A selection of presentations made and conferences attended by NESsT staff from 1997 to present:

2006

Listen to NESsT Co-Founder & CEO Lee Davis as a panelist on the “New Web Tools and Their Revenue Models” discussion organized by NetSquared. NetSquared, a project of Tech Soup, offers news and interviews about nonprofits and NGOs using the social web for social change. September, 2006.

NESsT’s Lee Davis and Laurie Spengler of Shorebank and member of NESsT’s International Business Advisory Network, in “Eastern Europe: Getting a Return on Your Investment,” at The Chicago Global Donors Network 3rd Annual Conference on International Giving, June 27th, 2006.

Lee Davis shared his speech, "Capitalism for Social Change," at the The Social Innovators’ Summit. an event for an invited audience of 70-80 social innovators –

practitioners, thinkers and supporters of social innovation. The Summit, which took place on June 22-23, 2006 in Toronto, Canada, aims to catalyze, inform and inspire social innovation, with a particular focus on engaging in a discussion of business models for social change. D-Code and the Centre for Social Innovation organized the annual conference.

Nicole Etchart, "NESsT's Venture Philanthropy Initiatives: Nicole Etchart's One-on-One Interview with Kelly Janiga of William Davidson Institute," at the University of Michigan, March 2006. Kelly Janiga (Manager of Research Programs and Social Enterprise Initiative at WDI) talks to NESsT's Nicole Etchart about issues pertaining to social entrepreneurship and NESsT's venture philanthropy pursuits. Scroll down the page to hear the interview as MP3 or to download as video.

2005

Nicole Etchart, "Stop or Go: Is Social Enterprise Right for My Organization?" workshop on SocialEdge, April 26-May 2.

Lee Davis, "High Engagement Philanthropy in Emerging Markets," at the Harvard International Development Conference (IDC) 2005 (Cambridge: Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government, April 8-10).

Nicole Etchart at the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, (Oxford: Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, Oxford University, March 30 - April 1). Read Forum program.

Eva Varga, keynote address at "Rethinking the Way in Which NGOs Do Business," conference hosted by the William Davidson Institute (University of Michigan), together with the Pontis Foundation (Bratislava, Slovakia:

Lee Davis, Special Guest in "Oxford's Exploration of Venture Philanthropy" on SocialEdge, February 14-21.

Gonzalo San Martin, " Income through Enterprise" at the First Hemispheric Congress on Fundraising, co-sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and The Resource Alliance. (Mexico City, Mexico: February 3-5, at the Presidente InterContinental Hotel). Read program in English and Spanish.

2004

Lee Davis in annual lecture series on "Social Innovation and the Social Entrepreneur" sponsored by the Center for Social Innovation (Graduate School of Business) in conjunction with the Social Entrepreneurship Program (Public Policy Department), Social Venture Club (SVC) and the Future Social Innovators Network (FUSION). Stanford University, November 23, 2004.

Lee Davis, "From Venture Capital to Venture Philanthropy: Social Enterprise in Emerging Europe" at the Central & Eastern (CEE) European Private Equity Forum 2004 (London: Cafe Royal; 11-12 November 2004).

See also: NESsT Golden Egg Award for excellence in venture philanthropy.

Lee Davis, "Social Investment Case Study: NESsT Venture Fund for Central Europe" at European Foundation Centre (EFC) meeting of Europe in the World Social Investment Group (SIG) meeting. (Brussels: 9 November 2004).

Lee Davis at "2004 Venture Philanthropy Summit," sponsored by New Profit, Morino Institute, The Arrillaga Foundation, Draper Richards Foundation, Community Foundation Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund, Peninsula Community Foundation, Stanford Graduate School of Business Center for Social Innovation, and Social Venture Partners International (Palo Alto, California: September 30).

Joanna Messing, on ‘ Sustainable Development and the Environment: Conservation, Grassroots Activism, Water Issues, and Ecotourism’ panel at International Development Series event sponsored by the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) and the Bay Area International Development Organizations (BAIDO). (San Francisco: August 12).

