In this episode of Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with Chris Bolman, founder of Brightest and executive director of The Brightest Foundation. They discuss how Chris left the high-growth tech world to create a platform that makes sustainability accessible, and what it really takes to build systems that transform society.

Chris Bolman is a social entrepreneur and the visionary behind Brightest, a leading Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) software platform serving nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 500s alike. With a background as VP of Marketing at Percolate and early work in solar energy, Chris combines tech expertise with a deep commitment to social impact.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Chris left a successful career in tech to start a purpose-driven business
• What it means to “build systems to change the system”
• How Brightest helps organizations measure ESG impact at scale
• The economics of pricing for impact while remaining profitable
• How AI is transforming the future of sustainability and social enterprise

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:05] – Introduction to the Purpose Profit Shift and Guest Chris Bolman
• [07:15] – From VP at a Sequoia-Backed Startup to Building for Purpose
• [11:05] – Building Systems to Change the System: The Brightest Mission
• [14:45] – Democratizing ESG: Why Brightest Serves Startups and Non-Profits
• [17:30] – The Portfolio Pricing Strategy: Balancing Profit and Purpose
• [21:27] – The Importance of B Corp Certification and Accountability
• [23:55] – How Brightest Tracks Its Own Impact and Operational Values
• [26:35] – The "Double Bottom Line": How Sustainability is Good for Business
• [29:10] – A Look Inside: How Brightest Uses Its Own Platform
• [31:05] – The Role of AI and Automation in Impact Measurement
• [33:28] – The Next Radical Shift: AI and the Integration of Purpose
• [38:41] – The Broader Impact of AI on Jobs and the Economy
• [42:42] – Consumer Responsibility and the Power of Your Dollar
• [44:59] – Chris's Personal Definition of Success and Work-Life Balance
• [48:52] – Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Brightest

Follow the Host Rachel:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/ 
• Website: https://ejconsortium.com/ 
• Company’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MXgxeWVmbTJjdTMwNA== 
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ej-consortium/ 
• Company’s Twitter: https://x.com/EJConsortium 
• Company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566522115133 

Follow the Guest Chris Bolman:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbolman/ 
• Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightestinc/ 
• Company's Website: https://www.brightest.io/

Listening Links: 

• Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0kmrlBqo4QHftlfmqo2Q32?si=4bd2e0e655864a26&nd=1&dlsi=37cbc85018304f35 
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-purpose-profit-shift/id1829627732 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwbV6ikn-xvcU4EtMEKJW9Q