In 2017 I won a Westpac Foundation Social Change Fellowship. That experience opened my eyes to so many opportunities. First it exposed and liberated my imposter syndrome, secondly introduced me to a network of incredible Australians working on dreams that challenged the norms of modern society, and thirdly allowed me to visit far flung places where i witnessed people coming together in social enterprise hubs to support each other, collaborate and amplify their impact. Ponyride in Detroit and Hamilton House in Bristol showed me the scale of what was possible.
Would something like this work in Adelaide? Imagine the impact of such a community.
Three years on - next week we launch Social Change Headquarters. The We is 4 female founders. The Where is (for now) online, but our focus in South Australia. The What however has changed.
Since 2017, incubators and hubs have multiplied and are well established places of collaboration and business development across the state. A social enterprise specific hub is still an opportunity, but with organisations like the South Australian Social Enterprise Council and Australian Social Enterprise National Alliance both in formation, a spotlight is soon to be shone on the opportunity and impact of social businesses particularly with their solutions to developing inclusive workplaces and environmental sustainability. Entrepreneurs across many sectors are also being nourished and supported.
So where is the gap now? Who is missing from the ecosystem that can help deliver positive change to business, people and the planet. I engaged the team at the Imagine Studio who asked people in South Australia from social entrepreneurs, senior public officials, University, Business and NFP leaders what was missing.
And this is where we landed.
Social Change Headquarters is shining a light on those people within organisations and businesses that are striving for change. The Intrapreneurs. Those who are bravely pushing the boundaries from within organisations - both up and down the leadership channels to shift and develop businesses to be mechanisms for equality, inclusion and contributing to a sustainable world. This is our Why.
Oh and the We...the girls at the Imagine Studio, Alissa Nightingale and Mei-Ling Ho, couldn't unsee the opportunity, nor could our intrapreneur champion Bridget Armstrong. We launch Social Change Headquarters in conjunction with our global partner, the ‘League of Intrapreneurs’, during Global Intrapreneurs Week on the 9th June. Sign up to one of our two webinars, or sign up to our pilot program - the links are on our website at www.socialchangehq.com.
Wish us all the best in enabling South Australia to make a better world through business.