Waste-less School Supplies: Wisdom Supply Co.’s Mission to Reduce Plastic Waste, An Interview with Founder, Heather Itzla
Unless you have school-age children, you may not realize that we’ve just come through the second biggest shopping season of the year. According to Deloitte’s July 2019 Back-to-School Survey, US shoppers will have spent $27.8 billion, or $519 per student, on everything from clothing to calculators. Of that, $6.1 billion will have gone to purchasing school supplies.
Heather Itzla reads that last figure and thinks plastic waste. Realizing how back-to-school shopping encourages the rote purchase of disposable plastics, Itzla and partner Nicole Kozlowski founded Wisdom Supply Co. to provide affordable, zero-waste alternatives to most school supplies.
The company’s paper-covered binders are 100% recyclable. Its refillable dry erase markers feature aluminum barrels and replaceable nibs. Its highlighters are made of wood and wax. Plus, Wisdom Supply Co. has been a B Corp since its 2017 launch.
Impact Report producer Katie Ellman spoke with Itzla about the company’s origin story, how it designs its products, and why affordability is a key component of its mission.
The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard’s MBA in Sustainability program with leaders in business, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.
ImpactReportPodcast.com

#214: Heather Itzla

Stories from the front lines of business and sustainability innovation.

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Bard MBA candidate Damien Williamson welcomes Brad Stevenson, a lifelong activist, entrepreneur, and sustainability champion with over 30 years of experience in purpose-driven strategy, coaching, consulting, and facilitating programs for executives across various sectors.
Brad discusses his latest venture, “Premiums for the Planet,” a collective action movement aimed at leveraging the insurance industry for sustainability.
In this Episode
Brad’s Journey:
Brad shares his journey from a high school experience that shaped his worldview on racial diversity and privilege to his diverse career path.
He delves into his early work in diversity consulting, his strategic learning at the Boston Consulting Group, and his various roles in nonprofit consulting, media, global strategy, and movement building.
Brad’s eclectic journey led him to focus on sustainability in banking, which closely aligns with his current work.
 
Premiums for the Planet:
Brad explains that “Premiums for the Planet” addresses the powerful yet often overlooked influence of the insurance industry as a major money manager and decision-maker in what gets insured and how.
The initiative aims to redirect the industry’s power towards supporting global sustainability objectives and regenerative practices, contrasting the current trend where insurance investments often exacerbate climate-related problems.
The Insurance Industry’s Role:
Brad emphasizes the paradox where insurance companies protect assets on one hand while investing in activities that contribute to climate catastrophes on the other.
“Premiums for the Planet” seeks to transform insurers into a force that protects not just assets and people, but also the planet itself.
Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

#703 Brad Stevenson on Harnessing Insurance for Sustainability: The Premiums for the Planet Initiative

Join us as we explore the creation of a circular economy through sustainability, technology, and business innovation with Andy Ruben, the visionary behind Trove. Discover how Trove is revolutionizing the retail industry by extending the product lifecycle and fostering brand loyalty through technology.
 
In This Episode
Introduction to Trove: Andy Ruben discusses his journey from Walmart to founding Trove, a company that’s reshaping the retail landscape by managing the lifecycle of products beyond the primary market.
The Role of Technology: Learn how Trove partners with brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and REI to track sold items, assess their condition, and facilitate resale, thus promoting a sustainable approach to consumerism.
Leadership and Business Values: Andy shares his insights on aligning business incentives with impactful change and the importance of creativity and challenging the status quo in business.
The B Corp Movement: Discover how Trove’s status as one of the first B Corps influences its business practices, investor relations, and commitment to long-term strategic decision-making.
Profitability and the Future of Retail: Andy addresses the financial landscape of retail, emphasizing the need for brands to consider customer acquisition costs and the longevity of their items in the world.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion on the future of retail and sustainability. Listen now and join the conversation on how technology and innovation can lead to a more sustainable world.
Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

#702: Andy Ruben on Revolutionizing Retail: A Deep Dive into Circularity, Technology, and Innovation with Trove

