2012 Spring Conference

2012 Spring Conference

Walking the Talk: The Profitability of Values

2012 Spring Conference

Monday, May 14th   

Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel

250 Market Street, Portsmouth New Hampshire

In an uncertain financial climate and an environment of skeptical consumers, many New Hampshire businesses have demonstrated that operating in a socially and environmentally responsible way position businesses for success.  

Walking the Talk: The Profitability of Values is designed to appeal to businesses across the spectrum of sustainable/socially responsible business operations.  Three tracks of sessions allow attendees from large and small companies alike, as well as beginning to leader positions in sustainability practices, to find the perfect opportunity to learn and share best practices.

We are excited to feature keynote speaker, Andrew Winston of Winston Eco-Strategies and author of the Green Recovery and co-author of Green to Gold.  Local favorite Beth Tener of New Directions Collaborative will lead a focused networking session, helping you to find the people you need to connect with to move your CSR efforts in the right direction.

Register now!

Featured

Andrew Winston
Winston Eco-Strategies
Biography
Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, is the author of Green Recovery, a strategic plan for using environmental thinking to survive hard economic times. He is also the co-author of Green to Gold, the best-selling guide to what works - and what doesn't - when companies go green. Andrew is a globally recognized expert on green business, appearing regularly in major media such as The Wall Street Journal, Time, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, and CNBC. Andrew is dedicated to helping companies both large and small use environmental strategy to grow, create enduring value, and build stronger relationships with employees, customers, and other stakeholders. His clients have included Bank of America, Bayer, HP, Pepsi, Boeing, and IKEA. Andrew also sits on the Sustainability Advisory Board of Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Andrew bases his work on significant in-company business experience. His earlier career included advising companies on corporate strategy while at Boston Consulting Group and management positions in strategy and marketing at Time Warner and MTV. After these more traditional roles, Andrew pursued his passion to explore the overlap between business and environment. He served as the Director of the Corporate Environmental Strategy Project at Yale's renowned School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Today, Andrew is a highly respected and dynamic speaker, reaching audiences of thousands of people around the world and acting as a practical evangelist for the benefits of going green. He also writes extensively on green business strategy, including a weekly column for Harvard Business Online, regular pieces on Huffington Post, and a monthly strategy e-letter, Eco-Advantage Strategies. For his efforts, Andrew was recently named a "Planet Defender" by Rock the Earth. Andrew received his BA in Economics from Princeton, an MBA from Columbia, and a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale. He lives in Riverside, CT with his wife Christine and two young sons.
Beth Tener
New Directions Collaborative
Biography
Beth Tener, Principal of New Directions Collaborative, is a facilitator and organization consultant with over 20 years of experience helping organizations implement strategies to improve their environmental and social responsibility performance. She specializes in helping people to collaborate across functions and organizations in pursuit of joint goals. This includes strategic planning and developing the shared commitment, consensus and action plans to implement change. Her work is informed by broad experience in how organizational change happens, systems thinking, and sustainability issues, gained through work with over 100 companies, government agencies, foundations, and non-profits. Her skills in structured writing, graphics, and oral communication help clients to build a compelling argument for change to build buy-in and alignment. In her previous role as Executive Director of Sustainable Step New England, she trained hundreds of people in principles of sustainability and how to put these into practice in their work. She helped internal “change agents” take leadership within their organzation to adopt green practices . She also convened dialogues between sustainable business leaders and government about how government policies could help advance sustainable practices. She has been invited to give speeches on sustainability, strategy, and catalyzing networks for a wide range of audiences including MIT Sloan Business School, National Environmental Partnership Summit, the National Association of Environmental Trainers, and the NESEA Building Energy conference. Beth has a B.A. in Political Science from Bates College and a M.S. in Environmental Technology from Imperial College in London. She was previously a Senior Consultant at Arthur D. Little. Her personal efforts to "walk the talk" and adopt sustainable practices in her daily life also inform her work…from building an Energy Star geothermal home to growing a large organic garden. She lives in southern New Hampshire and enjoys hiking, the team collaboration of pick-up basketball, cross-country skiing, yoga, and good conversation where one idea builds on the next.

