The Impact Report

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! ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.  ImpactReportPodcast.com

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. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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 Graham speaks with Hannah for this episode of the Impact Report. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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 Chaifetz speaks with Sophie for this episode of the Impact Report.   ImpactReportPodcast.com

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. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.    ImpactReportPodcast.com  

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 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 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. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.  ImpactReportPodcast.com

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. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.   ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.  ImpactReportPodcast.com  

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.   ImpactReportPodcast.com

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. ImpactReportPodcast.com

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.  ImpactReportPodcast.com