Companies That Care

Issam Kaisse is a first-generation immigrant to the United States from Morocco, and he speaks five languages. Since he'd grown up living all over the world, he thought he would adapt to life here easily.“I quickly realized when I came to the U.S. that it was different being an Arab immigrant. It was difficult to adapt at first…I could not relate to any ethnic group.”His first shock in college was being asked to fill out his ethnicity on a form. He didn't fit into any of the categories. He also discovered that many Americans knew very little about Morocco.When he started at Nielsen seven years ago, he joined several affinity groups, which Nielsen calls “business resource groups." Unfortunately, none of them was the right fit. He approached Nielsen's DEI team and proposed a new group for employees of Arab descent called Marhaba (Arabic for “hello”). At the first meeting, Issam talked about Ramadan and how Muslim people celebrate this month-long period. He was careful to note that just because you're Arab doesn't necessarily mean you're Muslim. Issam explained that at least 400 million people of Arab descent live in 22 countries. Issam is grateful to be working for Nielsen because it's a diverse company that encourages employees to express their opinions and suggest ideas. However, he notes the lack of Arab representation on the management team, as with most companies. Issam emphasizes that we don't just need companies that value diversity; we also need employees willing to play their part.“If you want to be part of a cycle and want to be part of the change, you have to speak up. And that's why I reached out to the diversity and inclusion team and said, ‘let's make this happen.'”Marhaba consists of employees of Arab descent, but also others who are not. Issam enjoys educating people about Arab countries and culture, so that's a big part of the BRG.After sharing about the purpose and rituals of Ramadan on his kickoff call, Issam noticed a change. “People started asking me, ‘how's Ramadan going?' or ‘Are you getting ready for Eid?' And that was for me the happiest moment, because it made me realize I made an impact within the organization…and that's the purpose. The end goal is educate and share knowledge and provide the real meaning of being Arab.”He also discovered other employees in the company who are also of Arab descent and even from Morocco.Very few other companies have affinity groups for people of Arab descent. I asked him what advice he has for other companies who want to set up similar groups.“Build the idea. Challenge it. Make sure you can answer questions…propose the idea to family and friends who aren't from the same cultural group…”He advises that company leaders listen to their employees, give them a way to express their thoughts and ideas, and look for ways to help them thrive and grow.I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. I help professional services companies avoid BORING by making communications painless and boosting employee engagement, productivity, and brand recognition. I turn lackluster, jargon-filled, or technical prose into clear dynamic narrative. Look us up on fertilegroundcommunications.com. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

Claire Randall is CEO of Grand Central Bakery, a B-Corp certified artisan bakery in Oregon and Washington with a community-centered mission and sustainable business practices. Claire's been working at Grand Central for 29 years.“My friend Piper Davis and her brother were  opening the Portland branch...There was really nothing like it in Portland at the time. So I hounded Ben and his mom, Gwen Bassetti, the founder...to hire me.”“I love to call Gwen a food pioneer. She was creating beautiful food from local ingredients, way before a lot of people even thought that was a possibility.”Women-owned and women-led from the beginning, they made delicious food from scratch, using local ingredients.Grand Central's mission is to serve delicious, authentic food made from high-quality, local, and sustainable ingredients while growing a healthy values-driven business. Grand Central is also the Pacific Northwest's first B Corp certified bakery.The bakery supports several nonprofits, including Lift Up Portland, CAUSA, and the Blueprint Foundation. Supporting local food systems and using local ingredients is a strong value, similar to Salt & Straw Ice Cream.“Through the way we source our food locally from local ranchers and farmers, not just our ingredients, but any purchases we can, we strive to constantly improve how much we're buying locally. That has kept us strong and resilient through the entire pandemic…the fact we're still in business has helped so many of our local vendors. I love that it's a mutually supportive relationship.” Grand Central also pays a lot of attention to what they put out into the waste stream.“Our goal is a 100% waste diverted from the waste stream. And the last couple years we've hit 87%, which is pretty great. We have a lot of fired up employees who care a lot about the waste stream. We recycle and compost anything we can and have very little garbage left over.”After surviving the worst of the pandemic, now the bakery is navigating more challenges.“Operating our business the way we do is not the cheapest way. We buy the best ingredients. We pay our employees well. We have great benefits. We have beautiful spaces… we're in a situation where our profit is declining...we're experiencing skyrocketing ingredient costs...combined with this staffing shortage. Our goal right now is to become more efficient without sacrificing any of the deliciousness or the artistry of our products.”I asked Claire for her advice for others who want to create companies that care. Grand Central is unique as it's an open book company.“My first piece of advice is to focus on the finances as much as your mission. So many businesses spend a lot of time thinking about what their mission is, what they want to offer…but they neglect the nuts and bolts of what it really takes to be a profitable business. And if you're not profitable, you can't live your mission…So few companies are open book companies…I think it's so important to educate your employees about your numbers and do your work to build that trust and use that transparency to improve your performance.”Claire was excited to share that this summer, Grand Central is transitioning their ownership into a perpetual purpose trust.Now I need to go get one of those yummy cinnamon rolls!! I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. I help professional services companies avoid BORING by making communications painless and boosting employee engagement, productivity, and brand recognition. I turn lackluster, jargon-filled, or technical prose into clear dynamic narrative. Look us up on fertilegroundcommunications.com. 

You can watch the video of this interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdv1Tijyl9o“None of us knows as much as all of us. There is combined wisdom and insights and knowledge when we bring people together.”--Joel Makower, founder of GreenBizJoel Makower is chairman and co-founder of GreenBiz Group, a media and events company focusing at the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability. For more than 30 years, through his writing, speaking, and leadership, he has helped companies align pressing environmental and social issues with business success.Joel has written more than a dozen books about sustainability and technology; writes regular articles; co-hosts “GreenBiz 350,” a weekly podcast on sustainable business topics; appears regularly in the media; and serves on several company and nonprofit boards. The Associated Press has called him “The guru of green business practices.”I enjoyed hearing how the following he'd developed from his snail mail newsletter exploded with the arrival of the Internet. Now grown into an impressive, pioneering company, GreenBiz has built a one-of-a-kind community in sustainable business.“There's also strength in diversity as there is in nature…where the more we know about different things other people are doing to reach some of the same goals, the stronger and better everybody gets.This is the secret sauce of GreenBiz. We created a community that did not exist. 20 or 30 years ago, sustainability executives from big companies were not talking to each other…we are helping people understand that they're part of something bigger than themselves.”I asked Joel about what he sees in his crystal ball for a variety of pressing issues: climate change and rising temperatures, plastic waste, his three wishes for the future, and what he has learned a long the way.“It's sometimes hard to see the bigger purpose…that we're not alone or that we're part of maybe even a revolution that even the people in it don't really readily see…how do you create a community and then drive that community to go further, faster, and really give them the tools, resources, inspiration, maybe a little fear now and then…”I asked Joel for his advice to others on how to create companies that care:“Well, first start somewhere. It can be overwhelming. There's so much to do. And it can feel like a distraction, but start somewhere. Just jump in. I think a lot of people are afraid to do that.”I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. I help professional services companies avoid BORING by making communications painless and boosting employee engagement, productivity, and brand recognition. I turn lackluster, jargon-filled, or technical prose into clear dynamic narrative. Look us up on fertilegroundcommunications.com. As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

