October 18, 2025
Author: Anayana White
Today, millions of Americans are standing together on ‘No Kings Day’ in what is shaping up to be one of the largest demonstrations in our nation’s history. From coast to coast, voices are rising in defense of democracy itself. This is civic engagement at its most visible and vital, and a powerful reminder that when we the people speak, our leaders must listen.
But here’s the truth we must carry forward from this historic day: Protests open doors. Policy keeps them open.
The Work Ahead
The energy in our streets today is not just inspiring; it’s essential. Protests make the will of the people impossible to ignore. This moment matters.
And yet, as leaders, we know that this moment is just the beginning. The real work, the hard, sustained work of democracy, happens in the days, weeks, and months that follow. It happens in city councils and state legislatures. It happens in coalition meetings and hard conversations in your community. It happens when we transform the passion and excitement of protest into real collective action that drives the precision of policy.
It’s time again to get to work for our democracy. And we’re not afraid to lead.
When Business Leaders Show Up for Democracy, Everyone Wins
Democracy isn’t abstract, and it takes concerted effort. It’s the foundation upon which fair markets, transparent regulations, and sustainable business practices are built. Without strong democratic institutions, we lose the level playing field that allows ethical businesses to compete and communities to thrive.
The business community has both the power and the responsibility to strengthen our democracy. We can bring resources, expertise, and credibility to policy conversations. We can build bridges between communities and lawmakers. We can advocate for the systemic changes that create an inclusive economy where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
But we can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it without learning from those who are already doing this work.
Join Us at the Business, Policy and Purpose Conference
That’s why we’re gathering leaders from across the country and around the world for our Business, Policy and Purpose: The Business of Democracy conference, October 21-23, 2025.
No matter your politics. No matter your industry, the size of your business, or where you’re located. If you believe in democracy, this conference is for you.
Because without democracy, we all lose.
Day 2: Policy Day—Where Change Becomes Real
On Wednesday, October 22, we’re dedicating an entire day to the heart of democratic action: Policy and Advocacy: Rewriting the Rules for an Inclusive Economy.
This is where the rubber meets the road. You’ll learn strategic advocacy techniques, policy engagement frameworks, and coalition-building strategies that drive meaningful change. You’ll discover how to navigate regulatory landscapes, influence legislation, and champion policies that promote inclusive growth. Most importantly, you’ll connect with leaders who are successfully building bridges between private sector innovation and public policy reform.
Keynote Panel: Voices of Hope: The New American Leader
Real change happens when the people most affected by policy have a seat at the table.
Our keynote features a candidate taking on the status quo, Jamie Ager, a farmer whose success is rooted in soil health. He’s not your typical conference speaker; he’s a working American who looked around at the challenges facing not just his businesses but his entire community, and decided to do something about it.
This conversation, moderated by journalist Ahmed Baba – known best perhaps for his appearances on MSNBC – explores how environmental, economic, and social policies impact working families and small businesses, and how community leaders are fighting for policies that protect livelihoods while building sustainable, resilient local economies. You’ll discover how grassroots voices are driving conversations about fair wages, environmental stewardship, and economic policies that work for the people who power America’s communities.
Deep-Dive Breakout Sessions
Policy Day features eight dynamic breakout sessions designed to equip you with tools, connections, and strategies:
Session 1: Legislator Q&A with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani of Florida and Rep Becky Edwards of Montana, moderated by Richard Eidlin, current Board Member & Co-Founder, ASBC. This is your chance to pull back the curtain and have a candid, unscripted conversation with influential political leaders. Submit your questions ahead of time for priority consideration, or ask them live in writing during this audience-driven session.
Session 2: Business at COP30 with Sasha Chebil of the Carbon Business Council and ASBN’s Senior Advisor on Climate & Energy, Michael Green. Climate progress cannot wait. Discover how the private sector is shaping resilient markets, establishing high-integrity standards, and investing in carbon removal to ensure climate leadership at COP30 and beyond.
