“When society sees individuals for their leadership potential, entrepreneurial ability, and unique gifts, that’s when we change the world.”
–Evan Feinberg

Evan Feinberg is the Executive Director of Stand Together Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to overcome barriers and realize their full potential. Previously, Feinberg worked on Capitol Hill and even ran for Congress at a young age. While he doesn’t have specific corporate acquisitions or IPOs to his name, his accomplishments lie in building Stand Together Foundation into a powerful force for social change, growing its network to over 300 nonprofits and social entrepreneurs across the country.In this interview, Feinberg discusses the importance of paradigm shifts in addressing social issues, particularly in criminal justice reform. He emphasizes the need to view incarcerated individuals for their potential rather than their past mistakes. Feinberg shares insights on the foundation’s approach to philanthropy, focusing on empowerment rather than control. He highlights the foundation’s work with various organizations, including The Last Mile, which teaches coding and entrepreneurship skills to incarcerated individuals. The conversation also touches on Stand Together’s initiatives in music and entertainment, using cultural influence to drive social change.

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction and Evan Feinberg’s background
(00:03:00) Stand Together Foundation’s mission and approach
(00:07:00) The Last Mile’s journey and innovative approach
(00:11:00) Paradigm shifts in tackling social issues
(00:15:00) Stand Together Music, Sports and Entertainment initiatives
(00:19:00) The Phoenix and addiction recovery efforts
(00:22:00) Changing perceptions of incarcerated individuals
(00:26:00) Engaging celebrities and influencers in social causes
(00:29:00) Philanthropy and wealth’s role in social change
(00:34:00) Long-term vision for Stand Together Foundation
(00:37:00) Criminal justice reform and over-criminalization
(00:41:00) Closing remarks and future outlook

Episode Resources:
Stand Together
Evan’s Linkedin