Regenerative Business Mentors Visit First Green Bank

In late January, as “The Year in the Life” project moved into its final months, we once again paid a visit to First Green Bank. This time we invited along two mentors who are leading thinkers and doers in the Regenerative Economy space—author, business advisor, and educator Carol Sanford; and Vincent Stanley, author, poet, and Director, Patagonia Philosophy.

Over two days, Carol and Vincent each met with Ken and also with his staff. They looked back over the past years since the bank’s founding in 2009, when it was operating under strict regulatory scrutiny and with constraints on growth during its de novo period. They then explored the tensions along the path the bank will take going forward as those regulatory constraints are loosened and it will have the ability to grow at a much faster pace, at the intersection of the old and new economies.

Each staff member was asked to think about how he or she might contribute his or her “singular” talents and passions to support and deepen the bank’s regenerative business practice in the coming years. Capital Institute’s Founder & President John Fullerton also explored this question over lunch with Ken and board member Randy Strode. Later, joined by fellow board member Dr. Robert Prudon, we videotaped their frank discussion about holistic values and the diversity of ways investors can express them. (We will be releasing a short film about “The Year in the Life” project this spring.)

On the evening of January 27 we convened a discussion with Ken, Carol, Vincent, and John Fullerton at Rollins College in Winter Park, where each reflected on what “regeneration” means to them. During the interactive session, the receptive audience responded with questions and their own affirmations.

Tweet me: #Regenerative Biz Mentors Visit @FirstGreenBank w/ @CapInstitute @RegenFieldGuide http://3bl.me/tfndr8

KEYWORDS: Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Business & Trade, Capital institute, first green bank, regenerative economy, business mentors