As a Certified B Corporation®, the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) proudly aligns its work in integrative health and sustainability with the global B Corp mission to use business as a force for good. Attending the 2025 BLD PNW B Local Conference was a natural extension of this commitment, providing ACHS leaders the opportunity to collaborate with fellow purpose-driven organizations, share best practices, and strengthen connections that advance community wellness, environmental stewardship, and student success.

In 2025, ACHS leaders Felicia Royce, Director of Alumni and Career Services, and Tiffany Darwich, Director of Partnerships, represented the college at the BLD PNW B Local Conference, held at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon. Surrounded by towering evergreens and just steps from the International Rose Test Garden, the event brought together Certified B Corporations and mission-driven businesses to exchange ideas and explore how companies can actively shape a more sustainable and equitable future.

At its heart, the B Corp movement, certified by the nonprofit B Lab, asks companies to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These businesses strive to balance profit with purpose, ensuring their decisions benefit not only shareholders but also workers, customers, communities, and the environment.

Learning from Innovators in Sustainability

The event brought together an inspiring range of voices in the sustainability space. From small companies, such as Dtocs, producing compostable palm leaf dinnerware, to thought leaders such as Smith & Conners, who spoke about introducing design therapy in organizations, and thought-provoking “campfire chats” around responsible use of AI, every session offered a glimpse into the many ways businesses are rethinking their impact. 

One of the most eye-opening conversations of the day was facilitated by Sarene Alsharif with Tad More Tailoring, which centered on the impact of the fast-fashion industry. The talk explored how tailoring and clothing swaps can extend the life of garments, and how regenerative leadership can turn fast fashion’s waste into circular systems of care, opportunity, and resilience. This session reframed fashion not only as an environmental issue but also as a community-building practice.

Art, Play, and Connection to Nature

Beyond business models, creativity and art were also woven into the fabric of the conference. In one afternoon session, Felicia had the chance to participate in building a “tree portal” with Amy Wilson from Acorn Creative Studio. This interactive activity invited participants to connect more deeply with the oneness of the earth and nature. 

Felicia says, “For someone who has never considered myself particularly artistic, the experience was transformative”. The workshop “Leading with Life at the Center, Decisions Inspired by Nature and Inner Wisdom” was a reminder that art and creativity are not only for a select few; they are tools all of us can use to foster healing, growth, and innovation in our communities and institutions.

Lessons in Leadership and Values

The conference concluded with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Michael Crooke, former CEO of Patagonia. He spoke on the role of values in the workplace and demonstrated how aligning business with integrity and purpose can drive both success and societal good. This was an exhilarating speech full of wisdom and practical application of a value-driven approach, and it also highlighted how Certified B Corporations®, such as ACHS, can contribute positively to the community and beyond. 

A Rich and Transformative Experience

The BLD PNW Conference was more than just a gathering; it was a reminder of what is possible when businesses, communities, and individuals come together to reimagine our systems. The conversations were rich, imaginative, and deeply inspiring, rooted in a shared commitment to social and environmental justice.

Portland, with its vibrant culture and natural beauty, provided the perfect setting for these discussions. Surrounded by the forests and gardens of the World Forestry Center, it was impossible not to feel connected to the broader vision of sustainability, community, and care.

Leaving the conference, Felicia reflected, “I carried with me not just insights into sustainable business practices, but a renewed belief that creativity, responsibility, and shared values can shape a more regenerative future for us all”. 

Interested in learning more about ACHS’ Certified B Corporation® status and holistic health and wellness programs? Request more information today!