Session Panelist

Mauret Brinser
American Heart Association
Biography
Mauret has worked at the American Heart Association for over three years, covering the states of New Hampshire and Vermont. In her role of Executive Director, she provides direct oversight for the fundraising campaigns in both states. In addition, Mauret works with community leaders and volunteers to drive the mission of “Building Healthier Lives Free of Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.” Mauret lives in Nottingham, NH with her husband and two children.
Yola Carlough
B Lab
Biography
Yola joined B Lab in 2011. Her work in the area of community development facilitates entry into the B Corp community for businesses that commit to high standards of transparency, accountability and performance. Yola also manages a private consulting initiative in the field of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. From 2007-2011, Yola was the Director of Sustainability at Burt’s Bees in Durham, NC. Prior to joining Burt’s Bees, she was Director of Social Mission at Ben & Jerry’s in Burlington, VT., where she managed environmental and socially-conscious directions for the company’s domestic and international business.
Peter Cooke, Sr.
Cooke Associates
Biography
Peter is a consultant working with diverse communities, boards, and senior management teams. The outcomes of his community work include increased awareness, better relationships, and sense of purpose; and for his organizational work increased performance, effort, and morale. Peter is also a trainer for Institute for Global Ethics, and Project on Civic Reflection. He was a General Manager for a division of Procter & Gamble Canada and a group facilitator for Outward Bound’s Professional Development Program.
Robin Eichert
PeopleSense Consulting, LLC
Biography
Robin founded PeopleSense Consulting LLC in 2001 with the mission to help employees and managers better understand each other for productive and enjoyable work cultures. Robin uses online assessment tools that provide objective data to frame authentic conversations. She combines 25 years of business management experience with a passion for making people successful in the workplace. She has held senior management roles in publishing, educational, high-tech, and manufacturing industries. She is active in her community, serving in a variety of leadership roles in service organizations.
Patti Friedman
Hypertherm, Inc.
Biography
Patti started at Hypertherm as the Wellness Program Manager in April 2011, after being the Associate Director of the Carter Community Building Association (CCBA), a non-profit recreation center in Lebanon, NH. Patti attended Springfield College and graduated with a BS in Commercial Recreation and a minor in Business. She is certified as an AFAA fitness instructor, Spinning and TRX instructor. She is also an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. Patti has been an avid volunteer coach for many years. In 2009, she received the Liberty Mutual Responsible Coaching Award for Vermont. Patti serves as a member of the board of trustees for Mascoma Savings Bank.
Dr. Matthew Gardner
Sustainserv, Inc.
Biography
Matthew is a Director of Sustainserv, Inc., a Boston, MA and Zurich Switzerland-based firm that works with the world’s leading companies to help them design and implement corporate sustainability strategies. Matt earned his Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry from Haverford College, and his Doctorate in chemistry from Michigan State University. He spent 10 years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including five years as the Executive Director of the Earth System Initiative, an environmental research program. His expertise is in corporate sustainability, green community development, and energy and environmental science and technology.
Debbie Hornor
American Heart Association
Biography
Debbie serves as the Community Obesity Policy Manager for the American Heart Association (AHA) at National Center. Debbie provides technical assistance and training for communities as part of the nationwide Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. Her experience includes income development, public policy, and direct service in roles with the AHA, the American Cancer Society, and other key health-focused non-profits. She received the NH Public Health Association’s Friend of Public Health Award, the AHA’s Rookie of the Year Award, and was named an Outstanding Woman of NH. Debbie is an avid kayaker and runner and lives in Concord, NH with her husband and two children.
Mirjam IJtsma
Cultural Chemistry, LLC
Biography
Mirjam is President of Cultural Chemistry, LLC, a human capital organization focused on increasing productivity and reducing labor and process-related costs and wastes. Typical clients are small businesses that are using the coaching and training programs to grow their company. She is passionate about supporting small businesses with their efforts to create energetic, high performing workforces. With her knowledge of employee engagement, human resources, and process improvement techniques, Marjam helps move her clients from being average to being outstanding. Mirjam is a frequent speaker and writer on the topic of employee engagement.
Alex Lamb
Trucost
Biography
Alex, who joined Trucost in 2010, is Vice President for North America. His previous work includes corporate sustainability analysis and business development at KLD Research & Analytics, where he managed KLD's role as lead partner in Newsweek's Inaugural Green Rankings. Alex co-founded and coordinates the Boston Area Sustainable Investment Consortium, a network of NE sustainable investment professionals. He has consulted with leading companies such as Timberland and Clif Bar to integrate sustainability into international sourcing and operations. Alex holds a BA from Hampshire College and an MBA in sustainable business from Bainbridge Graduate Institute, where he serves on the Board of Trustees.
David Maestri
Wire Belt Company of America
Biography
David is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Wire Belt Company of America, a 2011 Best Companies to Work For in NH Hall of Fame company. He has been with Wire Belt for 38 years and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Emmanuel College. David has been married to his lovely wife Christine for 28 years, and has two children, Alicia and David Jr.
Dr. Robert K. McLellan
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Biography
