Event celebrates SVN’s 25th Anniversary and Honors Socially Responsible Business Movement Leaders Including Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Sir Richard Branson

NEW YORK CITY – (Oct. 6, 2012) Social Venture Network (SVN), the first network of entrepreneurs who pioneered socially responsible businesses, will induct 25 of the most innovative and influential leaders of the socially responsible business movement into the inaugural SVN Hall of Fame on November 13, 2012 at an event being held at Gotham Hall in New York City.

The sold out event begins with a VIP reception at 5:00 p.m., continues in a cocktail hour open to all guests at 6 p.m., and the inaugural Hall of Fame Celebration officially starts at 7 p.m. The event, which also marks the 25th anniversary of SVN, will recognize iconic entrepreneurs whose work in business has helped to create a more just, sustainable and humane society. Included among the confirmed honorees are: Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield Farm, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, Eileen Fisher of EILEEN FISHER, Inc., Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers, and Wayne Silby, co-founder of Calvert Investments.

In addition to the 25 honorees, who will be recognized for their work in one of five categories, SVN will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Group) and posthumously to Dame Anita Roddick (The Body Shop). Academy Award nominated documentarian Morgan Spurlock will host the award ceremony.

“We are excited to celebrate 25 years of connecting and supporting innovative business leaders with the next generation of social entrepreneurs,” said SVN Executive Director Deb Nelson. “The caliber of Hall of Fame inductees underscores the importance of the work that SVN is doing to promote socially responsible enterprise. I look forward to the continued impact that SVN and its members will have on business and the world during the next 25 years.”

The Hall of Fame gala benefits the next generation of leaders through SVN’s Bridge Project. The Bridge Project supports entrepreneurs of color, women entrepreneurs, and young leaders who are transforming the way the world does business.

To be considered for induction into the SVN Hall of Fame, one must have built an enterprise of at least $50 million in annual revenues and/or equivalent measurable positive social or environmental impact. A panel of 20 judges, including corporate peers, industry experts, and business and organizational leaders, rigorously vetted each inductee.

For more information about the Hall of Fame event and for a comprehensive list of all honorees, please visit: http://svn.org/attend-an-event/social-venture-network-hall-of-fame.

ABOUT SVN
Social Venture Network (SVN, www.svn.org) catalyzes collaboration among the world’s leading social entrepreneurs to create transformational innovation, growth and impact. Our mutually supportive culture inspires leaders to generously share their wisdom, passion and resources to promote businesses that better serve humanity and the environment. Since its inception in 1987, Social Venture Network has been at the forefront of the socially responsible business movement, connecting, leveraging, and promoting a growing community of innovative and influential entrepreneurs who are transforming the way the world does business. Many of the most recognizable social ventures of the last three decades were founded by SVN members, such as The Body Shop, Ben & Jerry's, Clif Bar, Odwalla, Tom’s of Maine, Birkenstock, Seventh Generation, Stonyfield Farm, and Eileen Fisher.

CONTACT:

Celia Sepulveda
Vice President, PR Strategy
Neighbor Agency
858-337-1326
celia@neighboragency.com

Lance Laytner
President
Public Good Relations
917-573-8960
lance@publicgoodrelations.com

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