Shop these cozy fall favorites and discover products that are better for people and planet.
Prosperous Pours: Candles Igniting Opportunity Prosperity Candle’s studio is a place of new beginnings where women who resettled in the U.S. from overseas refugee camps earn a living wage as candlemakers. The B Corp’s candles contain all-natural soy and coconut waxes, pure cotton and wood wicks, and essential oil fragrances. Promoting reuse and repurposing, the social enterprise sells candles in teacups, bowls, baking dishes, and measuring cups.
Conscious Steps: Socks That Rock Embrace slow fashion with Conscious Step’s durable, fair trade- and vegan-certified socks made from organic Indian cotton. Each purchase directly supports a nonprofit. Shop by cause, with designs inspired by the mission, such as socks that protect bison by partnering with the National Parks Conservation Association. Adult, kid, and toddler sizes are available. Eco-packing is plastic-free.
Make a Statement: Sustainable Scarves TBCo uses natural and recycled wool fibers to create statement pieces that positively impact the planet, like the Merino Wool Triangle Scarf. The B Corp reduces waste by repurposing materials, such as making blankets from used garments, as well as using fully recyclable packaging. TBCo also donates to environmental and humanitarian charities.
Wrapped in Love: Eco-Centered Comfort Bearaby employs responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices, including a plastic-free supply chain. It makes knitted, weighted blankets from 100% organic cotton to help you fall asleep faster and feel calmer, such as the chunky-knit Cotton Napper. You can also cuddle up with a weighted stuffed animal, weighted sleep mask, heated lap pad, or knot pillow.
Shop these cozy fall favorites and discover products that are better for people and planet.
Prosperous Pours: Candles Igniting Opportunity Prosperity Candle’s studio is a place of new beginnings where women who resettled in the U.S. from overseas refugee camps earn a living wage as candlemakers. The B Corp’s candles contain all-natural soy and coconut waxes, pure cotton and wood wicks, and essential oil fragrances. Promoting reuse and repurposing, the social enterprise sells candles in teacups, bowls, baking dishes, and measuring cups.
Conscious Steps: Socks That Rock Embrace slow fashion with Conscious Step’s durable, fair trade- and vegan-certified socks made from organic Indian cotton. Each purchase directly supports a nonprofit. Shop by cause, with designs inspired by the mission, such as socks that protect bison by partnering with the National Parks Conservation Association. Adult, kid, and toddler sizes are available. Eco-packing is plastic-free.
Make a Statement: Sustainable Scarves TBCo uses natural and recycled wool fibers to create statement pieces that positively impact the planet, like the Merino Wool Triangle Scarf. The B Corp reduces waste by repurposing materials, such as making blankets from used garments, as well as using fully recyclable packaging. TBCo also donates to environmental and humanitarian charities.
Wrapped in Love: Eco-Centered Comfort Bearaby employs responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices, including a plastic-free supply chain. It makes knitted, weighted blankets from 100% organic cotton to help you fall asleep faster and feel calmer, such as the chunky-knit Cotton Napper. You can also cuddle up with a weighted stuffed animal, weighted sleep mask, heated lap pad, or knot pillow.
At the 2025 Real Leaders UNITE gathering in San Diego, Hugh & Grace was awarded the Most Transformative Company Award, a recognition that highlights organizations achieving extraordinary growth while creating a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives.
Hosted at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, the event brought together 150 top CEOs and purpose-driven executives to celebrate companies reshaping industries with integrity and innovation. Hugh & Grace earned this year’s honor by posting the fastest three-year growth rate among nominees and by reaching more people with its wellness solutions and education than any other contender.
“Hugh & Grace exemplifies what it means to grow with purpose,” said Kevin Edwards, President of Real Leaders. “Their work in advancing health and well-being proves that business success and positive impact go hand-in-hand.”
