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ASBN Live: WALDEN MUTUAL BANK: Seeking the First New Mutual Bank Charter in a Generation

American Sustainable Business Network invites you to join us Wednesday, February 16th at 1pm ET to discuss Walden Mutual Bank, an interactive [] webinar with Charley Cummings, CEO and Vince Sicilliano, Board Chair.

Walden Mutual Bank is seeking the first new mutual bank charter granted in a generation, to support lending in the sustainable local food ecosystem in New England and New York, while offering consumer deposit accounts aligned with social and environmental impact. Cummings will describe how mutual banks, which are ultimately owned by depositors and governed by a board of independent Corporators, are ripe for reinvention in the modern era. The Bank intends to open in the second quarter of 2022, and is seeking investment in its Special Deposits, which serve as the bank’s regulatory capital.

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Advancing Corporate Tax Transparency: A Conversation with Sen. Van Hollen (MD), Rep. Axne (IA) and Business Leaders

American Sustainable Business Council – Social Venture Circle invite you to join Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), Rep. Cindy Axne (IA), and business leaders for a conversation on the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act. Large Multinational Corporations are using a variety of accounting maneuvers to shift billions of dollars in profits into tax haven countries to avoid taxes in the countries where they operate. This practice is creating an uneven playing field, especially for U.S. small businesses. Building on the country-by-country minimum tax in President Biden’s Made in America Tax Plan, the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act complements this key tax reform by directing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to mandate public disclosure of country-by-country financial reports by large corporations.

Country-by-country financial reports are vital information for investors to understand the tax structures and potential risks of the corporations in which they invest, especially in light of recent and potential future changes to international corporate tax law. When a corporation sends jobs overseas, their country-by-country financial report would show the extent to which the U.S. tax system is rewarding their behavior. The bill directs the SEC to conform its regulations to existing standards for country-by-country reporting, so this would not impose new recordkeeping burdens.

Speakers

Chris Van Hollen, US Senator for Maryland

Elected to the United States Senate by the people of Maryland in November 2016, Chris Van Hollen is committed to fighting every day to ensure that our state and our country live up to their full promise of equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity. Senator Van Hollen believes that every child deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and benefit from a quality education, and that anyone willing to work hard should be able to find a good job. That’s why his top priorities include creating more and better jobs, strengthening small businesses, and increasing educational and job training opportunities for individuals of all ages and in every community.

Cindy Axne, [] US Representative for Iowa

Cindy Axne is a fifth-generation Iowan, a small business owner, mom of two boys, and U.S. Representative from Iowa’s Third Congressional District. First elected in 2018, Cindy serves on the U.S. House Committees on Financial Services and Agriculture, the Rural Broadband Task Force, and is the Midwest Regional Whip for the House Democratic Caucus. Prior to Congress, she worked for nearly a decade at the State of Iowa, and operated a digital design firm she owns with her husband John

Ian Gary, Executive Director, [] The FACT Coalition

Ian Gary is the executive director of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition and is a senior policy, research and advocacy professional with over 25 years of experience in fiscal transparency and accountability, international development, and the reform of natural resource governance. Prior to joining The FACT Coalition, Ian directed Oxfam America’s global policy, advocacy and program work focused on promoting transparent and accountable financial flows – for example from oil and mining revenues, taxes and aid – to fight poverty. Based in Washington, DC, Ian led a team of policy managers, advisors and researchers. Prior to joining Oxfam in 2005, Ian was Strategic Issues Advisor for Africa and Strategic Issues Advisor for Extractive Industries at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) from 1999 to 2005. He has held positions with the Ford Foundation as well as international development organizations in the U.S. and Africa.

Ali-Reza Vahabzadeh, Vice President,American Sustainable Business Council [RELINK LOCAL]

Ali-Reza “A.R.” Vahabzadeh is Vice President at The American Sustainable Business Council where he is Head of Membership, Chief of Staff & ESG Policy Co-Lead. He is a solutions-geared organizational development professional with strong experience in relationship management and marketing. He has worked in business development and investor relations roles for companies such as Morgan Stanley, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan Chase in the U.S., Europe and Middle East. He is a senior business partner with exceptional interpersonal skills and a distinctive ability to support and work alongside executive leadership. He is a graduate of The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

In partnership with JumpScale, The Accountkeepers, Bromberger Law, SustainVC, GoodCarts, Trillium Asset Management, Perlman & Perlman, CNote, Junxion, Amalgamated Bank, and Hanson Bridgett.

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Impact Retail and Sustainable Products Summit.

