Mirjam Schoening
- d/ Affordable and Clean Energy
- d/ Clean Water and Sanitation
- d/ Climate Action
- d/ Decent Work and Economic Growth
- d/ Gender Equality
- d/ Good Health and Well-being
- d/ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- d/ Life Below Water
- d/ Life on Land
- d/ No Poverty
- d/ Partnerships to achieve the Goal
- d/ Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- d/ Quality Education
- d/ Reduced Inequality
- d/ Responsible Consumption and Production
- d/ Sustainable Cities and Communities
- d/ Zero Hunger
Mirjam Schoening
Senior Researcher (Skoll Center), Said Business School (Oxford), former Head (Schwab Foundation) - Switzerland
"Never doubt that a small group of committed persons can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
About:
Mirjam Schöning is a pioneer in social entrepreneurship, having joined the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship at its inception in 2000 and leading the Foundation from February 2008 to September 2012. As part of the Foundation’s “Social Entrepreneur of the Year” selection process, Mirjam screened thousands of social enterprises spanning education, health, environment and enterprise development around the world. Mirjam currently serves on the board of various social enterprises and support organizations, including Dialogue Social Enterprises, Thomson Reuters Trust Law Foundation, Siemens “Empower People Award” and the Duke University’s CASE Impact Investing Initiative. Mirjam holds an MBA from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. She graduated with a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Previously, she was a consultant at Bain & Company.
Problem:
Starting a social enterprise is tough. Sustaining and scaling it is even tougher.
Opportunity:
Having had the privilege of working closely with 200 of the world´s leading social entrepreneurs that are part of the Schwab Foundation´s community for the past 12 years, I can share a few observations and lessons. Some of the key questions are around how to finance a social enterprise, the importance of considering governance questions early on, how do you grow the enterprise and how do you find and retain talent?