“We work predominantly on community-based projects where we're much more interested in some ways in what a building does…rather than how the building looks…how can this building help this organization deliver better services? How can it bring people together? How can it free up space? How can a space enable teachers to teach in a different way?” --Elisa Engel, cofounder of Citizen Architects based in London, UKElisa and her partner Richard Hadley believe that architecture has an important part to play in improving communities and creating a more equitable, sustainable and beautiful world. Inquisitiveness, professionalism, and joy are at the core of everything they do.Born in Germany, Elisa has lived in Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), South Africa, Botswana, and the UK.  Citizen Architects delivers community interest projects in London and sub-Saharan Africa, involving communities in the design process. She is a trustee at Architecture for Humanity London and teaches architecture at universities in the UK and abroad. Elisa has a strong track record of delivering education buildings and community architecture with a particular focus on participatory design processes.We talked about her work in Africa, sustainability, ethics, and the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated field of architecture.“…Africa sticks to your feet. And once you cross the ocean, you're always on the wrong side. I went when I was really quite young, 17, a very formative time in my life. It did create a very strong bond with that part of the world…It has allowed me to become a little bit of an ambassador between Europe and Africa.” I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. I help professional services companies avoid BORING by making communications painless and boosting employee engagement, productivity, and brand recognition. I turn lackluster, jargon-filled, or technical prose into clear dynamic narrative. Look us up on fertilegroundcommunications.com. As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police.  Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

You can also watch this interview by video on YouTube!Kim Malek is CEO and visionary behind Salt & Straw and cofounder with her cousin Tyler. We talked about how she has created an amazing, people-driven company with community at its core.She teamed up with her cousin Tyler to start Salt & Straw, which has become known for small-batch, chef-driven ice cream, handmade using local ingredients. Did I mention that every flavor is delicious?Salt & Straw is not just an ice cream store, though. It's a community builder. Kim was drawn to Portland because it's community focused, innovative, and collaborative.“ I could just clearly see an ice cream shop would be a good way to reflect that because you'd run into your friends and have that experience hanging out with your family. I really loved the creativity of food and flavor work we were doing at Starbucks, and I thought ice cream would be that on steroids…we could really go crazy on that front.”Kim shares about her initial fears about starting her own business and how she shelved the ice cream idea for 15 years until she finally decided to take the plunge.Not only is community being created in Salt & Straw's long lines (they've even had some in-line marriage proposals and job offers!), but the employees create a spirit of hospitality and fun once you enter the store. You can try as many samples as you like before choosing a flavor. And Salt & Straw forms strong relationships with local schools and businesses, too. Every year Salt & Straw partners with a local fourth-grade class at the elementary school closest to each shop. Tyler Malek visits the school to talk ice cream, and they host a competition to create new ice cream flavors.Salt & Straw's website states: “Using ice cream as a platform, we pioneer and start experiences that inspire and connect us all…We use our menu to shine the light on issues we care about.” They use their revolving ice cream menu to focus on issues that matter, such as food waste.Kim has always been drawn to social justice, but eventually she realized she could incorporate that into business.“As I formulated this idea over the years of Salt & Straw, it was really important to me to provide a community gathering space that felt safe and open to everyone. And to use the company to have a voice for different things.”For example, Kim walks her talk by serving on boards of the Oregon Justice Center and the Avel Gordly Center for Healing. Her husband and three children are Black, so she feels especially passionate about Black Lives Matter.Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Gresh Harkless Jr., founder of CBNation and Blue 16 Media. He'll talk about his experience as a Black man in the corporate world and how he built on obstacles like getting laid off multiple times to build a successful media company. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. I help professional services companies avoid BORING by making communications painless and boosting employee engagement, productivity, and brand recognition. I turn lackluster, jargon-filled, or technical prose into clear dynamic narrative. Look us up on fertilegroundcommunications.com. 

Watch on YoutubeImagine how much better the world would be with just 1% more love. That's what the co-founders of Our.Love envision for the world. More and better love, delivered in a FUN way! Who wouldn't want to take advantage of that opportunity?The Companies that Care podcast highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Tal Zlotnitsky and Tonya Coppin-Fox, co-founders of Our.Love Company. Our.Love is a love and relationship wellness technology company dedicated to helping couples find, maintain, and nurture their best love. Our.Love just launched a brand new app on Valentine's Day!Tal is a master at starting up and investing in new companies. He immigrated to the United States at age 12 from Israel and is a passionate activist.“I become very interested in the topic of love because of my own failings in this space…love is perhaps the last thing that is indivisible. Everyone wants to be loved more and better.”Tonya is a passionate, purpose-driven entrepreneur and business coach who is committed to empowering ALL people to live fulfilling lives. An immigrant from Barbados, she is an advocate for strong relationships and families, living their lives courageously, kindly, and purposefully.Tonya knew to pay attention to Tal because he's a visionary. “We were in the midst of COVID, just had the insurrection…this is an opportunity for us to make a difference. If we do it right, we can impact generations to come all across the world. So  I jumped on early.”I joined the Our.Love team as a writer and strategic communications consultant, because I believe in Tonya and Tal's incredible team and mission. I've been married 32 years this June, and I know we can all benefit from learning how to love better. The app's features, based by science, are designed for people in relationships who want to make their relationship even better. One of the things that attracted me to Our.Love was its firm commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.“As immigrants, Tonya and I share a strong passion for people…We have a greater appreciation for what makes America great…In my experience, it's the goodness of its people, the goodness of its purpose. And that's best represented by a very diverse group,” said Tal. “So if you look at our organization top down it's incredibly diverse…It's more than 50% people of color, more than 50% women, and our senior leadership and board are more than 50% women and people of color. And I take enormous pride in that.”Part of what got Tonya excited about Our.Love is that Black and brown folks are less likely to seek out therapy to improve their relationships.“In the black and brown community…we're not knocking on a therapist's door saying, ‘Hey, I need help in our relationship.' So that was one of the key factors why I decided to go into this journey: to bring a product to the public that my community could actually benefit from and could help a lot of the relationships in our community.” When you download the app, you'll find yourself in the Coupleverse™, a virtual home with fun, brief, and instructive videos, podcasts, articles, quizzes, and games. The app is guided by Our.Love's seven Love Skills™ and five Love Journeys.™Watch my interview with Tonya and Tal on YouTube or listen to the podcast to hear more about Our.Love and find out how to download it here.Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Gresh Harkless Jr., founder of CBNation and Blue 16 Media. He'll talk about his experience as a Black man in the corporate world and how he built on obstacles like getting laid off multiple times to build a successful media company. 

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Kim Sundy, senior director of sustainability at the Kellogg Company.Driven by the legacy of its founder, W.K. Kellogg, the Kellogg Company is the world's leading producer of cereal and snacks.  But did you know Kellogg's vision is a good and just world, where people are not just fed but fulfilled? This cereal and snack company is serious about living out its mission and has set some ambitious goals. These are just a few examples:Providing Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 through:Nourishing 1 billion people by delivering nutrition foods that address common shortfall nutrients and addressing hidden hungerFeeding 375 million people in need Supporting 1 million farmers and workers while conserving natural resources Engaging 1.5 billion people in the issue of global food securityAspiring to achieve gender equity of 50/50 by the end of 2025Working toward 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by the end of 2025Honoring Black history every month as a call for food justice in Black communities Committing to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025, even though most of their products do not contain eggsSupporting equity for women by identifying parts of their supply chain with the highest prevalence of women and assessing the risks and opportunities they faceAiming to achieve over 50% renewable energy by the end of 2022 Supporting historically excluded employees through highly active employee networks, mentoring programs, and a Black Chef in Residency programExpanding paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers to 12 weeks; increasing fertility benefits to $30K for assisted reproductive procedures; and increasing adoption benefits to $10K per eligible adoption.Kim and I talked about having careers in sustainability and the importance of communications. She also shared her perspective as a Black woman executive and how Kellogg does a better job than many companies at nurturing equity & inclusion among its workforce.I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Find out more on my website and social media.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you like what you hear or read, wander through my website to find out more about my work.Can you use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms. 

