Jacob Korenblum Male • Canada

Jacob Korenblum is an esteemed leader in the field of enterprise digital strategy, with a robust career spanning over 15 years. He has adeptly led the development and deployment of digital solutions targeting pressing challenges in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. His notable work has been featured in prestigious media outlets such as The Financial Times, Forbes, Devex, and Scientific American. he makes his home in Toronto, Ontario, where sailing is among his favorite pursuits.

Commencing his career journey after completing his bachelor's degree, Korenblum dedicated himself to advancing social justice through his role at the Education Development Center in Washington, D.C. This organization strives globally to enhance educational access, employment opportunities, and health services across 80 countries. He quickly ascended to a leadership role, managing monitoring, evaluation, and communications for significant projects in the Middle East, an area where he also resided for multiple years.

Korenblum continued his mission at OXFAM, where he focused on initiatives supporting gender equality, economic development, and climate action globally. From 2008 to 2010, he played a crucial role in regions such as Malawi, India, Haiti, and Kenya, leading initiatives on microenterprise assessments and mobile technology that aimed to improve local economies significantly.

During his tenure in the Middle East, Korenblum identified a critical need for accessible economic tools in areas with minimal internet service. Observing that while many families lacked reliable Internet due to high costs and poor coverage, a substantial portion—about 80 percent—owned mobile devices. This insight led to the founding of Souktel in 2005. As a social enterprise, Souktel was designed to leverage SMS technology to connect job seekers with employers directly, sidestepping the need for internet connectivity. This venture not only provided critical employment opportunities to thousands but also expanded to support over 500,000 users in around 30 countries with various empowerment programs.

In 2018, Korenblum pivoted towards digital policy development, working with the Ontario Digital Service to enhance digital service delivery, including pivotal services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With academic credentials that include a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto and a Master of Education from Harvard University, focusing on social enterprise and international education policy, he has also contributed as an advisor to initiatives promoting digital literacy and economic opportunities for youth. Jacob Korenblum remains passionately committed to employing his knowledge and skills to impact global social issues positively and help small businesses thrive.