The world faces seismic shifts in how people work, learn, and connect. Youth, who represent majorities in many countries, are at the forefront of this change. Youth unemployment, disconnection, and isolation threaten our collective future, yet the 1.8 billion young people globally are an untapped resource eager to tackle entrenched problems—though few have access to tools, mentors, and resources.

For over 30 years, Dr. Eric Dawson has led efforts at the intersection of youth culture, social innovation, and brands, authoring influential research on human development and youth-led social innovation globally. He is CEO of RIVET, the first consumer-facing social impact brand leveraging Gen Z's consumer power to fund youth-led innovations through micro-financing, aiming to invest in over a million initiatives by 2035.

Dr. Dawson holds multiple degrees from Harvard, including a specialized B.A., an M.Ed. in human development psychology, and an M.Div. in pastoral care. He earned a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from NYU, researching founder transitions.A fellow of Ashoka, Echoing Green, Aspen, and Pop!Tech, Dr. Dawson has advised President Clinton, lectured at institutions like Harvard, MIT, USC, and Stanford, and spoken at forums such as the World Economic Forum and Aspen Ideas Festival. His bestselling book, "Putting Peace First: Seven Commitments to Change the World," was published by Penguin Random House.

What will you learn in this podcast:

• The unique role young people play in driving social innovation
• Innovative models of financing impact
• Ways in which we can all contribute to a growing global movement of young change makers