The faculty for PopTech’s Social Innovation Fellows Program contributes to a unique, cutting-edge training program designed to accelerate positive impact. This high-powered group includes relevant thought leaders in fields that are absolutely critical to success, but rarely “taught”—such as branding, design, venture capital, media relations, and finance. Their expert advice for social innovators helps provide a solid framework for effectiveness and results.
2009 Faculty |
 | Tracy Barba
As Director of Marketing and Training Services for Duarte Design, Tracy provides strategic direction and leadership for marketing communications programs, initiatives, campaigns and training services. |
 | Nancy Duarte
Nancy is the CEO of Duarte Design, the largest firm in the world focused solely on presentations – whether they are delivered in person, online or via devices. |
 | Peter Durand
A designer and facilitator who uses visual learning in collaborative strategy and design situations to accelerate change, Peter is co-founder and creative director of Alphachimp Studio. Currently, he is focused on accelerating change in health care as Assistant Director of the Innovation Center at the Vanderbilt Center for Better Health. |
 | Robert Fabricant
Executive Creative Director of frog design, Robert leads multidisciplinary design teams, teaches at NYU’s Tisch School, and is a central partner in PopTech’s Project Masiluleke. (video) |
 | Abby Falik
The founder and CEO of Global Citizen Year, Abby has been awarded the Draper Richards Fellowship and a Mind Trust Fellowship, and was a PopTech Social Innovation Fellow in the inaugural class of 2008. (video) |
 | Cheryl Heller
Cheryl is CEO of Heller Communication Design and a leading strategist, writer, and creative director, partnering to build brands that engender the trust, loyalty, and support required to flourish in the future. (video) |
 | Erik Hersman
A co-founder of Ushahidi and a 2008 PopTech Fellow, Erik is an innovator, technologist, and blogger focused on advancing the use of technology as an empowerment tool in the developing world. (video) |
 | Beth Kanter
Beth is a trainer, blogger and consultant to nonprofits and individuals in effective use of social media. |
 | Jim Koch
Founding Director of the Center for Science, Technology and Society and the Global Social Benefit Incubator, Jim empowers social entrepreneurs to overcome barriers to scale and impact. (video) |
 | Mukara Meredith
Mukara integrates universal principles of healing into a new model of leadership called Matrixworks, and helps teams become more creative and able to function as living systems. (video) |
 | Clara Miller
Clara is President and CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, a national leader in helping nonprofits strengthen their financial health and improve their capacity to serve their communities. (video) |
 | Kevin Starr
Director of the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program, Kevin helps the brightest social entrepreneurs maximize the impact of their ventures in the developing world. (video) |
 | Vince Stehle
Program Director for Nonprofit Sector Support at the Surdna Foundation and board member to a host of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, Vince helps social ventures change the world. (video) |
 | Kristen Taylor
Kristen is the Digital Content/Community Manager for PopTech. Experienced as a freelance designer and new media instructor, she specializes in building out digital archives and online communities for collective action. |
 | Lisa Witter
Chief Strategy Officer of Fenton Communications – the largest public interest communications firm in the United States – Lisa heads the firm’s practice in women’s issues and global affairs. (video) |
 | Andrew Zolli
Executive Director and Curator of PopTech, Andrew is a well-known expert in global foresight and innovation, studying the complex trends that are shaping our future. |
Past Faculty |
 | John Balen
As General Partner at Canaan Partners and a board member at numerous early-stage firms, John Balen focuses on investments in digital media, mobility, and next-generation enterprise technologies. (presentation) |
 | Gideon D’Arcangelo
Director of Creative Strategy at ESI Design in New York, Gideon has an extensive background in digital storytelling with a special focus on the intersection of new technology and musical experience. (video) |
 | Eva Haller
A recognized social, educational, and environmental activist and philanthropist, Eva has a long and distinguished career in social issues research, family and child therapy, and consulting work. (video) |
 | Paul Polak
The renowned founder of International Development Enterprises, Paul has worked around the world, helping design and produce low-cost products that have already moved 17 million people out of poverty. (video) |
 | Gustav Praekelt
Founder of the Praekelt Foundation and specializing in open source mobile technology solutions, Gustav is a digital entrepreneur, an obsessive technologist, and a key partner for PopTech’s Project Masiluleke. (video) |
 | Bunker Roy
One of the world’s most celebrated social innovators, Bunker Roy, founder of the “Barefoot College,” is improving the lives of thousands of India’s rural poor. (video) |
 | David Sasaki
Director of Rising Voices, a global citizen media initiative of Global Voices Online, David has led new media training workshops to great effect throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia. (video) |
 | Ethan Zuckerman
A Fellow of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society since 2003 and co-founder of Geekcorps and Global Voices, Ethan’s work is focused on the impact of technology on the developing world. |
