The Heart Series Conference Brings Together Socially Conscious Companies

Rob Michalak, Global Director of Social Mission, Ben & Jerry’s provided fun insight on creating and maintaining value

The Heart Series – a conference designed to propel businesses toward greater global impact – was held over the weekend in the EL Camp co-working space in El Segundo, California. Attendees were in for a learning experience involving connecting with leaders from game changing companies through talks, panels, and workshops. Speakers included founders of Thrive Market and Soko, CEOs of Common and Glass Ladder Group, and many more as they shared how their companies and actions/efforts are helping to make a change in the way business is done today. Sponsors and partners for the event included Suja, Yoobi, Sweetgreen, Bare and more. Co-founded by Gail Cayetano and Meg Sette, entrepreneurs with heart and heading businesses in the area, the event was sold out and had standing room only at some of the breakout sessions. 

The doodle wall was a highlight filled with positive and encouraging messages.

Day one began with a fun heartbeats session facilitated by recording artist Phil Beaudreau of Def Jam Records. Gwendolyn Floyd, CEO, Soko

spoke about the past, present and future of business while Rob Michalak, Global Director of Social Mission, Ben & Jerry’s provided fun insight on creating and maintaining value. Afdhel Aziz, Founder + Chief Purpose Officer, Conspiracy of Love facilitated a workshop where he shared insights from a study done as part of his book Good is the New Cool:Market like You Give a Damn. 

Guests decorated these heart canvas giveaways to for the garden wall at the event.

Day two began with an interesting activity by Shabnam Mogharabi, CEO, SoulPancake titled Let it fly and involved creating paper planes and some group laughter. Steve Larosiliere, Founder and President, Stoked spoke on the importance of taking chances. Melissa Levick, VP of Business Development and Strategy, Pledgeling facilitated a workshop on the study of dreaming up impact partnerships. A panel discussion on thinking outside the box was moderated by Mark Eckhardt, CEO, Common and included Merlin Clarke, Co-Founder and Head of Happenings, Dogeared; Jason Wilson, Director of Digital Communications, Share our Strength
 and Morgan DeBaun, Founder and CEO, Blavity. Alexandra Williamson, Head of Brand at Bumble spoke on changing the game while Art delaCruz, Chief Operating Officer, Team Rubicon shared insights on the The Realm of What’s Possible. 

Have heart do well was the motto for and at the conference.

Apart from the two-day programming, other activities included a wellness lounge for a moment to chill and relax, with wellness shakes sponsored by Arbonne, lounge seating by Smoothbag, meditation resources sponsored by Headspace, and massages sponsored by OMA. Another amenity was the arts and crafts lounge sponsored by worksmART with an exercise titled - Show us how you “Have Heart” through art. Attendees were provided heart shaped canvas to decorate at any point during the event to illustrate their impact and display on the art garden all conference long. A doodle wall and an interactive gif booth provided an opportunity for guests to mingle. Overall a fantastic event to learn about the who’s who in local and regional b-corp industry that is doing good and engaging in business with heart. 

Sign up on their website for the next year's dates and venue.