Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is recognizing Global Citizen Year Founder & CEO Abby Falik as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2018 at its Builders + Innovators Summit in Santa Barbara, California.
Goldman Sachs selected Abby Falik as one of 100 entrepreneurs from multiple industries to be honored at the three-day event. This is the second consecutive year Abby has been awarded this honor for her pioneering work leading Global Citizen Year — the non-profit re-inventing the “gap year” as a launch pad for global leaders. Since 2010, Global Citizen Year has prepared nearly 1000 leaders from across the world through a school-year-long immersion in communities in Ecuador, Brazil, Senegal and India. Fellows become part of a local family and community and work alongside that community as apprentices in local projects in education, environment, social enterprise, health and more. By staying longer and going deeper than typical study abroad or travel programs, our Fellows learn to speak to their hosts in their own language, and to see the world through new eyes. As such, Global Citizen Year is preparing a new generation of leaders with a sense of purpose, and with the skills, insight and empathy to move the world ahead.
In addition to the award, Abby will be discussing Global Citizen Year’s mission and vision in two sessions at this year’s event: “Reimagining Education” with Ted Dintersmith moderated by Dan Dees, Co-Head of Global Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and “Telling Your Story” with Goldman Sachs Creative Director Brian Bill, who traveled to three of Global Citizen Year’s host countries to profile it’s work and the accomplishments of its alumni.
“A dynamic economy depends on dynamic entrepreneurs who disrupt industries and occasionally give birth to entirely new sectors,” said David M. Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs. “The purpose of Builders + Innovators is to support emerging leaders in their quests to innovate faster in order to grow their ideas. We are pleased to recognize Abby as one of the most intriguing entrepreneurs of 2018.”
Abby joins an impressive list of entrepreneurs including Founders and CEOs from Allbirds, Chobani, Faherty Brand, Harry’s, The Infatuation and more.
For nearly 150 years, Goldman Sachs has been advising and financing entrepreneurs as they launch and grow their businesses. In addition to honoring 100 entrepreneurs, the summit consists of general sessions and clinics led by seasoned entrepreneurs, academics and business leaders as well as resident scholars.
About Abby Falik:
Abby is the founder and CEO of Global Citizen Year and an award-winning social entrepreneur. A recognized expert on social innovation and the changing landscape of education, Falik has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. In 2018 she was named one of Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, in 2017 she was recognized as one of America’s Top 25 Philanthropy Speakers by The Business of Giving, and in 2016 Fast Company named her one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. For her achievements as a social entrepreneur, she has been recognized as an Ashoka Fellow and a Draper Richards Kaplan Entrepreneur, and has been invited to speak at forums including the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Obama Foundation Summit, and the Fast Company Innovation Festival. She currently serves on the advisory boards of World Learning, Teach for All, and the Harvard Business School. She received a B.A. in international relations and an M.A. in international comparative education from Stanford University, and her MBA from Harvard Business School. For a complete bio and a link to Abby’s writing, press and public speaking visit: www.abbyfalik.com
