Paul Shoemaker is the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International—a global network of thousands of social innovators, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business and community leaders that fund and support social change agents in nearly 40 cities and 8 countries. In 2011 and 2012, he was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential People in the Nonprofit Sector” by The NonProfit Times, and in 2013, was named “Philanthropist of the Year” by Future in Review. Most recently, he came out with his first book -- Can't Not Do.

After decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, he adds, "What we need most is more human and social capital. Simply put, more people committed, for the long-term, to making a change. We need more people in the game, committing for the long-term to that one cause, one challenge where they feel they can make a real dent. History has proved that if enough people hammer away long enough at a social problem, we start to change our world for the better. And the amount of positive change one human being can help create today has never been greater."

In engaging with thousands of change-makers, he noticed a few common questions that get to the heart of why certain people reach their greatest potential for social change: Are you a determined optimist? Who are you at your core? Are you willing to go to hard places? Are you ready to be humble and humbled? Can you actively listen? Do you believe 1 + 1 = 3? What is your can’t not do?

Throughout his work, Paul hopes to galvanize armies of "determined optimists," who are "willing to go to hard places," who are "ready to be humble and humbled," willing to "actively listen" to tackle our social challenges and to change the world.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about stories of everyday heroes, like Paul himself, who can't not change the world.