NextSpace CEO Jeremy Neuner Named Aspen Institute Fellow

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) SANTA CRUZ, CA – April 28, 2010 – The Aspen Institute Business and Society program today announced the second class of First Mover Fellows, individuals who are working within companies to unite business growth with a sustainable society in the products and services they are developing. Jeremy Neuner, co-founder and CEO of NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, Inc., was selected as one of this year’s fellows based on his success in creating the innovation infrastructure required for the freelance economy. 

“I’m honored by this fellowship,” Neuner said. “In the face of tough economic times, NextSpace continues to provide freelancers and creative-class professionals with the community, infrastructure, and tools they need to be successful in the global economy. The nature of work is really changing and this fellowship provides validation for the NextSpace approach and business model. It shows that we’re leading this trend in the revolution of how people work.”   The 12-month Fellowship, which includes three convenings, is built around the core themes of innovation, leadership, reflection and community. The program offers individuals a chance to become part of a growing community of innovators who share a passion about their work and belief in new possibilities for business. It also serves as an innovation lab where Fellows develop the skills to make their innovations real and successful in their organizations. The program offers both a leadership development opportunity for the Fellows and an organizational development strategy for their companies.   “What we have learned from the first class of First Movers is that companies benefit from what participants learn and are exposed to during the course of the fellowship. Fellows bring back to their organizations an enhanced ability to innovate,” explains Nancy McGaw, director of the First Mover Fellowship Program. “Through sharing ideas and challenges with other participants, they are also exposed to different models of business growth and innovation which they can share with their colleagues. And, because they are closely involved in the strategic initiatives in their companies, what they learn can have significant impact on future growth.”   Neuner is especially eager about the fellowship’s potential impact on the growth of NextSpace. “We started NextSpace just over 18 months ago and have grown steadily ever since. Now, we’re ready to really scale up our efforts, so the timing of this fellowship couldn’t be better. Having the opportunity to learn from leaders of big, well-known companies—Coca-Cola, BestBuy, Microsoft and others—is both exciting and humbling.”      The First Movers Fellowship was developed by the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program, whose mission is to equip business leaders for the 21^st century with a new management paradigm—the vision and knowledge to integrate corporate profitability and social value.   The First Movers Fellows – 2010 Ajay Badhwar, Strategic Market Manager,Dow Chemical Company. Antoni Ballabriga, Director of Corporate Responsibility, BBVA, a Madrid-based global bank .   Rachael Barber, Director, Global Community Investment, at Barclays plc. Anupam Bhargava, General Manager, Line Maintenance Services, UTC Pratt & Whitney. Eric Goldberg, Director, International Online Strategy,MetLife Insurance. Joanna Hafenmayer, Citizenship and Sustainability Officer, Microsoft Switzerland. Alicia Ledlie, Senior Director, Associate Development,Walmart Stores Inc. Sally Madsen, Designer and leader of Social Innovation, IDEO. Marika McCauley Sine, International Public Affairs Manager at The Coca-Cola Company. Hamlin Metzger, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility, Best Buy Co. Inc. Jeremy Neuner, Co-founder and CEO,NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, Inc. Assil Omar, Leadership Development Senior Manager, Global, at Agility Logistics Britta Rendlen, Senior Risk Manager, Swiss Reinsurance Emma Stewart, Senior Program Lead, Sustainability, Autodesk. Stephanie Struhs, Brand Manager, Procter & Gamble. Eric Wilmot, Innovation Lead, Wolff Olins   About Nextspace NextSpace is the workplace for the new economy.  NextSpace provides innovative physical and virtual infrastructure that freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creative class professionals need to succeed in the 21st century knowledge economy. In an increasingly disconnected world, NextSpace creates a collaborative community that is revolutionizing the nature of work. For more information: www.nextspace.us.   About the Aspen Institute The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners. www.aspeninstitute.org.   C4G6348