Andrew Leon Hanna “consistently channels his talents toward lifting up others,” explains a classmate. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Andrew’s commitment to helping others started early with the founding of IGNITE Peer Mentoring, an education NGO whose curriculum has been used in more than 100 schools around the world. Andrew graduated with his MBA from the business school as a Siebel Scholar, Knight-Hennessy Scholar, and Arjay Miller Scholar. Since then, his classmate adds, he has exemplified “the school’s mission to ‘change lives, change organizations, change the world’ through his unwavering commitment to expanding financial inclusion for communities around the world.”
Andrew’s work is a testament to this mission. He’s the co-founder of Mona, a social venture that has delivered over $1 million in zero- and low-interest loans to small-business entrepreneurs in 48 cities. He also co-founded DreamxAmerica, an initiative that combines storytelling and impact to highlight and support first-generation entrepreneurs. DreamxAmerica’s PBS documentary was nominated for a Chicago Emmy and recognized on Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas list. Andrew continued his storytelling work with his book, 25 Million Sparks: The Untold Story of Refugee Entrepreneurs, which was named a Financial Times Best Book of the Year. Through more than 20 global book talks, Andrew raised significant financial support for refugee entrepreneurs.
Today, Andrew is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of purpose-driven leaders. As an adjunct professor at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he teaches the Global Social Entrepreneurship Lab, which pairs students with mission-driven ventures. He also shares his expertise as a senior fellow at Social Finance, a nonprofit investment advisory organization, and as an advisory board member of Kiva U.S., helping to expand microloan programs. His classmate describes Andrew as “one of the most mission-driven leaders I know, and a true catalyst for positive change.”
