Featured ACCION Client Tasting Stations:
5411 Empanadas
Anthony's Own Liqueurs
Bleeding Heart Bakery
Boleres Coffee
International House of Sauces & Seasonings
Masala Indian & Thai
Pecan and Charlie's Mobile Cupcakery
Royal Caribbean Jerk
Featured Keynote Speakers:
Jake Nickell, Founder
and CSO of Threadless and skinnyCorp, LLC
Jake Nickell is the
co-founder and CSO of Threadless.com and skinnyCorp, based in Chicago. He
dreamed up the community-driven Threadless concept in 2000 after winning an
online t-shirt design contest and started the company with $1,000 in seed
money. Since 2000, Mr. Nickell has lead the growth of the company - and
numerous affiliated ventures - to culminate in more than 1 million online users
and three physical retail stores, with over $20 million in annual sales.
Threadless combines the power and creativity of crowd-sourced designs and social
media with the physical simplicity and global love of t-shirts, and the
entrepreneurial spirit behind the company continues on today. Read more about
Threadless and skinnyCorp at www.threadless.com.
Michael Schlein, CEO of
ACCION International
Michael Schlein is the CEO
and President of ACCION International, a pioneer in international microfinance
since 1961 whose programs now reach over 150 million people worldwide. Over the
past 50 years, ACCION International has helped build 62 microfinance
institutions in 31 countries on 4 continenets, enabling individuals around the
world to grow their microenterprises and create brighter futures for their
families and communities. Before joining ACCION in 2009, Michael Schlein served
as the President of Citigroup's International Franchise Management unit, the
coordinator of Citi's Human Resources and Global Affairs, Executive Director of
Citi's Business Practices Committee, and as Director of Citibank, N.A.,
Poland's Bank Handlowy, and Citibank Korea, Inc. Prior to his senior posts at
Citi, Mr. Schlein served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, as well as Chief of Staff for the New York City Deputy Mayor for
Finance and Economic Development. He has been involved with microfinance for
years through both Citi and ACCION, carrying a wealth of experience both
internationally and in the U.S. Read more about ACCION International at www.accion.org.