Colleen Waterston is the founder and visionary of the Big Shared World community building initiative. Prior to embarking on the BSW endeavor, Colleen spent time working with the policy team of an advocacy group for the foreign affairs budget, managing the marketing of a film on social entrepreneurship, and assisting in the development of a boutique consulting firm focused on cross-sector collaboration, especially in the overlap of sustainability and corporate responsibility. Colleen received her master’s degree in International Development Practice from University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 2013, and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, with minors in Anthropology and Chinese Studies, from DePaul University in 2009. She currently resides in Minnesota where she is preparing for the launch of the BSW book in 2018. For Colleen’s full bio and to be in touch.

Courtney Bye leads the research and data analysis efforts from the 700+ responses collected during the BSW journey. In addition, she managed the Integrated Development Group (IDG) student team’s market research project while a student at the University of the Pacific while pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Applied Economics and with a minor in Chinese Studies. In the fall of 2014, she studied abroad in Shanghai, China. While there, she continued her study of Mandarin as well as took courses focused on sustainability and corporate social responsibility across transnational businesses. After graduating, she interned with Nathan Associates Inc., an international economic development firm in the Infrastructure Planning and International Development departments. Currently, Courtney is an Associate Consultant with Capco in Washington DC.  To connect with Courtney, click here.

Integrated Development Group is an inter-disciplinary student group housed at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.  IDG seeks to accelerate high impact social entrepreneurs and enterprises through an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. IDG is comprised of a skilled team of undergraduate and graduate students who provide assistance to organizations through management consulting services such as strategic planning, marketing campaigns, web page design, program strategizing, fundraising, business planning, strategic industry research, and organizational development. The students that make up IDG are familiar with social entrepreneurship, domestic and international community development, and specific skills from various disciplines such as business, international relations, political science, engineering, economics, health science, education and law.  For more information about IDG, click here.

SEADEV aims to expand the reach and influence of their clients through digital channels (web, mobile and social media). Seadev builds client brand engagement using cost effective strategies and creative content that increase measurable awareness in local and global markets. Their approach is simple: be passionate about our clients, our work, and love what we do.  To learn more about their work and service offerings, click here.