October 14, 2025
Authors: Arielle Sanchez and Anayana Whhite
As the business community navigates increasingly complex policy changes and democracy feels fragile, ASBN is gathering purpose-driven leaders to chart a path forward together.
From October 21–23, 2025, we invite you to the Business, Policy and Purpose Conference: The Business of Democracy. This virtual event will bring bold sustainability leaders committed to building a just, regenerative economy together to share insights and actionable steps. It’s an opportunity for those committed to using business as a force for good to shape the future of our democracy across industries, communities, and perspectives.
As the political and economic landscape evolves, so does the role of sustainable business. Now is the time for us to ensure that responsible business values are reflected in the policies that shape our shared future. It’s never been more important for sustainable leaders to be at the table helping to inform choices that affect people, planet, and the future of our economy.
And we know that the most effective change doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens through collective action. That’s why we’ve curated a lineup of 60+ speakers who care about the future of sustainable business, who are ready to build solutions. They’re here because they believe business can be a force for good, and have a shared vision of systemic change, using sustainable business, policy, and community purpose as the tools to get there. We can’t solve today’s challenges without bold, collaborative leadership that centers equity, sustainability, and innovation.
At the heart of the conference are four key content tracks through which our thought leaders are driving action toward systemic change and a regenerative future:
While we have tagged these tracks across the agenda, once registered, attendees can create their own custom conference schedules by adding sessions, keynotes, and networking opportunities to their personal itinerary. This feature provides a central place for attendees to view their selected sessions in a custom calendar layout. As an attendee, you can browse the conference’s sessions and add the ones you are interested in to your own schedule or “itinerary”.
Conference Agenda Highlights
With 32 virtual events spanning 24 sessions, 3 keynotes, daily networking events, closing reflections, and our headlining address, discover sessions designed for every sustainable business leader.
Tuesday, October 21 – Driving Impact: Business as a Force for Democratic Resilience
Throughout the day we will:
- Explore how businesses can strengthen democratic institutions and processes through strategic engagement.
- Learn to leverage your company’s voice, resources, and influence to support electoral integrity, civic participation, and community resilience.
- Discover practical frameworks for responsible political engagement while maintaining business credibility.
- Connect with leaders who are successfully driving democratic impact through their organizations and building coalitions that protect and advance democratic values in their communities.
Keynote: Paul Rice
From the founder of Fair Trade USA and bestselling author of Every Purchase Matters, we hear inspiring stories and actionable insights for growing the sustainable business movement in times of adversity. This session will share reflections and strategies on how to build resilience, innovation, and impact in our businesses and as a sustainability movement.
Breakout sessions include:
- Building Bridges, Sharing Power: Tribal x Business Partnerships for Democratic and Climate Resilience
- Pinterest and Seneca Environmental
- Cultivating Climate, Equity, and Democracy through Agriculture
- Land & Liberation LLC and Climate Reality Project
- Future-Proofing Business: Ethics, Compliance, and Emerging Risks
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and Accenture
- Contemplative Practice and Social Action: Nurturing Oneself for the Work Ahead
- Mirabai Bush
- The Impact of Storytelling: Shaping Business, Policy, and a Regenerative Economy
- Impact Entrepreneur
- Farm to Future: Building Resilient Communities with Hemp
- Gloria Castillo, Sexsmith Architects, National Hemp Association, and HempWood
Wednesday, October 22 – Policy and Advocacy: Rewriting the Rules for an Inclusive Economy
Day two will focus on:
- Diving into how businesses can actively shape policy to create more equitable economic systems. Learn strategic advocacy techniques, policy engagement frameworks, and coalition-building strategies that drive meaningful change.
- Discovering how to navigate regulatory landscapes, influence legislation, and champion bipartisan policies that promote inclusive growth.
- Connecting with leaders who are successfully advocating for economic justice, fair wages, and sustainable business practices while building bridges between private sector innovation and public policy reform.
