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Jacqueline Novogratz

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Choosing a superhero: Jacqueline Novogratz

As part of her Squidoo Superheroes project for charity, Anne Reidy asked me to profile someone who inspires, who leads, who makes a difference. This was a surprisingly easy choice.

The Acumen Fund is patient capital. They invest money in companies run by and for the developing world. If those investments pay off, they take the profit and do it again. Trade, not aid. Creating infrastructure through commerce, teaching people to be self sufficient.

Jacqueline isn't particularly well known, but that's because she keeps a low profile, not because she isn't making a difference. This page will give you an overview of the work she's doing now.

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Jacqueline Novogratz, organizer, motivat...
Building a new world
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Jacqueline Novogratz, organizer, motivator, ruckus-maker

Jacqueline is the founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund (see below for more on Acumen.)

Before developing Acumen Fund, Jacqueline served as Manager of Special Projects at the Rockefeller Foundation, where she created and directed The Philanthropy Workshop, an international philanthropic education program that built a network of 100 philanthropists in the U.S. and Argentina; and The Next Generation Leadership, a program focused on building a corps of 21st century leaders. She has also worked at the Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation.

Jacqueline founded the first bank by and for women in Rwanda. She has worked as a consultant to UNICEF and the World Bank in various African countries. Jacqueline began her career in International Banking and holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BA from the University of Virginia.

Building a new world

One community at a time

RSS feed for Jacqueline Novogratz

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Jacqueline Novogratz Videos

Shout Out For Jacqueline Novogratz!

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dtbs Jul 14, 2008 @ 10:28 am | delete

don't know here but wish i did. thanks for sharing this info! please check mine out at----------------> Kava Kava.

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BFuniv.com Jul 7, 2008 @ 12:47 pm | delete

"The humility to start listening." - Jacqueline Novogratz What a basis for a micro-finance.I love the blending of capitalism and philanthropy.

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alicesy Jun 25, 2008 @ 9:51 pm | delete

Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Jacqueline Novogratz. Keep up the good work.

Please check out my Police Jobs Blog.

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JaguarJulie Jun 24, 2008 @ 6:34 pm | delete

What an incredible person ... she is indeed awe-inspiring to the rest of us. How did the Acumen Fund become associated with Squidoo? I'm sure there is an inspirational story there.

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Spook Jun 18, 2008 @ 4:44 pm | delete

An almost unbelievably difficult thing to reply to. Having lived most of my life in Africa and also having been profoundly deaf fot 36 years (so I understand prejudice).It,s not the aid that counts, the real tragedy strikes because of unscrupolous leaders. My beloved country Zimbabwe is a perfect example. There's no reason for the people to be poor. It stems from bad leadership. Unfortunatly, most people tend to support the underdog,it's only part and parcel of human nature. However supporting the underdog, all evidence to the contrary not withstanding is a very bad thing. We often used to say that it is aid agencies who cause half the problems,because it teaches simple people to bring out the begging bowls instead of fending for themselves. However having said that it in no ways diminishes from the great humanitarian gift which acumen are providing. However the real problem does not lie there. Look to Rhodesia, we never had a problem with people starving,but the Mugabe was the answer.

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michael gibbons Jun 16, 2008 @ 7:54 pm | delete

This woman is remarkable. KUDOS

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MeganCasey Jun 10, 2008 @ 11:27 am | delete

I really enjoyed her talk at TED. Jacqueline, you've got some serious fans here at Squidoo! Thanks for all the good, insightful work you do.