Griffith graduate Chris Eigeland is a serial entrepreneur, international lawyer and Australia’s Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2016. He has founded three international enterprises, each addressing a unique social challenge.

Join Chris Eigeland where he will share his experiences in social entrepreneurship and innovation—from building a not-for-profit in earthquake ravaged Haiti to leading an online education technology firm—and explore how other young Australians can engage in complex global issues.

Recognised as a ‘Global Shaper’ by the World Economic Forum, Chris is an ambassador for the international leadership network One Young World, and is a contributor at forums such as the G20 on innovation and global challenges. In 2014, Chris was named Australian Young Innovator of the Year, and has previously been acknowledged as a Prime Minister’s Australia–Asia Scholar. He has also served as a Director of Global Voices, a not-for-profit providing pathways for young Australians to contribute to international diplomacy.

Through his experiences, Chris has discovered that the most inspiring entrepreneurs aren’t changing the world from Sydney or Silicon Valley, but are on the ground in remote and regional areas—identifying new problems, trying new ideas, and finding solutions. As the United Nations Youth Representative, Chris hopes to build a platform and community to encourage would-be entrepreneurs to take the leap and launch their ideas.

Chris will also be speaking at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus on Thursday, May 12.