Joanna Messing at "Bridging the Divide 2004: Technology, Innovation and Learning in Developing Economies," (Berkeley: University of California, Berkeley, April 1-3). A Conference of The University of California, Berkeley in cooperation with The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Lee Davis, "NESsT Venture Fund: Investing in Social Enterprise to Promote Social Change," a keynote address on 'venture philanthropy' at "New Income Sources for Charities," organized by Action Planning in association with John Pepin & Associates, Third Sector Magazine, and Community Action Network (London: Central Hall Westminster, April 1).

Nicole Etchart in "Social Entrepreneurship Case Studies" at the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship (Oxford: Saïd Business School, Oxford University, March 29-31).

Nicole Etchart in " Exemplary Experiences of Social Entrepreneurship" at "Latin American and Caribbean Social Capital in Action: Young Entrepreneurs and Volunteerism" ("El Capital Social de América Latina y el Caribe en Acción: Empresariado Juvenil y Voluntariado
Llevado") (Lima, Peru: Museo de la Nación, March 25-26). The annual meeting of the Assembly of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-American Investment Corporation.

Lee Davis at "Collaboration in International Development: Putting Business in the Picture," Third Annual Stanford International Development Conference (Stanford: Stanford Association for International Development (SAID) and Future Social Innovators Network (FUSION), February 7, 2004).

Lee Davis, "Social Venture Capital," at the Wharton Private Equity Conference 2004 (Philadelphia: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, January 23, 2004).

"The packed panel represented a well-varied crew - from the venerable IFC to the specialized
likes of NESsT, which
provides micro-investments for social ventures in the emerging markets . . . the eye-opening discussion certainly made this panel the highlight of my day."

- Tom Schmittzehe in The Wharton Journal (Feb 9, 2004).

2003

Lee Davis, "NESsT: Lessons from the Emerging Field of Social Enterprise in Emerging Market Countries," at "Strengthening Grassroots Business Organizations" at the Development Marketplace (Washington, DC: World Bank and International Finance Corporation, Small & Medium Enterprise Department, December 3-5, 2003).

Lee Davis, Annabel Ipsen and Joanna Messing, "NESsT: Social Enterprise in Emerging Market Countries," (Stanford: Center for Social Innovation, Stanford University Graduate School of Business, November 24, 2003).

Nicole Etchart at "Philanthropy in Latin America: Challenges in Building Human Capital and Achieving Social Justice" (Santiago: PROhumana/Ford Foundation, November 17-20, 2003).

Joanna Messing at "Conversations in Social Enterprise:
Partnership is Key to International Development," hosted by Origo, Inc. (San Francisco: The Commonwealth Club, November 14, 2003).

Eva Varga "Predstavitev NESsT" at "LUPA: Second Slovene NGO Festival," organized by the Centre for information service, co-operation and development of NGOs (CNVOS) (Ljubljana, Slovenia: Galerija Skuc, November 11).

Lee Davis, "Earning Income and the Sustainability of Charitable Enterprise," at "Banking for the Common Good," the Charity Bank Limited Open Meeting (London: Oxford House in Bethnal Green, October 25, 2003).

Lee Davis, "NESsT Venture Fund: Investing in Social Enterprise in Emerging Markets" at Oxford University, Said Business School (Oxford: October 17, 2003).

Nicole Etchart in "Why Social Entrepreneurship?" at the  Sixth Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise (Guatemala City: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), September 4, 2003).

Joanna Messing in "Social Entrepreneurship: The Toolbox" at the Sixth Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise (Guatemala City: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), September 4, 2003).

Lee Davis, "Social Enterprise Ethics: An Emerging Field Combining Issues of Accountability and Transparency from the Business and Nonprofit Sectors" at the 16th Annual Conference of the European Busienss Ethics Network (EBEN), "Building Ethical Institutions for Business" (Budapest: August 29-31, 2003).

