Purpose Driven.
Stakeholder Centered.

In Fall 2023, representatives from Dr. Bronner’s, One Step Closer (OSC), and Lift Economy gathered to confront the escalating global polycrisis: by nearly every measure, environmental and social challenges are worsening rather than improving. At the root of these crises is the dominant model of shareholder primacy capitalism, which prioritizes maximizing investor returns over the well-being of all other stakeholders. This system has led to outcomes such as climate disasters and deepening social and economic inequalities.

The group concluded that existing certifications, standards, financing models, and policy initiatives are wholly inadequate to meet these urgent challenges. Worse, many companies exacerbate the problem through greenwashing and purpose-washing. It became clear that without a strong, collaborative framework for development and accountability, corporate pledges and commitments would remain ineffective.

Determined to drive real change, the group launched the Purpose Pledge. OSC convened a team of key advisors to refine the initiative and define what it truly means to be a Purpose-led company. The Purpose Pledge recognizes that a thriving business depends on multiple stakeholders—Growers, Suppliers, Employees, Customers, Communities, the Earth, and Each Other. The Pledge establishes clear, actionable metrics designed to center stakeholder well-being and drive tangible impact. These metrics are designed to be meaningful, measurable, and time-bound, backed by a committed community working together to turn intention into action.

The Purpose Pledge is a groundbreaking initiative that redefines how business is conducted by fostering a community dedicated to sustainable progress. With visionary leadership and a well-structured, actionable plan—one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and real results over rhetoric—it sets a new standard for responsible business.

Founding Partners

The Purpose Pledge is a call for meaningful action, not just intention. We're inviting the world’s most purpose-driven companies to challenge themselves and each other to take even bigger steps forward; thereby serving as a global business beacon for change. Grounded in OSC’s commitment to developmental leadership and systemic transformation, the Pledge fosters accountability, clear goals, and collective momentum to drive meaningful industry-wide change.

- Lara Dickinson, Executive Director & Co-Founder, One Step Closer

One Step Closer (OSC) is a nonprofit network of purpose-driven leaders in the natural products industry. Founded in 2012, we empower businesses to create a just, healthy, and regenerating society by cultivating meaningful connections and driving industry-wide collaboration. With a carefully curated membership of 50 pioneering CEOs and their companies, OSC serves as a community vessel for leadership growth and innovation. By expanding the capacity of purpose-driven leaders, we create a ripple effect—transforming their companies, the natural products industry, and their broader ecosystems. OSC accelerates this transformation by incubating and launching industry-wide collaborations, including the OSC Packaging Collaborative, the Climate Collaborative, the J.E.D.I. Collaborative, OSC Women's Circles, OSC Advisory & Fund, and the Purpose Pledge. These platforms inspire regenerative business practices and systemic shifts toward just, equitable, and sustainable food and agriculture systems. Guided by OSC's Global Imperatives— regenerative consumption, equal opportunity, climate stability, and reflective leadership—we embrace change as an opportunity for perpetual progress. Together, our members build businesses and communities with a shared kinship of trust, collaboration, and innovation.

Lift Economy

Business-as-usual profit primacy has led us into existential times. Change is necessary for humanity to navigate into a livable future. The commitment of a community of companies to the Purpose Pledge marks a critical leap forward, inspiring businesses to meaningfully contribute to the long arc of transformation of the economy.

- Kevin Bayuk, Worker-Owner, Lift Economy

LIFT Economy is a worker-owned cooperative, impact consulting firm whose mission is to create, model, and share a racially just, regenerative, and locally self-reliant economy that works for the benefit of all life. They work with leading businesses and organizations to help them enhance their impact and align their practices with their social and environmental values. Their services include impact consulting, leadership coaching, B Corp certification support, financing strategy, impact investing, and more. LIFT has helped over 350 companies with their impact initiatives including Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Dr. Bronner’s, Allbirds, World Centric, and Cabot Creamery. LIFT Economy goes beyond traditional consulting by hosting transformative educational programs like the Next Economy MBA and Next Economy Living, which empower changemakers to reimagine economic systems. They also produce two influential podcasts—Beyond the B Podcast and the Next Economy Now Podcast—which amplify the voices of entrepreneurs, activists, and authors pioneering innovative approaches to economic transformation. Their team literally helped "write the book" on B Corps (i.e., "The B Corp Handbook: How You Can Use Business as a Force for Good," Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2019).

Dr. Bronner’s

Shareholder primacy has been a race to the bottom and has taken social and environmental systems down with it. It's time to embrace wholistic business practices and lay the groundwork for business that centers right relationship with all Stakeholders. The Purpose Pledge is a deeply inspiring approach that connects and celebrates our industry's ability to collaboratively develop solutions and create lasting change.

- Les Szabo, Chief Strategy & Impact Officer, Dr. Bronner's

Founded in the U.S. in 1948, Dr. Bronner’s is the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America. The company is an independent, family-owned business based in California, committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible personal care and food products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. Dr. Bronner’s commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and ethical business is part of the company’s mission to put the “All-One” philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels into practice and integrate these ideals into all aspects of its operations. The company caps executive salaries at five times its lowest paid fully vested position and donates all profits not needed for business development. In 2024, Dr. Bronner’s generated an estimated $209 million in net revenue and gave an estimated $8 million to charitable and activist causes. To date, Dr. Bronner’s has donated over $100 million since 1998, when leadership was transferred to the current generation which runs the company today. The company celebrated 75 years in business in 2023.

These advisors played a vital role in shaping the Purpose Pledge. We are deeply grateful for these individuals’ generous support and thought leadership throughout our developmental process.

Ahmed Rahim

Founder & CEO, Numi Tea

Brenna Davis

CEO, Organically Grown Company

Caroline Duell

Founder & CEO, All Good Products

Caryl Levine

Co-Founder, Lotus Foods

Chris Mann

Founder, Guayakí YErba Mate

David Bronner

Ceo, dr. bronner's

Jamie Horst

Chief Purpose Officer, Traditional Medicinals

Lisa Curtis

Founder & CEO, Kuli Kuli Foods

Lacey Moore

Sustainability Manager, Lundberg Family Farms

Vincent Stanley

Director of Philosophy, Patagonia, Inc.