Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/meet-the-grunin-prize-finalists-9093d3d5-dd18-4a6f-a0eb-0ca60c0e9522 This Grunin Center podcast gives you the chance to learn more about the 2026 Grunin Prize Finalists. Lawyers play a critical role in designing, implementing, and advancing models by which economic and social activity are conducted globally. The Grunin Center administers the Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship to celebrate the contributions of lawyers who purposefully engage in advancing the fields of social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and sustainable development. The award of an annual Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship recognizes lawyers’ participation in the ways in which business is increasingly advancing the goals of sustainability and human development. This prize aims to reward the innovation, potential impact, and replicability and/or scalability of projects and solutions developed by lawyers to advance the fields of social entrepreneurship, impact investing and sustainable development. © 2026 Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship 45266930-c181-5219-9724-e0f07cd99c82 yes en Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:17:54 -0700 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:19:04 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/AeQkH8rcaGGS3dfJrE-NriweqPuij5PTLV5NxNZIics/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hYWUy/Mjg3ODg3MTc2OTk1/NDU1NTA1YzYxM2E1/NGExYy5wbmc.jpg Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists episodic Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship This Grunin Center podcast gives you the chance to learn more about the 2026 Grunin Prize Finalists. Lawyers play a critical role in designing, implementing, and advancing models by which economic and social activity are conducted globally. The Grunin Center administers the Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship to celebrate the contributions of lawyers who purposefully engage in advancing the fields of social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and sustainable development. The award of an annual Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship recognizes lawyers’ participation in the ways in which business is increasingly advancing the goals of sustainability and human development. This prize aims to reward the innovation, potential impact, and replicability and/or scalability of projects and solutions developed by lawyers to advance the fields of social entrepreneurship, impact investing and sustainable development. This Grunin Center podcast gives you the chance to learn more about the 2026 Grunin Prize Finalists. Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship No No NYU Legal Changemakers Incubator: SheLeads Circles 4 4 NYU Legal Changemakers Incubator: SheLeads Circles full a4355dd1-6f20-49c4-9682-3176d60bb881 https://share.transistor.fm/s/268d99e0 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Sonal Rawat, NYU School of Law LLM '26.

For the past academic year, Sonal has been part of the NYU Legal Changemakers Incubator, a program in its inaugural year. This initiative is designed to support a select cohort of LLM students as they undertake legal projects that address timely societal/environmental issues in sustainable development, impact investing, or social entrepreneurship – e.g., proposed reforms or analyses of issues (e.g., access to funding) in global health (e.g., vaccines), food security, education, conservation, or infrastructure development. The projects were developed by teams of LLM students in partnership with seasoned legal professionals who served as mentors throughout the academic year.

Listen as Sonal discusses the details of her project, SheLeads Circles.

To learn more about the Legal Changemakers, visit the Grunin Center website: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/student-opportunities/nyu-legal-changemakers-incubator

]]> In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Sonal Rawat, NYU School of Law LLM '26.

For the past academic year, Sonal has been part of the NYU Legal Changemakers Incubator, a program in its inaugural year. This initiative is designed to support a select cohort of LLM students as they undertake legal projects that address timely societal/environmental issues in sustainable development, impact investing, or social entrepreneurship – e.g., proposed reforms or analyses of issues (e.g., access to funding) in global health (e.g., vaccines), food security, education, conservation, or infrastructure development. The projects were developed by teams of LLM students in partnership with seasoned legal professionals who served as mentors throughout the academic year.

Listen as Sonal discusses the details of her project, SheLeads Circles.

To learn more about the Legal Changemakers, visit the Grunin Center website: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/student-opportunities/nyu-legal-changemakers-incubator

]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:16:14 -0700 Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship 834 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Sonal Rawat, NYU School of Law LLM '26.

For the past academic year, Sonal has been part of the NYU Legal Changemakers Incubator, a program in its inaugural year. This initiative is designed to support a select cohort of LLM students as they undertake legal projects that address timely societal/environmental issues in sustainable development, impact investing, or social entrepreneurship – e.g., proposed reforms or analyses of issues (e.g., access to funding) in global health (e.g., vaccines), food security, education, conservation, or infrastructure development. The projects were developed by teams of LLM students in partnership with seasoned legal professionals who served as mentors throughout the academic year.

Listen as Sonal discusses the details of her project, SheLeads Circles.

To learn more about the Legal Changemakers, visit the Grunin Center website: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/student-opportunities/nyu-legal-changemakers-incubator

]]> No Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Onboarding Nature Toolkit & Movement 3 3 Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Onboarding Nature Toolkit & Movement full 12a8228d-93a7-4a60-b274-36379a0244f4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/55f30ed7 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Tessa van Soest, executive director of B Lab Benelux, Jacobien Viets, fractional general counsel for Alliance Business Counsels, and Alexandra Pimor, director of nature governance at the Earth Law Center, to discuss their project: Onboarding Nature Toolkit & Movement.

This project galvanizes business as a force for good, through a nature governance practical toolkit to inspire organizations to evolve from human-centred decision-making to nature-inclusive governance. The toolkit showcases four models—Nature as Inspiration, Advisor, Director and Shareholder. 3 founding partners (B Lab Benelux, Earth Law Center, Nyenrode Business University) formed a collaboration grounded in care, community, and collaboration to champion nature governance in corporate life.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Onboarding Nature: https://www.onboardingnature.com/

]]> In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Tessa van Soest, executive director of B Lab Benelux, Jacobien Viets, fractional general counsel for Alliance Business Counsels, and Alexandra Pimor, director of nature governance at the Earth Law Center, to discuss their project: Onboarding Nature Toolkit & Movement.

