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Devin: What is your superpower?
Brigit: I would say authenticity.
The power of social entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change in the world is undeniable. At the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, the mission is clear: leverage market forces to end poverty. Executive Director Brigit Helms leads the charge, helping entrepreneurs apply business principles to solve social and environmental challenges.
“The purpose of a business is purpose,” Brigit explained. “The primary reason for having your business is to solve a social or environmental problem that you see around you in your community.”
Miller Center’s impact speaks for itself. Since its founding, it has accelerated over 1,500 social enterprises across 100 countries. With a strong emphasis on women’s economic power and climate resilience, the center has catalyzed transformative change in communities worldwide. Brigit highlighted the success of Someone Somewhere, a company based in Mexico that sources artisan work from some of the country’s poorest regions. By securing a major contract with Delta Airlines, the company provided thousands of artisans with the opportunity to triple their income.
The center’s success is measured in tangible results. In 2020, Miller Center set a goal to double the number of lives improved through its entrepreneur network from 75 million to 150 million by 2025. They surpassed that goal ahead of schedule, reaching over 180 million lives impacted. Additionally, entrepreneurs in their programs have seen remarkable Growth in fundraising, with capital raised per entrepreneur rising from an average of $500,000 to $2.1 million.
Beyond these achievements, Brigit envisions a future where social entrepreneurship is no longer a niche concept but an integral part of all business endeavors. “One of my personal dreams is that all entrepreneurship can be considered social entrepreneurship,” she said. “That we don’t even have to use that qualifier.”
As Miller Center looks toward 2030, it aims to foster a stronger global community among its network of entrepreneurs. The shift from transactional support to an interconnected platform of changemakers aligns with the growing demand for community-driven solutions.
For those looking to engage, opportunities abound. Miller Center’s mentor program allows seasoned professionals to guide emerging social entrepreneurs, while its venture Philanthropy fund provides catalytic capital to scalable ventures. As Brigit pointed out, Investing in social entrepreneurship creates lasting impact, making it an appealing option for those seeking meaningful ways to contribute to a better world.
Miller Center’s work proves that entrepreneurship is more than just a pathway to financial success—it is a powerful tool for tackling society’s most pressing issues.
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accelerates social enterprises to end poverty by leveraging business principles.
The center has impacted over 180 million lives and helped entrepreneurs raise significant capital.
Women’s economic power and climate resilience are key focus areas for the center’s programs.
Brigit’s superpower is authenticity, which she uses to foster trust and drive meaningful leadership.
Miller Center is shifting toward building a global community of entrepreneurs to drive systemic change.
Brigit Helms believes her superpower is authenticity. “What you see is pretty much what you get with me,” she explained. She has built a career by fostering environments where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to the table. Brigit embraces cognitive diversity and encourages open discussions where differing opinions are valued. “Even if you’re the only one in the room with a different opinion, you should feel comfortable voicing it,” she said. This dedication to authenticity has helped her build strong teams and drive impactful change.
An Example of Authentic Leadership
When Brigit arrived at Miller Center in 2020, the pandemic made traditional strategic planning impossible. Instead of gathering people in a room for brainstorming, she adapted. Breaking the process into smaller, virtual conversations, she ensured that over 100 voices worldwide contributed to Miller Center’s strategic direction. “We ended up with a better product because we included perspectives that might have been overlooked in a typical process,” she reflected. Her ability to pivot while staying true to her leadership style reinforced her commitment to authenticity.
Tips for Developing Authenticity
Build Trust Through Vulnerability: Be open about mistakes and ask for help when needed.
Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Welcome differing opinions and create space for honest discussions.
Foster Psychological Safety: Ensure that team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear.
Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly evaluate whether your actions align with your core values.
Embrace Change While Staying True to Yourself: Adapt to new challenges without compromising integrity.
By following Brigit’s example and advice, you can make authenticity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Brigit Helms (she/her):
Executive Director, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship
About Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship: For over 25 years, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship has been a leader in the global social enterprise movement. With an emphasis on climate resilience and women’s economic power, it accelerates entrepreneurship to end poverty and protect the planet, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Located at Santa Clara University, the center fuses the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley with the university’s heritage of social justice, community engagement, and global impact. Miller Center has served 1,500 social enterprises based in over 100 countries that are impacting hundreds of millions of lives.
Website: millersocent.org
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/millersocent
Other URL: mysantaclara.scu.edu/givenow?designation=Miller%20Center%20for%20Social%20Entrepreneurship (fundraising page)
Biographical Information:
Brigit Helms is the Executive Director of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University, where she holds the Howard & Alida Charney Professorship for Science, Technology, and Society. For over 30 years, Helms has created and delivered solutions to social and environmental challenges in 55 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She has held leadership roles at DAI, the Multilateral Investment Fund (now IDB Lab), McKinsey & Company, and the World Bank Group, where she was a founding executive at CGAP, a center of excellence for financial inclusion. Helms is the author of Access for All: Building Inclusive Economic Systems and serves on the boards of the AlphaMundi Foundation and BRAC USA. She earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in development and agricultural economics from Stanford University, an M.A. in Latin American studies from Johns Hopkins, and a B.S. in political science from Santa Clara University.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/millercenter, linkedin.com/in/bhelms
Instagram Handle: @miller.socent
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