Jerry Sternin

About the Author

Jerry Sternin was a pioneering social innovator and change agent whose work transformed communities facing insurmountable challenges around the globe. With a background in international development, he co-developed the groundbreaking methodology of Positive Deviance, which empowers local communities to discover and scale solutions from within their own ranks by identifying and amplifying the practices of those who succeed against the odds. Sternin's approach has been applied to combat malnutrition, improve healthcare, and foster education in some of the world's most vulnerable populations, from rural Vietnam to urban slums in Africa. His insights, drawn from decades of fieldwork, emphasize grassroots innovation over top-down interventions, inspiring organizations and leaders to harness human potential for sustainable impact. Through his writing and consulting, Sternin left a lasting legacy in the fields of social entrepreneurship and behavioral change.