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Advancing Justice and Regeneration in the Food System

Join the conversation with the American Sustainable Business Network and Forum for the Futureas we explore pivotal issues surrounding farm worker rights and the role businesses can play in driving meaningful change through advocacy and regenerative practices in their supply chains. This engaging roundtable discussion will feature insights from leading policy advocates, a third-party certifier, and a brand exemplifying their commitment to ethical principles within their supply chains.

Following the discussion, participate in two interactive breakout sessions designed to help your brand get tactical about linking justice and regeneration in your supply chain, while also engaging in impactful advocacy efforts pivotal to the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and discover practical strategies for fostering a more equitable and sustainable agricultural system.

Guest speakers include:


Katherine Renner

Katherine Renner
Director of Farm Operations
Gaia Herbs

The opportunity to be the Director of Farm Operations at Gaia Herbs is the culmination of Kate’s life journey thus far, as her earliest memories are of playing in the dirt in a home garden. Intrigue of living things led her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Kate served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for three years in El Salvador and emerged with a conscience towards the global impact of conventional farming systems, health and nutrition, and cultural sensitivity. Bringing these learnings home, Kate worked as an apprentice on an organic farm and connected the dots from soil health to nutrition, leading her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Sciences with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture. At Gaia Herbs, Kate combines all facets, from migrant farmworker health and awareness, organic and regenerative agriculture practices, local community relations, and working with fellow Gaians to provide the freshest, purest, quality herbs for the natural wellness of our bodies and world.

Paul Alvarez

Paul Alvarez
Program Director
Regenerative Organic Alliance

Forward-thinking leader skilled in providing strategic and operational direction, intra- and cross-unit coordination, and oversight for strategic business partnerships. Proven to achieve company business growth, expansion and increase profitability. Collaborative problem solver adept at leveraging financial modeling and making data informed-decisions, with excellent prioritization and project management skills. Highly proficient in identifying business opportunities, root cause of issues and translating complex processes into clear, understandable, and actionable strategies. International expert on life cycle management of operational plans, strategic alliance programs and large portfolio of business and non-profit partners, driving deep meaningful relationships that deliver mutually beneficial growth opportunities. Passion for international markets and willingness to travel.

Marianne Martinez

Marianne Martinez
Executive Director
Vecinos

My experience in a variety of public sectors including education, community development, and health care, along with my skills in program planning, immigrant advocacy, budgeting, and presentation give me a holistic view of the community. I thrive in a team setting but also excel independently, seeking out the correct resources to address community issues.

My work in research throughout Western North Carolina and as a Public Service Leader Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill has helped me gain analytical, community outreach, and collaboration skills. I enjoy working across natural barriers to bring people together.

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ASBN Live: Aligning Justice and Sustainability Goals with Your Company Retirement Plan

Are you committed to justice and sustainability? Do you know if your retirement savings are supporting industries that contradict your values? Join guest speakers, Andrew Behar, CEO of As you Sow and Kristin Hull, PhD, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Nia Impact Capital to learn how to align your investments with your principles, maintain or improve returns, and vote for positive change. Take control of your future and build a better world starting with your retirement investments.
Andrew Behar

Andrew Behar
CEO
As You Sow

Andrew Behar is CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. With a 30-year track record of success, As You Sow advances values-aligned investing and uses shareholder power to compel companies to reduce material risk on issues including climate change; toxins in the food system; ocean plastics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; racial justice; and wage equity. Previously Andrew was a documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur founding start-ups that developed innovative physiological monitoring devices and grid-scale fuel cells. He is an inventor on five patents and was recently named as one of the Purposeful-50 “true changemakers who deliver on social justice, environmental protection, diversity, inclusion, racial equality, and gender and pay equity.” He is currently on the board of the Responsible Sourcing Network. His book, The Shareholders Action Guide: Unleash Your Hidden Powers to Hold Corporations Accountable, was published by Berrett-Koehler.


Kristin Hull

Kristin Hull, PhD
Founder and Chief Investment Officer
Nia Impact Capital

Kristin is founder and CIO of Nia Impact Capital, a diverse-led, woman owned asset manager investing in the transition to a more just inclusive and sustainable economy. Kristin is devoted to democratizing access to impact investing, promoting inclusion and diversity in leadership, to re-envisioning capitalism, and to changing the face of finance.

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ASBN Live: Federal Funding for Zero Waste Infrastructure

Join us for an insightful webinar and discover how you can harness the power of federal resources to advance sustainable materials management practices with your organization. Learn about available tools, funding opportunities, and best practices to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and promote environmental stewardship. Whether you’re a business owner, policymaker, or environmental advocate, this webinar will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies to drive positive change. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from expert Eugenia Manwelyan ofGershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.and join the movement towards a more sustainable future.


Eugenia Manwelyan

Eugenia Manwelyan
Senior Project Manager
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.

Eugenia Manwelyan has 15 years of experience planning and implementing complex projects ranging from food waste recovery and landfill diversion to circularity and industrial symbiosis. She is a well-versed planning practitioner with expertise in federal funding and environmental justice. Eugenia has played a wide range of multidisciplinary roles as a consultant, public sector planner, non-profit executive director, and visiting professor at Columbia University.

