b'WHO WE AREOur MissionTo equip economic decision-makers inemerging countries with the tools of commercial success. William Davidson,William Davidson WHAT WE DO19222009William Davidson understood the value of profit-seeking firms. However, he also understood that business principles could be applied to organizations that were socially beneficial,Our ApproachOur Founder but unlikely to be profitable. Indeed, at the ceremony William Davidson, an innovativeannouncing the creation of WDI, Davidson said: We are notWDI was founded on the belief thatmultiple sectors. We harness theleading speakers as well as sponsoring business leader and distinguishedjust educators, administrators, or businessmen. We are co- a strong private sector is essentiallatest innovations in education tostudent internships and projects. We philanthropist, founded the non-profitworkers for the cause of economic and social freedom. to the development of a healthyprovide world-class managementexpand hands-on learning through William Davidson Institute at theeconomy. The Institute serves bothtraining opportunities for the globalWDI Publishing, which has published More than 25 years later, WDI continues to embrace andprofit-seeking and non-profit firmsleaders of today and tomorrow. more than 425 cases, with over University of Michigan (U-M)advance this view by working with for-profit and non-profit in 1992. Davidson led Guardianin low- and middle-income countries600 institutions of higher learning firms operating in low- and middle-income countries. As an(LMICs) by conducting research andOur engagement model connectsadopting cases from its collection. Industries Corporation, anindependent research and educational organization, WDI bringsour clients with WDI staff, research international manufacturer of glasscollaborating with local partnersWDI also is the parent organization a unique blend of field-based experience and academic rigor asto develop business models thatfellows, faculty from U-M andof NextBillion.net, a global platform products, as Chairman, Presidentwe partner to create stronger economies and healthier societies. other leading business schools, and CEO. After the fall of the Berlinare profitable, and by transferringfor entrepreneurs, investors and NGO business insights to decision-makersand/or teams of U-M graduateleaders focused on enterprise paths Wall and the collapse of Soviet- students to develop solutions. era communism, Davidson, a U-Moperating in LMICs. Our consultingto development, that averages more alumnus, made a major financialgroup brings real-world expertiseWe also strive to enrich the broaderthan 50,000 unique visits each month.commitment to establish theguided by sound research acrossU-M community by hosting thought Institute at a time of incredible global economic transformation.'