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Sam Shiroff is the Senior Director of Global Sustainability for EnerSys. A multibillion-dollar business serving over 10,000 customers in 100 countries, EnerSys is an industrial technology leader offering stored energy solutions that meet the growing need for energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. The company’s purpose is “Powering the Future, Everywhere for Everyone”. Sam combines 20+ years of international corporate ESG, sustainability, and community relations experience with a deep knowledge of carbon finance, energy efficiency, and the nonprofit world. Sam has held leadership roles in sustainability at nonprofit organizations and companies including Bosch, Deutsche Bank, and Signet Jewelers. He was a Fulbright Scholar to Germany, has an MBA, a Creating Shared Value (CSV) accreditation from Harvard Business School, is a LEED Green Associate, and is Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) accredited. In this episode, we discuss: ●      The role of batteries in transitioning to a renewable energy future ●      The enormous electronic vehicle market you never considered ●      An unexpected gold standard case study in the circular economy Key Takeaways: ●      Climate Tech – A Marriage of Growth and Sustainability. It's so cool to see companies—like EnerSys—whose business success is intrinsically linked to reducing carbon emissions. Their success is a barometer of our collective progress in battling climate change. The more we excel in this fight, the more they thrive. What if all companies had their individual thriving tied to our collective thriving? How would the world look differently? This is a model of growth that raises all boats with the tide. ●      The Ebb and Flow of Energy Consumption. I loved the description on how the power grid works—it's an exercise of balance, matching the energy poured in with what's drawn out. Consumer demand for energy is not consistent throughout the day, which is a challenge, but it’s also cool to note that people are using the most energy during the day,  and when solar energy is available. It’s neat that our own productive cycle mirrors nature’s in this area. ●      The Many Gifts of Environmental Reporting. Sam's insights into environmental reporting sheds light on its multifaceted benefits within organizations. It's not just about compliance or public image; it's a tool that crystallizes sustainability strategies. It aligns teams on key metrics, sets benchmarks, and maps out ambitious goals. More importantly, it ensures a consistent focus on long-term progress and keeps the entire team engaged in the sustainability journey. When done right, environmental reporting acts as a compass guiding organizations towards a greener, more responsible future. References: ●      Connect with Sam on LinkedIn ●      EnerSys ●      International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) ●      Ridwell ●      Call2Recycle ●      Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) ●      Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) ●      United Nations Global Compact  Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them!  If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibility to these leaders that are using business as a force for good! Subscribe to the Purpose and Profit newsletter to make sure you don’t miss future episodes. This podcast is for you, the listener. I’d love to hear what resonated with you, or if you have a suggestion on who would be a great guest for this show. Please send me a note at [email protected].

Amelia Nickerson is the CEO of First Step Staffing, an organization that connects people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and recently incarcerated individuals to sustainable employment and income. The First Step team has created an ecosystem for success, coordinating closely with other nonprofits to help provide clients with resources and services such as housing, healthcare, childcare resources, transportation, food, and clothing needs to develop a stable path out of poverty and homelessness. First Step has successfully replicated the Atlanta-based model they started in 2007 to become the largest nonprofit staffing agency in the U.S., with operations in seven states. They employ more than 1,900 individuals weekly and in 2022, 75 percent of their staffing placements were actively experiencing homelessness, and 25 percent were recently incarcerated.  In this episode, we discuss: ●      Untapped talent waiting to fill your labor shortage ●      The power of solving social challenges through a business framework ●      The importance of avoiding mission creep Key Takeaways: ●      Blending Worlds – Nonprofits and Businesses Learning Together. Imagine a nonprofit moving with the agility and strategic growth mindset of a tech startup, reaching more people, creating greater impact. Now picture a corporate giant, inspired by the heart and purpose of a grassroots organization, igniting passion and commitment in its team. This is the essence of cross-sector learning. Nonprofits using business strategies can scale their impact, ensuring their cause isn't just a flash in the pan but an enduring beacon of change. On the flip side, businesses adopting a nonprofit’s purpose-driven approach can see a transformation in their workforce. It's like adding a soul to the corporate machine; employees are no longer just working for a paycheck, but for a purpose. This cross-pollination