Arnerich Massena initially became a Certified B Corporation® in February 2020, and we recently completed our first recertification. We’re pleased to announce that our B Impact assessment score increased from 94.1 to 115.1. We wanted to share why being part of the B Corp™ community is so important to us.

What is B Corp™ certification?

The B Corp™ movement is a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Together, we are shifting our economic system from profiting only the few to benefitting us all, from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, and from extraction to regeneration. The “B” in B Corp™ stands for “Benefit for all.”

Companies that wish to join the B Corp™ community undergo a rigorous and highly selective assessment process to become certified; B Lab, a third-party non-profit, creates social and environmental standards that establish best practices and inform the assessment process, which measures five pillars: governance, workers, customers, community, and environmental policies. There are more than 6,000 Certified B Corporations® around the world, ranging from multinational corporations to small local businesses; some well-known B Corps™ include Patagonia, Athleta, TOMS, Ben & Jerry’s, Stumptown Roasters, and New Seasons Market. All B Corps™ sign a Declaration of Interdependence, making a commitment to embody the values of the B Corp™ community and work toward a collective vision of business as a force for good.

What is the B Corp™ Declaration of Interdependence?

“We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good. This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation — the B Corporation — which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:

• That we must be the change we seek in the world.
• That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place matter.
• That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.

To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.”

How does Arnerich Massena model B Corp values?

Arnerich Massena’s ethos and business model is to work in partnership with community to serve a greater good. We live this mission in a variety of ways, from uncovering impactful investment opportunities, contributing to local non-profit organizations, and taking action in the community. Here are a few of the recent activities that illustrate our B Corp™ ethos:

Aligning your investments with your values: We invest with intention, seeking to create a positive impact and helping our clients find ways to invest that do good while doing well.

Rock the Street, Wall Street: Arnerich Massena just launched our second year of partnership with the non-profit Rock the Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), delivering their program of financial literacy education and professional development to high school girls at Grant High School. Our first year was a great success, and we are looking forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of female financial professionals.

We Believe in Portland City Cleanup with AdoptOneBlock: A team of Arnerich Massena volunteers headed downtown on September 15, 2023 to help clean the city with AdoptOneBlock. Our community is important to us, and we want to be part of keeping it beautiful.

Arnerich Massena Annual Giving Guide: Each year, we celebrate the amazing work of local and regional non-profit organizations by publishing a holiday Giving Guide, helping them tell their stories and reach a broad audience of philanthropists. Look for this year's Giving Guide coming soon!

JEDIS Committee: Arnerich Massena’s JEDIS (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Sustainability) Committee is tasked with ensuring that we are following best practices of corporate citizenship. Read our JEDIS Statement of Intent here.

Supporting our local business community: Arnerich Massena is a member of B Local PDX, a group of local B Corporations® committed to building a thriving community. The firm is also a member of Portland Metro Chamber, Business for a Better Portland, and Social Venture Partners Portland.

Serving the community: Our employees are passionate about participating in the community. In addition to volunteer work, many advisors and staff serve the community through non-profit leadership positions. Co-CEO Reegan Rae, CPWA®, serves on the Board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI); Co-CEO Bryan Shipley, CFA, CAIA, serves as an Investment Committee member for the Gray Family Foundation; and COO Shelly Kapoor sits on the Board of Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). Managing Principal Ryland Moore serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation, as an Investment Committee member for Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, as a board member for Thriiive Economic Development for Warm Springs, and as a member of the Headwater’s Council for The Freshwater Trust. Senior Wealth Strategist Glen Goland, JD, CFP®, serves on the Endowment Committee of the International School of Portland; and Senior Investment Advisor Matt Sampson, CFP®, CEPA®, serves on the trust budget committee of the Rotary Club of Portland and as an ambassador board member for College Possible Oregon.

To learn more about Certified B Corporations® and the B Corp™ movement, visit https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/. You can view Arnerich Massena’s B Corp™ profile here.