The Genius in us All - Stories of Social Entrepreneurship in Hawai'i

Sakamaki Extraordinary Lectures at UHM Outreach College

Social entrepreneur Olin Lagon will share personal stories from several social ventures based in Hawai‘i that have brought in millions of dollars in income in support of social causes and engaged thousands of individuals across the state to lead by example. These ventures have created jobs in some of our most underserved communities, and have been featured prominently in national press (including a recent presentation on Apple's new operating system by Steve Jobs).
Lagon has worked in over 20 countries with various non-profits and on several startups that blend business and social/environmental objectives.

Lagon's last five ventures have been mission-driven engagements – a two-year Peace Corps Business Volunteership in Russia/founder of social venture firm Verbioso; technical assistance and finance manager at a community lending institution; CEO of a non-profit owned company creating and sustaining technology jobs in Hawaiian homestead communities; President/COO of a group payment aggregation firm that helps channel millions of dollars a year to grassroots efforts through social media fundraising; and currently leading Kanu Hawai‘i's social venture and technology efforts. Lagon's software designs have been adopted by Fortune 500 firms, institutions such as MIT, and featured in international press.

The annual Sakamaki Extraordinary Lectures extend the intellectual resources of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to the community. The 2010 series, "The Genius in Us All," was inspired by a recent HONOLULU Magazine article "Our Geniuses" and provides an opportunity to meet some of the gifted individuals profiled there.

Funded in part by the Shunzo Sakamaki Extraordinary Lecture Endowment at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation. Additional promotional support for this year’s lectures from HONOLULU Magazine.