of approaches between nonprofits and businesses isn't just beneficial—it's a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth and genuine engagement. ●      Reframing Challenges into Opportunities. How we frame a situation can transform it. Take, for instance, the employment of individuals with past criminal records. Viewing this as businesses benefiting from the untapped potential of these individuals, rather than doing them a favor, shifts the entire narrative. The statistics are compelling—$87 billion in GDP is lost from 1.9 million workers excluded due to criminal backgrounds. The unemployment and underemployment rates for formerly incarcerated individuals are staggering, and yet, those who find employment have a 70% lower rate of recidivism (i.e. reentering the prison system). They’re not just employees; they often become dedicated, fast-learning members of the workforce. It’s about changing the story from charity to opportunity, from exclusion to economic empowerment, from broken communities to thriving lives. ●      The Power of a Focused Purpose. There's a lesson to be learned from the Swiss army knife: trying to do everything can mean excelling at nothing. In business and life, it's easy to stretch yourself too thin when attempting to be a multi-tool. However, true effectiveness comes from honing in on your core purpose and core skills. Follow the example of First Step Staffing, and avoid mission creep.  Stick to your core focus and you'll not only do it well, you'll do it exceptionally. This approach is the key to making a meaningful impact. References: ●      Connect with Amelia on LinkedIn ●      First Step Staffing  Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibilit

Ken Cook is the president and co-founder of Environmental Working Group (EWG), whose mission is to empower individuals with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment. EWG lives its mission by empowering American families with easy-to-use, data-driven tools to help reduce their exposure to potentially harmful ingredients in everyday products like foods, personal care products, cosmetics, and cleaning products.   Ken testifies regularly before House and Senate committees, and for the past 20 years has briefed top White House officials and every U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator on EWG’s research and policy positions. In the 1990s, EWG’s research was a major factor in the passage of the landmark pesticide reform law, the Food Quality Protection Act.  In this episode, we discuss: ●      Why products containing harmful ingredients are sold in retail outlets across the USA ●      The changing landscape of environmental policy in the USA ●      The power of the Internet to create transparency and empower consumer choice  Key Takeaways: ●      Investing in Progress, Not Stagnation - I wonder about the mountains of money poured into lobbying since 1996 to keep industries unregulated, clinging to a harmful status quo. Imagine, for a moment, if those funds were instead channeled into innovating for a better future. Where we direct our resources is a choice between stagnation and evolution. It's high time we bravely choose to evolve, not just for our sake but for the generations to come, shaping a legacy that’s woven together with pride and progress. ●      Toxic Products – A Call for Responsibility - It’s wild to me that a lot of products on store shelves contain known toxic ingredients. Known carcinogens as ingredients. The burden of screening products for safety should not be placed on the consumer, it should be placed on the government setting regulations that make toxic-free products a bare minimum before something can be sold. And the accountability should be placed on business leaders, ensuring consumer safety is standard practice.  ●      California Leading the Charge in US Product Safety - California's recent legislative victories in banning harmful chemicals in cosmetics are a beacon of hope and a call to action. With Governor Newsom's approval of legislation banning 26 toxic chemicals in 2023, following the landmark Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act of 2020, California is trailblazing personal care product safety. When the federal government lags, states like California step up. As the largest economy in the USA, California's laws can create a domino effect. If a company has to innovate safer products for California, those safer products will probably be sold in all states. But let's be clear: we've only scratched the surface. When you compare California’s legislation to the European Union's ban on nearly 2,000 chemicals in personal care products, it's evident that our journey towards safer products is just beginning.  References: ●      Connect with Ken on LinkedIn ●      Environmental Working Group ○      Skin Deep database ○      Healthy Living App ○      EWG Verified ●      Natural Resources Defense Council ●      Environmental Defense Fund ●      World Wildlife Fund ●      EPA page on the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment ●      Henry Rose Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibility to these leaders that are using business as a force for good! Subscribe to the Purpose and Profit newslett

