The ESG Accessible for Founders to Scale Impact Without Corporate Budgets with Chris Bolman

In this episode of Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with Chris Bolman, founder of Brightest and executive director of The Brightest Foundation. They discuss how Chris left the high-growth tech world to create a platform that makes sustainability accessible, and what it really takes to build systems that transform society.Chris Bolman is a social entrepreneur and the visionary behind Brightest, a leading Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) software platform serving nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 500s alike. With a background as VP of Marketing at Percolate and early work in solar energy, Chris combines tech expertise with a deep commitment to social impact.Expect to Learn:Why Chris left a successful career in tech to start a purpose-driven businessWhat it means to “build systems to change the system”How Brightest helps organizations measure ESG impact at scaleThe economics of pricing for impact while remaining profitableHow AI is transforming the future of sustainability and social enterpriseEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Teaser[01:05] – Introduction to the Purpose Profit Shift and Guest Chris Bolman[07:15] – From VP at a Sequoia-Backed Startup to Building for Purpose[11:05] – Building Systems to Change the System: The Brightest Mission[14:45] – Democratizing ESG: Why Brightest Serves Startups and Non-Profits[17:30] – The Portfolio Pricing Strategy: Balancing Profit and Purpose[21:27] – The Importance of B Corp Certification and Accountability[23:55] – How Brightest Tracks Its Own Impact and Operational Values[26:35] – The "Double Bottom Line": How Sustainability is Good for Business[29:10] – A Look Inside: How Brightest Uses Its Own Platform[31:05] – The Role of AI and Automation in Impact Measurement[33:28] – The Next Radical Shift: AI and the Integration of Purpose[38:41] – The Broader Impact of AI on Jobs and the Economy[42:42] – Consumer Responsibility and the Power of Your Dollar[44:59] – Chris's Personal Definition of Success and Work-Life Balance[48:52] – Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with BrightestFollow the Guest Chris Bolman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbolman/ Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightestinc/ Company's Website: https://www.brightest.io/Follow the Host, Rachel Bernier-Green:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/Website: www.instagram.com/jointhryvo/Instagram: www.instagram.com/jointhryvo/LinkedIn (Company): www.linkedin.com/company/jointhryvo/Twitter/X: x.com/jointhryvoFacebook: www.facebook.com/jointhryvoTiktok: www.tiktok.com/@jointhryvoListening Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kmrlBqo4QHftlfmqo2Q32Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-purpose-profit-shift/id1829627732Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PurposeProfitShift