Vanessa Kirsch
Founder-in-Residence
and Senior Partner
Vanessa Kirsch is Founder-in-Residence and Senior Partner at New Profit. She recently transitioned her role at New Profit after 25 years of leading the organization. In her new role, she will engage with New Profit’s democracy-related investments, with a particular focus on the organization’s truth, justice, and reconciliation work across America. She will also continue her advisory work with philanthropists and social entrepreneurs.
Prior to founding New Profit in 1998, Vanessa launched two other social enterprises, the Women’s Information Network (WIN) and Public Allies, a national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity by engaging and activating the leadership of all people.
Vanessa was chosen by the The NonProfit Times for the “Power and Influence Top 50” list, by Boston Magazine for the “Most Powerful Boston Philanthropists,” and by Inside Philanthropy for the “50 Most Powerful Women in Philanthropy” list. She received the Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship Award from Duke University’s Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship. Ernst & Young named her “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the category of social entrepreneurship and she has been recognized by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report as a leader of her generation. Forbes identified Vanessa as one of 15 innovators who will reinvent the future. In 2014, Vanessa and her husband, Alan Khazei, were named by FORTUNE magazine and CNNMoney to their list of “World’s Greatest Leaders: 9 Dynamic Duos.” Vanessa has also been published in the Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Fast Company Co.Exist, and other publications.
Vanessa and her husband Alan live in Massachusetts and have two children. She is a graduate of Tufts University and currently serves on the board of advisors of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts. She is a member of the board of directors at New Profit, as well as The Beloved Community Center, a nonprofit committed to grassroots empowerment for racial and economic justice. She also serves on the boards of advisors of Liberation Ventures and Building Industry Partners. Previously, Vanessa served on the boards of Eye to Eye, New Leaders, The Mission Continues, Jumpstart, Stand for Children, and College Summit.
Recent Articles by Vanessa