This document summarizes Carla Blumenthal's inspiration path that has led her to apply for StartingBloc. [1] She has been inspired by alternative spring breaks focusing on homelessness, mentoring Boston youth, and learning about issues facing women and girls globally. [2] Her experience in girls' education organizations has led her to believe in the power of education and opportunity. [3] She now works in social media marketing and hopes StartingBloc can help her further contribute to social change through building relationships and understanding world issues.

1. INSPIRATION
My StartingBloc Path
Application, 2012
Carla Blumenthal

2. MY
INSPIRATION
PATH
I believe inspiration causes individuals to take action and create change. Throughout
my life, there have been key moments, people, and organizations that shaped the
development of who I am and who I want to become.
April 2012:
2008:Alternative 2009: Big 2011-2012: She’s the MISSION.TV
2010: Read Nicholas First Ambassador
Director of
Spring Break Brothers/Big
Kristof and Sheryl Marketing
Sisters Program
WuDunn’s ‘Half the Sky’ Mission: Empower young
Mission: Learn Mission:Empower
Mission: Mentor people to creatively
about homelessness action through
Mission: Learn more fundraise for girls’
in the US. Boston youth.
about women and girls’ sponsorships in the content.
Inspiration issues around the world. developing world.
Inspiration
Inspiration
Takeaway: Small, Takeaway:
Inspiration Takeaway: Takeaway:Just
Mentorship is key Inspiration Takeaway:
organized actions
We need to act now to getting started, so
can create change. in young people’s Start small & do what you
advance girls & women. TBD!
development. can with what you have.

3. MY INSPIRATION PATH
HAS MOLDED MY BELIEFS
My experience as a Big Sister and at She’s the First has transformed me
into an advocate for girls’ education. I believe that education is a key factor
in unlocking unrecognized potential in girls. In its most simplistic formula, I
realized that:
EDUCATION=OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY=VOICE & ECONOMIC
INDEPENDENCE
VOICE & ECONOMIC
INDEPENDENCE=CHANGE
CHANGE=BETTER WORLD

4. MY INSPIRATION SHAPES WHO I
AM TODAY AND WHAT I CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO STARTINGBLOC
At a young age, I was interested in what drives people to act.
Whether it’s purchasing a product, using a service, or being
involved in a grass-roots movement, I’ve been fascinated with the
psychology behind human action.
I studied communications and marketing in college so I could
understand the theories and strategies that influence action.
Today I work at a social media agency, Mr Youth, managing
communities and word of mouth campaigns that influence people
to adopt certain services.
The world’s most important issues need smart technology and
communication strategies to drive awareness and action. As a
StartingBloc Fellow, I will contribute my knowledge, marketing
insights, and curiosity through a social change lens.

5. MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE
STARTINGBLOC COMMUNITY
WILL COME IN MANY FORMS
I’ve been described as having a ‘zest for life’. I have an an insatiable
appetite to learn, grow, and experience the world.As a StartingBloc
Fellow, I will bring these qualities and my marketing experience to
the table. My career experience will provide a web and marketing
viewpoint to conversations and case study discussions.
Social media strategy Online community-building
Career Experience Word of Mouth
Blogging Campaign development
campaigns
ENFP Enthusiastic Team-oriented ‘Zest’ for life
Personality Traits
Curious Appetite to learn Compassionate
Passions/Interest Personal Travel
Writing Girls’ education
Areas development

6. STARTINGBLOC WILL BE THE
FOUNDATION FOR TOMORROW’S PATH
While at the NY Institute of Social Innovation, I hope to gain from the StartingBloc experience in
three key areas: Myself, Community, and World.
I hope to...
Myself Community World
...build ...fully immerse myself in
...gain clearer relationships understanding the issues our
direction for my with people who have similar world faces and be a part of
passions, interest passions from various sectors. building the solutions.
areas, and goals.
...gain mentoring relationships ...shape my understanding on
with the StartingBloc speakers how social media and networks
and my peers. of people can help solve the
world’s issues.
...assist other Fellows in their
ventures and goals.

7. STARTINGBLOC WILL BE THE
NEXT STEP IN MY INSPIRATION
PATH
I’ve seen the difference I can make on a one-on-one and organizational
level. StartingBloc will be the next step in my journey to make a larger
social impact. The relationships, idea-sharing, and mentorship I will
receive at StartingBloc will be the catalyst to realizing my social impact.

8. I hope StartingBloc can
be the next step in my
path.
Thank you for your consideration.
Feel free to connect with me on my
inspiration channels:
Web
Tumblr
Twitter
Photo image can be credited here.