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Social Entrepreneurs in Residence
The Center for Social Value Creation's Social Entrepreneurs In Residence are
recognized pundits and industry leaders in the DC/Baltimore region who share the
values of creating a better world through business principles. They commit to
spending time on campus each month advising students on their ideas for
start-ups with social impact, judging competitions, speaking at club events, and
guest lecturing in the classroom. They also seek to enhance the CSVC and the
Smith School's strategic alliances with industry, policy, government, and
nonprofit organizations.
Drew Bewick, Managing Director, Tree House Ventures
 Drew Bewick brings more than 20 years of experience involving the most
challenging issues where technology and innovation intersect. As Managing
Director of Tree House Ventures, LLC, Drew serves as an advisor to multiple
companies and non-profit organizations assisting visionary innovators launch
successful ventures by discovering opportunities and using entrepreneurial
principles to organize, launch, and manage a successful venture to make an
impact. He brings experience in venture capital investing in and nurturing
entrepreneurs, as a member of the boards of directors of for-profit and
non-profit organizations, as well as, experience directing entrepreneurship
training programs. :: show more
Drew served as chairman of a number of technology boards and councils in
government, and in 2007 was recognized by the Harvard University Kennedy School
of Government as a leader who demonstrated collaborations which cross the
boundaries of organizations and sectors in developing linkages to the private
sector and evaluating their worth for public purposes. He’s participated in more
than 30 equity investments into technology companies across three stages of
enterprise development–seed, early stage and growth in emerging computing,
wireless, renewable energy, and communications and has assisted dozens of
entrepreneurs launch successful ventures.
Drew is a graduate of the American University and the University of Maryland,
where he co-founded the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs.
Darius Graham, Co-founder, DC Social Innovation Project
 Darius Graham is the Founder of DC Social Innovation Project (DCSIP), a
non-profit providing seed funding and pro bono services to help community
members launch creative, new projects tackling pressing social issues in
Washington, DC. In its first year, DCSIP convened and awarded nearly $100,000 in
funding and services to support the work of six emerging social ventures in DC.
Darius was previously an Associate in the Financial Restructuring group at Akin
Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP where his practice focused on the representation
of debtors, informal and official committees of creditors, and individual
creditors in large, complex Chapter 11 cases. He has served on the board of
directors of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship in Washington, DC, and
the Donald P. McCullum Youth Court in Oakland, CA. :: show more
Darius was selected to serve as a judge for Tom’s of Maine’s inaugural 50
States for Good initiative where he helped select innovative local non-profits
to share a $100,000 prize. In 2010, he was appointed by the mayor to serve on
the District of Columbia Commission on National & Community Service. Darius is
author of the award-winning book Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary
People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World and is a Points of Light
Award recipient. He received a BA summa cum laude from Florida A&M University
and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law where he
was an editor of the California Law Review and editor-in-chief of the Berkeley
Journal of African-American Law & Policy.
Kim Person, International Trade Specialist, DC Chamber of Commerce
 In 1999, Kim Person founded a wholesale and distribution company,
manufacturing women's handbags and fashion accessories in Asia. Over the next 10
years the company grew at a rapid pace and soon was shipping to almost 50
states, Canada, Europe and Australia. Their customer base was large national
retailers, catalog companies, web based stores and independent boutiques. Kim
sold the company in the spring of 2009 and remained on contract until early
2010. :: show more
As CEO, Kim spent her time on corporate strategic planning, marketing,
growing the business, and financial management. She worked closely with my
senior staff on product design, manufacturing, shipping, operations, advertising
and customer service. Prior to running her own business, she spent several years
as National Sales Manager for a loan servicing company, as the company’s
customer base consisted of banks, S&L's and government agencies. Her focus was
on touchpoints with C suite executives to introduce the company and its
services. She brought the company into new markets, growing revenue along with
extensive domestic travel and sales force management.
Kim’s early career years include time at State Street Bank, Hallmark
and McDonald's Corporation, all in marketing and business development.
Ease of working and interacting with a variety of senior level
executives are her strong suits, and her core skills are marketing and
business development with a strategic focus.
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