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Jon Roesser, general manager of Weavers Way Cooperative Association. Founded in the early 1970s, Weavers Way is a consumer-owned food co-op in Philadelphia with three stores, two farms, a non-profit, and community newspaper. They have more than 10,500 member households representing over 25,000 individual member-owners.Weavers Way is a critical link in the Philadelphia food shed, connecting local food growers and producers with values-driven consumers. Working with more than 300 vendors in the Philadelphia area, the co-op emphasizes the need to strengthen local food systems.In addition to implementing sustainable measures throughout their business, Weavers Way is also taking steps to diversify the racial makeup of its vendors. The co-op also has a partnership with WB Saul Agricultural High School, with a farm on the site of the school where students can use the farmland as their classroom.Do you remember after Trump was elected and many people said they were going to move to Canada? Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Mahlena-Rae Johnson, a Black woman and mom who really did it: she moved her family to Canada to pursue better opportunities there. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform.  Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police.  Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Aaliyah Nitoto, the visionary founder of Free Range Flower Winery, an award-winning, winemaker-owned and -operated boutique winery in Oakland, California. Aaliya handcrafts premium wine in small batches from locally sourced, organically grown flowers…not grapes. She has been hailed as an "innovative producer" (Wine Enthusiast) who is "revolutionizing the world of wine" (Kourtney Kardashian's POOSH). Aaliyah updates ancient women's garden winemaking traditions for 21st century tastes. As Phil Long, winemaker/founder of Longevity Wines and president of the Association of African American Vintners, recently told NBC TV News, Aaliyah is "defying odds at every turn. She is not only a young Black woman getting into the wine world, which is not as diverse as it should be, but she's also making a new category that doesn't exist in this industry.'" Free Range Flower Winery's rare flower wines tend to sell out long before the next vintage is in the bottle. The winery's mission is based on an organic, sustainable, local business model as well as creating a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone to enjoy its wine. Aaliyah deeply believes in innovation in winemaking and the power of magnifying diverse voices in the industry.When she's not making wine, Aaliyah is a health and nutrition educator for an advocacy and education nonprofit called Healthy Black Families. Free Range Flower Winery is committed to using organic ingredients, sustainable business practices, and local vendors. They are dedicated to uplifting the community and donate a percentage of sales to nonprofits that share their values.Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Julie Allen, who I interviewed for Companies That Care earlier this year. Julie and I dive into her experiences battling eating disorders for much of her life. Julie shares how she has now found her fertile ground by sharing her story, writing a book, and starting a sustainable, body-positive clothing boutique.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Veronica Arreola, a professional feminist, mom, and writer who has been working to diversify the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) field for over 20 years. She has a particular passion for working with Latinx/Latina youth.Veronica is director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives for the University of Illinois-Chicago and most recently was program director for their Hispanic Serving Institution STEM grant, Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science. She ensures a supportive campus environment for Latinx students studying science. She also writes and speaks regularly about empowering women, including women of color.We talked about how to encourage young women and girls to pursue STEM fields, especially Latinx/Latina/Hispanic students. She shared her thoughts on how companies can do a better job with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how to create companies that care, especially for people of color.And we also talked about music and entertainment…namely Dar Williams and other folk music and TV shows that have positive representation of Latinas.Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview Mike Ganino, a highly acclaimed public speaker and coach. Mike and his husband had a baby through a surrogate, and their baby Viviana was born prematurely in Mexico, during the pandemic. What a ride!The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Heather R. Younger, a best-selling author, international speaker, consultant, adjunct organizational leadership professor, and facilitator.Born to a white, Jewish mom and a Black dad, Heather was deliberately excluded from her mom's family, thanks to racism. She grew up feeling like an outsider, which has made her especially determined to create caring environments wherever she goes.“I didn't even get to go to a large family gathering until I was 36 years old, which, by the way, was my grandmother's funeral. It was an interesting way to grow up…I could have turned out to be a curmudgeon, blaming the world and not being kind. And I chose not to. I chose to be the person who made other people feel included and engulfed with love and care. I'm a big hugger. I like to bring people into the fold…I chose the path of uplifting and encouragement and support.”Heather has earned a reputation as “The Employee Whisperer.” As a champion for positive change in workplaces, communities, and our world at large, Heather founded Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and leadership development consulting and training firm, to inspire others by teaching the kind of caring leadership that drives real business results. Heather hosts the weekly podcast “Leadership with Heart,” which uncovers what drives leaders from all over the world and all walks of life to be more emotionally intelligent leaders. She has also written two leadership books: The 7 Intuitive Laws of Employee Loyalty and The Art of Caring Leadership.We had a wonderful conversation about how to create companies that care.Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview my friend Nura Elmagbari, who immigrated to the United States from Libya as a young person, has experienced a huge amount of Islamaphobia since then, and now actively works to help refugees acclimate and adjust…providing the support she did not receive when she first immigrated here.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. 

