Adelphi University is pleased to welcome Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, as she delivers the annual Hagedorn Lecture Series on Corporate Social Responsibility, “Social Entrepreneurism and the Story of Kiva.” The event will take place on Monday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom of the Ruth S. Harley University Center, 1 South Avenue, Garden City.

Ms. Jackley first realized the power of microfinance while working in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with the Village Enterprise Fund and Project Baobab. This inspired her to set up Kiva, a peer-to-peer microloan Web site that has been recognized by Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, and countless world leaders. To date, users have loaned approximately $67 million to more than 40,000 people in developing nations.

In her presentations, Ms. Jackley demonstrates how the internet can facilitate connections between lenders and entrepreneurs in the developing world and help people become micro financiers. She leads discussions on a wide-range of timely issues including economic development, Web 2.0, and leadership. Ms. Jackley has also worked in the Stanford Center for Social Innovation to launch the inaugural Global Philanthropy Forum, the International Foundation, and World Vision. Additionally, she serves on a number of non-profit boards, including Opportunity International.

Since its inception in 2003, Adelphi’s Hegedorn lectures on Corporate Social Responsibility have enabled the University to invite prominent speakers to address pressing issues of the day. The series was made possible through a generous contribution from Horace Hagedorn ‘01 (Hon.) and his wife Amy Hagedorn ‘05 (Hon.), and fits in with the University’s overall goal of creating a culture of conscience among students, faculty, staff, administrators, and local community members. Previous speakers include David Boies, Thomas J. Donohue M.B.A. ‘65, Noreen Harrington ‘81, Peter G. Peterson, Josh S. Weston, Arthur Levitt, and Eugene Ludwig.

For more information about this and other events on campus, please visit www.adelphi.edu, or call the Cultural Events Hotline at (516) 877-4555.