The Impact Report: Recent Episodes

Bard MBA in Sustainability

Stories from the front lines of business and sustainability innovation.

In this episode, Bard MBA candidate Ana Caka interviews Zainab James, founder of Vaz House Café, a jazz-inspired Caribbean specialty coffee shop launching in Manchester, Connecticut. Zainab traces the café's origins to making morning coffee for her grandfather in Jamaica and her family's roots in the island's hospitality industry, sharing how heritage and community shaped the concept. She speaks candidly about the realities of early-stage entrepreneurship, including her observation that founders are often over-educated and underfunded, and reflects on direct-trade sourcing, sustainability, and building a brand that gives back to its local community.

In this episode, Bard MBA student Seamus Heady interviews Kristy Drutman, founder of Brown Girl Green and Green Jobs Board, about using creative storytelling to make climate work feel human, joyful, and actionable. Kristy explains why leaning into joy and community helps sustain activism and prevent burnout, and how creators are becoming trusted intermediaries between insular institutions and wider audiences. She makes the case for bridging digital organizing with in-person "third spaces," from climate drag shows to her Green Jobs Pavilion Summit, and encourages aspiring storytellers to stay persistent and treat their work as a growing portfolio rather than chasing virality.

In this episode, Bard MBA student Eric Sargent interviews John Edel, founder and director of Bubbly Dynamics, about transforming derelict Chicago industrial buildings into closed-loop ecosystems for small businesses. John shares the story behind The Plant, a former meatpacking facility now home to 25 food producers, brewers, urban farmers, and manufacturers who share resources, waste streams, and community. He discusses industrial symbiosis, adaptive reuse, and slow money financing, and explains how Bubbly Dynamics proves that responsible, community-centered industrial redevelopment can be financially viable.

In this episode, Bard MBA student Jake Rosenzweig-Stein interviews Bill Fotsch, business consultant and researcher, about economic engagement and its role in building more equitable, resilient businesses. Bill introduces his five-pillar framework, grounded in 30 years of research, and explains how treating employees as true partners drives double the profit growth of traditional management approaches. The conversation covers how economic engagement supports ESOP conversions, succession planning, and local economic resilience.

In this episode, Melanie Rua of Bloomberg Intelligence sits down with Randall Strickland, a sustainable investment advisor to philanthropic organizations, and Jesse Gerstin, faculty at the Bard MBA in Sustainability and community finance practitioner at the nonprofit Inclusiv.

Together, they untangle the differences between ESG, sustainable finance and impact investing; and discuss how the field is evolving amid political backlash and shifting narratives. Despite the headlines, they argue that the underlying work of aligning finance with environmental and social outcomes continues—often under different names.

The conversation covers public and private markets, the long-term opportunity in clean energy, and the financial fluency today's sustainability leaders need to drive meaningful change across every sector.

This episode captures the energy of Bard's 'Inside Sustainability Live' series, where real-world practitioners and academics come together to build community and share strategies for advancing sustainability work in challenging times.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2024 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes brought the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Randy Strickland

Randy is a Director at Westfuller Advisors and faculty at the Bard MBA in Sustainability, where he focuses on sustainable and impact investing. At Westfuller, he partners with philanthropic organizations and family offices to develop and manage mission-driven investment portfolios, supporting sourcing and due diligence across asset classes to build ESG and impact portfolios.

Previously, he held leadership roles at Pathstone Family Office, Cornerstone Capital Group, City National Bank of New Jersey (now Industrial Bank), ImpactAssets, Principal Global Investors, and Commonfund. Randy is a member of the Impact & Sustainable Finance Faculty Consortium, a Fellow of Trinity Church Wall Street’s Allocator Collective, and was named to the 2025 Who’s Who in Impact Investing by the Impact Finance Center and the Denver Business Journal.

Jesse Gerstin
Jesse is Vice President of the Center for Resiliency and Clean Power at Inclusiv and faculty at the Bard MBA in Sustainability, working at the intersection of impact investing and renewable energy. He previously led sustainability at SimpliPhi Power, expanding energy storage solutions and improving energy access for underserved communities globally.

Earlier in his career, he led the Clinton Climate Initiative’s work accelerating utility-scale renewable energy in island nations, strengthening climate resilience, and supporting sustainable economic development for Native American nations. He has also worked with an impact investor in Indonesia and at Echoing Green in New York City supporting social entrepreneurs.

Melanie Rua
Melanie is a Senior Associate at Bloomberg Intelligence, where she leads ESG research focused on nature-related risks such as water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and deforestation, and how these issues shape corporate performance and capital allocation. Her work uses geospatial data, predictive modeling, and materiality frameworks to analyze environmental risks and opportunities across sectors including energy, chemicals, and packaged food.

In addition to her research, Melanie manages a team of associate analysts and regularly shares her insights through industry panels, guest lectures, and Bloomberg Intelligence’s ESG Currents podcast. She holds an MBA in Sustainability from Bard College and the CFA Institute Certificate in Sustainable Investing.

In this episode, Bard MBA faculty member and Lead the Change host Renay Loper sits down with colleague and fellow Bard MBA instructor Ayana Fernandes Pilgrim, founder and CEO of the Talent Cornerstone, for a candid conversation about the seismic shifts reshaping the future of work. Drawing on decades of experience leading global talent initiatives, Ayana examines the dangerous intersection of declining DEI commitments and the rapid rise of AI in hiring. She introduces the concept of "divine dualism" to describe AI's simultaneous promise and peril, makes the case for why soft skills are actually the essential skills of the new economy, and offers practical guidance for employees and job seekers on how to shift from an employee consciousness to an ownership mindset and lead themselves well in an era of relentless change.

In this episode, Bard MBA director Eban Goodstein interviews Alejandro Juárez Crawford and Miriam Plavin-Masterman, co-authors of One Size Fits None, about how VC-driven scale and corporate cost-cutting have created unresponsive systems that squeeze consumers and workers alike. They share stories of grassroots innovators using platforms like Rebel Base to solve local problems—from disability employment in the Philippines to vegan leather made from jackfruit peels in Bangladesh—and discuss alternative funding models that keep capital and decision-making in communities. Their message: structured opportunities to experiment can awaken entrepreneurial capabilities everywhere, because "there's no Hollywood hero riding in to save us.

In this episode, Bard MBA student Sarah Bergman interviews Carrie Ellen Phillips, Partner at BPCM and sustainability policy advocate, and Erin Beatty, founder of Rentrayage, about the evolving landscape of sustainable fashion. They discuss how global disruptions are revealing which companies are truly committed to change, the promise of European textile circularity legislation, and why upcycling and dead stock sourcing are becoming easier to scale. Together, they make the case that sustainable fashion is becoming an inevitability, driven by falling costs and a younger generation demanding better.

In this episode recorded live at Bard College's Brooklyn campus, Bard MBA faculty member Dr. Michael Shuman interviews Karla Pinzón, manager of curriculum development at Solar One. Karla discusses her vision for sustainability in New York City through the lens of "local power by local people," emphasizing the importance of investing in local workforce development programs to train New Yorkers in the energy transition. She shares insights on navigating New York's Climate Mobilization Act, creative financing strategies for building retrofits, and developing HVAC and decarbonization curriculum for NYC public schools. The conversation explores how local investment, community empowerment, and career technical education can drive equitable sustainability outcomes while building economic self-determination in urban environments.

In this live episode recorded during Climate Week NYC 2025, Bard MBA professor Renay Loper hosts a conversation with Alec Turnbull, co-founder of Climate Tech Cities and the Climate Film Festival, and Lauren Kiel, Global Head of Community Innovation at Bloomberg Media. The panel tackles communicating climate action in a polarized environment, discussing why talking about 'value instead of values' resonates with business leaders and why 89% of people care about climate despite the stigma around discussing it. They explore the shift from headlines to action, the power of personal stories over macro messaging, and why record-breaking Climate Week attendance suggests real momentum continues. The conversation emphasizes that incremental progress matters, long-term planning persists despite political headwinds, and the most important climate action we can take is simply talking about it.

In this special live episode recorded at Bard College's Brooklyn campus, host Renay Loper sits down with Reagan Richmond, a 2017 Bard MBA graduate who consults Fortune 500 companies on climate strategy, and Eban Goodstein, who leads Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability. They explore how to navigate sustainable business in an increasingly polarized political landscape, discussing Reagan's diagnostic framework for companies facing pushback and the evolution of sustainability leadership from pioneering figureheads to thousands of practitioners worldwide. Key insights include using resilience as a unifying narrative, integrating climate and nature risk assessment, and the growing influence of the Global South in driving environmental progress.

This episode captures the energy of Bard's new 'Inside Sustainability Live' series, where real-world practitioners and academics come together to build community and share strategies for advancing sustainability work in challenging times.

In this episode, Bard MBA candidate Milana Pakes interviews Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail about creating sustainable earth-block housing for the Shanju Lakota tribe. Tamara shares her entrepreneurial journey from jewelry artist to sustainable housing advocate, discussing how she bridges traditional Lakota values with modern sustainability practices. She explains her vision for self-sufficient homesteads powered by renewable energy that enable economic independence while honoring cultural heritage. Tamara emphasizes reclaiming language, land, and food sovereignty while maintaining deep connections to the earth, noting that “giving back to the earth is also protecting the earth and keeping things in balance.”

In this episode, Bard MBA in Sustainability student Deanna Diaz interviews Dale Ewing, Founder & CEO of Installnet, and John Friedman, sustainability expert and author, about transforming the office furniture industry. They discuss how 9 million tons of furniture end up in landfills annually and share Installnet's Ecoserv program for sustainable decommissioning. The conversation explores the limitations of current environmental impact models, the need for better metrics, and the business case for sustainability despite political headwinds. Dale and John emphasize that furniture reuse creates both environmental benefits and social impact through community donations, highlighting that "what gets measured inaccurately gets mismanaged.”

In this episode, Bard MBA student Anastasia 'Stacy' Gramotneva interviews Lenore Kantor, founder of Growth Warrior, about her journey from corporate marketing executive to transformational coach and author. Lenore shares her personal 'tower moment' that led to an existential crisis after 20 years in the financial technology sector, and how it sparked her mission to help others find alignment between their personal values and professional lives. She discusses her eight-step 'Authentic Alchemy Path' framework that combines business strategy, coaching methodologies, and holistic practices like Feng Shui and energy medicine. Lenore offers insights on recognizing misalignment, creating intentional space for change, and transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs, while emphasizing that 'we have more choice than we realize once we become aware of the ways we may inadvertently be blocking ourselves.

In this episode, MBA Sustainability candidate Toni Skidmore interviews fashion experts Donald Pollard Jr. and Ngozi Okaro about creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. They discuss how education must include business fundamentals alongside design skills, emphasizing human-centered approaches that balance profit with ethical labor practices. Both guests share how they preserve traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation and the power of authentic storytelling in fashion. They conclude that creating a more sustainable future requires genuine commitment from industry leaders to prioritize people alongside profit.

In this episode, MBA candidate Erin Malaney interviews Michelle Gabriel, Director of Sustainable Fashion at IE and NYC, and Ken Pucker, former COO of Timberland and professor at Tufts University. They discuss why current sustainability approaches in fashion aren't working, highlighting business models that prioritize profit over planet, lack of regulation, and externalized environmental costs. Both experts emphasize that policy is essential for meaningful change, as voluntary corporate sustainability efforts have proven insufficient. They also address the critical need for fashion education to include business strategy, climate science basics, and policy understanding to create effective industry change.

In this episode, Bard MBA student Ana Caka interviews Kia Huggan, founder of Webquity, about creating accessible digital learning experiences for students with visual dyslexia and impairments. Kia shares her journey from engineering to educational technology, discussing her user-centered approach to entrepreneurship and the importance of staying mission-focused. She offers insights on balancing innovation with sustainability, thoughtfully integrating AI, and using feedback to shape better solutions, while emphasizing that "inclusion is not optional" in technology development.

Tom Wright & Jessica Dupont: Environmental Transformation Through Community Action - From Plastic Recycling to Lionfish Management in Panama

Jessica Dupont interviews Tom Wright, founder of Wasteless World, about his journey building environmental initiatives in Panama. Tom explains how his organization evolved from a website on waste management solutions to a foundation running multiple community projects, including the Bye Bye Lionfish initiative. The conversation explores their sustainable business models that convert invasive lionfish into jewelry and food products, providing income for indigenous fishermen while addressing ecological threats. Despite challenges, including a factory fire in 2022, Wasteless World continues developing market-based solutions that align economic opportunities with environmental restoration in coastal communities.

In this compelling episode, we speak with Ray Oo, a Myanmar refugee and climate activist currently pursuing his MBA in Sustainability, and Lennox Omondi, founder and CEO of Ecobana Limited in Kenya. Their conversation explores how sustainable innovation can address critical social challenges, focusing on Ecobana's development of biodegradable sanitary napkins made from banana fibers. The discussion weaves together themes of youth leadership, environmental sustainability, and social impact, as Lennox shares how he's tackling period poverty in Kenya while creating an environmentally conscious solution. Ray, who serves as Myanmar's representative on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, brings his unique perspective on climate activism and social change from the Global South, creating a rich dialogue about the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and entrepreneurship.

In this timely conversation, Working Families Party National Press Secretary Ravi Mangla and Bard MBA in Sustainability candidate Jackson Thompson join us to explore the intersection of political communication and climate action in the wake of the 2024 presidential election. Mangla shares insights on effective climate messaging for working communities, the importance of local organizing, and strategies for combating misinformation through authentic community engagement. The discussion delves into how progressive organizations can better connect with working-class voters, the power of fusion voting, and practical steps for civic engagement.

In this episode, Nataki Williams, CFO of The Guardian US, shares powerful insights on transforming corporate leadership through inclusive decision-making practices. Drawing from her experience moderating a panel on advancing women in leadership and her role as a sustainability ambassador, Williams discusses how changing the habits of how decisions are made can lead to more innovative, profitable, and sustainable businesses. She emphasizes that true diversity isn't just about having different voices at the table, but actually creating space to hear and incorporate those perspectives. Williams also shares her personal journey of overcoming age-related insecurities to become a leader who champions collaborative approaches, transparency, and hope as a discipline for creating meaningful change in business and society

In this conversation, Alexis Schwartz, Head of Purpose Partnerships at The Guardian US, discusses how quality journalism can drive social impact and sustainability forward. She explains The Guardian's unique funding model that keeps journalism accessible by eliminating paywalls, which she argues breed inequity. Schwartz explores "the hush" - a recent phenomenon where brands have pulled back from publicly discussing DEI and sustainability initiatives due to fear of backlash and economic uncertainty. Through examples of The Guardian's partnerships with organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Bloomberg Philanthropies, she illustrates how media can effectively humanize sustainability and social justice stories. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of trusted media environments in combating misinformation and shares hope in seeing communities come together to address climate challenges.

In this conversation, Francis Janes, Industry Relations Director at Beneficial State Foundation, explores how the financial services industry can drive meaningful change through diversity, equity, and inclusion. Drawing from Citibank's research on closing racial wealth gaps and his experience bridging grassroots organizations with banking institutions, he explains how banks must move beyond traditional models to actively engage with historically marginalized communities. Janes emphasizes the industry's responsibility to repair historical harms like redlining, advocating for a proactive approach where financial institutions enter communities to listen, build partnerships, and develop long-term economic solutions. Through personal insights and professional experience, he paints a vision of banking that prioritizes humanity and inclusion, while sharing hope in the next generation's capacity to drive systemic change.

In this conversation with Kelly Beck, CEO of Greenlight Energy Group and founder of The Accomplis Collective, we explore the transformative journey from "recovering white feminist" to radical philanthropist. Kelly shares how she built a unique model for moving money equitably - without extraction or traditional philanthropic barriers - that has directed over $10 million to Black and Indigenous communities. Through personal stories, from driving water barrels to the Navajo Nation to challenging corporate sustainability practices, Kelly illuminates the critical difference between holding power and being in service. She advocates for a shift from individual success to collective action, emphasizing that true sustainability and social justice require us to build authentic relationships, center community needs, and sometimes simply "get out of the way" to let others lead.

In this episode of the Impact Report, current Bard MBA student Milo Keller speaks with Steven Lichtin, CEO of Advantage Renewables, about the evolving landscape of renewable energy development. Lichtin, a member of Bard's inaugural MBA cohort, shares his journey from Wall Street trading to renewable energy, discussing how the industry has transformed since 2010. The conversation explores critical challenges facing renewable energy projects today, particularly interconnection bottlenecks and community engagement. Lichtin emphasizes the importance of being a "good neighbor" through transparent communication and local presence, while also highlighting how policy, from FERC regulations to state-level initiatives, shapes the industry's growth. The discussion offers valuable insights into both the technical and human elements of scaling renewable energy infrastructure, including the critical balance between project development and community partnership.

In this episode of The Impact Report, Bard MBA in Sustainability candidate Tricia Travis interviews Brett Davis, founding partner of the nonprofit Grounds Crew. They discuss the environmental challenges of New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration, including the 2.6 million pounds of litter generated annually. Davis explains Grounds Crew's initiatives to make the festivities more sustainable, such as the Sustainable Throw Catalog and recycling programs. The conversation explores the economic and cultural complexities of changing Mardi Gras traditions, community engagement strategies, and signs of progress like one parade krewe banning plastic beads for 2025. Travis, who recently joined Grounds Crew, shares her perspective on the organization's educational outreach and the positive response from youth. Host Renay Loper joins for a follow-up discussion, delving deeper into the cultural significance of Mardi Gras and the hopeful signs for a more sustainable future in New Orleans.

In this episode, Jennifer Louie, Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners, discusses her work in catalytic capital and circular economy investing with current Bard MBA student Hector Aguirre. She explains their approach to investing in resource recovery and circular input business models, emphasizing measurable impact and financial additionality. Jennifer shares insights on their due diligence process, the challenges of competing with virgin materials, and the role of policy in accelerating circular economy adoption. She also discusses balancing impact and financial returns in catalytic investments and offers advice for those entering the field of sustainable finance and circular economy.

In this episode, Bard Alum Cate Byrnes sits down with Libby Zemaitis from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) about her work on climate resilience and social justice. Libby discusses the importance of inclusive community engagement in climate planning, strategies to address green gentrification, and the role of nature-based solutions in building resilience. She shares insights from C2ES's Climate Resilient Communities Accelerator program and highlights the value of public-private partnerships in advancing local climate initiatives. Libby also reflects on how her multidisciplinary background from Bard's environmental policy and MBA programs informs her approach to connecting diverse stakeholders in resilience efforts. This conversation offers valuable perspectives on creating equitable and effective climate adaptation strategies at the community level.

In this episode of The Impact Report, host Renay engages in a compelling conversation with recent Bard MBA graduate Antonio Castillo and researcher Karl Wienhold. Together, they discuss the critical issues smallholder coffee farmers face in the global coffee trade. Antonio and Karl share their extensive experience and research on power imbalances, colonial legacies, and the poverty cycles that trap farmers who produce the majority of the world's coffee.