Marissa Fayer is the founder and CEO of HERhealthEQ, a global non-profit with the mission to improve women’s health in developing countries by providing access to medical devices & equipment, creating an equitable standard of care. Here are two 2020 statistics from the World Health Organization that highlight the inequitable standard of care for women in developing countries that HERhealthEQ is trying to combat: ●       90% of cervical cancer and related deaths worldwide occurred in low- and middle-income countries ●      approximately 95% of all maternal deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries, and most could have been prevented
  Marissa has spent the last 22 years growing medical device companies into world-class organizations through improvements in their operations, implementation of new innovations, connections to capital sources, and creation of more sustainable impact-driven organizations. She is a strategic advisor, board member, and executive leader of several venture-backed private companies. Marissa is also a UCSC Miller Center Social Entrepreneur Fellow and has been listed as one of the Top 100 Women in Medtech.  In this episode, we discuss: ●      Why HERhealthEQ is focused on noncommunicable diseases ●      The counterintuitive healthcare consequences of foreign aid ending as a developing country grows its economy ●      The importance of strategic partners in creating change Key Takeaways: ●      While we often spotlight sustainability in business, focusing on financial, social, and environmental sustainability, it's crucial to turn this lens inward and consider personal sustainability. This is about finding that sweet spot where what we do aligns with what we love and what we're good at. This harmony is the antidote to burnout. It's about not just being a cog in a machine, but being a vibrant, contributing part of a meaningful pursuit. Working towards something that resonates with our values and beliefs isn’t just fulfilling; it's personally sustaining and personally regenerative. ●      There's a curious magic in the act of paying, even a token amount, for something. It's like a psychological switch that flips our perception of value. When people invest in something, even minimally, they're more likely to use and appreciate it. This principle is a fundamental human truth that applies to products and services. Charging a fee isn't just a business strategy; it can be a way to ensure engagement and respect for what's being offered. ●      Amazon famously paid zero federal income taxes in 2018, despite an $11.2 billion profit. They achieved this through completely legal tax strategies: heavily reinvesting profits back into the business, which allows for tax deductions; utilizing tax credits, especially for research and development; paying employees with stock options, which can offer tax advantages; and carrying forward financial losses from unprofitable years to offset taxes in profitable years. It feels unfair that a successful company can avoid federal income tax, which supports the common good for a nation including roads, infrastructure, emergency services, and education. However, I love the idea that corporations should only be eligible to enjoy certain tax benefits if they demonstrably contribute to society or the planet. It's about modifying our systems to align financial success with ethical responsibility, transforming business from a mere profit-making entity to a force for positive change.  References: ●      Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn ●      “How to ensure social enterprises have an impact”, TEDxLugano ●      HERhealthEQ ●      Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières  Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes

Carrie Freeman is the Chair of the SecondMuse Group,  which includes SecondMuse, the SecondMuse Foundation, and SecondMuse Capital. Carrie is also the Interim Executive Director for the SecondMuse Foundation, a non-profit focusing on advocating for building relational wealth as an approach to building inclusive and resilient economies. SecondMuse focuses on the design, development, and implementation of innovative programming that seeks to benefit people and protect the planet. Over the last decade, SecondMuse has designed and implemented programs on 7 continents with 600+ organizations such as NASA, The World Bank, and Goldman Sachs. SecondMuse’s initiatives have delivered the following impact: accelerating 200 + ventures annually; prototyping 50,000+ solutions; enabling $575M investment to supported ventures, with 80% still in business; and generating $10B in social and environmental impact.  Under Carrie’s leadership, SecondMuse won numerous awards including the Reuters Responsible Business Award, Real Leaders Most Impactful Leaders, and the YPO Global Impact Award. In this episode, we discuss: ●      The importance of collaboration in solving complex challenges ●      How the timeline of change can determine who the best change partners are ●      The role of intersectionality in systems change Key Takeaways: ●      Navigating the labyrinth of tax and accounting systems is a Herculean task for trailblazing organizations that are marrying commerce with compassion. It's akin to a team of adventurers channeling all their might into deciphering an ancient map, only to have no energy left after deciphering it. This bureaucratic quagmire siphons away the zest they could pour into sculpting a brighter world. As we build a new vision of what a thriving economy, society, and planet means, we need to consider the new types of organizations required to create and sustain that vision. Then, we need to create the systems that allow these new organizational structures to not only exist, but thrive. ●      