Worldwide award for MCI alumnus

MCI graduate Etienne Salborn is one of 25 graduates to be named aClass of Influential Leaders 2021 by AACSB International (AACSB) - the world's largest management education association. The annual initiative recognises notable graduates of AACSB-accredited business schools whose inspiring work serves as a role model for the next generation of business leaders.

Etienne Salborn is a "changemaker" committed to positively impacting people in unimaginably difficult life situations. While still a student in the Department of Nonprofit, Social & Health Innovation at MCI, Salborn founded the nonprofit Jangu e.V. to support orphans in Uganda. Currently, Salborn is Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO) of SINA (Social Innovation Academy).

"My studies formed the foundation and gave me the courage to start Jangu e.V.. It also paved the way for the foundation of SINA, which followed in 2015," says Salborn.

Through mentoring and experiential learning, SINA empowers scholarship holders to be self-organised and self-responsible ("freesponsible") and to acquire the skills they need to build their own businesses. They learn to value their often disrupted past as a strength and foundation for building sustainable social enterprises that benefit their communities.

Among a host of grants and awards he has received throughout his career, Salborn has received the 2018 NGO Innovation Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the 2019 Pan-African Award for Entrepreneurship in Education for his organisation SINA.

"We are impressed by the efforts of business school graduates like Etienne Salborn," said Caryn L. Beck-Dudley, AACSB president and CEO. "MCI develops leaders who are ready to change the world, and AACSB is honoured to recognise Etienne Salborn for his positive impact in society."

"Our shared drive with AACSB to provide motivated individuals with the knowledge, skills and competencies to act and lead responsibly, sustainably and with visible impact is validated by Mr Salborn's award. On behalf of the entire MCI team, I congratulate Mr. Salborn most sincerely," says MCI Rector Andreas Altmann

The Influential Leaders, now in their sixth year, include nearly 250 graduates of business schools who have had a lasting impact on business and society. All honourees have earned a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from one of more than 870 AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide. For the honorees' unique biographies and an account of how they are making a significant, lasting impact on the world, visit aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.

About AACSB

Founded in 1916, AACSB is the world's largest business education association, connecting educators, learners and businesses to produce the next generation of leaders. With a presence in more than 100 countries and territories, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education. Learn how AACSB is transforming business education for a better society at aacsb.edu.