VBSR Announces 2024 Award Recipients, Sets Ceremony & Dinner Date, Location
Burlington, Vt. (August 21, 2024) – Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, has announced the 2024 recipients for three awards honoring Vermont leaders in social equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable economic development. The date and location for the 23rd Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner have been set for Thursday, October 10, 5-8:30 p.m., at The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville.
VBSR is pleased to honor four awardees who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership advancing VBSR’s vision of a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet:
- Donna Carpenter, Owner & Chair, Burton with the VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement,
- American Meadows with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Large Organization,
- Vermont Professionals of Color Network with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Small Organization, and
- Molly Lawrence, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, King Arthur Baking Company with the VBSR Young Changemaker Award.
Awardees were selected for their achievements in championing new ideas and initiatives, leading by example, and developing successful socially responsible organizational models. Awards will be given during the 23rd Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner.
“For more than 30 years, VBSR has been transforming what business looks like, how it works, and who benefits. Our members are changemakers and innovators, with impact reaching beyond the marketplace to advance leading-edge policy and practices, bolster communities, shape the Vermont brand, and fuel the social responsibility movement,” said VBSR’s Executive Director, Roxanne Vought. “The Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner is a moment to celebrate the inspiring leaders among us who exemplify VBSR’s vision.”
All are encouraged to register for and attend this beloved annual event, celebrating outstanding advancements in social equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable economic development with inspiring remarks from the awardees, delicious food and drink from VBSR members, and networking at the historic Barn at Smugglers’ Notch.
Registration is open at www.vbsrawards.org.
About the VBSR Awards Categories
The VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement honors an outstanding individual in honor of Terry Ehrich, late owner of Hemmings Motor News and a founding member of VBSR’s Board of Directors. The award is given annually to a person exemplifying Terry’s commitment to community, the environment, progressive public policy, and the workplace. Previous Terry Ehrich Awardees include Jen Kimmich of The Alchemist, Ted Castle of Rhino Foods, and Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s.
The VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award is given to a Vermont social enterprise who has accomplished an innovative and/or inspirational achievement with social or environmental impact.
The VBSR Young Changemaker Award recognizes an individual under age 40 who has led the formation of a socially responsible enterprise that uses the power of business to advance innovative solutions to society’s challenges.
VBSR 2024 Awards Ceremony and Dinner Sponsors
This year’s event has been made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:
- Supporting Sponsors: Let’s Grow Kids and The Richards Group
- Catering Sponsor: Sugarsnap Catering
Interested in supporting this event? Please contact VBSR Membership and Development Manager, Jeremy Gerber, jeremyg@vbsr.org.
About VBSR
VBSR is a statewide, non-profit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact. VBSR’s 700 member businesses and organizations strive toward a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for all people and the planet through shared learning, community building, and collective action. Learn more or join the cause at www.vbsr.org.
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