Dan Viederman

Dan Viederman was first inspired to work for social change while teaching rural students in Chongqing, China after leaving university. Compelled by his students’ desire to improve their circumstances and the significant institutional obstacles they faced, Dan completed a degree in economic and political development before returning to China to lead two international non-governmental organizations. Recognizing that the private sector was essential for sustained progress against the entwined challenges of a spoiled environment and entrenched poverty, Dan has spent the last twenty+ years helping business to be more accountable and responsible. He joined Verité in 2001 to put the issue of labor rights and modern-day slavery more firmly on the corporate agenda through research, consulting and advocacy. For his work at Verité he was named winner of the Skoll Award in 2007 and the Schwab Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2011. Since 2016 Dan has co-led Working Capital Fund, the first venture capital firm that seeks to build equity and reduce vulnerability for marginalized workers by transforming supply chain management.