At HAYVN, sustainability has been integral to our mission since we opened our doors four years ago. Coworking spaces should positively impact members’ overall well-being while striving for cleaner space. We are building a more inclusive, sustainable economy and empowering those across Fairfield County to do the same.
What Does Sustainability Mean?
Sustainability is the ability to live and operate without compromising the chances of the future generation doing the same. For some, the process can look like reducing poverty and hunger or improving our access to education.
Heather Burns, Founder of C.T. Sustainable Business Council & ESG Consulting Biz, explains it best. “Climate change, ocean acidification, and other ecosystem disruptions are making sustainability out of reach,” she said. “Sustainability (ultimately, regeneration) is the goal, and I believe the solutions are at the juncture of ancient wisdom, common sense, and new technologies.”
Climate change has left devastating consequences, prompting companies to think differently. More coworking hubs are trying to achieve net-zero emissions targets by improving daily operations or building eco-friendly office spaces. However, sustainable practices go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
“I’ve always believed in the power of business to play a key role in solving climate change. Large to small corporations are the biggest levers we have to pull. They stand the most to gain by decarbonizing quickly and leveraging sustainability as a competitive advantage.”
A Roundtable For All
HAYVN is the first Certified B Corp coworking space in Connecticut. Our shared office space met all requirements for certification, including rigorous standards for:
- Social & environmental performance
- Transparency
- Accountability
We’re proud to be part of B LOCAL CT! Our goal is to connect all these great initiatives that are happening around the state by working with groups from Conscious Capital to Patagonia to Impact Growth Partners. We’re hosting a fireside chat with Women Working in Sustainability on November 16th to discuss the latest trends, what it takes to break into the field, and how conscious practices will shape the new economy.
How Our Members View Sustainability
HAYVN members are passionate about sustainability and social impact. These three pioneers in the industry share their take on climate change.
Meet Heather Burns, Founder of C.T. Sustainable Business Council & ESG Consulting Biz
The first time Heather pivoted toward sustainability was in 1999 when she decided to travel the world solo. While living in Thailand and working as a Divemaster, seeing first-hand how oceans declined due to the commercial fishing industry.
She left her corporate job several years later to start one of the first business sustainability consultancies in 2006. “As the sustainability space evolved, I learned more about what it takes to make a business case for sustainability that gets companies to take action.”
What makes HAYVN the perfect place to discuss sustainability?
“HAYVN is a community where big ideas come into being through professional generosity and meaningful relationships,” she said. “The diversity of people who attend the Sustainability Roundtable events is inspiring, and each person brings their unique skills, talents, and experience to bear.”
She has helped companies improve their sustainability practices and was instrumental in creating the first sustainability standard for professional services. Heather provided strategic advisory to the American Sustainable Business Network, representing 250,000 businesses committed to scaling solutions to climate change.
Meet Sam Cherubin, Digital Solutions Director at a Fortune 50 Healthcare Organization
Sam Cherubin is skilled in product management, strategy, and innovation. He became interested in climate through researching its impacts on people.
“Climate change is the most important issue of our time and will impact all areas of our lives,” he said. “Every job will become a climate job, and every company will become a climate company.”
What does he enjoy about sustainability groups at HAYVN?
The first time Sam came to HAYVN, he felt it had a welcoming ambiance as a workspace.
“I love the different perspectives people bring to the roundtable. Sustainability touches on everything: consulting, how companies run, new types of entrepreneurs, and funding. We can come together and share information, learn from one another, and support each other’s businesses.”
He aims to create a platform for people to learn about the environment, come together in teams and build climate solutions. The roundtable is a great resource for the community as we move from a consumer to a collaborative culture.
Soledad Matteozzi of Thinking Beyond Business
Soledad Matteozzi’s professional journey has taken her across the world. She worked as an attorney, providing legal guidance and strategies for growth to U.S.-based and international companies, including assisting with mergers and acquisitions.
Over time, she realized each company has its version of best practices. Now she helps business owners identify opportunities and risks for short-term and long-term gains with her partner, Silvina Skverer.
What does she enjoy about HAYVN Coworking?
“HAYVN has been great for us. They have established a great community, connecting incredible people,” she said. “One of the successes of our business is partnership and collaboration with like-minded individuals. We all want the same thing and can achieve it together!”
HAYVN Coworking
Founded in 2018, HAYVN is a flexible workspace for enterprising women (and men) to connect, create and grow. Along with a vibrant & engaged coworking community of entrepreneurs and business professionals, HAYVN is a business HUB, offering short- and long-term office space leases, meeting rooms rentals, and events to support local businesses. HAYVN is proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ and a CTNext partner. We believe in using the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy and have met the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. HAYVN’s workshops and signature programs encourage women of all colors and ages and acts as an incubator for developing skills and pursuing funding. HAYVN Launch incubator is a 2021 winner of the SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC), and the only 2021 winner in Connecticut.
Visit our beautiful safe ‘HAYVN’ in Fairfield County, CT at 320 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT, 06820. Arrange a private tour today, or to learn more about our health and safety response, read through our detailed guidelines here.
