Upcoming Events

Past Events

Purpose in Business Week Kick-Off with Dr. Victoria Hurth

A practical and purposeful discussion on how organizations can become driving forces for good!

To kick-off the 3rd annual Purpose in Business Week, The United Way BC Social Purpose Institute (SPI) is thrilled to host a free one-hour webinar featuring Dr. Victoria Hurth – an influential and independent pracademic that supports organizations and their leadership to become driving forces for long-term wellbeing for all (sustainability).

This event will provide the audience with a positive outlook for our future and draw out key elements that are required for business to take the leap to a social purpose model. Drawing attention to the PAS: 808 Report, Purpose-Driven Organizations: Worldviews, Principles and Behaviours, Dr. Hurth will do a high-level presentation covering:

• The ‘big picture’ of the social purpose and well-being economy,
• Tools, resources, and actionable steps businesses can take to pivot to purpose,
• And what a purpose-driven world could look like.

Join us to learn from Dr. Hurth’s experience and continuing work and kick-off the 2023 #PurposeinBusinessWeek!

Purposeful Business: Rapid-Fire Insights from Social Purpose Leaders

An opportunity to engage with six social purpose business leaders on their journeys of social purpose implementation.

To celebrate the 3rd annual Purpose in Business Week, we’re thrilled to be hosting Purposeful Business: Rapid-Fire Insights from Social Purpose Leaders!

In this rapid-fire session, each panelist will give a six-minute presentation sharing their social purpose journey and share insights into “why” they chose to adopt social purpose and the benefits they’re seeing throughout their business. Attendees will have time to engage, learn, and ask questions about each leader’s process and experience.

Featured Panelists:

• Latha Sukumar, Executive Director and General Counsel, MCIS Language Solutions
• Minto Roy, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Social Print Paper
• Kiersten Guiseppi, Social Purpose & Engagement Strategist, BCLC
• Trevor Burns, Senior Marketing Manager, Pro-Claim Group
• Mengo McCall, Co-Owner, Finest Beans
• Kimberlee Alexander, Director, Marketing, Cool Air Rentals

Join us to learn from these six social purpose champions and celebrate the 2023 #PurposeinBusinessWeek!

Coffee on Purpose with Brendan Reimer

Connect with peers and bring your social purpose questions! Let’s have a discussion on how to make purpose work for you and your business.

Connect with your peers and socialize your purpose questions with an industry leader. Ever wondered…

• What is social purpose, and why now?
• How do I engage my employees in our purpose?
• How do I embed purpose in all areas of my business?
• What are some quick wins for measuring and reporting on purpose?

Have a specific question? Send it in to engage@uwbc.ca before the event so we can ensure it is covered during the session.

Join us for Coffee on Purpose, an informal get-together intended to expand your network, exchange ideas, and discover innovative approaches towards building a purpose economy. Whether you are a social purpose practitioner, a business owner or simply someone who cares deeply about the future, this session is for you.

Guest Speaker:

Brendan Reimer. Brendan is the Strategic Partner of Values-Based Banking at the Assiniboine Credit Union, where he works to integrate and embed the principles and practices of values-based banking into ACU’s core functions and daily work. Brendan also provides national leadership as the co-chair of the Canadian Credit Union Association’s Community Impact Committee. Building on a previous role as the Manitoba Regional Director at the Canadian CED Network, Brendan is a passionate educator and organizer dedicated to creating inclusive, fairer, and more sustainable economies and communities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanreimer1/

How Risk and Internal Audit Operate in Social Purpose Companies

BCLC and Deloitte share insights on how risk and internal audit functions can become equipped to operationalize a company’s social purpose.

Join us for a free one-hour webinar as leaders from The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) and Deloitte discuss key insights from their latest paper, How Risk and Internal Audit Operate in Social Purpose Companies.

Topics will include how risk and internal audit functions can become equipped to operationalize their company’s social purpose, and recommendations for senior leaders on how to:

• Embed purpose into decision-making frameworks
• Elevate the advisory role of risk and internal audit
• Focus the risk and internal audit teams on stakeholder value creation

Friday Coffee on Purpose

Join us to discuss how organizations can adopt and implement a social purpose framework.

Are you interested in social purpose but would like to know more? Are you already on the path to social purpose but want to connect with like-minded people?

Join us for Coffee on Purpose, an informal get-together intended to connect like-minded people, share information on SPI’s programs and resources to support the social purpose pivot and enjoy a wonderful virtual cup of coffee together. Open to anyone interested in social purpose and wanting to connect!

Moderator: Tessa Vanderkop, Social Purpose Strategist, United Way BC Social Purpose Institute.

Friday Coffee on Purpose

Social Purpose Programs Informational Session

Are you interested in social purpose but would like to know more? Join us for Coffee on Purpose, an informal get-together intended to connect like-minded people, share information on SPI’s programs and resources to support the social purpose pivot, and enjoy a wonderful virtual cup of coffee together!

Moderator: Tessa Vanderkop, Social Purpose Strategist, United Way BC Social Purpose Institute

Admission is free.

Leading on Purpose

How Social Purpose Leaders can Bring a Company’s Purpose to Life, presented by Coast Capital.

Join us as we connect with three social purpose leaders to learn about their purpose journey, and why it’s beneficial for businesses to adopt and embed a social purpose. If you’ve been thinking of defining your social purpose but haven’t yet made the leap, this discussion will provide actionable steps and inspiring insights to help you with your ‘how’ and ‘why’.

Moderator: Tessa Vanderkop, Social Purpose Strategist, United Way BC Social Purpose Institute

Panelists:

• Nicole Monaco, Head, Brand and Communications, Chandos Construction
• Liz McBeth, President, Amour Valve Ltd.
• Michelle Reid, Advisor, Corporate Sustainability and B Corp, BDC

Marketing on Purpose: How Marketing Differs in a Social Purpose Company

Propelling Purpose: The Road to the Purposeful Economy

November 17-18, 2021 

We are very excited to be hosting the first-ever Canadian Purpose Economy Summit on November 17 – 18, 2021.

The Virtual Summit is an opportunity to learn, be inspired, and connect with others who are advancing social purpose in business. Attend to have your say in building the roadmap to the Purpose Economy. Join leaders of business, government, academia, government, and NGOs, along with investors, incubators, and accelerators to co-create strategies to scale social purpose in business and design an economy powered by purpose.

Social Purpose: What is it? Why do I need one? How do I get one?

October 7, 2021 

What is it? Why do I need one? How do I get one?

Purpose is the buzzword of the moment — but what is it, really? Isn’t it the same as CSR? If we give to charities and support our local sports team, do we already have one? What would a Social Purpose do for my company? Will it help or hinder our profits? Do we really need one? Do our customers or employees care? How do you even get one?

If you aren’t sure about the answer to these questions, this workshop is for you!

How to Build an Authentic Social Purpose Company, Avoid Purpose-Washing and Drive a Purpose Economy!

October 4, 2021 

The Purpose Partnership between GLOBE Series, Social Purpose Institute at United Way and Junxion is excited to bring you our third interactive workshop on social purpose in business. On Oct 4, 2021, the social purpose community will gather for a virtual session to learn from two social purpose pioneers, be inspired and make connections with purpose peers. The session opens with reflections from leaders in the purpose space, followed by a brainstorming activity on what it means to commit authentically to social purpose in business as we build-back-better in Canada.

If we are going to build a Purpose Economy, what practices should we expect from businesses and how can we distinguish between businesses that are purpose-authentic and those that are purpose-washing? Register today and join us in creating an authentic and accountable Purpose Economy in Canada!

Social Purpose In Business

May 12, 2021 

Hardly a whisper a few short years ago, Social Purpose is now quickly on its way to becoming table stakes for running a successful business—a trend that has only been amplified by the current pandemic

How does a business harness this movement and itself become an engine for positive social impact? Can defining a societal ambition as the reason a business exists really increase customer loyalty, employee engagement, product innovation and ultimately the bottom line?