April Rinne 
Director of WaterCredit | Water.org
San Francisco, CA, UNITED STATES
Chief Strategy Officer, Collaborative Lab
Biography
I build bridges at the intersection of trends and sectors. Within collaborative consumption and the sharing economy, I focus on Shareable Cities as a vehicle to promote sustainability and resilience and to unlock new sources of value. This naturally links to policy issues and the legal and regulatory 'enabling environment' for business growth, innovation and market expansion.
I thrive when I can bring people, ideas and resources together in ways that say "wow, that's what the world needs." And then make it happen.
Previously, I have worked on sustainable marketplace creation, disruptive business innovation, expansion of capital markets, the empowerment of individuals, and social enterprise development around the world. I have done this in the field, in-house at both small and large organizations, as an external adviser, and by teaching and public speaking. I have been honored to work with innovative companies, governments and leaders everywhere from megacities to rural villages.
Related areas of expertise include: microfinance, emerging markets and developing country growth drivers, triple-bottom-line investments, for-profit/non-profit and public-private partnerships, international corporate law, women and leadership, management of common resources, alternative and community-based currencies, innovation in water and sanitation, and new ways to nurture talent.
I'm also an insatiable globetrotter (86 countries and counting), YGL at the World Economic Forum, and do a mean handstand. My life-long goal is to bring greater joy, happiness and collective well-being to the world.
Industry Expertise (3)
Business Services
Program Development
Non-Profit/Charitable
Accomplishments (1)
Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum (professional)
The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of young leaders within the World Economic Forum who share a commitment to shaping the global future. YGL members represent the future of leadership, coming from all regions of the world and representing business, government, civil society, arts & culture, academia, media and social entrepreneurs.
Education (5)
European University Institute: Fulbright Scholar, EU Integration and Economic Development 1997
Project: Economic Dualism and Poverty in Postwar Italy vis-a-vis European Integration.
Harvard Law School : J.D., International & Financial Law 2004
Emory University: BA, International Relations, Art History, Italian 1996
Tufts University - The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy : MA, International Finance and Development Economics 2004
University of Oxford: Visiting Scholar, University College, EU Integration and International Relations 1994
Affiliations (10)
- Relationship Economy eXpedition (REX)
- World Wide Web Foundation
- Harvard Law School Law and International Development Society
- World Economic Forum
- Council of Microfinance Counsels.
- Collaborative Consumption
- Sharing Economy
- Harvard University
- European University Institute
- Collaborative Lab
Links (5)
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Author Appearance
- Corporate Training
Social