The American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) serves as an umbrella organization encompassing two affiliate entities: the 501(c)(4) American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and the 501(c)(3) American Sustainable Business Institute (ASBI).
While these entities work in close harmony to advance ASBN’s mission, their focus areas and functions are distinct yet complementary:
Together, these organizations form a powerful platform to drive systemic change by aligning advocacy with education and collaboration.
The ASBI and ASBC Boards hold separate duties for strategic oversight and fiscal responsibilities of programs and initiatives in their distinct affiliate entities through three collaborative Standing Committees: Board Development Committee; Policy Committee; Fundraising & Development Committee.
Founder & Managing Principal, P3 Markets, LLC
Juan Saldana is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovator with a passion for real estate and entrepreneurship. Currently, he serves as the Founder and Managing Principal of P3 Markets, LLC, a position he’s held since February 2018. At P3 he co-developed a 100MM mixed-use/mixed-income commercial/retail property that includes 50% affordable housing, and leads efforts with TIF, and project management.
Founder, The Practice of Democracy
April De Simone is a transdisciplinary practitioner working at the intersection of architecture, planning, and systems thinking. Her work is inspired by her experiences growing up in a Bronx, New York neighborhood, steeped in the collateral consequences of intentionally designed systems of inequity. In partnership with diverse stakeholders, she seeks to cultivate reframed opportunities within spatial practice to advance equitable, humane, and just frameworks and projects shaping the conditions of our society.
Founder, Toxic Free Future for Our Children
Anne is a dedicated advocate of environmentally conscious organizations and has served on the boards of several national environmental health organizations and has concentrated her energies on toxic chemicals and human health, especially the health of our children. She has recently launched Toxic Free Future for Our Children to address the global toxicity crisis.
Consultant, American Income Life
Denise Bowyer is a Mission based leader with a lifelong passion and vocation in advocating for Workers’ Rights, while contributing to key support in building and growing a billion – dollar company. As Secretary of the National Labor Advisory Board and National Vice President of Public Relations for American Income Life, she successfully built trusting, lasting relationships with 45 International Union Leaders, State AFL-CIO Leaders, Central Labor Council and Local Union Leaders with American Income Life.
Greenopia, Founder
Gay Browne is the Founder of Greenopia, a sustainable living app that makes eco-friendly choices easier for busy people. Inspired by her health challenges and passion for sustainability, Gay created Greenopia as a trusted source for verified green businesses and products. The platform focuses on product health, business sustainability, social equity, and community engagement.
Managing Partner, Firefly Inclusion Solutions
Jason is a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation through inclusivity and collaboration. As Managing Partner of Firefly Inclusion Solutions, he has become a leading expert in adaptive leadership, high-trust cultures, helping organizations leverage diversity for organizational success. Jason’s work spans startups, established businesses, and large corporations, where he has trained and advised over fifteen thousand leaders in forty three countries.
Strategic Consultant, Esri
Amy achieves connectedness by simplifying creative concepts to encourage unity across business and community channels. She approaches solutions using unique combinations of artistic, scientific, and geographic thought, motivated by innovative possibilities to drive integrity for the earth and its people. Currently Amy serves as a strategic consultant for commercial business teams using geospatial technologies. She draws on skills developed through more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, leader, and data storytelling master in areas ranging from arts, retail, manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain.
Executive Director, North Carolina Sustainable Business Council
Vicki Lee Parker-High is the Executive Director of the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC), a statewide organization that aims to help business leaders become a force for good and build a vibrant economy that benefits all people. Before joining NCSBC, Vicki served as the Communications and Development Director at the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, where she helped secure over $11 million in funding to provide loans to hundreds of small businesses in underutilized markets across North Carolina.
Founder of Bridging Ventures and President & Executive Director of Project Regeneration
Rajiv Joshi is an activist, economist, and business leader serving as Founder of Bridging Ventures and President & Executive Director of Project Regeneration. He helped to establish Columbia University’s Climate School as the inaugural Associate Dean for Climate Action, and continues part time as a Professor at Columbia’s School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA) where he teaches Climate Technology Regenerative Entrepreneurship.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior
Wizipan (Wee-zee-pan) Little Elk Garriott (he/him), an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior since 2021. Previously, he served as CEO of the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (2012-2021), leading business and community programs, including a Native language immersion school. Raised on the Rosebud Reservation, he holds degrees from Yale and the University of Arizona.
Founder and President, Marketing Partners, Inc.
Pat established Marketing Partners, Inc in 1992, where she has produced a portfolio of award winning marketing, communications, and media plans for public information campaigns and products. Prior to founding Marketing Partners, Inc., she served as the associate dean at the Vermont Law School.
Senior Advisor, Roland Berger
At Ulupono, Kyle is responsible for developing partnerships with stakeholders, policy makers, and community organizations. He also oversees the systems thinking approach for Ulupono, where he supports sustainability by promoting the acquisition of large-scale catalytic changes to improve the quality of life for and self reliance by promoting human rights and energy policy.
President, Current-C Energy Systems, Inc.