Founded with a clear mission—to help people elevate their health and well-being—Hugh & Grace has become a leader in making wellness accessible, effective, and empowering. Their philosophy centers on the belief that what goes on, in, and around the body matters. By offering science-backed products that support hormone health and reduce harmful chemical exposure, coupled with expert-led education, the company enables individuals to take control of their health and lead more balanced lives.
The recognition at Real Leaders UNITE 2025 reinforces Hugh & Grace’s position as a transformative force in the wellness industry, proving that growth and purpose can—and should—coexist. As the company continues to expand, its commitment remains rooted in empowering people to feel their best while shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.
With this milestone, Hugh & Grace not only sets a standard for transformative business success but also inspires other organizations to align their growth strategies with meaningful impact.
At the 2025 Real Leaders UNITE gathering in San Diego, Hugh & Grace was awarded the Most Transformative Company Award, a recognition that highlights organizations achieving extraordinary growth while creating a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives.
Hosted at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, the event brought together 150 top CEOs and purpose-driven executives to celebrate companies reshaping industries with integrity and innovation. Hugh & Grace earned this year’s honor by posting the fastest three-year growth rate among nominees and by reaching more people with its wellness solutions and education than any other contender.
“Hugh & Grace exemplifies what it means to grow with purpose,” said Kevin Edwards, President of Real Leaders. “Their work in advancing health and well-being proves that business success and positive impact go hand-in-hand.”
Founded with a clear mission—to help people elevate their health and well-being—Hugh & Grace has become a leader in making wellness accessible, effective, and empowering. Their philosophy centers on the belief that what goes on, in, and around the body matters. By offering science-backed products that support hormone health and reduce harmful chemical exposure, coupled with expert-led education, the company enables individuals to take control of their health and lead more balanced lives.
The recognition at Real Leaders UNITE 2025 reinforces Hugh & Grace’s position as a transformative force in the wellness industry, proving that growth and purpose can—and should—coexist. As the company continues to expand, its commitment remains rooted in empowering people to feel their best while shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.
With this milestone, Hugh & Grace not only sets a standard for transformative business success but also inspires other organizations to align their growth strategies with meaningful impact.
Armanino is a B-Corp certified, top 20 accounting and consulting firm dedicated to empowering businesses through innovative solutions in audit, tax, consulting, and technology. Armanino’s purpose is to be the most innovative and entrepreneurial firm that makes a positive impact on the lives of its clients, its people, and its communities. Here Armanino CEO Matt Armanino shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Matt Armanino: Thriving in creating and sustaining impact requires — in every part of an organization — a relentless commitment to purpose-driven leadership and a culture that encourages continuous innovation. Every day we think about how we can better embrace a mindset of continuous evolution and focus on helping clients solve their most challenging problems.
We leverage technology and data to uncover new ways to drive efficiencies, but we also recognize that impact starts with human connection. Building a culture that empowers teams to think boldly, take ownership, and pursue initiatives that align with our broader mission allows us to stay ahead of the curve and deliver impactful results. Success in this space is about balancing growth and purpose and being unwavering in your commitment to both.
RL: What milestones have you achieved this year?
Armanino: Armanino celebrated its 16th annual Great Give day of service in May 2024. A firmwide day of community service, we had record-breaking participation with 20,512 volunteer hours in support of 158 unique organizations across the globe. Our team members took a day off to participate with service projects of their choice to make an impact in their communities and beyond. Over 16 years Armanino team members have contributed over 92,320 hours in support of various nonprofit organizations and community projects — the equivalent of more than 44 years of full-time work. In 2024, 2,155 Armanino team members participated in activities ranging from environmental cleanups and food packing to educational programs and social support service.