Robert is Medical Director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Live Well/Work Well program, which is a comprehensive, integrated health promotion, disease management and health protection program for about 20,000 employees and their families. He serves as Chief of the Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and is Associate Professor of Medicine, Community and Family Medicine, and The Dartmouth Institute at Dartmouth Medical School. Robert is a past president of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, as well as the New England College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Sheila Oranch
Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center
Biography
Sheila has worked for the executive search firm Gloss International; has trained and supervised student assistants at Simmons College; and has hired and trained adults and youth in a financial services firm. At Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center, she hires and trains teen employees who go onto college and full-time employment. Sheila and her partners believe that hiring young people is an opportunity to educate, inspire, and motivate them to be good citizens, employees, and potential entrepreneurs.
Amanda Grappone Osmer
Grappone Automotive Group
Biography
Amanda is the fourth generation of her family to own and help operate Grappone Automotive Group. She lives in Canterbury, NH with her husband and three small children. Amanda is very proud of her team of 300 at Grappone, and is energized by their creativity, passion for the customer, and willingness to always take on a new challenge. She is also proud of the fact that her family heats their home with wood, and hangs all their clothes to dry year round. She loves trail running and hanging out with her family.
Herb Parkhurst
NH Ball Bearings
Biography
Herb is a licensed mechanical engineer and Certified Energy Manager who has been involved with footprint reduction activities since 1994. Most recently, he has managed environmental, safety, facility and machine repair activities at NH Ball Bearings in Laconia, NH. His efforts have brought such recognition as commendations from the Governor’s office, the Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award, Business Leader award from NE Energy Efficiency Partnership and the Occupational Excellence and Million Hours Worked Without a Lost Time Injury awards from the National Safety Council. His vision of reducing the impact of all environmental, safety, energy and facilities activities has produced many successful sustainability initiatives.
George Parmenter
Hannaford
Biography
George is Manager of Sustainability for Hannaford Supermarkets parent company. He manages sustainability initiatives at Hannaford Supermarkets, which is based Scarborough, M, operates 179 stores, 36 of those in NH, and employs more than 27,000 associates in ME, MA, NH, NY, and VT. George currently devotes a significant portion of his time working on waste reduction and recycling projects while implementing a sustainable seafood sourcing policy for Hannaford and her sister banner companies in the US. He has held positions in Construction Management and Purchasing at Hannaford. George holds a BA in Business from UNE. He lives in Steep Falls, ME.
Jessica Santos
OMHRA
Biography
Jessica, State Partnership Grant Coordinator, OMHRA, has worked in Maine, New Hampshire, and Brazil to generate resources and support low-income families as they transition to employment and out of poverty. After years of specializing in job placement for refugees, she designed a $12 million innovative workforce development project to build a skilled, diverse healthcare workforce in NH. Jessica is pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Policy at Brandeis University, where she conducts applied research on workforce development and diversity.
Dennis R. Sasseville
Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Biography
Dennis is a Senior Associate with Normandeau Associates, Inc. with 35 years of experience as an environmental management consultant. He has extensive experience with Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) performance improvements, Quality Management Systems, and sustainability strategies. Previously, Dennis was a Senior Manager in the ISO Management Systems practice and the Environmental Advisory Practice with KPMG. Dennis is a certified EMS Lead Auditor, a member of ASTM’s E-60 committee on Sustainability, and an author of several books on environmental management. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at UNH Manchester where he teaches courses on Sustainable Development.
Bryan Sheehan
SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting
Biography
Bryan is President of SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting, which focuses on helping small-to-medium-sized businesses increase their profitability and competitive advantage by reducing their environmental impact. Bryan combines 20 years of business experience in companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies with 10 years of concurrent involvement and training in business sustainability. Bryan holds an MS in Sustainable Business Management and membership in the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and other business sustainability professional associations, including NHBSR. Bryan has been published on sustainability in NHBR and BBJ, has provided educational presentations to numerous organizations, and co-hosts a sustainability radio program called The Long View.
Dr. Trinidad Tellez
NH Department of Health and Human Services
Biography
Trinidad is Director of the Office of Minority Health and Refugee Affairs, NH Department of Health and Human Services. She is responsible for overseeing the development of partnerships, initiatives and policies designed to reduce health disparities and promote health equity, and for improving access to DHHS services for racial, ethnic, and linguistic minorities. Dr. Tellez is a Dartmouth Medical School graduate, a UCLA - Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar, and holds an adjunct DMS faculty appointment.
Wood Turner
Stonyfield Farm
Biography
Wood is the VP of Sustainability Innovation for Stonyfield Farm and is the company’s lead advocate, facilitator, and educator on sustainability issues. He is responsible for catalyzing efforts that fulfill Stonyfield’s mission of not only minimizing negative environmental impact in all areas of its operations, but also advancing innovative impact-reduction solutions. Prior to joining Stonyfield, he was the founding Executive Director of Climate Counts, a non-profit that scores companies annually on their climate actions, and has appeared on such prestigious media outlets as the NY Times, NPR, The Economist, BBC, and the Harvard Business Review. Wood holds degrees from Duke University and the University of Washington.

