Ted Barber

Ted Barber is co-founder of Prosperity Candle, a social enterprise creating unique gifts that empower women from regions of conflict and natural disaster. For nearly two decades, Ted has focused on how businesses can complement the work of governments and nonprofits to alleviate poverty. He has worked on projects in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Haiti funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Inter-American Development Bank, and other humanitarian organizations. Previously, he founded an import and trade consulting company sourcing handmade products for major U.S. retailers. These experiences led Ted to recognize that investing in women entrepreneurs and supporting women’s leadership are key to solving poverty, and that governments and nonprofits cannot do this alone. Businesses and consumers have a critical role to play in creating sustainable, high impact change that leads to a brighter future for everyone. This thinking led to the creation of Prosperity Candle, a fair trade certified, B-Corp company prioritizing social benefit over profit. It works with women entrepreneurs in Haiti and Iraq, and women refugees rebuilding their lives in the U.S. following relocation through UN and federal programs. More information at www.prosperitycandle.com.