New Case Study: World Education Services and the Journey to Systems Change

The Skoll Centre has published a new case study examining the evolution of World Education Services (WES), a North America-based social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students.

Authored by Dr Susanna Kislenko and Professor Marya Besharov, the case study draws on extensive interviews with current and former WES employees, offering an in-depth look at how the organisation has navigated growth, transformation, and systems change over the past five decades.

Founded in 1974, WES initially focused on credential evaluation, helping individuals gain recognition for qualifications earned abroad. Over time, the organisation became a leader in its field, known for technical expertise and strong relationships with educational institutions, employers, and government agencies.

In recent years, WES has expanded its work to include philanthropy and advocacy, programmatic initiatives, and mission-aligned investing — all designed to address the systemic barriers faced by immigrants, refugees, and international students.

The case offers insights into three key challenges for social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations:

• Balancing financial sustainability with social impact objectives
• Navigating governance and leadership changes during periods of organisational transition
• Working towards long-term systems change while also meeting urgent, short-term needs

“WES is a fascinating example of a mature social enterprise that has continued to evolve in response to new opportunities and challenges,” said Professor Marya Besharov, Academic Director of the Skoll Centre. “By drawing out key insights from WES’s evolution over five decades, this case study can help social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations to sustain and deepen their impact over time.” 

This case study is part of the Skoll Centre’s broader work on leadership, strategy, and systems change within purpose-driven organisations.

Read the full case study: https://skollcentre-resources.sbs.ox.ac.uk/WESCaseStudy/