Achieving a Culture of Employee Health and Wellness
Sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centers

This session will provide participants with best practices regarding effective worksite wellness programs and policies, including recommendations from the American Heart Association.  Case studies from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Hypertherm will illustrate lessons learned through their local implementation of worksite wellness programs and policies.  Practical tools and examples will also be offered that small and large companies alike can use to enhance their own worksite wellness efforts.

Speakers: Mauret Brinser, NH/VT Executive Director, American Heart Association; Robert McClellan, MD, MPH Chief of Section, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Patti Friedman, Wellness Program Manager, Hypertherm, Inc.; Debbie Hornor, Community Obesity Policy Manager, National Center, American Heart Association.

Standup and Standout: Is External Certification the Right Path for Your Organization?
Sponsored by Normandeau Associates

Home-grown initiatives are fine, but much can be said for aligning a CSR or sustainability program, or an entire organization, with an externally-recognized standard or credo. This session will explore the certification and recognition options for organizations today; from B Corporations to ISO registration, to GRI, to the new ULE 880 sustainability certification and others. What are the true pros and cons? Why bother? Hear from panelists who represent the front lines of social responsibility today.    

Speakers: Dennis Sasseville, Director, Environmental Management & Sustainability, Normandeau Associates; Wood Turner, VP Sustainability Innovation, Stonyfield Farm, Inc. ; Yola Carlough, Executive Director, B Corporation; Rebecca Hamilton, Director of Product Development, W.S. Badger Co.

Bootstrapping a Sustainability Program:  Succeeding with Sustainability Despite Limited Resources
Sponsored by Barker Architects, PLLC

This session will help small to medium-sized businesses: (a) minimize the disadvantages and maximize the advantages, when planning and implementing a sustainability program; (b) strategically plan for  sustainability program success within existing resource constraints; and (c) become more aware of cost-effective sustainability tools, options, and approaches for the resource-constrained organization.  Real-world examples of succeeding with sustainability in resource-constrained organizations will also be discussed.  This session will conclude with an interactive activity to help attendees explore the possibilities.

