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Social entrepreneurship major Claudia DeFabio ’18 was recently named the U.K.’s Young Business Person of the Year by the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) National Business Awards. The award celebrates professionals under 30 who demonstrate entrepreneurship, creativity, and vision for the future.

DeFabio is the managing director and chair of the board of Meeko Teams, an organization that helps U.K.-based companies grow their teams with talent located in Ukraine, managing the entire recruitment process from sourcing to onboarding candidates. She leads Meeko Teams’ strategic operations, steering the team through an organizational overhaul, the remote-work shift, and the complexities of operating in a war zone while defining values, setting KPIs, and supporting staff who are facing conscription risks.

“When I started my journey with social entrepreneurship at Rollins,” says DeFabio, “I never dreamed that I would be running a value-led business. Nearly 10 years later, I continue to build on the foundations I learned throughout the curriculum.”

The SME National Business Awards celebrate small and medium enterprises across the U.K., spotlighting their innovation, resilience, and contribution to the economy. Earning an SME Award serves as a prestigious mark of excellence that boosts credibility and unlocks valuable marketing and PR opportunities.

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• Social Entrepreneurship |
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