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Driving positive change for a better retirement future
Meet Jacqueline van Koert, who used to be the Change and Corporate Responsibility Manager at Zwitserleven. This Dutch pension insurance company is part of VIVAT, one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands. I met Jacqueline at the Dutch Investment Fair. Shortly after, Zwitserleven was recognized as the pension insurer with most responsible investment policy…
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Are B-schools making or breaking future-proof leaders?
On May 19, 2016, I will be moderating two sessions at the GRI Global Conference. The afternoon session is called “The role of Education in Shaping the Sustainability Leaders we need for the Future”. The panel consists of three professors from highly rated academic institutions (Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford). During the prep call, we already started an…
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Naming, claiming, framing the S-word
On May 19, 2016, I will be moderating two sessions at the GRI Global Conference. The first one is a session called “Forget the S-word”. The panel consists of senior professionals from the advertising, apparel and defense industries. During the prep call, we already started an animated discussion about the many issues around the S…
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Be the change you want to see
On April 6, 2016, BCorp Europe gathered hundreds of inspiring and inspired entrepreneurs in Amsterdam to Celebrate the Changemakers. I was a bit ambivalent about an earlier BCorp event, but this event showed what the power of purpose and change is all about. Facing the future of sustainability The opening keynote was by Rob Boogaard, the CEO…
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Translation as the key to integration
Meet Anette Andersson, Fund Manager & ESG Investment Specialist at SEB Investment Management, one of the largest asset managers in Scandinavia. When I met Anette at a responsible investment event in 2012, I was intrigued by the story of how she – and SEB – got started with responsible investment. I was glad to reconnect…
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Why surfing the Patagonia way is so inspiring
So inspiring to read the history of Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company. The book’s title refers to the founder’s conviction that his people should spend time outdoors, as wilderness explorers and protectors, as users and inventors of Patagonia products. Book exchange for change In January 2016, Patagonia hosted a meeting for Dutch B Corps…
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Dare to care about what you wear
Meet Anita de Wit and Joanneke Lootsma, the executive board driving ReBlend, a Dutch upcycling startup that turns non-wearable clothes into new textiles and fashion. I recently met them at a B Corp event and was so inspired by their fabrics and story that I planned this interview with them. Here’s what they had to…
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Key steps to integrate sustainability into your career
Looking for top tips on how to make your next career move more sustainable? Here are the key pointers from a workshop I organized at Nyenrode University. The workshop was expertly led by Annick Schmeddes, founder of sustainable career agency Sustainable Talent. Create you own role Research shows that less than 2% of vacancies have a link to sustainability,…
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Why investors are joining consumers and NGOs on tax evasion
When defining what sustainability and corporate social responsibility are really all about, tax should be part of the discussion. Increasingly, various stakeholders view corporate tax responsibility (CTR) as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In recent years, media coverage of companies’ tax policy and tax avoidance schemes has resulted in dented reputations, even consumer boycotts. Mainstream…
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Don’t just do something, stand there
Meet André Nijhof, Professor Sustainable Business and Stewardship at Nyenrode Business University. I interviewed André in the restaurant for faculty and execs, in which I worked many hours during my own time at Nyenrode. Here’s what he shared about his personal drivers, responsibility and intent. Connection to nature and other people We started the…
