Designing a New Way to Approach Philanthropy
Hunger and Food Systems Issues
Lauren Bush Lauren is the Founder and CEO of FEED, a social business and impact-driven lifestyle brand whose mission is to “create good products that help FEED the world”. In 2004, Lauren had the opportunity to travel with the UN World Food Programme as a Student Spokesperson. While visiting communities in Central America, Asia, and Africa, Lauren witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty and hunger that so many face all over the world. Using this experience as an inspiration, Lauren conceptualized the idea for FEED by designing the initial FEED 1 bag which, when purchased, feeds one child in school for one year. She founded FEED in 2007 and since then FEED has helped provide over 120 million meals globally through non-profit giving partners globally and in the US.
For her work with FEED, Lauren has received multiple awards including Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in 2009 and one of Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 in 2010. Lauren also routinely speaks at global conferences that focus on business, philanthropy, and the issues of hunger and poverty. Examples include Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy, Forbes Women, Women in the World, Atlantic Ideas, and Aspen Ideas.