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November 10, 2025 60 mins

Today’s guest is Erin Thompson.  Erin is the Chief Operating Officer at the Polk Institute Foundation.

Meet Erin.

Erin earned a Jurist Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School where she graduated as a member of Phi Delta Honors Society. She was President of the Entertainment Law Society and Treasurer of the Mediation and Arbitration Society. Erin also studied abroad with the South Western Law School in London. She has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Columbia College. She also spent time studying at Augustana College and American University. Erin was an adjunct professor in Loyola Marymount University’s MBA program in Playa Vista, CA where she taught Social Entrepreneurship.

The Polk Institute Foundation.

The Polk Institute Foundation is a 501(C)(3). It is an innovation driven enterprise offering a tuition-free Master Practitioner, Training and Incubator and Accelerator programs. There is an 11-month Incubator Program for startups and pre-revenue companies and an 11-month Accelerator Program for existing businesses. Their focus is on graduating fundable CEOs. At the Polk Institute Foundation, social entrepreneurship companies are endeavors that are purpose-driven. They represent the passion of the founder, Gary Polk.  These endeavors focus on People, Planet and Profit (Triple Bottom Line) and the belief that behaving ethically and generating profits are not conflicting concepts.

This is a virtual training program with the focus of graduating ethical and fundable CEOs.  Applications are being accepted for the 2026 Cohort through November 23.

Erin’s Takeaways.

“When you meet someone who mentions that they want to start, scale, or transform their business, we want the Polk Institute Foundation to be at the top of your mind.   The membership program is for mature and legacy owned businesses to find community and explore exit, merger and acquisition strategies and can be joined at any time of the year. We are here to help.”

In Closing.

The Polk Institute Foundation believes in the power of business to bring about positive change in the world.  Their mission is to serve social entrepreneurs to help make the world a better place.  There are numerous ways to get involved.  You can donate, volunteer, or become a mentor. Check out their website to learn more.

 

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Erin!!!   

Conversations + Connections = Community

Making the world a better place.  One Story at a time.

 What’s Your Story? I want to share it!

 

Marsha@borntotalkradioshow.com

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