Wednesday, February 9, 1pm ET - Investing in the Spatial Practice of Democracy

This webinar will explore how a growing interdisciplinary consortium of practitioners are using the Designing for Democracy platform to spatially interrogate and actualize democratic values we strongly believe are intrinsically important in scaling a just and inclusive built environment. April DeSimone (Trahan Architects) will share DFD's framework which investigates and defines how we view spatial practice from the lens of healing, equity, and justice.

 Wednesday, February 16, 1pm ET - WALDEN MUTUAL BANK: Seeking the First New Mutual Bank Charter in a Generation

Join us 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.

 Wednesday, February 23, 1pm ET - Branding through Sustainability

The creative folks that manage a company's branding are critical in bringing the company forward into the new sustainability paradigm. Tried-and-true creative thinking exercises alone aren't enough to tackle the wicked problems posed by understanding and managing all of the ways a company impacts the environment and society. Enter Impact Strategists, experts in impact measurement frameworks and best practices. With their powers combined, these teams create solid, actionable, impact strategies that go beyond 'greenwash-y' stories to capture market share, attract talent, and de-risk the turbulent future ahead of every business. Join Ted Carling (Ecotone Analytics), Ashleigh Penrod (Mess Hill), Joe Cecere (Little and Co) and Sara Olsen (SVT Group) in discussing the opportunity for brands to authentically manage their own sustainable future.

Episode 10 - Dolores Huerta & Tom Steyer, A Conversation

Today's episode of the Just & Sustainable Economy Podcast comes from our 2017 archives, featuring Labor and Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta of The Dolores Huerta Foundation and philanthropist, co-founder of ASBN member company Beneficial State Bank, and founder of NextGen America, Tom Steyer.

The conversation was spurred by the documentary film DOLORES, which was screening in festivals at the time and premiered just a few months later. The documentary is a portrait of activist icon Dolores Huerta, who tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice.

Business for Democracy

Wednesday, February 9, 1pm ET - Contact Thomas Oppel to participate

The Business for Democracy working group believes that the support of businesses, big and small, is increasingly pertinent to an inclusive democracy. ASBN has long championed inclusivity and equity as enduring principles on which a healthy economy is founded. And a functioning free and fair democracy is an incomparable tool to achieve such a landscape. We are committed to pioneering these necessary reforms in order to ensure the survival of democracy by convening interested businesses with a shared commitment to democracy.

Corporate Transparency and ESG Disclosure

Wednesday, February 9, 3pm ET - Contact Ali-Reza Vahabzadeh to participate

The Corporate Transparency and ESG Disclosure working group strives to address the growing concerns about business activities which are unaccounted for, or currently escape disclosure as negative externalities, activities which at this point also do not affect the P&L or balance sheet of corporations. The guest speaker at this meeting is Kaya Axelsson (Net Zero Policy Engagement Fellow).

Regenerative Agriculture & Justice

Thursday, February 10, 1pm ET - Regenerative Agriculture and Justice Speaker Series - Farm Bill and Policy Priorities, Part Three

ASBN and the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice working group invite you to the final part of their speaker series on the Farm Bill and Policy Priorities Special Event. These sessions are planned as a lead-up to the working group voting on and establishing their policy priorities. Participation in this working group is normally restricted to ASBN members, but in the spirit of education, we are opening this speakers series to our broader network. If you are interested in how policy can be used to advance the goals of regenerative agriculture and a more just and equitable food system, this is a great opportunity to learn about the work key players are doing in the space. 

Part three will feature speakers from: 

• Natural Resource Defense Council 
• Organic Trade Association  
• Intertribal Agriculture Council 

Livable Planet Working Group

Thursday, February 10, 1pm ET - Join meeting here

The Livable Planet working group is dedicated to identifying systems and solutions that enable all life to thrive. We work together to enhance these living-systems, tending to personal, team, community and global wellbeing. On Feb 10th, 1 PM EST, the Livable Planet Working Group will be talking with ASBC's Noah Oppenheim, leader of the Businesses for Climate and Conservation Action initiative, about policy initiatives that we might be able to amplify.

Safer Chemicals Public Policy Working Group

Friday, February 11, 12pm ET - Join meeting here

The ASBN-BizNGO Safer Chemicals Public Policy working group focuses on public policy initiatives at the state and federal level. In collaboration with BizNGO this working group features in-depth analyses by policy experts, monitors federal and state chemical policy initiatives, and engages in and comments on initiatives where we have expertise.