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Ross Ching, founder of Mama & Hapa's Zero Waste Shop in Portland, Oregon.Ross moved to Portland with his family in 2019 after working as a TV commercial director. He was inspired to start a zero waste shop after watching the news and hearing terrible things about climate change.“In the past three or four or five years, there's been more and more reporting about how recycling isn't what we all thought it would be. Recycling back in the ‘90s was supposed to be our savior, and we can use as much plastic as we want. We can throw any sort of plastic in the bin and it'll get turned into a park bench. Fast forward 20 years and we have come to the realization that wasn't the case. We need to stop plastic usage at the root of it, and that's at the cash register.”Ross explained how the zero waste movement has been gaining steam. He wanted to develop a shop that made the zero waste movement easier for everyday people to join.“There's a large segment of the population who really want to help the environment, but they also don't want to be inconvenienced. That's what we are trying to aim as a target market.”Mama & Hapa's is touch free, using an RFID smart card for payment. Ross is determined to create a business that allows people to reduce their waste at a low price point.Zero waste goes beyond saving plastic. It makes people conscious of all the steps that go into a product from cradle to grave.“If you think about your laundry detergent, you take it home and then forget about it, right? But there was a bunch of oil that had to be drilled and then they had to take that to a factory and refine it. And then they took that to a factory to make pellets of plastic. And then they had to mold the plastic. And then they had to fill it with the stuff that goes inside of it. And the stuff that goes inside it came from somewhere. Then it has to get driven to Target and then you have to drive to Target and then you get the bottle, drive back home, and it's this huge process that encompasses the entire globe.”Mama & Hapa's has 41 dispensers of household products. Ross' hope is to have a zero waste shop in every neighborhood so people do not have to drive to get there. He'd also like their prices to continue to fall so people will realize they can live a zero waste lifestyle without spending more money.Check out Mama & Hapa's website, and if you're in Portland, pay them a visit! Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast, I interview I interview Paula Dunn, who was born with a cleft lip and palate like me.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform.  Marie Gettel-Gilmartin, founder and principal of Fertile Ground Communications LLC, is a writer and marketing communications consultant who loves to take the pain and stress out of writing for her clients. She specializes in making the complex clear, using dynamic, accessible language to explain and communicate important issues. She positions her clients as experts in their fields and helps them communicate about pressing issues. Writing communications that boost employee engagement and thought leadership, she also coaches leaders and executives on how to strengthen communications and leadership. She loves to connect people and resources or solve seemingly impossible problems.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Mallorie Dunn, founder of Smart Glamour in New York City. Mallorie has been interested in clothing her whole life. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Pratt Institute. She found that corporate fashion was not her cup of tea. Mallorie also began noticing how badly women and femme people feel about themselves in their bodies…and how difficult it can be for people to find clothes that fit them well and are made well.She started Smart Glamour in 2014, a customizable, ethical fashion brand based on the idea that everyone deserves clothing that is not exploitative of the people that make it.  Smart Glamour's size chart goes from XS to 15X and beyond. All of the clothing is customizable to sizes above and below that chart.During the pandemic, she sewed masks and offered them for pay what you will. She started a podcast interviewing her models and other makers. She also shares videos of her making things or giving sewing tips. She's also a part-time professor at The New School and the Fashion Institute of Technology.Mallorie feels strongly about providing all types of clothing for plus-size people, customized to fit as needed. “The majority of people are plus size in this country, yet they are vastly underserved. Once you get above 3X and especially once you get above 6X, people do not have options."To make her business processes sustainable, Mallorie makes everything to order. She purchases most of her fabrics  from local family-owned discount fabric stores. Most of it is overstock. She uses every scrap of her fabric, holding leftovers for what she calls Smart Glamour surprises.Mallorie also is committed to producing affordable, ethically made clothing. On Smart Glamour's website, you can shop by model… from models who are of all sizes, heights, ages, and abilities. Mallorie has integrated social impact into her business by creating products that benefit nonprofits. Check out Mallorie's website and her podcast, and pass it on! Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and included in fashion!I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you like what you hear or read, wander through my website to find out more about my work.Can you use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Dr. Erica Gamble, known as the Wig Dr.The Wig Doctor, headquartered in Marietta, GA, specializes in high-quality wigs and hair pieces for people suffering from hair loss because of chemotherapy, alopecia, and other auto-immune disorders. It all started when Erica wore her mom's wig to her private high school one day. The nuns were not pleased, because they associated wigs with prostitution. “I thought wow, how could this be so wrong when it feels so right? All I had to do is get up, pop it on out the door…it was just magical…this cannot be that bad.”Erica continued to wear wigs through her life for fun. She worked in corporate America for 20 years and felt the pressure to always look good, which could be hard at times when she was traveling. Wigs continued to be an easy solution.When they built their home they ran out of space because Erica had so many wigs…so she decided to open a wig boutique. And the Wig Dr. was born!The Wig Dr. has attracted some big name attention. Erica was featured on the Drew Barrymore show with Gabrielle Union, and this summer Master Card chose her as a Black-woman-owned business to spotlight. She appeared in a commercial hosted by Jennifer Hudson and got to walk the red carpet at a big event.Most of Erica's clients have never worn wigs before. They come to her because they are losing their hair through illness or alopecia. She loves being able to help them look and feel their best. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Find out more on my website and social media.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you like what you hear or read, wander through my website to find out more about my work.Can you use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

Companies that Care highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Taylor Loewen, Portland general manager of Ridwell, a sustainability startup that makes wasting less easy for its members. Ridwell picks up stuff from your front door and makes sure it gets sustainably reused or recycled. Taylor's background is mostly in nonprofit and political campaigns and environmental organizations. She was drawn to Ridwell because it's a small business trying to have a positive, tangible impact in their local community. Their ties to nonprofits made it an ideal fit for Taylor as a career choice.Ridwell hired her to launch their Portland headquarters from scratch. They started in November 2020 with 223 members. Now, 10 months later, that number has ballooned to 16,000 members. The Seattle area has  25,000 members, and they've just expanded to Denver. They have plans to continue to expand to other major cities. Taylor began driving around delivering bins and picking up trash, and now she's managing a team of 30 employees less than a year later!How does Ridwell work? As a reuse and recycling service, Ridwell offers members a solution to keeping household trash out of the local landfill to help fight climate change. They work with a variety of companies and nonprofits to give new life to household trash.Members pay a monthly fee to receive a Ridwell metal bin with five canvas bags, with pickups every two weeks. The four core categories are lightbulbs, batteries, plastic film (including Amazon plastic mailers, Ziploc bags, etc.), and threads (rags or clothing). The plastic is turned into things like composite for decks, tracks, benches, or playground equipment, and the threads are either donated or turned into cleaning rags.The fifth rotating feature category collects items like school supplies, eyeglasses, pet accessories, purses, wine corks, jewelry, and Halloween candy and donates them to nonprofits.They also offer add-ons for an additional fee, such as clamshell plastic, fluorescent lights, and Styrofoam.Ridwell is committed to serious, transparent vetting, making sure that everything stays domestic. They communicate regularly with their members to share how much is being recycled and where it goes.Taylor loves the process of working with partners to find a place for new items to recycle…in addition to working with nonprofits to benefit the larger community. Would you like to try a free month of Ridwell? Contact me at marie@fertilegroundcommunications.com if you are interested! Curious to see if Ridwell is in your city? Check it out here.Next week, I interview Daniel Sartin on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast. Daniel was born into foster care and has experienced trauma, addiction, suicidal ideation, and abuse in his 24 short years on earth. In spite of that, he's facing life sober, self-aware, and self-confident, determined to do whatever he can to help people facing houselessness and despair.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you like what you hear or read, wander through my website to find out more about my work.Can you use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation.Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like David Brackett, founder and CEO of Linguava. Linguava is a full-service language interpretation and translation company that provides health care and medical equity through language access.David shared how he first became interested in languages, when his grandma gave him cassettes to learn Spanish when he was just four years old. After living in Spain for several years, David decided to become an interpreter. He founded Linguava in 2010, and now the company has more than 50 full-time employees, covering more than 230 different languages, including American Sign Language.Language access is critical for people to receive good health care services. One in five people in the United States speak a primary language at home other than English. These individuals need assistance when they receive health care. Linguava interpreters work as partners with the health care team to ensure patients receive the best services and fully understand the care they are receiving.David defines health equity as meeting the individual where they are at in their life. “We all have different levels of access to health care because of our socioeconomic status, because of where we live, and because of language barriers. Our goal at Linguava is to make sure that meaningful language access is provided so that you can improve your health outcomes,” said David. “No matter what language you speak, no matter where you're at in your patient journey, we want to make sure that you have the right access to language interpretation or translation services.”David shared the many important roles of an interpreter, beyond simple interpretation of language. He also shared anecdotes about Linguava interpreters truly making a difference in the lives of their clients.You can follow Linguava on their website. With a real passion for creating caring companies, David is writing a book about leadership and language access.Next week I interview Taylor Loewen, Portland general manager of Ridwell, a rapidly growing company that picks up stuff from your front door and makes sure it gets sustainably reused or recycled. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you like what you hear or read, wander through my website to find out more about my work.Can you use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms. 

