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NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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INTRODUCING ASBN’S NEW MEMBER LOGO |
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We’re excited to unveil ASBN’s new member logo! It’s designed to reflect the strength, tenacity, and playfulness of our Network as it spreads like dandelion seeds, taking root across the U.S. The updated design tells a richer story of impact, with a modern typeface, fresh colors, and improved legibility for digital use. |
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This logo isn’t just a symbol. It’s a badge of our collective voice and role in advancing a just and regenerative economy. Members, state and industry affiliate members, board members, and partners are all welcome to use their versions in alignment with ASBN’s mission. And that’s not all. We also created a Voice of Business version for all those who take action with us in 2025! |
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Have you taken an action with ASBN this year? Don’t want to wait for us to reach out? Contact [email protected] to get yours!
Curious about other benefits of ASBN membership? |
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It’s Time to Lead the Change: Business as a Force for Democracy
Next month, ASBN is calling on business leaders to step into a pivotal role: strengthening democracy itself. In a moment of rising social, political, and environmental urgency, this isn’t just a conference. It’s a bipartisan rallying point for businesses determined to protect our democratic values and ensure our economy truly works for people, planet, and purpose.
At the Business, Policy & Purpose conference, we’ll confront the hard questions: How can business defend democratic values, advance equity, and drive solutions for people and planet? What bold actions can we take together to rewrite the rules and build the future we need? |
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| We’re also so excited to welcome Paul Rice, the founder of Fair Trade USA, as a keynote speaker on Day 1! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 21, for From Vision to Impact: Founders’ Perspectives on Building Mission-Driven Companies.
This is a once-a-year moment for collective business power where small businesses sit next to the large to share ideas and shape policy. The only place where sustainable business meets real political and economic leverage. |
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✨ Not a member? Join by October 20 and pay 50% on a year of membership and get free conference registration for you and your whole team! Use code: JOINASBN50PERCENT |
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Don’t miss out on the latest speakers and conference updates! Follow us across our socials: |
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Join us for timely policy insights, actionable engagement opportunities, and space for meaningful connection. Attendees will leave with a clear picture of where policy stands, how ASBN is shaping the conversation, and where their voice can make a difference. Whether you’re newly engaged or deeply involved, this meeting ensures you’re connected to the big picture—and empowered to take part. 📆 October 7th, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET 🔐All are welcome - If you have a colleague or a partner interested in engaging in policy to advance a regenerative economy, please feel free to bring them! What to Expect: Policy Updates – Key developments from ASBN’s policy experts Engagement Opportunities – Concrete ways to take action on current campaigns Q&A + Networking – A chance to ask questions, share ideas, and join small-group discussions with members and partners by area of interest
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| We’re excited to attend Climate Week NYC! Team members Abby and Liza will be attending events and connecting with ASBN members throughout the week. ✨ Featured event: ASBN Member Pure Strategies is hosting a Day of Action on Wednesday, Sept 24, including panels, workshops, and a nature walk. Read more and register for the event here.
📸 Taking part? Snap a photo with Abby and Liza and we’ll share it on social media!
If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected].
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Our newly reformatted member engagement opportunities ensure that wherever you are in your advocacy journey, there’s a place for you. Watch the video below to hear the latest updates from ASBN’s team of topic experts. |
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Become a member to join a policy brief, steering committee, exclusive ASBN Exchange networking events or quarterly calls to amplify the collective voice of business and boost your impact!
Contact our Member Team to learn about engagement opportunities and other membership benefits. |
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| Your voice, even shared anonymously, helps shape public understanding and policy. |
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| The Economic Impact of Immigration Undocumented immigrants are key to the U.S. economy - paying nearly $97 billion in taxes in 2022 and spending $300 billion in 2023. They make up 5% of the workforce in vital industries like agriculture, childcare and hospitality.
A recent study in California found that increased immigration enforcement in 2025 resulted in a 3.1% decline in private sector jobs, affecting both citizens and immigrants, and mirroring downturns seen during major crises. But the impact of immigration policies isn’t about numbers - it’s about people. Major news outlets have reached out to ASBN for businesses, especially those that rely on childcare, day laborers, and farm workers, and for the voices of the workers themselves, for anonymous stories, particularly from those affected by ICE raids. |
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These findings underscore the impact of immigration policies on both workers and the economy. |
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Become an ASBN member or partner today, and we’ll amplify your mission-aligned events! Do you have an event, offering, or announcement to share? Use our Amplification Request form to let us know what you’d like promoted! Simply provide your details, event info, preferred timing, and where you want us to share. Upload logos or images, share discount codes, and even indicate if you’d like to partner with ASBN on future promotions. We’ll do our best to help amplify your impact across our network. |
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Stay Connected & Make an Impact! Follow ASBN on social media for the latest updates and opportunities for sustainable business to drive a just and regenerative economy. Engage with our posts, share your voice, and help amplify the movement. Now more than ever, collective action matters—join us today! |
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Alex Armendariz Begins New Role as Director of Tribal Relations at Cal State San Bernardino |
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| We’re thrilled to share that Alex Armendariz, an inaugural fellow of our Indigenous Youth Climate Resiliency Through Public Policy Program (IYCRTPPP), has officially begun his new position as Director of Tribal Relations at California State University-San Bernardino!
