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 so…

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 sanit…

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 communit…

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 …

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 rece…

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 instituti…

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 dir…

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 transform…

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…

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. …

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 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, …

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 Leadershi…

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 ac…

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 Rub…

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 …

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…

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 an…

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 cro…

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 …

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 ne…

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 Env…

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, compli…

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 m…

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 se…

Revolutionary Capitalism Don Golden, Founder of Just Capital Quotient Don 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 socia…

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 a…

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 …

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 beg…

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 Ins…

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…

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 A…

Kind Careerism Over Toxic ProfessionalismLauren 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 organi…

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…

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 dat…

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 produ…

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 heal…

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 …

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’…

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 reus…

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 Nation…

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 won…

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…

Turning Up The Heat on Financial Regulators to Combat Climate ChangeSteven 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 i…

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 A…

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 furnit…

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 creat…

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…

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-con…

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 h…