Ibrahim Abouleish

Founder of the development initiative SEKEM

Abouleish had a great career as he was working with one of the leading pharmaceutical firms in Europe, developing new treatments for osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis. In the mid-70’s, he decided on a trip to Egypt, which later led to the founding of SEKEM (Ancient Egyptian for “vitality from the sun”). He always wanted to support nature, for the way it is and promoted using biodynamic farms, schools and vocational training centers, a medical center, and trading company. He also saved the lives of Egyptian farmers in those areas. He also developed chemical free methods to process cotton and established Egypt’s first private pharmaceuticals company.   

Willie Smits

Microbiologist turned social entrepreneur

Willie was a microbiologist and he had never really expected to become a social entrepreneur. It all changed when he found an abandoned baby orangutan in 1989, while working in Indonesia. Smits’ work with orangutans changed into the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, which not only worked to help orphaned or imperiled apes, but also helped locals learn sustainable farming methods and the benefits of reforestation.

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