IN THE EPISODE:

The episode sheds light on Karl’s findings related to economic structures that perpetuate injustice and stresses the need for solidarity and collective bargaining among farmers. Antonio reflects on his field research in El Salvador and the potential of direct trade and ethical consumerism in bringing equitable change. They leave the listeners with a clear understanding of the complex coffee value chain and practical actions consumers can take to support justice for coffee farmers.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

In this episode of The Impact Report, host Renay sits down with Kelly Burton, founder and CEO of the ESG Shop, and Stacey Jewell, a Bard MBA student with a keen focus on impact finance. Together, they discuss the intricacies of ESG strategies and their pivotal role in shaping responsible business practices.

In this Episode:

Kelly Burton’s Leadership Path: Kelly Burton recounts her multifaceted career journey, from advertising to digital transformation and eventually to sustainability. She shares the inception story of the ESG Shop and its mission to guide companies from pledges to tangible progress in responsible business practices.

Stacey Jewell’s Impact Finance Insights: Stacey Jewell discusses her passion for impact finance and how it intersects with ESG initiatives. As a Bard MBA student, she brings a fresh perspective on capital allocation and its critical role in fostering sustainable community development.

ESG in the Corporate World: The conversation delves into where ESG fits within an organization’s structure and the evolving roles of sustainability professionals. Kelly and Stacey explore the need for CEOs to become versed in sustainability and the potential for ESG to become integrated into strategic business planning.

Network Leadership and ESG: Stacey introduces the concept of network leadership and its effectiveness in ESG implementation. They discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration and the potential of fractional services to provide the necessary expertise for companies embarking on sustainability journeys.

Join Renay, Kelly, and Stacey as they provide valuable insights into the ‘hows’ of ESG and the leadership required to drive sustainable change in the business world. Don’t miss this episode if you’re interested in the future of responsible business and the leaders who are paving the way.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

Bard MBA candidate Damien Williamson welcomes Brad Stevenson, a lifelong activist, entrepreneur, and sustainability champion with over 30 years of experience in purpose-driven strategy, coaching, consulting, and facilitating programs for executives across various sectors.

Brad discusses his latest venture, “Premiums for the Planet,” a collective action movement aimed at leveraging the insurance industry for sustainability.

In this Episode

Brad’s Journey:

Brad shares his journey from a high school experience that shaped his worldview on racial diversity and privilege to his diverse career path.
He delves into his early work in diversity consulting, his strategic learning at the Boston Consulting Group, and his various roles in nonprofit consulting, media, global strategy, and movement building.
Brad’s eclectic journey led him to focus on sustainability in banking, which closely aligns with his current work.

Premiums for the Planet:

Brad explains that “Premiums for the Planet” addresses the powerful yet often overlooked influence of the insurance industry as a major money manager and decision-maker in what gets insured and how.
The initiative aims to redirect the industry’s power towards supporting global sustainability objectives and regenerative practices, contrasting the current trend where insurance investments often exacerbate climate-related problems.

The Insurance Industry’s Role:

Brad emphasizes the paradox where insurance companies protect assets on one hand while investing in activities that contribute to climate catastrophes on the other.
“Premiums for the Planet” seeks to transform insurers into a force that protects not just assets and people, but also the planet itself.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

Join us as we explore the creation of a circular economy through sustainability, technology, and business innovation with Andy Ruben, the visionary behind Trove. Discover how Trove is revolutionizing the retail industry by extending the product lifecycle and fostering brand loyalty through technology.

In This Episode

Introduction to Trove: Andy Ruben discusses his journey from Walmart to founding Trove, a company that’s reshaping the retail landscape by managing the lifecycle of products beyond the primary market.
The Role of Technology: Learn how Trove partners with brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and REI to track sold items, assess their condition, and facilitate resale, thus promoting a sustainable approach to consumerism.
Leadership and Business Values: Andy shares his insights on aligning business incentives with impactful change and the importance of creativity and challenging the status quo in business.
The B Corp Movement: Discover how Trove’s status as one of the first B Corps influences its business practices, investor relations, and commitment to long-term strategic decision-making.
Profitability and the Future of Retail: Andy addresses the financial landscape of retail, emphasizing the need for brands to consider customer acquisition costs and the longevity of their items in the world.

Don’t miss this insightful discussion on the future of retail and sustainability. Listen now and join the conversation on how technology and innovation can lead to a more sustainable world.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

Join us on this special Earth Week episode of The Impact Report as we introduce our new host, Professor Renay Loper. Renay shares her journey to becoming a pivotal voice in sustainability and gives us a glimpse into the transformative education at Bard College’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability.

In this episode:

Renay’s personal leadership path and her role at Bard’s MBA in sustainability program.
The significance of asking “How are you arriving?” and its impact on personal and organizational leadership.
Insights into the GPS journey toward justice, equity, diversity, and anti-racism.
A reflection on the essence of leadership in sustainability and the power of leading from where you are.
Renay’s diverse professional background, from consumer banking in the U.S. to teaching English in Japan and civic engagement in Greece, illustrates the multifaceted nature of sustainability leadership. Her experiences have shaped her approach to building cross-sector partnerships and fostering tri-sector collaborations globally.

Tune in to discover how sustainability leaders are driving change and how Bard’s MBA program is nurturing the next generation of innovative leaders. Let’s celebrate Earth Week by diving deep into the stories of those making a real impact.

Bonus If you're new to the podcast and want to get familiar with the show, check out this helpful episode from last spring featuring Eban Goodstein, an economist and Director of the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability. He discusses leading the expansion of Bard's environmental policy and sustainability programs, as well as coordinating national climate change education initiatives across thousands of academic institutions. LISTEN HERE

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

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Ending Energy Poverty One Bboxx at a Time: Anthony Osijo, Chief Financial Officer at Bboxx

Bboxx manufactures, distributes and finances decentralised solar powered systems in developing countries and has head offices in London and Rwanda with operations across Africa and Asia.

As a vertically integrated business, their super platform business model is based on two pillars: a digital highway Bboxx Pulse®, Bboxx’s proprietary fully integrated operating system and a physical highway with our extensive on-the-ground network to provide goods, services and utilities across Africa.

Bboxx offers African households, businesses and communities a highly convenient and affordable way to access life-changing solutions, through data-powered logistics and innovative financing methods. They are expanding and scaling by forging strategic partnerships with governments and world-class corporates to provide access to any products and services to our rural and urban customers across Africa.

In January 2021 Bboxx, appointed Anthony Osijo as its new Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Relationship Management, to support the company on its accelerated growth trajectory.

After serving as a long-term adviser to Bboxx over the last ten years, Anthony Osijo’s core responsibilities now involve leading the finance, accounting and relationship function of the global business. He has taken on the role as Bboxx’s former Group CFO Thomas Chevillotte joins French consulting firm Enea Consulting.

With over 20 years of working in financial services, finance and associated industries, Anthony is an internationally recognised financial leader. Most recently, he has worked as Managing Director responsible for Credit Agricole’s debt product sales and strategy.

Over the last three decades, he has worked across the globe in the UK, Europe and Asia – from a large Swedish Pension Fund, to UBS as a Director in the Equity Derivatives business, and to Deutsche Bank in Switzerland as Head of Investment Banking. At Credit Agricole in Hong Kong, he also worked on developing the business in Asia as COO and Head of Business Development and was Treasurer of ASIFMA (Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association). During the course of his career, he has been involved in raising millions for start-ups and sits on numerous charitable boards.

The Impact Report’s Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Anthony for this episode of the Impact Report.

Brains Meet Beauty: René Graham, FOUNDER & CEO, Renzoe Box

A native of Texas, René Graham is a licensed architect and holds a Master in Architecture from Rice University. Before entering the world of product design, beauty-tech, and entrepreneurship founding Renzoe Box, Graham achieved significant and diverse experience in architectural practice and real estate development.

She is the co-founder of LaurelHouse Studio, a boutique architecture practice and design studio based in Bryan, Texas. She is also the co-founder of BCS Modern, a real estate development company focused on design-driven community-based development in Downtown Bryan, Texas.

Graham has taught at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. She has received grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, has been featured on national TV, won the international Good Design Award®, received the 2022 Mayor's Impact Award, finalist for SXSW Pitch, is a Tory Burch Fellow & Ladies Who Launch Fellow, has raised funding from Andreessen Horowitz, and holds national & international patents & trademarks for Renzoe Box®. She has served as a design critic at Harvard University, SciArc, Syracuse University, Rice University, Texas Tech, Louisiana State, University of Texas, & Texas A&M University.

Bard MBA’s Rolena Richardson speaks with Rene for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Better Soil Produces Better Wine: Laura Díaz Muñoz, Winemaker and General Manager of Ehlers Estate

“This is the philosophy I bring to my winemaking.I believe that if you start with great ingredients, there’s no need to complicate the process in the cellar.”

Laura Díaz Muñoz’s winemaking perspective is rooted in the old world, shaped by a broad cross selection of cultures, regions and vineyard sites. She is driven by her own never-ending desire to learn and experiment.

Laura joined Ehlers Estate as Winemaker and General Manager for Ehlers Estate in June of 2018. Located in the northern part of Napa Valley's St. Helena appellation, Ehlers Estate is a historic winegrowing site where premium grapes have been cultivated since the mid-1800s. The Ehlers Estate team prioritizes the preservation of their land and history by embracing organic farming practices. Under Laura’s leadership, Ehlers has expanded their sustainability practices in response to a changing climate through the implementation of replanting efforts, and the use of biochar, vermifiltration and other methods.

Bard MBA’s Erin Seglam speaks with Laura for this episode of the Impact Report.

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The Importance of Acknowledging Disabilities in the Workplace: Hannah Olson,Co-Founder & CEO, Disclo

Hannah Olson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Disclo, an innovative HR software helping employees to safely disclose and ask for accommodations at work. Hannah’s own experience navigating her career while undergoing intensive treatment for Lyme disease sparked the idea for her first venture, Chronically Capable, now one of the largest and most-used disability recruiting platforms in North America. She is known globally for her disability advocacy, with recent features in Forbes, Inc Magazine, FastCompany, and more.

Bard MBA’s Jasmine Grahamspeaks with Hannah for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Climate Advancing Solutions For Planetary Health: Sophie Bakalar, Partner at Collaborative Fund

Sophie Bakalar is a Partner at Collaborative Fund, a leading New York based venture fund with over $1 billion in assets under management to invest at the intersection of for-profit and for-good. Sophie leads the firm’s climate investments, including a new dedicated $200M+ climate fund called Collab SOS, to fuel a more sustainable economy across materials,ingredients, energy, and supply chains. Key investments: AMP Robotics, Brimstone Energy,Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Dandelion Energy, Kula Bio, Lyft, Mango Materials, Natural Fiber Welding, Quaise, among others.

Bard MBA’s Arielle Chafitz speaks with Sophie for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Leading the Change & Changing the Game: A Conversation with Eban Goodstein, Director of Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability

Eban Goodstein is an economist and Director of the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability which houses the Center for Environmental Policy and the MBA in Sustainability. Goodstein led the expansion of the Center for Environmental Policy which now offers master’s of science degrees in environmental policy and climate science and policy as well as an MEd in environmental education. He also founded the #1 ranked MBA in sustainability in 2012. In recent years, Goodstein has also coordinated a series of national educational initiatives on climate change involving over 2500 colleges, universities, high schools and community organizations. He is the author of a college textbook, Economics and the Environment now in its ninth edition; Fighting for Love in the Century of Extinction: How Passion and Politics Can Stop Global Warming; and The Trade-off Myth: Fact and Fiction about Jobs and the Environment. He serves on the editorial board of Sustainability: The Journal of Record, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Follett Corporation. He holds a B.A. in Geology from Williams College and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

The Impact Report's Series Producer, Katie Ellman, speaks with Eban for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Championing Modern Governance: Lisa Edwards, Executive Chair, Diligent Institute

Lisa Edwards is the Executive Chair of the Diligent Institute, the modern governance think tank and global research arm of Diligent Corporation. In her role, Lisa is responsible for expanding the institute’s position as the leading authority on governance, risk, compliance, audit and ESG trends and insights.

Lisa previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Diligent Corporation, where she was responsible for commercial growth and performance, including global sales, marketing, customer success, services, partnerships and 24/7/365 worldwide support.

Before joining Diligent, Lisa served as EVP of Strategic Business Operations at Salesforce after a finance leadership role running Global Corporate Services. Prior to Salesforce, Lisa led global strategic partnerships for Visa, Inc. as SVP/Head of Global Strategic Alliances and Global IP Strategy and earlier served in an operations role as Head of Global Corporate Services. Earlier in her career, she was a serial entrepreneur, serving as CEO of KnowledgeX, a venture-backed database startup which she led in a sale to IBM and co-founder of Valubond, a fintech firm where she served as President, COO, and head of the ATS (Alternative Trading System) prior to its acquisition by Knight Capital.

Bard MBA’s Hannah Hintz speaks with Lisa for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Boxed Water is Better: A Conversation with

Rob Koenen, Chief Revenue Officer, Boxed Water

Rob is a brand-building executive with twenty years experience driving revenue growth with product and marketing strategies in varied consumer product markets. Proven results in repositioning and modernizing brands. Experienced in strategic planning, product management and operational fundamentals driving demonstrable results. Entrepreneurial spirit, accomplished in rallying an organization around a compelling vision.

Boxed Water was founded in 2009 and was the first company to offer a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. They offer the most renewable option in the water aisle and their water is sourced close to consumers to further reduce their carbon footprint. They created a new category and changed the way water is shipped, sold and enjoyed. They promote the use of tap water whenever possible but when you can’t use the tap, reach for their 92% plant-based, 100% recyclable, refillable and PBA box of water instead of the plastic.

Boxed Water is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and a partner of the National Forest Foundation and Ocean Blue Project. With these partners they have planted over 1 million trees and cleaned beaches from Coast to Coast.

Bard MBA’s Adam Rozenberg speaks with Rob for this episode of the Impact Report.

Re:Dish Today to Reshape Tomorrow

Caroline Vanderlip, Founder & CEO of Re:Dish

Re:Dish delivers and collects containers and cups, cleans and sanitizes them at their own industrial washing facility, then returns those same dishes back to their customers to be reused. They service corporate cafeterias and pantries, arenas, K-12 schools, production sets – anywhere food is served at scale.

Caroline Vanderlip puts her passions and creativity into building businesses like Re:Dish, and is excited to be able to tell its huge environmental impact story. A successful entrepreneur, Caroline has launched businesses within parent companies (CNBC, AT&T Personal Online Services), as well as independent entities like the publishing technology company, SharedBook. Armed with a BA from Vassar and an MBA from NYU, Caroline is a life-long learner, now focused on sustainability and the huge impact that Re:Dish can have as it supports a shift from a linear to a circular economy.

Bard MBA’s Jessie Hook speaks with Caroline for this episode of the Impact Report.

Revolutionary CapitalismDon Golden, Founder of Just Capital QuotientDon Golden is an Impact Investment Strategist and Fundraising Consultant specializing in the intersection of faith motivated philanthropy, impact investing and market-based solutions to social challenges. Don has 30 years experience helping others bring measurable impact to social challenges in more than 70 countries. Just Capital Quotient believes that a revolutionary approach to capitalism is the best pathway to an economy, society and planet our grandchildren can live with. They are growing an agile, scalable consultancy that unites professionals with skills in business, finance, international development, brand development and communications, and who are committed to creating market-based solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. Bard MBA’s Kiana Cardwell and PJ Connolly speak with Don for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Forging A New Way to Build Companies

A Conversation with Oliver Libby, Co-Founder & Managing Director of H/L Ventures

Oliver B. Libby is co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures. Based in New York City and founded in 2009, H/L Ventures is dedicated to building high-growth businesses that add value to society by protecting and promoting people and the planet, with a strong preference for diverse founding teams. H/L Ventures’ proprietary Daily Active Engagement model blends the best of venture studio and investment firm on one platform to help grow companies from early stage to exit in a holistic approach to company building.

Bard MBA’s Hector Aguirre speaks with Oliver for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Gear for Good: A Conversation with Annie Agle, Senior Director of Impact & Sustainability at Cotapaxi

Cotopaxi is a carbon-neutral outdoor gear brand founded to create sustainably designed products that fight extreme poverty, inspire adventure, and move people to do good.

As a certified B Corporation, they believe in using the power of business as a force for social, environmental, and economic good. Their motto, Gear for Good, touches every aspect of their company.

Cotopaxi is committed to making all of their gear using repurposed, recycled, or responsible materials by 2025.

They allocate a minimum of 1% of annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation which awards grants to outstanding nonprofit partners carefully selected for their track records at improving the human condition and alleviating poverty. In 2021, they aided over 1 million people in extreme poverty through targeted grants to outstanding organizations with proven methodologies. Cotopaxi is a Bcorp, 1% for the Planet member, The Climate Pledge signatory and certified Climate Neutral.

In her role as Senior Director of Sustainability and Impact, Annie steers Cotopaxi’s giving, corporate responsibility, and sustainability. She oversees Cotopaxi's reporting and certifications (GRI, B Corp, Climate Neutral) as well as its ESG strategy. Alongside her team of lion-hearted llamas, Annie aims to ensure that every aspect of Cotopaxi’s brand is leveraged to generate a positive benefit to society and the communities the company touches. She is a graduate of Columbia University and graduate student at Cambridge University. In her spare time, Annie spends as much time as possible outside and traveling.

Katie Boyle, Bard MBA’s Director of Marketing and Enrollment, speaks with Annie for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Advancing Careers By Redefining Professionalism

A Conversation with Pabel Ramirez, Founder of Plurawl

As an Afro-Latino living & working in NYC, Pabel Martinez would often repress parts of his identity inside & outside of work in an effort to feel more included and less judged.

Formerly a marketing and media executive, Pabel launched PLURAWL to begin creating an inclusive community that’s dedicated to changing the narrative and challenging the stereotypes in the Latinx Community.

Bard MBA’s Hector Aguirre speaks with Pabel for this episode of the Impact Report.

Bio-Design, Seaweed & Nature-Based Solutions:

A Conversation with Roger Bason – CEO and Founder of Atlantic Ocean Aquaculture (AOA)

The goal of Atlantic Ocean Aquaculture (AOA) is scaling production to reduce Ag sector GHGs in the US and abroad. CEO, Roger Bason was trained in ocean science at Colgate University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This included a research cruise to the Galapagos Islands and early seabed measurements of the East Pacific Rise. He is a certified Energy Engineer with experience in ocean energy development in the US and internationally that deployed the first US tidal energy system in New York City’s East River and an innovative wave energy system in Bermuda in cooperation with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science.