Think of how easy it is for a kid who grows up in a wealthy neighborhood to snag a great internship through family connections—it's like having a VIP pass to the front of the line. Now think of a kid from a regular family, who doesn't have that golden ticket—it's like they're stuck in the line that barely moves. This is just one way life isn't fair. But when we become aware of the value of networks, and the inherent inequity in opportunities caused by networks, we’re able to build solutions that bridge the equity gap. Only then can we find ways to share these VIP passes around so everyone gets a shot at the good opportunities. ●      Getting people to come together for a common goal is like lighting a fire that everyone wants to gather around. Carrie talked about the work SecondMuse does to build networks, community, and solutions around a shared objective. The shared objective is the fire. It’s the call to action. This same principle is also powerful inside a company. When you establish a purpose beyond profit for your company, you invite employees and consumers to join a movement that’s bigger than themselves. Your purpose acts as a magnet, attracting employees and consumers with aligned values. This shifts the relationship from transactional to emotional and meaningful.  References: ●      Connect with Carrie on LinkedIn ●      SecondMuse ●      SecondMuse Capital ●      SecondMuse Foundation ●      NASA International Space Apps Challenge ●      Circulate Initiative ●      Circulate Capital Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to se

Since 2023, Rukaiyah Adams has served as CEO of the 1803 Fund, an innovative firm that seeks to grow shared prosperity through the alignment of financial investments and investments in community-based organizations. It is not a conventional investment firm, and it is not traditional philanthropy—its work includes aspects of both and is ultimately about ‘investing for the people’. Rukaiyah has been a pioneer in socially responsible investing, establishing key frameworks in the field. Previously she was CIO at Meyer Memorial Trust, where she spent 8 years growing the foundation’s assets under management to more than $1 billion. Rukaiyah has also managed a $6.5 billion fund at The Standard and chaired the Oregon Investment Council, the board that manages approximately $100 billion of public pension and other assets for the State of Oregon. During her time as chair, the Oregon state pension fund was among the top-performing public pension funds in the United States.  Rukaiyah holds a BA from Carleton College, a JD from Stanford Law, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode, we discuss: ●      A need to move away from putting bandaids on broken systems and move toward building new systems with awareness and intention ●      The problem inherent in reacting versus responding ●      The gifts of awareness that 2020 brought Key Takeaways: ●      The legacy of African Americans serving as the "original capital" in America is a deep stain on our history. It’s a narrative that's still being wrestled with today. Rukaiyah explained it well: Imagine moving from being an object in the economic system to being a subject in control of it. Moving from being chess pieces to becoming the players. With the lens of being players in control, let’s look at the term “capitalism”. The word "capital" isn't just about dollars; it encapsulates the value and benefits you bring to the table through your skills, energy, and time. Think of it as the ink in your personal narrative. The "ism" suffix? It converts the noun “capital” into action, practice, and process. No matter who you are, or what narrative society has tried to force on you, it’s worth asking yourself: what story do you want to help write with your ink?  How do you want to use your inherent capital to contribute to—or reshape—existing narratives? What practices do you want to support, and where can you build something better than we ever imagined possible? ●      Language isn't just a collection of words and grammar; it's the very framework that shapes our perceptions and dreams. If your aspirations are so grand that no existing term captures their magnitude, then it's time to create new language. Once that new language is in place, it acts like a bridge, facilitating collaboration and sparking movements. Then we can evaluate the systems that support this new dream and identify those that act as roadblocks. Language shapes the way we think and defines the boundaries of our dreams; it's a tool for both reflection and revolution. ●      Discomfort is a precursor to growth. Much like a toddler learning to walk, stepping into unfamiliar territory is bound to involve stumbles and moments of frustration. But it's within this discomfort and uncertainty that expansion takes root. When you stretch beyond your current boundaries, knowledge, and capabilities, you're essentially investing in your future. And the currency? It's your newfound growth and abilities. Discomfort always precedes expansion; it's the gritty, less Instagrammable side of personal development. Yet, it's precisely in navigating this discomfort that your new capabilities evolve and eventually become as natural as walking.  References: ●      Connect with Rukaiyah on LinkedIn ●      1803 Fund ●      “A Love Letter to Portland, OR”, Rukaiyah’s 2nd TEDx talk ●      “Homegirls’