Speakers: Bryan Shaheen, President, SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting; Amanda Grappone Osmer, COO, Grappone Automotive Group.

Diversify to Thrive: Why a Diverse Workforce Makes Sense in the New Economy
Sponsored by Image4

New Hampshire businesses face many challenges as resources, including employees, evolve with changing times.  The boomer generation is aging and opting out of the workplace; and increasingly young/culturally-diverse populations bring new opportunities and needs to the table. Through discussion and examples, attendees will gain greater awareness of the advantages of preparing for a young/culturally-diverse labor pool, as well as insight into how promoting shared values will help businesses to grow and sustain themselves in a changing economy.

Speakers: Sheila Oranch, Partner/CEO, Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center; Trinidad Tellez, MD, Director, Office of Minority Health & Refugee Affairs, NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH-DHHS); Jessica Santos, State Partnership Grant Coordinator OMHRA/NH-DHHS; David Maestri, Vice President of Human Resources, Wire Belt, Inc. ; Peter Cooke, Principal, Cooke Associates.

Demonstrating the Value of CSR – Metrics, Costs, and Benefits
Sponsored by Stonyfield Farm

Sustainability initiatives are best managed by establishing good metrics, monitoring progress against those metrics, and quantifying the costs and benefits of the program. The speakers in this panel represent a leading organization that collects, compiles and communicates sustainability relevant metrics, and two leading practitioners with management responsibility for sustainability programs. Real -world examples will be presented to demonstrate best practices for how to measure, manage, and quantify the impacts of leading corporate sustainability programs.

Speakers: Alex Lamb, Vice President for North America, TruCost; Herb Parkhurst, Senior Manager, Plant Services, New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.;  George Parmenter, Manager of Sustainability Programs, Hannaford Supermarkets; Matthew Gardener, Director, SustainServ.

Engaging Employees in Social Responsibility: A Practical Workshop for Small Businesses
Sponsored by Now or Never Media

Socially responsible business owners are constantly striving for ways to improve the engagement of employees. During this workshop you will gain an understanding of management styles and tools that will engage your employees in the organization's mission and vision. Together we discuss how to create ownership at all levels of the organization and ways to transform managers from task givers to coaches. You will leave with a plan to implement a socially responsible culture.

Speakers: Mirjam IJtjam, Owner/President, Cultural Chemistry; Robin Eichert, Principal, PeopleSense Consulting

8:00 - 8:30

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:30 - 10:00 am

MORNING KICKOFF

WELCOME: Michelle Veasey, NHBSR Executive Director; Jeff Allar, Vice President - Human Resources, Stonyfield Farm, NHBSR Board Co-Chair

FOCUSED NETWORKING

Presented by Beth Tener, Principal, New Directions Collaborative; Sponsored by Pax World Mututal Funds

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW: Lisa Harden Berghaus, Manager of Marketing Communications, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., NHBSR Board, Conference Committee Co-Chair

10:00 - 10:15 am

MORNING BREAK

10:15 - 11:45

Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Achieving a Culture of Employee Health and Wellness

Sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centers

This session will provide participants with best practices regarding effective worksite wellness programs and policies, including recommendations from the American Heart Association.  Case studies from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Hypertherm will illustrate lessons learned through their local implementation of worksite wellness programs and policies.  Practical tools and examples will also be offered that small and large companies alike can use to enhance their own worksite wellness efforts.

Speakers: Mauret Brinser, NH/VT Executive Director, American Heart Association; Robert McClellan, MD, MPH Chief of Section, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Patti Friedman, Wellness Program Manager, Hypertherm, Inc.; Debbie Hornor, Community Obesity Policy Manager, National Center, American Heart Association

Standup and Standout: Is External Certification the Right Path for Your Organization?
Sponsored by Normandeau Associates

Home-grown initiatives are fine, but much can be said for aligning a CSR or sustainability program, or an entire organization, with an externally-recognized standard or credo. This session will explore the certification and recognition options for organizations today; from B Corporations to ISO registration, to GRI, to the new ULE 880 sustainability certification and others. What are the true pros and cons? Why bother? Hear from panelists who represent the front lines of social responsibility today.    