Bason was part of an expert team that initiated coral reef recovery efforts in the Republic of the Marshall Islands using innovative BioRock technology in 2010. He developed and directed the US AmeriCorps program on the Island of Hawaii with a focus on sustainable development including projects in reforestation, aquaculture, solar energy and community food forests.

For the past five years Roger has focused on climate action, installing several offshore seaweed farms and wild seaweed harvests in New England. Present work focuses on the harvest of Asparagopsis in Europe, a red seaweed that reduces methane in cattle when used as a feed supplement.

Bard MBA’s Hung Tran speaks with Roger for this episode of the Impact Report.

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A NEW MODEL FOR HOME OWNERSHIP: Yifan Zhang, CEO & Co-Founder of Loftium

Yifan Zhang is the CEO & Cofounder of Loftium, a Norwest and Threshold-backed startup that creates affordable homeownership in expensive cities through management of an onsite Airbnb. Loftium and Yifan’s own experience hosting has been featured in The New York Times, and Yifan was named in Entrepreneur’s “50 Most Daring Entrepreneurs”. Yifan served on former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s Innovation Advisory Council and currently serves on Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Civic Partnership. She was previously named Forbes “30 under 30” as the founding CEO of top mobile fitness startup GymPact. She is a Techstars alum and current mentor. Yifan graduated magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard University.

Loftium is re-defining home ownership by providing buyers a home with built-in savings for a down payment. Loftium makes the American dream of homeownership possible for people that may have ordinarily been left out by buying dream homes. Host to Own clients paying Loftium 1% of their home price while generating income from hosting AirBNB guests in their homes. Learn more here.

For this episode of the Impact Report Series Producer, Katie Ellman, speaks with Yifan about how Loftium is creating next-generation affordable housing in cities around the United States.

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Sustainability Grows on the Vine: A Conversation with Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is a winery headquartered in San Jose, California, with almost 4,000 acres of estate vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County and the Napa Valley. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines was named the 2020 recipient of the Green Medal Leader Award. The annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Awards provide recognition to vineyards and wineries who are standard-bearers in implementing the three “E’s” of sustainability: environment, economic, and social equity.

As the President and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Steve Lohr combines a big picture view of the wine industry with a hands-on work ethic. In this role, Steve is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, with a particular focus on sales and finance.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA's Rachel Terry speaks with Steve about how J. Lohr cultivates a culture of sustainability for its employees, processes and the land on which they grow their products.

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Kind Careerism Over Toxic Professionalism Lauren Goldberg — Career Strategist, Lauren Goldberg Coaching Lauren Goldberg is Career Strategist for purpose-driven professionals, helping them gain tools for self-assurance, self-compassion, and self-advocacy. She is an entrepreneur with 7 years experience consulting and working in-house to improve organizational culture and employee experience. Rooted in organizational psychology, she's developed a body of work to help shift the way people see themselves and their career. This shift, called Kind Careerism, helps people combat the pressures of Toxic Professionalism they've been taught. She teaches people tools to balance being kind to themselves and others while challenging the unkind.

As a woman with partially deafness and neurodivergence, she helps people overcome internalized ableism and recognize what makes them different as a strength. Coaching social impact and sustainability professionals to see themselves and do work differently is not only life-changing for individuals, but she believes is critical for transforming beyond the status quo to a healthier, more socially just world.

Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Lauren for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Fast Company’s 2022 World Changing Ideas

David Lidsky is the interim editor-in-chief of Fast Company. An 18-year veteran of Fast Company, Lidsky most recently served as deputy editor, where he helped steer its overall editorial direction, with an emphasis on finding, commissioning, and editing longform narrative feature stories that appear in print and on digital platforms. In addition, he helped oversee fastcompany.com’s Creativity channel for nearly three years, which covers the entertainment business, advertising, and pop culture. He was part of the leadership team that won Magazine of the Year in 2014 from the American Society of Magazine Editors, and stories he’s edited have won Deadline Club, New York Press Club, and James Beard awards. He runs Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies franchise, and coauthored the compilation book Fast Company’s Greatest Hits. Previously, Lidsky was an editor at FSB: Fortune Small Business and PC Magazine.

Fast Company recently released their highly anticipated “World Changing Ideas Awards”: an award-winning list uncovering companies with big, innovative ideas (in their infancy) that forecasts the future of how we’ll work, eat, travel, build, create policy and more.

Bard MBA’s Katie Boyle, Director of Marketing & Enrollment speaks with David for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Growing the Future Through Smart Digital Technology: Molly Brown, Ph.D. Chief Science Officer, 6th Grain Dr. Brown has been a Research Scientist at the University of Maryland since 2015, a job she took after leaving NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Molly has two decades of experience in interdisciplinary research using satellite remote sensing data and models with socio-economic and demographic information to better understand food security and agriculture drivers.

6th Grain believes that the direct application of digital technology and science is key to establishing profitable and productive agriculture and food systems. They are a digital agriculture technology company which focuses on transforming farmer-provided data into information that can be used to increase success and uptake in crop protection services, credit provision, and high yielding seeds. ‍ Machine learning, modeling, and sophisticated, composite data are at the heart of their technology platform and sets 6th Grain apart from the competition. By providing services both to the small farmer and large agribusiness, 6th Grain’s digital agriculture solutions delivers high quality, remote sensing and weather-based information to millions of farmers across the world.

Bard MBA's Camila Leal speaks with Molly for this episode of The Impact Report.

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The Clear Choice for Solar: A Conversation with Veeral Hardev of Ubiquitous Energy

Veeral Hardev is VP of Strategy at Ubiquitous Energy. Hardev has over a decade of experience commercializing novel nano-materials products for the electronics industry. This includes his time at Nanosys, Inc. where he led materials and business development, and product management. Hardev holds an MBA from the Berkeley Haas School of Business, and bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science and Economics from UCLA.

Ubiquitous Energy is the world leading transparent solar technology dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of buildings by converting light into electricity using semiconducting materials all while maintaining visible transparency.

Bard MBA’s Hannah Hintz speaks with Verral for this episode of The Impact Report.

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Building A Better Working World: A Conversation With Susan Hunt Stevens

Susan Hunt Stevens is the Founder & CEO of WeSpire, an award-winning employee experience technology focused on engaging people in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. She founded WeSpire to use her digital behavior change expertise to help people embrace healthier and more sustainable lifestyles after her son was diagnosed with serious food allergies. She was named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year for New England, a Boston Business Journal Woman of Influence, and to the Environmental Leader 100 list. Prior to WeSpire, she spent 9 years at The New York Times Company, most recently as SVP/General Manager for Boston.com, a $60M digital media division. She has an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where she was named a Tuck Scholar, and graduated with high honors from Wesleyan University.

For this episode of The Impact Report, Series Producer, Katie Ellman, speaks with Susan about how corporate leaders can kick off an improvement in both their commitment to ESG and their own company ecosystem, while keeping their most valuable asset – their people – engaged.

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Sustainability Is Beautiful at the Estee Lauder Companies: A Conversation with Al Iannuzzi, VP, Sustainability

Al Iannuzzi is Vice President, Sustainability, at The Estée Lauder Companies, where he directs enterprise-wide sustainability efforts and establishes and executes on the Company’s sustainability strategy, goals and objectives. He oversees the publication of the Company’s Corporate Responsibility Report, ESG ratings and rankings, and climate and energy programs. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University, Purdue University, where he teaches Product Improvement and Sustainability.

Al has more than 30 years’ experience in the Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability field. Prior to working at The Estée Lauder Companies, he worked for Johnson & Johnson, where he led Design for the Environment and Green Marketing programs and developed sustainability strategies for Consumer Product, Medical Device and Pharmaceutical sectors. He served as the chief architect of the Earthwards® greener product development program. He has also worked as an environmental consultant and as a regulator for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Al has authored three books, his latest: Greener Products: the Making & Marketing of Sustainable Brands (2018) and has written numerous articles on sustainability and product stewardship.

Bard MBA’s Jill Metzger speaks with Al for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Improving the Cold Chain to Save & Feed the Planet: A Conversation with Manik Suri of Therma

Manik Suri is the Founder and CEO of technology company Therma. Before founding Therma, Manik co-founded the Governance Lab (GovLab), an innovation center at NYU that developed technology solutions to improve government. He is a former Affiliate of Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society and has held positions at global investment firm D.E. Shaw & Company and the White House National Economic Council.

Based in San Francisco, CA, Therma° is a leading innovator of IoT-based temperature monitoring solutions designed to create significant reductions in food waste and energy costs. Founded by alums from Harvard, Columbia and UC Santa Barbara, the company’s leaders are a mission-driven team of food industry professionals and technology innovators focused on one thing: making an impact on climate change. A leader in growing the “smart cold chain,” Therma develops innovative, IoT-powered, 24/7 temperature monitoring and real-time data analytics devices and platforms deployed across thousands of restaurants, retailers, manufacturers, and government agencies worldwide, with leading brands including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, NOW Foods, 7-Eleven, and Wyndham Hotels.

For more information, visit: www.hellotherma.com.

Impact Report Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Manik about his career journey and how it brought him to capitalize on the IoT to cut GHG emissions globally by improving the cold chain for the food industry.

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Closing the Loop on Commercial Textile Waste: Jessica Schreiber & Camille Tagle, Co-Founders of FABSCRAP

Founded by Jessica Schreiber and Camille Tagle, FABSCRAP was created to meet New York City’s commercial textile recycling needs. Materials that traditionally would have gone to landfill are now being properly recycled and made available for reuse.

FABSCRAP provides convenient pickup and recycling of textiles for businesses in New York City and Philadelphia.

Read more about their impact in their most recent report: FABSCRAP 2020 Annual Report.

Bard MBA’s Adam Rozenberg and Siri Wilson speak with Jessica and Camille about how their backgrounds in waste management and eveningwear design inform their work in transforming the industry.

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Activism, Leadership & Purpose:

Gilles Mesrobian, Professor & Principal at the Red Queen Group

In addition to his role as a visiting faculty member of Bard College’s MBA in Sustainability Program, Gilles is an affiliate consultant with the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, a Certified Governance Trainer through BoardSource, and on the National Training Faculty for NeighborWorks America. His credentials include over 30 years senior management experience in the non-profit arena, with over 20 years as an Executive Director. His consulting experience covers a broad range of organizational work in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, including governance training, organizational assessment, leadership development, executive leadership transition, executive search, strategic planning, retreats and trainings.

His interest in sustainability has extended to his consulting where he has worked with numerous organizations in the area of social and environmental justice. He has also facilitated numerous leadership training programs including the the New York Foundation for the Arts Emerging Leaders program, the Support Center’s Trajectory Leadership Program,, as well as the CT Council of Family Service Agency’s yearlong leadership program.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Kiana Cardwell speaks with Gilles about how his activism during the early days of the AIDS Epidemic shaped him as a leader and moved him toward a career in purpose-driven work.

Building Sustainability into a Legacy Company: Robert Pasin CEO, Radio Flyer Robert Pasin heads Radio Flyer Inc., the business founded by his grandfather in 1917. Radio Flyer is an iconic brand that holds a special place in people's hearts because it instantly transports them to a happy time — to the best parts of childhood. Robert works with a wonderful group of passionate "Flyers" whose mission is to create products that bring smiles to kids of all ages and to create warm memories that last a lifetime. Company sales have grown significantly because of Robert’s focus on building a highly committed and creative team. The product line has expanded beyond the iconic Little Red Wagon™ to include tricycles, scooters, and other ride-ons featuring innovative, beautiful, playful design. Robert is the Emmy winning producer of the animated short film, Taking Flight.

In June 2021, Robert was named 2021 Top CEO in the Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award. Among chief executives recognized by employees in the U.S., Pasin received an impressive 100 percent approval rating based on the anonymous and voluntary reviews Radio Flyer employees shared on Glassdoor throughout the past year.

Bard MBA’s Jordan Sabine speaks with Robert for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Committed to Clean Money: A Conversation with Joe Sanberg, Co-Founder of Aspiration

Joe Sanberg is a progressive business leader, anti-poverty advocate, and co-founder of Aspiration, a no-fee, socially-conscious financial firm that keeps its customers’ money away from fossil fuels and private prisons.

As a steward of the movement to pass the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families in California, Joe founded CalEITC4Me, one of the state’s largest anti-poverty programs, which has put more than $10 billion back in the pockets of working families. He successfully led the charge to expand eligibility for the program to low-wage, undocumented workers, who had previously been excluded from the tax credit. Then-California Gov. Jerry Brown’s top adviser Nancy McFadden called Joe the “spark” behind the state’s efforts to execute the new program.

Joe also leads Working Hero PAC, a people-powered political organization focused on electing progressive candidates who will fight for affordable housing, good-paying jobs, a sustainable future, and accessible healthcare for all.

Bard MBA’s Johnathan Pham & Stephanie Lavallato speak with Joe for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Turning Up The Heat on Financial Regulators to Combat Climate Change Steven M. Rothstein Managing Director, Accelerator for Capital Markets, Ceres Steven M. Rothstein is the founding Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. Ceres Accelerator aims to transform the practices and policies that govern capital markets in order to accelerate reduction of the worst financial impacts of the climate crisis and other sustainability threats. Steven’s 40 years of experience will be critical to explore the most effective strategies for the Accelerator to focus on and move capital markets towards climate sustainability.

He has worked at local, state, federal and international levels of government. Steven served on many non-profit and government boards. He has spoken and written extensively and worked with partners in the corporate, non-profit, government and philanthropy sectors.

Bard MBA’s Lucien Harlow-Dion speaks with Steven for this episode of the Impact Report.

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How FinTech Can Close The Racial Wealth Gap: Ramona Ortega, Founder, My Money My Future Ramona Ortega is the CEO & Founder of My Money My Future. MMMF is a fintech marketplace helping Black and Latinx millennials save, invest, and build wealth with automated financial guidance and personalized product recommendations. Previously she helped launch Azlo, a small business banking platform as Entrepreneur-In-Residence. Prior to founding MMMF, Ramona was a Wall Street attorney and worked on complex securities litigation and corporate matters in private practice and at the SEC and U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Ramona is a contributor to TechCrunch and HuffPost and is a sought after speaker and thought leader in Fintech. She has a B.A. from UCLA and a J.D. from Fordham School of Law. She is on the board of Village Capital, Camino Financial and Community Health Council.

My Money My Future is an all-in-one personal finance platform that helps multicultural millennials make better financial decisions by combining education and unique content with personalized product recommendations and financial advice in a seamless experience. MMMF dashboard provides personalized financial action plans to guide users through a range of decisions, including investing, budgeting, saving, and credit.

Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Ramona for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Rethink. Redesign. Repurpose: Brandi Susewitz Founder & CEO, Clear Office Brandi has been in the office furniture industry for over twenty years. On June 12th 2020, she woke up with a mission: to create the first online marketplace for companies to buy and sell their pre-owned office furniture. Clear Office has digitized the pre-owned office furniture industry and is the first online marketplace where buyers and sellers of used office furniture connect directly.

Bard MBA’s Whitney Smith-Burghes speaks with Brandi for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Improving the Lives of Pets, Pet Parents & the Planet: A Conversation with Francesca Mahoney of Petco

An accomplished retail leader, Francesca Mahoney leads Petco’s sustainability strategy and works with business leaders across operations, products, and supply chain to advance sustainability and drive strategic growth. She is passionate about creating a better planet for pets and pet parents alike and has been the driving force in Petco’s recent industry-leading commitment to increasing its assortment of sustainable pet products to 50% by the end of 2025. She has also spent more than a decade transforming teams, building brands and leading marketing strategies for renowned companies. Before joining Petco, she worked at Target Corporation for +10 years in a variety of Merchandising and Marketing roles.

Bard MBA Alum Cory Skuldt speaks with Francesca for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Petco Sustainable Product Shop: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/sustainable-products-shop
Petco Corporate Responsibility home page: https://corporate.petco.com/corporate-responsibility
Sustainable Brands Op-Ed on transforming the pet industry, by Francesca and Cory: https://sustainablebrands.com/read/product-service-design-innovation/how-sustainable-choices-for-pet-parents-can-drive-industry-transformation

Touching the Future of Textiles: Nicole Meier, Director of Branding at Ultrafabrics Ultrafabrics is reshaping the world of leather-free performance fabrics. Operating on three continents with over five decades of expertise, Ultrafabrics innovates in sync with emerging customer needs to create versatile solutions for any surface, and for a multitude of industries. Every fabric coming out of their mill is a premium, sustainable and intelligent product that speaks to—and elevates—the senses.

They are dedicated to innovation and sustainability and are always improving to continuously deliver superior performance fabrics.

As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Nicole Meier utilizes her merchandising background to position Ultrafabrics as the premier animal-free performance fabric across a variety of worldwide sectors. During her tenure, she has introduced educational programs, material donation and community partnerships while overseeing content development and the overall brand experience. Together with a consulting firm, she leads the Ultrafabrics’ sustainability committee and ensures the strategy is integrated throughout the company.

Bard MBA’s Isobel Modica speaks with Nicole for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Population empowers home and fashion brands to embed an integrated approach to sustainability into their business models, brand strategy and marketing. As consultants they blend the creative and strategic to build authentic narratives, safeguarding against performative marketing and greenwashing.

From widespread extraction and pollution to over-consumption and waste, industries had been reckoning with their impacts on the planet. We were already at a tipping point, when a global pandemic hit. Fashion brands cancelled orders leaving numerous manufacturers and workers unpaid. Not long after, garment workers put their own health and safety at risk making PPE. And in the midst of all this, George Floyd’s murder catalyzed a racial reckoning and a wave of wokewashing. It may not seem like it, but these problems are interconnected.

For this special episode of the Impact Report, Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Population co-founders Lauren Hill and Catherine Tedrow and their co-host of the Unspun podcast series, Danielle Arzaga.

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Strategy As A Service: Gary J. Nix, Founder and Chief Strategist, The BRANDarchist Gary J. Nix is a strategy executive who earned his stripes as a disruptor, innovator, and predictor in the entertainment, magazine publishing, and marketing industries. Known for merging traditional marketing principles with modern marketing techniques, he has used his in-house and agency experience with Fortune 500 companies to open the brandarchist: strategy as a service. Additionally, his expertise & distinct point-of-view has positioned him as a frequently sought after source in the advertising trades, guest lecturer, as well as a subject matter expert on ethics, culture, and community as a business necessity. Furthermore, his perspective led him to be named a 2020 Innovator by the Advertising Club of New York.

When not tending to his consultancy, he serves as a senior leadership member for 100 Roses from Concrete & The G.R.O.W.T.H. Initiative and a strategic advisor for the communications agency Bold Culture by Streamlined.

Bard MBA’s Olivia Taussig speaks with Gary for this episode of The Impact Report.

