ChangeUP: Innovating for Social Change is the second audience-voting pitch competition brought to you by Okanagan Changemakers.

On Thursday, December 3rd, a select number of organizations will have the opportunity to pitch live at the Kelowna Community Theatre in hopes of winning cash and in-kind services. The evening will recognize the best social impact initiatives in the Okanagan Valley and participants will benefit from interacting with a diverse and engaged audience.

This year, we are pleased to have entrepreneur Mickey McLeod as our keynote speaker. Mickey is the co-founder, president and CEO of Saltspring Coffee.

Doors open at 6 pm. The event starts promptly at 7pm.

About Mickey McLeod

Mickey McLeod is the CEO and co-founder of Salt Spring Coffee, a certified B Corporation and one of Canada’s largest micro-roasters. The company employs more than 50 people, roasts approximately 3,500 pounds of coffee a day, and has sales of close to $10 million annually.

Under Mickey’s leadership, Salt Spring Coffee has always focused on values before the bottom line. The company pioneered organic and fair trade coffee, pushing the envelope to develop a direct trade model with coffee farmers.

The company is equally committed to environmental sustainability. Salt Spring was the first coffee roaster in Canada to be carbon neutral in 2007, and sends only 9% of its material to the landfill or incinerator.

Salt Spring has been named one of the Top 10 Corporate Climate Leaders by the City of Vancouver and recognized as one of only 5 Canadian companies in B Lab’s first ‘Best for the World’ list.

Mickey will be sharing Salt Spring’s journey to grow a values-based business and a world-wide coffee community devoted to change.

Pitch at ChangeUP

If you are interested in pitching at ChangeUP, our application deadline is November 1st, 2015 at midnight PST. Apply to pitch here.

Okanagan Changemakers is a non-profit society and all proceeds will go towards programming and our mission of growing social enterprises making positive impact in our community.

*No refunds on tickets bought, but transfers are definitely ok with us!