Saul Garlick, President and CEO, founded ThinkImpact under a different name and form in 2001. Originally a non-profit that implemented traditional development work, ThinkImpact has evolved over the years to become a company that believes in social business as a sustainable solution to development, poverty alleviation and social challenges.

Over the years, ThinkImpact brought American students to rural Africa to live and work with community members. And while the philosophy and mission have changed and grown, ThinkImpact has consistently undertaken full-immersion experiences that result in the creation of strong relationships between local community members and ThinkImpact participants.

No matter the task at hand – building a school, conducting health education workshops, repairing latrines or creating social businesses – ThinkImpact has always believed in the incredible power that comes from fusing cultures and ideas.

The promise for social and economic value creation at the base of the pyramid is infinite, and while traditional development projects can provide important benefits to society, our effectiveness is maximized through providing support, loans, capacity and ideas for social businesses among the rural poor.

ThinkImpact has sent 96 American students and young professionals to rural South Africa and Kenya through the Innovation Institute. Alumni have become true social entrepreneurs, returning to Africa to work on the development of a social business together with local community partners. Others have gone on to win Fulbright, Truman and Rhodes scholarships and to secure jobs with the world’s leading institutions and companies.

Ultimately, ThinkImpact aims to build a movement of Americans and Africans who understand the potential of social entrepreneurship to transform society and provide innovative, sustainable solutions to today’s most pressing social challenges.