Armanino also completed its second annual Treedom Canopy Challenge, a firm-wide fundraising effort to plant as many trees as possible by Earth Day. This partnership was in collaboration with Treedom, a certified B Corp that engages in tree-planting projects worldwide. Thanks to the generosity of Armanino employees, friends, and the Armanino Foundation’s matching contributions, the initiative surpassed its goal, supporting the planting of 2,794 trees, which removes nearly 700 tons of carbon dioxide this year alone.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Armanino: One of the most significant challenges we faced was adapting to rapid technological disruptions while maintaining a human-centric approach. The pressure to innovate can overshadow the importance of staying connected to the needs of your people. We tackled this by integrating robust feedback loops and educational processes within our teams, ensuring that our adoption of tech advancements, specifically AI, was directly informed by those on the front lines — our in-house experts of AI leaders.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Armanino: We also reimagined our talent development strategies, recognizing that to keep pace with industry change, our people need more than just technical skills; they need to think critically and lead confidently in dynamic environments.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Armanino: Armanino’s long-term mission is to lead the accounting and consulting industry into a new era where impact and innovation go hand-in-hand. We envision a future where our firm isn’t just a service provider but a strategic, trusted advisor that empowers businesses to achieve their highest potential. This includes being mindful of the impact we have on our environment and local communities.
Our goal is to expand our influence beyond traditional services, leveraging our expertise to create differentiated platforms, tools, and partnerships that drive systemic change in how businesses operate when tackling their biggest challenges.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Armanino: Stay anchored to your purpose and be fearless in your pursuit of it. Lead with empathy, and empower your people to think like owners. Cultivate a team that’s skilled and deeply invested in the mission; their passion will drive innovation and resilience in ways that no strategy document ever could. And remember, impact doesn’t happen in isolation — engage with your community, listen to your stakeholders, and build partnerships that amplify your efforts. Never hesitate to seek out others who can help turn your vision into reality.
Armanino is a B-Corp certified, top 20 accounting and consulting firm dedicated to empowering businesses through innovative solutions in audit, tax, consulting, and technology. Armanino’s purpose is to be the most innovative and entrepreneurial firm that makes a positive impact on the lives of its clients, its people, and its communities. Here Armanino CEO Matt Armanino shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Matt Armanino: Thriving in creating and sustaining impact requires — in every part of an organization — a relentless commitment to purpose-driven leadership and a culture that encourages continuous innovation. Every day we think about how we can better embrace a mindset of continuous evolution and focus on helping clients solve their most challenging problems.
We leverage technology and data to uncover new ways to drive efficiencies, but we also recognize that impact starts with human connection. Building a culture that empowers teams to think boldly, take ownership, and pursue initiatives that align with our broader mission allows us to stay ahead of the curve and deliver impactful results. Success in this space is about balancing growth and purpose and being unwavering in your commitment to both.
RL: What milestones have you achieved this year?
Armanino: Armanino celebrated its 16th annual Great Give day of service in May 2024. A firmwide day of community service, we had record-breaking participation with 20,512 volunteer hours in support of 158 unique organizations across the globe. Our team members took a day off to participate with service projects of their choice to make an impact in their communities and beyond. Over 16 years Armanino team members have contributed over 92,320 hours in support of various nonprofit organizations and community projects — the equivalent of more than 44 years of full-time work. In 2024, 2,155 Armanino team members participated in activities ranging from environmental cleanups and food packing to educational programs and social support service.
Armanino also completed its second annual Treedom Canopy Challenge, a firm-wide fundraising effort to plant as many trees as possible by Earth Day. This partnership was in collaboration with Treedom, a certified B Corp that engages in tree-planting projects worldwide. Thanks to the generosity of Armanino employees, friends, and the Armanino Foundation’s matching contributions, the initiative surpassed its goal, supporting the planting of 2,794 trees, which removes nearly 700 tons of carbon dioxide this year alone.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Armanino: One of the most significant challenges we faced was adapting to rapid technological disruptions while maintaining a human-centric approach. The pressure to innovate can overshadow the importance of staying connected to the needs of your people. We tackled this by integrating robust feedback loops and educational processes within our teams, ensuring that our adoption of tech advancements, specifically AI, was directly informed by those on the front lines — our in-house experts of AI leaders.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Armanino: We also reimagined our talent development strategies, recognizing that to keep pace with industry change, our people need more than just technical skills; they need to think critically and lead confidently in dynamic environments.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Armanino: Armanino’s long-term mission is to lead the accounting and consulting industry into a new era where impact and innovation go hand-in-hand. We envision a future where our firm isn’t just a service provider but a strategic, trusted advisor that empowers businesses to achieve their highest potential. This includes being mindful of the impact we have on our environment and local communities.
