David Waldman - Social Investment Council Profile

Tell us about yourself! Where are you from and what do you do for a living?

I am from a rural area of western Maryland and grew up in the Appalachian mountains a short walk from the Appalachian Trail. Currently I am an Associate with Ska Capital, an investment management firm, focused on investments in the Caucasus region. This includes the countries of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and the surrounding region.

Why did you get involved with Echoing Green and our Social Investment Council? How have you been involved?

Early in the Spring of 2008 I was researching ways to help a friend from Eastern Europe who fits the definition of a Social Entrepreneur and in the process discovered the Social Investment Council. With a Quaker education and long history of community service I was looking for a way to blend my work with my commitment to service and thus I joined the Echoing Green Social Investment Council in the Spring of 2008. Since joining I have had the pleasure of working with exceptional team at Echoing Green and engaging with individual grant recipients as they build their projects.

What is your social change passion?

Sparking change in developing nations! After having worked in Eastern Europe in a variety of capacities for the last two years I am awed by the sheer entrepreneurship of certain individuals. At the same time I am stunned by the lack of access to information and general knowledge assumed in the US. With more economic development on both the macro and micro scale in developing nations the impact will spread across the population.

Who is your hero?

My grandfather! For his humility and undying work ethic.

What is your favorite song/movie/book of all time?

Let me give one of each

Book:

Living to Tell the Tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Song:

I Won't Dance with Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald

Movie:

Boondock Saints (Unrated Special Edition)