“Shawn is a true visionear, with a strong sence of always looking to the bigger picture. His enthusiasm for sustainable business shines thorugh everything he does, and his energy and passion is a great inspiration to many others around him. Shawn is a great public speaker and knows how to engage people from the business sector aswell as the civil society, entrepeneurs, and philanthropists.”
About
I am a lifelong social entrepreneur who believes in the best of humanity when we work together. For 25 years, I have worked in change catalyst roles in transformative initiatives to drive impactful and beneficial solutions to societal challenges. I've done this in three separate careers arcs — US politics, sustainability & impact investing.
I love to bring people together in genuine discussion, connection and discovery. I want to know what moves people, what’s important to them, their families and their communities. At the intersection of these themes, I try to find commonality and purpose — to see what emerges — so that we might create stories and experiences that make us feel like we belong to something greater than ourselves.
In 2023, I emerged from a nearly 2-year sabbatical - a transformative experience wherein I worked to recalibrate my life around an acceptance of the challenges created by modernity. I dove deep into my inner development & wellbeing, trauma-informed decision-making and collapse awareness. I began a humbling journey of learning from wisdom communities about how they connect to the world, to each other and to something bigger than themselves. I now work with others to create a new story for our lived experience, combining this knowledge and experience to help others connect and learn ways to live fully on this planet with a deeper sense of connection to our natural world, ourselves and each other.
As for the personal experiences I draw from, my work has spanned across sectors and geographies on the leading edge of social enterprise, sustainability, impact investing movements. Here are some highlights:
- I helped pioneer the impact investing ecosystem, initiated the first Nordic impact investor network with Toniic, and launched and led Nordic operations for two of the world’s leading impact asset managers. I also co-founded the first social business accelerator in the Nordics.
- I started off in US politics with Al Gore's campaign for US President, then to various campaigns and legislative roles with Democrats, including Gavin Newsom, Governor Ed Rendell, Howard Dean & Senator Jim Ferlo.
- In 2007 I moved to Sweden to study in a pioneering Masters program in sustainability. I then worked as an international sustainability adviser for governments, corporates, and social enterprises.
- While in university, I helped launch a national social enterprise focused on poverty and workforce development.
- And lots of other interesting things (with some failures, too, of course) that I’m always happy to discuss.
Activity
-
In response to the devastating floods in Brazil, H&M Foundation is donating USD 250,000 to the Red Cross who aim to provide urgent critical aid to…
In response to the devastating floods in Brazil, H&M Foundation is donating USD 250,000 to the Red Cross who aim to provide urgent critical aid to…
Liked by Shawn Westcott
-
My Trine dashboard shows how I make a return on my investments while making a positive impact on the world. It's great to see how my money is…
My Trine dashboard shows how I make a return on my investments while making a positive impact on the world. It's great to see how my money is…
Liked by Shawn Westcott
-
A great lineup to tackle wellbeing, sustainability, and business in LATAM! 👇 #HearthSummitBogota #HearthSummits
A great lineup to tackle wellbeing, sustainability, and business in LATAM! 👇 #HearthSummitBogota #HearthSummits
Liked by Shawn Westcott
Experience
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Education
-
-
Activities and Societies: Consulting Club (Founder); Swedish Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Participant and Entrepreneur); Student Environmental Group (Member); Ulrica Vocal Ensemble (Participant and Soloist)
International Masters program in strategic organizational management with focus on Sustainable Development. Thesis title was “Organizational Networks as Catalysts for Strategic Sustainable Development.”
-
Taking a whole-system, whole-person approach to learning, the Master Class is designed for the seasoned or emerging professional who is committed to taking the next step in their sustainability career, and to becoming more proactive at driving change. Through a combination of theory, practice, and experiential work, the 3-day Master Class strengthens ones ability to design, initiate, and manage a change process.
-
-
Volunteer Experience
-
Advisor and Jury Member
The Future is Fungi Award
- Present 9 months
Science and Technology
With The Future is Fungi Award, we want to honor and uncover the frontier and cutting-edge science that explores the utilization of fungi for environmental solutions. We aim to put the spotlight on NEW and EMERGING areas of fungal research and start-up innovations, lifting them from the depth of the forest into the daylight.
Our goal is also to inspire further research and innovation in the bottomless fields of fungal research and innovations. -
Member Board of Directors
MOD- Mer organdonation
- Present 1 year 9 months
Health
MOD's goal is that no one should die while waiting for an organ; MOD is the voice for everyone waiting for a new organ in Sweden. Our primary focus is to, together with our large network, work with advocacy towards politicians, decision-makers and other experts in organ donation in order to create the conditions for Sweden to become a world leader in organ donation.
MOD– Mer Organdonation, was founded in 2012 by Peter Carstedt and Martha Ehlin (1978-2016) and is a apolitical and…MOD's goal is that no one should die while waiting for an organ; MOD is the voice for everyone waiting for a new organ in Sweden. Our primary focus is to, together with our large network, work with advocacy towards politicians, decision-makers and other experts in organ donation in order to create the conditions for Sweden to become a world leader in organ donation.
