Tibetan American awarded 21st Century Icon

DHARAMSALA, Oct 1: A Tibetan American has been awarded the title of 21st Century Icon in recognition of her work and commitment on the Earth’s Call Foundation and refugees with Kinstep.

Tenzin Seldon, Cofounder and CEO of Kinstep was among the 23 recipients of 21st Century Icon Awards. She was awarded the Generous Philanthropist Award by Dr David Landsman OBE at the awards ceremony held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London on Sept. 21 2018.

Seldon, a Stanford grad and Rhodes Scholar was born and raised in India and immigrated to the US as an adolescent. She started Kinstep to give back to the immigrant community in the US by helping them find work. Presently, she is also a Senior Advisor and Board member of Earth’s Call Foundation.

“When you show up every single day for what you do and what you believe in, the world does become a better place,” she said in her acceptance speech and followed it up with a Facebook post which read, “Thank you, it is an honour to represent immigrants and refugees. More than ever before, we need allies and advocates to speak. Join me in this movement.”

Kinstep is a tech platform that matches immigrants with employment directly in the local community. The platform for all immigrants, for newly arrived immigrant as well as those who have already established their life. Her company combats the problems associated with “under-the-table” work that often leads to exploitative labour practices.

This 21st Century Icon Award is in its second edition it celebrates the success of the ‘Next Generation’ by helping dynamic entrepreneurs and successful individuals to keep growing and competing on the world stage in the field of business, arts, sport, entertainment and technology.

The nominees and finalists of the 21st Century Icon Awards 2018 are from 20 different countries.

Tenzin Seldon also featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Social Entrepreneurs category in November last year and became the second Tibetan women to feature in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Tsechu Dolma, 25, founder of Mountain Resiliency project, also featured in the same category a year earlier in 2017. Dolma’s project addresses the poverty and food insecurity prevalent in mountain communities.

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