Learn from these ‘conscious capitalists’ next month

Capitalism gets a lot of hate for a lot of good reasons, but there is a sect of capitalists using the system of economics in ways that would make Adam Smith smile from cheek to cheek.

These are your social entrepreneurs with for-profit businesses, your community development financial institutions (CDFI), your impact investors — venture capitalists who expect a measurable social outcome in addition to their financial return.

And groups like Conscious Capitalism, a nonprofit that describes itself as a “movement” dedicated to “elevating humanity through business.” Conscious Capitalism and 300 of its conscious capitalists will convene in Philadelphia for its annual spring conference from April 18 to 20.

“Our vision is a world in which business is both practiced and perceived as a force for good,” said Conscious Capitalism’s comms guy Dan Dement.

Attendees will network, participate in workshops and hear from these folks:

• REI CEO Jerry Stritzkey
• Great Place to Work CEO Michael C. Bush
• Greyston Bakery CEO Mike Brady
• Back to the Roots cofounders Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez
• “Freak Factor” author David Rendall

And more, including Philadelphia’s own Mandy Cabot, CEO at Dansko.  Read more about the event here.