Smith School Launches Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program

A trio of social entrepreneurs with industry success in technology, law and fashion are appointees to the inaugural Social-Entrepreneur-In-Residence team at the Robert H. Smith School of Business Center for Social Value Creation at the University of Maryland.

The appointees are Kim Persons, a partner with the KAP Group and founding president (1999-2010) of Gecko Traders Inc., a manufacturer and global distributor of handbags and women’s fashion accessories; Drew Bewick, managing director of Tree House Ventures, LLC, a technology and innovation consulting firm serving multiple companies and non-profit organizations; and Darius Graham, co-founder of the DC Social Innovation Project – a non-profit providing seed funding and pro bono services to spur creative, new projects tackling pressing social issues in Washington, D.C.

Persons, Bewick and Graham are recognized as experts and industry leaders in the D.C.-Baltimore region who share the values of creating a better world through business principles, said Melissa Carrier, assistant dean for global programs and social value creation and executive director of CSVC. “They will work with students on campus each month advising them on ideas for start-ups with social impact, judging competitions, speaking at club events and guest lecturing in the classroom,” she said. “They also will work to enhance CSVC and Smith School strategic alliances with industry, policy, government and nonprofit organizations.”

In its first year, Graham’s organization was awarded nearly $100,000 in funding and services to support six emerging social ventures. Previously, Graham served Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP as a financial restructuring associate, representing debtors, informal and official committees of creditors and individual creditors in complex Chapter 11 cases. Author of the book “Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World,” he also has served on the board of directors of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship in Washington, D.C. and as a mayoral appointee to the District of Columbia Commission on National and Community Service.

Bewick “brings more than 20 years of experience involving the most challenging issues where technology and innovation intersect,” said Carrier,. In directing Tree House Ventures, Bewick has helped launch such ventures as Peer2Peer Tutors, Empowered Women International, Zagster (bike rentals for school, work and recreational commuting) and ACTion Alexandria (Va.), a community organizing and service group. Bewick also has served on the boards of various for-profit and non-profit organizations and has directed several entrepreneurship training programs.

Persons’ expertise covers corporate strategic planning, marketing, growing the business and financial management. She established Gecko Traders in Asia and worked closely with senior staff on product design, manufacturing, shipping, operations, advertising and customer service. Over 10 years, the firm flourished as a wholesale and global distributor to large national retailers, catalog companies, Web-based stores and independent boutiques. Earlier, Persons sharpened her marketing and business development skills in positions with State Street Bank, Hallmark and McDonalds Corporation.