HFG: Brewing Global Impact – Tom Burns’ Journey from Yogi Tea to Conscious Leadership – Ep 41

Welcome to Hiring For Good, a podcast presented by Acumen Executive Search, exploring the transformative power of leadership—and what happens when the right person takes the job.

In this episode, co-hosts Suzanne Hanifin (President, Acumen Executive Search) and Tanis Morris sit down with Tom Burns, visionary entrepreneur, co-founder of Yogi Tea, and former CEO of Golden Temple. Tom shares his remarkable journey—from growing up in a multi-generational manufacturing family in the Pacific Northwest, to living in an ashram in Eugene, and ultimately building Yogi Tea into a global brand rooted in organic ingredients, Vedic tradition, and social responsibility.

Listeners will hear how Tom integrated meditation, Sikh philosophy, and conscious leadership into his approach to business, creating organizations that nourish both people and planet. He reflects on values-based hiring, building cohesive leadership teams, and why “work as worship” has been his lifelong philosophy. Today, as CEO of Plant Based Innovations, Tom continues to champion mission-driven growth while supporting communities through business.

This inspiring conversation highlights how purpose, vision, and values can shape not only successful companies but also meaningful lives.

Hiring For Good Website: https://www.hiringforgoodpod.com/ 

Acumen Executive Search Website: https://www.acumenexecutivesearch.com/

Tanis Morris: Director of Business Development at Acumen Executive Search

Email: tanis@acumenexecutivesearch.com

Suzanne Hanifin: President at Acumen Executive Search

Email: suzanne@acumenexecutivesearch.com

Hiring for Good is presented by Acumen Executive Search. Acumen Executive Search is the leading certified woman-owned Executive Search and advisory Firm on the West Coast.

Acumen sources, attracts, and qualifies world-class executive and management talent for organizations to support them in achieving their organizational goals.​ Due to their focus and local network, which is both broad and deep, we are able to leverage best practices across a broad range of industries. We employ an equity lens throughout the recruitment process.