Speakers: Dennis Sasseville, Director, Environmental Management & Sustainability, Normandeau Associates; Wood Turner, VP Sustainability Innovation, Stonyfield Farm, Inc. ; Yola Carlough, Executive Director, B Corporation; Rebecca Hamilton, Director of Product Development, W.S. Badger Co.

Bootstrapping a Sustainability Program:  Succeeding with Sustainability Despite Limited Resources
Sponsored by Barker Architects, PLLC

This session will help small to medium-sized businesses: (a) minimize the disadvantages and maximize the advantages, when planning and implementing a sustainability program; (b) strategically plan for  sustainability program success within existing resource constraints; and (c) become more aware of cost-effective sustainability tools, options, and approaches for the resource-constrained organization.  Real-world examples of succeeding with sustainability in resource-constrained organizations will also be discussed.  This session will conclude with an interactive activity to help attendees explore the possibilities.

Speakers: Bryan Shaheen, President, SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting; Amanda Grappone Osmer, COO, Grappone Automotive Group

11:45 - 12:00 pm

Informal Networking & Catch up at Office

12:00 - 1:30

Keynote Speaker & Awards Luncheon

Cornerstone Award Presentation: Debbie Hornor, Community Obesity Policy Manager, National Center, American Heart Association & NHBSR Board Member
Governor John Lynch invited

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Andrew Winston, Winston Eco-Strategies

1:30 - 2:00 pm

Afternoon Break

2:00 - 3:30

Afternoon Sessions (choose one)

Diversify to Thrive: Why a Diverse Workforce Makes Sense in the New Economy
Sponsored by Image4

New Hampshire businesses face many challenges as resources, including employees, evolve with changing times.  The boomer generation is aging and opting out of the workplace; and increasingly young/culturally-diverse populations bring new opportunities and needs to the table. Through discussion and examples, attendees will gain greater awareness of the advantages of preparing for a young/culturally-diverse labor pool, as well as insight into how promoting shared values will help businesses to grow and sustain themselves in a changing economy.

Speakers: Sheila Oranch, Partner/CEO, Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center; Trinidad Tellez, MD, Director, Office of Minority Health & Refugee Affairs, NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH-DHHS); Jessica Santos, State Partnership Grant Coordinator OMHRA/NH-DHHS; David Maestri, Vice President of Human Resources, Wire Belt, Inc. ; Peter Cooke, Principal, Cooke Associates.

Demonstrating the Value of CSR – Metrics, Costs, and Benefits
Sponsored by Stonyfield Farm

Sustainability initiatives are best managed by establishing good metrics, monitoring progress against those metrics, and quantifying the costs and benefits of the program. The speakers in this panel represent a leading organization that collects, compiles and communicates sustainability relevant metrics, and two leading practitioners with management responsibility for sustainability programs. Real -world examples will be presented to demonstrate best practices for how to measure, manage, and quantify the impacts of leading corporate sustainability programs.

Speakers: Alex Lamb, Vice President for North America, TruCost; Herb Parkhurst, Senior Manager, Plant Services, New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.;  George Parmenter, Manager of Sustainability Programs, Hannaford Supermarkets; Matthew Gardener, Director, SustainServ.

Engaging Employees in Social Responsibility: A Practical Workshop for Small Businesses
Sponsored by Now or Never Media

Socially responsible business owners are constantly striving for ways to improve the engagement of employees. During this workshop you will gain an understanding of management styles and tools that will engage your employees in the organization's mission and vision. Together we discuss how to create ownership at all levels of the organization and ways to transform managers from task givers to coaches. You will leave with a plan to implement a socially responsible culture.

Speakers: Mirjam IJtjam, Owner/President, Cultural Chemistry; Robin Eichert, Principal, PeopleSense Consulting

3:30 -4:00 pm

Conference Wrapup

Who Should Attend?

