Jessica Thomas [speaker]
A B Corporation, or B Corp, is a for profit company that has been certified to meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. B Corps are different from traditional companies in that they’ve been through a rigorous and transparent assessment where they have measured their impact on their key stakeholders, including their impact on their employees, their customers, their impact on the communities in which they operate, their impact on the environment. And the assessment also looks at governance, accountability and transparency.

Increasingly, stakeholders are struggling to identify those companies that have really, truly embedded social and environmental impact into their business models, and so I think employees who want to work at impact driven companies, customers who want to put their dollars and support businesses that are building truly sustainable business models need a way to identify the leaders who are really, truly at the cutting edge of building sustainable businesses that benefit people, the planet, as well as the bottom line.

We are seeing more and more companies that want to act like a B Corporation. So we’re seeing more B Corps, but also more companies that are like a B Corp. And I think we’ll see other stakeholders get involved in the B Corp movement. Increasingly, we’re seeing investors who are using the B impact assessment as a tool to measure and evaluate companies and consider investing in. I’m part of a global academic community, B academics, where we’re studying and teaching about B Corporations and so, increasingly, we’re talking about how can we build the B economy that includes not just corporations, but includes academics, investors, consumers. That really includes the entire global economy.

Phaedra Boinodiris, global leader for trustworthy AI, IBM Consulting; author of “AI for the Rest of Us.”

AI is not a futuristic concept—it is a reality shaping industries, economies, and societies. This program unpacks the foundational pillars of AI governance and what it takes to earn trust, helping executives move beyond compliance to build AI systems that are transparent, explainable, secure, and human-centric. Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, you’ll learn why AI governance is not just an IT issue, but a leadership mandate that defines competitive advantage.

1. Learn to identify hidden risks in AI systems while understanding why all data is an artifact of human experience.
2. Develop approaches for building explainable and transparent AI systems within evolving regulatory frameworks.
3. Build practical strategies for embedding AI governance into corporate strategy with clear accountability and mandate.

Leigh Shamblin, director of leadership and professor of practice, and Eileen Taylor, professor of accounting, NC State Poole College of Management

Develop a nuanced approach to ethical decision-making that goes beyond simple rule-following. This program explores the complex moral landscapes of professional environments, challenging you to think critically about ethical dilemmas and develop principled approaches to challenging situations.

1. Develop strategies for recognizing and analyzing ethical challenges.
2. Learn techniques for making principled decisions in complex scenarios.
3. Identify approaches to maintaining professional integrity across different contexts.

Julie Earp, associate professor of information technology, NC State Poole College of Management

Navigate the complex intersection of data privacy, cybersecurity, and business value in today’s digital environment. Drawing on over 25 years of privacy research and industry experience, this program examines critical challenges organizations face in protecting sensitive information across supply chains and data management systems. You’ll learn practical approaches for implementing privacy-conscious frameworks while maintaining operational effectiveness and building stakeholder trust.

1. Develop risk-based strategies for managing privacy across your organization’s digital ecosystem.
2. Design strategies that balance strong data protection with business innovation needs.
3. Implement security protocols that strengthen your organization’s privacy resilience.

Mark Beasley, Alan T. Dickson Distinguished Professor of Accounting; director, Enterprise Risk Management Initiative, NC State Poole College of Management

Develop a strategic approach to enterprise risk management (ERM) that aligns with your organization’s governance and strategy. This program connects risk oversight processes to strategic decision-making, moving beyond traditional compliance to create value. You’ll learn practical methodologies and tools for implementing ERM processes that enhance your organization’s ability to identify, assess, and manage emerging risks, including opportunities for taking smart strategic risks.

1. Design a risk oversight process that integrates with your organization’s strategy.
2. Create frameworks for identifying and evaluating potential emerging risks in light of strategic objectives.
3. Develop metrics and indicators to monitor and manage key risk exposures.

Jessica Thomas, director of Business Sustainability Collaborative; associate professor of practice, NC State Poole College of Management

Transform your organization’s approach to sustainability from a compliance requirement into a strategic advantage. This program equips you with frameworks for driving social and environmental change while creating business value. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, you’ll learn how purpose-driven business strategies can unlock innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver lasting impact.

1. Develop approaches for integrating sustainability across key business functions including operations, investment, and market strategy.
2. Learn frameworks for identifying sustainability-driven opportunities that create competitive advantage.
3. Build strategies for leading organizational transformation toward purposeful business practices.