Spreading the field of social entrepreneurship worldwide



Lucy Perkins has worked extensively in Asia, Europe and the US both in the business and the citizen sectors. Lucy has been bringing her insights to Ashoka since 1999 when she joined as Ashoka’s Asia Director. From 2000-2004, Lucy led Ashoka’s Venture program globally, guiding the growth and development of Ashoka’s Fellowship in Africa, Asia, Central Europe and Latin America. She is now guiding Ashoka’s expansion in Europe where in 2006 Ashoka is welcoming its first 17 Western European Ashoka Fellows into Ashoka’s 120-strong fellowship in Central Europe.

Prior to joining Ashoka, Lucy worked for Emerging Markets Partnership, an investment firm that managed over US$4 billion in funds for infrastructure projects in Asia and Latin America. She also worked in the China Division of the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank. As an undergraduate at Stanford University and then post-graduation for three more years, Lucy worked with and then led the Overseas Development Network, an innovative, student-based international development organization. Under her aegis, the organization spread to 70 university campuses with programs in 9 countries. Lucy received her MBA from Wharton in 1992.

With expertise in the infrastructure and finance of international development, Lucy is creating opportunities for social entrepreneurs across the globe.

Speech Topics

• Ashoka’s Selection System
• Comparing business entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs
• Historical transformation of citizen sector