NH Businesses for Social Responsibility Announces 2023 Cornerstone and Innovation for Partnership Award Recipients

May 22, 2023, Concord, NH: New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility's (NHBSR) Cornerstone and Partnership for Innovation Awards were presented on May 17, 2023, at the Grappone Conference Center as part of NHBSR's 22nd Annual Spring Conference, Uncertainty = Opportunity A BOLD NEW VISION. 

Cornerstone Award 

Cornerstone Finalists are chosen for their leading social and environmental programs that have demonstrated clear, measurable impacts both within their industry and throughout the State of New Hampshire. 2023 Cornerstone Award Finalists include Mega Food, ReVision Energy, and Impax Asset Management LLC. 
 
NHBSR is proud to announce this year's winner is Revision Energy.

ReVision Energy is an employee-owned company that has approached sustainability comprehensively over its twenty-year history, not limiting its impact to the carbon-reducing value its products create. They add value to their workplaces and communities by diving into Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, encouraging their team members to incorporate inclusion into their daily interactions and decisions. They lead the way with innovative training programs and comprehensive pay assessments, providing a solid living wage but keeping the ratio between their highest and lowest-paid employees relatively low at 4:1.  

Revision does not limit its engagement to internal advocacy but also reaches out to legislators to advocate for issues that align with its purpose. They also dedicate time to communities and organizations in New England, educating and sharing ideas for strengthening sustainability efforts and providing important support for nonprofits. 

Partnership for Innovation Award
The Partnership for Innovation Award recognizes a collaboration that creates synergy and progress on a sustainability initiative where it might not otherwise have been possible. The partnerships demonstrate creative approaches and measurable results that inspire other business leaders in New Hampshire to take action. 

NHBSR is pleased to present the 2023 Partnership for Innovation to the Partners in the Upper Valley Affordable Workforce Housing Fund. Through their engagement via Vital Communities' Corporate Council, these organizations addressed the critical issue of the lack of affordable housing in the Upper Valley. 

Mascoma Bank, Hypertherm, Hanover Co-op, Dartmouth Health, Dartmouth College, and King Arthur Baking decided to invest their money to support the development of affordable housing after many discussions around how businesses could create an impact on issues their communities and employees struggled with. NHBSR recognizes the amazing commitment of these businesses, investing almost 9 million dollars into this new loan fund but also wants to spotlight the work Vital Communities has invested in building the trust and engagement of Corporate Council members. NHBSR also appreciates the efforts of Evernorth to keep this project moving forward when hurdles were encountered. There is much to learn from this collaboration, and NHBSR will be holding a webinar in the coming months to allow everyone to learn more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
The efforts highlighted here only touch upon these New Hampshire leaders' remarkable contributions. Their leadership is time-tested and endures, making our communities stronger, more resilient, and equitable.

About the Conference: Uncertainty = Opportunity A BOLD NEW VISION
This year’s NH Businesses for Social Responsibility annual conference featured keynote speakers George Bandy, Jr., Chief Sustainability Officer, Fiber Industries LLC, and Libby Hoffman, president of Catalyst for Peace. Attendees chose from morning and afternoon breakout sessions presented by local business, nonprofit, and state leaders in sustainability. Participants attended purposeful networking and guided discussions designed to help them examine in-depth sustainability efforts, explore creative solutions, and develop their skill sets and knowledge to further the cause of sustainability in their organizations.

Michelle Veasey, NHBSR Executive Director, states, "Our conference theme, as always, reflects where we're at but also where we aspire to be. We hoped that we would emerge from the pandemic and return to a better normal. But instead, we've found ourselves in a place where uncertainty is the new normal. Unknowns like supply chain issues, climate challenges, a changing economy, workforce shifts, lack of affordable housing, and child care have complicated the pandemic recovery and are leaving us feeling overwhelmed. Our ability to succeed in this world of unknowns will require that we not only endure each crisis as they come but learn to adapt and pivot. Uncertainty is unsettling, but on the other side is opportunity. We can succeed with bold vision and looking beyond the short-term challenges to develop a more profound knowledge of the environments we operate in and the many factors that impact our complicated economy. Our goal is to ignite more hope, opportunity, and inspiration in each of you to create the world you wish to see."

The awards were presented at NHBSR's Annual Spring Conference, which provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to engage, learn, and inspire each other toward more significant sustainability impact. Learn more about the conference at nhbsr.org/conference.

ABOUT NHBSR
New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility is a member-based, nonprofit organization that convenes, inspires, and supports businesses and community stakeholders to build a more sustainable and prosperous state for all. More information on NHBSR and upcoming events, resources, and membership can be found at nhbsr.org. Contact NHBSR Executive Director Michelle Veasey at 603-377-8817 or email michelle@nhbsr.org if you have any questions or would like more information.

Conference Photos are available here.
Cornerstone Award recipients photo.
Partnership for Innovation Award photo.
Keynote Speaker, George Bandy Jr. photo.
Closing Keynote, Libby Hoffman photo.
Photo Credits: John Benford Photography.