Steve Waddell is a trailblazing thought leader and consultant with over three decades of experience addressing the world’s most pressing challenges through innovative approaches to organizational, network, and societal transformation. As the Co-Lead Steward of Bounce Beyond, Steve has dedicated his career to fostering intersectoral collaboration among business, government, and civil society to drive innovation, enhance impact, and build capacity across local, national, and global initiatives.
Steve’s expertise lies in three transformative concepts that define his career: societal learning and change, global action networks, and large systems change. He has pioneered strategies that bring together diverse stakeholders to tackle chronic and complex issues while shaping emergent forms of global governance. His work encompasses profound shifts in individual perspectives, organizational structures, and societal institutions, paving the way for systemic transformation.
Throughout his illustrious career, Steve has collaborated with leading global organizations such as the UN Global Compact, World Bank, Global Reporting Initiative, USAID, Ford Foundation, and Civicus. His extensive portfolio of projects includes advancing sustainable development goals, promoting environmental stewardship, and fostering youth empowerment. As the founder and lead staff member of multiple initiatives—including the SDG Transformations Forum and Leadership for Change at Boston College—Steve has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering leaders and organizations to achieve transformative results.
Steve’s academic accomplishments complement his professional achievements. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and an MBA in Organizational Behavior Studies, both from Boston College. His extensive publications include influential works such as Societal Learning and Change: Innovation with Multi-Stakeholder Strategies (2005), Global Action Networks: Creating Our Future Together (2011), and Change for the Audacious: A Doers’ Guide to Large Systems Change for a Flourishing Future (2016). His thought leadership extends to scholarly contributions, including his role as the lead editor of a special issue on large systems change for the Journal of Corporate Citizenship.
Currently, Steve serves as Lead Steward at FEST and Bounce Beyond, where he accelerates the development of financing systemic transformation and advances the “how” of transformation through intellectual, research, and consulting activities. As a Councillor and Board Member for Catalyst Now, he is part of a global movement of innovators collaborating to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Previously, Steve has held key roles such as Senior Fellow at Tellus Institute, Director of Intersectoral Services at the Institute for Development Research, and Director at Vancity, the world’s largest community-based credit union. His leadership in these roles has consistently reflected his vision for integrating economic development with social and environmental well-being.
Steve continues to inspire transformative change globally. With a unique combination of strategic insight, collaborative acumen, and an unrelenting passion for systemic solutions, Steve Waddell is redefining the path to a flourishing future.
Character: Steve Waddell embodies visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering systemic change and global collaboration.
Knowledge: With a Ph.D. in Sociology, an MBA, and decades of expertise, he is a leading authority on societal learning, large systems change, and intersectoral networks.
Strategic: Steve excels in designing and leading transformative initiatives that align diverse stakeholders to address complex global challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Communication: As an accomplished author, speaker, and consultant, Steve effectively conveys complex ideas and inspires action among global audiences and collaborators.
