Lead The Change

Sustainable Business Fridays: "The Movement Towards Redefining the Role of Business for Society and Our Planet"

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.

"Girl Meets Oil: The Making of a Corporate Idealist"

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."

Sustainable Business Fridays: Micro-Finance and Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

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. 

Sustainable Business Fridays: The Next Big Step: Building a Culture for Sustainability

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. 

Sustainable Business Fridays: Pfizer’s Green Journey: The Path to a Sustainable Future

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. 

Sustainable Business Fridays: Integrating Sustainability as a Core Business Strategy

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."

Sustainable Business Fridays: From Good to Great at GM

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.

 

Sustainable Business Fridays: Launching a CSR Program

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.

Sustainable Business Fridays: EcoDistricts: Revitalizing Cities From the Neighborhood Up

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.

Sustainable Business Fridays: Domtar's Journey as "The Sustainable Paper Company"

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.