About the YEC
EMPOWERING, INSPIRING and EDUCATING the Entrepreneurs of Today and Tomorrow
The YEC, an invite-only nonprofit membership organization, promotes entrepreneurship as a means to overcome youth unemployment and underemployment. Our mission is to spark an entrepreneurial revolution in America—and help rebuild the economy in the process. Today, with 1 out of 2 new college graduates unemployed or underemployed, young Americans must find a new way forward. To that end, the YEC seeks to put the tools and resources aspiring young entrepreneurs need directly in their hands, so they are empowered to create thousands of new businesses (and jobs).
Our 400+ person organization includes the leaders of…
YEC PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
§ MENTORSHIP: The YEC’s MyStartupLab program is a scalable virtual program that provides free education and mentorship opportunities to aspiring young entrepreneurs through free live video chats, webinars, e-books and e-mags, and a content library containing thousands of educational articles and videos. Through our organization partners such as Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Junior Achievement, Babson College and MassChallenge, we virtually mentor 50,000 young people each month, and our educational content reaches millions more. We have signed up several hundred more partner organizations for the launch of the next phase of our program (coming this fall). Additionally, the YEC organizes annual in-person mentorship events. Our last event was co-hosted by the White House.
§ #FIXYOUNGAMERICA CAMPAIGN: In spring 2012, the YEC released #FixYoungAmerica: How to Rebuild Our Economy and Put Young Americans Back to Work (for Good), a book of essays written by America’s top intellectuals, nonprofit founders, educators, politicians and entrepreneurs sharing their proven entrepreneurial solutions for ending the youth unemployment crisis in America. Other components of the campaign included a #FixYoungAmerica rally on 300+ college campuses in all 50 states, in which tens of thousands of students participated; a donation drive; and nationwide awareness-raising through coverage in outlets such as TIME, FORTUNE, The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Mashable and MTV.
§ YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACT: The Youth Entrepreneurship Act (YEA) is a set of policy initiatives designed to make it easier for aspiring young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. Its proposals include student loan relief for young business owners, access to capital, and increased investment in entrepreneurship education. To date, provisions of YEA were included in the Microenterprise and Youth Entrepreneurship Act of 2011, YEC founder Scott Gerber testified before the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, and several YEA provisions are expected to become part a new entrepreneurship bill in summer 2012.
§ MEDIA REACH & AWARENESS: Since 2011, the YEC and its programs have generated over 40 million media impressions. YEC content is also syndicated to 50+ mainstream media partners, allowing us to offer educational value to millions of aspiring entrepreneurs each month. The YEC has been featured in hundreds of media outlets, including…
THE TEAM:
SCOTT GERBER
Founder & President
Scott Gerber is a self-taught serial entrepreneur, public speaker, internationally syndicated business columnist, television commentator and author of the book Never Get a “Real” Job: How to Dump Your Boss, Build a Business, and Not Go Broke. He’s been widely recognized as the world’s most-syndicated columnist on the subject of youth entrepreneurship. His columns appear regularly in TIME, Inc. Magazine, MSN, CNBC, CNN, Mashable, The Next Web and The Huffington Post. Scott is also a regular contributor on MSNBC, Fox Business and CNN.
RYAN PAUGH
Chief Of Staff
Ryan Paugh is a community-building expert with a track record for building organizations that help people connect, learn, grow and have fun. He’s one of the founders of Brazen Careerist, a community where ambitious young professionals come to learn and grow. In 2009, Mashable called Brazen Careerist the #1 social network for Generation Y. [SPACE] Ryan brings his community building skills to the YEC as their Community Director and oversees much of the product development that is happening behind the scenes. He wears many hats, but his most important job is making sure that members of the YEC are getting the most out of their membership.
JENNIFER EDWARDS
Community Manager
Jennifer Edwards is a community manager and social media strategist with a passion for Gen Y entrepreneurship. She has years of sales, marketing, business development, community management, and social media experience, and has worked with brands like Monster.com, SOYJOY, and Bumble Bee Tuna. Jennifer is the Community Manager or “cruise director” for the YEC, ensuring that members get the most value out of our community as possible.
LINDSEY DONNER
Executive Editor
Lindsey Donner, executive editor for the YEC, is a professional writer and editor who helps small business owners create high-value content. She and her Well Versed Creative partner offer graphic design, web development and content services for bloggers, authors and small business owners, and recently co-launched the indie/art clothing line La Muerta.
ASHLEY LEE
Associate Editor
Ashley Lee is the Associate Editor for the YEC. She developed a passion for the editorial world while studying communication in college, exploring marketing and public relations for San Diego’s performing arts and contributing to the luxury lifestyle publication, 944. When not editing entrepreneurial articles, Ashley types pop culture musings for women’s blogs, CollegeCandy and SheKnows.
