Professor Paula Seymour enhanced her “Managing Financial and Social Returns” course by incorporating the “Sustainability Change-Makers Programme,” a micro-credentialing workshop from B Lab Switzerland, offering students hands-on sustainability experience.
Professor Paula Seymour
“Social Entrepreneurship is about giving students the tools to be change-makers for the future,” said Professor Seymour, Flagler’s Social Entrepreneurship Program coordinator.
B Lab, a global nonprofit with regional partners and local B Labs in various countries, aims to empower businesses to operate as “a force for good.”
© B Lab Switzerland | * B Lab Switzerland Foundation, which provides the “Change-makers” lectures, is a different entity than the B Lab NGO, which is its parent entity, headquartered in the US and in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
“The B Academy program educates about best sustainability practices and provides hands-on learning opportunities to students whilst connecting academics to the business world to study the role of private companies in a resilient and sustainable economy,” said Sébastien Chahidi, Head of Education Programs for B Lab Switzerland.
B Lab Global manages standards and risk, while regional partners bridge the gap between the global entity and local B Labs. B Lab Switzerland, for example, focuses on education, providing tools and training for future leaders to manage businesses sustainably, among other initiatives.
“The Change-makers program builds on the best practices and lessons learned from B Lab Switzerland's 1000+ Ecosystem members,” Chahidi said. “It helps students and practitioners to drive impactful change with real-world examples, valuable case studies and a dedicated learning journey.”
This three-week “Change-makers” workshop was introduced to Seymour by alumna Pauline Tainton. After graduating with a Strategic Communication degree in 2019, Tainton started her career in a marketing-centric role but soon transitioned into the sustainability field by guiding her employer through the B Corp certification process.
Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are companies verified by B Lab's Standards Analysts to meet high standards of public and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Now, Tainton collaborates closely with B Lab Switzerland to promote sustainability education.
“Sustainability is often taught theoretically,” Tainton said. “The Change-makers program aims to show students how to implement it in a company.”
Seymour’s “Managing Financial and Social Returns” course emphasizes financial and managerial accounting for entrepreneurs, focusing on triple-bottom-line accounting, impact measurement, and transparency. This course served as an ideal backdrop for “Change-makers”, offering Seymour’s students an opportunity to engage with applied sustainability questions.
The program was led remotely by Chahidi and facilitated in person by Tainton, an affiliated B Leader. This invaluable experience, made possible by Flagler's Joel and Patty Weiss Fund for Excellence & Entrepreneurship, allowed Seymour’s students to earn a formal certification in just two weeks, preparing them to drive positive change in their future careers.
“We believe in equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and tools to manage businesses in a changing landscape,” Chahidi said.
He shared success stories of students who used the Change-makers certification to implement sustainability initiatives or secure sustainability-focused roles.
Chahidi instructing | © B Lab Switzerland
“We had a participant who was transitioning from a career start in marketing and communications towards sustainability consulting,” Chahidi said. “He shared with us that the training offered him a footing - and credibility - in applied sustainability for organizations, which helped him secure a job in a local consultancy.”
Chahidi led Seymour’s students through five comprehensive modules across five days of active virtual instruction: “Aligning for Action,” “Setting the Ambition & Strategy,” “What ‘Good’ Looks Like,” “Engaging Stakeholders,” and “Driving Change.”
- Day 1: Introduction to the business imperative for sustainability, global trends, business insights, and the business case for sustainability.
- Day 2: Fundamentals of positive impact, including materiality matrix and impact measurement and management.
- Day 3: Understanding what good looks like in business impact, covering governance, workers, and environmental impact.
- Day 4: Continued exploration of business impact, focusing on community and customers, and sustainability communication.
- Day 5: Change management and company testimonies, including stakeholder mapping and driving change.
This intensive, seminar-like workshop delivered a wealth of information quickly, challenging students to think critically and apply their knowledge pragmatically. To reinforce these skills, students analyzed and suggested improvements for existing B Corporations, fostering a mindset of ongoing development and innovation.
“Most business students will not walk out with a portfolio,” Seymour said. “But these students are going to have a portfolio of enterprises they’ve built across multiple classes and now this certification.”
The final project for Seymour’s course required students to create a “Community Impact Strategy.” This includes a detailed plan, a report, and a presentation. The assignment helps students focus on measuring and achieving community impact, using what they learned from the “Change-makers” program.
The project included defining a “Theory of Change,” identifying specific activities, and developing community-focused metrics. Students also outlined the financial and non-financial resources required to implement their strategy and create three-year projections for their community impact goals.
“Embracing sustainability meets these expectations and helps attract and retain top talent who value purpose-driven work,” she said. “Businesses that position themselves as forces for good respond to market demands and ensure their longevity and relevance in a rapidly evolving world.”
Pauline Tainton also emphasized the program's personal impact.
© B Lab Switzerland
“With the 'Change-makers' course, and Paula's class as well, the impact goes beyond the professional level,” Tainton said. “It also affects you personally, helping you understand things you might never have considered. Whether you stay in sustainability or not, that knowledge will always be in your DNA.”
This unique opportunity provided Flagler students with invaluable professional experience and a formal certification that sets them apart in the job market. By participating in the “Change-makers” program, students gained practical skills and a deeper understanding of sustainability's role in business and society.
"With this certification, our students are prepared to lead with purpose, making a positive difference in the world," Seymour said.