If you like what you hear or read, visit my website to find out more about my work.The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Lara Smith, former managing director of Dad's Garage, a theatre company in Atlanta, Georgia. Since we recorded this interview, Lara now works as a consultant for Purpose Possible, and Dad's Garage's new managing director is Stacey Sharer. The transition happened just in the last month.During this interview, we spoke about the powerhouse that is Lara and how she evolved into her own. We also spoke about Dad's Garage, which Lara ran for nine years. Lara led the organization through losing their home and finding a permanent one, running a nontraditional capital campaign, overseeing renovations, and most recently, surviving a pandemic. In that time, the organization's budget nearly doubled. The mission of Dad's Garage is to transform people, communities, and perspectives through laughter. The theater is also described as a “gateway drug to the arts.” The organization has extensive outreach and internship programs, a pay-it-forward ticket program, and several scholarships. Most of their shows are created in house. We talked about the way Dad's has been supporting its artists through the pandemic. Dad's also offers corporate training to Fortune 500 companies in the Atlanta area.Lara gave me one of the best tips I've received in podcasting: her gratitude practice. You'll have to listen to the podcast to hear what it is!You can follow along with Lara's career through her website. Lara excels at leading strategic planning processes; she has led ten processes for seven different organizations. These include two arts organizations, a business association, an organization focused on emergency assistance for farmers, and an organization focused on disrupting the prison pipeline and ending the cycle of poverty. Next week I interview David Brackett, founder of Linguava, a language interpretation/ translation company that is committed to helping improve patient experience and health outcomes for limited English proficient and deaf and hard of hearing individuals. I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications.Contact us if you can use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Amber Taggard, founder and CEO of The Organizer Chicks and host of The Organizer Chicks podcast. The average American wastes 17 minutes each day looking for lost items.When Amber read this statistic, she decided to use her M.S. in clinical mental health to help people reclaim their homes and spaces. Since 2011, Amber and her flock of Organizer Chicks have helped people fight the clutter, find the calm, and take back their 17 minutes each day.We talked about how The Organizer Chicks makes organization a positive, empowering experience for all their clients.  Amber aims to reduce the shame people feel about their messes and clutter. Everyone has a different skillset, and we shouldn't feel intimidated by another person's talents. Our talents and skillsets are meant to complement each other. Amber wants to destigmatize the idea of asking for help with organization.We also discussed our challenges with infertility, how her company fared during the pandemic, toxic bosses, avoidable negativity (the topic for Amber's TED talk), and how Americans have too much crap. The Organizer Chicks gives back to their community by sponsoring girls' sports teams and doing an annual “Chicks Give Back” day where they provide their services pro bono to a person or organization. Most recently they organized a new homeowner's house for Habitat for Humanity.I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with the delightful, upbeat Amber! My conversation with her has inspired me to get back to purging and organizing my own space. My family is in a huge time of transition, and what better time to create a more peaceful space.Next week I interview Terri Kozlowski, who is a proud Native American warrior from the Athabascan; Tlinglet Tribe - Raven Clan. She has journeyed through the pain of child sexual abuse and utter fear of life after her mother abandoned me, at the age of 11, on the streets of Albuquerque, NM.I alternate the Companies That Care podcast with my original podcast, Finding Fertile Ground, which shares personal stories of grit and resilience. On both my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, people who don't always get a platform. Find out more on my website and social media.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications.Contact us if you can use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights companies and business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Acting Global Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation Erin Shakespeare. Erin leads a team that directs Macquarie's efforts on philanthropic grantmaking and employee volunteering, working closely with the company's people around the world. Macquarie Group is an Australian-headquartered multinational financial services company. My sister-in-law Shemara has worked there for 34 years and is now the CEO and managing director. The foundation provides support to hundreds of community organizations through financial support, volunteering, and skills sharing. A serious commitment to philanthropy has been part of the company culture since it was founded in 1969. On community advisory committees in  local offices around the world,  staff  plan how to give back in their communities. Erin shared the history of Macquarie's staff-led philanthropy. The company has a generous matching program, providing employees up to $A50,000 per year in matching donations for any fundraising they do. Last year was a huge year for the foundation, reaching a total of $A64 million in contributions. In 2020, the foundation arranged a COVID-19 fund of $A20 million to support immediate relief and economic recovery. To acknowledge the company's 50th anniversary in 2019,  Macquarie established an $A50 million fund awarding $A10 million grants to five organizations. They chose to fund the Social Finance US, Last Mile Health, World Mosquito Project, World Scabies Program, and the Ocean Cleanup.In 2020 Macquarie created its first racial equity fund, bringing together a working group of staff across their business to discuss where they could make a difference toward racial equity solutions. They've made grants in four markets in the US  where Macquarie staff live and work. Although the dollars are important, just as critical is finding ways to engage their staff through pro bono skill sharing or educating themselves on these issues.I'm impressed with the way Macquarie empowers its employees to invest in their communities. “Every day I wake up and I'm just so grateful I have this job,” said Erin. “I really feel incredibly lucky to do this impactful work and to do this work at Macquarie.” Next week on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast I interview Terri Kozlowski, proud Native American warrior from the Athabascan; Tlinglet Tribe - Raven Clan. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give us a rating and subscribe to hear our next episode. On both  my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, especially people of color, women, people who are LGBTQIA, non-Christian, and immigrants, people who don't always get a platform. Contact us if you can use help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. 

As a podcaster for justice, I stand with my sisters from the Women of Color Podcasters Community. We are podcasters united to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in our country since its inception and we are committed to standing against racism in all its forms. If you like what you hear or read, visit my Fertile Ground Communications page on Patreon and find out how you can support my work.The Companies that Care podcast highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world, like Dr. Naama Barneal-Goraly, M.D. She founded Girltelligence, an app for girls to advise, support, and inspire each other. Naama is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and brain researcher. She grew up in Israel and came to the U.S. to be a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University. She worked at Stanford for 15 years before deciding to do something different with her life. Naama wanted to use what she'd learned to empower young women. She was inspired by a quote from Melinda Gates: “No matter where you're born, life will be harder if you are born a girl.” She realized an app could be a great way to build a supportive community for young women.Girltelligence launched a year ago and has a thriving growing community. Many of the girls are interested in girl empowerment, psychology, psychiatry, and mental health, and they offer support to other girls.The app provides a supportive community and information from experts and peers. Girls create their own content and ask questions that might pertain to school, friendships, relationships, college applications, mental health, or how to help a friend going through a difficult situation.Girltelligence was recently awarded the iFundwomen x Neutrogena grant, which gives women-owned businesses in the health and wellness space a fresh start in 2021. Naama has taken her education and practical skills and created a beautiful resource for young women and girls. I'm so excited to share this app with all the young women I know! Next week I interview Lisa Marie Simmons on the Finding Fertile Ground podcast.Lisa is a singer/songwriter, essayist, and published poet. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, she now lives in Italy. As a transracial adoptee, she was in foster care, adopted two separate times, and survived child abuse. On both of my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from historically excluded populations, especially people of color, women, people who are LGBTQIA, non-Christian, and immigrants, people who don't always get a platform. You can find all the information on my website and social media.The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give us a rating and subscribe to hear our next episode. Contact us if you can use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. Fertile Ground Communications LLC is a certified women-owned business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise, and emerging small business.

