Two Trinidad-born academics, Dr. Simone T. A. Phipps of San Fernando and Dr. Leon C. Prieto of Point Fortin, have been appointed to the Advisory Board of the International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP), a high-level global initiative focused on reimagining models of social change and human advancement.
Established in 2014 and modeled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the IPSP brings together leading scholars, policymakers, innovators, and civil society leaders to address pressing challenges such as inequality, climate justice, and the strengthening of democracy. Its Honorary Committee includes Nobel laureates Amartya Sen and Muhammad Yunus, along with Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Dr. Phipps, a Professor of Management at Middle Georgia State University, and Dr. Prieto, a Professor of Management at Clayton State University, are also Research Fellows at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Social Innovation. Their award-winning work on inclusive entrepreneurship, responsible management, and social innovation has been published in leading journals and outlets such as Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. They are coauthors of African American Management History: Insights on Gaining a Cooperative Advantage, now in its second edition.
As members of the IPSP Advisory Board, the scholars will contribute to the Working Group on Entrepreneurship and Social Purpose, advancing dialogue on how businesses worldwide can play a more active role in driving social progress.
“It is truly gratifying to see our collaborative research recognized in such a meaningful way,” Dr. Phipps said. “We believe that inclusive entrepreneurship and cooperative values are essential to creating economic systems that serve both people and planet.”
Dr. Prieto added: “We are honored to be part of a global initiative that aligns so closely with our life’s work. This appointment allows us to bring historically grounded, community-informed leadership models to the forefront of policy and business transformation.”
Their appointments highlight Trinidad and Tobago’s growing presence in shaping global discussions on sustainable and inclusive economic development.