Sustainability touches every aspect of your business!

CEOs, Small Business Owners, Division Heads, Management Teams, Marketing, Human Resources or Facilities Professionals, Environmental Managers, Community Outreach Coordinators, Ethics & Wellness Consultants, Nonprofits and students, will all benefit from learning practical ways to improve or create your company's sustainability/CSR initiatives.

Why Attend?

New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) hosts this annual conference to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability as it relates to the workplace, community, and environment. The conference features prominent, respected thought leaders in the world of Sustainability/CSR and rich educational workshops and CSR discussion circles.

Networking is also a key element to the day, allowing a space for elevated discussion between like-minded businesses around key issues surrounding sustainability and social responsibility. The conference is designed for business people to interact and learn from their peers as they address common environmental and social concerns in order to find a more ethically developed and sustainable solution to every day business issues. The conference also explores the importance of building a corporate culture that recognizes the role businesses play as stewards for the generations that follow.

Registration Fees

  • NHBSR Member          $125
  • Not-Yet-Member        $150
  • Non-Profit                 $ 50
  • Student                   $ 30

Schedule

8:00 - 8:30

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:30 - 10:00 am

MORNING KICKOFF

WELCOME: Michelle Veasey, NHBSR Executive Director; Jeff Allar, Vice President - Human Resources, Stonyfield Farm, NHBSR Board Co-Chair

FOCUSED NETWORKING

Presented by Beth Tener, Principal, New Directions Collaborative; Sponsored by Pax World Mututal Funds

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW: Lisa Harden Berghaus, Manager of Marketing Communications, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., NHBSR Board, Conference Committee Co-Chair

10:00 - 10:15 am

MORNING BREAK

10:15 - 11:45

Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Achieving a Culture of Employee Health and Wellness

Sponsored by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centers

This session will provide participants with best practices regarding effective worksite wellness programs and policies, including recommendations from the American Heart Association.  Case studies from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Hypertherm will illustrate lessons learned through their local implementation of worksite wellness programs and policies.  Practical tools and examples will also be offered that small and large companies alike can use to enhance their own worksite wellness efforts.

Speakers: Mauret Brinser, NH/VT Executive Director, American Heart Association; Robert McClellan, MD, MPH Chief of Section, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Patti Friedman, Wellness Program Manager, Hypertherm, Inc.; Debbie Hornor, Community Obesity Policy Manager, National Center, American Heart Association

Standup and Standout: Is External Certification the Right Path for Your Organization?
Sponsored by Normandeau Associates

Home-grown initiatives are fine, but much can be said for aligning a CSR or sustainability program, or an entire organization, with an externally-recognized standard or credo. This session will explore the certification and recognition options for organizations today; from B Corporations to ISO registration, to GRI, to the new ULE 880 sustainability certification and others. What are the true pros and cons? Why bother? Hear from panelists who represent the front lines of social responsibility today.    

Speakers: Dennis Sasseville, Director, Environmental Management & Sustainability, Normandeau Associates; Wood Turner, VP Sustainability Innovation, Stonyfield Farm, Inc. ; Yola Carlough, Executive Director, B Corporation; Rebecca Hamilton, Director of Product Development, W.S. Badger Co.

Bootstrapping a Sustainability Program:  Succeeding with Sustainability Despite Limited Resources
Sponsored by Barker Architects, PLLC

This session will help small to medium-sized businesses: (a) minimize the disadvantages and maximize the advantages, when planning and implementing a sustainability program; (b) strategically plan for  sustainability program success within existing resource constraints; and (c) become more aware of cost-effective sustainability tools, options, and approaches for the resource-constrained organization.  Real-world examples of succeeding with sustainability in resource-constrained organizations will also be discussed.  This session will conclude with an interactive activity to help attendees explore the possibilities.

