Gerald Chertavian

The BC Foundation is thrilled to announce that the 2013 Become Exceptional Luncheon speaker is Gerald Chertavian!

Gerald Chertavian has dedicated his life to closing the opportunity divide that exists for so many people in this country. To make his vision a reality, he combined his entrepreneurial and business skills with his passion for working with young people to found Year Up.

Year Up is an intensive, one-year training and education program that provides low-income young adults, ages 18-24, with a combination of hands-on skills development, college credits and corporate internships. Since its inception in 2000, Year Up has served over 4,000 individuals, with the vast majority employed or attending college full-time within four months of completing the program. With an annual operating budget exceeding $50 million, Year Up is one of the fastest growing non-profits in the nation, and has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the top 25 organizations using business excellence to effect social change.

Gerald began his career in banking on Wall Street. Following graduate school, he co-founded Conduit Communications, helping it grow to $20 million in annual revenues with 130 employees in three countries. After selling the company in 1999, he shifted his focus to helping others.

A New York Times best-selling author, Gerald earned a bachelor’s in economics (Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude) from Bowdoin College and a MBA, with honors, from Harvard University. He is the recipient of two honorary doctorates and numerous awards, including being recognized as an outstanding Big Brother for his work with the New York chapter of the organization.

Please join us on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 to hear Gerald Chertavian at the 14th annual Become Exceptional luncheon.  Comments will also be heard from Bellevue College and BC Foundation Presidents as well BCF scholarship recipients.

More information about the Become Exceptional Luncheon can be found HERE.