Todd Porter—Social Innovator, Curator TEDxTokyo and the Innovators Greenhouse
As a small child, Todd Porter fell in love with our diverse planet through his dad’s collection of National Geographic magazines, and then set out to absorb it all firsthand. His studies included global business in Europe, political science in Africa, history and design in Asia, and natural systems in North and South America. Following a stint at Bain & Company, Todd’s passion for social entrepreneurship led him to the pioneering social venture capital group Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, and then to Public Allies. Sensing the Internet’s potential for social change, he served as a fellow at The Meta Network before heading to Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, where he conducted research under Professor Michael Ray, creator of Stanford’s legendary “Creativity in Business” program. While still a student, Todd founded a company with and taught alongside Professor Ray. In 1998, he joined Imagine Media as the venture catalyst under Imagine’s founder—entrepreneur and philanthropist Chris Anderson—who purchased the TED Conference for his Sapling Foundation and highlighted the astonishing potential of inspiring media. Now based in Tokyo, Todd is developing an urgently needed platform for accelerating innovators.
We want to let you know about something exciting and important for Japan launching in Tokyo that 200 handpicked Japanese and foreign and thought leaders will be attending.
Whether in person at the Miraikan in Tokyo or virtually around the world, we hope you will join us to launch this community — TEDxTokyo, an independently organized TED-like event where thought leaders from Japan and abroad will gather to share ideas that they are passionate about.
You’ve never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called “developing world.”
Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: she had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions — motion, speech, self-awareness –- shut down one by one. An astonishing story.
Join the world at www.charterforcompassion.org to write the Charter for Compassion. The Charter brings together the voices of people from all religions. It seeks to remind the world that while all faiths are not the same, they all share the core principle of compassion and the Golden Rule. The Charter will change the tenor of the conversation around religion. It will be a clarion call to the world. The Charter is a result of Karen Armstrong’s 2008 TED Prize wish.
