Before They Were

Maya Ajmera won an Echoing Green Fellowship in 1993, which gave her the opportunity to launch The Global Fund For Children. In 2007, she was named a CNN Hero by Mira Sorvino for her work in helping more than one million children worldwide. Read about Maya to find out more.

Vikram Akula received an Echoing Green Fellowship in 1998 in order to found SKS Microfinance in the same year. Just eight years later in 2006, he was named India’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation and one of Time Magazine’s Time 100. See Vikram’s profile to learn more about his work.

Michael Brown co-founded City Year with Echoing Green's support in 1991. In 2006, U.S. News and World Report named him one of America’s 25 Best Leaders. See his profile for more on Michael’s work.

Alan Khazei co-founded City Year with Echoing Green's support in 1991. In 2006, U.S. News and World Report named him one of America’s 25 Best Leaders. View his profile for more on Alan and City Year.

Wendy Kopp founded Teach For America in 1990 with seed capital from Echoing Green. In 2008, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 World’s Most Influential People. See Wendy’s profile for more on her work with Teach For America.

Karen Tse founded International Bridges to Justice in 2002 with seed capital from Echoing Green. In 2009, she was awarded the prestigious Gleitsman International Activist Award. View Karen's profile to discover more about her work with IBJ.