In this episode of The SIMBA Podcast, Brooks Sherman and Heida Helgadottir sit down with Matt Dunne, founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation. With a career spanning Vermont politics, Google, and national public service, Matt shares how his diverse experiences shaped his mission to close the rural opportunity gap. From launching broadband initiatives to pioneering Google's community affairs program, Matt offers a compelling look at how rural communities can thrive in the digital age. He discusses the power of public policy, the importance of local leadership, and how AI and remote work are reshaping the future of rural economies.

Recorded March 2025

In this inspiring episode of the SIMBA Podcast, hosts Paige Flanagan and Elliot Stephenson sit down with acclaimed storyteller and producer Kristina Reed—whose career spans DreamWorks, Disney, and now grassroots sustainability work in Seattle. Kristina shares her journey from creating beloved animated films to leading change through textile upcycling and refugee empowerment.

Together, they explore the art and ethics of storytelling, the importance of narrative in climate communication, and how to make overwhelming global issues feel personal and actionable. Kristina offers insights on navigating misinformation, the role of empathy in storytelling, and how each of us can contribute to a better world—one “tunnel” at a time.

Whether you're a change-maker, creative, or simply curious about how stories shape our world, this episode is a must-listen.

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

Recorded February 2025 

Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet joins the Si-MBA podcast to discuss companies' impacts on the environment and the world. It all started when founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, and the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, Craig Mathews, came up with the idea of businesses taking responsibility for their impacts on the environment. To do this, companies would donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental organizations to help protect the resources they use to ensure a sustainable business model and prevent greenwashing. In this podcast, Kate talks about how she first got involved with the Vermont-based company and what drove her to where she is now. Hosted by Emily Listowich and Payton Beaver.

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

Recorded December 2024

From this February 2024 interview, Alex Hausman tells us about his time working in corporate sustainability and how companies have adapted to an ever changing world. Recent regulations and AI advancements provide opportunities and pitfalls for sustainability reporting as companies feel more and more responsibility for the world around them. Alex's time at Google has also shown him how large institutions can leverage their partnerships for a more comprehensive climate strategy. 

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

Recorded February 2024 

In this interview from April 2023, SI-MBA'23 students Nick Matys and Peter Dresch, sat down for a chat with Grant Garrison, Director of Sustainability at Rivian. With Nick and Peter he discusses the company's mission to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption and decarbonize transportation. Rivian produces electric pickup trucks, SUVs, and delivery vans, with a focus on making EVs both environmentally friendly and high-performing. Garrison highlights the importance of charging infrastructure, reducing adoption barriers, and creating a range of electric vehicles for different trip needs. The company aims to scale production, develop sustainability goals, and release its first sustainability report, emphasizing their commitment to showing that EVs can be both greener and better than traditional vehicles.

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

In this interview from May, 2023, SI-MBA'23 students Peter Dresch and Megan Kida, sat down for a chat with Chelsea Bardot Lewis (then COO) and Meghan VanStry (SI-MBA'21), Finance and Admin Manager, of Working Fields. Working Fields is a mission-driven staffing agency that helps individuals with employment barriers, such as past criminal convictions or addiction recovery, find meaningful work. Founded by Mickey Wiles, the organization uses peer coaching to support job seekers and partners with Vermont employers to place talented individuals who might otherwise be overlooked. By challenging traditional hiring practices and focusing on people's current potential, Working Fields aims to break systemic employment barriers. The organization is currently expanding across Northern New England and sees potential for national growth while prioritizing equity, flexibility, and supporting individuals' holistic success.

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

Produced by Colleen Goodhue

Tu Rinsche has worked with multiple large companies and governments to fight against child labor in the chocolate industry. In this episode, she expands on her experience working with multiple shareholders and organizations to achieve a common goal.

From a conversation recorded June 2023

SI-MBA'24 students, Nina Paus-Weiller and Courtney Cunningham, sat down with Grace Kim, CEO of GKC LLC and former Senior Managing Director of Good Worldwide, Inc., amongst many other endeavors. In this chat, they discuss perspectives on organizational change, personal growth, and social impact. Key themes include the importance of recognizing human dignity, breaking down long-term goals into smaller milestones, and valuing authentic human connections. Grace Kim also emphasizes the power of collective action, the need for leaders with compassionate values, and staying hopeful while acknowledging the complexity of creating systemic change. She advocates for being true to oneself, understanding that successful people are just humans with different experiences, and maintaining a vision while remaining flexible about how change occurs.

Disclaimer:
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the students and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Vermont or the Grossman School of Business. Any content provided by our speakers is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any organization, company, or individual.

From and interview recorded 9/15/2023
Produced by Colleen Goodhue

Conversations in Sustainable Innovation
The Simba Podcast, hosted by students from the 2023 cohort, including Nick Matys, Megan Kida, and Peter Dresch, introduces the University of Vermont's Sustainable Innovation MBA program. A diverse cohort of students shares a passion for using business as a force for good, focusing on climate advocacy, social justice, and sustainable practices. The podcast aims to inspire future change-makers by featuring conversations with practitioners in fields like electric vehicles, human rights, and social enterprise. Hosts highlight their collective desire to transform traditional business models and create meaningful social impact through innovative, purpose-driven approaches.

From a conversation recorded 6/2/2022
Produced by Colleen Goodhue