Johnson City, TN – April 27, 2022 – United Way of East TN Highlands has announced the finalists of the 2022 social innovation pitch competition, Problem Solving Pitches, as well as the judges of the competition.
This year’s pitch competition will include programs created by the following nonprofit organizations: A Step Ahead Foundation, Carter County Drug Prevention, Community First Housing Partnership, Huschka House Inc., Junt@s of Johnson City, and the Pride Community & Education Center of the Tri-Cities. The top three programs at the end of the night, as determined by the judges panel and the crowd in attendance, will be awarded $10,000 grants.
The Social Innovation Fund was brought to life in 2020 through an anonymous donation specifically made to fuel social innovation in the region. The Problem-Solving Pitches event is sponsored by General Shale and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Judges for the program include Dr. Bill Heise, Laura Kelly, and Edwin Williams. The crowd in attendance will also represent 25% of the voting power when it comes time to name the winners of the night.
Dr. Heise worked at Eastman Chemical Company for nearly thirty years, holding positions in Engineering, Research and Development, Business Strategy and Development, Corporate Sustainability, and Innovation Management. He has spent his last five years with ETSU, working to integrate real-world strategy problems for the MBA strategic experience projects.
Laura Kelly is the Executive Director for Holston Habitat for Humanity, which serves Washington, Carter and Sullivan Counties, as well as Bristol, VA. She also spent roughly 8 years with Appalachia Service Project, which serves a footprint that crosses into five states of Central Appalachia.
Edwin Williams, a local entrepreneur, is the founder of ZenHammer, a mobile app for contractors to automate the business and paperwork side of their work. Williams has also been active in the start-up community, working to help other entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.
The Social Innovation Fund was brought to life in 2020 through an anonymous donation specifically made to fuel social innovation in the region. The Problem-Solving Pitches event is sponsored by General Shale and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
The live pitch competition will take place on May 12, 2022, at the Wallace Theater (215 E Main St in Downtown Johnson City). RSVPs are required for the event as there is limited seating. More information, the opportunity to RSVP for the event, and past grant winners can be found online at www.unitedwayetnh.org/innovation.
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About United Way of East TN Highlands
Serving Washington, Carter, Johnson and Southern Sullivan Counties, our goal is to break the cycle of poverty by uniting people and resources to strengthen the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. Our vision is to be a community united to empower every person and organization to reach their full potential and achieve more. For more information about United Way of East TN Highlands, please visit www.UnitedWayETNH.org.