Mary Harvey is an accomplished sports governance and sustainability executive with 15+ years of leading worldwide initiatives to achieve societal change and gender equity through sports. As Chief Executive of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Mary oversees the Centre’s vision, including facilitating the deliberations of the Centre’s multi-stakeholder Advisory Council, operational and financial management, stakeholder engagement, and good governance. Prior to leading the Centre of Sport and Human Rights, as a FIFA executive, Mary pushed for gender inclusion during a period of organizational reform. She also served as a sport envoy for the US State Department’s Sports Diplomacy Division, and as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Green Sports Alliance.  Mary’s work has improved the empowerment of girls and women, inclusion of marginalized groups, stewardship of the environment, and achievement of health and educational objectives.  A lifelong athlete, Mary enjoyed an 8-year career with the US Women’s National Soccer Team, winning the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991 and Olympic Gold in 1996.   In this episode, we discuss: ●      Why the protection of human rights is needed in sports ●      The true heroes who are raising awareness of human rights violations in sports ●      How businesses can help push for human rights reforms through sport  Key Takeaways: ●      Awareness is where change starts. Simply put, we can't fix problems we don't know about. When we become aware of issues, like injustice or inequality, we begin to understand the need to address them. It's like a lightbulb turning on, showing us where things are going wrong. This understanding helps us take action to make things better. This is why whistleblowers are so important. Once we know about a problem and understand it, we can work together to find solutions and create a better world for everyone. ●      The importance of truly understanding a problem before trying to fix it. While this is true in each area of life, it’s especially true when dealing with social problems like human rights abuses. Social problems are complicated. As Mary mentions, you need to get input from every perspective,  think very carefully about what you’re trying to do, who you’re trying to help, and what your collective understanding of a desired outcome is. ●      Every voice matters in the pursuit of human rights, especially for the most vulnerable among us. The movement to codify human rights in sports is new, but the truth is we need to look for how to protect human rights in every corner of society. It is not just a moral duty but an act of humanity to ensure that every individual, irrespective of their status, feels the protection of rights, respect, and dignity. To successfully disrupt systems that allow for violations and abuses will require collective action and accountability. Every individual deserves an existence in which justice is not a privilege but a universal reality.   References: ●      The Centre for Spot and Human Rights is developing a new series produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Production. The series will launch in 2024 and will feature documentary-style short films exploring critical issues on the sport and human rights agenda. ●      Connect with Mary on LinkedIn ●      Centre for Sport and Human Rights ●      International Labour Organization (ILO) ●      “For the Game. For the World.” FIFA and Human Rights by John G. Ruggie ●      U.S. Center for SafeSport ●      Council on Foreign Relations page on the kafala system ●      Building and Wood Worker’s International (BWI)  Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping

Maximilian Winter is the Founder and General Partner at Harmonix Fund as well as a fourth-generation entrepreneur. Having successfully deployed two funds, Maximilian has invested in over 40 early-stage companies, resulting in an enterprise valuation of $5 billion. Maximilian invests in scalable technological breakthroughs to advance human health and scientific progress. This includes improving healthcare, accelerating life sciences, and helping create deep tech infrastructures—the building blocks for a healthy civilization.  Maximilian's commitment to societal betterment extends to The Winter Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization he co-founded with his brother, Alexander Winter. In this episode, we discuss: ●      Challenges embedded in our current healthcare system ●      Science-fiction-sounding advances in bioresearch ●      How life’s biggest hurdles can shape an individual's path and purpose Key Takeaways: ●      The metrics we choose to measure, in our lives and in our companies, often turn into the foundation for how we define success. Unfortunately, we’ve defaulted to the easiest-to-measure metric: money. When this metric isn’t attached to anything meaningful, it rings hollow and causes the question, “Isn’t there more to life than this?” to play on repeat as we sit through soulless meeting after soulless meeting. But real success is more complicated and nuanced. Real success asks us to dig deeper with questions like: Are you making a positive impact? Are you giving more than you’re taking? Are you acting with integrity?  Are you creating a future that’s better because you existed?   How would your relationship with work change if you changed the metric you used to measure success?  