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Virtual Event

Native-led Bison Restoration & Economy

Join us for an important discussion on March 28, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST, as we host the “Native-led Bison Restoration & Economy: The Opportunity to Engage and Support” event. Organized by the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN), Department Of Interior (DOI), Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this roundtable aims to spotlight opportunities for collaboration in bison restoration, conservation efforts, and the development of a sustainable bison economy. Register now to participate and contribute to the preservation of bison populations and the empowerment of Native-led initiatives.

Sponsors:

American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN)
Department Of Interior (DOI)
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP)
Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council (ITBC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Public-Private Partnership


David Levine

David Levine
President
American Sustainable Business Network

David is the co-founder and president of the American Sustainable Business Network. He has worked as a social entrepreneur for over 30 years focusing on the development of whole systems solutions for a more sustainable society through building strategic partnerships and broad stakeholder initiatives. Previously, he was the founding director of Continuing Education & Public Programs at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. From 1984-1997, David was the founder and executive director of the Learning Alliance, an independent popular education organization. David is also a principal partner at Miracle Springs Farm, a family farm in the Hudson Valley.


Heather Dawn Thompson

Heather Dawn Thompson
Director of the Office of Tribal Relations
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Heather Dawn Thompson is a distinguished Lakota attorney from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, currently serving as the Director of the Office of Tribal Relations at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Joe Biden administration. Her appointment, announced on January 25, 2021, marked a significant step towards enhancing the government-to-government relationship between the USDA and Tribal Nations. Thompson reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture, emphasizing the office’s crucial role in maintaining nation-to-nation relationships and ensuring meaningful tribal consultation across the department.

Thompson’s extensive background in American Indian law, federal Indian policy and advocacy, tribal sovereignty, and tribal economic development-including areas such as e-commerce, international trade, energy, finance, telecom, community economic development, and nation-building-has prepared her well for this role. She is recognized for her work in both the public and private sectors, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous positions. These include serving as a member of the American Indian Law Practice Group at Greenberg Traurig, a Presidential Management Fellow at the Department of Justice, a law clerk with the Attorney General’s Office for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Counsel and Policy Advisor to the U.S. Senate’s Democratic Policy Committee, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney for South Dakota’s Indian Country Section, where she focused on cases involving violence against women and children.

In the private sector, Thompson was a partner at Dentons, where she stood out as one of the few Native American partners at an “AmLaw 100″ law firm. She has also led as the Director of Government Affairs for the National Congress of American Indians, and served as President of both the South Dakota Indian Country Bar Association and the National Native American Bar Association.

Her education includes a Juris Doctor cum laude from Harvard Law School, a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Carnegie Mellon University.

Thompson resides between the Black Hills in South Dakota and Washington, D.C., embodying her commitment to both her tribal heritage and her national responsibilities. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Lakota, reflecting her broad communication skills and cultural depth. Her leadership at the USDA is aimed at empowering tribal nations and improving systemic economic conditions in Indian Country, fostering a future where tribal communities can thrive and maintain sovereignty.


Wizipan Garriott

Wizipan Garriott
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior

Wizipan Little Elk Garriott, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. He serves as the first assistant and principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in the development and interpretation of policies affecting Indian Affairs bureaus, offices, and programs. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Garriott served as chief executive officer from 2012 to 2021 of the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation, an ecosystem of Tribal organizations serving the Rosebud Indian Reservation. In this capacity, Mr. Garriott led and started businesses and community-based programs, including a Native language immersion school and 1,500-head buffalo herd. Mr. Garriott’s previous federal service included serving under the leadership of Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Garriott was born and raised on the Rosebud Indian Reservation where he attended St. Francis Indian School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs (now Bureau of Indian Education) facility. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Yale University. Mr. Garriott received his Juris Doctor degree in 2008 from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College.


Martha Kauffman

Martha Kauffman
Vice President Northern Great Plains Ecoregion
World Wildlife Fund

As vice president for World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Northern Great Plains ecoregion, Martha Kauffman oversees WWF-US’s largest domestic field program, which covers 5 US states and 2 Canadian provinces and seeks to conserve one of the last temperate grasslands on the planet. In this role she oversees the program’s strategic vision and supports an outstanding team that partners with Native Nations and ranching communities, develops leading science, drives for needed policy changes, and influences through strategic communications. She’s a leading member of a continent-wide grassland conservation initiative coalescing around a common vision, strategic priorities, and measurable outcomes. Martha is also a tireless champion for global grassland conservation, helping to establish and support WWF’s Global Grasslands and Savannahs Initiative. She also serves on the boards of the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture and Working Dogs for Conservation. Martha received a B.S. in applied earth sciences from Stanford University and a master’s degree in earth sciences from Montana State University.


Troy Heinert

Troy Heinert
Executive Director
InterTribal Buffalo Council

Troy Heinert, Sicangu Lakota, currently serves as Executive Director of ITBC. Prior to his selection as ED, Mr. Heinert assisted ITBC with the surplus buffalo shipments since 2015. His extensive experience in transporting buffalo has helped Tribes safely restore buffalo back to their lands.

