The women we recognize here as “social entrepreneurs” have spurred micro-level reforms that have, in turn, fueled broader institutional changes in Malaysia. These innovators are working on a wide range of topics, from transportation safety to sex education. Most of them have left lucrative professional careers to pursue causes as organizers or volunteers. Their efforts show that changing policy at the national or regional level is not enough; widespread action by risk-takers on the ground is essential to the realization of sustainability goals. Fighting for the rights of disadvantaged groups and using the media to lift up voices for change are also important to achieving sustainable development. Ensuring the integrity and well-being of the social fabric is as essential as encouraging economic investment. Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Master of City Planning 2014 graduate Ellen Chen examined the role of Malaysian women social entrepreneurs in her video thesis. She investigated the proposition offered by political economists that nations can grow their economy more rapidly if they are willing to break with past institutional patterns. Ellen’s research suggests that this has been difficult in Malaysia, especially with regards to women’s roles. The state-influenced system of education continues to promote Islam’s gender-specific norms of virtuous behavior. While Malaysia has embarked on an aggressive effort to promote economic growth and launched multiple programs to encourage female entrepreneurship, there is still a prominent cultural aversion to risk-taking. Trying to meet ambitious development targets while protecting traditional cultural norms is extremely difficult. In short, Ellen found stories of successful female social entrepreneurs as well as reasons to be concerned that national efforts to promote female entrepreneurship have not yet addressed important cultural obstacles that still need to be overcome. The complete set of interviews that formed the basis of Ellen’s thesis may be viewed on the adjacent monitor.