Juan Pablo Iribarne at the Annual Meeting of Fortaleza "Focal Points" (Quito, Equador: Fortaleza, July 31-August 1, 2003).

Nicole Etchart in "Strengthening Non-governmental Organizations' Sustainability Through Social Ventures/Enterprises" at the Alcoa Foundation's Social Venture/Enterprise Initiative International Forum (Racine, Wisconsin: Johnson Foundation Wingspread Retreat Center, June 20, 2003)

Lee Davis in "Opportunities and Challenges in Funding Social Ventures/Enterprises Worldwide" at the Alcoa Foundation's Social Venture/Enterprise Initiative International Forum (Racine, Wisconsin: Johnson Foundation Wingspread Retreat Center, June 20, 2003)

Nicole Etchart, "NESsT Venture Fund: Promoting Social Responsibility, Accountability and Transparency," at the "Educating for Social Responsibility" conference hosted by Construye Pais (Concepcion, Chile: University of Concepcion: May 8-9, 2003).

Lee Davis, "The Emerging Field of Social Enterprise: An Introduction to Social Enterprise in Emerging Market Countries" at Yale School of Management - The Goldman Sachs Foundation Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures Conference (New York: May 1-2, 2003).

Nicole Etchart at "Public Policy, Philanthropy and Civil Society in Latin America: Strengthening the Solidarity?" hosted by the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) and the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Program on Philanthropy, Civil Society and Social Change in the Americas (PASCA) at Harvard University (Santiago, Chile: March 13-14, 2003).

Lee Davis in "e-Philanthropy in Service of Causes" at the 4th Annual e-Philanthropy Conference "From a Connected World to an Engaged World, " (Oakland, California: March 9 - 10, 2003).

Joanna Messing, "Enterprise Development and Self-Financing for Romanian NGOs" (Bucharest, Romania: February 17, 2003). Hosted by the Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF) with support from the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and the British Embassy in Bucharest.

Nicole Etchart at National Congress of Chilean NGOs, "Challenges for NGOs and International Cooperation in Chile and Latin America," (Santiago, Chile: January 16-17, 2003).

2002

Lee Davis, "Debt and Equity Financing for Earned Income Opportunities" at National Gathering for Social Entrepreneurs (Minneapolis, Minnesota: December 4-6, 2002).

Joanna Messing at Hungarian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HVCA) Conference (Budapest, November 14, 2002).

Nicole Etchart, "Accountability of Civil Society Organizations" at La Otra Feria (Santiago, Chile: November 8-10, 2002).

Lee Davis, "Social Entrepreneurship and Venture Funding," at "Beyond the Bottom Line: Making a Difference with your MBA" conference sponsored by the Social Enterprise Club at the Columbia Business School (New York: October 11, 2002).

Lee Davis, presentation on the NESsT Venture Fund and venture philanthropy at International Professional Women's Association (IPWA) meeting (Santiago, Chile: August 28, 2002).

Lee Davis, keynote address on venture philanthropy at Macquarie Bank Foundation (Sydney, Australia: Macquarie Bank, July 19, 2002).

Lee Davis, "Philanthropy and Social Investment" workshop, hosted by The Smith Family at JBWere, Governor Phillip Tower  (Sydney, Australia: July 18, 2002)

Lee Davis, "Philanthropy, Social Investment and Venture Philanthropy," hosted by Swinburne University of Technology, Institute for Social Research, Asia-Pacific Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment (Melbourne, Australia: July 15, 2002)

Lee Davis, "Venture Philanthropy Seminar" hosted by Queensland University of Technology Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofits Studies (Brisbane, Australia: July 12, 2002)

Lee Davis, keynote address "Venture Philanthropy" at "Leading Philanthropy into the 21st Century" Conference hosted by the Queensland University of Technology Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofits Studies (Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia: July 8-11, 2002).

