B Corp Community Playing a Vital Role in University of New Hampshire’s B Impact Clinic
The University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Sustainability Institute piloted the university’s B Impact Clinic over five years ago, with one company client and one student working together to complete the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive open-source tool designed to assess a company’s social and environmental impact. Since then, more than 120 UNH students have worked with 53 companies that have become Certified B Corporations or have recertified (18 to date, with more pending), or who have used the B Impact Assessment to assess and improve their impacts.
It is in part thanks to these students’ efforts that there are now more than 40 B Corps across New Hampshire and Maine, and a growing movement in the region. This spring, an incredible group of B Corp business leaders and past UNH B Impact Clinic company clients have stepped forward to help us teach the clinic and mentor our students. This kind of engagement by the business community — working in a hands-on way to inspire and train the next generation of leaders — truly embodies an inherent value of the B Corp movement that sets B Corps apart: collective action and community engagement for a sustainable and equitable future.
The UNH Sustainability Institute is grateful for this exemplary group of business leaders and their roles in the growing B Corp community:
- Brittany Angelo, Impact Strategist, Campfire Consulting, and Benn Marine, Director of Social and Environmental Impact, Campfire Consulting.
- Mariah Morgan, Principal, Stout Heart.
- Anne Richardson, Owner and Media Director, Richardson Media Group.
Read on for a deep dive conversation into their perspectives on this new teaching experience and what it means for the B Corp movement as well as UNH students.
Why did you get involved in the B Corp movement and/or the UNH B Impact Clinic?
Brittany Angelo: I appreciate the camaraderie within the B Corp movement, where mutual support and a genuine willingness to assist one another prevail. The B Impact Clinic embodies these values and goes beyond, serving as a platform for those familiar with or already part of the movement to extend a warm welcome to new individuals and companies. My involvement stems from a desire to share my insights into businesses that are reshaping the conventional norms of the corporate world with students.
I firmly believe that by increasing awareness among students about companies prioritizing employee well-being, environmental conservation, and community resilience, we can foster a demand for better employment opportunities. When the workforce starts advocating for improvement, companies will be compelled to align with these higher standards. I find this movement to be incredibly influential, and I am delighted to contribute in any way possible.
Anne Richardson: I got involved because social and environmental responsibility and “business for good” are ideas that have been important to Richardson Media Group (RMG) since its inception 10 years ago. B Corp Certification elevates our company’s deep interest in doing good to the level of a formal commitment and provides a practical framework around which to set goals and measure progress. At RMG, we have used the past four seasons of the BSuite podcast to highlight the inspirational stories of purpose-driven business leaders who are finding innovative ways to make doing business in their unique industries more sustainable. Many of our podcast guests lead or work for B Corps, and quite a few have participated in the UNH B Impact Clinic!
Mariah Morgan: I first heard of the B Impact Clinic when a friend suggested that B Corp Certification seemed right in line with Stout Heart’s values. We have been very outspoken about our values and the way we do business since our early days. I watched a few fellow business owners and clients go through the process and decided that it was finally time to take the leap. I loved working with my student team during Stout Heart’s time with the B Impact Clinic. They were an inspiration to me, and Stout Heart was B Corp certified just months after the clinic ended.
Why did you decide to get involved instructing for the B Impact Clinic in this unique model?
Morgan: After going through the B Impact Clinic as a client, I joined as a Business Advisor two semesters later. I love being around the students and the energy that they bring to the table so helping to teach the clinic was just a natural next step. I care deeply about my business’ B Corp Certification, about the B Corp movement, and about teaching young people about the importance of the movement so that they can carry the torch when their time comes.
Richardson: As a former public school educator, I jumped at the opportunity to get back into the classroom, especially with undergraduate students who are interested in building their careers in sustainable business settings. This unique model brings together my passions for education and entrepreneurship, and I am excited to enhance our students’ understanding of business processes and the B Corp model while shepherding a new cohort of companies interested in certification through the B Impact Assessment.
