Jason Rissman

As Managing Director of OpenIDEO—IDEO’s open innovation practice—Jason designs programs to support innovators and organizations tackling complex global challenges. In partnership with leading organizations, OpenIDEO helps entrepreneurs, inventors, and creatives connect with experts, activists, and policymakers to build social innovation ecosystems worldwide. Jason and his team have launched over 60 challenges and programs, engaging hundreds of thousands of people globally and addressing topics ranging from food waste to Ebola.

Jason is passionate about social innovation, collaboration, early-stage ventures, and recruiting new ideas and talent to tackle long-term challenges. He has shared insights into the social sector through numerous event appearances, from the World Economic Forum to Clinton Global Initiative, and through the Foundation Center’s GrantCraft blog. Jason’s optimism is fueled by managing and advising startups, producing theatrical productions, working with micro-entrepreneurs in Nicaragua, and his long-ago experience running his own hot dog stand.

Prior to his role at IDEO, Jason supported Google.org to launch technology for social impact across a broad range of issues, including civic engagement, free expression, natural disaster response, endangered language protection, Internet access expansion, and illicit network prevention.