Alex’s success is a testament to the powerful ripple effects of investing in Indigenous youth leadership. We are incredibly proud to witness his continued impact and excited to support him on this new journey! |
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Please welcome our newest ASBN team members! |
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| Alex Smith, Event Planning and Outreach Specialist Alex Smith is an experienced programs, partnerships, and events professional with a proven track record in planning large-scale conferences, managing strategic partnerships, and driving membership growth for nonprofits. Skilled in outreach, logistics, and sponsorship acquisition, she excels at building connections that advance organizational goals. Alex holds a Master’s in Tourism Sustainability and the SEA credential. In her free time, she loves traveling all over the world with her daughter, exploring new cultures and experiences together. |
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| Michael Jarrett, Clean Energy Policy Advocate & Strategist Michael is a sustainability expert with a diverse background, including experience as a federal government consultant, data division director at an energy management firm, and policy director for a startup focusing on the intersection of sustainability policy and social justice issues. Michael holds a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University and an MPP from The George Washington University. He is also an adjunct professor in Duquesne’s Political Science Department. Michael currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA. |
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NEWS, STORIES & OPPORTUNITIES |
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Contra Costa News | DeSaulnier Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Corporate Greed and Raise Workers’ Wages | August 23, 2025 | Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) has introduced the CEO Accountability and Responsibility Act (H.R. 5019) to address extreme CEO-to-worker pay gaps. The bill would tax companies with high disparities and reward those with fairer ratios through federal contracting preferences. ASBN is among the organizations supporting this legislation, joining a broad coalition advocating for greater corporate accountability and fairer wages. Center for Food Safety | Broad Coalition Calls on Congress To Reject Fast-Moving Legislation To Shield Chemical Companies from Liability | August 22, 2025 | A broad coalition of farmers, farmworkers, consumers, environmentalists, and businesses is urging Congress to reject Section 453 of the House Appropriations bill, which would shield pesticide manufacturers from liability for harm caused by their products. ASBN is among the 51 organizations opposing this legislation, standing with farmers, farmworkers, and communities to ensure chemical manufacturers remain accountable and public health is protected. VensureHR | What Small Business Owners and HR Professionals Need to Know About the 2025 Tariffs | August 19, 2025 | New U.S. tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and steel/aluminum are raising costs and creating uncertainty for small businesses. 62.5% of small businesses expect higher production costs, with half saying it reduces competitiveness. ➡️ Read more: How New U.S. Tariffs Are Hurting Small Businesses and Shaping Economic Uncertainty
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ASBN is excited to partner with these mission-aligned organizations to continue serving the business community in its work towards a regenerative economy. |
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Our Media Partner & Preferred Providers |
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| New Jersey Sustainable Business Network The New Jersey Sustainable Business Network was invited to attend NJ Governor Phil Murphy’s bill-signing ceremony. The invitation was recognition of the robust policy work NJSBN does both inside and outside of the State House on behalf of small- and mid-sized businesses. S4530/A5768 expands NJ’s community solar program by an additional 3,000 megawatts (MW), and A5267/S4289 establishes a new incentive program to reach one of the most ambitious storage targets in the nation: 2,000 MW of transmission-scale energy storage by 2030. The signing of this landmark legislation increases access to clean and reliable sources of energy while lowering energy costs.
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We’re excited to highlight our recent ASBN members of the month! |
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| Pure Strategies is a U.S.-based, Certified B Corp sustainability consulting firm founded in 1998. They help companies—from Fortune 500 brands to emerging businesses—develop and implement climate, nature, safer chemical and circular economy strategies. Pure Strategies has been an ASBN member since 2018. |
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| Hanson Bridgett LLP is a California-based AmLaw 200 law firm with eight offices and ~200 attorneys. Founded in 1958, it was the first U.S. law firm to become a certified B Corp in 2007, and even wrote key benefit corporation legislation. Hanson Bridgett LLP has been an ASBN member since 2008. |
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| Nature’s Fynd is a Chicago-based food tech company revolutionizing sustainable nutrition with Fy™, a complete protein derived from a microbe discovered in Yellowstone National Park. Utilizing innovative fermentation technology, Fy is grown with the planet in mind. Nature`s Fynd has been an ASBN/C member since 2021. |
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| Rose Jade Consulting Cooperative is a worker-owned cooperative and social justice consultancy based in Buffalo, NY. Rooted in feminist and anti-oppression values, they specialize in facilitation, strategic planning, political education, campaign strategy, and organizational development. |
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