This project galvanizes business as a force for good, through a nature governance practical toolkit to inspire organizations to evolve from human-centred decision-making to nature-inclusive governance. The toolkit showcases four models—Nature as Inspiration, Advisor, Director and Shareholder. 3 founding partners (B Lab Benelux, Earth Law Center, Nyenrode Business University) formed a collaboration grounded in care, community, and collaboration to champion nature governance in corporate life.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Onboarding Nature: https://www.onboardingnature.com/

]]> Tue, 12 May 2026 11:58:35 -0700 Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship 1141 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Tessa van Soest, executive director of B Lab Benelux, Jacobien Viets, fractional general counsel for Alliance Business Counsels, and Alexandra Pimor, director of nature governance at the Earth Law Center, to discuss their project: Onboarding Nature Toolkit & Movement.

This project galvanizes business as a force for good, through a nature governance practical toolkit to inspire organizations to evolve from human-centred decision-making to nature-inclusive governance. The toolkit showcases four models—Nature as Inspiration, Advisor, Director and Shareholder. 3 founding partners (B Lab Benelux, Earth Law Center, Nyenrode Business University) formed a collaboration grounded in care, community, and collaboration to champion nature governance in corporate life.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Onboarding Nature: https://www.onboardingnature.com/

]]> No Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Boston Impact Initiative Fund II 2 2 Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Boston Impact Initiative Fund II full fca2bf14-73d7-4ccd-bc25-27455b5e4ee5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/30283749 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Betty Francisco, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, and Carl Valenstein, partner at Morgan, Lewis, & Blockius LLP,  to discuss their project: Boston Impact Initiative Fund II. 

BII Fund II is a $22M fund democratizing investment via a tiered note structure. It allows non-accredited individuals to invest $1,000 alongside accredited investors. Using integrated capital, it invests in social enterprises advancing inclusion, climate resilience, worker power, and community-owned and controlled New England real estate. The tiered approach enabled nearly 240 investors to participate. BII's model blends debt financing with flexible terms, patient equity, and grants.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Boston Impact Initiative: https://bostonimpact.org/

]]> In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Betty Francisco, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, and Carl Valenstein, partner at Morgan, Lewis, & Blockius LLP,  to discuss their project: Boston Impact Initiative Fund II. 

BII Fund II is a $22M fund democratizing investment via a tiered note structure. It allows non-accredited individuals to invest $1,000 alongside accredited investors. Using integrated capital, it invests in social enterprises advancing inclusion, climate resilience, worker power, and community-owned and controlled New England real estate. The tiered approach enabled nearly 240 investors to participate. BII's model blends debt financing with flexible terms, patient equity, and grants.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Boston Impact Initiative: https://bostonimpact.org/

]]> Tue, 12 May 2026 11:56:13 -0700 Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship 999 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Betty Francisco, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, and Carl Valenstein, partner at Morgan, Lewis, & Blockius LLP,  to discuss their project: Boston Impact Initiative Fund II. 

BII Fund II is a $22M fund democratizing investment via a tiered note structure. It allows non-accredited individuals to invest $1,000 alongside accredited investors. Using integrated capital, it invests in social enterprises advancing inclusion, climate resilience, worker power, and community-owned and controlled New England real estate. The tiered approach enabled nearly 240 investors to participate. BII's model blends debt financing with flexible terms, patient equity, and grants.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Boston Impact Initiative: https://bostonimpact.org/

]]> No Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Integrating social impact into social asset management 1 1 Meet the Grunin Prize Finalists: Integrating social impact into social asset management full 485935a0-8d18-4bed-9439-44f39ab0ad63 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1a15eafb In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Marella Caramazza, board member for Cottino Social Impact Campus, and Emiliano Giovine, lawyer and scientific director of the legal impact pillar for Cottino Social Impact Campus, to discuss their project: Integrating social impact into public asset management. 

The project introduces a legally grounded framework that enables municipalities to integrate social, environmental, and economic impact into the management and regeneration of public real estate. Using a model embedded in public procedures and contracts, it allows cities to value public assets beyond market price, aligning urban regeneration, social entrepreneurship, and public policy to generate measurable public value.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Cottino Social Impact Campus: https://www.cottinosocialimpactcampus.org/en/home-eng/

]]> In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Marella Caramazza, board member for Cottino Social Impact Campus, and Emiliano Giovine, lawyer and scientific director of the legal impact pillar for Cottino Social Impact Campus, to discuss their project: Integrating social impact into public asset management. 

The project introduces a legally grounded framework that enables municipalities to integrate social, environmental, and economic impact into the management and regeneration of public real estate. Using a model embedded in public procedures and contracts, it allows cities to value public assets beyond market price, aligning urban regeneration, social entrepreneurship, and public policy to generate measurable public value.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Cottino Social Impact Campus: https://www.cottinosocialimpactcampus.org/en/home-eng/

]]> Tue, 12 May 2026 11:52:36 -0700 Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship 952 In this episode, Zvia Schoenberg, executive director of the Grunin Center, speaks with Marella Caramazza, board member for Cottino Social Impact Campus, and Emiliano Giovine, lawyer and scientific director of the legal impact pillar for Cottino Social Impact Campus, to discuss their project: Integrating social impact into public asset management. 

The project introduces a legally grounded framework that enables municipalities to integrate social, environmental, and economic impact into the management and regeneration of public real estate. Using a model embedded in public procedures and contracts, it allows cities to value public assets beyond market price, aligning urban regeneration, social entrepreneurship, and public policy to generate measurable public value.

To learn more about the project, you can visit the websites below:

Grunin Prize Finalists: https://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/grunin-social-entrepreneurship/grunin-prize/2026

Cottino Social Impact Campus: https://www.cottinosocialimpactcampus.org/en/home-eng/

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