How can receiving a single postal stamp set the foundation for the course of an entire career?

This week’s guest on The Business of Impact, Eleanor Allen, determined as a child that she would one day become a Peace Corps volunteer after receiving one of their stamps. Her passion for the environment and her Peace Corps experience has led her through an impactful career that has landed her the role of Lead Executive at B Lab Global, the organization that has certified over 7,300 companies as Benefit or B Corps.

Tune in to hear how a deep connection to mission and a desire to serve the community has led to a career full of meaningful impact.

Show Notes

About the Guest(s):

Eleanor Allen is the Lead Executive for B Lab Global. She joined the organization in 2022 after a career that has always had a connection to both the environment and the community. Eleanor is an engineer by education and spent time in the Peace Corps, where she worked on water and wastewater treatment projects. She has also worked in the consulting engineering industry, specializing in water treatment and odor control systems. Prior to joining B Lab Global, Eleanor served as the CEO of Water for People, a nonprofit organization focused on providing clean water and sanitation solutions to communities in need around the world.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Cecilia Edwards interviews Eleanor Allen, the Lead Executive for B Lab Global. Eleanor shares her journey from being an engineer to working in the nonprofit sector and eventually joining B Lab Global. She discusses the impact of her time in the Peace Corps on her understanding of global poverty and the importance of access to clean water. Eleanor also highlights the mission-driven work she has done throughout her career, including designing water treatment systems and improving public health. She explains how her experience at Water For People led her to believe that harnessing the power of the private sector is crucial for creating lasting change. Finally, Eleanor discusses her current role at B Lab Global and the organization’s focus on promoting the B Corp certification, which recognizes companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Eleanor’s experience in the Peace Corps gave her a deep understanding of global poverty and the challenges faced by communities without access to clean water.
• The mission-driven work Eleanor has done throughout her career, including designing water treatment systems and improving public health, has shaped her passion for creating positive change.
• Water For People taught Eleanor the importance of harnessing the power of the private sector to address global challenges and create lasting impact.
• B Lab Global focuses on promoting the B Corp certification, which recognizes companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance.
• The B Corp movement aims to create a new economy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet, and B Lab Global plays a key role in supporting and certifying B Corps.

Notable Quotes:

• “Living poor and understanding how the majority of the world lives… It’s pretty insightful and understanding that way of life, which again, is how most of the world lives.” – Eleanor Allen
• “If we can somehow harness the power of the private sector into improving the quality of life for people on the planet, I think there’s an opportunity there to have much bigger impact on the world.” – Eleanor Allen
• “We’re trying to create a new economy that takes into account the people on the planet as the stakeholders that businesses have a responsibility to take care of as well.” – Eleanor Allen

Resources:

• B Lab Global
• Water For People