The[] Impact Retail and Sustainable Products Summitis a special virtual event designed to support impact retailers navigate the current landscape of impact retail (e.g. ecommerce), and support them as they seek to improve their businesses, expand their impact, and enhance their leadership. The event will feature two plenary speakers includingAdnan Durrani(Saffron Road Foods) andNancy Rosenzweig(ValuesAligned Capital) alongside 24 investor and business leader experts who will offer open Q&A to support these entrepreneurs includingJeffrey Hollender(Co-Founder, Seventh Generation & ASBC),Janie Hoffman(Mamma Chia)andSeungah Jeong(MPowerd).

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Business Case for Clean Water featuring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)

Clean water is an essential ingredient for life and plays a significant role in our economy. A majority of business leaders understand that smart, science-based regulations, and enforcement for wetlands, rivers, streams, and public lakes help spur economic growth. Today, 70% of small business owners agree that clean water protections drive increased profit margins, create jobs, and provide a suite of economic benefits.

Yet our access to clean water is threatened by an assault on the Clean Water Act. You may recall that the previous administration implemented the Navigable Waters Protection Rule —removing vital protections for countless wetlands and waterways. If you are looking to learn more about what you can do to protect our water supplies, you won’t want to miss this free event. Hear firsthand from leaders who are building a clean water future for all.

Our moderator for this event will be Colton Fagundes, Senior Policy Manager at ASBC. He will be joined by a cross-sector panel of managers and owners with firsthand knowledge and experiences about how the value of clean water shapes their businesses. Speakers include:

  • Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator (D-MD)
  • Bobby Scott, U.S. Representative (D-VA)
  • Jon Devine,Federal Policy Director, NRDC
  • Avi Garbow, Environmental Advocate, Patagonia
  • Dominique Luckenhoff, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Hugo Neu – Kearny Point
  • Rick Baumann, Company Founder and Owner, Murrells Inlet Seafood
  • Ryan Bethea, Owner, Oysters Carolina
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NEXT Economy LIVE: Pet Industry Sustainability

ASBC-SVC invite you to join us May 12 at 1 PM ET to hear from the ASBC-SVC pet community (PSC) business leaders on how to drive impactful change within a $100 billion industry that affects the lives of our pets and our natural environment.

From food to litter to waste, the pet industry can have a significant impact. On this special webinar, join us to hear the ways these PSC brands have implemented regenerative and responsible business practices. Additionally, how can the pet industry as a whole work together to drive lasting change in an industry critical to pet parents and our environment?

Hear the lessons, relevant to all, that leading sustainable businesses in the pet industry have learned from teaming up and enacting initiatives in their workplaces and supply chains that better your pets, pet parents, and our ecosystems.

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Virtual Event

Pesticides, Cancer Prevention & Business Solutions

In recognition of National Cancer Prevention Month, join ASBC and the Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative for a special webinar on the importance of protecting our environment and communities from toxic pesticides and lifting up the solutions already within our reach.

Toxic chemicals in the environment and the places where children live, learn and play are also important risk factors for cancer. Toxic pesticides have a significant impact and have been clearly linked as a carcinogen. Communities of color and low-income communities are at high risk of being exposed to toxic chemicals. Moving away from toxic substances toward safer chemicals and products will drive innovation and job creation while also making workplaces and communities safer.

It is time to take action to protect our vulnerable communities from exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides and move forward with solutions from regenerative agriculture to utilization of non-toxic plant-based products.

Join a distinguished panel for this important conversation, Wednesday, February 24 at 3 PM ET, on how business and policymakers can take action on shifting towards safer chemicals and reducing exposure to toxic chemicals.

Speakers:

Co-sponsors:

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The Superheroes That Saved Orange Juice

Join Social Venture Circle and the American Sustainable Business Council January 13, 1-2:30pm ET for a special edition of NEXT Economy LIVE featuring Matt McLean (Uncle Matt’s Organic), Paul Richardson (Renewal Funds), and Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield Farm, Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute) in conversation with Nancy Rosenzweig (ValuesAligned Capital).

In March of 2020 with the pandemic looming and the financial markets in free fall, Matt McLean learned he had 30 days to buy his business back from the Dean Foods bankruptcy. The business his family built was the largest organic, citrus brand in the US. Allowing it go under or fall into the wrong hands could have caused irreparable damage to the organic citrus supply chain.

Meet the team that saved the company against all odds and learn how they did it. Hear about how this team is transforming an industry battered by citrus greening ( a by product of of non sustainable farming practices, over using pesticides) and low sugar trends into an innovative powerhouse in organic immunity products.

In partnership with JumpScale, The Accountkeepers, Bromberger Law, SustainVC, GoodCarts, Trillium Asset Management, Perlman & Perlman, Barclays, Junxion, and Hanson Bridgett.

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Restorative Finance for the NEXT Economy

The NEXT economy requires the “centering on healing and restoration of vulnerable communities who have been marginalized and oppressed by a polluting and extracting economy.”

