BLD Southeast 2026: Full Schedule

9:25am EDT

Why Should Anyone Choose You? How Purpose-Driven Businesses Win Better Clients at Better Prices

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:25am - 10:25am EDT

Most purpose-driven businesses sound the same. "We care about people and planet" stopped being a differentiator years ago. They end up competing on price because they haven't earned the right to charge more.

The workshop: A 60 to 90-minute interactive session where participants sharpen how they talk about what makes their business different. We teach the karmadharma positioning framework, then participants draft, stress-test, and rewrite their positioning live with peer feedback.

The output: A sharpened positioning statement, a clearer view of their ideal customer, and three messaging angles they can test on LinkedIn the following week.

Speakers

Peter Georgariou

Founder/CEO, karmadharma

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:25am - 10:25am EDT
Room 308

Session, Workshop

Track Profit

10:35am EDT

Impact Capital Right for You — and Are You Ready for It?

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:35am - 11:35am EDT

Room 307

Impact Investing Workshop touching on some combination of the following topics:
(1) The Impact Capital Landscape: Who's Out There and What Do They Want?
(2) Debt vs. Equity vs. Everything In Between
(3) Not Quite Ready? Building Toward Investor Criteria
(4) From Conversation to Term Sheet: Navigating the Relationship with Impact Investors

Speakers

Michael Whelchel

CEO, Big Path Capital

Michael Whelchel is Founder and CEO of Big Path Capital (www.bigpath.com) – a leading boutique investment bank working with positive impact companies and funds in capital raises and exits / liquidity events. Founded in 2007, Big Path Capital has developed one of the largest networks... Read More →

Cortney Mukushi

Partner, ImpactGC

Yrenilsa Lopez

Managing Director, Momentus Capital

Elizabeth Seward

Momentus Capital

Michael Jones

RSF | Regenerative Social Finance

As RSF’s Vice President of Lending Business Development, Michael Jones manages RSF’s business development, oversees the relationship management team, and works with strategic lending partners. He is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta and attended graduate school at NYU... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:35am - 11:35am EDT
Room 307

Session, Panel

Track Profit

1:10pm EDT

Buy, Build, Share: A Practical Workshop on Mission-Driven M&A and Employee Ownership

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT

Room 307

Mission-driven companies are under pressure to grow, collaborate, and survive in a consolidating economy. But many founders and operators still think of M&A as something that happens to them, not something they can use intentionally.

This workshop reframes M&A as a practical tool for mission-aligned growth, succession planning, employee ownership, and community wealth preservation.

Rather than a panel or lecture, this session will guide participants through a working session to identify where acquisition, merger, succession, or employee ownership strategies may be relevant to their own business or ecosystem. We will explore how B Corps and purpose-led companies can use these tools to grow impact, preserve jobs, support founder transitions, and expand broad-based ownership.

Speakers

Hannah Sandmeyer

Founder & CEO, Up & Over Advisors / Steward Market

Hannah Sandmeyer is the Founder and CEO of Up & Over Advisors, the first Certified B Corporation in the world dedicated exclusively to values-aligned M&A sourcing, and the founder of Steward Market, a live marketplace for ethical business transitions. She also co-hosts Ethical Exits... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Room 307

Session, Workshop

Track Profit

3:30pm EDT

Which Model of Employee Ownership Is Right for Your Business?

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Room 307

Employee ownership offers business owners a powerful path for succession, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Join employee-owned business founder Miren Oca and our panel of employee ownership experts, Donna Sky, Sam Mazzeo, and Steve Storkan for a practical conversation about the different models available, including ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts. Hear one company’s transition story and learn how to evaluate which model may be the right fit for your company, your employees, and the legacy you want to leave.

Speakers

Sam Mazzeo

Managing Attorney / Founder / Board Member, Better apc / Fervor & Zeal / B Local SD

Sam is the kind of attorney you actually want in the room. He can help you navigate B Corp certification, trademark law, business formation and securities, and contracts - but he's equally qualified to plan your Halloween party, teach you a standing backflip, and settle the "GIF... Read More →

Miren Oca

Founder and CEO, OcaQuatics

Miren Oca is the founder and CEO of Ocaquatics Swim School, the world’s first B Corp-certified swim school. Since 1994, Ocaquatics has been helping families love swimming and stay safer in the water. Now in its 31st year, the company teaches over 6,500 lessons each week during peak... Read More →

Donna Sky

Business Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, Project Equity

Donna Sky is a Business Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, Senior Manager at Project Equity, a national nonprofit that helps businesses transition to employee ownership. In her role, she collaborates with business owners and community partners to advance employee ownership as a... Read More →

Steve Storkan

Executive Director, Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX)

Steve Storkan is Executive Director of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), a national nonprofit expanding employee ownership across the United States through a network of State Centers and national partnerships. Under Steve’s leadership, EOX has grown into a national... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Room 307

Session, Breakout