The Companies that Care podcast highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world. I have a passion for companies that care and give back to their communities, like Phioneers based in London, UK, and The Gambia. My guest, Ousman Touray, is an ecopreneur with a mission to improve the quality of life in developing parts of the globe through sustainable and eco-friendly architecture, engineering, and technology.Ousman was born in London to two parents from The Gambia in West Africa. When Ousman was 10, his parents decided to move back home.  From age 10 to 17, Ousman spent time with cousins, uncles, and aunties, eating together and sleeping on a big mattress, sharing everything.Ousman knew he wanted to use his passions engineering, nature, and construction to make a difference in the world. “I always paid attention to the way things were built and how a big nice forest would disappear because someone started a housing estate.”Inspired by nature geography shows, Ousman decided to do something to help with the solution. As a young person, Ousman was an active member of the Red Cross. When natural disasters would strike, he'd be working with refugees. He's always done stuff for free, not expecting anything in return.When he returned to London at age 17, he studied civil engineering and construction and went on to work as a civil engineer and project management. Now he is a portfolio manager, working fully in Africa.  “In the developed world we have a lot of things that we take for granted, that mean a lot to other people. ”Ousman founded Phioneers because he wanted to solve problems like infrastructure, waste, unsustainable materials, construction methods, and damaging the environment. His goal is to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using sustainable and eco-friendly architecture, engineering, and technology. Ousman's solution is focused on eco-friendliness, caring about the environment, and community building.Inspired by Dr. Sanduk Ruit, who takes 50 percent of his income from paying clients and then provides free vision services for people who cannot pay, Ousman provides high-quality services for his customers, but he uses some of that income to provide homes for free to those who cannot afford them.Ousman helps developers in developing African countries choose more sustainable materials for their construction projects, instead of products that need to be imported from elsewhere. He observes that Africans are scrapping the technology that helped them build the pyramids. He views partnerships as key to his success. “We believe in working together as small businesses instead of having a big team trying to do everything by themselves, reinventing the wheel.”Many people live together in extended family settings in a very small spaces in Africa. Ousman hopes to provide low-cost eco-friendly homes for sub-Saharan Africans living under the poverty line. “I envision standing in front of a community of homes built by us, a housing estate that's been designed by us or influenced by our decisions...standing in front of a team of engineers and marketers giving a daily briefing of what needs to be done and traveling around the continent of Africa and beyond, talking to people about how we can help house people…how we can help make a bigger impact.”The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give us a rating and subscribe to hear our next episode. Contact us if you can use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. We help organizations and people discover what makes them special and help them share that with the world. 

View photos and read more here. The Companies that Care podcast highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world. This week I interview Wendy Horng Brawer, co-founder and chief of learning and innovation for Intune Collective. Wendy is an executive coach, consultant, experience designer, somatic awareness coach, parent, and rock drummer. Wendy is putting into practice what she teaches. “How do we build a company that walks the talk every day? How can we lead from the inside out, becoming whole human leaders helping whole human companies?”Growing up in an Asian family, charting her own course was difficult at times. I asked Wendy about being an Asian-American woman in the workplace. She worked for Dun & Bradstreet in Tokyo, where she was excluded from social events that her American male peers attended. Intune Collective is "a company that sees working with clients as partnerships, and that's reciprocated because we're called partners by our clients…that feels really good because we're showing up in as holistic a way as we can, and we apply something that we call synergistic consulting. We help clients bring it all together…heart, mind, and community.” Wendy believes the most important step for executives to develop caring relationships is making a personal commitment. They need to be willing to model their own growth, to develop emotional intelligence, and to show vulnerability. The same practices apply to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.  This is the work of organizations who care.Wendy is board chair of Calculus Roundtable, which seeks creative, innovative, and highly engaging ways to help underrepresented Black and brown students access STEM learning, develop a passion for it, and continue on career pathways related to STEM.She launched a podcast called “The Business of Being Human” with her Intune Collective partner, Christine Hildebrand. They interview practitioners in HR and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, along with executive leaders. Wendy's advice for people who want to create companies that care is to start with your values. “How do your values show up when you're working with clients? When you're working with each other? If you have conflict and disagreement? You can create a manifesto that anchors you around your values.” Wendy is a somatic coach, and she runs Unbound, a program for women of color to explore what it means to be free, whole, and alive. To learn more, visit www.wendyhorngbrawer.com.On both of my podcasts I highlight voices from underrepresented populations, especially people of color, women, people who are LGBTQIA, non-Christian, and immigrants, people who don't always get a platform. The Companies That Care podcast is brought to you by Fertile Ground Communications. I highlight voices from people of color, women, people who are LGBTQIA, non-Christians, and immigrants, people who don't always get a platform. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give us a rating and subscribe to hear our next episode. Contact us if you can use some help with your writing, editing, communications, or marketing. With 30 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, I am passionate about sustainability and corporate citizenship, equity & inclusion, businesses that use their power for good, and doing everything I can to create a kinder, more sustainable, and just world. 

Read more and view photos on my website.Lisa Schroeder is executive chef and owner of Mother's Bistro & Bar. She is a mother, grandmother, chef, restaurateur and author devoted to providing better-than-authentic renditions of traditional home-cooked dishes at her popular, award-winning restaurant. Mother's has grown over the years from a charming 90-seat restaurant on Stark Street to a gorgeous 200-seat Portland institution in the Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel. Chosen Restaurant of the Year by Portland's Willamette Week; Best Comfort Food, Best Brunch, and Best Lunch Spot by numerous publications; and one of America's Top Restaurant Bargains by Food and Wine, Mother's Bistro & Bar is a destination spot for Portland.Mother's was not an overnight success, even though it opened to rave reviews. Back in 1992, while juggling a marketing career and raising her daughter, Lisa realized no restaurants were making comfort food. She dreamed of a place that would serve “Mother Food” – slow-cooked dishes made with love. Lisa was determined to open such a restaurant and spent the next eight years working toward that dream.She enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America, where she was selected as one of the Top Ten Student Chefs in America by Food and Wine. After graduating with honors, she continued honing her skills at two four-star restaurants, Lespinasse and Le Cirque. Her education continued in Provence, France at Roger Verge's Moulin des Mougins and at Mark Veyrat's L'Auberge de L'Eridan in Haute Savoie. At one point she was working 90 hours a week in two jobs, as a chef and a waiter, so she could afford to live in New York City.While working all over Europe, she realized the only way to truly understand regional cuisine was to go into the homes where mothers cooked. When she met her husband, Rob Sample, she relocated to Portland and continued planning her restaurant. She opened Mother's in 2000. The first year she received “Restaurant of the Year” award from Willamette Week. “Mother's serves home cooking from mothers around the world, and each month we feature the cuisine of a different mother...I wanted to have motherly staples, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf and matzo ball soup, chopped liver, pierogis. So basically, if a mother would make it, we would serve it.”Lisa has been providing health benefits for her staff from day one, way before Obamacare. She also provides vacation and a 401K with a 3 percent match. Lisa  read about the pandemic and began to make preparations for providing takeout food. But after staying open became untenable, on June 5, 2020, she made the decision to close the restaurant. Even though they were closed for over a year, most of her staff has returned as they've reopened.I asked Lisa what it's like to be a woman in the food industry. “Everybody doubts you. They think you're not capable. You won't be able to lift...you always start from a disadvantaged position where people have preconceived notions about your abilities, and then, especially working in four-star kitchens as an older woman in my 30s."We also spoke about the future of downtown Portland (it's coming back!), her philosophy of sustainable food systems (like a good mother, she lets nothing go to waste!), how she gives back to her community.I asked Lisa what advice she has for people who want to create companies that care.“Well, you have to care...be a human being and don't treat your people like a number, or that they're disposable or replaceable. Cherish each one and what they can bring to the company and the cause…Treat people with humanity…if you treat people well, they will respect you and treat you well…you'll get their devotion and loyalty.”

