Agora Partnerships Ben Powell Fellowship Awarded 2009  Agora Partnerships is dedicated to providing talented entrepreneurs in Central America with the tools, networks, and access to financing they need to transform their communities. The organization seeks to create a modern-day agora where entrepreneurs, double bottom line investors, passionate MBA student consultants and volunteer professionals can come together to make a lasting social and economic impact in the world's most vulnerable communities. In addition, Agora sponsors a Fund that provides long-term capital to small businesses capable of creating quantifiable social value. Ben Powell became convinced of the power of small business to fight poverty as an entrepreneur in Mexico, where he co-founded CityGolf: Puebla, a miniature golf course and family entertainment park. He launched Agora Partnerships in 2005 while a student at Columbia Business School with the help of nearly 20 Columbia students and Ricardo Teran, an entrepreneur from Nicaragua, where the organization launched its first office. In addition to his MBA from Columbia, Ben has an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a BA from Haverford College. Ben was an examiner in the International Affairs Division of the White House Office of Management and Budget and has worked at Ashoka on its Full Economic Citizenship initiative. Ben received the I-Qube award for innovation, inspiration and impact from Dalberg Global Advisors, and is part of the Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE). You can learn more about Agora Partnerships at www.agorapartnerships.org. |
