The ‘Grandfather’ of Social Enterprise, Steve Lawrence Dies

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The man described as the the grandfather of social enterprise in Australia, Steve Lawrence has died after a long battle with cancer aged 60.

Steve Lawrence was a mentor, an inspiration, and a guide to many involved in social enterprise and social innovation in Australia as the founding chief executive of WorkVentures for 29 years and more recently the chief executive of Australia Social Innovation eXchange (ASIX).

His passing comes just days after he took part in a special interview with the Centre for Social Impact’s (CSI) on line Yakety Yak video series. (Watch the video here)

Lawrence was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2007. After years of treatment, Steve’s doctors recently told him that his time was short. At the suggestion of one of Steve’s close friends, CSI asked Steve whether he’d like to participate in an interview to capture and share some of his life’s stories and learnings, and Steve very graciously agreed. Filmed with some close colleagues and families in attendance, this video is the result.

Source: Pro Bono Australia (link opens in a new window)

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