Brand on Purpose

Ameelio Co-Founder & CEO Uzoma “Zo” Orchingwa uncovers the prison-industrial complex within the United States, how the company connects incarcerated people with their loved ones for free, and why it’s so important for this group to have access to free communication and education. Growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, Zo witnessed the patterns that were exhibited in the American correctional system, which led him to delve into mass incarceration and target the problems that challenged the U.S. prison system. Zo and Aaron discuss the financial exploitation that exists within the U.S. prison system, how the company used the pandemic to its advantage, and the steps Ameelio is taking to help incarcerated individuals re-enter society. Tune in to hear how communication is the foundation of transforming the American correctional system and learn more at ameelio.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AMARUMAYU Chief Sustainability Officer Jorge Lopez-Doriga shines a light on the purpose behind the organization, why climate change should be brought into the conversation more, and the importance of conserving the Amazon jungle. With 25% of our drinking water stemming from the Amazon jungle, preserving the planet begins in the heart of the Amazon. Jorge and Aaron discuss the company’s regenerative approaches to mitigate climate change, how to successfully build trust with indigenous communities, and why the company began with immunity-boosting superfruit juices, Buriti and Camu Camu. Listen in to hear about how Jorge’s background as a Zen teacher impacted his career path and learn more at amarumayu.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allbirds Co-CEO & Co-Founder Joey Zwillinger discusses the company’s mission to incorporate natural materials and eco-friendly sourcing into sneakers and how he’s made profit and purpose symbiotic through the creation of Allbirds. Since 2015, Allbirds has worked to build a distribution channel that relies on natural innovations and carbon-negative materials that reduce the company’s environmental impact. Joey and Aaron talk about how Allbirds is shifting consumer behavior when it comes to climate change, how the brand became an iconic staple in both fashion and eco-friendly design, and the steps Allbirds is taking to reduce its carbon footprint to near zero by 2030. Tune in to hear about the meaning behind the “Allbirds” name and learn more at allbirds.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF) president & CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas shines a light on the transformative nonprofit that provides grants to those on the ground that are fighting for a more just and equitable democracy and economy. For 20 years, MCF has supported leaders who have the ability to shift the balance of power both in their communities and in society toward working people and their families. Carmen and Aaron talk about MCF’s unique philanthropic model and approach to grants, optimism about the activism and passion of the youth of today, and how to take a data-driven approach to impact. Listen in to hear about how Carmen’s educational background in city planning impacted her career path, and learn more at caseygrants.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orbis International Global Communications & Marketing Chief Louise Harris Salazar discusses her experience working in healthcare marketing and how Orbis is helping educate the world on blindness. Founded in 1973, Orbis International has since developed an extensive set of partners, supporters, and volunteers to empower local communities all around the globe with the skills and resources to fight blindness. Louise and Aaron talk about the innovation behind the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, how the company successfully blended together healthcare, aviation, and technology, and the importance of building the knowledge set of quality eye care. Tune in to hear Louise talk about the unknown misconceptions of blindness and the impact that sight-saving can have on the world. Learn more at orbis.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy’s Kitchen Co-Founder Andy Berliner and Vice President Amy Ricafrente, aka the namesake of the company, share their experience building a multi-million-dollar business of high-quality and organic foods and discuss the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint. Regarded as titans of the natural foods industry, Andy and his wife Rachel Berliner founded Amy’s Kitchen in 1987 with the incentive to bring convenience to organic and healthy foods. Andy, Amy, and Aaron talk about the company’s intersectionality between profit and purpose, the difficulties behind building a sustainable company, and how Amy’s Kitchen has redefined the meaning of fast food. Listen in to hear why the company has remained family-owned and learn more at amys.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) Managing Director Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas - serving concurrently as mayor of the City of New Brighton, MN - discusses how the Paul Newman-founded organization’s corporate purpose work has continued to evolve, particularly throughout the events of 2020. Kari and Aaron talk about the importance of companies increasing transparency when it comes to tracking, measuring and reporting progress, leading on ESG research and connecting more directly with investors, and supporting companies in their ongoing DE&I work. Tune in to hear why Kari decided to run for mayor in 2020, and learn more at cecp.co.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AB InBev Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer and Company Secretary John Blood and Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Professor Bill Novelli discuss the journey in developing InBev’s ten-year Global Smart Drinking Goals initiative, how this partnership came to fruition and the steps AB InBev is taking to reduce the harmful uses of alcohol. In response to the World Health Organization’s call to action on confronting harmful alcohol use, AB InBev knew that they had to make a change. Partnering with the Business for Impact program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, John and Bill talk about how the company has been successful in bringing together the public health community and corporate officials, how AB InBev is looking into additional ways to execute their social norms marketing, and the importance of making sure these results are sustainable in the long run. Tune in to hear how the company is shifting social norms and consumer behaviors when it comes to alcohol and learn more at ab-inbev.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, Activist and Musician Simon Tam opens up about his experience pursuing the landmark 2017 case that helped expand civil liberties for minorities and artistic expression at the Supreme Court of the United States - which started from a simple band name. Author of “Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court,” founder and bassist of The Slants, and leader of The Slants Foundation, Simon has dedicated himself to both creating impactful art and mentoring and supporting others who incorporate activism into their art. Simon and Aaron discuss the lengthy process of taking a case to the Supreme Court, Simon’s work since March 2020 in light of a rise in anti-Asian hate, and the importance of questioning why things make us uncomfortable. Tune in to hear about Simon’s additional work as a restaurateur, and learn more at simontam.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Genexa co-founder David Johnson discusses how fatherhood inspired him and his co-founder, Max Spielberg, to find the clean medicine company. With David’s background in food chemistry and Max’s in FDA law, the two friends set out to clean up one of the few industries that had yet to be approached with the ‘clean’ mindset. Genexa is now only five years old, and David shines a light on how their passion helped to drive a two-year development and FDA approval process - with products today available everywhere, from Amazon to Target to Walgreens. David and Aaron discuss the lengthy and in-depth B Corp certification process, what it’s like to co-run a business built on friendship, and how David’s experience as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Force has impacted his approach to entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear why the company is called Genexa, and learn more at genexa.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Dara Cothran, Lindsay Hand, Julie Strickland, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices