Northstar I
Ted Castle, President, Rhino Foods
Should business help their employees “bring their best selves” to work?
When companies say their employees are their most valuable asset, do they really mean it? Is a statement similar to this in your mission statement? If an auditor came to your business, could you demonstrate that you have multiple approaches that are deployed, improved upon over time, and integrated throughout your organization? At Rhino Foods we work very hard to live up to our Employee Principle. We have begun to become even more focused on finding meaningful ways to help our employees "bring their best selves to work.”
Suzanne McDowell, Co-CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer
King Arthur Flour
Creating Community from the Inside Out
Our employees are the heart and soul of King Arthur Flour. As a 100 percent employee-owned company, that means each one of us is equally invested in ensuring our success. We know it’s important to hire the best people, to create a respectful and empowering corporate culture, and to make it possible for our employees to thrive - both within the workplace and outside of it. Our commitment to our employees’ well-being, happiness, and overall job experience has helped make us an award-winning employer and a successful business for more than 200 years, and it will remain a critical part of our philosophy for the next 200.
Luke Stafford, CEO, Mondo Mediaworks, Mondo Media Works
Beyond "Giving Back"
For the first six years of its life, Mondo Mediaworks had a broad mission to “give back to the community.” But in 2016, Mondo went back to the drawing board and defined a clear, poignant values statement: “Save Vermont.” What followed was a certain business butterfly effect, culminating in a recently-launched marketing campaign to address population decline in Rutland County. Mondo’s CEO, Luke, will illustrate the importance of a socially-conscious mindset when growing a business in the Green Mountain State, and recount what happens when you set a bold vision for the future.
Northstar II
Adeline Druart, President, VT Creamery
Culture is a Manifestation of Values
Vermont Creamery has achieved success by staying true to its core values. By focusing on transparency and valuing their employees as the company’s greatest resource, Vermont Creamery has maintained its authenticity while undergoing rapid growth. Adeline Druart, President, will highlight the company’s strong workforce engagement and deeply held company culture that has evolved over the past 30 years. From open book management to a holiday party for employees’ children, Vermont Creamery prides itself on being present, celebrating the small victories and not taking themselves too seriously.
Richard French, Founder and CEO, The Works
Staying Ahead During a Tsunami of Cultural Changes
In 1988, The Works Cafe started as a bagel shop. As the winds of change blew and bagels began popping up everywhere, we evolved and became a bagel and sandwich shop. When larger chains entered the market and brought new expectations for fast casual restaurants, we embraced those changes and transformed our menu, decor and more. Now, cultural changes – those are more challenging to stay ahead of as they continue to come at us in a more and more accelerated rate, but we’re trying. Let’s discuss some the of the ways we’re trying to stay ahead and how it influences the way we hire, train and communicate with staff -- and how we adapt our policies and benefit packages to embrace these changes.
Carrie Simmons, Founder + Owner, New Ground Creative
Leading Your Business with Integrity
As the leader of a company, your integrity is essential to retaining employee loyalty, and it gives you the freedom and energy to build a brand that truly reflects your business and personality. But it’s not easy. It means aligning everything in your life with your personal values, including the decisions you make, the way you run your business, and how you hold space for staff, as well as the clients and other people you choose to engage with.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Cocktail Reception Underwriter
Underwriters
Cabot Creamery Cooperative
In 1919, ninety-four enterprising dairy farmers formed a cooperative to purchase the local creamery. Now, nearly a century later, the combined commitment of CabotCreamery’s farmers and employees was honored when Cabot became a certified B Corp, a first for dairy cooperatives and cheesemakers. This very same dedication has earned Cabot acclaim for making “The World’s Best Cheddar” while offering a full line of award-winning cheeses, cultured products and butter. Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative. For more information, come visit us at our historic creamery, or online at www.cabotcheese.coop
Gallagher, Flynn & Company
As one of the largest independent CPA and business consulting firms in Northern New England,
Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP, (“GFC”) prides itself in offering trusted industry expertise rendered with a highly personal touch from our offices in South Burlington, Vermont and Hanover, New Hampshire. Our resources run deep – with over 75 full-time employees. We work with primarily privately held companies with varied ownership structures, private equity groups and non-profit organizations, ranging in size from start-ups to organizations with revenues in excess of $300 million. Our diverse practice offerings are the result of over 50 years of meeting the many needs of our clients. Our firm is comprised of highly qualified individuals who specialize in audit and accounting as well as tax and management advisory and specialized consulting areas of expertise. In complement, we are large enough to have the technical experience to meet diverse client needs. GFC enjoys a strong regional profile and a national/ international reach through our RSM Alliance. With more than 600 offices worldwide and 100 offices nationwide, our alliance gives us access to a full range of capabilities including the resources of RSM and over 70 other independent firms in the alliance.
King Arthur Flour
King Arthur Flour is an employee-owned company, every one of us bakers at heart. Our mission is to inspire connections and community by spreading the joy of baking.