Social Impact
Innovating for Profit and Purpose
To confront pressing societal challenges, we need businesses focused on new ideas and new solutions—and old ideas executed in new ways. We talked with Yale SOM faculty and alumni about pushing limits, taking disciplined risks, and developing resilient ventures while sustaining a dual commitment to profit and purpose.
How Do Impact Investors Know If They Are Having an Impact?
We talked with Jake Harris ’19, a principal at the impact investing firm DBL Partners, about the challenges of measuring the social and environmental returns on a financial investment.
How Innovations in Understanding Everyday Data Can Power More Effective Aid
For a project in Bangladesh, Prof. Mushfiq Mobarak and his team used machine-learning models applied to mobile phone records to identify the poorest households—faster and at far lower cost than traditional surveys.
Most Startups Fail. These Founders Thought Making an Impact Was Worth the Risk.
We talked with Nick Callegari ’25, Dianna Liu ’18, and Ariana Yuen ’19 about the unique challenges faced by founders trying to make a difference and the moments that make their work worthwhile.
Building a For-Profit Health Model That Reaches the Poorest
A wellness app created by Nneka Mobisson ’04 aims to help Nigerians manage chronic health conditions—while showing that for-profit innovation can make a difference for low-income populations.
‘Tough Tech’ Requires a Different Kind of Venture Capital
Engine Ventures, led by Katie Rae ’97, backs science-intensive innovation, including clean energy, quantum computing, and human health—an approach to venture capital defined by long timelines, deep expertise, and the potential for transformative impact.
The Funding Crisis Facing Nonprofits
We talked to Andrea Levere ’83 and Alexandra Sing ’20, CEO and COO of Capitalize Good, about the state of the social sector and the increased urgency of their work working with funders and nonprofits to move toward a model of stable, long-term capital.
Why Do Museums Matter?
Daniel Weiss ’85, former president and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses the distinctive joys and challenges of leading mission-driven organizations.
Making Impact Investing Work for System Resilience—and Investor Profits
To confront interconnected environmental and social crises, impact investors will need to factor resilience-building into their expected returns, especially in the most vulnerable parts of the world.
Investors Care About ESG-Related News—When It Impacts Returns
A new paper co-authored by Professor Edward Watts examines how retail investors weigh news about a public company’s environmental, social, and governance activity.
How a Network of Nonprofits and a Habit of Generosity Powers the U.S. Blood Supply
Curt Bailey ’99, CEO of Bloodworks Northwest, explains how the generosity of blood donors enables a uniquely American model for managing a crucial corner of healthcare.
