Western Union Foundation Fellowship Basecamp
Why We Exist
We believe in the power of local leaders to solve the toughest social, economic, and environmental challenges facing communities.
We do this by partnering with leading corporations and foundations to leverage everything they bring to the table—financial resources, the power of their brand, and the expertise of their teams—plus Watson Institute’s proven model and global network, built and refined since 2013, to accelerate the impact of the most promising local entrepreneurs and leaders.
Meet Our Fellows and Partners
Sherrell Byrd
Founder of the Rural Innovation and Social Equity (RISE) Center
2024 Truist Foundation Fellowship Alumna
"As a 2024 Truist Foundation Fellow, I can say with complete certainty that this experience has profoundly shaped the trajectory of my work with the Rural Innovation and Social Equity (RISE) Center in Southwest Georgia in ways I never anticipated. The Fellowship provided invaluable support, allowing me to fully immerse myself in personal exploration and professional growth. I am becoming the leader I need to be to manage a project of this magnitude in my community."
Helen Seibel
Head of Employee and Community Giving
BMO
"At BMO, building a sustainable future and our commitment to zero barriers to inclusion are core to our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life to foster and strengthen communities where everyone can make progress. Through the BMO Fellowship powered by Watson Institute, we are proud to support the next generation of sustainability-focused entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and platform to meaningfully address society’s most pressing challenges."
Scaling Impact. Transforming Lives.
67
Average income growth for Fellows post-Fellowship
83
Annual Recurring Revenue Growth of Truist Foundation Fellowship Alumni
$185M
Capital raised by Fellows.
10M+
Lives positively impacted through Fellow-led ventures.
1,900+
Paid jobs created by Fellows.
Every number represents a story of resilience, innovation, and impact — proof that visionary leaders can change the world.
Watson Institute is committed to helping everyone lead careers of purpose, meaning, and impact. In addition to supporting the most promising rising entrepreneurs and leaders through the Impact Fellowships, we run two programs designed to help rising leaders advance their careers to power forward this broader vision.
Watson Institute at Lynn University
The pioneering Bachelor of Science in Social Impact and Entrepreneurship from Lynn University, in collaboration with Watson Institute, is built for students to major in their mission, gain experience as interns with leading organizations in their field, and develop the skill set necessary to create impactful, successful careers.
Watson Institute at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, brings together a cohort of innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs from across the globe to build careers that align with their values and contribute to solving the toughest challenges facing the world. Through interactive courses, intensive mentorship, and a powerful, diverse community of peers, students and alumni launch lives of impact.
Career Accelerator Fellowship
In partnership with leading corporations, Watson Institute powers the transformative Career Accelerator Fellowship to provide job placement, training, coaching, and career growth opportunities to highly promising rising leaders.
The Career Accelerator Fellowship empowers ambitious rising talent to pursue purposeful careers and navigate the competitive landscape of finding an aligned job with confidence and competence. In doing so, The Career Accelerator Fellowship equips candidates to pursue leadership-track roles that unlock long-term career opportunities and purpose.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
See Our Principals
See Our Principals
See Our Principles
Work At Watson
Work At Watson
