Award Presented At Seventh Annual WIRED Business
Conference to Recognize Defy Ventures for Work to Transform the
Lives of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
NEW YORK, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MDC Partners
announced today that it has presented Defy Ventures
(www.defyventures.org) with the 2015 MDC Partners Humanitarian
Award. The $20,000 award, now
in its fifth year, celebrates humanitarian efforts fueled by
groundbreaking, entrepreneurial innovation that result in
meaningful social impact in the United
States and around the world. The award was presented today
during the seventh annual WIRED Business Conference, which in
partnership with MDC brings together today's most dynamic thought
leaders to discuss the ideas and innovations that are shaping the
world and fueling the next evolution of business. Defy Ventures
Founder and CEO Catherine Hoke
accepted the award.
"The work Defy Ventures is doing to cultivate grass-roots
entrepreneurialism is truly worthy of our support and celebration,"
said Miles Nadal, Chairman and CEO
of MDC Partners. "Defy is not only empowering formerly
incarcerated Entrepreneurs-In-Training with the skills and
experience to support themselves and their families, but it is
developing the next generation of innovative business leaders who
will change the face of their communities. Entrepreneurship lives
everywhere, and Defy's mission to identify and empower great
talent, no matter where it is found, is at the core of what we do
at MDC Partners. We are proud to support Defy's investment in the
next generation of entrepreneurs, and by extension, their families,
friends and communities."
For the 92 million Americans with criminal records, even minimum
wage jobs are out of reach due to criminal background checks.
Since its founding in 2010, Defy Ventures, with the help of more
than 3500 executive volunteers and mentors, has supported more than
300 formerly incarcerated Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) to
develop the business acumen necessary to turn their lives
around. Defy's programs help to break the cycle of poverty
and recidivism by identifying and transforming the EIT's business
skills and redirecting them towards the creation of profitable and
legal business ventures.
"We are incredibly honored to be recognized by MDC Partners and
the WIRED community," said Catherine
Hoke, founder and CEO of Defy Ventures. "So many Americans
with criminal records remain permanently stigmatized and do not
have access to the jobs and opportunities that will allow them to
live up to their full potential. By investing in their
entrepreneurial skills, we not only break the cycle of
incarceration, but we create better lives for our EITs, their
families and their communities, while positively contributing to
the American economy."
About Defy Ventures
Defy Ventures is a national entrepreneurship, employment and
character building training program that recognizes that many
former drug dealers and gang leaders can become successful, legal
entrepreneurs. Defy "transforms the hustle" of formerly
incarcerated Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs) by offering intensive
leadership development, business plan competitions executive
mentoring, financial support and start up incubation. Find out more
at www.defyventures.org
About MDC Partners Inc.
MDC Partners is one of the world's largest Business
Transformation Organizations that utilizes technology, marketing
communications, data analytics, insights and strategic consulting
solutions to drive meaningful returns on Marketing and
Communications Investments for multinational clients in
the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia
and Latin America.
MDC Partners' durable competitive advantage is to Empower the
Most Talented Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders to Drive Business
Success to new levels of Achievement, for both our Clients and our
Shareholders, reinforcing the Company's reputation as "The Place
Where Great Talent Lives."
MDC Partners' Class A shares are publicly traded on NASDAQ under
the symbol "MDCA" and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol "MDZ.A".
Please visit us: www.mdc-partners.com
Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mdcpartners
FOR:
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MDC Partners
Inc.
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745 Fifth Avenue,
Floor 19
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New York, NY
10151
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CONTACT:
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Alexandra
Delanghe
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SVP, Corporate
Communications
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646-429-1845
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adelanghe@mdc-partners.com
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SOURCE MDC Partners Inc.