Joanna Messing, at "Public Private Partnership: Expanding the Experience of Social Business" (Tirana, Albania: Unicef Albania, 29-30 April 2002).

Joanna Messing, at "Public Private Partnership: Expanding the Experience of Social Business" (Tirana, Albania: Unicef Albania, 29-30 April 2002).

Joanna Messing, "Building the Nonprofit Capital Market in Central Europe and Latin America," at TechTalk (Golem Club, Prague, Czech Republic, January 2002). TechTalk is a monthly forum for entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, financial investors, corporations, and technology gurus in Czech Republic to meet and exchange ideas.

Joanna Messing, "Building the Nonprofit Capital Market in Central Europe and Latin America," Czech Venture Capital Association (Hotel Jalta, Prague, Czech Republic, January 2002).

2001

Nicole Etchart, "The Double Bottom Line: Social and Financial Returns," at Innovations for Microenterprise Development, IV Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise, Inter-American Development Bank (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, November 2001). 

Lee Davis, "Social Entrepreneurs Summit," hosted by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum, November 17-19, 2001).

Nicole Etchart, "Fortaleciendo la sustentabilidad y el impacto de las OSC en Chile: El autofinanciamiento y la filantropía inversionista" at Feria de las Iniciativas, Avina Group (Temuco, Chile, November 2001).

Joanna Messing, "Introduction to NGO Self-Financing," workshop for Vojvodina NGOs (Perfekt, Budapest, Hungary, November, 2001).

Nicole Etchart, "Introducción al Autofinanciamiento." Fundación Simone de Cirene, Financial Sustainability Workshop for Chilean NGOs (Santiago, Chile, October 2001).

Nicole Etchart, "Iniciativas Innovadoras para el Financiamiento de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil," Universidad del Desarrollo, course on Socially Responsible Business (Santiago, Chile, October 2001).

Joanna Messing, "Introduction to NGO Self-Financing," workshop for Bosnian women's NGOs (Budapest, Hungary, October 2001).

Nicole Etchart, "Iniciativas Innovadoras para el financiamiento de las Organizaciones de la sociedad civil" at Universidad del Desarrollo, program on Socially Responsible Business (Santiago, Chile, October 2001).

Nicole Etchart, "Introducción al Autofinanciamiento" at workshop on financial sustainability for Chilean NGOs hosted by the Fundación Simone de Cirene (Santiago, Chile, October 2001).

Joanna Messing, "Social Purpose Enterprise and the Nonprofit Capital Market in Central Europe and Latin America" at Budapest University of Economic Sciences "Ethical Company" class (Business Ethics Center, Budapest University of Economic Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, May 2001).

Joanna Messing and Julia Jones, "Conducting a Feasibility Study for NGO Self-Financing." NGO Planning for Sustainability Projects (Regional Environmental Center, Szentendre, Hungary, February 2001).

2000

Joanna Messing, "Social Purpose Enterprise." The Integra Annual Conference (Stupova, Slovakia, November, 2000).

Lee Davis, "Beyond Grants and Sweat Equity: Creating a Capital Market for the Nonprofit Sector," at Charities Aid Foundation Annual Conference "Seizing the Opportunity" (Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, England, October 2000).

Joanna Messing and James Jackson, "NESsT Venture Fund - Building the Nonprofit Capital Market in Central Europe and Latin America" IMC International School of Business, Marketing Class (Central European University, Budapest, Hungary, October, 2000).

Joanna Messing, "Building the Nonprofit Capital Market in Central Europe and Latin America" IMC International School of Business, Brown Bag Luncheon (Central European University, Budapest, Hungary, September 2000).

Joanna Messing and Cynthia Gair, "Financial Projections for Social Enterprise." Sustainable NGO Financing Project (Central European University, Budapest, Hungary, July 2000).

