Steven M. Hilton Receives First Yunus Social Innovation Medal

Steven M. Hilton, CEO and President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, received the first Yunus Social Innovation Medal

THOUSANDS OAKS, CA, March 3, 2010 – Steven M. Hilton, CEO and President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, received the first Yunus Social Innovation Medal presented by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and founder of the renowned Grameen Bank, at a ceremony launching the new California Institute for Social Business at California State University Channel Islands.

2010 Yunus MedalDr. Yunus will participate in the strategic direction of the new institute, the first of its kind in the nation. Dr. Yunus sees it as the next step in global social transformation efforts following the success of the microcredit movement that he founded. Students will be encouraged to work and study in social businesses around the world. These are businesses which have been created to solve a social problem where investors may have their money returned, but the profits are reinvested to sustain the projects. The Social Innovation Medal will be awarded annually by Dr. Yunus in conjunction with CSU Channel Islands.

“Steve Hilton is a leader who has worked for social change throughout his life,” said Richard R. Rush, president of CU Channel Islands in announcing the prize. “He was chosen by Dr. Yunus for his longstanding commitment to social transformation.”

“It is a great honor to be selected by Dr. Yunus for this award,” said Hilton. In accepting the medal, he added, “My grandfather, Conrad Hilton, was recognized worldwide for his entrepreneurial genius. We at the Hilton Foundation strive to emulate that same creative, entrepreneurial approach by investing in strong organizations whose bottom line is lives improved. It is only through the work of our grantee partners that our foundation is able to make a difference. And in that spirit, I accept this medal, recognizing whatever success we have achieved is through the hard work and selfless efforts of our grantees.”

As CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton foundation, Steven Hilton is carrying on the philanthropic legacy begun by his grandfather, the late hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton who left his fortune to the foundation. During his 25-year career at the foundation, Hilton advanced from program assistant to president in 1998 and CEO in 2005. He oversees the worldwide humanitarian work of the foundation, which since its inception has disbursed more than $800 million to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the world.