One of the most incredible 3-weeks of my life, the Summer Social Innovation Lab brought together 19 social innovation entrepreneurs from 16 different countries. The lab was completely paid-for and sponsored by the Transformative Action Institute and Dell. We lived in a gorgeous, beach-front mansion in Boston, Massachusetts (we were so spoiled!!). With a camera crew that documented every step of our journey, I look forward to sharing the videos of our experience in a future post!
In these 3 weeks, I was so inspired by the work that the fellow lab fellows have already accomplished and are in the course to accomplish. From a South African who is developing a work-training program for low-income women to a Rhodes Scholar who built the largest student-run non-profit consulting group to a Nicaraguan building affordable housing, living with these leaders was fun-filled and exciting. The most important part of this summer lab was that I formed friendships that I know will last for the rest of my life.
We never had a day where we did the same thing…but, here are some typical things we did and some things I really loved:
- Waking up at 8am to prepare breakfast for one another
- Pitching to investors
- Attending workshops hosted by successful entrepreneurs, professors, and industry-leaders
- Playing on a Steinway Grand Piano
- Watching the Olympics
- Hosting and attending networking mixers in our house
- Playing air hockey and pool in the game rooms
- Lounging on the beach
- Traveling to New York
- Dance parties in the basement
- Learning design-thinking
- Having the time of our lives!
Taking a trip to New York! Here we are on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Our main hallway in our house with the fantastic Steinway grand piano that I would practice on every day!
The backyard that is just a short walk away from the ocean
Learning from acclaimed author David Bornstein (How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas)
Backyard party! One of our networking mixers at our house.
Singing together with famous jazz musician Gemma Bulos
Totally spoiled: Driven to the airport in a limo bus.
Our gorgeous house and backyard!
