Author: Jeremy Candelas
How can you make a positive social impact? That’s what the first (planned-to-be) annual CU Social Impact Conference hoped participants would be able to discover after attending the February 27th event in Sage Hall.
Organized by the Cornell Sustainable Enterprise Association, the four-hour conference drew together over twenty speakers, panelists, and moderators to inspire a productive discussion of how one can make a positive social impact, no matter what stage in life you’re in, or what career field you enter.
Photo by Jeremy Candelas
Keynote speaker Kunal Mehta (a former investment banker, author of the book DISRUPTORS, founder of the mobile application Unfold, and a former financial strategy associate for charity: water) opened the event. In his presentation, Mehta set the tone for the day’s panels and discussions, telling attendees that they could make a difference while still being able “to pursue work they can truly care about.”
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The rest of the day’s events consisted of thought-provoking panels, moderated by undergraduates and Johnson School MBA students. The panelists themselves – local leaders in their respective fields – consisted of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as staff, faculty, and local businessmen who each brought a unique and valuable perspective to the discussion.
The first round of topics ranged from creating social impact in various career fields. Individuals were able to attend panels concerning social impact in the apparel, food, and finance industries. After a brief coffee chat, the second round of panels consisted of discussions revolving around creating social impact in the various stages of one’s life, whether it is as an undergraduate or graduate student, as an entrepreneur, or simply as a member of the community.
Photo by Jeremy Candelas
The panelists emphasized (and exhibited) the ability for individuals to make a positive change in their communities no matter where they currently are in life, or where they will ultimately end up in their lives and careers. The key points of the conference as a whole was that no matter where you’re at in life, you can make an impact. So the real question is, what are you waiting for?
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