PIONEERING A NEW PATH
JOSH MAILMAN
WAYNE SILBY
Co-founded by Wayne Silby and Josh Mailman in 1987, Social Venture Network connects, leverages and promotes a global community of leaders 
working to create a more just and sustainable economy.
Today, the concept behind SVN might seem commonplace, but its genesis two decades ago was the result of a revelation. "The idea for SVN came from realizing that there was a generation of people involved in the business community that had progressive social values," Mailman says. "We decided that it was imperative for us to use our resources to create a new paradigm: one in which business operates to add value to society — without compromising the well-being of future generations."
SVN started in 1987 as a small group of values-driven entrepreneurs and leaders who gathered for a meeting in Boulder, Colorado. Today, SVN is a support system for a diverse community of more than 400 members, including company founders, social entrepreneurs, investors and key influencers.
Since SVN began, the attitudes of its founding members have been increasingly embraced not only by businesses and nonprofits, but also by the public at large. "The way that people think about business and social change is merging," Mailman explains. "SVN helped innovate that shift through its focus on values.”
Indeed, thanks to the visions and actions of Silby, Mailman and thousands of other pioneers and innovators who have participated in the network, SVN has catalyzed fundamental social change during its 20-year history. Because of connections forged amongst like-minded members, SVN has helped launch organizations like Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), Net Impact, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), SVN Europe, Social Impact Leadership Coalition (SILC) and the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC).
"Rebbe Chuck Blitz once said, 'There are no big people,'" remarks Mailman. "We’re it. Let’s get something done."
Idea 2: SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING →
