HARTFORD, CT, October 28, 2021—On November 10 from 9 a.m. until noon, Hartford-based nonprofit reSET presents Beyond Business as Usual: Regenerative Economy, a virtual conference for socially minded business people and entrepreneurs. The annual event's 2021 focus is on reimagining the economy to achieve prosperity for all. Speakers include thought leaders in the areas of impact investing, inclusive economic development and social justice in finance.

In alignment with reSET's mission to grow Connecticut's social enterprise sector, this event is meant to inspire new connections for entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers who would like to launch, grow and support more sustainable businesses. Tickets for the virtual conference, available online at www.bit.ly/BBAU2021, are $40 with a discounted $25 rate available to reSET members and alumni. All proceeds go toward reSET's entrepreneurial programs to support the growth of impact-driven business in Connecticut.

A regenerative economy offers solutions to the current status quo, in which many people still do not have access to basic amenities such as food, housing, quality education, living-wage jobs and healthcare. These issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Regenerative economics aims to reshape capitalism with a new mindset: abundance over scarcity. More simply said, there is plenty to go around.

Conference attendees will engage with leaders from New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. John Fullerton, Capital Institute founder and author of 8 Principles of a Regenerative Economy will join reSET's executive director Sarah Bodley in a virtual fireside chat to kick off the morning. The conversation will focus on building stable, healthy and sustainable systems based on Fullerton's holistic principles including adapting to circumstances, empowering participation and honoring community.

A panel discussion, moderated by Brent Robertson, partner at West Hartford-based Fathom, will lead to breakout sessions where attendees can dialogue, network and spark new ways of thinking. Panel speakers include: 

• Shelly Omilâdè Bell, Founder, Black Girl Ventures and Angel Investor
  Named as one of Entrepreneur Magazine's 100 Powerful Women in Business, Bell is a computer scientist, system disruptor and business strategist who moves ideas to profit while empowering people to live, build and foster better relationships. She connects entrepreneurs, investors and corporations in order to diversify their talent pipeline, increase equity and grow their brands.
• Allie Burns, CEO, Village Capital
  Burns has two decades of experience working with entrepreneurs and innovators at the intersection of tech and social change. Prior to joining Village Capital in 2016, she served as a senior executive at Revolution and the Case Foundation, the venture capital firm and private family foundation created by former AOL executives Jean and Steve Case. In that role, she led the organizations' communications and marketing teams and was instrumental in the development of major initiatives including the Rise of the Rest, the Startup America Partnership and the Be Fearless campaign.
• Jessica Stago, Co-founder & Director of Business Incubation, Change Labs.                          JStago is Bitá’níí (Folded Arm) clan from the Dine (Navajo) Nation and born for Biszá’áh (From the Cliff People) clan of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Her work is focused on supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and community led economic development efforts to create local economies that are centered on Indigenous lifeways and cultural values. She is currently is a board member on the Colorado Plateau Foundation and Yé Há’oołníi dó (Navajo and Hopi Families COVID19 Relief). 

“The past two years have been tough, and the pandemic has forced us to rethink how we view a successful society - expanding beyond money and power, and prioritizing connectivity, community, safety, and health, among other values.” says Sarah Bodley, reSET Executive Director. “This year's BBAU conference will ask big questions: how can we keep ‘people’ and ‘planet’ more central to our economic decisions? Rather than returning to business as usual, what can we hold on to from this difficult time in order to create a better future?”

Beyond Business as Usual is hosted by reSET in collaboration with presenting partner, Connecticut Sustainable Business Council, and made possible by sponsors including Webster Bank, Capital for Change, Murtha Cullina, The Walker Group, Village Capital, Stanley Black & Decker and Fathom.

About reSET

reSET's mission is to advance the social enterprise sector in Connecticut through programming, access to capital and advocacy. reSET aims to inspire innovation and community collaboration and to support entrepreneurs in creating market-based solutions to community challenges. By designing business to focus on both purpose and profit, innovation is unleashed, and profit is a means to solving problems. reSET offers an intensive, four-month Impact Accelerator that has won an SBA award, a Food Incubator, a Retail Incubator and Measure What Matters, a virtual masterclass to guide business owners along the path to greater sustainability . reSET offers coaching, co-working space, workshops and networking events. Its mentor network provides free access to a wide range of expertise for startups.

Direct requests for complimentary press passes to: Emily Reisner, ereisner@resetco.org