35th Annual VBSR Conference Photos and Recap

The sold-out 35^th Annual Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) Conference, “All Together Now”, was held on May 8, 2025, at Hula, the award-winning lakeside coworking and innovation campus in Burlington. Nearly 450 participants explored ways to meet this moment for business with courage, solidarity, and solutions.

VBSR business and nonprofit leaders, policymakers, students, and inspired individuals gathered for a full-day event that included a keynote conversation, seven timely sessions, and ample opportunities for networking and meeting exhibitors. Attendees emerged inspired, connected with forward-thinking leaders, and replenished with new awareness, resources, and action steps to drive change.

The conference featured three themes: Bridging Divides, Collective Leadership, and Reimagining Engagement. Conference sessions explored the unique issues and opportunities that each of the themes presented, as well as the points where they intersect.

Ari Weitzman, Managing Editor at Tangle News, an independent and nonpartisan digital media company covering U.S. politics, moderated “Toward an Equitable, Sustainable & Prosperous Economy: A Keynote Conversation with Vermont Leaders.” Weitzman’s experience as a writer, interviewer and podcaster positioned him perfectly for leading a conversation with some of Vermont’s most visionary private, public, and nonprofit voices:

• Sascha Mayer, Cofounder, Chief Experience Officer, Mamava
• Mike Pieciak, State Treasurer, State of Vermont
• Tinotenda Charles Rutanhira, Executive Director, Business Development and Co-Founder, The Vermont Professionals of Color Network

Participants shared their visions for Vermont and how they are embracing innovation, momentum, and togetherness to reimagine broken systems and create economic resilience by engaging this crucial question: How do we build an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous economy?

Thank you to all who attended this yeas. We are so grateful you could join us for a full day of provocative, engaging conversations with thought leaders from throughout the state and nation.

The 35th Annual VBSR Conference wass generously supported by:

Keynote Underwriter: Mascoma Bank

Networking Reception: Lawson’s Finest Liquids, The Targeted Resume

Reef Room Underwriter: Gordon’s Window Decor

Isthmus Room Underwriter: Acrisure

Champion Underwriters: The Alchemist Brewery, Ben & Jerry’s, Casella Waste Systems, Champlain Investment Partners, Chroma Technology Corp., Dinse, Cabot Hosiery Mills, EastRise Credit Union, Encore Renewable Energy, Green Mountain Power, Hula, King Arthur Baking Company, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Mamava, National Life Group, Norwich Solar, Paul Frank + Collins, Rhino Foods, Seventh Generation, SunCommon, Union Mutual, VEIC, and Vermont Creamery.

Underwriters: Cleantech Industry Resources, Delta Dental, Hagan, The Richards Group, United Way of Northwest Vermont, VermontBiz, Vermont Public, VTDigger, and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.

Following are select scenes from the 35th Annual VBSR Conference at Hula in Burlington, VT, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. All photos are by Daria Bishop.