Jacqueline Novogratz

Jacqueline Novogratz is an American social entrepreneur, author, and investor known for founding Acumen, a nonprofit global venture fund that uses patient capital to build social enterprises in low-income regions. She has been influential in promoting impact investing, social innovation, and patient capital across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, and is author of books on development and moral leadership.

Early life and education

Born in the United States, Novogratz attended institutions that shaped her engagement with international development and finance. She studied at University of Virginia and later pursued graduate studies at Georgetown University and Stanford Graduate School of Business; during her formative years she engaged with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity International and encountered development practitioners from United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and Oxfam. Her early experiences connected her to networks including Peace Corps, CARE International, and practitioners influenced by figures such as Amartya Sen, Muhammad Yunus, and Jeffrey Sachs.

Career

Novogratz began her career in the private and public sectors, occupying roles that bridged banking, philanthropy, and international development. She worked with Citibank in New York City and in roles interfacing with multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund and International Finance Corporation. Her trajectory included leadership positions at The Rockefeller Foundation and collaboration with policymakers linked to United States Agency for International Development and leaders influenced by Kofi Annan and Bill Gates. Over time she transitioned from traditional philanthropy toward mission-driven investing, engaging with investors and entrepreneurs connected to Skoll Foundation, Omidyar Network, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Acumen and social entrepreneurship

In 2001 Novogratz founded Acumen, building an organization that deploys patient capital to social enterprises operating in markets such as Kenya, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Peru. Acumen has invested in ventures across sectors including healthcare, energy, agriculture, and water, alongside enterprises associated with innovators like Viva Energy, d.light, BRAC, and social businesses influenced by Muhammad Yunus’s Grameen Bank model. Under her stewardship, Acumen partnered with global institutions such as United Nations, Clinton Foundation, World Economic Forum, and corporate partners including General Electric and Coca-Cola on initiatives linking impact capital to scalable service delivery. The organization also launched leadership programs that trained social entrepreneurs alongside cohorts connected to Ashoka, Schwab Foundation, and regional accelerators like Seedstars.

Philosophy and writings

Novogratz articulates a philosophy that combines moral leadership, practical finance, and humility toward communities. Her written work and speeches reference thinkers and practitioners such as Michael Porter, Clayton Christensen, Peter Drucker, and activists like Wangari Maathai and Desmond Tutu. She authored books that discuss principles of patient capital, dignity, and market-based solutions, engaging debates present in literature from Paul Collier, Esther Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and critics from Noam Chomsky and Jeffrey Sachs. Her essays and talks have been delivered at forums including TED, Harvard Kennedy School, Oxford University, and Stanford University, and have been discussed in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Economist, BBC, and Financial Times.

Awards and recognition

Novogratz has received numerous honors from institutions and award bodies including fellowships and prizes associated with MacArthur Foundation, Skoll Prize, Clinton Global Initiative, and recognitions from TIME and Forbes. She has been invited to advisory boards and councils tied to United Nations General Assembly initiatives, the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council, and philanthropic networks such as Rockefeller Foundation and Ford Foundation. Her leadership at Acumen has been showcased alongside laureates like Muhammad Yunus, Paul Farmer, and Melinda Gates at international award ceremonies and conferences.

Category:Social entrepreneurs Category:American authors