The Ballard Center’s Social Innovator of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional individual who is committed to finding and participating in innovative solutions to social problems.

Each year the Ballard Center celebrate’s our Social Innovator of the Year at an invite-only luncheon. Attendees have the privilege to hear exclusive insights from leading experts in social innovation. “There are a number of social ventures in the world that are recognized by various groups,” says Todd Manwaring, Ballard Center director. “What we do is we pick a group who is having some phenomenal success that we would like to bring on campus.”
For a complete list of past honorees, please see below.
Year | Honoree | Organization |
2018 | Alexandra Bernadotte | Beyond 12 |
2017 | Sam Cobbs | First Place for Youth |
2016 | Bill Somerville | Philanthropic Ventures Foundation |
2015 | Jane Leu | Smarter Good |
2014 | Jake Harriman | Nuru International |
2013 | Kushal Chakrabarti | Vittana (Now merged with Kiva) |
2012 | David Bornstein | Solutions Journalism Network |
2011 | Willy Foote | Root Capital |
2010 | None awarded | None awarded |
2009 | Jim Fruchterman | Benetech |
2008 | Bette Gibson | Academy for Creating Enterprise |
Steve Gibson | Academy for Creating Enterprise | |
2007 | Martin Burt | Fundacion Paraguaya |
2006 | Mushtaque Chowdhury | BRAC |
Jordan Kassalow | Vision Spring (Formerly Scojo Foundation) | |
2005 | Warner Woodworth | Brigham Young University |
2004 | Chris Dunford | Freedom From Hunger |
2003 | Sam Daley-Harris | RESULTS Educational Fund |
2002 | Kathleen Close | Micro-Business USA |
2001 | John Hatch | FINCA |