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Addressing Embodied Carbon's Role in Climate Change: Stacy Smedley, Executive Director of Building Transparency Building Transparency, a 501(c) nonprofit organization that provides open access data and tools that support broad and swift action across the building industry in addressing embodied carbon’s role in climate change.

Formed in 2020, Building Transparency hosts, manages and maintains the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, which provides thousands of digital EPDs in a free, open-source database. Building Transparency strives to provide the resources and education necessary to promote adoption of the EC3 tool, including through the official materialsCAN program, and works with global policymakers to shape a better building future.

In her role at Building Transparency, Stacy leads the continued management and development of the EC3 tool and works to educate and engage the building industry on actionably reducing embodied carbon emissions of building materials.

Bard MBA’s Sahara James & Kiana Cardwell speak with Stacy for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Investing for Good: Peter Krull, CEO & Director of Investments, Earth Equity Advisors Peter Krull is a well-known leader in the green business community and a long-time advocate for fossil fuel free and sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investing.

He was selected to the 2018 Investopedia 100 list of the one hundred most influential financial advisors in America, and was one of the first individuals to earn the Chartered SRI Counselor™ designation from the College for Financial Planning.

His responsibilities at Earth Equity Advisors include managing all of the firm’s sustainable, responsible and impact portfolios. He also coordinates the firm’s marketing activities and works closely with the team to improve operations and processes.

He has guided Earth Equity Advisors rapid growth as well as the firm’s rise to prominence as a four-time Best for the World Certified B Corporation.

Bard MBA’s Johnathan Pham speaks with Peter for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Media as a Mode for Social & Environmental Good:Jessica Thurston, Director, ESG Strategy at ViacomCBS Jessica Thurston leads ViacomCBS’ environmental, social, and governance strategy. She oversees the development and implementation of key ESG programs across the global company, including ESG reporting and engagement with rankers, raters, and investors.

Jessica’s background is in ESG and sustainability strategy and communications. Previously, she worked at New York-based agencies supporting clients including Chipotle, Carhartt, Keurig Dr Pepper, Merck & Co., Inc., and more. She previously worked in sustainability at Tiffany & Co., and started her career at the U.S. General Services Administration, where she worked in sustainable procurement policy and communications.

Bard MBA’s Olivia Taussig speaks with Jessica for this episode of The Impact Report.

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Making Cities More Resilient By Eliminating Food Waste: A Conversation with Natasha Dyer, Senior Recycling Program Coordinator for the City of Atlanta In her role with the Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Natasha Dyer focuses on creating municipal programs that increase wasted food diversion from landfill as part of the City’s Climate Action and Food Access plans. This includes programs that recover edible surplus food to feed food insecure residents and collaborating with external partners to create decentralized composting systems that then benefits local urban agriculture. In her role with the City, she has also created and administers a citywide Sustainability Ambassador Leadership Program that graduates just under 100 participants per year.

Bard MBA's Emma Chandler speaks with Natasha for this episode of the Impact Report.

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The Future of Agriculture is Local and Greenhouse-Grown: A Conversation with Paul Sellew Paul Sellew, founder and chief executive officer of Little Leaf Farms, had a vision to grow lettuce in New England year-round after mastering the growing and distribution of greenhouse-grown tomatoes with his previous company, Backyard Farms.

Founded in 2015, Little Leaf Farms grows flavorful, crisp, leafy baby green lettuce in a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, sustainable greenhouse facility in Devens, Mass. By innovating greenhouse growing, capturing rainwater, and using sunlight, Little Leaf Farms is an industry leader in controlled environment agriculture, allowing the company to grow lettuce and ship it to stores within 24 hours thereby surpassing competitors on taste and quality. Little Leaf Farms is able to reduce food miles and waste by growing locally as compared to 95 percent of the lettuce grown and trucked cross-country from California and Arizona. Using captured rainwater allows the company to use 90 percent less water than field-grown lettuces. Using natural sunlight over electric lights contributes to the company’s efficiency in growing practices. No human hands touch Little Leaf Farms’ lettuce throughout the growing process to ensure safe growing practices and to reduce any risk of contamination. A socially responsible company, Little Leaf Farms also works with nonprofit charity partners, Greater Boston Food Bank, Loaves to Fishes, and Daily Table, to name a few.

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Reducing Risks for Responsible Mining: A Conversation with Karen Chovan, CEO & Founder of Enviro Integration Strategy

Enviro Integration Strategies is focused on helping leaders to rapidly integrate sustainable choices and practices into mining designs and operations.

After 20 years in mining, CEO and Founder, Karen Chovan has gained a breadth of experience and knowledge working as a geological engineer and project manager. She has also worked as an organizational change agent helping teams to solve environmental problems, avoid risks in future major projects, and create programs and protocols to improve performance within the sustainability realm. From problem identification, all the way through to change implementation, Karen has helped teams get to the other side, and she has a very large network to find any unique support the project might need to get there.

Bard MBA’s Patrick Connolly speaks with Karen for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Collaborating to Accelerate the Textile Industry's Move From Linear to Circular: A Conversation with Karla Magruder, Founder & President of Accelerating Circularity

Karla Magruder has 35 years of global experience from fiber to finished garments. Accelerating Circularity is a 501(c)3 with a mission to divert textiles from landfill and incineration for textile-to-textile circular supply chain systems.

Karla also founded Fabrikology International, a textile consulting company in 2003. She led the apparel launch of Ingeo fibers, the 1st manmade fiber created from 100% annually renewable resources and developed Textiles Exchange’s first preferred fiber and material strategy and their rPET Working Group. During her tenure leading the group she successfully facilitated a commitment of over 60 major brands and retailers to increase their recycled polyester use by 25% by 2020. Karla is currently a Textile Exchange Governance Board member, UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action Steering Committee Member and Co-Chair of the Raw Material Working Group and a Gr3n Advisory Board Member.

Bard MBA's Kirstie Dabbs speaks with Karla for this episode of the Impact Report.

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The Great Pivot: A Conversation with Ben Vandenwymelenberg, Chairman & Founder, WOODCHUCK USA

WOODCHUCK USA manufactures technology-driven wood products and specializes in customization. WOODCHUCK USA was founded with a simple mission: putting nature back into people's lives. Their passion is to be a daily reminder of our planet's vulnerability by using real wood products and planting a tree with every product sold. Their way of making a better world for future generations is us bringing jobs back to America while bringing quality products to our consumers.

Ben founded WOODCHUCK USA as an undergraduate senior at the University of Minnesota and is the true visionary behind the company. Ben graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2012 with a degree in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. He grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin and learned the importance of strong morals, hard work, and a deep love for nature, which he infuses into everything the company does today. Ben was named “40 Under 40” by the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal, “Power 50” by Minnesota Business Magazine, and “32 Under 32” by the Minnesota Ad Federation.

For this episode of the Impact Report Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Ben about entrepreneurship, learning from missteps and putting people and planet first in business.

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Purpose, Prosperity & Priorities: A Conversation with Jane Lawrie, Global Head of Corporate Affairs at KPMG International.

Jane Lawrie joined KPMG International as the Global Head of Corporate Affairs in late 2019. With more than 30 years’ communications experience, Jane has worked for global brands including Coca-Cola, Diageo, Boots and most recently Tesco. A member of the Tesco Executive Committee from 2016 to 2019 she led the Group Communications function through the company’s turnaround including the acquisition of Booker. She led the Tesco Board Corporate Responsibility Committee and established a new sustainability program, The Little Helps Plan.

Throughout her experience, Jane has focused on stewarding businesses to make the right decisions to protect and shape reputation. She has fronted developments in companies from policy decisions through to digital investments. Jane was recognized as PR Week’s No1 Corporate Communicator in 2018. Jane sits on the Cass Global Women’s Leadership Council.\

Bard MBA's Molly Kiick speaks with Jane for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Leveraging Business to Protect Wild Places: A Conversation with Brady Robinson, Executive Director of the Conservation Alliance.

Brady Robinson is a conservationist, climber and educator whose career has included over a decade at Outward Bound and 11 years running the Access Fund, the national organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserved. He was Director of Strategy and Development for Tompkins Conservation, which creates terrestrial and marine national parks in Chile and Argentina, reintroduces missing species and conserves biodiversity, and now serves as the Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance, which works with businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA's Sean Reckert speaks with Brady about the need for better representation, diversity and inclusion in the conservation space and the future of this work in light of the pandemic.

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Putting Sustainability at the Core of Business: A Conversation with Trista Bridges of Read the Air Trista Bridges is a marketing strategy and sustainable business expert, who's passionate about changing business for good. Strongly believing that sustainable business = smart business, she co-founded Read the Air to shift mindsets, business strategies, and ways of working towards business models that put sustainability at the core. Her extensive career experiences span various geographies, from Europe to the Americas and Asia, and sectors including consumer products, media and tech, healthcare, and financial services. Trista is co-author of the recently released "Leading Sustainably: The path to sustainable business and how the SDGs changed everything".

Bard MBA's John Murray speaks with Trista for this episode of the Impact Report. ImpactReportPodcast.com

Transforming Degraded Landscapes into Regenerative, Circular Economies: A Conversation with Neal Spackman of Regenerative Resources Co.

Neal Spackman is the CEO/Founder of Regenerative Resources Corporation. He lived and worked with tribes of bedou from 2010-2018 in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia, where he cofounded and directed the Al Baydha Project. He is also the founder of Sustainable Design Masterclass, a free webinar series on the intersection of entrepreneurship, ecology, and agricultures. Neal is an alumni of Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, and has a Bachelor's in Middle East Studies/Arabic from Brigham Young University.

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Parks for the People: A Conversation with Mitchell J.Silver

Mitchell J. Silver became Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in May 2014. Commissioner Silver is also the immediate past president of the American Planning Association. He is an award-winning planner with more than 30 years of experience and he is internationally recognized for his leadership in the planning profession and his contributions to contemporary planning issues. He specializes in comprehensive planning, place making and implementation strategies. As Parks Commissioner, Mitchell Silver oversees management, planning and operations of nearly 30,000 acres of parkland, which includes parks, playgrounds, beaches, marinas, recreation centers, wilderness areas and other assets.

One of the nation’s most celebrated urban thinkers, Commissioner Silver has been elected to Planetizen’s list of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists (2017), and named an honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (2017), a fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences (2016), an honorary fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (2015), a fellow of the American Planning Association (2014), and an honorary lifetime member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (2014). In addition, he has been honored as one of the top 100 City Innovators in the world by UBM Future Cities, and in 2012 the Urban Times named him one of the top international thought leaders of the built environment.

Bard MBA’s Sahara James, Justin McAmmond and Tessa Rainbolt speak with Commissioner Silver for this episode of the Impact Report.

This episode of The Impact Report is sponsored by reSET Social Enterprise Trust, a Hartford based organization advancing the social enterprise sector through its Impact Accelerator, Food Incubator, and advocacy work. reSET invites you to join our virtual Beyond Business as Usual conference on October 8th at 9am. Use code Bard2020 for a special discount. You can find more information at www.resetco.org

Breaking the Mold on Investing: A Conversation with Lily Trager of Morgan Stanley

Lily S. Trager is an Executive Director and the Director of Investing with Impact and Head of Impact Solutions for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Since 2006, Lily has dedicated her career to sustainable and impact investing. Lily joined Morgan Stanley in 2014. In her current role, Lily works to provide individual, family and institutional clients with investment products, solutions, research and tools to capture the opportunities and mitigate risks posed by key sustainability and impact themes.

Previously, Lily worked for Veris Wealth Partners in New York, a Registered Investment Advisory focused exclusively on serving clients with interest in sustainable and impact investing, most recently as Head of Research & Due Diligence. Lily began her career at Cambridge Associates in Boston, where she worked on teams overseeing $3.9 billion in nonprofit, high-net-worth and foundation investment portfolios.

Lily was named to the 2018 class of MAKERS @ Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a recognition that celebrates women who are ground breakers, advocates, and innovators in their given field.

Lily earned a M.B.A in Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School (formerly Bainbridge Graduate Institute) and her B.A. in Anthropology from Bates College. She also co-founded Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy (WISE), a professional networking group in New York City with chapters in Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Los Angeles and Philadelphia

Bard MBA's Emma Jenkins and Lucien Harlow-Dion speak with Lily for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Strong Returns, Measurable Impact: A Conversation with Alexa Blain and Fernando Alvarado of Deetken Impact

Deetken Impact is a Canadian impact investing firm.

Their priority is delivering strong, uncorrelated stable returns to clients. They differ from other firms in two striking ways: their focus is geographic and their mission is to make a social and environmental impact in the Americas, with a deeper focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region which — like other emerging markets — is projected to grow at 2x the rate of advanced economies in the next 5 years. Access to capital is necessary to capture and nurture this growth. Two, they focus investments on businesses and social enterprises that promote entrepreneurship, provide or improve access to basic services, and have a positive environmental impact. They seek-out untapped opportunities for growth in five different sectors that positively impact communities in the Americas.

Bard MBA's Leigh Anne Statuto and Stephanie Lavallato speak with Alexa and Fernando for this episode of the Impact Report.

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The Pioneer of Purpose: A Conversation with Carole Cone Carol Cone pioneered the field of social purpose in the 1980s, and today is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost social impact experts. Her work has built global movements, garnered hundreds of awards and raised billions of dollars for a variety of worthy causes.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Lindsay Moreau speaks with Carol about finding the power of purpose during the pandemic and the push to end systemic racism.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Leadership During Crisis: A Conversation with Eric Adams

Eric Adams started out as a police officer, serving 22 years in law enforcement. He began his political career representing Brooklyn districts as a State Senator. Today, he serves as the Borough President of Brooklyn, advocating for a healthier, safer, and better Brooklyn and New York City. The work of the Borough President, including his lifestyle medicine and food initiatives in Brooklyn and NYC, such as Meatless Mondays and the plant-based lifestyle medicine clinic, can be found here.

For this episode of the Impact Report Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Borough President Adams about police reform, leadership during the pandemic and how change is always possible.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Using Design to Combat Extinction: A Conversation with Mitchell Joachim

It has been said that the goal of architecture is to improve human life but throughout history, built environments and urbanization have destroyed natural ecosystems. The balance between meeting the demands to house the growing population of the world and reducing harm to habitats has proven mostly elusive in practice.

Last winter, Bard MBA Alum, Konstancja Maleszynska spoke with Dr. Mitchell Joachim, Co-Founder of Terreform ONE a nonprofit architecture and urban design research-based consulting group. They talked about how pioneering acts of design can combat extinction and illuminate the environmental possibilities of habitats, cities and landscapes worldwide.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Transforming Waste Into Valuable Products: A Conversation with Isaac Nichelson, Co-Founder & CEO of Circular Systems

Isaac has been a creative leader and entrepreneur in the apparel industry for 25 years. He's best known for propelling cutting-edge product and market innovation in realms of sustainability and circular resource efficiency.

As CEO and Co-founder of Circular Systems, Nichelson created a low-impact production process that will redefine the meaning of sustainable materials in the fashion industry.

In 2018 Isaac and Circular Systems won the H&M Foundation’s coveted Global Change Award for their revolutionary Agraloop Bio-Refinery process. The process turns food crop waste into sustainable fashion by generating food-crop fiber out of plant waste that is left by the harvesting of food crops.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Nicole Pamani speaks with Isaac about his work.

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Powering End-to-End Product Digitization: A Conversation with Natasha Franck, Founder & CEO of Eon.

Natasha Franck is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eon.

Eon powers connected products for industry's largest global brands and retailers. Eon is the leading Internet of Things platform in fashion, apparel and retail – powering end-to-end business intelligence, customer engagement, new business models and more. Advancing industry’s transition to a sustainable and circular economy, Eon leads the development of industry's CircularID™ Protocol — the global protocol for digital identification of products in circular economy. Eon brings transparency and sustainability to the entire product lifecycle by digitizing products in alignment with the CircularID™ Protocol. Before Eon, Natasha led global design and development for smart cities and sustainable urbanism at Delos and Jonathan Rose Companies. Natasha holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Savannah Parsons speaks with Natasha about Eon’s mission to power connected and circular business.

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Making Tomorrow’s Farms More Sustainable And Stable For Farmers, Investors And Consumers: A Conversation With Don Wiviott Of Tomorrow’s Farms

Don Wiviott, works with his own business, Tomorrow’s Farms, LLC and investors who manage or own 80,000 acres in organic farmland. The financial model includes a path to ownership for farmers while providing stable assets for investors and institutions committed to the growth, protection, and stewardship of organic farming.

Don has a BA in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard. He has written solar legislation and lobbied with the Farmers Union; he sees agriculture and soil science as a viable path to end climate change.

Bard MBA’s Lucien Harlow-Dion speaks with Don for this episode of the Impact Report.

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Killing Color Trends in Fast Fashion: A Conversation with Journalist/Author Elizabeth Segran

Elizabeth Segran is senior staff writer at Fast Company, whose work has appeared in a range of publications including The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The Nation, The New Republic, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Salon. Her latest book The Rocket Years was released on March 31, 2020 by Harper Collins.

She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in the field of South and Southeast Asian Studies with a Designated Emphasis in Women, Gender and Sexuality. She is an expert on India, having devoted a decade to studying its history, literature, culture and gender dynamics.

She is a global nomad who grew up in Brussels, Paris, Singapore, Jakarta and London before moving to New York to attend Columbia University. She currently lives in Cambridge, MA with her books, her husband and her baby girl.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Kirstie Dabbs speaks with Elizabeth about her new book, the rise of fast fashion and the growing consumer desire and need for durable products that stand the test of time.

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Body Positive & Planet Positive Products For Women: A Conversation With Meika Hollender, Co-founder & President Of Sustain Natural

Meika Hollender is the Co-Founder and President of Sustain, the leading brand of all-natural, vagina-friendly sexual wellness and period care products. Also an author, activist, and entrepreneur, Meika has consistently made marketplace history with a myriad of product innovations in the sexual wellness space that redefine the stigmatized narrative around female sexuality..

Meika teamed up with her father Jeffrey Hollender, the Co-Founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, to launch Sustain Natural in 2014. Speaking to the fact 40% of condom purchases were by women, the company introduced its flagship product—the world’s most sustainable condom. Sustain has since grown to include wipes, lubricant, and 100% organic cotton tampons and pads as well as reusable period products. Touting the 10%4Women initiative, 10% of all pre-tax profits benefit women’s reproductive healthcare organizations in the U.S.

In August 2019, Sustain was acquired by Grove Collaborative, a leading digital-first brand and e-commerce platform for natural home and personal care products. Meika joined the Grove Collaborative team as Head of Communications, while remaining President & Co-Founder of Sustain.

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Michelle Aboodi speaks with Meika about social entrepreneurship, body positivity and reframing the conversation and market around sexual wellness.

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How The 50th Anniversary Of Earth Day Is Going Virtual In The Face Of Covid-19: A Conversation With John Oppermann, Executive Director Of Earth Day Initiative

For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA’s Kristin Hanczor speaks with John about how Earth Day is now more relevant than ever and how individuals and organizations can participate while social distancing.