Our goal is to expand our influence beyond traditional services, leveraging our expertise to create differentiated platforms, tools, and partnerships that drive systemic change in how businesses operate when tackling their biggest challenges.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Armanino: Stay anchored to your purpose and be fearless in your pursuit of it. Lead with empathy, and empower your people to think like owners. Cultivate a team that’s skilled and deeply invested in the mission; their passion will drive innovation and resilience in ways that no strategy document ever could. And remember, impact doesn’t happen in isolation — engage with your community, listen to your stakeholders, and build partnerships that amplify your efforts. Never hesitate to seek out others who can help turn your vision into reality.
Priority Power is a leading independent energy solutions provider focused on lowering energy costs, meeting sustainability goals, and removing growth impediments for large corporate and industrial customers. Priority serves over 10,000 clients, totaling approximately $1 billion in energy spend across 40 states. Its team of subject matter experts has a long history of successfully working together, along with deeply embedded relationships with its broad base of customers. To date the company has reduced over 10 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Here Priority Power CEO Brandon Schwertner shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Brandon Schwertner: To thrive in the impact space, a business must achieve profitability and scale. The two are interrelated and co-dependent. To truly set an example of a lasting impact platform, scale must be achieved in order to be noticed, inspired, and replicated.
RL:What milestones have you achieved this year?
Schwertner: Priority Power builds electrical infrastructure that covers over $1 billion of energy spend a year — and that is the OPEX portion. Violent weather impacts our customers directly. During winter storm Uri, over 80% of the natural gas processing plants in Texas were Priority Power clients. As the ice fell over north and west Texas, these facilities began to fail, and the power plants failed due to lack of fuel. Our teams worked 24-hour shifts that week — hand in hand with customers, the public utility commission, and the governor’s office — to restore power in the field and get fuel to the plants. The grid was within minutes of a complete failure where the entire state would have lost power for multiple weeks. Without our impact during this and other storms, things would be much worse.
Also, in July 2024 I Squared Capital (“I Squared”), a leading independent global infrastructure investment manager, entered into an agreement to acquire Priority Power.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Schwertner: Our biggest challenges have been a six-year, 45% compound annual growth rate during the pandemic, inflation, and rising interest rates. Energy prices are more volatile — and the grid is less reliable — but the demand for power has risen significantly, driven by the growth in data centers and manufacturing. Priority Power helps businesses and institutions manage their energy costs and accelerate their expansion plans by delivering innovative solutions that marry data, market expertise, infrastructure, and sustainability while reducing emissions.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Schwertner: Profitability at scale while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Schwertner: To automate the economic consumption of power across the planet, including bringing electricity to every human on the planet.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Schwertner: Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, and outwork everyone around you.
Priority Power is a leading independent energy solutions provider focused on lowering energy costs, meeting sustainability goals, and removing growth impediments for large corporate and industrial customers. Priority serves over 10,000 clients, totaling approximately $1 billion in energy spend across 40 states. Its team of subject matter experts has a long history of successfully working together, along with deeply embedded relationships with its broad base of customers. To date the company has reduced over 10 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Here Priority Power CEO Brandon Schwertner shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Brandon Schwertner: To thrive in the impact space, a business must achieve profitability and scale. The two are interrelated and co-dependent. To truly set an example of a lasting impact platform, scale must be achieved in order to be noticed, inspired, and replicated.
RL:What milestones have you achieved this year?