MOD– Mer Organdonation, was founded in 2012 by Peter Carstedt and Martha Ehlin (1978-2016) and is a apolitical and religiously independent non-state-funded non-profit association. MOD's goal is that no one should die waiting for an organ, and for the past nine years we have become a leading movement in organ donation and the obvious voice for everyone waiting for a new organ. We fundamentally want to change the conditions for what it is like to wait for one or more organs. -
Trustee (Stockholm, Sweden)
The Awesome Foundation
- Present 8 years
The Awesome Foundation distributes no-strings-attached monthly grants of 5000 SEK (~$1,000) to awesome initiatives that solve a problem, cultivate community, and spread joy. Most importantly, we are passionate about seeing awesome ideas come to life.
-
Board of Directors
Non-Violence Project Foundation
- 1 year
Civil Rights and Social Action
NVP is a Switzerland-based non-profit foundation with the mission to inspire, engage and motivate young people to understand how to solve conflicts without resorting to violence. I served as an interim board member of the newly formed Scandinavian chapter, focused on board and organizational development.
-
Chairman of the Board
SE Forum
- 2 years
Economic Empowerment
Founded in 2004, SE Forum is a member organization that promotes social entrepreneurship and supports entrepreneurs making positive societal impact. SE Forum members and partners work around the world to improve society’s pressing problems.
As Chairman, I led an operational board that oversaw the organization's overall growth and expansion. During my tenure, we moved from a loose network, with ad hoc events and projects, to an organization that hired multiple staff members and increased…Founded in 2004, SE Forum is a member organization that promotes social entrepreneurship and supports entrepreneurs making positive societal impact. SE Forum members and partners work around the world to improve society’s pressing problems.
As Chairman, I led an operational board that oversaw the organization's overall growth and expansion. During my tenure, we moved from a loose network, with ad hoc events and projects, to an organization that hired multiple staff members and increased it's budget by millions of kronor.
My most proud work in this role was leading the development of the first social business Incubator and Accelerator program in Scandinavia, called SE Outreach, in partnership with Sweden's International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. The program works to scale the impact of social enterprises working in “developing countries”. -
Advisory Board
Expedition Botkyrka
- 1 year
Economic Empowerment
Expedition Botkyrka is an entrepreneurial and leadership program for young people between 15 and 25 years residing in Botkyrka, Sweden. It is a platform for young leaders and entrepreneurs wanting to grow, express their creativity and ideas, and who want to turn problems into solutions. http://www.thegoodtribe.com/expedition-botkyrka/
-
-
Board of Directors
LIFT, Inc.
- 1 year
Poverty Alleviation
Co-Founded & served as President of organization's Alumni Association and served as its liaison on the Board.
-
Honors & Awards
-
Sweden's Top 100 Sustainable Business Leaders
Veckans Affärer/CSR i Praktiken
Honored by publication Veckans Affärer 'CSR i Praktiken' as one of 100 people to most affect the sustainability of companies in Sweden in 2012. http://csripraktiken.se/2012/02/29/de-paverkar-foretagen-mest-2012-plats-61-100/
-
Karlskrona “Wall of Fame”
-
Recognized by Karlskrona, Sweden for outstanding contribution to quality of life in city after having founded a citywide arts and musical festival, "Karlskrona Blossoms".
-
Tällberg New Leader Program
Tällberg Foundation
The Tällberg New Leader Program gives people in early positions of responsibility an opportunity to think through their wider role in society. It seeks to improve the sensitivities and skills that will make them more effective leaders in their organisation and in society. Successful leadership stems from seeing the early trends, understanding the path forward and having the courage to act.
-
Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Honored by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of 50 people in Pittsburgh contributing to outstanding activity in the community professionally, charitably, and socially.
Organizations
-
Toniic Impact Investor Network
-
- Present -
SALK Tennis Club (Stockholms Allmänna Lawntennis Klubb)
-
- Present -
Social Entrepreneurship Forum
-
- Present -
Katarina Nova Choir
-
-
Recommendations received
-
LinkedIn User
4 people have recommended Shawn
Join now to viewMore activity by Shawn
-
THE REAL Mental Health Foundation event in Nantucket July 22at the Nantucket Hotel and Resort We're incredibly fortunate to have John Mannix from…
THE REAL Mental Health Foundation event in Nantucket July 22at the Nantucket Hotel and Resort We're incredibly fortunate to have John Mannix from…
Liked by Shawn Westcott
-
Ok, y’all it’s Go Time and we need all hands on deck. Come join the team in one of the country’s high stakes Battleground states. #PADems #VoteLocalPA
Ok, y’all it’s Go Time and we need all hands on deck. Come join the team in one of the country’s high stakes Battleground states. #PADems #VoteLocalPA
Liked by Shawn Westcott
-
My last roundup post was such a hit I decided to do another one of super cool things friends and colleagues are up to: -Grants: Today is the last…
My last roundup post was such a hit I decided to do another one of super cool things friends and colleagues are up to: -Grants: Today is the last…
Liked by Shawn Westcott
People also viewed
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Shawn Westcott
6 others named Shawn Westcott are on LinkedIn
See others named Shawn Westcott