Keynote: Voices of Hope: The New American Leader
Join farmer Jamie Ager and journalist Ahmed Baba for a powerful conversation on grassroots economic resilience and advocacy. Grounded in lived experience, Ager, a working-class leader, shares how environmental, economic, and social policies shape the lives of resource-dependent communities—and how he’s fighting for change.
Breakout sessions include:
- Live Q&A with legislators
- Representatives Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (Florida) and Becky Edwards (Montana)
- Business at COP30: Elevating Carbon Removal and Climate Leadership
- Sasha Chebil and Michael Green
- Demystifying Advocacy: A Business Leader’s Guide to Policy Engagement
- Michael Jarrett, Alex Bookis, and EWG
- Fair Food, Fair Work: Worker-Driven Standards in Food Supply Chains
- Judge Laura Safer Espinoza and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers
- Purple State, Green Momentum
- John Imes, WEI, Stephen Herzenberg, and Keystone
Thursday, October 23 – Purpose in Practice: Building Community Power and Collective Action
- Transform values into action by learning how to mobilize community networks and build sustainable coalitions.
- Discover strategies for engaging stakeholders, organizing grassroots movements, and creating lasting social change through collective business leadership.
- Connect with leaders who are successfully building community power, driving voter engagement, and creating measurable impact through purpose-driven initiatives and collaborative action in their local communities.
Keynote Panel: The Women Driving Systemic Change Through Mission-Driven Business Communities
This keynote explores innovative approaches to systemic change, from grassroots organizing to corporate transformation and impact investing. Discover how women leaders are transforming entire industries by building purpose-driven business networks and communities. This keynote explores innovative approaches to systemic change, from grassroots organizing to corporate transformation and impact investing.
Closing Keynote: Rick Steves
Navigating America: What 50 Years of Travel Has Taught Me About Business and Democracy
Join travel expert, author, and successful businessman Rick Steves in conversation with ASBN Executive Director Camilla Taylor as they explore what five decades of travel have taught him about responsible business leadership and the importance of democracy.
Steves will share why he believes “good business is good business”—prioritizing employee care, environmental stewardship, and long-term profitability over short-term gains. Discover how this mission-driven approach has guided his advocacy for democracy, social responsibility, and environmental protection, and why he believes business leaders must step up as champions for their communities.
Learn lessons from the road that can transform how you lead your organization and engage with the world around you.
Breakout sessions include:
- Regenerative Food Systems: Driving Investment and Community Impact
- Zero FoodPrint, News Seasons Market, and Bob’s Red Mill
- From Purpose to Power: Mobilizing Business for Collective Impact
- Premiums for the Planet, Seventh Generation, and the U.S. Chamber of Connection
- How to Move Entire Industries Through the Power of Collective Action
- Switchboard
- Driving Community Empowerment: Tools for Investing in the Inclusive Economy
- Stepping Stone Partners, Tern Strategies, Trillium Asset Management, Sphere, Main Street Journal, and David Levine
We Need Bold Leadership Now
Across all three days, expect courageous conversations, actionable insights, and a community that reflects the future we’re building; one that is regenerative, equitable, and resilient.
Join us to amplify your voice, deepen your impact, and shape the policies that define our collective future. Because in the business of democracy, your voice is your power. Together, we are the sustainable business voice.
Can’t Commit to All Three Days? We’ve Got You Covered. We understand that conference season fills up fast. Business leaders told us the ASBN conference is too valuable to miss, so we’ve introduced a new 1-Day pass, letting you customize your experience around your schedule.
Naturepedic Sweet Dreams Door Prize Giveaway
As a special thank-you, every attendee is automatically entered to win our Sweet Dreams conference giveaway* featuring Naturepedic’s award-winning organic mattresses and bedding—valued at over $2,000. It’s just one more way we’re supporting purpose-driven leaders in living their values, even in how they rest and recharge.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to US residents 18+. Entry period: October 1-20, 2025, 11:59pm ET. Automatic entry for conference registrants. See the complete rules here: https://bit.ly/SweetDreams2025. Hosted by American Sustainable Business Institute. Void where prohibited.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
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.