Sandra has been active in the sustainability field, furthering a green and inclusive economy through her work as a consultant to businesses and institutions on ways to become more energy effective and as proponent and practitioner of construction using sustainable non-toxic building materials through her company, Current-C Energy Systems, Inc.
Retired, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Susan served as founding Executive Director of Sustainable Furnishing Council (SFC) and continues to support the organization. She has worked alongside furniture industry leaders to establish a set of standards for the sustainability of furniture products and manufacturing practices. Susan developed programs to promote and educate the industry and attracted hundreds of companies to join the organization.
Chairman, Global Access Group
Steven is the Chairman of Global Access Advisors and serves on the Board of GROWNYC (formerly the Council on the Environment of New York City), where he was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Steven is also an active member of numerous other boards including the Board of Visitors of the CUNY School of Law, The Friends of Hudson River.
Advocate for the Green Economy
Juan Verde is an internationally renowned strategist for both the public and private sectors, with particular focus on sustainable economic development. His specialty is designing innovative strategies to attract investment, accelerate economic development, and support strategic alliances.
Founder, Color in Green
Eryn Banton is the visionary founder and executive director of Color in Green, a global education-to-advocacy platform committed to elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the fight for equitable climate solutions. Inspired by her experience in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sector, Eryn launched Color in Green to bridge the gap between environmental advocacy and the lived experiences of minority communities.
Strategic Campaign Lead, Oregon New Economy Project
Kevin has decades of experience and expertise working at the intersection of economic, climate and social justice issues with diverse communities across the US. Over his career he has worked for the National AFL-CIO, the California Labor Federation, and the Service Employees International Union.
Publisher – Main Street Journal
Michael H. Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics. He is an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City. He is also a Senior Researcher for Council Fire, where he performs economic-development analyses for states, local governments, and businesses around North America. And he publishes a weekly newsletter on local investment called The Main Street Journal that reaches 8,000 readers.
Mr. Knapp co-founded the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce (SCSBCC) in February of 2000. He serves as the president and CEO of the 5000+ member statewide advocacy organization that has taken a leadership role in making South Carolina more small business friendly in areas such as taxation, regulation, worker training, Workers Compensation Insurance, utility costs, health insurance, access to capital, energy/conservation and economic development.
Richard has worked at the intersection of sustainable business, public policy and advocacy for 35+ years. He has helped establish several influential organizations including the American Sustainable Business Council, the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives, Business for America and the United Nations Environmental Finance Initiative. Richard has worked in the private, public, academic and nonprofit sectors and led advocacy campaigns for businesses on sustainable economy, voting rights, democracy and clean energy/environmental issues.
Founder & Managing Principal, P3 Markets, LLC
Juan Saldana is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovator with a passion for real estate and entrepreneurship. Currently, he serves as the Founder and Managing Principal of P3 Markets, LLC, a position he’s held since February 2018. At P3 he co-developed a 100MM mixed-use/mixed-income commercial/retail property that includes 50% affordable housing, and leads efforts with TIF, acquisition, project investment, community equity RDA, WBE/MBE procurement opportunities, local ownership/leasing, and project management.
Founder, The Practice of Democracy
April De Simone is a transdisciplinary practitioner working at the intersection of architecture, planning, and systems thinking. Her work is inspired by her experiences growing up in a Bronx, New York neighborhood, steeped in the collateral consequences of intentionally designed systems of inequity. In partnership with diverse stakeholders, she seeks to cultivate reframed opportunities within spatial practice to advance equitable, humane, and just frameworks and projects shaping the conditions of our society.
Founder, Toxic Free Future for Our Children
Anne is a dedicated advocate of environmentally conscious organizations and has served on the boards of several national environmental health organizations and has concentrated her energies on toxic chemicals and human health, especially the health of our children. She has recently launched Toxic Free Future for Our Children to address the global toxicity crisis.
Consultant, American Income Life
Denise Bowyer is a Mission based leader with a lifelong passion and vocation in advocating for Workers’ Rights, while contributing to key support in building and growing a billion – dollar company. As Secretary of the National Labor Advisory Board and National Vice President of Public Relations for American Income Life, she successfully built trusting, lasting relationships with 45 International Union Leaders, State AFL-CIO Leaders, Central Labor Council and Local Union Leaders with American Income Life.
Greenopia, Founder
Gay Browne is the Founder of Greenopia, a sustainable living app that makes eco-friendly choices easier for busy people. Inspired by her health challenges and passion for sustainability, Gay created Greenopia as a trusted source for verified green businesses and products. The platform focuses on product health, business sustainability, social equity, and community engagement.
Managing Partner, Firefly Inclusion Solutions
Jason is a visionary entrepreneur and thought leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation through inclusivity and collaboration. As Managing Partner of Firefly Inclusion Solutions, he has become a leading expert in adaptive leadership, high-trust cultures, helping organizations leverage diversity for organizational success. Jason’s work spans startups, established businesses, and large corporations, where he has trained and advised over fifteen thousand leaders in forty three countries to create inclusive, purpose-driven organizations through strategic frameworks and leadership transformation.
