At the peak of the pandemic, Norby initiated and led the efforts to develop and implement two national programs on social entrepreneurship for the youth and community members, in partnership with the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines and De La Salle Philippines. These programs enabled a total of 37 youth groups and community-based organizations to create social enterprises in order to support the livelihood and sustenance of approximately 185 families or a thousand individuals. To date, 89 % of these social enterprises are fully operational with a number of them expanding  their markets and operations. 

Another example of impact is that some of his mentees and students have also taken on the challenge of pursuing the teaching profession, using their own fields of specialization. This highlights and validates the kind of formation and mentorship that Norby has been able to provide. There were also former students/mentees who have pursued the development and public sector as a career track. 

On an international level, Norby has contributed as a mentor of several international networks such as the ASEAN Learning Network under the Social Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED) Program Vietnam (mentor since 2018) and Junior Achievement (mentor since 2018). He also led the creation of WeCAN Network (2019) allowing De La Salle University and the country to be actively involved in influencing other institutions in ASEAN plus Japan, China, and South Korea in integrating social entrepreneurship as part of their efforts to localize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Leading at a young age is a great opportunity with a considerable amount of pressure, especially in the academe. But it also opened my eyes about many things that I would not have learned and realized had I not experienced being chosen and appointed in a leadership position at this age. I am truly grateful for the guidance and mentorship of my mentors because they provided me with an enabling space to learn more about myself and the role. I have to realize that leadership isn’t something that is simply passed on from one generation to another. It is something that the latter has to embrace through the combined leading efforts and interaction between the two. Leadership therefore, is a journey of realizing that we are all educators in our own ways. Educating and forming a new generation of leaders is not something that is defined by age, gender, or level of experiences. It is a natural instinct of a person to lead and learn ast the same time. Our role is to create more opportunities for learning and an environment where people can truly learn from one another. 

My message to my fellow educators and leaders out there is to not stop learning. As part of the academe, we should keep in mind that the sector’s role is not limited to educating minds, but to forming a generation that understands the value of education in real life.

As a way to support the growth of the social economy sector, social enterprise education is seen as a strategic move to form leaders and social entrepreneurs not just in the Philippines but also in the region. Hence, Norby Salonga’s leadership in various councils and coalitions is part of his commitment to build more institutions and individuals (leaders and enablers) who will create relevant programs and pursue inclusive policies that will benefit the social enterprise sector and its stakeholders. He believes that the academe is in the right position to sustain the gains and achievements of the sector by ensuring that social entrepreneurship is introduced at the formation level of children's development. He also emphasizes on the need to invest in human resources by ensuring that capacity building and skills development programs are made accessible and available especially to community leaders who will serve as co-formators of future social entrepreneurs. 

With his leadership in LSEED Center, with various engagements local and international, Norby is driven to influence more academic institutions in the country and the region to pursue social entrepreneurship in areas of curricular, research, and social engagement. This will now be further supported with his leadership in the Association of Social Enterprise Educators and Administrators where he serves as chair. His involvement in policy and program development through the Poverty Reduction Through Social Entrepreneurship and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council (Committee on Management and Labor Capacities) will be further strengthened.