Speakers: Bryan Shaheen, President, SymbioSus Sustainability Consulting; Amanda Grappone Osmer, COO, Grappone Automotive Group

11:45 - 12:00 pm

Informal Networking & Catch up at Office

12:00 - 1:30

Keynote Speaker & Awards Luncheon

Cornerstone Award Presentation: Debbie Hornor, Community Obesity Policy Manager, National Center, American Heart Association & NHBSR Board Member
Governor John Lynch invited

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Andrew Winston, Winston Eco-Strategies

1:30 - 2:00 pm

Afternoon Break

2:00 - 3:30

Afternoon Sessions (choose one)

Diversify to Thrive: Why a Diverse Workforce Makes Sense in the New Economy
Sponsored by Image4

New Hampshire businesses face many challenges as resources, including employees, evolve with changing times.  The boomer generation is aging and opting out of the workplace; and increasingly young/culturally-diverse populations bring new opportunities and needs to the table. Through discussion and examples, attendees will gain greater awareness of the advantages of preparing for a young/culturally-diverse labor pool, as well as insight into how promoting shared values will help businesses to grow and sustain themselves in a changing economy.

Speakers: Sheila Oranch, Partner/CEO, Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat Center; Trinidad Tellez, MD, Director, Office of Minority Health & Refugee Affairs, NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH-DHHS); Jessica Santos, State Partnership Grant Coordinator OMHRA/NH-DHHS; David Maestri, Vice President of Human Resources, Wire Belt, Inc. ; Peter Cooke, Principal, Cooke Associates.

Demonstrating the Value of CSR – Metrics, Costs, and Benefits
Sponsored by Stonyfield Farm

Sustainability initiatives are best managed by establishing good metrics, monitoring progress against those metrics, and quantifying the costs and benefits of the program. The speakers in this panel represent a leading organization that collects, compiles and communicates sustainability relevant metrics, and two leading practitioners with management responsibility for sustainability programs. Real -world examples will be presented to demonstrate best practices for how to measure, manage, and quantify the impacts of leading corporate sustainability programs.

Speakers: Alex Lamb, Vice President for North America, TruCost; Herb Parkhurst, Senior Manager, Plant Services, New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.;  George Parmenter, Manager of Sustainability Programs, Hannaford Supermarkets; Matthew Gardener, Director, SustainServ.

Engaging Employees in Social Responsibility: A Practical Workshop for Small Businesses
Sponsored by Now or Never Media

Socially responsible business owners are constantly striving for ways to improve the engagement of employees. During this workshop you will gain an understanding of management styles and tools that will engage your employees in the organization's mission and vision. Together we discuss how to create ownership at all levels of the organization and ways to transform managers from task givers to coaches. You will leave with a plan to implement a socially responsible culture.

Speakers: Mirjam IJtjam, Owner/President, Cultural Chemistry; Robin Eichert, Principal, PeopleSense Consulting

3:30 -4:00 pm

Conference Wrapup

Conference Leaders

Conference Partners

AM Networking Sponsor

Keynote Sponsor

CSR/Sustainability Bookstore Sponsor

Silent Auction Sponsor

Lunch Bag Sponsor

Carbon Offset Sponsor

Signage Sponsor

Who Should Attend?

Sustainability touches every aspect of your business!

CEOs, Small Business Owners, Division Heads, Management Teams, Marketing, Human Resources or Facilities Professionals, Environmental Managers, Community Outreach Coordinators, Ethics & Wellness Consultants, Nonprofits and students, will all benefit from learning practical ways to improve or create your company's sustainability/CSR initiatives.

Why Attend?

New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) hosts this annual conference to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability as it relates to the workplace, community, and environment. The conference features prominent, respected thought leaders in the world of Sustainability/CSR and rich educational workshops and CSR discussion circles.

Networking is also a key element to the day, allowing a space for elevated discussion between like-minded businesses around key issues surrounding sustainability and social responsibility. The conference is designed for business people to interact and learn from their peers as they address common environmental and social concerns in order to find a more ethically developed and sustainable solution to every day business issues. The conference also explores the importance of building a corporate culture that recognizes the role businesses play as stewards for the generations that follow.

Registration Fees

  • NHBSR Member          $125
  • Not-Yet-Member        $150
  • Non-Profit                 $ 50
  • Student                   $ 30