Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business is pleased to announce the second annual Business for Good Summit, set to take place on Friday, May 2, at the Olmsted Center on Drake’s campus. This year’s summit, sponsored by SGS, will bring together thought leaders and practitioners to explore the intersection of business and positive societal impact. The summit is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required.
“The Business for Good Summit provides a valuable platform for our students and the broader community to engage with innovative ideas and strategies for leveraging business as a force for good,” said Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. “We are excited to host meaningful conversations and generate connections that will inspire positive change across our communities.”
This year’s summit presents a powerful lineup of engaging sessions, featuring influential speakers and compelling panel discussions that will explore social mobility, mission-driven business, and financial inclusion.
“This event presents a natural synergy with SGS’s corporate culture and solutions, both deeply rooted in sustainability—which is why we are more than delighted to help bring the Business for Good Summit to life,” said Adam Hammes, vice president, Sustainability Assurance at SGS. “Although SGS is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, it is important for people to know that we are also one of the world’s top 10 most sustainable companies. We are proof that what is good for business can also be good for people and the planet. Through our IMPACT NOW for sustainability initiative, SGS is committed to supporting organizations of any size embark on their ESG journeys while also inspiring both the private and public sectors as they pursue conversations and actions centered around positive change.”
The summit will feature Tory Flynn, Hillenbrand’s first chief sustainability officer. Flynn, who was recently recognized globally as one of the Top 50 Women in Sustainability by SustainabilityX Magazine, will deliver the opening remarks as part of the Archie Boe Lecture Series presented by Drake’s Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation.
The summit will also feature a lunchtime keynote speech from Pernell Cezar, co-founder and CEO, BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages. Cezar will share the compelling story of BLK & Bold’s rise as a mission-driven leader in the coffee industry, emphasizing the company’s dedication to social impact, particularly its commitment to supporting under-resourced youth through a 5% profit donation initiative. This insightful conversation will delve into the importance of embedding social responsibility within business operations, showcasing how this approach fuels success. Additionally, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of BLK & Bold’s environmental stewardship through short video documentaries highlighting the company’s sustainable practices and efforts to minimize its environmental footprint. Cezar’s keynote will also be livestreamed at live.drake.edu.
Attendees will engage in collaborative discussions and forge valuable connections with individuals driven to transform the business landscape for the better. The summit will feature a diverse group of speakers and panelists who are at the forefront of positive business practice, including:
- A representative from Big Grove Brewery
- Ahmed Musa – Musa’s Lemonade
- Sean Severe – Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, Drake University
- Bill Witherspoon – Founder, Sky Factory
- Alicia Simmons – Senior Sustainability Manager, Frontier Co-op