Pierre Omidyar - eBay.com

Pierre Omidyar, Co-Founder and Founding Partner (eBay)

Pierre is an entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the founder of eBay, an online platform that gives people equal access to information, opportunity, and tools to pursue their goals. Pierre created eBay in 1995 on the premise that people are basically good, and he continues to serve as chairman of the board. Today, eBay enables more than 90 million buyers and sellers to connect and prosper over shared interests. After eBay became a public company in 1998, Pierre and his wife Pam co-founded 
the Omidyar Foundation to support nonprofits. Simultaneously, eBay's vast scale and accelerating social impact were demonstrating that business could also be an effective tool for creating social good. In response, they broadened their scope in 2004 to form a new entity, Omidyar Network, to make investments in for-profit companies as well as nonprofit organizations. By supporting innovative, market-based approaches, Omidyar Network creates opportunity for individuals to connect with others and discover their power to make a difference in the world. Pierre provides Omidyar Network’s strategic vision, stemming from his values and innovative approach to investing for social good. Omidyar Network is part of The Omidyar Group. For more information about the Omidyars’ personal, professional and philanthropic interests, visit www.omidyargroup.com.The Omidyars’ philanthropic activities are driven by a deeply rooted belief in humanity, and a conviction that the world thrives when we prioritize treating others with compassion, dignity, and a respect for diversity. They have contributed more than $1 billion to programs spanning a range of causes, from poverty alleviation to human rights to disaster relief. In 2011, Pierre and Pam were honored with the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for the lasting impact of their work. Pierre serves as a trustee of Tufts University, Santa Fe Institute, Punahou School, and as a commissioner for the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Pierre is also CEO and publisher of Honolulu Civil Beat, a local news service in Hawaii that encourages greater civic participation through media. An American who was born in Paris, France, Pierre moved to the U.S. during grade school and now lives in Honolulu, Hawaii with his wife and three children. Both, Pierre and Pam Omidyar have invested $115 million to date in Humanity United and plan to spend another $50 million stopping trafficking by 2016.

Exclusive interview of Pierre Omidyar

(Founder of eBay Inc)

Published on Mar 1, 2013

Exclusive Interview of Pierre Omidyar - Founder & chairman of eBay Inc.
A special thanks to Academy of Achievement

Pam Omidyar, Co Founder

Pam is a philanthropist dedicated to building peace, advancing human freedom, and creating opportunities for people to improve their lives. In 2001, with the support of husband Pierre, Pam founded HopeLab to pursue her belief that a video game might improve the lives of young cancer patients by giving them a chance to “blast away” at their disease. In August 2006, HopeLab released Re- Mission, a breakthrough video game scientifically proven to improve compliance with prescribed medications and give young people a sense of power and control over their disease. In 2011, HopeLab launched Zamzee, an online rewards platform aimed at reducing sedentary behavior and obesity in kids. Research has demonstrated that Zamzee boosts physical activity in kids by 30% or more, the equivalent of an additional marathon of running each month. HopeLab is now embarking upon a deeper exploration of how science, technology and the power of play can be harnessed to support resilience in young people as a way to improve health. Pam remains a guiding visionary at HopeLab, serving as chair of the Board of Directors. In 2004, Pam co-founded Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, with her husband Pierre. Omidyar Network is a mission-based organization that funds both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations to create opportunity for individuals around the world to improve their own lives and therefore make powerful, lasting contributions to their communities. It has funded organizations in areas such as financial inclusion, education, entrepreneurship, property rights, consumer internet as well as mobile and government transparency. As a member of the board, Pam plays an ongoing role in steering the organization's work. In 2005, Pam began work on Humanity United, a foundation committed to building peace and advancing human freedom. At home and in the corners of the globe where these ideals are challenged most, Humanity United leads and supports efforts to lift up the voices and will of people, ensure good governance and the rule of law, engage markets and business as a force for change, and encourage the exploration of promising ideas and innovations to end mass violence and modern-day slavery – all with the belief that everyone has the right to a life that is peaceful and free. As the foundation’s guiding visionary, Pam was integral in developing Humanity United’s mission and values and is actively engaged in steering its course as board chair. Pam serves as a member of the Advisory Council to The Elders. Pam earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tufts University and studied molecular genetics at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

TheOutrage of Modern-Day Slavery

Streamed live on Apr 15, 2013

Speakers:Pam Omidyar, The Omidyar Group
http://philanthropyforum.org

What is eBay? Online auction service used to buy and sell items. The company uses an electronic platform to facilitate millions of transactions every day. Users seeking to purchase items make bids over a specific time period and then the seller determines guidelines such as a minimum bid he or she is willing to accept. Payment is typically made electronically through PayPal and then the merchandise is shipped to the buyer. 

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