Strategic Consultant, Esri
Amy achieves connectedness by simplifying creative concepts to encourage unity across business and community channels. She approaches solutions using unique combinations of artistic, scientific, and geographic thought, motivated by innovative possibilities to drive integrity for the earth and its people. Currently Amy serves as a strategic consultant for commercial business teams using geospatial technologies. She draws on skills developed through more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, leader, and data storytelling master in areas ranging from arts, retail, manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain. She develops trusting relationships with people from all walks of life, focusing on the value of bringing diverse perspectives together to understand new methods of alignment.
Executive Director, North Carolina Sustainable Business Council
Vicki Lee Parker-High is the Executive Director of the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC), a statewide organization that aims to help business leaders become a force for good and build a vibrant economy that benefits all people. Before joining NCSBC, Vicki served as the Communications and Development Director at the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, where she helped secure over $11 million in funding to provide loans to hundreds of small businesses in underutilized markets across North Carolina.
Founder of Bridging Ventures and President & Executive Director of Project Regeneration
Rajiv Joshi is an activist, economist, and business leader serving as Founder of Bridging Ventures and President & Executive Director of Project Regeneration. He helped to establish Columbia University’s Climate School as the inaugural Associate Dean for Climate Action, and continues part time as a Professor at Columbia’s School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA) where he teaches Climate Technology Regenerative Entrepreneurship.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior
Wizipan (Wee-zee-pan) Little Elk Garriott (he/him), an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior since 2021. Previously, he served as CEO of the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (2012-2021), leading business and community programs, including a Native language immersion school. Raised on the Rosebud Reservation, he holds degrees from Yale and the University of Arizona.
Founder and President, Marketing Partners, Inc.
Pat established Marketing Partners, Inc in 1992, where she has produced a portfolio of award winning marketing, communications, and media plans for public information campaigns and products. Prior to founding Marketing Partners, Inc., she served as the associate dean at the Vermont Law School. She is a founder and first president of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and founder and first president of Women Business Owners Network of Vermont & New Hampshire.
Senior Advisor, Roland Berger
At Ulupono, Kyle is responsible for developing partnerships with stakeholders, policy makers, and community organizations. He also oversees the systems thinking approach for Ulupono, where he supports sustainability by promoting the acquisition of large-scale catalytic changes to improve the quality of life for and self reliance by promoting human rights and energy policy.
President, Current-C Energy Systems, Inc.
Sandra has been active in the sustainability field, furthering a green and inclusive economy through her work as a consultant to businesses and institutions on ways to become more energy effective and as proponent and practitioner of construction using sustainable non-toxic building materials through her company, Current-C Energy Systems, Inc.
CEO, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Susan served as founding Executive Director of Sustainable Furnishing Council (SFC) and continues to support the organization. She has worked alongside furniture industry leaders to establish a set of standards for the sustainability of furniture products and manufacturing practices. Susan developed programs to promote and educate the industry and attracted hundreds of companies to join the organization.
Chairman, Global Access Group
Steven is the Chairman of Global Access Advisors and serves on the Board of GROWNYC (formerly the Council on the Environment of New York City), where he was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Steven is also an active member of numerous other boards including the Board of Visitors of the CUNY School of Law, The Friends of Hudson River.
Advocate for the Green Economy
Juan Verde is an internationally renowned strategist for both the public and private sectors, with particular focus on sustainable economic development. His specialty is designing innovative strategies to attract investment, accelerate economic development, and support strategic alliances. In the public sector, Mr. Verde was nominated by President Biden to the President’s Export Council, where he served the White House on trade-related issues and expanding opportunities for American exports and businesses abroad. Mr. Verde served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia at the United States Department of Commerce under President Barack Obama. In this capacity, Mr. Verde led the Department’s efforts to solve trade policy and market-access issues faced by U.S. firms.
Founder, Color in Green
Eryn Banton is the visionary founder and executive director of Color in Green, a global education-to-advocacy platform committed to elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the fight for equitable climate solutions. Inspired by her experience in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sector, Eryn launched Color in Green to bridge the gap between environmental advocacy and the lived experiences of minority communities.
Publisher – Main Street Journal
Michael H. Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics. He is an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City. He is also a Senior Researcher for Council Fire, where he performs economic-development analyses for states, local governments, and businesses around North America. And he publishes a weekly newsletter on local investment called The Main Street Journal that reaches 8,000 readers.
Mr. Knapp co-founded the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce (SCSBCC) in February of 2000. He serves as the president and CEO of the 5000+ member statewide advocacy organization that has taken a leadership role in making South Carolina more small business friendly in areas such as taxation, regulation, worker training, Workers Compensation Insurance, utility costs, health insurance, access to capital, energy/conservation and economic development. Under his leadership, the SCSBCC successfully supported the state of South Carolina adopting a Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act in 2004 and legislation in 2005 to cut the state income tax on small business by almost 30%. He has led successful efforts to oppose rate increases in both workers’ compensation insurance and electric/gas utility rates to reduce costs for South Carolina small businesses.
