Past Event

Innovating for Good Conference

Businesses face new expectations in the 21st century. We look to enterprises to create a positive impact in the manner that they source their materials, produce their products, and engage their communities. But is it possible to “do good” and still run a profitable business? This conference features business leaders who are succeeding at just that, building brands at the top of their market sector and embedding positive social impact into the core of their enterprises. An increasing body of companies now go beyond charity; Their enterprise is their mission.

Schedule 

10 a.m. Opening welcome: Professor David Batstone/Dean Elizabeth Davis

10:10 a.m. Overview of our Conference: Professor David Batstone

10:20 a.m. Presentation of Harari Prize: Dean Elizabeth Davis

10:30 a.m. Opening Keynote: Jolstein Solheim, CEO of Ben & Jerrys
"Social Impact and Profitability: The Double Dip"
(20 minute speech and 15 minute Q&A)

11:05 a.m. Start-up Intel: Session One
Theme: Taking Social Good Mainstream. Social enterprises do not get a pass simply because they aim to bring about a better world. Conversation Catalyst: David Batstone, Professor, USF
Denis Ring, founder, Ocho Bar; co-creator 360 Brand, Whole Foods. Sarah Heck, Head of Entrepreneurship, Stripe and Former Director of Global Engagement, the White House. Jostein Solheim, CEO, Ben & Jerry's

11:45 a.m. Keynote #2:  Damian Bradfield, Founder & President, WeTransfer. “Hardwiring a Cause into Your Business" (18 minute speech & 12 minutes Q&A)

12:15 p.m. Break for Lunch. Tasting sessions at booths provided by Innovative Food Enterprises

1:15 p.m. Keynote #3:  Sarah Heck, Head of Entrepreneurship, Stripe and former Director of Global Engagement, The White House. “The Impact of Enabling Entrepreneurship Globally” (18 minute speech & 12 minutes Q & A)
Conversation Catalyst:  Mark Wexler, Cofounder, Just Business Fund
 
1:45 p.m. Start-up Intel: Session 2
Theme: Closing the Funding Gaps. We hear large amounts of investment dollars are moving to the impact sector; why are they so hard to find? Where should new startups should look, and how to cross the chasm once you reach $2m–10m in annual revenue?
With Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO, KuliKuli. Damian Bradfield, Founder & President, WeTransfer. Klaus Siegmann, Founder & CEO, Relocity
 
2:30 p.m. Start-up Intel: Session Three. 
Theme: Building a Big Brand on a Small Budget. Conversation Catalyst:  Allison Light, Director, West. Sarah Gordon, Cofounder, Square Organics. Zachary Batstone, Cofounder, Z Shoes Organic. Rusti Porter, Sr VP of Marketing, REBBL

3:45 p.m. Wrap-up                     

 

Notes

In partnership with the University of San Francisco School of Management

Lunch included

This program is sold out; no tickets will be sold at the door

April 4, 2018

The Commonwealth Club
110 The Embarcadero
Taube Family Auditorium
San Francisco, 94105
United States