In late August, students of the newest Sustainable Innovation MBA (or SI-MBA) cohort at ̽̽ Grossman School of Business arrived at their new home of Burlington, Vermont for the start of their one-year accelerated MBA. Along with meeting their classmates, faculty and staff, students met with icons of responsible and sustainable business and saw their business operations in action.
On-Site Experiential Learning
During the week of SI-MBA orientation, the new cohort visited Burton Snowboards and Rhino Foods, two leaders in sustainable business recognized not only in Vermont but around the world for their leading environmental and social practices. These two companies operate in very different industries but are also both certified B Corps (Vermont boasts the most B-Corps per capita in the U.S.) with headquarters across the street from each other. Students had the opportunity to learn about their businesses.
A Global Household Name for Snow Lovers
SI-MBA students visited , which specializes in products aimed at snowboarders, such as snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, and accessories. Founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, this family-owned manufacturing company still calls Burlington home.
Can you find the message left behind by SI-MBA students?
Students received a tour by Burton Historian Todd Kohlman, aka TK, of their “museum” and smaller-run manufacturing facility. They saw firsthand how snowboards are made from wood pieces to finished product as well as the 3D printing lab where new designs and ideas are brought to life.
Four SI-MBA alumni presently work with the company. The new SI-MBA cohort met with Taylor Ralph SI-MBA ’17 who leads product and material sustainability at Burton. Students learned more about her work and career and the company's sustainability goals, ambitions, and challenges. Burton Snowboards and their leadership have supported the SI-MBA program since it began. In fact, Burton has partnered with SI-MBA on many practicum projects over the years.
Family Business Connections
On the other hand (and side of the street), makes a variety of products for other global brands—perhaps best known for making cookie dough for world renowned Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. Founded in 1981 by Anne and Ted Castle, Rhino Foods is a specialty ice cream novelty and ice cream ingredient manufacturer that has grown from a small ice cream shop, Chessy's Frozen Custard, into a business with over 200 employees.
SI-MBA students were led on a tour of the manufacturing facility by co-founder Ted Castle ̽̽ ’74 and his son, Rooney Castle, the current CEO. They saw how hundreds of thousands of pounds of cookie dough and other products are made from their raw ingredients, and even did a mini taste test in their quality assurance lab. Students then walked around their corporate offices. They later reconnected with Ted and Rooney where they learned about Rhino’s challenges and their revolutionary and industry-leading people practices such as the Income Advance Program and inclusive hiring practices.
Experiential Learning at Grossman School
A big thanks to Burton Snowboards and Rhino Foods for hosting the ̽̽ SI-MBA students for an out-of-classroom experiential learning experience and an amazing introduction to responsible and sustainable business in action. It was inspiring and eye-opening for the students to see how classroom theory comes to life in real businesses, and it's always a bonus to see our SI-MBA and ̽̽ alumni at work!