BLD Southeast 2026: Full Schedule

9:25am EDT

From Readiness to Responsibility: An AI Readiness Workshop for Purpose-Driven Companies

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

Every leadership team is having the same quiet conversation. "We know AI matters. We're using it in pockets. But is it actually moving us forward, or are we just busy?" For B Corps there's a second layer. Doing it in a way that protects stakeholders, upholds transparency, and stays true to the mission.

This working session turns that question into a plan. Building on the Ethical AI conversations from BLD Mountain West, PNW, and Bay Area, Jonathan Will walks the room through a live, six-area AI readiness assessment tool. You leave with an Organizational AI Readiness Score, a clear view of your biggest gap, and a practical step you can put into action right now, for free, to start closing it. All of it framed through a responsible, stakeholder-first lens.

Speakers

Jonathan Will

Director of Strategic Partnerships, GadellNet

Jonathan Will works for GadellNet, a certified B Corp IT, cybersecurity, and strategic consulting company, leading the growth of the Colorado market and new markets. He is passionate about business, community involvement, and service. He served on the board of B Local Colorado and... Read More →

Tiffany Lentz

Managing Vice President, Pariveda

I lead our Purposeful Profit Office, enterprise Social Impact, NPO strategy, JEDI, and B Corp Certification. I’m a storyteller and love sharing stories of business operating for good!

Jahari Soward-Weaver

CEO, NPursuit Career Partners

Jahari Soward Weaver is a responsible AI adoption and workforce transformation strategist, speaker and coach. As Founder and CEO of NPursuit Career Partners, a talent solutions company with a social impact model, she helps organizations prepare their people, operations and governance... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:25am - 10:25am EDT
Room 302

Session, Breakout

Track Emerging Challenges

9:25am EDT

Radical Inclusion: Aligning Your Digital Presence with Your Inclusion Commitments, Legal Requirements, and B Corp V2 JEDI Standards

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

Room 307

Your brand is a B Corp because you believe in a world that works for everyone. But is your digital "front door" locked for 1 in 4 people who want to be your customer?

In the B Corp world, we don’t just check boxes; we break barriers. Unfortunately, many small business owners are unaware of the website accessibility barriers that mean 25% of your potential customers cannot buy from you.

Equally troubling: as a small or medium sized business, you are much more likely to get sued than larger or enterprise companies. The lawyers looking to make easy money know that, unlike a giant company which might fight the lawsuit in court, small and medium sized businesses are going to settle. We don’t want this to be the case for a single B Corp - especially you.

This interactive session moves beyond the (very real) fear lawsuits and dives into the heart of the new B Corp V2 JEDI standards. We’ll explore how website accessibility isn't just a legal requirement—it’s a fundamental human right and a powerful engine for SEO and revenue.

Denise Páne will show you how to turn digital compliance into a competitive advantage that honors the dignity of every user.

Participants will leave with

What You’ll Learn:

1. The JEDI Evolution
How the new B Corp standards include website accessibility as a core pillar of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

2. Market Share with a Mission
Why digital inclusion unlocks a $13 trillion global market and boosts your market share by 25%.

3. SEO That Sees Everyone
How accessible code makes your site a favorite for both human beings and search engine crawlers.

4. Risk Mitigation Through Radical Caring
Avoiding $50,000 accessibility lawsuits by creating a culture of digital "open doors" that protects your bottom line.

5. Beyond the Label
How accessibility supports people with ADHD, Color Blindness, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, Autism, and more—creating a better user experience for every single visitor.

6. $5,000 Tax Credit!
Who doesn’t love a good tax credit? There is a $5000 tax credit for small businesses when they make their website websites accessible.

Speakers

Denise Pane

CEO & Founder, Access Design Studio

Denise Páne is the CEO and Founder of Access Design Studio. Access Design Studio helps mission-driven, sustainable brands make their websites accessible—thus aligning their digital experiences with their sustainability and inclusion commitments and the new V2 JEDI standards.

De... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:25am - 10:25am EDT
Room 307

Session, Breakout

Track People

10:35am EDT

Using Your Purchasing Power: Supply Chain Engagement as Collective Action

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

Room 302

B Corp V2.1 raises the bar on collective action, including how companies engage their supply chains. Grove Collaborative and Ecolytics explore how connecting service providers with your supply chain creates measurable impact, and how companies of any size can use their purchasing relationships to drive sustainability outcomes beyond their own operations.

Speakers

Hazel Horvath

Founder & CEO, Ecolytics

Hazel Horvath is the founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform that helps companies build data-driven sustainability programs, specializing in working with B Corps to streamline the rigorous certification process. With a background in global sustainability analysis and a degree... Read More →

Kaley Cross

Sustainability Manager, Grove Collaborative

Kaley Cross serves as Sustainability Manager at Grove Collaborative, where she leads a variety of sustainability initiatives focused on advancing both human and environmental health. With a career dedicated to circular economy solutions, plastic reduction, and corporate sustainability... Read More →

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:35am - 11:35am EDT
Room 302

Session, Breakout

Track Planet

1:10pm EDT

From B Impact to Certification: Demystifying the Audit Process

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

Room 301

This interactive workshop provides a practical, end-to-end walkthrough of the B Lab certification and audit process—from submitting evidence in the B Impact Assessment to certification decision and ongoing audit cycles.

The session goes beyond a traditional presentation by incorporating real-world scenarios and interactive breakouts. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what to expect at each stage of the audit, how audit findings are assessed, and how companies can prepare effectively.

Breakout sessions will be tailored to the audience:
• A session with B Lab consultants focusing on audit end to end process, evidence requested, and non-conformities (major vs. minor, corrective actions, timelines).
• A peer-learning work session for Medium to XXL companies focusing on multi-site audits, including sampling approaches, risk-based selection, and common challenges in implementation across locations.

Speakers

Cheryl Ross

Sr. Technical Specialist - B Lab, SCS Global Services

Cheryl is an auditor within the SCS B Lab certification program, responsible for conducting audits and evaluating company performance against B Lab requirements. She works closely with clients to assess evidence, identify non-conformities, and support the certification process through... Read More →

Bonnie Holman

To-Cert

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:10pm - 2:10pm EDT
Room 301

Session, Breakout

Track Emerging Challenges

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