Read more and view photos on my website. The Companies that Care podcast highlights business leaders who are making a difference in the world. I have a passion for companies that care and give back to their communities, like  Mary Rose Boutique NW. Julie Allen founded Mary Rose Boutique NW and the sister Mary Rose Foundation, a 501C3 nonprofit. Julie has a mission of helping ALL people feel beautiful and confident. With every purchase, Mary Rose donates a portion of the sales to the Mary Rose Foundation to  fund eating disorder treatment. As someone who struggled with eating disorders herself, and who also has not always felt beautiful in a dressing room, Julie is disrupting the fashion industry. “I am on this mission to fight diet culture…I had anorexia and bulimia for so long that it  has opened my eyes to the way things are spun and the way things are portrayed in the media.”Julie has a mirror in her shop called an affirmation mirror. Customers  write affirming messages with dry erase markers on the mirror, like “I am worthy of love,” “I deserve to love myself,” and “I am beautiful.” When people come out of the fitting room, those messages are the first things they see.  I asked Julie what advice she has for others who want to create companies that care. “Find something you care about, something you are very passionate about and that can get you through hard days…when you have a bigger mission to what you are doing, that is what will get you through those hard days and give you motivation to keep going…find whatever you are passionate about, whatever fills your cup and can fill others' cups…find whatever that is for you and stick to that and filter everything that you do through that lens. Ask, ‘Is this serving my greater purpose of why I am in business?'”I interviewed Julie again after reading that she's been rebooting her inventory to be more sustainable. She realized how damaging the fashion industry is for the environment. “The fashion industry is terrible for our planet. It's the third leading contributor to  waste and pollution...we had a massive, 5000-square-foot warehouse…It was just overwhelmingly shocking to me how much stuff was there.”This epiphany caused Julie to shift the way she was doing business. “Fast fashion” helped her business survive COVID, but she had to put a stop to it. She realized her efforts to promote size inclusion and dismantle diet culture were  contributing to  environmental and ethical damages. “There's no such thing as cheap fashion…somebody, somewhere is paying for it…whether it's you or I on the consumer end, or whether it's the worker that is not paid an ethical wage…”Julie cut out 90 percent of her vendors. It's been a positive change. She's had a challenge finding sustainable clothing in inclusive sizes. Now she is working to develop her own line of sustainable, size-inclusive clothing. Julie recently hired an executive director for the foundation. She is particularly interested in helping middle school youth. The foundation is working to develop education and outreach programs to help increase youth self-esteem, promote body acceptance, body love, and self-love; and create positive coping skills to prevent eating disorders. Julie was a fun, dynamic guest and I look forward to meeting her in person!On both of my podcasts I strive to highlight voices from underrepresented populations, especially people of color, women, people who are LGBTQIA, non- Christian, and immigrants, people who don't always get a platform. You can find all the information on my website and social media.

Read more about this episode.This week I speak to Ozzie Gonzalez, a former CH2M colleague. Ozzie founded P3 Consulting, dedicated to helping businesses grow while improving their environmental and social footprint. Ozzie calls himself an urban ecologist and has dedicated his career to designing and building solutions that bridge environmental health with community prosperity. Ozzie was Portland's first Latino candidate for mayor.Ozzie started P3 Consulting to bring people-, planet-, profit-centric solutions into projects. “I have a foundation in environmental science, and I apply it to a human ecosystem to try to figure out how to bring balance between the way human beings live and the quality of life that we would like to hold onto into the future.”We spoke about his role on the TriMet board, where he's helped bring transit-oriented development guidelines into the agency; create the first low-income fare program and decriminalizing fare evasion; and adopted a policy to decarbonize the entire TriMet vehicle fleet.Then I asked him about Portland. Ozzie and I talked about the Black Lives Matter protests, the ongoing houseless and business challenges, and how to reboot Portland.“The future is cloudy, but what I'm certain of is we we've got to come back...The Pacific Northwest is poised for livability for decades to come…there's a lot of fear of taking risks from our elected officials, and it was part of what motivated me to run.”Then we moved into the issues of displacement and gentrification. I asked him how we design for equity. Ozzie shared his ideas for creating a model where people could buy into affordable housing but have a stake in it for the long term.I knew Ozzie has a passion for sustainable food, so we delved into that topic in our conversation. “We have major things to change in our food system...we need to recognize it is unsustainable...the institution of food is heavily reliant on monoculture and mass industrialization, and on genetically modified seeds that depend on a very specific regimen of petrochemical-based fertilizers and insecticides.”He'd like to see less reliance on mass food systems, more focus on dealing with food waste, and more local food production.“I'm a big believer in love...I try to eat as much pure love as I can. And what I mean by that is I care about how it's cooked. I care about how it's grown. I care about how it's transported and in all those instances what I'm really looking for is a chain of custody filled with people that are doing something that they love doing that feel honored to be doing it. That's what I look for first.”I asked Ozzie what's next in his life after working as an urban ecologist, architect, dad and husband, sustainability manager, professional actor (we didn't even touch on that role!), public speaker and activist, business mentor, diversity manager, and candidate for mayor. “I plan to die fighting to make this world a sustainable, equitable place.”He's working on a passion project, a development in a pueblo in Mexico. Ozzie wants to build an ecotourism playground where virtual workers can live, work, and play in the same location. He plans to create a net zero, highly efficient smart home for digital nomads, content creators, and others who can work virtually.I asked Ozzie for his advice to others who want to create companies that care.“Well, do it. Go for it please. We need them companies that care. It's the only way to ensure longevity. Every company out there is going to have to learn this lesson sooner or later of how to care for its people, for its natural resources. There's simply no way around that, and many companies will go bust, not ever having learned that lesson.” 

View more details and photos in this blog post.Danielle Meadows-Stinnett owns Octane Design Studios and is also a podcaster, mentor, wife, mom of four, and lover of cosplay. A grassroots developer & curator from Kentucky, Danielle has helped brand and launch 100 businesses across America. She has always had a love for telling stories. Octane Design Studios is a digital marketing firm, woman led and Black owned. “We'd like to think forward and we like to act forward. Our mission is providing tools, knowledge, and empowerment through the realm of digital marketing and visual communication.”About 35 to 50 percent of Octane's work is done for nonprofits such as Kerrington's Heart, where Danielle is a founding board member and marketing director, supporting children with heart defects.“These children are superheroes in every single possible way, defeating some of these defying odds. One in 100 children are born with a heart defect, and more than 50 percent don't live to see their first birthday.”Danielle's work with Kerrington's Heart is more than graphics and marketing, like her hashtag #morethangraphics represents. “We want to tell their stories but tell them well…I want to be able to hold your kid's hand and wish them a happy birthday because every birthday is an absolute celebration of life… I want to be able to come alongside parents when they're feeling the grief or the weight of knowing that their kid may not be able to move on to the next stage…those are the type of things that we talk about, being a company that cares.”Danielle has created a creative, fun space to work for her team of three. Her assistant Melissa told Danielle that when she comes to work, it's always a fun adventure with something happening each day, and she is excited to be a part of it. This fills Danielle's heart with joy. “It's like my little piece of Pixar that I always wanted when I was a kid.”Danielle and her team meet hard deadlines, but they balance that with teamwork and positive energy.We talked about the ways Black and brown people have been affected by the pandemic, especially women. She believes that corporate America needs to provide more options to women, and she pointed out that women of color can be misunderstood in the corporate world. “Companies really do need to be very tactical about how they're going to create welcoming spaces, in particular for Black women.”Danielle uses her podcast, More than Graphics, to amplify voices and stories to inspire and evoke change. It's a platform for women in tech, creatives, and all women in general. Danielle believes that to create a company that cares, you should ask yourself: What do I care about? Do I really care?  “Our actions and our words have to match, and that is the ultimate fact check for anyone who is saying that they care about something. Where does your money go? Where do your hands go?”She walks her talk by dressing up in cosplay and volunteering with children. She also has a summer internship program where they teach high school students design and technology.Next week I interview Christine Carino on the Finding Fertile Ground Podcast. Christine is a queer nonbinary immigrant from the Philippines who had a bumpy coming out, being sent to conversion therapy. 