Phil Collyer, Lee Davis and Joanna Messing, "Venture Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship in Central Europe" at "Sustainability of the Third Sector in Central and Eastern Europe: Realities and Challenges for NGOs, Businesses and Governments" regional workshop organized by the Civil Society Development Foundation (Budapest, Hungary, May 7-10, 2000).

Nicole Etchart and Joanna Messing, "NGO Self-Financing Techniques: Nonprofit Purpose, For-Profit Approach," at "Sustainability of the Third Sector in Central and Eastern Europe: Realities and Challenges for NGOs, Businesses and Governments" regional workshop organized by the Civil Society Development Foundation (Budapest, Hungary, May 7-10, 2000).

Nicole Etchart, "Commitment to Integrity: Guiding Principles for Nonprofits in the Marketplace," on ethics for social entrepreneurship at Second National Gathering for Social Entrepreneurs (Miami, Florida, USA: National Gathering for Social Entrepreneurs, April 2000).

1999

Lee Davis, "Donor vs. Investor: The Role of Grantmakers in Nonprofit Enterprise," at European Foundation Centre, Grantmakers East Group Conference (Berlin, Germany, November 1999).

Lee Davis, "Sustainable Financing Strategies," at "Creating the Foundations for Organisational Growth," Jeunesses Musicales - Europe Conference (Berlin, Germany, January 8-10, 1999).

1998

Lee Davis at "Promoting the Role of Voluntary Organisations and Foundations in Europe," 8^th Experts Meeting on "European Union Enlargement and the Third Sector" hosted by the European Commission Directorate General XXIII (DGXXIII) (Brussels, Belgium: European Commission, December 11, 1998).

Lee Davis and Nicole Etchart, "Social Entrepreneurship in Emerging Democracies: Central Europe and Latin America" at "Strategies for Creating Community Wealth: A National Gathering," (Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, National Gathering for Social Entrepreneurs, November 12-15, 1998). 

Lee Davis, "Sustainability vs. Dependency," presentation at European Foundation Centre, Funding East Grantmakers Group Annual Meeting (European Training Foundation, Turin, Italy, November 6, 1998). 

Lee Davis at the Third International Conference of the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) (Geneva, Switzerland, July 8-11, 1998).

Lee Davis, "Sustainable NGO Financing" workshop at Aarhus Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (Aarhus, Denmark, June 23-25, 1998).

Lee Davis, "NGO Self-Financing Techniques: Nonprofit Purpose, For-Profit Approach," workship at "Sustainability of the Third Sector in Central and Eastern Europe" regional workshop of Civil Society Development Foundation (Budapest, Hungary, May 7-10, 1998). 

Lee Davis, Nicole Etchart and Richard Steckel, "Show Me the Money!" hosted by NESsT and the Program on Social Change and Development, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University (Washington, DC: February 21, 1998).

1997

Lee Davis, "NGO Self-Financing Strategies," at "Sustainable NGO Financing" workshop of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (Fiesa, Slovenia, December 19-21, 1997).

Nicole Etchart, "CSO Self-Financing: Breaking the Cycle of Dependency," at Program on Social Change and Development Lecture Series, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University (Washington, DC: November 6, 1997)

Lee Davis and Nicole Etchart, "Strategies for Fostering Socially- and Environmentally-Responsible CSO Self-Financing Initiatives," at the CIVICUS World Assembly (Budapest, Hungary: September 25, 1997).

Lee Davis, "The NGO-Business Hybrid: Is the Private Sector the Answer?" in "Making Money: Strategies for Earning Income" session at the CIVICUS World Assembly (Budapest, Hungary: September 24, 1997).

Lee Davis, "New Directions in NGO Self-Financing: The NGO-Business Hybrid" at "Out of the Crisis: Strategies, Structures, and Tools for Real Development," Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Program on Social Change and Development, The Johns Hopkins University (Warrenton, Virginia: Airlie House Conference, April 3-4, 1997)