You may also recognize him as Senator Troy Heinert as he has served in the South Dakota State Legislature since 2013, and as the Senate Minority Leader since 2018. Troy is also a decorated Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and Indian National Finals Rodeo Association (INFR) Pickup man in his spare time.

Mr. Heinert lives on his family ranch west of Mission, SD with his wife Gena and youngest son Harold. Their son, TJ, lives on a ranch in the Southwest corner of the Reservation and their daughter, Jordan, lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.


Joel Moffet

Joel Moffett
Director of Environmental & Special Projects
Native Americans in Philanthropy

Joel Moffett serves as the Director of Environmental and Special Projects at Native Americans in Philanthropy.

As a former Tribal leader, Joel has served as Vice Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee. In 2013, he was also elected to lead the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) as its chairman. Most recently, Joel was the Natural Resources Policy Coordinator for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI).

Joel currently lives in Suquamish, WA with his two children.

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2023 Farm Bill Fly-In: The Business Case for a Regenerative Transition

The American Sustainable Business Network and Regenerate America are teaming up to advocate for a more regenerative and just Farm Bill. Business members from both organizations will meet with members of Congress to make the case that a robust and resilient future of American agriculture will require investments in programs and policies that support regenerative producers and rebuild the missing middle of our domestic agriculture supply chains. We’re inviting business leaders, investors, and farmers to join us on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 14th and we’d love to see you there! We will be pushing Congress to adopt a host of policies, such as more funding for education, training, and research on soil health and regenerative agriculture; better access to credit and crop insurance for regenerative producers; investment in local and regional supply chains; and support for historically discriminated against farmers.

REGISTER

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2023 Farm Bill Fly-In

The American Sustainable Business Network and Regenerate America are teaming up to advocate for a more regenerative and just Farm Bill. The farm bill is one of the biggest legislative opportunities in 2023 to make a positive impact on the climate crisis, biodiversity, clean water, and social justice. Business members from both organizations will meet with members of Congress to make the case that a robust and resilient future of American agriculture will require investments in programs and policies that support regenerative producers and rebuild the missing middle of our domestic agriculture supply chains.

Questions? Reach out to Colton Fagundes, [] cfagundes@asbnetwork.org or Liza LaManna [] Lamanna@asbnetwork.org

Register for the Fly-In here

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Social Venture Institute Women Virtual

Applications are now open for Social Venture Institute Women Virtual! Come create community in the potent, highly curated, and brave space of SVIW. Hear True Confessions from leaders like Caryl Levine of Lotus Foods, Inc and Chrystel Cornelius (Ojibwa/Oneida), President & CEO of Oweesta Corporation. Share your real time business struggles, problem solve with other women & non binary business leaders, and generate innovative ideas and solutions.

As women and non-binary entrepreneurs, we will gather for ourselves, for our businesses, for each other, and for the change we wish to see in the world.

Save 15% off with early bird registration until April 15! Or save 10% with code SVIW2023

Register

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Celebrate Circular Innovation

The Circular Innovation Summit is a celebration of cutting edge advancements in the circular economy. You will hear from the West Coast speakers who are spearheading government initiated reuse ventures. Areas of innovation include edible food rescue, single use foodware replacement with durables, beer glass bottles sanitization and refill system, wood and lumber salvaging, and other reusable items diversion from a transfer station, and more. The Summit will also feature pitches from the 10 finalists in the PreCycle Innovation Challenge with the announcement of winners of cash prizes.

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Virtual Event

Fighting Climate Change and Building Regenerative Agriculture Supply Chains in the 2023 Farm Bill

In an increasingly uncertain economy, disrupted by severe and erratic climate conditions and global supply chain instability, regenerative agriculture represents a clear path forward for American businesses. Yet, these businesses have experienced barriers to fully bringing regenerative agriculture into their U.S. supply chains. In addition to the low number of agricultural producers trained in soil health practices, there are national supply chain gaps in the form of missing aggregators; limited processing and manufacturing capacity; and the associated shortages of skilled labor. Investments of resources in this “missing middle” is essential for both farmers to access existing markets and for brands and businesses striving to build new ones, but require the federal government’s partnership.

The American Sustainable Business Network and the [] Regenerate America coalition are partnering on a webinar to explore this issue of the “missing middle” and how USDA and Farm Bill policy address it. This webinar is presented by the ASBN Regenerative Agriculture and Justice Working Group [RELINK LOCAL].

Panelists will include:
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)
Calla Rose Ostrander – Managing Partner, Terra Regenerative Capital
Suzanne McDowell– Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, King Arthur

[] REGISTER TODAY!

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Regenerative Agriculture and Justice

The Regenerative Agriculture and Justice working group [RELINK LOCAL] strives to advance public policies for a more regenerative, just, and equitable food and agricultural system.

This broad group of stakeholders brings together business leaders from industries throughout the agricultural value chain, advocacy organizations, and groups representing farmers, workers, and frontline communities.

Meets the 2nd Thursday of every month at 1 PM ET.

Contact[] cfagundes@asbnetwork.orgto join

Working Groups are open to ASBN Members only. Sign up to be a member [RELINK LOCAL] to participate.

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