Joseph Bornstein ’08: Creating Innovative Social Solutions
At Whitman College, Joseph Bornstein was a changemaker and problem-solver, organizing students to help communities in need and laying the foundation for a trailblazing career in social entrepreneurship—first as the Co-Founder of Semilla Nueva, a nonprofit empowering Guatemalan farmers, and later as the CEO and Founder of CauseMatch, a crowdfunding platform helping nonprofits scale their fundraising power.
“… the teachers at Whitman helped me become fascinated by philosophy and literature and believe that I could personally develop ideas and insights that were part of the ‘conversation’ being had over the centuries through the humanities.
”
Joseph’s Pathway
2004 | Admitted to Whitman College
as a student with a keen interest in public service
2004 | Organized students
2004–2008 | Founded and presided over Whitman Direct Action,
a student-run organization promoting economically and environmentally sustainable development in marginalized communities
2005–2006 | Joined the Speech and Debate Club,
sharpening his advocacy and public speaking skills
2007 | Awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship
for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service
2007–2009 | Worked as Media Specialist,
managing the computer lab and assisting with media projects
May 2008 | Graduated from Whitman
with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
2008 | Received the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
for a year of independent international research in Honduras, Ecuador, Mali and India, examining each region’s approach to environmental justice
2008 | Created a startup kit for environmentally friendly nonprofits
during an internship at the World Resources Institute
2008 | Worked as a consultant
for the Social Trade Organisation in Honduras, optimizing biofuel production and minimizing its environmental impact
2008–2012 | Co-founded Semilla Nueva,
a nonprofit empowering Guatemalan farmers through sustainable agriculture
2009–2016 | Founded and operated Copernican Consultancy,
a startup offering strategic guidance to nonprofits and social ventures
2012–2016 | Served as Venture Manager
at OpenDor Media, coaching and mentoring fellows to help them launch their ventures
2017 | Founded CauseMatch,
a successful peer-to-peer crowdfunding platform for nonprofits
“The liberal arts education and the hands-on teaching at Whitman played a profound role in shaping my personal and professional trajectory.
”
Upward Pathways. Our alumni’s diverse student experiences and career paths showcase the transformative power of a Whitman education. Find other Upward Pathways.