This Wednesday, February 16, 1pm ET - WALDEN MUTUAL BANK: Seeking the First New Mutual Bank Charter in a Generation

Join us in two days to discuss Walden Mutual Bank, an interactive webinar with Charley Cummings (CEO) and Vince Sicilliano (Board Chair).

Walden Mutual Bank is seeking the first new mutual bank charter granted in a generation, to support lending in the sustainable local food ecosystem in New England and New York, while offering consumer deposit accounts aligned with social and environmental impact. Cummings will describe how mutual banks, which are ultimately owned by depositors and governed by a board of independent Corporators, are ripe for reinvention in the modern era. The Bank intends to open in the second quarter of 2022, and is seeking investment in its Special Deposits, which serve as the bank’s regulatory capital.

 Wednesday, February 23, 1pm ET - Branding through Sustainability

The creative folks that manage a company's branding are critical in bringing the company forward into the new sustainability paradigm. Tried-and-true creative thinking exercises alone aren't enough to tackle the wicked problems posed by understanding and managing all of the ways a company impacts the environment and society. Enter Impact Strategists, experts in impact measurement frameworks and best practices. With their powers combined, these teams create solid, actionable, impact strategies that go beyond 'greenwash-y' stories to capture market share, attract talent, and de-risk the turbulent future ahead of every business. Join Ted Carling (Ecotone Analytics), Ashleigh Penrod (Mess Hill), Joe Cecere (Little and Co) and Sara Olsen (SVT Group) in discussing the opportunity for brands to authentically manage their own sustainable future.

Episode 11 - Impact Investing with a Racial Equity Lens

Episode 11 of the Just & Sustainable Economy Podcast features ASBN board Co-Chair and Asset Allocator, Valerie Red-Horse Mohl (CFO of East Bay Community Foundation) who walks you through the innovative steps her Foundation took such as rewriting their investment policy statement requiring a priority to invest in diverse founders which eventually led to an LP allocation in Brown Venture Group (“BVG”). Dr. Paul Campbell, one of the co-founders of BVG unpacks how behavioral economics led to their innovative approach to funding and supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs and how cultural residency is leading to an increased focus on impact investing in Minneapolis. 

Circular Economy

Wednesday, February 16, 1pm ET - Join meeting here

The Circular Economy working group brings together a wide variety of key stakeholders to tackle the waste crisis, especially plastic waste, in the United States. Environmentally-focused organizations and business leaders from across the nation collaborate to help guide our Packaging Waste Reduction campaign, with a focus on both federal and state level policies.

Business for Democracy

Wednesday, March 2, 3pm ET - Register here

ASBN is excited to host Justin Vail, Special Assistant to the President for Democracy and Civic Participation, at our next Business for Democracy working group meeting. Our meeting will occur one day after President Biden delivers his first State of the Union address to Congress.  

Voter suppression, partisan gerrymandering, and widespread misinformation have eroded voting rights protections and the freedom for all to participate in our democracy. These efforts have especially undermined the voices of Black, brown, disabled and female voters. Despite the recent setbacks with the Freedom to Vote Act and filibuster, there is still hope. 

Join us for this presentation on the White House’s efforts on democracy and voting rights and a discussion on how to be engaged as business leaders in safeguarding our democracy. All are welcome regardless of prior participation in this working group. Register here.  

Future of Ecommerce 2022: Cause Marketing And The Cause-centered Ecommerce Evolution 

Wednesday, February 16, 2 - 2:30pm ET - Register here

Sustainable Cleaning Chemistries for a Healthier World

Wednesday, February 23, 3pm ET - Register here

Hazardous chemical usage has become an issue of concern in our communities and in healthcare.  Hospitals can both contribute to the problem and can be at the forefront of change.  Case Medical and a group of industry, regulatory, and healthcare leaders is presenting “Sustainable Cleaning Chemistries for a Healthier World”.  The online forum, with continuing education, is geared to healthcare professionals.

Case Medical, a 2021 U.S. EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year, in partnership with Healthcare Without Harm, ToxServices, Bergenson & Campbell, NovoZymes, Sterile Processing University, and the American Sustainable Business Network offer a timely and comprehensive program on the health and environmental harms of indiscriminate toxic chemical usage and ways to mitigate the danger.

Live from the Frontlines: Protecting American Democracy, a Conversation with Journalist Ari Berman

Wednesday, February 23, 7:00-8:00 PM ET - Register here

State voter suppression laws, hyperpartisan racial gerrymandering, extreme actors taking control of election administration, and the Supreme Court’s recent decisions are threatening our democracy and laying the foundation for minority rule. In January, the Senate sidelined federal voting rights legislation that would have addressed these attacks, choosing to protect the filibuster over the right of millions of Americans to cast their vote and have it counted. Voters of color, young voters, rural voters, physically challenged voters, and poor voters are particularly impacted. 

ASBN is proud to co-sponsor a conversation with Ari Berman, senior reporter at Mother Jones and author of the award-winning book, Give Us the Ballot. We’ll discuss how we got here, what’s at stake, and how “we the people” can protect American democracy at this crucial moment.

Five copies of Ari’s book will be raffled off during the program. All registrants will be automatically entered into a raffle to receive a free copy of Ari’s book. You must be present to claim your book.