Vanessa Kirsch

Vanessa Kirsch is a serial social entrepreneur. She founded New Profit, a venture philanthropy organization focused on advancing opportunity in America, in 1998. To date, New Profit has invested over $350M in 200+ organizations. She recently transitioned her role after 25 years in leadership, and is now Founder-in-Residence and Senior Partner, advising philanthropists and social entrepreneurs — with particular focus on American democracy and truth, justice, and reconciliation work. She previously founded Public Allies and Women’s Information Network.She was chosen by the The NonProfit Times for the “Power and Influence Top 50” list, by Boston Magazine as one of the “Most Powerful Boston Philanthropists,” and by Inside Philanthropy among the “50 Most Powerful Women in Philanthropy.” She received the Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship Award from Duke University’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship. Ernst & Young named her “Entrepreneur of the Year” for social entrepreneurship and she has been recognized by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report as a leader of her generation. Vanessa is a graduate of Tufts University and serves on the board of advisors of its Tisch College. She currently serves on the boards of directors of New Profit and The Beloved Community Center, and the boards of advisors of Liberation Ventures and Building Industry Partners. She has been published in Harvard Business Review, SSIR, and more.