Aaron Hurst, CEO of Imperative and globally recognized social entrepreneur, will be one of our accomplished keynote speakers at the 2017 Net Impact Conference. As a member of the Net Impact board, Hurst has had a successful impact career through his incredible work with social entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Rise of a Thought Leader

Hurst was born in Aspen, and has lived in nine subsequent cities around the world. An entrepreneur since 16, Hurst has worked to create communities that are empowered to realize their potential. His journey to a career with impact started at the University of Michigan where he designed and led an educational program for local correctional facilities and became the first student to receive the Michigan Campus Compact Award. He has since received the highest honor given to alumni of the University of Michigan.

In 2001, Hurst founded the Taproot Foundation, which connects nonprofits and social change organizations with passionate, skilled volunteers who share their expertise pro bono. Over the next 12 years, he discovered that we each gain purpose from our work based on different psychological drivers that predict everything from our intrinsic motivations to the impact we desire to make through work. Hurst was also the creative force behind the conception of the White House’s Billion and Change campaign. Through this campaign, over 200 companies signed a pledge to increase pro bono service in corporate America. 

With a passion for purpose-driven professionals, Hurst co-founded Imperative, a B Corp advocating for purpose-oriented workers and supporting the organizations that embrace them. Hurst is currently the CEO of Imperative and works to enable everyone to uncover and apply their purpose drivers to realize their potential as employees and members of society. Since 2014, Imperative has helped over 100,000 professionals awaken purpose in their work and its Purpose Lab has led the largest global research agenda on purpose.

Widely known for his thought leadership, Hurst is a regular advisor and thought partner for many global brands. He is also an author. His book, The Purpose Economy (2014), focuses on purpose as the new driver of the American economy. 

At the Net Impact 2017 Conference in Atlanta from October 27-28, we are focusing on your Path to Purpose and helping you accelerate your impact career journey. With keynote speaker Aaron Hurst, you will see an example of how to turn a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation into a lifetime of social impact. 

Register today for the 2017 Net Impact Conference to hear more about Hurst’s Path to Purpose and view the rest of our incredible lineup of keynote speakers here.