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Jacqueline Novogratz is Putting Humanity at the Center of Change

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Mark Shaw

25 Jul '25
By The Shift

Image by Mark Shaw

The Shift highlights women’s stories through the lens of impact. It hopes to contextualize history and inspire action.

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Jacqueline Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a nonprofit that invests in social enterprises to fight global poverty. A pioneer in impact investing, she’s helped improve over 270 million lives and is the bestselling author of The Blue Sweater.

The Shift:

As we look to the future, what is one key change or innovation you believe is essential for advancing equality and empowerment in your field?

Jacqueline:

I want people living in poverty to be treated with the dignity they deserve. A reimagined capitalism would put humanity and the earth at the center of our systems, not just profit. We need a new framework to do just that, nudging all of us to commit to things beyond ourselves. The good news is that entrepreneurs grounded in moral imagination already are making changes. And while we have a way to go, there’s a myriad of role models and new business models lighting the way forward. Our job is to follow the path in ever greater numbers.

The Shift:

Who are three women who inspire you?

Jacqueline:

Eleanor Roosevelt

Felicula Nyiramutarambirwa

Nidhi Pant

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Jacqueline Novogratz is honored as part of The Shift’s “90 Plus One” list, which recognizes influential women shaping contemporary culture. With Gloria Steinem featured on the inaugural print cover, the list pays homage to her 91 years of activism by highlighting a powerhouse community of women shifting culture.