Session 3: Demystifying Advocacy with Michael Jarrett and Alex Bookis. New to advocacy? This practical introduction covers what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Learn how even small businesses can make a big impact through strategic, values-driven policy engagement.
Session 4: Campaining as a Company with B Lab U.S. & Canada and Mightybytes will dig into how companies can participate in and construct advocacy campaigns. Companies that operate with stakeholders, not just shareholders, in mind have a powerful role to play in shaping public policy. This panel will explore how companies can leverage their unique influence to advocate for laws that make the economy more sustainable for all.
Session 5: Purple State, Green Momentum featuring John Imes, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative and Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director Emeritus of Keystone Research Center and Co-director of ReImagine Appalachia, moderated by Michael Green, Senior Advisor on Climate and Energy at ASBN. See how companies in swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are navigating uncertainty to build resilient, profitable, and green operations, proving that market forces and local momentum can outpace political indecision.
Session 6: Farm to Future: Building Resilient Communities with Hemp with Gloria Castillo, Advocate; Alex Sexsmith, Founder of Sexsmith Architects; Geoff Whaling, Hemp Industry Advocate and Expert; and Gregory Wilson, Founder and CEO of HempWood. Hemp is more than a crop; it’s a tool for rural economic development and urban solutions. Learn how this versatile plant can bridge the
Session 7: Fair Food, Fair Work with Greg Asbed, Co-Founder of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Judge Laura Safer Espinoza, Executive Director of the Fair Food Standards Council and Gerardo Reyes Chávez from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Explore the Fair Food Program, a groundbreaking worker-driven model that improves health, safety, and dignity in agricultural supply chains while strengthening supply-chain resilience.
Session 8: Safer Chemicals and Circular Economy with Martin Wolf, Senior Advisor of Safer Chemicals and Circular Economy, Aditya Siroya, Chief Impact Officer and Co-founder of rePurpose Global, Tim Greiner, Co-founder and Managing Director of Pure Strategies, Jenna Arkin, Chief Innovation Officer at ECOS®, and Barry Cik, Founder & Technical Director at Naturepedic. Discover policy and market pathways for safer, regenerative product systems, and learn how companies are innovating despite federal rollbacks.
Closing Remarks from Saru Jayaraman in Final Thoughts: Forging a Thriving Future and Networking: Policy in Practice
The day concludes with closing remarks with Saru Jayaraman in Final Thoughts: Forging a Thriving Future from 2:50-3:00 PM ET. Immediately following, from 3:00 PM ET to 3:30 PM ET, in the same Zoom room, is Networking: Policy in Practice. Small-group discussions will take place in breakout rooms where you can reflect on the role of advocacy, regulation, and market-based solutions with fellow business leaders. These conversations are designed to spark collaboration and highlight opportunities for meaningful action.
From Protest to Progress
Today’s historic ‘No Kings Day’ demonstration shows us something powerful: Americans care deeply about democracy, the power of the people, and are willing to stand up for it. The question now is: what happens next?
For those of us in the business community, the answer is clear. We show up. We learn. We advocate. We network and build coalitions. We turn passion into policy and momentum into meaningful change.
Join us October 21-23 to be part of the solution. Together, we can ensure that the energy of today’s protests translates into the policies of tomorrow; policies that create a more just, sustainable and regenerative economy for all.
Because democracy isn’t a spectator sport, it’s consistent multi-generational work. And we’re ready. Join us.
Dive Deeper: More From the Business, Policy & Purpose Conference
###
American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) amplifies the collective voice of sustainable business to lead the way to a regenerative economy that is stakeholder-driven, just, and prosperous. As a multi-issue, membership organization advocating on behalf of every business sector, size, and geography, ASBN works to advance its mission to inform, connect, and mobilize sustainable business leaders, transforming the public and private sectors toward a just and regenerative economy.