BLD PNW celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, bringing together leaders from B Corps and purpose-driven organizations across the region. And the passion for building a better world shone through all day long!
This year’s theme, Together On Purpose, captured the spirit of the day: moving from individual intention to organizational action to community impact. Across conversations, sessions, and stories, one message continued to surface: our actions matter, and when we work together, their impact can reach further than we imagine.
From Eleazar Ruiz (Odd Notion) sharing how organizations can tell their stories to expand their outreach and impact, to our opening panel featuring Josh Hatch (Brightworks Sustainability), Minna Yoo (Love Bottle), Craig Hill (Beneficial State Bank), Jenelle Etzel (Living Room Realty), and Lev Tsypin (ThinkShout) reflecting on 20 years of the B Corp movement and what has changed since the early days of B Corps in Portland, attendees heard just how far this community has come. What began as a space for people to learn how to build purpose-driven companies has grown into something bigger. As we continue this work, we aren't just touching the ceiling. We're raising the floor and creating the conditions for more people, organizations, and communities to thrive.
For longtime attendees like Alexandra Devendra of Aligned Law, a BLD Voices Sponsor, that growth was especially meaningful.
"I’ve been coming to BLD for years and it’s never really felt like a ‘conference’ to me -- it’s more like a reunion of people who care about their businesses being good for more than just the owners, and who get together to compare notes on how to do that."
Alexandra also celebrated the new faces joining the conversation, reminding us that this community extends beyond certified B Corps to include cooperatives, nonprofits, and businesses at every stage of their impact journey. As she put it, "We’ve been proving it for ten years. And this year the tent got even bigger!"
Throughout the day, attendees explored how to put purpose into practice, from examining their individual influence to finding ways to deepen their organizations' impact. We were encouraged to ask different questions, open ourselves to new perspectives, and collaborate by drawing on one another's strengths and gifts. Together, we explored solutions to community challenges and discovered an important truth: we already have an abundance of knowledge, strengths, and resources within our communities.
The power of collaboration came to life through the James Beard Public Market project, highlighted by Jessica Elkan (James Beard Public Market), Franklin Jones (B-Line Urban Delivery), and Russ Brooks (Portland Bureau of Transportation), with moderator Art Pearce (Portland Parks & Recreation). Their discussion explored how intentional partnerships are helping design a zero-emission logistics system for a public market serving local vendors and the broader community. It was a reminder that community impact doesn't happen in isolation. It takes people working together to turn shared intentions into meaningful outcomes.
The day closed with keynote speaker JT Flowers, founder and Executive Director of Article V, whose stories about history, action, and the ripple effects of change held the room's attention. As JT shared how small and large actions can shape minds and create lasting change, one question offered a powerful reminder to carry forward: “For whom and to what end?” It's a question that brings us back to the purpose behind our decisions and reminds us that the impact of our actions can extend beyond our teams, organizations, and communities, reaching future generations.
Three takeaways to carry forward
1. Start with your own sphere of influence.
Ask yourself: What can I do, what impact can I have, and who can I learn from or build relationships with to extend that impact? Meaningful change starts with the choices we make, the values we put into action, and the connections we build along the way.
2. Bring purpose into how your organization works.
How can you bring ideas back to your teams? Raising the floor means creating the conditions for more people to thrive and integrate values into how we lead, collaborate, and take action.
3. Build impact together.
Look beyond your organization to the communities you serve. Ask different questions, recognize the strengths and resources already around you, and seek out partnerships that can turn shared goals into collective impact.
Beyond the ideas and insights shared throughout the day, it was the connections and sense of belonging that made BLD memorable.
As Kim Allchurch Flick of Mighty Measure, a BLD Voices Sponsor, reflected:
"Yes, the keynotes were outstanding and the breakouts were engaging, but what really made it special was the sense of welcome, belonging, and being together on purpose. It was more than a message—it was something people truly felt. We left inspired, connected, and confident that we can do so much more together."
That spirit is what makes this community special. We left with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a shared commitment to putting purpose into action.
Let's continue to be purposeful in what we do, align our actions with our values, and care for one another. Whether we're building on this momentum over the next year, the next decade, or across generations, we have the opportunity to create a better future together, on purpose.
Thank you for making BLD PNW possible!
This day would not have been possible without a village! We're incredibly grateful to Portland State University and its School of Business for hosting us, and to Hopworks Brewery for welcoming our community for the opening reception.
A special thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:
Leadership Sponsors: B Lab U.S. & Canada and Odd Notion.
Breakfast and Lunch Sponsors: New Seasons Market and Tillamook.
Impact Sponsors: Blackbird Benefits Collective, Living Room Realty, and Progressive Investment Management.
Voices Sponsors: Aligned Law and Mighty Measure.
Purpose Sponsors: American College of Healthcare Sciences, Organically Grown Company, Measure Meant, PixelSpoke, and Beneficial State Bank.
Together Sponsors: Columbia River IT, One Hundred Seconds, Funnelbox, and Green Drop Garage.
We also thank our in-kind sponsors, A to Z Wineworks, Banyan Botanicals, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Chocolat-e, Fire Lily, Nossa Familia, pFriem Family Brewers,Tao of Tea, and Straightaway Cocktails, for contributing to the experience.
To our incredible speakers, panelists, and facilitators, thank you for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. To Eliana of Human Centric Media, thank you for capturing the day. And to our On Purpose Oregon board and volunteers, thank you for the countless hours, care, and energy you brought to making BLD happen.
To everyone who helped bring this day to life, THANK YOU!