Blog

Miller Center and Chevron welcome cohort of Asia Pacific Social Entrepreneurs focused on Climate Resilience

Karen Runde - June 14, 2021

In partnership with Chevron, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship is excited to launch its second program supporting Chevron’s contribution to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia Pacific region. The Climate Resilience Asia Pacific Accelerator program directly addresses the most significant barriers to investment for the region’s highest potential social entrepreneurs — those solving for reliable, affordable, low-carbon solutions that scale — with high-touch support from our mentor network, local Asia Pacific leaders, and Chevron staff.

Building off of the successful Myanmar Mini-Grid Accelerator pilot program which supported early and growth stage mini-grid developers in Myanmar, Miller Center is continuing its partnership with Chevron to further spur sustainable investment in solutions supporting energy transitions across the Asia Pacific region. Miller Center and Chevron share a similar vision of supporting new economic opportunities for the next generation of local Asia Pacific social entrepreneurs. The Climate Resilience Asia Pacific accelerator will enable meaningful engagement between Chevron executives and local leaders. It will also be an opportunity for Chevron employees to engage, collaborate, and demonstrate competencies in ways that contribute to local solutions.

Participants were selected into the program for having a specific impact in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam. As part of Miller Center’s strategic focus on Climate Resilience, participants in this cohort all have a sector focus on innovations in energy, water, or climate-smart agriculture that provide solutions for people living in poverty.

Congratulations and welcome to Miller Center’s newest cohort of social entrepreneurs!

Learn more about the 11 social enterprises participating in our Climate Resilience Asia Pacific program:

Karen Runde

Karen Runde is Director of Alumni Programs at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship located at Santa Clara University where she helps the social enterprise alumni community continue to scale their impact. Prior to joining Miller Center, Karen worked at As You Sow, promoting corporate social accountability around conflict minerals and cotton. Karen holds two Master of Science degrees in Environmental Studies & Sustainability Science from Lund University and Roskilde University and a BA from UCLA. In her spare time, she teaches barre classes at Pure Barre Burlingame.