Adam Braun is a New York Times bestselling author, globally recognized speaker and 3x entrepreneur. He is the CEO & Co-Founder of Clarasight, the leading Carbon Planning & Analysis platform that empowers companies with over $1T in market capitalization to achieve breakthrough sustainability and business performance.
He is the Founder and Chairman of Pencils of Promise, the award-winning organization he led as long-time CEO to now build 600+ schools around the world serving 250,000+ students. He also founded and served as CEO of MissionU, the company that pioneered many of today’s leading upskilling and workforce development best practices, which was named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World.
He has been featured as a speaker at The White House, the United Nations, Fortune 500 companies, industry associations and universities. He has also been named to Business Insider’s 40 Under 40, Wired Magazine‘s 50 People Who Are Changing the World, and was selected by the World Economic Forum as one of their original ten Global Shapers.
Braun began working summers at hedge funds when he was sixteen years old, sprinting down the path to a successful Wall Street career. But while traveling abroad as a college student he met a young boy begging on the streets of India, who when asked what he wanted most in the world, simply answered, “a pencil.”
This small request became the inspiration for Pencils of Promise, the organization Braun would leave Bain & Company several years later to start with just $25. This mission-driven work continues today as the CEO of Clarasight, which enables companies to reduce business emissions without reducing business outcomes.
His book The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change debuted at #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list and went on to become a #1 national bestseller. Braun’s work has led to a nomination for the TED Prize, and he is the recipient of the United States’ most prestigious award for public service, the Jefferson Award.
Meet Adam
When I was a kid, I loved to learn about great leaders.
I discovered that the best leaders have a unique trait in common – they cultivate an ability to predict where the world is headed, and lead others towards that place.
But how could someone like me, who felt ordinary, unlock the extraordinary?
Leader of award-winning companies
Bestselling author of #1 book in the country
$100M raised across three companies founded
The nation's highest award for public service
Recognized for leadership and innovation
“
A compelling and singular story filled with universal truths everyone needs to hear.
Cory Booker
United States Senator
As a college student, I asked a young boy begging on the streets what he wanted most in the world. He said with clarity, "a pencil."
The simple request became the inspiration for Pencils of Promise, the organization I founded with just $25 that has now built 600+ schools around the world serving more than 250,000 students.
The lessons learned became the basis for the global bestseller, “The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change.”
Through the daily successes and struggles of building multiple award-winning companies over the years, doors have opened to learn first-hand from the best leaders in the world.
I've sat in boardrooms with Fortune 500 CEOs and on dirt floors with village chiefs. By engaging in heartfelt conversations with the best of the best around the world, a hidden truth emerged.
I'm now on a mission to unlock the superpower their teachings revealed...
The best leaders do not build for where the world is today
You have to
Build For Where The
World Is Headed Next
Through a teachable framework — I help organizations learn the tactical steps to anticipate and act on tomorrow's reality, today.
$
100
MM+
Raised by ventures founded
#
1
Best-Selling Author
3MM
+
viewers of Adam’s talks
600
+
schools built
250
K+
Students in programs
$4T
+
market value of clients
Working with the world’s leading organizations
Today I am the Founder of Pencils of Promise and the CEO of Clarasight, the #1 sustainability planning solution with clients representing more than $4T in market value.
I'm also a keynote speaker, advisor and angel investor in innovative companies that are shaping the future of our society in positive ways.
My most important role though is partner to my wife and father to our two sets of twins. Yes, two sets of twins - it's a wild ride, but wow am I grateful.
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