Join us on this special Earth Week episode of The Impact Report as we introduce our new host, Professor Renay Loper. Renay shares her journey to becoming a pivotal voice in sustainability and gives us a glimpse into the transformative education at Bard College’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability.
In this episode:
Renay’s personal leadership path and her role at Bard’s MBA in sustainability program.
The significance of asking “How are you arriving?” and its impact on personal and organizational leadership.
Insights into the GPS journey toward justice, equity, diversity, and anti-racism.
A reflection on the essence of leadership in sustainability and the power of leading from where you are.
Renay’s diverse professional background, from consumer banking in the U.S. to teaching English in Japan and civic engagement in Greece, illustrates the multifaceted nature of sustainability leadership. Her experiences have shaped her approach to building cross-sector partnerships and fostering tri-sector collaborations globally.
Tune in to discover how sustainability leaders are driving change and how Bard’s MBA program is nurturing the next generation of innovative leaders. Let’s celebrate Earth Week by diving deep into the stories of those making a real impact.
*Bonus* If you're new to the podcast and want to get familiar with the show, check out this helpful episode from last spring featuring Eban Goodstein, an economist and Director of the Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability. He discusses leading the expansion of Bard's environmental policy and sustainability programs, as well as coordinating national climate change education initiatives across thousands of academic institutions. LISTEN HERE
Bard’s Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!
ImpactReportPodcast.com

#701: Arriving with Purpose: Unveiling the New Voice of The Impact Report

Ending Energy Poverty One Bboxx at a Time:  Anthony Osijo, Chief Financial Officer at Bboxx
Bboxx manufactures, distributes and finances decentralised solar powered systems in developing countries and has head offices in London and Rwanda with operations across Africa and Asia.
As a vertically integrated business, their super platform business model is based on two pillars: a digital highway Bboxx Pulse®, Bboxx’s proprietary fully integrated operating system and a physical highway with our extensive on-the-ground network to provide goods, services and utilities across Africa. 
Bboxx  offers African households, businesses and communities a highly convenient and affordable way to access life-changing solutions, through data-powered logistics and innovative financing methods. They are expanding and scaling by forging strategic partnerships with governments and world-class corporates to provide access to any products and services to our rural and urban customers across Africa.
In January 2021 Bboxx, appointed Anthony Osijo as its new Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Relationship Management, to support the company on its accelerated growth trajectory.
After serving as a long-term adviser to Bboxx over the last ten years, Anthony Osijo’s core responsibilities now involve leading the finance, accounting and relationship function of the global business. He has taken on the role as Bboxx’s former Group CFO Thomas Chevillotte joins French consulting firm Enea Consulting.
With over 20 years of working in financial services, finance and associated industries, Anthony is an internationally recognised financial leader. Most recently, he has worked as Managing Director responsible for Credit Agricole’s debt product sales and strategy.
Over the last three decades, he has worked across the globe in the UK, Europe and Asia – from a large Swedish Pension Fund, to UBS as a Director in the Equity Derivatives business, and to Deutsche Bank in Switzerland as Head of Investment Banking. At Credit Agricole in Hong Kong, he also worked on developing the business in Asia as COO and Head of Business Development and was Treasurer of ASIFMA (Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association). During the course of his career, he has been involved in raising millions for start-ups and sits on numerous charitable boards.
 
The Impact Report’s Series Producer, Katie Ellman speaks with Anthony for this episode of the Impact Report.

#615: Anthony Osijo

Brains Meet Beauty: René Graham, FOUNDER & CEO, Renzoe Box
A native of Texas, René Graham is a licensed architect and holds a Master in Architecture from Rice University. Before entering the world of product design, beauty-tech, and entrepreneurship founding Renzoe Box, Graham achieved significant and diverse experience in architectural practice and real estate development.She is the co-founder of LaurelHouse Studio, a boutique architecture practice and design studio based in Bryan, Texas. She is also the co-founder of BCS Modern, a real estate development company focused on design-driven community-based development in Downtown Bryan, Texas. Graham has taught at the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. She has received grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, has been featured on national TV, won the international Good Design Award®, received the 2022 Mayor's Impact Award, finalist for SXSW Pitch, is a Tory Burch Fellow & Ladies Who Launch Fellow, has raised funding from Andreessen Horowitz, and holds national & international patents & trademarks for Renzoe Box®. She has served as a design critic at Harvard University, SciArc, Syracuse University, Rice University, Texas Tech, Louisiana State, University of Texas, & Texas A&M University.
 
Bard MBA’s Rolena Richardson speaks with Rene for this episode of the Impact Report. 
ImpactReportPodcast.com

#214: Heather Itzla

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