Your Guide to IMPACTATHON

and to prepare for the

Changemaker Challenge Competition

UPLOAD your pictures from Impactathon

DOWNLOAD YOUR CHANGEMAKER CHALLENGE APPLICATION HERE!

Please email completed applications to Dr. Julie Nagashima at: jnagashima@noctrl.edu

Using "Changemaker Challenge" as your subject line

CHANGEMAKER CHALLENGE

APRIL 11, 2025

5:30-7:30PM

Smith Hall (Old Main)

Meet our Keynote Speaker

Neetal Parekh, Founder/CEO of Innov8Social

Social Entrepreneur | Impact Ecosystem Builder | Immigration Attorney | and...

Author of 51 Questions on Social Entrepreneurship Amazon Bestseller and used by universities and instructors as an introductory text for social enterprise.

Interests include helping mission-driven companies attract + retain aligned team members and intrapreneurs, blockchain for social good, social enterprise legal structures.

Meet the Judges

David Green, Ph.D.

Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management Information Systems

North Central College

Saily Joshi

Consultant for business development solutions.

DE&I Facilitator and Advocate for Social Equity, Justice and Human Rights.

John Joseph

Community Philanthropist & Leader

Managing Director and Board Member at:

West Suburban Angels

Nicole Astra

Executive Director, APS Training Academy

Empowering vulnerable communities through free STEAM education to promote economic equality and cultivate diversity in the rising workforce

Timeline

WORKSHOPS:

Workshop on Human-Centered Design to Create Solutions 2/25/25

Workshop to Prepare for Pitch Competition: 3/4/2025

Feedback sessions: with DuShaun on 4/3 at 11am,

and also by appointment through 4/10

IMPACTATHON Event: 4/11/2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Application due date: 3/28/25

Select entries will be notified: 4/2/25

Select IMPACTATHON Pitch participants 4/11/25 can be fast-tracked to the Changemaker Challenge!

Pitch Competition and Announcement of Grant Awardees: 4/11/25

WORKSHOPS AND Q&A SESSIONS

Meet our Faculty and Staff who Can Assist you With your Idea!

Do you want Feedback?

Meet with our Social Entrepreneurship, LEAD300 Professor!

Who: DuShaun Branch-Pollard

When: April 3rd from 11-11:30am

Where: LEV House, 40E. Jefferson st.

Please email: srhogan@noctrl.edu to register

Do you have ideas but not sure how to transform them into action?

Attend IMPACTATHON!!!

Develop skills, network with leaders

Do you have questions?

Do you need help with your application? Do you want more info about Impactathon or the Changemaker Challenge? Do you want to talk it over with someone?

Email me at: srhogan@noctrl.edu

Stephanie Hogan

Grad assistant at LEV

Pursuing MA in Trauma Informed Practices

Changemaker Challenge Grant Recipient 2023

RESOURCES TO PREPARE YOUR PITCH