Angelo: The current community teaching model exemplifies the strength of unity within the B Corp community, showcasing collective support for a larger purpose. As leaders of this year’s clinic, the four of us are collaborating to enhance the experience for both students and the overall movement. Our joint effort emphasizes that together, we can provide more substantial contributions than when working individually. By having four business leaders leading the clinic, students are benefiting from diverse perspectives, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of the B Corp movement. I envision this collaborative approach as a compelling example for students, illustrating the cohesive workings of the B Corp community.
What are the benefits of a model like this, both for you and for the students?
Richardson: With this model, students benefit from working with business advisors who are living the experience of running a B Corp business every day. They have direct access to the business advisors’ firsthand experiences and wisdom regarding not only B Corp Certification but also general business operations. They can practice networking, learn about client communication etiquette and the role of a consultant, and find their initial footing in the business world.
It is also beneficial to the business advisors because in breaking down the B Impact Assessment and making it more easily accessible to students, we gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the assessment and its strengths and pitfalls. The students are also an enormous source of creative energy and enthusiasm. They are so full of hope and demonstrate such potential to innovate and change the world; I come away from our sessions feeling optimistic and motivated!
Angelo: For the business leaders, collaborative synergy, network building and shared impact. By working together, we are leveraging our diverse expertise and experiences, leading to a more comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience for the students. This collaborative model is facilitating a network among teachers, fostering stronger connections within the B Corp community here in New Hampshire, and potentially opening avenues for future partnerships or collaborations between businesses. We collectively are contributing to the advancement of the B Corp movement, reinforcing the sense of shared purpose and responsibility within the community.
Students are gaining diverse perspectives and insights from multiple business leaders, each approaching the B Corp movement from a unique angle. This exposure is broadening their understanding and provides a more holistic view of sustainable and socially responsible business practices. The varied expertise of the leaders allows students to explore different aspects of the movement, offering a more comprehensive educational experience compared to a single-instructor model. Interacting with a group of leaders actively involved in the B Corp community enables students to witness practical applications of sustainable business principles, enhancing their understanding and preparing them for real-world challenges. Additionally, students can benefit from expanded networking opportunities within the B Corp community, as they interact with multiple leaders who may serve as mentors or connections in their future careers.
Morgan: I went to college and earned a degree in advertising and most of my favorite classes were taught by adjunct professors — professionals with successful careers at real agencies — and I loved hearing their real-life stories. I think it’s important for students to interact with business leaders so they see real people with real challenges and real careers and have a better understanding of the world they’ll walk into at graduation.
How do you see students playing a role in the B Corp movement?
Angelo: Students hold a versatile role within the B Corp movement, serving as potential catalysts for positive change and sustainable practices. As they familiarize themselves with the principles of B Corps, students become advocates for socially responsible business, poised to lead future initiatives that embody these values. Beyond becoming conscientious consumers, they contribute to a demand for ethical business practices, influencing market trends and motivating companies to adopt responsible models. Their fresh perspectives and innovative thinking position students as innovators, capable of introducing new ideas that can further enhance the B Corp movement.
Morgan: I think that these students have the power to change the world. They may not realize it yet but, as a generation, they hold a lot of sway over the business community. If they have high standards for sustainability, treatment of workers, and community involvement, employers will need to take a good look at how they measure up in order to stay relevant. That’s a hefty amount of influence if wielded right.
What is the outlook for students hoping to work for a company that is taking action on social and environmental sustainability?
Morgan: If you look at the momentum of the B Corp movement, it’s hard to ignore the numbers. As more and more businesses work toward certification (or even start to pay attention to the trends here), more jobs will become available. We just need to keep the movement movin’!
Richardson: The number of B Corps worldwide is growing rapidly, as is the number of companies who focus on social and environmental sustainability, regardless of B Corp certification. For example, a nonprofit where I sit on the board, NHBSR (New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility) has over 200 business members who are committed to business for good. Students have more opportunity now than ever to get involved with companies who are committing to make a real difference for the planet and its people.
A version of this article was originally published by the University of New Hampshire. B The Change gathers and shares the voices from within the movement of people using business as a force for good and the community of Certified B Corporations. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the nonprofit B Lab.