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Working to End Childhood Hunger In The U.S.: A Conversation with Billy Shore of Share Our Strength

Better Decisions With Better Data: A Conversation with Sarah Tuneberg, CEO & Co-Founder of Geospiza

Playing for Change: How the Green Sports Alliance Mobilizes Sports Fans

16 leagues. 194 teams. 195 venues. Members of the Green Sports Alliance embrace renewable energy, healthy food, recycling, water efficiency, safer chemicals and other environmentally preferable practices—and they inspire millions of fans to follow their lead.

The Alliance believes that the sports industry is uniquely positioned to make large-scale impact in the environmental performance of many of the world’s largest public spaces. It also believes that sport teams place a special role in influencing citizens and mobilizing communities to action.

To find out more about how the Alliance leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote sustainable practices, Bard MBA student Kristin Hanczor spoke with Roger McClendon, the organization’s Executive Director.

McClendon joined the Alliance just over a year ago, after serving as the first ever Chief Sustainability Officer for Yum! Brands, whose holdings include Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC. He and Kristin also spoke about McClendon’s own career journey and his decision to switch to the relatively niche world of green sports.

Smart Grids for the Future: A Conversation with John Radgowski, Vice President of Portfolio Management at Landis + Gyr

For more than 120 years, Landis+Gyr has been an industry leader in energy management solutions. Using their advanced metering infrastructure and other cutting-edge smart grid technologies, they’ve helped utility companies all over the globe improve their operations, protect their assets, lower their operating costs and provide better customer service. With a focus on quality, reliability, and innovation Landis+Gyr’s portfolio of products and services can help customers do the same and modernize their smart grid for the future.

John Radgowski is the Vice President of Portfolio Management for Landis+Gyr Americas. In this role, he is focused on providing cross-functional smart grid solutions that span from the customer to the grid operator.

Bard MBA's Molly Kiick speaks with John for this episode of the Impact Report.

Regenerating Natural Capital in the Rainforests of Costa Rica

When Amanda Wilson, Joshua Hughes and Sara Czarniecki founded Blacksheep Regenerative Resource Management in 2015, they committed to honoring their custormers, communities, workers, shareholders and the land.

Based on 178 acres in the rainforests of Costa Rica, the Blacksheep team works alongside local neighbors to regenerate degraded land into biodiverse mixed forests. Their competitively priced turmeric products are the result of the reforestation process, and they create livelihoods for Blacksheep’s worker-owners.

Now Blacksheep is scaling. The company offers a suite of services to help other teams start regenerative projects and to connect investors with landowners in environmentally exhausted areas. It’s also working to secure private investors to fund an agricultural processing center in Costa Rica.

Bard MBA students Michael Conway and PJ Connolly spoke with Wilson, Hughes and Czarniecki about why it’s important that businesspeople enter the agricultural space, the company’s services, and Blacksheep’s plans to scale.

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Charging the Future By Making Batteries Obsolete: A Conversation Yuval Boger, CMO of Wi-Charge

Yuval Boger has served as chief executive, chief marketer and evangelist for technology companies from seed stage to NASDAQ. He led business and product development programs that generated over $200M in revenue.

Wi-Charge is the leader in long-range wireless power technology. WiFi eliminated the data cord, and Wi-Charge will eliminate most power cords. They provide a new way to power to smart, mobile and IoT devices, delivering more power than batteries and more freedom than power cords. Their patented light-based system is the only way of delivering several watts of power at room-sized distances while earning all required UL and government safety certifications. With Wi-Charge, devices appear to charge themselves without user intervention, cables or charging pads.

Mr. Boger holds an MBA from the Kellogg school at Northwestern University and a M.Sc. in Physics from Tel-Aviv University. He is also a TALPIOT graduate and laureate of the Israel Defense Award. He plays violin with the Columbia Orchestra, and once a year with the world-renowned Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Bard MBA alum Heather Bowden speaks with Yuval Boger for this episode of the Impact Report.

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ESG Data and Nasdaq’s Leadership on Enhanced Disclosure

Nasdaq has promoted corporate responsibility for over a decade, playing its part in creating a more efficient and sustainable capital market system. Today, Nasdaq Global Head of Sustainability Evan Harvey and his team are at a nexus of companies, regulators, and investors working to enhance environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure.

Since 2014, the cost of ESG-related scandals and controversies at S&P 500 companies has amounted to $534M losses in market capitalizations—and that number is rising. After California power company PG&E’s recent bankruptcy filing and subsequent stock market plunge, forecasted outages due to risk of wildfires could cost the state economy more than $2B.

ESG is a data-driven attempt to understand long-term performance, and Nasdaq has co-authored reports that assist companies in identifying and disclosing ESG-related factors that are material to corporate performance, as well as addressing the gap in quality, reliable ESG data. Nasdaq is reminding capital players that the growth, transparency and standardization of ESG reporting will improve market efficiency.

MBA student Roxi Sharif spoke with Nasdaq’s Evan Harvey about how materiality can help manage ESG data and about SDG investing and reporting.

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The View From 20—GM’s Global Sustainability Energy Manager Reflects on Changes at the Automaker

Rob Threlkeld, Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply and Reliability for General Motors, began his career at the automaker as manager of the powerhouse and wastewater treatment plant operations at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly complex.

In the almost 20 years since, his sustainability career has grown alongside the company’s sustainability commitment. From an initial focus on energy efficiency, both his role and the company’s efforts have expanded to encompass renewable energy procurement and EV integration. General Motors is now on track to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Bard MBA student Sahara James spoke with Threlkeld about how GM has responded to changes in the renewables landscape, how company leadership reacted to his team’s pitch to join RE100, and why there’s still power in numbers.

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A Behind-the-Scenes Account of McDonald's Sustainability Journey: An Interview with Bob Langert

Starting in the 1980s, McDonald’s was repeatedly challenged on hot-button social and environmental issues by powerful NGOs. It spent over a decade in defensive mode, as groups like Greenpeace and PETA demanded that the company rethink its approach to issues like packaging, animal welfare, deforestation, and nutrition.

Eventually, though, the mega brand shifted to strategically solving issues with NGO partners. As it integrated sustainability into its core mission, it began to rebuild brand health with consumers.

Former McDonald’s VP of Sustainability Bob Langert recounts the company’s sustainability journey in his new book, The Battle to Do Good. It’s an insider’s view of the company’s highs and lows, as well as a guide to making business stronger and more relevant.

Bard MBA alum Ben Volk spoke with Langert about the company’s toughest challenges, how McDonald’s made the shift to integrating sustainability, and where it can continue to lead by example.

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Waste-less School Supplies: Wisdom Supply Co.’s Mission to Reduce Plastic Waste, An Interview with Founder, Heather Itzla

Unless you have school-age children, you may not realize that we’ve just come through the second biggest shopping season of the year. According to Deloitte’s July 2019 Back-to-School Survey, US shoppers will have spent $27.8 billion, or $519 per student, on everything from clothing to calculators. Of that, $6.1 billion will have gone to purchasing school supplies.

Heather Itzla reads that last figure and thinks plastic waste. Realizing how back-to-school shopping encourages the rote purchase of disposable plastics, Itzla and partner Nicole Kozlowski founded Wisdom Supply Co. to provide affordable, zero-waste alternatives to most school supplies.

The company’s paper-covered binders are 100% recyclable. Its refillable dry erase markers feature aluminum barrels and replaceable nibs. Its highlighters are made of wood and wax. Plus, Wisdom Supply Co. has been a B Corp since its 2017 launch.

Impact Report producer Katie Ellman spoke with Itzla about the company’s origin story, how it designs its products, and why affordability is a key component of its mission.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Rethinking Wealth & Investing for Impact: A conversation with Matthew Weatherley-White,Co-Founder of Caprock

The principal architect of Caprock’s Impact Investing Platform and the creator of the now-independent impact reporting platform iPAR,Matthew is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the discipline, most recently being honored as an Industry Pioneer. In addition to keynoting conferences and lecturing at leading business schools around the world, he serves as a strategic advisor to several Impact Investing funds, and has appeared in Barron’s, Yahoo Finance TV, International Business Daily, Bloomberg Business Week, Journal of Philanthropy, Forbes, Conscious Company, The New York Times, Financial Times and many more. More recently, he successfully shepherded two pieces of legislation through the Idaho Statehouse, the first authorizing Pay For Success Contracting and the second awarding legal status to businesses structured as Benefit Corporations.

Prior to co-founding Caprock, Matthew was a partner in The Owyhee Group, a boutique advisory team within Smith Barney. During his thirteen years with the company, he was a member of Citigroup’s elite Leadership Development Program and helped craft the firm’s Private Wealth Management platform. Matthew graduated from Dartmouth College, has competed internationally in five different sports and continues to serve as a Director for the Lee Pesky Learning Center, an organization he helped launch 20 years ago.

Bard MBA’s Emma Jenkinsspoke with Matthew in the fall of 2018 about his career journey, investing for impact and the advice he would give to someone just starting out in the field.

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The Blue, Green and Orange Economies Merge in St. Lucia’s Sustainable Development Agenda: A Conversation with Dr. Gale Rigobert

Dr. Gale TC Rigobert made history in 2014 by becoming the youngest and first female Leader of the Opposition in St. Lucia. Then in 2016, when her United Workers Party won the federal election, she was appointed Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development for the Eastern Caribbean island nation.

Passionate about the ways in which policy, education and innovation intersect in sustainable development, Rigobert works to leverage business to protect the wellbeing of St. Lucians. As she remarks, for St. Lucia, sustainable development is about “the urgent need for survival.”

Bard MBA student Jesse Gerstin spoke with Rigobert about the role of the private sector in sustainable development and her approach to “people-centered” engagement.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Building a Brighter, More Equitable World: A Conversation with Dory Trimble of the Honnold Foundation

“There’s no point supporting environmental causes that don’t support standards of living to help people.” Adventure rock climber Alex Honnold came to that realization in 2010, when he traveled to Chad on an expedition. Struck by local communities’ lack of access to power, Honnold began to think about how he could impact global inquality while addressing climate change.

Two years later, when Honnold and fellow climber Maury Birdwell founded the Honnold Foundation, they came to another realization: solar power is the solution. Today, the Foundation addresses inequality by supporting solar energy initiatives worldwide. It awards grants to bold and ethical organizations driving innovation in the solar industry.

Bard MBA alum Sam Monkarsh spoke with Honnold Foundation Executive Director Dory Trimble about the Foundation’s mission, how the organization has evolved, and why it focuses on solar.

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Cooperating to Bring the Good: A Conversation with Jonathan Reinbold

In 1988, a handful of Midwest family farmers fed up with the state of American agriculture gathered at the Viroqua, WI courthouse to talk about doing farming differently. Thirty years later, the farmer-owned cooperative they started, Organic Valley, represents more than 2,000 farmers in 34 US states and achieved $1.1 billion in 2018 sales.

Building on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley has embraced a wide range of sustainability initiatives. It has committed to switching all of its remaining fossil fuel-based electricity to renewables by this year. It keeps the distance its milk travels as short as possible via a regional distribution model that includes a biofuel-powered fleet. And its Grassmilk products use dairy from 100% grass-fed cows, promoting animal and soil health, and sequestering C02.

Bard MBA alum Ben Volk spoke with Organic Valley’s then Senior Manager of Sustainabiltiy Jonathan Reinbold in the fall of 2018. They talked about the company’s cooperative business model, its new community solar initiative, and the future of the industry as a whole.

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Canvas is on a mission to create a world of superhealthy people: A conversation with founder, Sarah Pool.

Sarah is the Co-Founder & CEO of Canvas, a healthy beverage company committed to improving individual and global health through functional nutrition and innovative technology applications. Sarah is the former Founder/CEO of Pacific Superfood Snacks, later acquired by Made In Nature. Sarah is a graduate of UC-Berkeley (M.A., B.A.).

Canvas is creating a new category of functional health beverages for improving the microbiome. Utilizing plants and science, our beverages are designed to optimize digestion and overall well-being.

Canvas is driven by a dynamic, intelligent, and passionate team committed to improving individual and global health through functional nutrition, innovative technology applications, and better food systems.

Their mission is to create a world of superhealthy people.

Partnering with VX Ventures and InBev, Canvas is using new technology to utilize spent brewers grain in their beverages. This process will prevent billions of pounds of grain from being discarded each year and will provide a nutritious drink option to people worldwide.

Bard MBA Alum Alexander Lykins spoke with Sarah in Fall 2018 about entrepreneurship in the food industry and how upcycling spent brewers grain is a game changer for the industry.

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Investing in Peace Through Innovation: A Conversation with Shiva Sarram of the Blossom Hill Foundation

A world where conflict-affected children thrive. The vision of the Blossom Hill Foundation drives its mission to invest in solution-driven initiatives for refugees and internally displaced communities.

Over the last nine years, the Foundation has supported almost 56,000 war-affected children in 10 countries by funding breakthrough ideas through its Fellowship program. It invests in products like apps that teach literacy, projects such as STEM education centers near refugee camps, and programs like art, music and sports therapy that help refugee children develop critical life skills.

Fellowships offer up to $50,000 per year to fund innovative projects. Fellows must demonstrate their commitment to social change, as well as the need for and potential impact of their idea.

Bard MBA student Esra Elshafey spoke with Blossom Hill founder Shiva Sarram about the work of some of its current fellows and how the Foundation measures impact. Sarram was born and raised in Tehran during the devastating Iran-Irag war and has resided in the US since the early 1980s. Her passion for war-affected children as well as her education in economic development led her to the Blossom Hill vision.

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SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORTS: Conversations with Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, Rocky Harris and Kaitlin Sandeno

According to Forbes the sports industry’s projected worth is to grow to over $70 billion this year. In January 2019, the New York Yankees became the first sports team in history to create the position of Environmental Science Advisor to its staff. The legendary sports franchise chose Dr. Allen Hershkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council, ex-President of the Green Sports Alliance and Founding Director of Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) for this role.

Bard MBA student Alexandra Criscuolo, an athlete in her own right, spoke with Dr. Hershkowitz, Rocky Harris, CEO of USA Triathlon and Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Kaitlin Sandeno about sustainability in sports and how the field is primed to move fans and society toward a more sustainable future beyond the sporting arena.

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Taking the Trash Out of Takeout: Durham, NC’s GreenToGo

Imagine checking out a takeout container like you would a library book. Instead of a Styrofoam clamshell that you have to throw out, you’d get a reusable box that you’d return for cleaning and redistribution to another diner.

That’s the idea behind Durham, NC’s GreenToGo reusable takeout container service, which operates in local restaurants. Members use the GreenToGo mobile app to check out a reusable box for their takeout or leftovers from participating restaurant. Once they’re done with the box, they drop it back off, and it gets sanitized and returned, ready for the next customer.

GreenToGo's mission is to disrupt the status quo of our take-and-trash economy, and to inspire and proliferate the circular economy everywhere. Since its launch in 2017, its containers have been used over 2,000 times, and it’s been featured in Fast Company and on the PBS NewsHour.

Bard MBA alum Amy Campbell Bogie spoke with GreenToGo Founder Crystal Dreisbach about the heartfelt letter that launched the service, the factors that have contributed to its success, and being a solutionary.

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Leveraging Best Practices in Sustainability For Customers & Company

Scott Tew’s sustainability journey began on his family’s produce farm in Alabama. There, he learned that “natural resources are precious gifts that need to be nurtured, protected, and never squandered.”

Today, Tew’s the Exective Director of Ingersoll Rand’s Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CEES). But, as he writes in Practicing Sustainability, in many ways he hasn’t travelled all that far from the farm.

The CEES supports all of Ingersoll Rand’s strategic brands—Club Car, Ingersoll Rand, Trane and Thermo King—and is responsible for forward-looking sustainability initiatives aimed at transitioning to more efficient and climate-friendly solutions, and minimizing resource use within company facilities. The company has appeared as a top performer in both the U.S. and World Rankings for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

Tew’s efforts have led to the development of world class initiatives, including the introduction of the company’s comprehensive triple bottom line targets, the creation of the EcoWiseTM product portfolio, and its industry leading public commitment to combat climate change at the UN Climate Summit.

Bard MBA alum Heather Bowden spoke with Tew about how Ingersoll Rand is fulfilling its bold climate commitment and the company’s global approach to sustainability.

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Friendly Food on a Mission: A Conversation with Keeley Tillotson, CEO of Wild Friends Foods

Keeley Tillotson started Wild Friends out of her dorm room with her co-founder and roommate, Erika Welsh. Seven years later, their women-run company distributes their unique, healthy nut butters nationally.

On a mission to “make food friendly” for their customers, suppliers, and the planet, they make their products with short lists of clean ingredients, excluding palm oil, hydrogenated oils, and added sugar.

Wild Friends’ giveback program donates 1% of sales to help women and girls fund their dreams. Their first non-profit partner, Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest, provides resources and opportunities for girls of all ages to grow up strong, smart and bold.

Bard MBA candidate Caitlin O’Donnell spoke with Tillotson about creating a company culture, balancing fundraising and daily operations, and what keeps her going as a young entrepreneur.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Mahindra Group Companies Rise Against Climate Change: A Conversation with Anirban Ghosh

For over a decade, the Mahindra Group has been leveraging its size and stature for maximum sustainability impact. Mahindra’s companies span 22 industries, operate in over 100 countries, and employ more than 240,000 people. Founded and headquartered in India, the Group is a US $20.7 billion global federation of companies.

So when Mahindra launched its “rise against climate change” campaign, the impact was significant. Not only is it the first Indian company to set an internal carbon price, it has planted over 15 million trees and committed to setting science-based targets. Its automotive business recently announced its intention to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Mahindra’s sustainability initatives are spearheaded by Anirban Ghosh. Under his leadership, Mahindra has developed an award winning sustainability framework and become a founding member of the Carbon Pricing Leadership. Ghosh, a noted speaker on sustainability, has been featured at the Global Climate Action Summit, COP21, the World Circular Economy Forum, and GRI Global. He’s acknowledged as a Distinguished Sustainability Officer.

Bard MBA Candidate Jesse Gerstin spoke with Ghosh about the company’s approach to sustainability, including its carbon pricing initiative.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Crafting the Perfect Beer With the Spirit of Innovation

Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980, with the goal of providing his customers with the kind of beer he liked to drink—hoppy, dark and flavorful. His background in home brewing, uncompromising approach to quality, and financial savvy helped him build one of the most successful craft breweries in the U.S.

Sierra Nevada’s products are distributed in all 50 states and overseas. A second Sierra Nevada brewery opened in Mills River, North Carolina in 2013 to satisfy growing demand and reduce the company’s environmental impact.

Grossman embraces a philosophy of environmental, social, and economic health that informs his business decisions. Sierra Nevada is a steadfastly family owned and run business, and Grossman plays a large role in the brewery’s day-to-day operations.