Read more details and view photos in this blog post. If you like what you hear or read, visit my Fertile Ground Communications page on Patreon and find out how you can support my work.I interview two of my CSR mentors. Elisa Speranza chaired the CH2M Foundation board, and Ellen Sandberg was executive director. We spoke about how CH2M rebooted its foundation and invested in sustainable development around the world. CH2M was an engineering firm founded in 1946. By 2016 it had become a $6 billion global project management powerhouse, with 20,000 employees and thriving, award-winning sustainability and corporate citizenship programs, including a charitable foundation. The company was acquired by Jacobs in 2017.  Elisa Speranza was a VP and chair of the CH2M Foundation board. She helped to relaunch the foundation in 2013 by hiring Ellen Sandberg; rebooting the board; redefining the mission; and identifying strategic giving pillars: STEM education, sustainable communities, and employee engagement.In 2014, the foundation formalized relationships with 10 strategic partners to focus giving for greater impact, and also established a disaster matching gift program for employees. During Ellen's time as executive director, the foundation:Equipped teachers and students around the worldPartnered with clients such as Dow and The Nature Conservancy in STEM educationFocused on volunteerism, building seven footbridges with employee volunteers from around the world with Bridges to ProsperitySet a policy requiring donations to support STEM education or environmental stewardship to  align with clients' goals Broke records for its workplace giving program in support of Water For PeopleI had the fortune of working with both Ellen and Elisa as the marketing communications manager for CH2M's sustainability and corporate citizenship programs, including the CH2M Foundation. As for Ellen, she describes her role as executive director of the CH2M Foundation as “definitely my most meaningful corporate social responsibility role to date.” Before Ellen was hired, CH2M HILL's foundation was taking an old-fashioned approach, giving checks to universities where executives had gone to school and supporting the CEO's favorite causes in Denver. Listen to the podcast to learn how they overcame stumbling blocks and persuaded people that this was the right approach. To determine the strategic giving pillars for the foundation, they started with the company's strategic plan and our company values and aligned corporate giving policies with those values.CH2M tied its giving goals with its business priorities, so STEM education and sustainable community-building were critical areas of focus. The other emphasis was employee volunteerism, and the foundation provided plentiful opportunities for employees to volunteer their technical skills to build sustainable infrastructure. CH2M earned multiple accolades and awards for our commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship, including the World Environment Center (WEC) Gold Medal Award for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development and garnering the #22 spot on FORTUNE's Top 50 Companies That Change the World. We wished we were all in one place, sharing a glass of wine. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane!

Read more details and see photos on this blog post.I interview Narendra Varma, cofounder of Our Table Cooperative in Sherwood, Oregon, a cooperative model for community food systems. Our Table grows organic products and offers education and supports food security through their nonprofit.Narendra and his wife Machelle started Our Table in 2013 after working in the tech industry and moving to Portland from the Seattle area. Narendra grew up in a very strong household culture of cooking, since his mom was a caterer. He and his wife were interested in creating what they call a holy nexus between food and community. They came up with a vision for a more resilient and interdependent local food culture on a community scale.They set out create a community owned food system that was rooted in personal and cooperative relationships among all of the people involved, as well as the natural systems at play.Our Table is a multi-stakeholder cooperative, the only one in the food industry that includes consumers and food producers. Narendra describes the cooperative as a work in progress and an experiment, because they're not sure if it will work in the long term. He hopes others will be inspired to learn from their mistakes so they can make their own.Our Table consists of three stakeholder groups: (1) the workers (farmers, storekeepers, cooks, etc.), (2) independent farms or producers of food not made directly on Our Table's farm, and (3) the people who eat the food. Each person has a seat at the table and one vote in the business. Our Table is unique as a cooperative, because each member has one vote, no matter their role or commitment level.The cooperative has a 60-acre farm in Sherwood, Oregon, the base of operations, where they grow 50 to 60 different varieties of vegetables, berries, and flowers, and occasionally rear livestock. They also have 16 other producer members who grow grain and meat or make kombucha, pickles, and other items. That food gets sold at the full-service grocery store on the farm. Our Table has a CSA program, and they sell products to restaurants, grocery stores, etc. They also offer farm dinners and educational events.Our Table believes diversity leads to resilience, so they plant a high diversity of crops and implement diversity in their business structures as well. They have a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which focuses on education and food insecurity mutual aid. They also work with local schools to develop a farm-based education curriculum.We talked about organic vs. conventional farming and soil health, and Narendra pointed out that farm workers are heavily exposed to chemicals in agriculture. Farm workers have the highest incidence of poisoning and death and health impacts from exposure to pesticides and artificial fertilizers. We discussed the difficult working conditions for our nation's food producers and farmers. Our Table strives to pay their workers a fair wage based on a living wage calculator, at least 30 percent higher than the state minimum wage. In addition, all employees become member owners of the cooperative, with the option to become salaried.I asked Narendra what lessons they can pass on to others who'd like to replicate what Our Table is doing. “The first lesson I would say is patience. It takes time. Second, it all hinges on community…when you build communal ties, other things fall into place…but it takes time to build community.”Listen to the podcast to learn Narendra's ideal meal, how he was raised to view food as he grew up in India, and his hopes for the next five years.

This blog post has more details and photos. If you like what you hear or read, visit my Fertile Ground Communications page on Patreon and find out how you can support my work.Aroa Fernandez Alvarez is cofounder of the Trace Collective from London, UK. Trace is a group of two organizations—a fashion brand and a nonprofit--on a mission to make fashion regenerative. They are reimagining what it means to be sustainable in today's world by producing fully traceable clothes that drive environmental regeneration, helping reverse climate change. Aroa and her partner, Antonia Halko, founded Trace Collective and Trace Planet. Aroa's career has been in environmental and social impact, while Antonia has always worked in the fashion industry. Aroa has been concerned about the impact the fashion industry is having on the environment.Trace Collective's mission is to make fashion regenerative. They observed that the mindset of sustainability in fashion is “damaging less.”  They have created a fashion company that connects regenerative agriculture, repairing the environment and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.All of Trace Collective's fabric is biodegradable, and they only use fabrics that come from farms. Aroa explained that much of clothing today is produced of synthetic fibers like polyester. These synthetic fabrics are bad for the environment because they frequently are made of oil or petrol. They also shed microfibers into the ocean for as long as they are in circulation.Trace's fabrics can be traced to the fields, produced without pesticides and without dyes or treatments. Trace Collective does an impact audit on all their products. Their radical transparency strategy has three components for each piece of clothing: traceability, impact, and production cost. They want to benchmark their components against the industry and ensure they are significantly lower than industry practices. Aroa explained the impact of fast fashion on the world. “Fashion today is one of the world's most polluting industries. It produces more carbon emissions, more greenhouse emissions than shipping and aviation combined.”In addition, cotton farmers are not being paid enough. Trace Collective is committed to paying the workers across their supply chain fair living wages. They travel to each of their factories and suppliers and ask very uncomfortable questions about how much their workers paid. They also choose to work with social companies that create value in their communities, moving capital to the social sector and maximizing the value customers receive with their purchases. To make fashion regenerative, they have two organizations. Trace Collective creates demand for fabric sources from generative agriculture, and the more people buy their products, the more they can support farmers' transition towards regenerative agriculture. The vision of Trace Planet is to help society transition from an extractive to a regenerative mindset.  Trace Planet also offers educational activities through online and offline events, panel discussions, and fun interactive workshops. Subscribe to the Trace Planet newsletter if you're interested in the workshops.Aroa hopes more fashion brands come together in a collaborative way to scale regenerative agriculture and bring transparency to fashion supply.  Aroa's convinced collaboration is the best way to achieve systemic and long-lasting impact, so she recommends finding the right partners to help grow your company and expand your vision.