The Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business, is dedicated to providing experiential learning opportunities for those enrolled in the program. Following in the footsteps of previous SI-MBA students, our cohort was given the chance to attend the See Change sessions hosted annually at Hula in South Burlington. We were able to connect with business professionals from all over the world in a variety of disciplines, while focusing on five specific tracks: Whole Health, Earth Observation Data, Packaging Matters, Entrepreneurial Communities, and Extended Producer Responsibility Policy. Divided evenly between these topics based on interest, we networked with a variety of professionals and engaged in exercises with them to help create innovative solutions and discuss these varied problems.
The event kicked off with See Change's “WTF Sessions” - bringing out change-makers in various industries to answer questions all within the theme of “What does change mean to you?” Attendees then broke out into our tracks to talk about the causes of the issues with each of these topics, and more importantly discussing solutions and action items to work towards after the conference.
See Change Rewards Hard Work with Full Calendar of Events
What makes See Change such a successful event is that it’s not all work, and there are plenty of engaging experiences that occupied large parts of our days. We started the first day with a morning meditation and movement session, and throughout the day, groups were able to participate in hosted experiences like painting meditations, fire starting exercises, and the practice of Ayurvedic medicine techniques. Music experiences including a band, a barbershop quartet, the UVM a capella group, and a dance session created a celebratory atmosphere for the attendees. For outdoor enthusiasts and novices alike, a highlight was morning paddleboarding at the Burlington Surf Club, where the gorgeous views set the perfect tone for the rest of the conference.
Lastly, as a student, the food always makes a lasting impression, and See Change did not disappoint! A special event at Zero Gravity in Burlington included an amazing dinner, a gelato stand, and a giant bubble-making station, while creating the opportunity for participants across the multiple topic tracks to mingle and share ideas.
See Change is a one-of-a-kind conference and way to bring together people from all backgrounds and points of view. From pro surfers to holistic health doctors, to sustainability professionals, to political leaders, to venture capitalists - See Change succeeds in creating an environment that fosters learning and growth. These professional and social offerings made for a memorable conference, and I encourage future SI-MBA students to take advantage of this incredible annual event.
For more information about the See Change Sessions or to see images from the event, visit their website: seechangesessions.com.
About the Author
Ashley recently moved to Burlington from Maryland to pursue their Sustainable Innovation MBA. She graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Environmental Science in 2024 and was drawn to SI-MBA because she believes business can be a powerful force for good. In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, taking photos, going to the beach, and exploring Burlington with friends!
Photos: Ashely Caine & courtesy See Change
