Yasmina Zaidman

I'm the Chief Partnerships Officer at Acumen.

Acumen is working to change the way the world tackles poverty by investing in social enterprises, emerging leaders and breakthrough ideas.

But we can't do it alone, so I lead Acumen's efforts to develop partnerships with corporations that share our vision for a world that works for everyone. I believe that this will take all of us, and so am always interested in engaging with people who share a vision for a world where people have access to the things they need, from safe water and maternal care, to choice, dignity and beauty.

But I didn't always have this job. When I joined Acumen in 2003 I initiated and managed the Water Portfolio and built a modest but pathbreaking $3 million portfolio in start-up water enterprises in India and East Africa that have grown to over $40 million in value.

I've been working in international development, corporate sustainability and social entrepreneurship for twenty years, with time spent at Ashoka, Global Futures, and Geomatrix. I write and speak on the topics of social change, social enterprise, corporate partnerships, impact investing, philanthropy, and career paths. I started my journey to find news ways to solve big problems at Vassar College where I also cultivated my love of jazz singing as a member of the Night Owls. While at Stanford getting my MBA I was bitten by the blended value bug, and it led me to join Acumen when it was two years old.

I live in NY, feel at home almost anywhere, and my two small children are the lights of my life.