Recap: Sustainable Business Council Conference 2025
Last week, Evolution Marketing participated in our 17th Sustainable Business Council Conference. Conversations focused on transparency in supply chains, embedding ESG into operations, and using data to support internal accountability. We appreciated the chance to engage with others doing this work and to learn from organizations leading by example. We’re also excited to share that Jasmine, the high school student we’ve been mentoring from Oconomowoc High School, joined us at the conference! It’s inspiring to see the next generation of sustainability leaders getting involved, and we’re proud to support her journey in this field.
The conference began with an awards ceremony recognizing participants in the Green Masters Program. For the first time, Evolution Marketing earned the highest score in the Ethical Governance and Sustainable Leadership category, an achievement that reflects how we operate internally and how we support our clients. We were also named a Green Masters Company for the 11th time and received recognition for our work in the Community Impact and Greenhouse Gas Management categories.
As a small firm, we were proud to be named a top performer among companies with fewer than 100 employees. This year, the three highest-scoring companies in the Green Masters Program with <100 employees were Evolution Marketing, New Leaf Paper, and Riverwater Partners - all Certified B Corps. That alignment reinforces what we already know - that verified business practices and clear sustainability performance often go hand in hand.
On the second day of the conference, Lisa opened the morning as a panelist alongside leaders from Brunswick Corporation and Empire Screen Printing. The group discussed how third-party frameworks can support companies of all sizes in setting strategy, measuring outcomes, and scaling sustainable practices.
Later in the day, Lisa and Leah hosted a breakout session focused on helping small businesses navigate the Green Masters Program. They shared lessons from their experience about how to approach the application, where to start, how to improve scores, and how to use the framework to connect sustainability goals with daily business operations. The session created space for open conversation and practical, peer-driven insight.
Pictured: Julia Steffes Herlache - Masters Gallery, David Friend - Rocket Academy, Lisa Geason-Bauer - Evolution Marketing, and Lina Godinez - Pentair
To close the conference, Lisa joined a panel conversation about workforce sustainability. Panelists explored strategies for building inclusive, future-ready organizations, from youth apprenticeship programs and DEI-driven hiring practices to employee experience and living wage policies. Lisa contributed examples from her work at Evolution Marketing, showing how small businesses can lead in this space by aligning internal culture with social sustainability goals.
Evolution Marketing was one of the original pilot companies for the Green Masters Program in 2009. Now, more than a decade later, we continue to use it to guide internal decision-making and track performance across our business. It’s a practical, accessible tool for companies that want to take a systems-based approach to sustainability. Over the years, Evolution Marketing has also helped many companies successfully apply for and engage with the Green Masters Program. If your team is ready to get started, or looking for support using the program more effectively, connect with us!
