor a Future Changemaker Donation Ticket, donors can help students in social change programs access mentorship and networking opportunities to develop their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

For those interested in contributing to future changemakers or learning more about the event, please visit the SEC Collective page.

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