How Sustainability is Transforming Business – show 14

When someone asks me what Women Of Green is all about I say to turn up the volume of the feminine of behalf of the planet, its beings and future generations. I know one of the most powerful ways to do that is through business. And with the market for sustainable business products already estimated at over $74 billion – we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg. My guest today, KoAnn Skrzyniarz, has devoted her full attention to this. She believes business is in a unique position to address the global problems that plague us — and in fact, turn them into opportunity for innovation and new business. Her personal mission: To build a bridge to better brands. How does she do this? “It’s all about listening,” she says. So listen up!

About my guest: KoAnn Skrzyniarz is a seasoned business-to-business media executive who’s involvement with the intersection of business and the environment dates back to the mid-1980s when she launched international conferences on improving log utilization, reducing Waste Paper, and eliminating ozone-layer destroying chemicals (CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons).

Since 2003, she has devoted her full attention to the emerging field of sustainability, launching Sustainable Life Media in 2004. She has helped various media entrepreneurs and NGO’s such as Sierra Club and Greenbiz.com establish their own paths to effectiveness and economic sustainability. In 2005, she produced the First International Conference on Cradle to Cradle Design in Practice with Bill McDonough, Michael Braungart, Peter Senge. In 2007, she launched the widely respected Sustainable Brands Conference, their flagship gathering of sustainable brand leaders which will be held June 7-10 in Monterey, CA — and Sustainable Brands Bootcamp, an introduction to Sustainable Business Innovation.

KoAnn’s favorite links:

Sustainable Life Media

Sustainable Brands ’10

Sustainable Brands Boot Camp

Global Footprint

Blue Avocado

A Big Shout Out to Lynn Strand for sharing with us what it means to her to be a woman of green:

“Sharing the beauty of our world with my young children. Whether it be hiking up the local canyon and admiring the trees and mosses that grow on each side, watching the storms coming in and discussing weather patterns, sorting the recycling and compost, choosing food items where we know the farmer or source of the food, discussing how a car works, and sharing how other people believe, live and make choices. Yes, we also enjoy a good yoga move every now and then too, even if we make barks (downward facing dog), meows (cat) and moos (cow). And together practicing taking a deep breath of appreciation of our neighborhood.”

What about you? 

Here’s your free ticket to Chicago Green Festival! If you haven’t been to a Green America Festival, you’re missing out on lots of good green fun, connections, and incredible speakers. It’s like a candy store for greenies. Here’s a link to a free ticket! The Chicago Green Festival is on May 22nd and 23rd at the Navy Pier. Why don’t you go with a friend? 

Want to be part of the ongoing conversation with other WOGs around the world? Become a fan of Women Of Green on Facebook. 

Here are other ways to connect too.

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Women With Wings Coaching, For Women Who are Ready to Fly

Mind Over Markets, A Strategic Green Marketing Communications & Design Company

Green Marketing Blog, Effective Messaging for the Maturing Green Market

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