Howard Weinstein keynote speaker

Howard Weinstein is the visionary inventor behind Solar Ear, the world’s only humanitarian hearing aid organization whose products are developed and manufactured by people who are deaf. Solar Ear is much more than a hearing aid—it’s a catalyst for change, fostering health, education, peacebuilding, and ecological sustainability across communities.

For 25 years, Howard led a successful international plumbing manufacturing business based in Montreal. However, a pivotal life event inspired him to transition from the corporate world to social entrepreneurship. Volunteering in Africa, he worked to empower individuals with disabilities by helping them build sustainable businesses. His groundbreaking model of social entrepreneurship was so impactful that it was replicated and expanded in Brazil, China, and the Middle East, creating ripples of social and economic change globally.

Howard’s work has earned him prestigious accolades, including several Technology and Health Innovation Awards, the AAA Humanitarian Award, and the title of Global Social Entrepreneur of the Year from the World Technology Network, presented at the United Nations.

His projects have captured worldwide attention, featured in Newsweek, National Geographic, and 20 other publications across six countries. Innovations from his initiatives have been showcased in iconic institutions, including the Smithsonian, the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, and the Lower Pyramid Museum of Japan.

As a passionate educator, Howard has taught courses on social business at Harvard, Oxford, Duke, McGill University, and INSEAD, sharing his expertise with the next generation of changemakers. Today, he continues to mentor young social entrepreneurs, inspiring them to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.

Howard credits much of his success to his two most profound mentors—two young adults with Down Syndrome—who taught him the power of inclusion, resilience, and humanity. His journey is a testament to how business can be a force for good, transforming lives and creating a more equitable world.