Join Social Venture Circle and the American Sustainable Business Council, January 6, 2021, 1-2pm ET as we host this interactive discussion on restorative finance featuring Nwamaka Agbo (CEO, Kataly Foundation and Nwamaka Agbo Consulting; Nwamaka coined the term “restorative economics”), Vanessa Roanhorse (Founder, Roanhorse Consulting and Native Women Lead), and Mark Watson (Managing Director, Fair Food Network and Potlikker Capital Fund) in conversation with Laina Greene (CEO, Angels of Impact and GETIT, Inc.).

In partnership with JumpScale, The Accountkeepers, Bromberger Law, SustainVC, GoodCarts, Trillium Asset Management, Perlman & Perlman, Barclays, Junxion, and Hanson Bridgett.

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Remaking & Revitalizing the Economy

ASBC and SVC have formed a new alliance to establish one of the leading socially responsible business and impact investment groups, uniting top entrepreneurs and impact investors, and the leaders of mission-driven companies in common cause while amplifying and extending the collective voice of the sustainable business community in previously impossible ways. This collaboration is a powerful new force for environmental change and economic justice at the federal, state and local levels, one that rejects short-term thinking narrowly focused on short-term shareholder value in favor of a stakeholder economy based on creating long-term worth and universal accountability.

This virtual conference, previously hosted annually by SVC, exists to facilitate meaningful peer-to-peer conversations and action around shared interests for the 1,000+ members of ASBC-SVC: businesses, entrepreneurs, impact investors, policy makers, and capacity-builders working to create an economy that works for all.

AGENDA

All times Eastern

Day 1 – Tuesday, December 1 (Public)

11am-12pm: Plenary Panel (Open to the Public)

2pm-4:30pm: Beyond the Pitch (Open to Investors-Only)

Day 2 – Wednesday, December 2 (Registered Attendees Only)

11am-12pm: Plenary Panel

1-2:15pm: Small Group Breakouts

  • Employee Ownership
  • Capital Access for Entrepreneurs of Color
  • Impact Management & Measurement
  • Alternative Term Sheets

2:45-4pm: Small Group Breakouts

  • Restorative Finance
  • Social Procurement – Doing Business Together
  • Data Analysis: Who is Being Represented & How to Increase Representation
  • How Are We Coping, Responding, Co-Creating The New Equitable, Resilient Economy
  • How to Raise Capital at Any Stage

Day 3 – Thursday, December 3 (Registered Attendees Only)

11am-11:40am: The Elections and Beyond

11:45am-12:45pm: Plenary Panel – Creating an Economic System That Works for All

1:30-2:30pm: Small Group Breakouts: ASBC Policy Working Groups

  • Climate & Energy
  • Circular Economy
  • Race & Equity
  • Safer Chemicals
  • Regenerative Agriculture

2:45-4pm: TBA

Day 4 – Friday, December 4 (Registered Attendees Only)

11am-12pm: Plenary Panel

1-2:15pm: Small Group Breakouts

  • Nature SVC Working Group
  • Community Capital SVC Working Group
  • Business Resiliency & Adaptation

2:45-4pm: Small Group Breakouts

  • How Do Investors Measure Non-Financial Goals?
  • Impact Field Building: Stewardship Circle
  • Success Models
  • Pathways to Equitable Investment
  • Spirituality & Business

[] Register Today

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FOOD FUNDED 2020

Food entrepreneurs and investors convene for two days of educational workshops and live investment presentations to catalyze the funding flow for food ventures.MaryAnne Howland,Chair, ASBC’s Race & Equity Working Group and Founder/CEO, Ibis Communications and Global Diversity Leadership Exchange, will be a keynote speaker.

Entrepreneur Lab: Hands-on workshops by experienced practitioners:

  • What’s Happening in the Market Today?What’s on Consumers’ Minds and Drives their Buying Decisions?
  • Your food has a JEDI story. How to tell it?Shining a Light on Underserved Markets and Food with Heritage
  • How to Embed JEDI Culture in Your Company?Hiring, Promotions, Decisons, Power: Dealing with Unconscious Bias and Soft Barriers
  • Why Investing in Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion is Crucial. How Enterprises and Investors Can Move Capital in a more Equitable Way
  • Reality Check 2020: (Re)Building Resilient and Just Food Systems.Coming out at the Other End of the Crisis: How to Reshuffle the Cards for Regenerative and Just Solutions?
  • Your food has a climate story. How to tell it?Customers care. Now, how to connect the dots to your products and what behind them?
  • Regenerative Models from Soil to Shelf.Ag & Climate Solutions throughout the Supply Network
  • The Investment/financial Case for Climate-aware Food.What are the Real Returns that Matter?
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