Chris Elias of PATH named US "Social Entrepreneur of the Year" by Schwab Foundation

Contact:
Teresa Guillien, 206.285.3500, tguillien@path.org

Seattle, January 12, 2006—Christopher J. Elias, MD, MPH, president of PATH, has been chosen by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship as the Social Entrepreneur of the Year for the United States. Dr. Elias and honorees from countries across the globe will have the opportunity to join a large network of contacts starting today at a Social Entrepreneurs’ Summit in New York and continuing in late January at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  

Since 2000, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has honored those who have successfully combined innovation, pragmatism, and opportunity to improve the lives of millions.  From its inception, the Foundation decided against grants and financial rewards for honorees in favor of access to the power, influence, and resources represented by the World Economic Forum, the sister organization of the Schwab Foundation.  As a direct result of the Foundation’s efforts, social entrepreneurs reported raising 76 million (USD) last year—roughly one million dollars raised per social entrepreneur.  Meanwhile, the average number of beneficiaries reached by social entrepreneurs has increased three-and-a-half times in five years.

“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Elias. “Social entrepreneurship embodies the combination of innovation and practicality we employ in pursuit of solutions to global health problems. I look forward to attending the World Economic Forum and seeking new solutions to health and poverty issues.”

PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions that enable communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. By collaborating with diverse public- and private-sector partners, PATH helps provide appropriate health technologies and vital strategies that change the way people think and act.