Social Innovation Conferences and Events
The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation holds social impact events globally, offering insights into how the sector operates and helping our community members prepare to solve complex problems.
Upcoming Events
Rustandy Center Office Hours
Weekly this fall at Booth 455
Stop by to connect with Rustandy Center staff, ask questions, and explore opportunities in social impact at Booth, including impact investing, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and philanthropy. Drop in anytime 鈥� no registration needed.
Executives in Residence Office Hours
Audience: Open to Booth Students
Whether you're working on social impact projects or are interested in social impact careers, you can turn to the Rustandy Center's executives in residence (EIRs) for guidance on sustainability, impact investing, civic impact, social entrepreneurship, ESG, and more.
NVC/SNVC Kick-off and Information Sessions
Wednesday, October 22 | 5 鈥� 7 p.m. | Harper Center |
Saturday, October 25 | 12:15 鈥� 1:15 p.m. | Gleacher Center |
Audience: Booth and university students, faculty, and researchers
Ready to launch your new venture? Join either of these info sessions to learn all about the 29th annual Edward L. Kaplan, 鈥�71, New Venture Challenge, and the 16th annual John Edwardson, 鈥�72, Social New Venture Challenge.
Impact Investing 101
Part 1: Thursday, October 23 | 5 – 6 p.m. | Virtual |
Part 2: Thursday, October 30 | Noon – 1 p.m. | Harper Center |
Audience: Open to Chicago Booth and Harris School students
Impact Investing 101 is a two-part series focusing on the foundational basics of impact investing, taught by the Rustandy Center impact investors in residence, Priya Parrish, ’09, and Brittany Henry, ’17.
Southside Bike Tour
Saturday, October 25 | Noon – 3 p.m. | Harper Center
Audience: Open to Booth students
Bike with Professor George Wu across Chicago's South Side, learning about the economic and social history of the area. Participants must provide their own bicycles and helmets.
Social Venture Ideation Workshop
Tuesday, October 28 | Noon – 1 p.m. | Harper Center
Audience: Open to Booth and university students
Learn about this year's Edwardson Social Entrepreneurship programming with Social Entrepreneur in Residence Todd Connor. Whether you’re exploring an idea for a social venture, planning to apply for the John Edwardson, ’72 Social New Venture Challenge, or simply looking to join a team and learn more, this session will help you get started.
Atypical Strategy for Atypical Times
Tuesday, November 4 | Noon – 1 p.m.| Harper Center and
Audience: Open to Booth students
In Atypical: Five Strategy Rules for a New World, Prateek Raj challenges business leaders to rethink management for a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future. He shows how listening to voices on the margins and embracing innovation helps the world’s most innovative organizations navigate the complexity and ambiguity of atypical times.
Sourcing Workshop - Ask Me Anything with Impact Investing EIR Jeff Stine
Tuesday, November 4 | 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.| Harper Center
Audience: Booth MBA and Harris Students
Want to level up your sourcing strategy or learn how the pros do it? Join Rustandy’s Impact Investing EIR Jeff Stine for an interactive session on finding, evaluating, and building strong pipelines. Gain insider tips on sourcing strategies and early diligence — and bring your questions for a live Ask Me Anything!
Perspectives in Sustainability: A Conversation with Gabriel Presler MBA/MPP '05
Thursday, November 6 | Noon – 1 p.m.| Harper Center
Audience: Open to Booth and UChicago Grad Students
Join the Rustandy Center for an insightful fireside chat with Gabriel Presler, MBA '05/MPP’05, the Global Head of Enterprise Sustainability for Morningstar and a University of Chicago and Booth alumnus who now leads Morningstar's global sustainability strategy. Presler focuses on embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the company’s operations and culture, ensuring that sustainability drives real business impact.
Civic Trek: Green Era Campus
Thursday, November 6 | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.| Leave from Harper Center
Audience: Open to Booth students
Can economic empowerment, clean energy, and local food production happen all in one place? Chicago’s Green Era Campus proves that it can. The effort is transforming 9 acres of brownfield into a renewable energy facility and hub for urban agriculture and green jobs. In this Civic Trek hosted by the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, participants will visit the Green Era Campus, learn about its innovative model, and see their anaerobic digester in action.
