Inspiring Acumen Fund 2011 Fellows Part 1 of 3

Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund, combines relatively small philanthropic capital to social enterprises addressing the critical issue of global poverty. The organization prides itself on a winning combination of business acumen and entrepreneurial approaches, focused on delivering affordable, vital goods and services to build successful enterprises serving vast numbers of the poor. Using innovative, market-oriented approaches, Acumen supports programs providing health care services, housing, energy, water and other vital goods and services to underprivileged communities around the globe.

To attract talented, savvy business experts into the social enterprise sector, concurrently cultivating a new generation of global leaders, Acumen selected 10 exceptional individuals for a unique opportunity to use their expertise to support the organization's investees, who are creating positive change for those mired in poverty. Earlier this month, Acumen announced the elite Fellow Class of 2011, who were rigorously selected from 575 applicants, representing 65 different countries.Acumen Fellows will participate in an intense eight-week training session in New York, then each will begin a nine-month field placement with one of Acumen Fund's investees. By working with senior management to creatively tackle critical business issues, such as market expansion, business plan refinement, supply chain improvements, or even leading new business initiatives, the Class of 2011 Acumen Fellows will focus their energy and skill where it is most desperately needed. Combined, the Class of 2011 Acumen Fellows will incite positive enhancements for the world's poorest to access affordable, clean water; housing; sanitation; health care; energy; and agriculture, while achieving environmental sustainability. These extraordinary individuals will serve in Pakistan, Kenya, India and China on innovative approaches that will enhance countless lives in poor communities.

The Acumen Fund Fellows Program is one of the finalist for the John P. McNulty Prize, an award affiliated with the Aspen Global Leadership Network, which recognizes exceptional leadership projects designed to stimulate efforts that aggressively focus on current social, economic and political challenges.