Under his direction, Sierra Nevada’s brewing operation has evolved from using second-hand dairy vessels to one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the world. The continued expansion of the craft beer industry challenges Grossman to hold true to the company’s spirit of innovation, which helped change the drinking tastes of millions.

Bard MBA candidate Carolyn Pincus spoke with Ken in fall 2018 about his journey from home brewing to leadership in the sustainable beverage industry.

The Impact Report podcast brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Focusing on Solutions—Not Silos: Vien Truong, CEO of Dream Corps

Shaped by growing up in Oakland, CA during the 80s—the city’s crack years, she says—Vien Truong has dedicated her career to fundamentally ending poverty. Truong is the President of the Dream Corps, and she believes in the power of an inclusive and equitable green economy.

Truong has developed numerous energy, environmental, and economic policies and programs at the state, federal and local levels, and has advised on billions of dollars in public investments for energy and community development programs.

In 2016, Truong received the White House Champion of Change award for her work on climate equity. That same year, she was also recognized as a "Power Shifter" on the Grist 50.

Bard MBA faculty member Jorge Fontanez spoke with Truong about what led her to this work, and how the Dream Corps is helping to solve tough problems by uniting innovators across racial, social and even partisan lines.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Designing Buildings for Clients and the Environment

How does a small architectural firm end up fielding calls from Tesla? By designing the largest residential microgrid on earth.

The project, a recent home renovation in Tuxedo Park, NY, includes geothermal wells, a thousand solar panels, and enough battery capacity to interest Tesla. Architect Andrew Wright explains that he began with a design for a net zero home, but that the decision to go totally off grid turned out to be more cost efficient.

Wright is the president of Wright Architects, based in New York’s Hudson Valley. The firm specializes in energy efficient design, complemented by renewable energy generation systems.

Bard MBA Alum Cindy Wasser spoke with him about current trends in sustainable architecture and about what the future holds for Wright Architects and the industry as a whole.

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Dow's Collaborative Blueprint for Unlocking Carbon Reductions

To date, Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions has delivered 3.64 million tons of CO2e reductions, and it’s on track to exceed 6 million tons by 2026. This unique partnership between Dow and the International Olympic Committee uses sport and the Olympic brand as platforms to demonstrate how science and technology can help the transition to a lower-carbon fture.

The collaboration leverages Dow’s materials science expertise, technologies, and science-based solutions to deliver climate benefits—and, in the process, to provide actionable lessons learned to organizations across sectors.

As Global Technology & Sustainability Director for Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions, improving the world through sport is more than an Olympic Movement philosophy, it’s a way of life for Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi. Piccolrovazzi helps organizing committees, bid cities, large-scale events, business partners and other key stakeholders address technology and sustainability-related needs with Dow solutions.

Bard MBA’s Stephanie Erwin spoke with Piccolrovazzi about how sports and the Olympics fit into Dow’s larger structure, business and strategy.

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Elytus: In the Business of Wasting Nothing

In 10 years of business, Elytus has aided its clients in saving 175,000 admin hours, 20 million trees, and over $11 million dollars—all through its innovative technology and passion for the environment.

Elytus partners with clients such as Red Robin, Omnicare and Bob Evans to “waste nothing” by managing their waste streams through recycling, diversion or reduced generation. The company’s proprietary software system provides transparency into the waste management process.

Matthew Hollis, cofounder and president, is a mechanical engineer by training, and the company was born out of an incubator experience when he was a college sophomore. He currently manages daily operations, directs corporate strategy, and oversees the continued development of the firm’s software platform.

Bard MBA Alum Heather Bowden spoke with Hollis in May 2018 about Elytus’ journey, its own zero-waste practices, and driving the cultural shift to reuse.

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Hunter Lovins On Our Finer Future

Hunter Lovins, President and Founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions, believes that citizens, communities and companies, working together within the market context, are the most dynamic problem solving force on the planet.

A champion of sustainable development for over 35 years, Lovins has consulted on business, economic development, sustainable agriculture, energy, water, security, and climate policies for scores of governments, communities, and companies worldwide.

Time Magazine recognized her as a Millennium Hero for the Planet, and she has won the Rachel Carson and Right Livelihood awards, among dozens of others.

Lovins has co‐authored fifteen books and hundreds of articles. Her best known book, Natural Capitalism, won the Shingo Prize. It has been translated into a more than three dozen languages and summarized in the Harvard Business Review.

Bard MBA Director Eban Goodstein spoke with Lovins about her trailblazing work in sustainability and her latest book, A Finer Future, which was released in September.

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Moving the Needle Toward a More Holistic and Ethical Fashion Industry

The Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator (BF+DA), a Pratt Institute initiative, is a hub for ethical fashion and design that provides design entrepreneurs, creative technologists and industry professionals with the resources they need to transform their ideas into successful, triple bottom line businesses.

Approximately 15 emerging design businesses are selected to work from the BF+DA. Each year, the BF+DA also serves over 70 apparel production clients, 300 digital fabrication clients, and 4,000 event, tour, and educational program attendees. It’s also recently launched sustainability consulting offerings to further its mission and reach.

Debera Johnson is the BF+DA’s Founder and Executive Director. She also founded the Center for Sustainable Design Strategies at Pratt Institute and has been leading the integration of sustainability into Pratt’s art, design and architecture programs for over 15 years.

Bard MBA’s Lindsey Strange spoke with Johnson about BF+DA, its function as a hub for ethical fashion and responsible technology, and how it promotes triple bottom line values by linking financial success to an ethical and sustainable supply chain.

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How Danone North America Became the Largest Certified B Corp in the World

Danone North America—maker of Dannon, Silk, So Delicious, Horizon Organic and Vega, among others—recently became the largest certified B Corp™ in the world for its commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

As a large multinational company, Danone North America demonstrated that certification is attainable, and should be an ambition for companies regardless of size or sector.

Deanna Bratter, Senior Director of Sustainable Development Strategy for Danone North America, led the company’s B Corp initiative. Bratter drives the company's sustainability strategy and programs to support the interconnectivity between the health of people and the health of the planet, and works to amplify the positive impacts of sustainability within business.

She oversees the organization's nature and sustainability focus areas, including commitments to solving climate change, advancing sustainable and regenerative agriculture, managing water sustainably, restoring natural ecosystems, improving packaging and supporting people and communities.

Bard MBA’s Sarah Hutcherson spoke with Bratter about Danone North America’s trailblazing sustainability efforts, including its B Corp journey and the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance.

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Lyft is Working to Reclaim Cities for People, Not Cars

Lyft was one of the first U.S. companies to join former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “We Are Still In” movement to declare its continuing commitment to the Paris Climate Accord. Shortly after, it outlined its own Climate Impact Goals, doing its part to address the threat posed by global climate change.

Sam Arons is Director of Sustainability at Lyft, overseeing the company’s sustainability and climate impact efforts. Sam cames to Lyft after 10 years at Google, where he developed the company’s sustainability efforts as Senior Lead for Energy & Infrastructure. Prior to his time with Google, Sam researched wind energy and plug-in vehicles at Williams College and UC Berkeley, respectively.

Bard MBA’s Reed Shapiro spoke with Sam about Lyft’s recent carbon offset announcement, vehicle electrification, and its vision for green cities—which it’s working to reclaim for people, not for cars.

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S’well Proves Sustainability Can Be Stylish

Sarah Kauss launched S’well in 2010 with the belief that a crave-worthy bottle that combined fashion with function would make people stop buying disposable water bottles, thus reducing single-use plastic consumption. Eight years after launching, S’well is the fastest growing woman-owned business in the United States.

Olivia Gossett Cooper, Bard MBA alum and founder of “Today We Will” and Silvr Inc., spoke with Kauss this past Spring about her inspiration for starting the company, how she got to scale, and how style matters in converting users to a sustainable lifestyle.

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

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Maximizing Positive Social Impact and Minimizing Environmental Impact: An Interview with Ali Kenney of Burton Snowboards

It’s almost impossible to upcycle used snowboards. Because their components—metal, wood, plastic, resin—are tightly fused during manufacturing, the best end-of-life outcome is usually chopped scrap that can be downcycled into fill. Which is why Burton is working with a new recyclable epoxy resin. ReRez allows used snowboards to be disassembled, and each material input to be reccyled into new life.

This focus on end-of-life innovation is just one of the ways that Burton is meeting its ambitious 2020 sustainability goals. From 100% Fair Labor Association compliance in its factories, to the carbon-neutral Burton US Open, to Chill, its youth development program, the company believes that succeeding as a business means succeding at sustainability.

The Bard MBA’s Cory Skuldt spoke with Ali Kenney, VP of Global Strategy and Insights at Burton, for The Impact Report. Kenney proposed and built Burton’s Global Sustainability Department and currently drives the sustainability strategy and platform for the company’s portfolio of brands.

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Creating New Value Frontiers through Future First Leadership: A Conversation with Alice Mann of Mann Advisors

Organizational psychologist Alice Mann talked with over 60 sustainable business leaders to find out how they’re innovating in the face of today’s global challenges. Her new book, Future First: How Successful Leaders Turn Innovation Challenges into New Value Frontiers, distills what she learned into these five business practices.

In Future First, Mann argues that the three biggest challenges we face—climate change, resource scarcity, and social dynamism—offer opportunities for business to get out ahead of tomorrow’s market demands and beat the competition, while making a positive impact on the world.

The Bard MBA’s Heather Bowden spoke with Mann about her work and Future First for the Impact Report.

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Beyond Politics-The Private Sector Steps Up on Climate Change: A Conversation with Michael Vandenbergh

Michael Vandenbergh points out that 70% of us think that companies should be doing more on climate change. The good news, as he also points in his new book, is that the private sector is rising to that challenge.

Beyond Politics: The Private Governance Response to Climate Change makes the case that the private sector can fill the environmental gap created by partisan politics. Vandenbergh and co-author Jonathan Gilligan highlight the emissions reduction initiatives of prominent firms like Hewlett Packard and Mars, Inc., and they call for further corporate action on a low-carbon future.

Vandenbergh, the David Daniels Allen Distinguished Chair of Law at Vanderbilt University and director of its Climate Change Research Network, figures that the private sector can eliminate a billion tons of carbon emissions each year over the next decade. As he says, it’s a number that would matter.

The Bard MBA’s Sarah Hutcherson spoke with Vandenbergh about his his work and Beyond Politics for the Impact Report.

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“Conscious” Construction Builds Better Homes: A Conversation With Casey Grey of the Conscious Builder

Casey Grey argues that you may not be able to build or renovate a home 100% sustainably, but that you can do it 100% consciously.

Through his company, The Conscious Builder, Grey advocates making “conscious” construction decisions to create a positive, lasting change. He and his team focus on building and renovating homes that are cheaper to operate, better for the environment, more comfortable, and healthier for the families who live in them.

And Grey practices what he preaches. His own home is net zero, producing at least as much energy as it consumes, and is built to the energy efficiency standards of the Passive House Institute—although, as he explained to the Bard MBA’s Sven Thiessen, it also features a big rain showerhead in the master bathroom.

Thiessen spoke with Grey for The Impact Report about the costs of sustainable versus traditional construction, how he’s grown the company, and what he sees as the future of the industry.

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How Allagash Brews Sustainable Practices into its Operations: A Conversation With Luke Truman The grain is just one way it's closing the loop. Portland’s Allagash Brewing Company has committed to purchasing 1 million pounds of Maine-grown and -processed grain by 2021. And three days a week, a local farmer stops by the brewery to pick up spent grain, which he uses as feed for his cows.

Allagash demonstrates that same commitment to sustainability throughout its operations. From the cold Maine air that it uses to cool its largest refrigerated space, to the waste carbon dioxide (CO2) it captures from the brewing process and repurposes to keep head pressure on its tanks, the company sees sustainability potential in every aspect of its processes.

The Bard MBA's Carolyn Pincus spoke recently with Allagash's sustainability lead, Luke Truman, about the brewery’s many initiatives — and about how the company manages its relationship with industry regulators. Born and raised in Wyoming, Truman's been handling sustainability work at Allagash for over five years, and running the program for 2.5 years.

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Making Art, Making Change: A Conversation With Anne de Carbuccia

“I wish to illuminate the damage, the breakage, the fragmentation. Somehow, if I can make it beautiful, I can make it one again.”

Anne de Carbuccia is a French-American environmental artist working to document the effects of climate change. She first became interested in the era of human beings as a geological force, the Anthropocene, while studying Art History and Anthropology at Columbia University.

De Carbuccia has spent the past five years traveling to the most extreme places on earth, creating photographs that capture human-caused threats to the environment, including water scarcity, pollution, and species extinction. In 2014, she established the Time Shrine Foundation to raise awareness and protect vulnerable species, environments and cultures. Her permanent One Planet One Future exhibitions in New York and Milan serve as centers for education, collaboration and community and are free and open to the public.

Sustainability strategist, media expert and Bard MBA alum Amy Kalafa, spoke with Anne de Carbuccia in January about her work for the Impact Report.

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Eliminating the Idea of Waste - A conversation with Tom Szaky, CEO & Founder of TerraCycle

"Why does waste even exist?" That’s the question at the heart of TerraCycle’s own existence. Since 2001, the company has been taking hard-to-recycle waste and turning it into raw material for use in new products. It operates in over 20 countries and engages over 60 million people.

2017 marked a period of significant growth for the relentlessly innovative company. TerraCycle had its first acquisition, placing it on the path to going public. It’s leveraging the JOBS Act to crowdsource for equity. And it’s partnering with major organizations such as Proctor & Gamble (P&G), Mars, Nestlé and Unilever to generate ultra-durable packaging forms that’ll be owned by the manufacturer and merely loaned to the consumer.

In December 2017, Bard MBA’s Alistair Hall spoke with Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, about the company’s plans for growth and all the ways in which it continues to work toward eliminating the idea of waste in our world.

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New York City Takes on Big Oil - A conversation with Dan Zarrilli, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New York.

On January 10th, New York City became the first major US city to announce that the City’s $189 billion pension funds would divest City funds from fossil fuel reserve owners within five years. Currently, the City’s five pension funds hold approximately $5 billion in securities from over 190 fossil fuel companies.

To learn more about this, Bard MBA’s, Cindy Wasser spoke with Dan Zarrilli, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New York.

You can learn more about this and other steps New York City is taking to mitigate Climate Change by visiting www1.nyc.gov

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Vermont’s Green Mountain Power obsesses on its customers. Under the leadership of CEO Mary Powell, it has radically restructured, positioning itself as an energy transformation company focused on meeting the needs of consumers with integrated, cutting-edge services that help them use less energy and save money. In the process, the utility has become the first to help its ratepayers go off the grid, the first to offer residential solar customers the Tesla Powerwall battery and the first and only utility to achieve B Corp certification. And consumers have responded. Green Mountain Power has grown from serving 88,000 customers in 2008 to serving over 260,000 today, with revenues of more than $640 million and $2 billion in assets.

Last month, the Bard MBA’s Meghan Altman talked with Powell about the company’s transformative vision and where she sees the future of the energy system.

Powell has served as president and CEO of Green Mountain Power since 2008 and she’s been the backbone of its comprehensive restructuring and service quality improvement. In 2014, Powell was recognized by POWER-GEN as the Woman of the Year. In 2016, Fast Company named her one of the 100 most creative people in business and in 2017 CEO Connection designated her one of the top 25 most influential women of the mid-market.

Transitioning to the Circular Economy: Thomas Singer Profiles Seven Companies Making the Shift

Thomas Singer felt that there was already plenty of good writing about the theory behind the circular economy. So, when he and his Conference Board colleagues thought about what they wanted to contribute to the conversation, they focused on case studies: “real, practical examples of companies that have been involved in these types of initiatives.”

The resulting 2017 report, Business Transformation and the Circular Economy: A Candid Look at Risks and Rewards, profiles the strategies and successes of seven companies at the forefront of the transition to an economy based on recovery, reunse and regeneration.

Bard MBA student Carolyn Pincus spoke recently with Singer about his work and what he learned about why companies like Philips and Waste Management are increasingly pursuing circular economy initiatives.

Thomas Singer is a Principle Researcher in corporate leadership at the Conference Board. His work focuses on CSR and sustainability issues, and he’s the author of numerous other publications, including the comprehensive sustainability benchmarking report, Sustainability Practices.

When “Made in America” Means “Made Sustainably”

Currently, fewer than 2% of shoes worn in the United States are made here. Most are manufactured overseas by a labor force that works in conditions that would not be acceptable for American workers. In contrast, Okabashi, a family-owned and operated footwear manufacturer, makes all of its shoes in America, employing more than 200 people at its factory and headquarters in Buford, GA. As a result, its flip flops, sandals and clogs travel almost 10,000 fewer miles than the average imported shoe, substantially reducing their carbon footprint. The Bard MBA’s Cory Skuldt recently spoke with Kim Falkenhayn, the company’s President, about the challenges and opportunities presented by Okabashi’s commitment both to local manufacturing and to closed-loop recycling.

Using Finance to Shatter the Fossil Fuel Economy Nick Silver — actuary, economist and onetime mainstream finance professional — understands the consequences of the financial system continuing in its current form. Which is why his new book, "Finance, Society and Sustainability: How to Make the Financial System Work for the Economy, People and Planet," argues that to avoid collateral damage to the economy, society and the environment, we need to re-engineer the system.

Silver is also the managing director of Callund Consulting, a specialist consultancy that advises developing country governments on social insurance. He has advised the U.N., U.K. and EU on carbon markets, climate finance in developing countries and managing risk from climate change.

Bard MBA faculty member Kathy Hipple spoke recently with Silver about his background in finance and how it led him to write his book. Their conversation explores both the book and Silver's work with Climate Bonds Initiative, which Silver co-founded to mobilize the $100 trillion bond market for climate change solutions.

Bard MBA graduates Sam Levine and Alex FitzGerald spoke recently with Rebecca Hamilton about Badger’s business model and how it goes beyond the B Corps standard. Hamilton is a co-owner and the vice president of research and development at Badger, where she sources new raw materials and oversees the sustainability and quality of Badger’s supply chain, among other responsibilities. She is also involved in safe cosmetics legislation and toxic chemical reform and has served as the chair of the Natural Products Association National Personal Care Steering Committee.

As of January, there were 1,000 certified B Corps — companies certified by the B Lab, a nonprofit, to create social and environmental benefits — in the U.S. alone. This number is even more impressive when you realize that fewer than two years ago, there were only 1,000 B Corps worldwide.

Badger, a family-owned, mission-driven certified B Corp company nestled in the woods of Gilsum, New Hampshire, exemplifies and extends the B Corps model. The company was started by Bill Whyte in 1995 when, as a carpenter working in the cold New Hampshire winters, he created a balm that helped his cracked hands. The company has grown to over 100 personal care products and 60 employees.