What if you were measuring how many lives you improved, how many endangered species you saved, or how many tons of plastic you diverted? If these questions awaken something in you, then consider where—in your life or business—you can start tracking metrics that align with your values. ●      Venture Capital has the ability to foreshadow our future because financiers are investing in the companies they believe will shape industries, or create new industries. They are placing a bet on what the future will look like. What if collectively we only invested in companies that not only have a potential financial return, but that are also designed to improve people, society, and the planet? What if we agreed on impact metrics to intentionally stack the investment deck, and ensure the future will be better? ●      Maximilian asked about my experience with our healthcare system. While I was in the Peace Corp, I was in a fatal bus accident. I lost a friend and I sustained a lot of injuries. I have a spiderweb of fractures spanning 7 bones in my face. One of the fractures splintered and punctured my brain lining, causing me to leak brain fluid out of my nose. I was in a hospital in Mocorro for two weeks until it was safe to fly me to the USA for medical treatment. I was lucky that my subsequent surgery to patch the hole in my brain lining was covered by workers' compensation. If it hadn’t been, I would have had mountains of medical debt. The fact that in the USA you can not only have the misfortune of a serious illness or injury, but on top of that be saddled with financial ruin, highlights a very broken system.  References: Connect with Maximilian on LinkedIn Harmonix Population Services International (PSI) Development Innovation Ventures at USAID 3D Systems (parent of Volumetric) Peter Attia’s website Fritz Winter  Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend.

Walden Lam is the co-founder and CEO of unspun, whose mission is to reduce global human carbon emissions by 1%. To get there, unspun is focused on zero-waste production and circular reuse for clothing. In their aim to remake the fashion industry, unspun had to remake how clothes are made. They started with digital fit jeans, and then created VEGA, a 3D weaving technology that changes how clothes are made to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and make clothes easier to recycle back into raw materials. unspun is also a certified B corp.  Prior to founding unspun, Walden led growth strategies at Lululemon, worked with innovative companies at IDEO, and invested in early-stage ventures.  I learned about unspun through Unreasonable Ventures, and in full transparency, I was so impressed with the change they’re trying to create in the retail industry that my husband and I became investors in the company.   In this episode, we discuss: ●      How a truly ambitious goal can require a foundation of collaboration ●      the waste problem at the heart of the global fashion industry ●      What retail can learn from the local food movement Key Takeaways: ●      As the unspun website says, “It's a simple enough idea. Start with thousands of individual yarns, and directly weave them into seamless 3D textiles. Think 3D knitting... but 10X faster and 5X cheaper. By skipping entire steps in the conventional cut-and-sew process, Vega™ opens the door to an entirely new world of on-shore and on-demand production for woven apparel.” ●      Oversight of a global supply chain for a single company can be very difficult because so much of the production process for a single product is outsourced to other companies. It's not uncommon for clothing items to pass through the hands of 20 to 50 different suppliers, manufacturers, and intermediaries from the raw material stage (e.g., fabric production) to the finished product (e.g., retail distribution). When modern-day slavery or other issues show up in a company’s global supply chain, they are (and should be) held accountable. But it’s important to realize it can be difficult to monitor. What’s unique about unspun is they take the raw material of yarn and turn it into a finished product, all under one roof. As a partner to other clothing brands, unspun’s model drastically simplifies supply chain oversight. ●      California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to sign two landmark climate-related disclosure bills into law. The bills will require large companies in the US to disclose their full value chain emissions and report on climate-related financial risks. These laws would introduce the first major mandatory climate-related reporting obligations for many US companies and go beyond proposed SEC rules, including both public and private companies.  This increased visibility into scope 3 emissions will change the conversation around global supply chains, giving a huge benefit to companies like unspun that have figured out how to bring manufacturing closer to the end consumer.  References: ●      Connect with Walden on LinkedIn ●      unspun ●      Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s The Jeans Redesign ●      Read more about the unspun/Eckhaus Latta collaboration here ●      European Commission press release on Extended Producer Responsibility for textiles Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them!  If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibility to these leaders that are using business as a force for good! Subscribe to the Purpose and Profit newsletter to make sure you don’t miss future episodes. This podcast is for

