Benefit Corporations (B-Corps): This New Business Model Helps You Foster Corporate Social Responsibility and Have Ridiculously Engaged Employees!

B-Corps are the hot ticket if you want to be green, socially responsible and have ridiculously engaged employees. Only 35% of U.S. employees report they are satisfied at work. Engaged employees are fully absorbed by, and enthusiastic about, their work and companies. Businesses with high employee engagement inspire their team, furthering the organization’s goals. Learn from Benefit Corporations (B-Corps) how this new business model is working magic for their employees and their success at achieving goals.

Keynote Speaker:
Helen Russell, Co-Founder and CEO, Equator Coffee

Helen Russell is the co-founder and CEO of Equator Coffees & Teas, Inc. in San Rafael, CA. Under her leadership for more than twenty years, Equator has grown from a small roaster and wholesale supplier into a national brand known for its values-driven approach, award-winning coffee, and impactful action around issues of environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. Helen led Equator to become the first coffee roaster in California to earn Certified B Corporation status and a reputation as an early champion Fair Trade practices and direct relationships.

For 12 years in a row, Equator has remained on The San Francisco Business Times’ list of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses, and in 2016, became the first LGBT Certified business to win SBA Small Business of the Year for the State of California. After two decades in the wholesale business, Helen guided Equator towards deepening its relationships with the local community by opening three retail locations in the Bay Area.

Presented in Partnership By:
Barowsky School of Business Institute for Leadership Studies
North Bay Leadership Council
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Stanton Chase
Marin Small Business Development Center