Pape Samb is a global social entrepreneur and impact leader specialized in international development, youth and women livelihoods, and social innovation. He has more than 20 years of experience in systems-change leadership, program and resource development, fundraising, partnership building, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, training and facilitation, content management and public speaking. His focus is on educating underserved communities about social innovation, livelihoods, inclusiveness, particularly empowering youth, and women in the global south. He believes in helping them become self-sufficient and connecting them with the resources and skills they need to achieve their goals. He has travelled extensively and done work in almost 100 countries. Currently, he serves as the Global Vice President of Ashoka and Executive Director of Ashoka Africa. He is an Adjunct Professor and Executive in Residence at American University’ School of Public Affairs. 

A driving force and empowering ‘agent of change’ for youth globally, he founded and serves as Chairman of the Global Youth Innovative Network (GYIN), a youth-run and led network of over 6,000 young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and farmers in almost 100 countries. At GYIN, he develops evidence-based, sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and leadership programs and policies that address the root causes of youth unemployment and hunger, while increasing the opportunities for young people to obtain a decent job or start a successful business.