Elevate Purpose: Conversations for Social Impact

We often find ourselves consumed with the latest news in the Presidential election, but struggle to keep up with everything else on the ballot. Alex Niemczewski, Founder and CEO of BallotReady, shares how the non-partisan guide is helping people participate in democracy. BallotReady empowers voters to make informed decisions up and down the Ballot--from local level candidates and issues all up to choosing who should serve as President.

Civil rights attorney and social justice activist Danielle McCain shares how the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law advances civil rights and racial justice. She discusses how the CLC serves the most underserved communities in Chicago and focuses on voting rights, education, and economic development.

Charles Adler, co-founder of Kickstarter, recently launched the Lost Arts space for ambitious creatives. It's a blend of laboratory, workshop, atelier, incubator and playground rooted in a legacy of interdisciplinary spaces like the Bauhaus and Black Mountain College. Charles discusses his background getting into the internet and shares his perspective on creativity as the humble beginning of innovation. Plus commentary on Chicago bureaucracy, the Medici, backyard furniture-making, Dark Pony, and the constancy of change.

Nell Debevoise of Inspiring Capital discusses her career working to connect business and social change. She argues that each of us has a responsibility to find purpose in our work --whether that's in accounting or serving as a traffic cop-- because grinding along disengaged at a job robs the world of our potential.

Morgan Binswanger discusses his career in social impact working on big issues for big change at organizations like the US Department of Education, Habitat for Humanity, and LIVESTRONG. He shares his thoughts on the direction of philanthropy and the importance of remembering why we get involved in this kind of work.