The 2025 BLD SF Bay Area gathering brought together the best of the B Corp community—founders, leaders, and changemakers reimagining what it means to do business for good. Hosted by B Local Bay Area, the event was a vibrant mix of inspiration, collaboration, and connection.
A Morning of Movement-Building Voices
The day began with four dynamic keynote speakers who reminded everyone why this community exists:
- Kel Moody set the stage with a call to lead with systems change, collective care, and shared accountability.
- Amelia Ahl of The Builders Fund and Hypha Collective urged us toward collective action—reminding everyone that cooperation isn’t idealism, it’s impact in motion.
- Paul Lightfoot from Patagonia Provisions challenged us to imagine a regenerative economy that prioritizes long-term health and human wellbeing over short-term gain.
- Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D. inspired the room with her insights on embedding equity, creativity, and justice into the fabric of business.
Technology, Purpose, and Human Connection
The afternoon brought a standout session on AI for Mission-Driven Companies, featuring Jonathan Will (GadellNet), Anthony Lee (Heroic Voice Academy), Steve Fox (Every Man Jack), and Shamini Dhana (Dhana Inc.). The panel explored how purpose-driven organizations can use artificial intelligence responsibly—balancing innovation with transparency, security, and humanity.
Meanwhile, Andrea Prebys-Williams of Fireweed Consulting guided attendees through Finding Your Path in the Ecosystem, a reflective session centered on mindfulness, journaling, and rediscovering one’s place in the movement. Her facilitation offered both grounding and clarity—an anchor for leaders navigating change.
Storytelling, Simplicity, and a Spark of a New Idea
At the Monday evening mixer, conversation turned to one of the B economy’s perennial challenges: how do we translate the complexity of B Corp and other sustainability certifications into stories that connect emotionally? The consensus: keep the rigor and data behind the scenes, but lead with humanity and clarity on the front end—so that people feel the purpose behind every certification mark.
In that spirit, after talking with several B Corp leaders, an idea emerged—a “wild one,” as I called it at the time. What if we created a program inspired by Girl Scout Cookies—where students learn about ethical and sustainable business through hands-on educational content, and then fundraise for their schools by selling products from local Certified B Corps? Imagine a generation learning about climate justice, community impact, and economic inclusion—and then living those values through action.
A Community Building the Future Together
Across every conversation, session, and shared meal, the message was clear: this movement thrives when we act collectively. BLD SF Bay 2025 reminded everyone that the future isn’t written for us—it’s built by us, through the choices we make and the relationships we nurture.
From AI ethics to cooperative ownership to youth empowerment, the spirit of collaboration was alive and well—and it’s driving the next chapter of the B Corp movement across the Bay and beyond.