Bill Drayton

Date of Birth: June 2, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Bill Drayton is a pioneering social entrepreneur and the founder of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, an organization that identifies and supports leading social entrepreneurs worldwide. Born in New York City, Drayton attended Harvard University, Balliol College at the University of Oxford, and Yale Law School. He began his career working for McKinsey & Company and later joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he played a significant role in advancing environmental regulations. In 1981, Drayton founded Ashoka with the vision of fostering a world where everyone is a changemaker. Under his leadership, Ashoka has grown into a global organization supporting thousands of social entrepreneurs in over 90 countries. Drayton’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named a MacArthur Fellow and receiving the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

5 Interesting Facts about Bill Drayton

1. Bill Drayton coined the term “social entrepreneur” to describe individuals who combine the pragmatic and results-oriented methods of a business entrepreneur with the goals of social reform.

2. He received a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a “Genius Grant,” in 1984 for his innovative work in social entrepreneurship.

3. Drayton is a staunch advocate for the concept of “Everyone a Changemaker,” encouraging people at all levels of society to take initiative and drive positive social change.

4. He was instrumental in the creation of the EPA’s emissions trading system, a landmark approach to controlling pollution.

5. Ashoka, under Drayton’s leadership, has supported over 3,500 social entrepreneurs across the globe, impacting millions of lives.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bill Drayton

1. “The life purpose of the true social entrepreneur is to change the world.”

2. “Everyone is a changemaker. The challenge is to recognize that and to act on it.”

3. “Empathy and teamwork are not just nice-to-haves. They are the cornerstones of a thriving society and economy.”

4. “Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.”

5. “The most powerful force for change in the world is a new idea in the hands of a social entrepreneur.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures for Bill Drayton’s net worth are not widely publicized, his influence and impact in the field of social entrepreneurship are invaluable and far-reaching.