BGI

It's official. I am enrolling this fall at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute to get an MBA in sustainable business.

There are actually three schools in the US that offer similar programs, all of which sprang into existence in the past few years. That means the curricula are far from settled, the finances of running these places is still in flux, and precious little reputation has been built up by the graduates out in the working world.

Who cares? What I know is that I think programs like this are incredibly important. One way to support them is to attend the school!

I visited BGI a couple months ago to kick the tires. It's located on Bainbridge Island off Seattle, at an ecological institute that usually serves as a retreat center for urban kids who haven't had much chance to be exposed to nature. It's gorgeous. But even more important, the students form a friendly community, and the material being taught and learned is amazing. Systems theory is mingled with accounting, and green-focused entrepreneurship is mixed with traditional marketing. The founder, Gifford Pinchot, comes in to spread his wisdom about gaining support for radical ideas within the bureaucracy of a large organization. Environmental thought leaders serve as part-time professors and mentors.

Something new is happening at BGI. I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate. It will change me to go there, and I am very curious to see what the result will be.