Betsy Densmore has a long career of providing leadership and developing leadership in others. Currently, she is President of Academies for Social Entrepreneurship, an educational organization dedicated to linking the passion of social purpose with sustainable business practices and principles. ASE builds on her former position with the Social Enterprise Institute, developing “double bottom line businesses” that address pressing social problems and generate discretionary income. She organizes workshops, coaching clinics, mentorships and “Showcase” business plan presentations for aspiring social entrepreneurs.

Before becoming a leader in the social enterprise movement, Betsy was a staff member and program leader for Landmark Education for many years. While at Landmark, she personally trained hundreds of people in breakthrough thinking methods, and managed a large part of the local office operations.

As Executive Director of a Chicago legal foundation for ten years, Betsy worked with over 60 organizations in support of programs that improved access to justice and the welfare of troubled children. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a program director for the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a community economic development organization. She also served as Manager of Community & Consumer Affairs at McDonald’s Corporation and as a principal in a consulting services agency. She has founded two businesses and served on the Boards and as an officer of many charities.