'AuthorsLive@GreenwichLibrary' To Host Adam Braun, Joan Lunden

From Greenwich Library

On Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m., AuthorsLive@GreenwichLibrary presents Adam Braun, Greenwich native and Founder and CEO of Pencils of Promise, an award-winning nonprofit organization that has opened more than 150 schools across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

Braun will be interviewed by fellow Greenwich resident Joan Lunden, journalist, author, and former co-host of ABC's Good Morning America.

Adam Braun’s newly released debut book, The Promise of a Pencil, How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change is based on his experiences launching and running an effective nonprofit in a new media world. Publisher's Weekly calls the book an "exuberant testimony to the power of idealism."

Pencils of Promise was founded in 2008 with just $25 using what Braun coined as a “For-Purpose” approach to blending nonprofit idealism with for-profit business principles. Braun, a 2002 graduate of Greenwich High School, Scholar-Athlete, and captain of the basketball team, began working at hedge funds at the age of sixteen, and seemed destined for a career on Wall Street. One day while traveling overseas during college he met a young boy begging on the streets of India and asked him what he wanted most in the world. The answer was, “A pencil.” 

The impact of this encounter stuck with Braun throughout college. Upon graduation he went to work as a consultant at Bain & Company in order to learn how to run an organization not just with passion, but with the same level of diligence, structure, and commitment to results that are recognized best practices in the for-profit world. When Braun left Bain & Company, he used these skills to launch Pencils of Promise which was awarded “Education Organization of the Year” in 2013 at the Empact 100 Showcase of organizations with a global impact, started by entrepreneurs under age 35.

Although its headquarters is in New York City, Pencils of Promise has a few other Greenwich ties. Brad Haugen, who graduated from GHS in 2000, is Chairman of the organization's Board of Directors. Tom Casazzone, who graduated from GHS in 1999, lives in Cos Cob, and is the CFO.

A graduate of Brown University, Braun has been featured on Morning Joe and CBS This Morning. He is one of Forbes's "30 Under 30" and Wired Magazine's "50 People Who Are Changing the World". For more information, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org. 

Joan Lunden is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and successful entrepreneur. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics. She speaks regularly around the country about health & wellness, parenting, life balance, and more. Visit www.joanlunden.com for more information.

AuthorsLive@GreenwichLibrary is made possible through the support of the Greenwich LibraryBoard of Trustees and contributions by generous donors. Books will be available for purchase and signing through Diane's Books. This series is open to all at no charge, but seating in the Cole Auditorium is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at6:30 p.m.  For more information, visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/authorslive or call Marianne Weill(203) 622-7933.