The Business Sustainability Collaborative was founded by Jessica Yinka Thomas, who served as its first director and built the foundation for integrating sustainability into Poole College’s teaching, research, and industry partnerships. Her vision helped launch signature initiatives like the B Corp Clinic and the Graduate Certificate in Business Sustainability, setting the stage for a decade of collaboration, innovation, and impact.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Business Sustainability Collaborative (BSC), we’re reflecting on the incredible students and alumni who have brought our mission to life. Over the past decade, their ideas, leadership, and collaboration have connected academics with real-world impact, proving that business can be a force for good. From BSC Associates to sustainability certificate graduates, each student and alumnus has played a vital role in expanding what’s possible when purpose meets practice. To celebrate this milestone, we are highlighting several exceptional individuals whose stories embody the spirit of the BSC: resilience, collaboration, and impact.

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Kayla Bashore: Turning Passion into Purpose

For Kayla Bashore, sustainability is both personal and professional. As a first-generation student, she approached every challenge with perseverance and optimism, determined to connect her MBA studies with her commitment to a better world. While earning her Jenkins MBA with a focus on marketing and innovation, Kayla explored how sustainable business practices could drive change across industries. Today, as a Sustainability Analyst at CHS Inc., she helps integrate sustainability principles into agricultural operations, a field central to global resource stewardship. Her journey reminds us that purpose and career can move forward together.

Rejaul Hasan: Championing Sustainable Solutions

Rejaul Hasan brings a global perspective and analytical drive to every sustainability challenge he tackles. During his time as a BSC Associate, Rejaul focused on bridging technical insight with business strategy, leveraging both to foster sustainable innovation. His contributions reflect how diverse skillsets (engineering, analytics, design, and policy) can unite around a shared vision of sustainable impact. Rejaul continues to exemplify how BSC Associates translates ideas into action in both local and global contexts.

Johnny Nguyen: Leading with Passion and Impact

When Johnny Nguyen joined the BSC as an undergraduate studying Business Administration with a minor in Psychology, he set out to turn ideas into action. Through the Sustainable Business Student Association, Johnny helped students discover their own sustainability paths and connect with professionals who inspired them. His philosophy, “to make an impact, first find your passion”, continues to guide others in the BSC community. Johnny’s leadership reflects the heart of what being an Associate means: creating space for others to learn, lead, and live out their values.

Shannon O’Shea: Finance as a Catalyst for Change

Shannon O’Shea’s story bridges finance and social impact. As a featured guest in our BSC Career Speaker Series, she brought to life the idea that finance can be a tool for equity and environmental progress. Shannon’s career in community development and climate finance demonstrates that sustainable business isn’t confined to one path; it’s a mindset that can transform any field. Her insights continue to encourage students to view finance as a powerful driver of inclusion and resilience.

Malhar Shah: Connecting Innovation, Capital, and Sustainability

As a Jenkins MBA student and engineer, Malhar Shah approaches sustainability with curiosity and creativity. Representing NC State at the MO Summit by Big Path Capital, he explored how mission-driven investment and innovation can accelerate impact. Whether hosting energy-focused events or sharing insights from sustainability leaders, Malhar embodies BSC’s collaborative spirit, using data, dialogue, and design thinking to build bridges between business and the environment.

Clara Stec: Strengthening the Spirit of Collaboration

Clara Stec exemplifies the collaborative energy that defines our program. Her efforts to recognize and uplift fellow students and staff have helped sustain the community that powers BSC’s success. In celebrating team achievements and fostering connection, Clara reminds us that progress is never a solo effort; it’s the result of collective action and shared commitment. Her work behind the scenes keeps the BSC culture thriving and ensures every contribution is valued.

Andre Little: Advancing Sustainable Business Education. 

Andre Little represents an integral part of the BSC’s broader impact. As the first graduate of NC State’s Graduate Certificate in Business Sustainability, he marked a significant milestone in how sustainability is woven into business education at Poole College. Andre’s accomplishment reflects how BSC’s influence extends beyond the Associates program, shaping curriculum, advancing learning opportunities, and preparing students to lead with purpose. His reflections on the certificate highlight its lasting value for professionals seeking to connect strategy, leadership, and sustainability.

Looking Ahead: A Community of Changemakers
Each of these seven leaders reflects a different part of the BSC story, from students and BSC Associates who’ve built community and led projects, to Andre Little, whose academic milestone marked a new chapter in sustainability education. Collectively, they remind us that progress happens through people, students, alumni, and partners working together to make business a force for good. As we look to the next ten years, we’re inspired by the momentum they’ve built, and by the hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, and collaborators who continue to champion sustainable thinking across industries and communities.

Thank you to all our BSC Associates, certificate graduates, and partners, past, present, and future, for making the BSC what it is today: a vibrant network of leaders dedicated to making business a force for good.