Brands With Purpose Series
Hosted by We First CEO and New York Times bestselling author, Simon Mainwaring, this 5-part virtual series
explores “how” organizations and leaders are transforming and delivering purpose-driven brands
Join us on June 3rd: Episode #5
To B or Not to B: Are B Corps the Way Forward?
Discover why top brands became B Corps brands and how it transforms a company’s culture, business growth and industry leadership.
Our guest panelists include:
- Annie Agle / Senior Director of Impact and Sustainability at Cotopaxi
- Blair Kellison / CEO of Traditional Medicinals
- Jon Silverman / SVP of Owned Brands at Grove Collaborative
Please see below for panelist bios and more details.
Recap of Previous Episodes:
Episode #1: Global Disruptors
Brands With Purpose launched its series with Global Disruptors who were transforming themselves to advance their whole industries. We heard from Virginie Helias, the Chief Sustainability Officer of P&G, who shared how the enterprise and its brand portfolio are leading a global sustainability movement that is both a force for good and a force for growth; Bob Lord, the SVP Developer Ecosystem at IBM, who has spearheaded the tech giant’s collaboration with developers worldwide to accelerate and scale innovative responses to Covid-19 and the climate crisis; and David Wagner, Executive VP Global Strategy, VF Corporation, whose global brand portfolio – from Timberland to The North Face to Vans – has tackled issues such as the burning of the Amazon and hate speech on Facebook. Each one serving as a powerful example of how transforming yourself and driving positive impact also builds business growth and brand relevance.
Episode #2: The Next Generation of Purpose Leaders
A better tomorrow requires new leaders with bold ideas. That’s why Episode 2 of ‘Brands With A Purpose’ focused on ‘Next Generation Leaders.’ We heard from Stacey Boyd, CEO at Olivela, who is reinventing the luxury goods space to support girls education and break the cycle of poverty; from Dan Lechinger, SVP at Dave’s Killer Bread, who shared how giving people a second chance in life after being incarcerated has built their business, brand and impact; and from Geryn Evans, CEO and founder of Project Blu, who revealed how they are reengineering pet products to repurpose harmful plastic and make the whole category more sustainable. Together they revealed how today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges are in fact opportunities in disguise that can drive business growth and better our future.
Episode #3: Partners for Purpose: Brands Shaping the Future of Collaborative Leadership
We can only meet the social and environmental challenges we face with equal force by working together. That’s why in Episode 3 of ‘Brands with Purpose’ we heard from our ‘Partners for Purpose’ like Doug Palladini, Global Brand President at Vans, whose ongoing partnership with its “Mom and Pop” stores during the pandemic and their ongoing commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement have fostered deep and authentic collaborations and loyalty among influencers, athletes and artists. We heard from Katrine Kirk Muff, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at LEGO that employs a variety of innovative partnerships to reengineer its global supply chain all while inspiring kids of all ages to embrace STEM learning and find joy in the power of play. And Mick Ebeling, Founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs, who shared their truly transformative collaborations to solve humanity’s toughest challenges from ending food insecurity, to empowering the paralyzed, to providing prosthetics for child victims of war. Together they revealed how you can forge unlikely and innovative partnerships to solve today’s most pressing issues.
Episode #4: Planet Pioneers: Leveraging Sustainability to Scale Impact and Drive Growth
In order to restore a planet in peril, we need powerful brands to take bold actions. That’s why in Episode 4 of the ‘Brands with Purpose’ series we heard from ‘Planet Pioneers’ like Drieke Leenknegt, Vice President, Global Marketing at Timberland, a company deeply committed to building the next generation of ‘adventurous doers’ nurturing our planet, building stronger and resilient communities, and creating a net positive future. We heard from Sophie Bambuck, CMO of Everlane, a brand that continues to radically disrupt the apparel industry through transparency and inclusive culture and collaborative storytelling. And Andrei Cherny, CEO of Aspiration, who is reimagining and reengineering the financial services industry as a platform to better serve customers, communities and the planet. Together, the panel revealed how business can thrive by regenerating the planet, and by doing so, better our future.


Moderated by
Simon Mainwaring
CEO of We First

Ticket Pricing & Information
Full Series Packages (Episodes 1-5)
Non- Members $50 ($100 value)
Episode 5: To B or Not to B: Are B Corps the Way Forward?
General Public $20
HBSAB Members: Each Episode is complimentary
Episode #5
June 3, 2021
12:00PM-1:30PM ET
To B or Not to B: Are B Corps the Way Forward?
If you want your brand to stand out in an increasingly purposeful marketplace, becoming a B Corp is a critical start.
Each week, more leading brands are joining their ranks to demonstrate the authenticity of their commitment to people, the planet and prosperity. But what’s involved in the process? What obstacles must be overcome? And how does it unlock value for your business?
In Episode 5 of the ‘Brands With Purpose’ series, you’ll hear from:
- Anine Agle, Senior Director of Impact and Sustainability at Cotopaxi, about how B Corp certification drives supply chain, sustainability and Foundation initiatives;
- Blair Kellison, CEO of Traditional Medicinals, as to how their B Corps status shapes community empowerment projects, product innovation, and their ongoing movement to share the power of plants; and
- Jon Silverman, SVP of Owned Brands at Grove Collaborative, who’ll share how being a B Corps drives the development of new owned and product brands across a broad spectrum of home cleaning, personal care, and wellness.
Together, they’ll reveal the importance and impact of becoming a B Corps.
Ticket Pricing & Information
- HBS Association of Boston Member: Complimentary
- Non-Members: $20
Episode #4
April 28, 2021
Planet Pioneers-
Leveraging Sustainability to Scale Impact and Drive Growth
Episode #3
March 16, 2021
Partners For Purpose-
Brands Shaping the Future of Collaborative Leadership
We can only meet the social and environmental challenges we face with equal force by working together. Our panelists revealed how they forged unlikely and innovative partnerships to solve today’s most pressing issues.
Episode #2 – Highlights
December 10, 2020
Next Generation Purpose Leaders-
Looking to Lead the Future
Episode #1 – Highlights
September 24, 2020
Global Disruptors
Leading Enterprises Disrupting Themselves and Their Industries
Video Replay
- Available to Registered Attendees of the event.