Nick Stone is a Lead Director and Board Member for Wilderness. Known for its once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences, Wilderness was founded in Botswana in 1983 with the goal of introducing visitors to the country’s natural beauty while protecting the environment and providing local jobs. Today, the company has more than six million acres of land under its stewardship and provides an economic support system for the communities where it operates, creating durable, well-paying jobs for roughly 2,600 people from more than 20 different ethnic groups and supporting local farming and infrastructure. Nick is also a board member of LedderTech and Kelvin Inc. For his day job, Nick is a Partner at FS Investors, a private investment entity with long-term capital. Nick graduated cum laude from Harvard and was an Arjay Miller Scholar at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  In this episode, we discuss: ●      How combining tourism with conservation is changing the economic model for protecting nature ●      How expansive wilderness can be a catalyst for deepening interpersonal connection ●      The outsized influence of company culture in setting the trajectory of a business Key Takeaways: ●      There's an elusive quality to the energy a place holds. Anyone who's attempted to capture a sunset in a photograph understands how it pales in comparison to the real thing. It's a mere two-dimensional representation of an experience that's inherently three-dimensional and engages all five senses. Nick mentioned the difficulty of articulating the essence of a journey with Wilderness, and I can't help but think there’s a similar challenge at play here. How do you convey the profound experience of venturing into the unspoiled wilderness, where the world still echoes with the rhythms of millennia, when our daily lives have drifted so far from that primal connection? It's akin to stepping back in time, immersing oneself in a natural equilibrium unlike anything we're accustomed to today. ●      Exposure to different cultures is a transformative journey of self-discovery. As we engage with diverse customs, beliefs, and perspectives, we gain valuable insights into the human experience, fostering a deeper awareness of our own values and biases. Through these experiences, we become not only more culturally sensitive but also more compassionate and empathetic individuals, contributing to a more harmonious and interconnected world. ●       The tragedy of the commons occurs when individuals, acting in their self-interest, deplete shared resources. It's a collective action problem that often arises with public goods - like open wilderness - where individuals have an incentive to exploit the resource to their own advantage. We see this with deforestation across nations, overfishing the oceans, and the shrinking African wilderness. The business model Wilderness has created develops a more attractive alternative to the tragedy of the commons by using the natural resources of the African wilderness to educate on the importance of conservation, to earn funds necessary to support the conservation of the land, and to increase economic opportunity for local communities through well-paying jobs. Where else can we change the economic model away from the tragedy of the commons—which in the short term profits a few—to a model that values community building, increased access and education, and protecting resources for generations to come? References: ●      Wilderness website ●      UNESCO page about Okavango Delta ●      Children in the Wilderness ●      Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress by Christopher Ryan ●      The Rise Fund Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get gue

Fawn Bergen leads Intel Corporation’s Corporate Sustainability Group. In her role, Fawn directs the implementation of Intel’s sustainability goals across their manufacturing operations and office facilities around the world, including Intel’s commitments to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2040, 100% renewable electricity by 2030, net positive water by 2030, and zero waste to landfill by 2030. Fawn’s 24+ years of experience in the environmental field has spanned multiple industries and specialties including air quality engineering, environmental engineering, global strategy, and environmental management roles. Prior to leading Intel’s sustainability group, she led their climate change, water stewardship, and corporate air programs globally. In this episode, we discuss: ●      Intel’s ESG Framework called RISE ●      Why water is a key sustainability focus for Intel ●      How Intel has reached 93% renewable energy across its global operations  Key Takeaways: ●      Gone are the days of vertical integration, which meant a business handled all aspects of production internally, from raw materials to final assembly. The Ford River Rouge complex, completed in 1928 in Dearborn, Michigan, was the largest vertically integrated factory in the world. River Rouge was a mile long and 1.5 miles wide. It contained over 100 miles of internal railroad tracks and housed everything from its own energy plant to an integrated steel mill. The factory took raw materials like iron and turned them into fully assembled Fords. Today companies rely on expansive supply chains to create their products, a horizontal integration across many companies. This change in business structure means there is an interconnectedness across companies and stakeholders when it comes to reaching individual corporate ESG goals. Take greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as an example. There are 3 different