Benetech

Collection and archival of sensitive information are core to humanitarian and social justice practices, but all too often security and privacy protections are neglected in such efforts. Benetech CEO Jim Fruchterman sat down with WBEZ Chicago’s Worldview guest host Alexandra Salomon for a conversation about the power of open source technology in strengthening privacy and human rights, and about Benetech’s social impact work.

We are thrilled to share that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has recognized Benetech with the 2014 Region 6 Directors Special Award, Outstanding Small Company of the Year, for Innovative Contributions to Humanitarian Technology. Benetech won the award for its continued commitment to community improvement through literacy, environmental, and human rights initiatives.

Nonprofit technology company Benetech today announced that it has appointed seasoned executive Mark Roberts as its Vice President of Engineering. Roberts, former Senior Vice President of Engineering, Consumer Products, and Operations at TiVo Inc., will lead the development, testing, and deployment of Benetech’s tools and services across all its program areas.

How can a social enterprise engage effectively in founder succession planning, and what are some of the benefits that may occur when a founder is able to share the ownership, control, and culture of the business with a successor, or even a wider group of social leaders? This was one theme of a plenary session at this year’s annual Social Capital Markets Conference (SOCAP14) in San Francisco. Benetech CEO, Jim Fruchterman, and VP of the Benetech Global Literacy Program, Betsy Beaumon, joined moderator Penelope Douglas, SOCAP Board Chair, for a dynamic conversation titled “Make Yourself Invaluable, Not Irreplaceable.”

We’ve just wrapped up a second successful year of Benetech’s Summer Internship Program. Today we’re pleased to introduce you to three excellent interns who worked with our Bookshare team: Priyanka Amin-Patel, Derek Slone, and Tara Singh. Their efforts went towards getting the word out about Bookshare and expanding the collection.