The phrase social entrepreneur entered the public lexicon in 1972, gaining significant traction through the work of Bill Drayton. Born in 1943 in New York City, Drayton transitioned from management consulting into a lifetime dedicated to identifying and fostering individuals who develop innovative solutions to persistent social problems through his primary organization, Ashoka.
Academic Foundations and Early Organization
Drayton attended Phillips Academy, where he established the Asia Society. At Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1965, he founded the Ashoka Table to facilitate discussions between students and prominent leaders. He subsequently attended Balliol College, Oxford, completing a Master of Arts in 1967. At Yale Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1970, he created Yale Legislative Services, an initiative that eventually involved one-third of the law school student body.
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Drayton spent nearly ten years working as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. His career in public service included a tenure as an Assistant Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency during the administration of Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. During this time, he launched initiatives such as emissions trading. Following his departure from the agency, he established the group Save EPA.
The Evolution of Ashoka
In 1981, Drayton founded Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on supporting social entrepreneurs. He used the stipend from his 1984 MacArthur Fellowship to fully commit to this mission. He currently chairs Ashoka, alongside the organizations Youth Venture and Get America Working! His academic contributions include serving as a visiting professor at both Harvard University and Stanford University.
Recognition and Awards
Drayton has received numerous accolades for his work. He was elected a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society in 2019. In 2011, he was honored with the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation. Additional recognition includes the National Public Service Award, the John W. Gardner Leadership Award, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Yale University, conferred in 2009.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, New York City
- Alma Mater: Yale Law School, Harvard University, Balliol College
- Organizations founded: Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, Youth Venture, Get America Working!
- Former employer: McKinsey & Company
- EPA role: Assistant Administrator, 1977-1981
- MacArthur Fellowship: 1984
- Princess of Asturias Award: 2011
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Ashoka?
It is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to identifying and empowering social entrepreneurs who provide innovative solutions to pressing societal problems.
What is Bill Drayton's educational background?
He attended Phillips Academy, Harvard University, Balliol College at Oxford, and Yale Law School.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Harvard University
- Educated at Harvard University and Phillips Academy