scopes for GHG. Scope 3 emissions tend to be the largest emissions category because it covers all the companies up and down your supply chain whose emissions you are indirectly responsible for. A company can’t reduce Scope 3 emissions without collaborating across the supply chain. ●      If your company is just beginning its ESG journey, consider starting where you have the most control. To be a great corporate partner requires cleaning up your own operations first. Today no company is an island, and the improvements you make to your own operations will benefit the footprint of the companies you work with across the supply chain. ●      Communities are asking for transparency and accountability from the corporations that operate near their homes. Fawn shared great examples of the questions Intel gets from the communities they operate in, as well as the work they’re doing within these communities.  If you don’t know the role your company is playing locally, ask. Challenge your leaders on how your organization can leave the community better off by virtue of being there.   References: ●      Connect with Fawn on LinkedIn ●      Intel’s RISE Strategy and Goals ●      The 2022 CDP A-List ●      The Nature Conservancy ●      National Forest Foundation ●      Trout Unlimited ●      World Resources Institute Aqueduct page ●      WRI’s fact sheet on Renewable Energy Certificates Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibility to these leaders that are using business as a force for good! Subscribe to the Purpose and Profit newsletter to make sure you don’t miss future episodes.  This podcast is for you, the listener.

Lata Reddy is Senior Vice President of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential, and chair of The Prudential Foundation. In these roles, Lata harnesses the power of capital markets to drive financial and social mobility. By combining diversity strategies, impact investments, philanthropy, corporate contributions, and employee engagement with Prudential’s full business capabilities, she helps position the company to promote inclusive economic opportunity and sustainable growth.  Under Lata’s leadership, Prudential became one of the first institutional investors to grow and manage an impact investing portfolio with $1.2 billion in assets under management. Additionally, she oversees a yearly grant-making budget of over $40 million through The Prudential Foundation, and a $17 million corporate contributions budget.  In this episode, we discuss: ●      What it means to be an anchor institution (in your corporate HQ geography) ●      How the revitalization of a Newark mansion is supporting equity and access in the city ●      The importance of a learning mindset, and systems for continuous improvement  Key Takeaways: ●      This conversation reminds me of how small the world is, and the beauty that lies in finding overlapping connection points with others. Lata and I both have immigrant parents. Both of Lata’s parents are from India. My father, and his parents and siblings, were refugees from Lithuania after WWII. When my family immigrated to America, they moved to Chicago. My grandmother found a job as an office cleaning-lady in the Prudential building downtown. Through employment, Prudential played a significant role in supporting the agency and financial security of my family, helping them integrate into a new community. I share this story to highlight the generational ripple effect. If my grandparents couldn’t find work as refugees, my story would be drastically different. During this conversation, we discuss many ways that Prudential supports inclusive growth through its operations, investments, and grants. As Lata defines it, inclusive growth is about creating agency within people’s lives so that they have the ability to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. These actions create ripples. ●      Over the course of history, our expectations for the timeline an investment should take has drastically shrunk. The Great Wall of China was built over the course of more than 2,000 years. Notre Dame took more than 100 years of major construction, and work continued for hundreds of years after. The Giza pyramids were built over the course of three generations. In contrast, modern-day shopping mall takes 2-5 years. With these shrunken timelines, the beauty and joy the end result delivers has also plummeted. The same immediacy mindset has happened with financial investments. The existence and growth of day trading is an illustration of this. In day trading, a trader buys and sells a financial instrument within the same trading day. The truth is, most things in life don’t maximize over a day, or even a year. Getting a college education. Having children. Growing your career. Starting a business. If you’re only focused on immediate returns, you can miss out on some of the most rewarding and impactful opportunities. From an investment standpoint, Prudential bucks this immediacy trend. They use a different approach called long-term investing, or patient capital, which means making a financial investment with no expectation of turning a quick profit but an anticipation of more substantial returns down the road. As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. References: ●      Connect with Lata on LinkedIn ●      Corporate Social Responsibility at Prudential ●      My Brother’s Keeper Newark (and nationally) ●      Makerhoods ●      L+M Development Partners page on the Hahne’s department store redevelopme