Honored this year as a "Best for the World" and "Best for the Environment" B Corp, Badger scored in the top 10 percent of all businesses on the B Impact Assessment, the gold standard of corporate responsibility metrics.

In September, Mars unveiled its Sustainable in a Generation plan, which sets a new standard for its responsible growth as a business. Mars believes that transformational, cross-industry collaboration is required to fix the extended global supply chain, and the plan leads the way by investing $1 billion to tackle threats such as climate change, poverty in its value chain and resource scarcity.

The private, family-owned brand has been in business for over a century and sells its products in nearly every corner of the globe. Its six businesses — from chocolate to pet products — reach billions of consumers and earn more than $35 billion in global sales.

Bard MBA student Alistair Hall talked with Mars’s Kevin Rabinovitch shortly after the launch of Sustainable in a Generation about the plan and how it evolved.

Rabinovitch, Mars’s global sustainability director and chief climate officer, was instrumental in developing the plan. His team manages a global portfolio of renewable energy projects in conjunction with efficiency work led by the business units. He also leads the assessment of environmental impact for Mars’s value chain and the translation of external environmental science into policy and strategy for the business.

Helping Refugees & Conflict-Affected Entrepreneurs Launch & Grow Their Businesses in the Middle East: Alice Bosley & Patricia Letayf of Five One Labs.

What do you think when you hear the word refugee? For Alice Bosley and Patricia Letayf, Co-Founders of Five One Labs, it makes them think of innovation, passion, creativity and grit. Since the war began in Syria in 2011, nearly five million Syrian refugees have been displaced across the Middle East and Europe. Five One Labs has launched a startup incubator in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to help some of the 250,000 Syrian refugees and over 1 million Iraqi refugees in the area rebuild their lives and livelihoods. The program is designed to provide training, mentorship, inclusive communities, and support to build businesses. The name “Five One” comes from the 1951 Refugee Convention that gives refugees the right to work. Their incubator will empower young men and women from displaced and host communities in starting scalable, innovative businesses - benefiting the entrepreneurs while also strengthening the local economy through training, mentorship and community building.

Five One Labs first cohort is scheduled to begin this October in Erbil, Iraq and they are crowdfunding with a matching grant from the Tent Foundation via Indiegogo https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/five-one-labs-startup-incubator-for-refugees-entrepreneurship#/

The Democratization of Entrepreneurship: Sherry Youssef Younes & Alejandro Crawford

With a surge in the growth of the youth population worldwide there is, and will continue to be, a job shortage. The solution to this is self-employment or entrepreneurship but access to entrepreneurship is not keeping up and we may face a lost generation of job creators. Enter Sherry Youssef Younes and Alejandro Crawford both working to democratize entrepreneurship by using technology and breaking open access points that are typically closed to budding entrepreneurs outside of well-established networks.

Sherry Youssef Younes is a Youth, Workforce Development, ICT4Development and Women's Economic Empowerment Consultant with over 23 years experience in international economic development programme design, development and management. Alejandro Crawford’s mission is to expand access to the knowledge, space and alliance innovators require to bring new solutions to market and scale them. As a consultant, he is is managing director of Acceleration Group, where he works with the leaders of companies, governments, universities, investors, and NGOs to to harness the potential of disruptive leaders to remake our economy.

Impossible Foods cooks up a new paradigm for the food system Animal protein consumption is rising worldwide. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Association estimates that the raising of livestock for meat and dairy products contributes to 14.5 percent of human-induced GHG emissions. Meat and dairy production is also heavily resource-intensive, with 30 percent of the world’s land surface used for this purpose — a landmass larger than North and South America, Europe and Australia combined.

In March, Bard MBA students spoke with Rebekah Moses, sustainability and agriculture manager of Impossible Foods, to learn about the company's unique approach to reducing the impact of livestock food products. Moses shared the story of the company’s founder, a long-time academic, and other researchers who are taking solutions out of the lab and into the market.

Recycle-A-Bicycle: Fostering Job Training, Environmental Education, and Community Engagement

On average, New York City’s Recycle-A-Bicycle salvages 1,800 bicycles each year from the waste stream, diverting a total of 45,000 pounds of waste from the city’s landfills.

In the past year alone, more than 1000 Recycle-A-Bicycle youth collectively refurbished 500 bicycles, pedaled 24,000 miles, and burned 1,750,000 calories.

Recycle-A-Bicycle recycles the metal from donated bikes that are too damaged to use—literally 12,000 of aluminum and steel each year.

The person behind these impressive numbers, Recycle-A-Bicycle Founder and Executive Director Karen Overton, talked recently with the Bard MBA’s Meghan Altman about the organization’s growth and vision.

Overton began her bicycle advocacy career in Mozambique as a planner for Bikes for Africa. When she returned to the US, she took a position with Transportation Alternatives in New York City. That’s where she was when the city’s Department of Sanitation called, looking for a productive way to use the discarded bikes it dealt with daily. Recycle-A-Bicycle was born.

Today, the non-profit is dedicated to the health, development, stewardship and empowerment of NYC youth. It operates innovative youth programs like its Summer Youth Employment Program, Cycle Craft, and Earn-A-Bike. It also runs two storefronts, an education center, and seventeen school-based programs.

Listen to this interview and others on the Bard MBA Sustainable Business Fridays podcast on an Apple or Android device.

How Years of Living Dangerously Communicates the Urgency of Climate Change

“Climate change isn’t stopping with the second season”—that’s Jon Meyersohn, co-executive producer of the Emmy-award winning Years of Living Dangerously, on why he hopes the series extends to a third season.

Meyersohn is a journalist and producer with a thirty-year career spanning print, radio and television. As co-executive producer of the second season of Years of Living Dangerously, he worked closely with the two founding executive producers and senior staff to provide a sweeping narrative look at some of the most urgent climate change problems threatening the planet.

In an interview with the Bard MBA’s Katie Ellman, Meyersohn provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the team decided which topics to feature, who originated the idea of celebrity correspondents, and why the show’s social media presence is so powerful.

Sustainable Business Fridays brings together students in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Listen to this interview and others on the Bard MBA Sustainable Business Fridays podcast on an Apple or Android device.

Publishing As A Tool for Effecting Cultural Change: Margo Baldwin of Chelsea Green Publishing

Book publishing is a $28 billion industry in the United States. While there has been growth in e-books and audio books, the printed word is still the way most Americans read their books. However, it is also a resource intensive industry that produces approximately 12.4 million metric tons of carbon annually.

Enter Chelsea Green Publishing. Founded in 1984 by Ian and Margo Baldwin, Chelsea Green is recognized as a leading publisher of books on the politics and practice of sustainable living. It produces foundational works on topics ranging from regenerative agriculture to local economies, to green building and renewable energy.

Chelsea Green also leads the industry with its environmental practices, printing 95 percent of its books on chlorine-free recycled paper and minimizing its carbon footprint by working exclusively with North American, rather than overseas, printers. It includes an environmental impact statement in each of its books. In 2012, Chelsea Green became an employee-owned company.

Last month, students from the Bard MBA in Sustainability talked with Margo Baldwin, Chelsea Green Co-Founder, President and Publisher, about the company’s mission and impact.

Value-First Impact Investing: Cary Krosinsky on Driving Change by Doing Well

Values-first versus value-first investing. Cary Krosinsky argues that the “s” that differentiates the two represents a significant shift in the impact investing field.

Krosinsky talked with Bard MBA in Sustainability Director Eban Goodstein about the shift from negative to positive approaches to sustainable investing, and about the business case for value-first investing.

Krosinsky’s latest book, Sustainable Investing: Revolutions in Theory and Practice (with Sophie Purdom), came out last December. The author of two other books on sustainable investing, he’s also a noted educator, teaching at Brown, Yale, Maryland and Concordia. His advisory work includes acting as Lead Consultant to a PRI Working Group that resulted in a Climate Change Asset Owner Strategy Framework for COP 21.

President Trump built his personal brand on wealth using tag lines like, “You have to be wealthy in order to be great.”

Shortly after Trump’s election, Bard MBA in Sustainability students Heather Bowden, Lauren Hill, Nick Shore and Catherine Tedrow spoke with filmmaker John de Graaf, who documented the consumption phenomenon of the 1990s. Their conversation explored the connections among consumption, income inequality, social media and climate change in the context of the election.

John de Graaf is a documentary filmmaker and author. Fifteen of his films, including the popular Affluenza, have been broadcast nationally on PBS. He is also the co-author of the books Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic, now in its third edition, and What’s the Economy For, Anyway?

De Graaf’s work investigates the intersections of sustainability, consumerism, health and happiness. He is a senior advisor for Earth Economics, a non-profit ecosystem services organization. He is also a co-founder of the Happiness Initiative and recently served as an advisor to the government of Bhutan as it development its Gross National Happiness project proposal for the United Nations.

Allan Savory — Zimbabwean ecologist, farmer, soldier, exile, environmentalist, international consultant and president and co-founder of the Savory Institute — has a world-saving message: The answer is in the soil. In the 1960s, Savory originated the concept of holistic management, which has been popularized by several articles and a TED Talk that has been viewed nearly 4 million times.

Holistic Management is a framework, most commonly applied to grassland management, that when properly practiced has the potential to regenerate damaged land. It focuses on mimicking the evolutionary grazing patterns of cattle to regenerate soils and restore grasslands. This technique has proved effective in hundreds of areas across the globe, one of the most popular being via Operation HOPE, winner of the 2010 Buckminster Fuller Challenge.

In December, Bard MBA student Alexander Lykins sat down with Savory to discuss holistic management, how it can be applied to business and how young entrepreneurs can become involved.

There are 3.6 million female students in Afghanistan today, compared to zero in 2001. However, social limitations for women still exist — women make up only 16 percent of the current Afghan labor force.

Fereshteh Forough, founder and president of Code to Inspire (CTI), the first coding school for girls in Afghanistan, has a passion. She wants to empower young Afghan women by hitching their economic and social advancement to the country’s growing tech industry. For businesses and governments strive to align with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Code to Inspire is an organization to watch, as it encompasses the aims of Goal 4 (inclusive education) and Goal 5 (gender equality).

Bard MBA in Sustainability student Esra Elshafey spoke with Forough to discuss how CTI educates Afghan women with in-demand programming skills, empowers them to add unique value to their communities and inspires them to strive for financial and social independence.

More than half the U.S. population lives in states with medical or adult use cannabis laws on the books. As the nascent cannabis industry grows, some business owners are careful to establish sustainable operations from the beginning. Maya Elisabeth, co-founder of Whoopi & Maya and founder of Om Edibles, is one of those smart business owners.

Maya Elisabeth began working in California’s cannabis industry after graduating from San Francisco State University. In 2008 she formed Om Edibles, an all-female collective, focusing on high-quality ingredients, including sun-grown cannabis. Om Edibles products have won seven High Times Cannabis Cup awards and Elisabeth enjoys a reputation as one of the best creators of medical cannabis products in California. In 2015, Elisabeth partnered with Whoopi Goldberg to create the Whoopi & Maya line of medical cannabis products, focused on providing relief from menstrual pain.

In this episode of Sustainable Business Fridays, Bard MBA student Jennifer Shelbo explores how Elisabeth’s choices, from cultivating sun-grown cannabis using organic methods to sourcing fair trade and organic ingredients for her product lines, demonstrates that incorporating sustainability into business operations is a recipe for success.

All politics is local—none more than climate policy in the US after January 20, 2017. In the absence of the prospect of wider national action, local businesses have a significant opportunity to enhance the local economy and combat climate change through their operations. Glen’s Garden Market, based in Washington, DC, has been doing just this. From sourcing products within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to powering its stores with clean energy to providing living wages, Glen’s has been quietly pushing the environmental and social sustainability envelope while also incubating other small businesses as suppliers.

Emily Robichaux, a student in the Bard College MBA in Sustainability program, sat down with Danielle Vogel, a former Capitol Hill staffer and creator of Glen’s Garden Market, a local grocery store sourcing “good food from close by,” to discuss the role of mission-oriented small business in sustainable food systems and local economies.

Vogel earned a law degree and worked for ten years in federal policy, serving as domestic policy adviser to Congressman Christopher Shays and a Department of Justice environmental litigator enforcing the Clean Air Act. From December 2008 to March 2011, she was environmental counsel in the office of Senator Joseph Lieberman, where she helped draft the American Power Act. When the bill died, Vogel made the shift from policy to practice, becoming the fourth generation of grocers in her family while bringing a sustainable and local twist to the business. Vogel has been profiled in the Washington Post and Bloomberg for her approach to “making progress one bite at a time.”

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Wendy Gordon never set out to become a tech entrepreneur. But, after several decades working with environmental organizations, she saw an opportunity. Wendy and her co-founder David Sand thought to themselves, “Wouldn't it be nice if there were a program where you could get reward points not just for spending money but for spending money wisely and for making other smart choices - like walking or biking to work, opting for renewable energy or a certified pre-owned iPad, or choosing clothes based on where and how they were made?” And so, they embarked on a journey to create PIPs Rewards.

An experienced entrepreneur and pioneer in the conscious consumer movement, Wendy is founder and CEO of ‘Positive Impact Points’ or PIPs Rewards. A trademarked brand of 3P Partners, a Certified B Corporation, PIPs leverages the power of points, smart tools and games to record and reward daily life choices that deliver personal and planetary benefit. PIPs won Best Game prize in NYC BigApps 2014, the nation's leading civic innovations competition.

Wendy also co-founded Mothers & Others with Meryl Streep in 1989 and originated the Green Guide, which was acquired by National Geographic in 2007. She has co-authored numerous books, including the award-winning True Food: 8 Simple Steps to a Healthier You (National Geographic, 2009). She serves on multiple boards including Rainforest Alliance, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Green Sports Alliance and Eugene Lang/The New School.

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Entrepreneurship and Giving Before Taking

Martin Freeman of Bard's MBA in Sustainability spoke with Adam Kearney, Founder and CEO of Propsboard, to discuss his early beginnings as a community organizer. Kearney raised over $96,000 in four months for a family in need, taught himself how to code, and founded Propsboard-- a peer recognition start-up that uses office TVs to amplify company’s superstars. Kearney's company digitized Google’s Peer Recognition tool, giving Propsboard the edge that it needed to compete in today’s marketplace. This interview also dives into Kearney's successes, failures, and timeless lessons on the road to becoming a serial entrepreneur.

Prior to founding Propsboard, Kearney was the CEO of Connectome, now acquired, a music intelligence company that specialized in search, discovery, and recommendations. He sits on the board for The Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College, his alma mater. He is also the cofounder of Philly Startup Leaders, a flagship program featuring a fully integrated Startup Bootcamp and Accelerator helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs with strategy, vision, and execution.

“You have to be comfortable with failure, the unknown, and be relentless”.

Adam Kearney

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Recycling the Unrecycleable with TerraCycle

Alistair Hall from Bard’s MBA in Sustainability spoke with Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle, to dig into this question, ‘why does garbage really exist?’

What is garbage? It’s a question that Szaky has been working to solve. Szaky and Terracycle start from the premise that everything can be recycled. Glass, metal, plastic are all recycled because there’s a straightforward business case to do so, but how about cigarette butts, paint, diapers, and more?

Terracycle’s imaginative approach and drive has taken them to 20 different countries, three seasons of a hit reality TV show, “Human Resources,” and the title of “The Coolest Little Start Up in America” by Inc. Magazine (to name just one of their many accolades).

The following Q&A is an edited excerpt from a Sustainable Business Fridays (SBF) podcast. SBF brings together students in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Podbean.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Housing With Compassion, Development With A Vision

Sven Thiessen of Bard's MBA in Sustainability spoke with Elizabeth Celaya, Director of Organizational & Community Development at Hudson River Housing, Inc. Elizabeth oversees the agency’s Community Building & Engagement Department, and provides leadership to chart a course for future growth through strategic planning, partnership development, and fundraising.

Elizabeth spearheaded the creation of the Middle Main Revitalization initiative in the City of Poughkeepsie, a cross-sector collaboration focused on revitalizing the heart of the City’s Main Street. Starting with a shoestring budget and a handful of interested citizens, Elizabeth has spent the past six years growing this initiative into a key driver of change in the City of Poughkeepsie. Under her direction, the Initiative is responsible for coordinating monthly community meetings, community leadership trainings, neighborhood marketing, cultural events, economic development, and other activities that build strategic relationships and focus on strengthening the assets of the neighborhood. Recently, this work has expanded to include a focus on rural communities in Dutchess County which are facing unique affordability and economic development challenges.

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Benchmarking Company Performance and CSR Practices

Reagan Richmond of Bard's MBA in Sustainability spoke with Bahar Gidwani, CSRhub CEO and Cofounder. Gidwani shared his thoughts on the evolution of ESG metrics and the potential of uncovering “dark data” to drive greater transparency in corporate sustainability. His years of experience running large technology-based businesses and work on Wall Street brings a great depth to the topic of data and corporate sustainability reporting.

Sustainability professionals are becoming inundated with surveys, reporting frameworks, and guidelines. As the reporting metrics evolve, the industry needs more accessible and consistent ways to evaluate performance. CSRHub is working to do just that. With more than 94 million pieces of corporate sustainability data in its database, CSRHub is making many publicly-available data sets easier to browse and access.

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Sustainability In the Name of Innovation & Awareness

Katie Ellman of Bard's MBA in Sustainability spoke with Maureen Kline, Vice President, Public Affairs & Sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America on the role that innovation and technology plays in the present and future of the tire industry, to not only make it more sustainable but to also continue to improve performance and safety.

In addition to her work with Pirelli, Maureen also writes a weekly column on sustainability for www.inc.com. She also chairs the board of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada and sits on the advisory board of the Corporate Responsibility Association where she co-chairs a Thought Leadership Council on Brand and Reputation Management.

Subscribe to the Bard MBA in Sustainability program to stay tuned in to our twice-monthly podcast series featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

On May 6th, Bard MBA in Sustainability will be speaking with LaTrice Ross, Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Macy's Systems & Technology. LaTrice works to ensure an inclusive environment where all employees are treated with respect. Prior to joining MST, LaTrice worked with Step IT Up America, which was a program designed to train and assist minority women in starting careers as IT consultant. According to Eban Goodstein, Director of the Bard MBA in Sustainability, "Inclusive human resources strategies are fundamental to the integrated bottom line and we are very eager to speak with Latrice to hear how Macy's Systems & Technology is applies these practices throughout their ecosystem." Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

On April 29th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Silda Wall Spitzer, Director and Principal, NewWorld Capital Group.

NewWorld Capital Group focuses primarily on business development and deal origination for both growth and infrastructure project investments and works to support the Firm’s portfolio companies. Wall Spitzer also serves as a member of the NewWorld Infrastructure Team. Before NewWorld, she was a Managing Director at Metropolitan Capital Advisors, an investment firm focusing on value opportunities, where she led strategic and business development. Wall Spitzer also served as First Lady of New York State where she worked to support the Administration’s goal of reducing fossil energy consumption 15% by 2015 with her initiatives promoting green buildings, alternative energy, and local food sources. Her I LIVE NY program engaged constituents to create livable communities and sustainable jobs.

Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet. Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On March 18th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Talya Bosch, Vice President, Social Ventures, Internal Communications and Global Events, Western Union about the company's shared value journey. Talya heads the Western Union Global Engagement Team within the corporate communications function. She leads efforts to leverage the 164-year-old company’s assets – including shared value products, responsible operations, cause-related marketing, data and thought leadership – for greater business and social impact. Previously, Talya helped conceive and implement Western Union’s Our World, Our Family®program, a five year, $50 million commitment to creating global economic opportunity. Recognized as best-in-class with numerous awards, including the prestigious Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy Excellence Award, Our World, Our Family® touched more than five million lives. "The strongest brands and social movements are built from the inside out." Talya also leads WU’s global corporate internal communications and events. Her team focuses on engaging employees in WU’s customer-centric, purpose-driven culture through a variety of special initiatives and regular communications channels. Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet. Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On February 26th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Pierre Ferrari, President and CEO of Heifer International about Heifer's initiatives for addressing hunger and poverty while helping to reinforce and build local communities in the process.

Pierre Ferrari was born in the Belgian Congo (today the Democratic Republic of Congo). Ferrari received a master’s degree in economics from The University of Cambridge and a Master's of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He joined Heifer with more than 40 years of business experience at companies like Coca-Cola USA, CARE and the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund.

"Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Our animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market. When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses."

Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.

Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On January 29th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Margaret Fenwick, Manager of Environment and Climate at the United Nations Global Compact, the UN’s corporate responsibility initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals. (over 12,000 participants in 170 countries). She will be discussing the UNGC's Caring for Climate program. Fenwick will discuss the UNGC's Caring for Climate program, which endeavors to help prevent a climate change crisis worldwide by mobilizing a critical mass of business leaders to implement and recommend climate change solutions and policies. The initiative helps companies to advance practical solutions, share experiences, inform public policy as well as shape public attitudes in an effort to mitigate a climate crisis. According to Bard MBA Director, Eban Goodstein, “Businesses have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to be at the forefront of developing climate change solutions.”Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On February 5th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Eric Henry, President of TS Designs. TS offers the most sustainable t-shirts and printing options on the planet. They use organic cotton, recycled materials and even an organic “dirt to shirt” grown and made in North Carolina shirts and use water based inks. They also use on site solar, wind and compost power to power much of their facilities.Eric has always had a heart for farming and gardening from a little kid- despite the fact he grew up in a large city. He started out thinking he would study agriculture – but his journey led him to cotton, shirts and sustainability. "Creating profitable, scalable businesses that respect all stake-holders is at the core of the Bard MBA's mission." Eban Goodstein, Director of the Bard MBA in SustainabilityJoin the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On December 18th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Susan Witt, Executive Director and Alice Maggio Local Currency Program Director, Schumacher Center for a New Economics when we will discuss a citizen-driven approach that uses “import replacement” as a strategy for local economic development.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On December 4th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Bill Compton, Vice President of EMS Operation, Grady EMS. Grady EMS is one of the largest providers of pre-hospital care in the southeast handling approximately 110,000 requests annually for emergency services dispatched at the appropriate life threatening response level as determined through Emergency Medical Dispatch.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On November 20th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Cristiano Resende De Oliveira, Sustainability Consultant at Fibria; Rochelle March, MS/MBA '15, Analyst at SustainAbility.Many companies that are flourishing financially today are inherently unsustainable. Despite laudable efforts to make their processes or products more sustainable, no amount of renewable energy sourcing or green product engineering, for example, can change that. There is an opportunity to do business differently, but it requires moving beyond mere product or process innovations for sustainability. SustainAbility’s latest research Model Behavior II: Strategies to Rewire Business outlines key forces influencing business model innovation for sustainability, the pivotal role of company culture to foster innovation, and distinct actions that internal innovators can undertake to advance the development of more sustainable business models. Featuring in-depth case studies about large, multinational companies, this report demonstrates how Fortune 500 companies can innovate their business models for sustainability. The first case study is that of Fibria, a multinational pulp and paper company that has successfully changed company mindsets about how to use its forest assets, and is diversifying to become a sustainable land and forest steward. Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On November 6th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Lev Natan, Sacred Business Coach, The Medicine Tree about leading from your legacy.What does it mean to have a legacy? How do we consciously create a legacy and walk it out into the world? Why is it so important to be thinking in terms of legacy at this time in our world, and how does it relate to business, leadership, and sustainability? Lev Natan is certified both as an Empowerment Life Coach and Integrative Sound and Music Practitioner, and works with change-makers, pioneers, innovators, natural leaders and trailblazers who are devoted to growing the emerging culture through a sustainable livelihood, and are striving to ground their visionary ideas into practical plans that embody the essence of their purpose. As a Sacred Business Coach, he works with entrepreneurs & solo practitioners on heart-centered visioning, action plans, messaging & program development; business-owners & their teams on leadership, collective vision planning, and creating an inspiring work culture; organizational & corporate professionals on infusing their work with their calling or making the transition to their life’s work full-time; and retired professionals on creating a legacy of contribution to the future.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On October 30th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Arlin Wasserman, founder of Changing Tastes on sustainability in food systems.Changing Tastes is a consultancy that helps it clients find opportunity and realize value at the intersection of the five major drivers of change in our food system: sustainability, public health, information technology, demographics and the changing role of the culinary professional. The firm’s insights are the basis for the strategy, innovation, sustainability and performance management services it provides to Fortune 500 and growth stage food companies, public and private investors, and nongovernmental organizations.Arlin also is chair of the Sustainable Business Leadership Council for Menus of Change, a joint initiative of the Culinary Institute of America and the Harvard School of Public Health and a fellow at the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability at the Virginia Polytechnic University.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On October 2nd, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Saskia van Gendt, Greenskeeping Manager for Method Home. Method Home makes beautiful cleaning products that are as kind to the planet as they are tough on dirt. The company recently opened the industry’s first LEED-platinum certified plant in the South Side of Chicago. Join us to learn more about how Method is setting the standard for clean manufacturing.Saskia is Captain Planet for Method Products PBC based in San Francisco, California. Method designs cleaning and personal care products that work for people and the planet. With a background in lifecycle analysis and systems thinking, Saskia applies the science of sustainability with the strategy of business to influence and improve all aspects of company operations. She leads greenskeeping projects for North America covering packaging, ingredients, supply chain, green building, and third-party certifications through Cradle to Cradle and B Corp. Prior to Method, Saskia led material sustainability projects in packaging and green building at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Dial in: 845-746-2287 (no need to enter a pin to join the call)Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On September 25th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Catherine Sheehy, Program Manager from UL Environment. UL advances the recognition of sustainable products and drives purchaser clarity by bringing trusted transparency to the green marketplace. We will explore the shifting landscape and growing importance of independent safety science as we enter a world filled with new, more sustainable technologies.Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Dial in: 845-746-2287 (no need to enter a pin to join the call)Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On September 4th, Bard MBA in Sustainability spoke with Manoj Fenelon, Director of Foresight & Innovation for PepsiCo about The Gospel of Doubt.In a world teeming with answers, Manoj helps ask good questions that catalyze and channel collective imagination. He has a graduate degree in the study of emotion and has absorbed lessons from experiences across advertising, academia, market research, business strategy, insights and innovation (none of which approach the educational value of starting and running a foresight practice at the world’s 44th biggest company). Manoj is also a First Mover (Intrapreneurship) Fellow at the Aspen Institute, and believes that business – oriented purposefully – can be a net asset to society. Join the Bard MBA in Sustainability program for our twice-monthly dial-in podcast series over your lunchtime featuring sustainability leaders from the New York City area and across the planet.Dial in: 845-746-2287 (no need to enter a pin to join the call)Sustainable Business Fridays convenes every first and fourth Friday of the month during the semester, with special guests selected by students in the Bard MBA in Sustainability program.

On May 1st we spoke with Baldev Duggal, founder and CEO of Lumi•Solair about art and technology for sustainability.

On March 27th we spoke with Jeffrey Amoscato, Vice President of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation, Shake Shack about Hospitality and Supply Chain For Good Check out the Shake Shack, Stand for Something Good blog:

"We stand for something good in everything we do, which also means thoughtful and sustainable design of every Shack, community support through donations and programming, and hand-picked music played in each Shack (because a burger tastes a little better with good tunes)."

Jeff holds an AOS in Culinary Arts and a BA in Food and Beverage Management, both from the New England Culinary Institute

On March 6th we will be discussing corporate sustainability reporting, assurrance and compliance with Kristen Sullivan from Deloitte US.Recently in an interview in the Wall Street Journal about challenges facing CFO's, conflict minerals and the SEC's Conflict Minerals rule, Sullivan had this to say in response the the question, WSJ: "What are you telling CFOs where to begin and what are some of the implementation issues they face?"KS: "In addition to finance, the group should include representatives from legal, procurement, supply chain, sustainability, public policy and investor relations to support the effort from a governance structure. From CFOs’ perspective, such broad representation may provide them confidence that they’ve taken the appropriate measures and are in a position to conclude and report in the filings."

The Roundary is a podcast, blog, social media, and live event platform dedicated to fostering ideas, stories, and discussions around climate and sustainability. We hope that these conversations come full circle, shaping solutions and improving lives. Launch party event Saturday March 14, 8:30 - 10:30 in the Bard MBA in Sustainability classroom 1150 6th Avenue, 5th Floor between 44th & 45th St. RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-roundary-podcast-launch-tickets-16002504923 The show premiers on 3/15/15 on iTunes and other podcast apps, as well as from our website, www.theroundary.com

Urmi Basu is a woman of few means, facing staggering need, but her mission is clear. In her work with New Light, a nonprofit organization in Kolkata, India, that works to save girls from becoming victims of sexual exploitation and to improve lives of the children of sex workers. She is dedicated to correcting wrongs, one at a time."On a global scale the problem of prostitution is so complex and huge that I would be completely overwhelmed if I think about it." Urmi says. "I choose to reduce the aperture of my vision and concentrate my energy only on things that I can do."

Peter Boyd formally of the Carbon War Room (recently awarded NGO of the Year at the Business Green Leadership Awards) and now a Senior Advisor with the B Team.

The main goal of Mark Z. Jacobson's research is to understand physical, chemical, and dynamical processes in the atmosphere better in order to solve atmospheric problems, such as global warming and urban air pollution, with improved scientific insight and more accurate predictive tools. He also evaluates the atmospheric and health effects of proposed energy- and transportation solutions to global warming and air pollution, maps renewable energy resources, and studies optimal methods of integrating renewable electricity into the grid.

Al Iannuzzi, Senior Director of Worldwide Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at Johnson & Johnson12:00 pm – 1:00 pmAl is a Senior Director in the Worldwide Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability department at Johnson & Johnson where he directs the Global Product Stewardship and Green Marketing programs. He has over 30 years experience in the EHS field and leads Johnson & Johnson’s EARTHWARDS® greener product design approach, product stewardship objectives of the Healthy Future 2015 sustainability goals, green marketing, and emerging issues programs. Prior to J&J, Al worked for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and at an environmental consulting firm. Al received his Ph.D. degree in Environmental Policy from the Union Institute & University in Cincinnati where he researched EHS self-regulation programs. He is the author of the books, Greener Products: the Making & Marketing of Sustainable Brands (CRC Press 2011) and “Industry Self-Regulation and Voluntary Environmental Compliance” (CRC Press, 2002) and has written numerous articles and blogs on product stewardship and environmental compliance.

As Head of Sustainability for JetBlue, Sophia Mendelsohn is responsible for both the long-term vision of corporate responsibility and the operational reality of implementing change. Through change-management, Sophia has worked to bring composting to airports and established a recycling system that connects more than 50 airports and 800 flights a day… including the offsetting of over two-hundred million pounds of carbon.

Dale Sands is a Senior Vice President and Global Practice Director at AECOM and most recently spent two years as AECOM’s Environment Business Line Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Dale was appointed Vice Chair of the United Nations Private Sector Advisory Group for Disaster Reduction, and led AECOM’s collaborative partnership with IBM in developing the Climate Change “Resilient Cities” Scorecard for the UN. In his EMEA Managing Director role, Dale successfully launched AECOM’s Environment business in Africa and re-established the Environment business in the Middle East. As a Global Environmental Practices Director, Dale will continue to lead AECOM’s global technical experts in Air and Environmental Health & Safety Compliance Services, Impact Assessment & Permitting, Remediation, and the Emerging Technologies of Climate Adaption, Nanotechnology, Acoustics, Process Engineering, and Geographic Information Systems.

Lew Blaustein writes at the intersection of sustainabilty and sports at the GreenSportsBlog. Lew is President of Lewis Brand Solutions, focusing on Green Sponsorship/Media, matching greening brands with green properties. All programs LBS works on must provide tangible environmental benefit as a core element. LBS also develops marketing/sponsorship programs for arts/entertainment properties. Lew also hosts "Green Gotham" on New York cable television.

Libby Bernick is Senior Vice President of North America for Trucost, a London-based firm that measures and financially values natural capital. Since 2000, corporations and Investors have used Trucost data and econometric tools to uncover more resilient business models and direct the flow of capital to more sustainable systems. As a member of Trucost’s senior leadership team, she manages the company’s North American business. Libby has worked in executive positions developing products and programs that enable companies to measure resource and commodity risks in portfolios and supply chains across North America, Europe, and Asia. An author of numerous articles and a frequent speaker at international industry forums on valuing natural capital, Bernick is expert in business strategies that incorporate sustainability-based market opportunities and environmental metrics. Ms. Bernick has degrees in engineering, chemistry and biology and over 30 years of experience working with businesses to integrate environmental performance into operations and decision-making

Derek Handley is an entrepreneur, author and investor embedding the B-Team vision of people, planet and profit into everything he does: the businesses he works with, the networks he’s involved with, and in New Zealand, the country he calls home. He is currently the B Team’s Entrepreneur in Residence, designing a new venture that aims to solve social issues and set new benchmarks in how we treat our people and our planet, at the same time as making money in an innovative and exciting way. He is also an Adjunct Executive Professor at AUT University, Chair and Co-Founder of NZX-listed Snakk Media, a Director at Sky Television, a New Zealand Arts Foundation Trustee, and an Astronaut-in-Waiting at Virgin Galactic.

On September 5th, we talked with Christine Bader, author; visiting scholar and lecturer at Columbia University; and human rights advisor to BSR. She discussed her new book When Girl Meets Oil: Evolution of A Corporate Idealist. The New York TImes calls it “Thought-provoking... if the book doesn’t leave one convinced that every multinational has suddenly developed a guiding conscience, it does offer some encouragement that many are on the way."

On May 2nd, we talked with Roger Frank, Managing Director and Founder, Innovare Advisors. Roger Frank is a capital markets pioneer. Building on his work in international and emerging markets and microfinance, he founded Innovare in 2009. Previously he was a partner at Developing World Markets (DWM) which he joined in 2004.

On April 25th, we talked with Jeana Wirtenberg, Ph.D, who is President and CEO of Transitioning to Green. Her company helps companies and organizations mainstream sustainability into all aspects of their corporate culture. Based on original research in her new book, Building a Culture for Sustainability, Jeana will share stories and practical insights about how nine companies are finding ways to move sustainability from CEO-level concept to everyday action and everyday outcomes. Drawing on more than 20 years of her own research, teaching, and front-line experience in HR, she pulls all those pieces together to deliver practical advice to large and small organizations on how to begin or accelerate their own transitions to long-term sustainability.

Building a Culture for Sustainability: People, Planet, and Profits in a New Green Economy

On April 4th, we talked with Tom Polton, the Senior Director of Product Stewardship within Pfizer's Global Environment, Health, and Safety Platform. In 2010, Tom Polton was appointed to lead Pfizer's Environmental Sustainability program. Together with his responsibilities for Product Stewardship, he is engaged in an effort to manage Pfizer’s environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle.

On March 28th, we talked with Dave Stangis, VP Public Affairs & Corporate Responsibility, Campbell Soup Company. Campbell's is the world's largest soup manufacturer, and comprises other brands such as Pepperidge Farm, V8, Pace, Prego and Swanson. Campbell's is also recognized as a sustainability leader: according to Strangis, "We are focused on delivering business value by reducing our carbon footprint, promoting a sustainable environment and making a meaningful contribution to the workplace, marketplace and community."

We're talking with David J. Tulauskas, Director of Sustainability for General Motors Co. Dave will focus on his team's efforts to further embed sustainability into GM's business through activities such as goal setting and sustainability reporting.

On February 28th, we're talking with Toby Usnik of Christie's, a fine art auction house, who will be speaking about launching inaugural CSR campaigns within one of the world's oldest companies.

Rob Bennet, Founder and CEO of EcoDistricts is a recognized leader in the sustainable cities movement with 14 years of direct experience shaping municipal sustainable development projects and policy at the intersection of city planning, real estate development, economic development and environmental policy. Before EcoDistricts, Rob worked for two of North America’s most innovative cities, Vancouver, BC and Portland, Ore., and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation, where he provided technical assistance to cities throughout North America in the areas of climate change reductions and building performance policy.

This week, we're talking with Lewis Fix of Domtar. During his tenure as VP Sustainable Business & Brand Management, Lewis first recognized the need for sustainable practices from a market perspective; customers were demanding more sustainable paper products. To help differentiate Domtar in a commoditized industry, Lewis helped lead several initiatives, including third party certifications of forests and the supply chain, collaborating with ENGOs, marketing, branding and communications, and establishing grassroots initiatives within Domtar to further advance employee engagement.

We’re talking with Amy Hall, the Director of Social Consciousness at Eileen Fisher. A pacesetter in sustainability in the fashion industry, the company sees “business as a movement” and prioritizes its Social Consciousness Initiatives, which support community, supply chain and environment in ways that impact women’s lives directly.

Bill Thomas is the Global Head of Sustainability for HSBC. HSBC created a Sustainability Leadership Program to help their senior leaders understand the impact of climate change around the world. It is designed and run in partnership with the international environmental charity Earthwatch to empower their employees to make sustainable changes. They are also putting sustainability into practice with a number of environmental efficiency programs.

Isaac Hirt-Manheimer, director of the Sankofa Eco-Arts Village, is a serial entrepreneur, in the fields ecologically sound housing, permaculture and the arts.

Tamra Ryan, CEO of The Women's Bean Project

Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship at Clif Bar joined us on October 4th for a conversation about Clif Bar's innovative corporate strategy. Click here to read about the conversation.

David Fenton, CEO and founder of Fenton Communications, joined us for a conversation of the role of public relations in effectively communicating about climate change and other social issues. To read a short blog post about this conversation, click here.