Trustee Candidate: Vanessa Kirsch
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Election deadline: April 2, 2012, 11 pm EDT
Brookline, Mass.
B.A., History, 1987
Chief Occupation:
president and founder, New Profit Inc.
Tufts Activities:
member, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service Board of Advocates (2003–present); Tufts Alumni Council (1998–2008); student representative, Board of Trustees (1986–1987); former board member, EPIIC; Tufts Distinguished Achievement Award (2010)
Non-Tufts activities:
director, College Summit; director, Stand for Children Leadership Center; director, The Mission Continues; member, Massachusetts Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee; former director, Jumpstart; former director, New Leaders; co-founder and former CEO, Public Allies; co-founder and former chair, Women’s Information Network
Statement:
I grew up one subway stop away from Tufts, and more than I ever could have anticipated, that short ride to Somerville became a gateway to my future. I am truly grateful for my four years at Tufts, and I am honored to run for the position of Alumni Trustee to continue to give back to an institution and community that has given me so much.
Tufts changed the course of my life. From my amazing academic experiences, to my extracurricular life as a TCU senator, student activist, and a representative to the Board, Tufts incubated me as a leader and social entrepreneur. My rich experiences on campus seeded my passions for entrepreneurship and active citizenship, which I have been following ever since. I have had the privilege of co-founding two nonprofit organizations geared toward empowering women and young people to make a difference, as well as a venture philanthropy fund for the nonprofit sector, New Profit Inc., which aims to release the potential of philanthropy and create the conditions for social entrepreneurs to achieve widespread social change. Growing these enterprises has taught me how critical it is to forge partnerships across sectors in pursuit of greater impact and has also reinforced my longstanding belief in the power of young people across our country—like those who started City Year, Teach For America, and Jumpstart—who are looking for opportunities to serve others.
I truly believe that Tufts has a world-class model for engaging whole universities in the process of developing active global citizens, and it has been an honor for me to serve this mission on the board of advocates of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. I am deeply inspired by Tufts’ commitment to supporting public citizens who take an active role in building stronger communities and societies, and I believe the university has the opportunity to lead the country in this arena in the 21st century. As an Alumni Trustee, I would wholeheartedly apply my skills and experiences toward keeping Tufts on the cutting edge of fostering leadership in future generations.