Schwertner: Priority Power builds electrical infrastructure that covers over $1 billion of energy spend a year — and that is the OPEX portion. Violent weather impacts our customers directly. During winter storm Uri, over 80% of the natural gas processing plants in Texas were Priority Power clients. As the ice fell over north and west Texas, these facilities began to fail, and the power plants failed due to lack of fuel. Our teams worked 24-hour shifts that week — hand in hand with customers, the public utility commission, and the governor’s office — to restore power in the field and get fuel to the plants. The grid was within minutes of a complete failure where the entire state would have lost power for multiple weeks. Without our impact during this and other storms, things would be much worse.
Also, in July 2024 I Squared Capital (“I Squared”), a leading independent global infrastructure investment manager, entered into an agreement to acquire Priority Power.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Schwertner: Our biggest challenges have been a six-year, 45% compound annual growth rate during the pandemic, inflation, and rising interest rates. Energy prices are more volatile — and the grid is less reliable — but the demand for power has risen significantly, driven by the growth in data centers and manufacturing. Priority Power helps businesses and institutions manage their energy costs and accelerate their expansion plans by delivering innovative solutions that marry data, market expertise, infrastructure, and sustainability while reducing emissions.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Schwertner: Profitability at scale while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Schwertner: To automate the economic consumption of power across the planet, including bringing electricity to every human on the planet.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Schwertner: Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, and outwork everyone around you.
DLP Capital is a private real estate investment firm focused on transforming lives by building thriving communities. Through its sponsored funds comprised of accredited investors, DLP finances, develops, constructs, and operates safe, attainable rental housing communities for those priced out of homeownership. Here DLP Capital Founder and CEO Don Wenner shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Don Wenner: It takes grit, dedication, drive, and discipline to make meaningful change in anything — especially the world. It’s not enough just to want to make an impact, no matter how strong that drive is. Grit is the passion and perseverance to wake up each day and continue progressing toward the big picture, even when it feels out of reach or when you must pivot in an unexpected direction. Grit is born from clarity and fueled by authenticity. Before you can make an impact, you need to know the what, why, and how — that’s the clarity. These elements of clarity are something you can turn to again and again when you feel off course. Authenticity and truly believing and caring about the work you do are crucial to thriving in the impact space. It keeps you going. True authenticity and passion can be felt by others, drawing them in to join you and magnify your impact.
RL: What milestones have you achieved this year?
Wenner: For the 12th consecutive year, DLP was recognized by the Inc. 5000 annual list of America’s fastest-growing companies. The funds that DLP sponsors had a range of successes, including surpassing $1 billion in assets under management in the DLP Lending Fund as of June 2024.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Wenner: Amid the interest rate hikes and other market distress, it was challenging over the last year to source and find deals that the firm was confident would make sense for investors, which is paramount in the decision to invest or not invest in an asset. Despite these challenges, the firm has continued its track record of exceeding return targets in all funds since inception.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Wenner: When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, when you do what you say you are going to do, when you believe in how powerful the work you are doing is, people are going to be drawn to that. The world is full of people who want to do good; they just don’t always know where to start. People lose sight of just how valuable — actually, let me go stronger with that — essential it is to create relationships. We don’t just talk to investors from behind a computer or a phone. We talk to them over dinner, in workshops, and live on webinars. The reason investors stay with DLP isn’t just about returns; it’s about the team support they feel on everything from investments to building extraordinary families and financial legacies.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Wenner: It is to make an impact on 10 million lives through the funding and building of 5,000 thriving communities.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Wenner: Don’t lose sight of why you started. There will be pivots, challenges, and people who don’t believe in what you’re doing. Keep going. Stay true to your mission with an open mind about new opportunities that could potentially magnify your impact.
DLP Capital is a private real estate investment firm focused on transforming lives by building thriving communities. Through its sponsored funds comprised of accredited investors, DLP finances, develops, constructs, and operates safe, attainable rental housing communities for those priced out of homeownership. Here DLP Capital Founder and CEO Don Wenner shares his knowledge and experience with Real Leaders.
Real Leaders: How do you thrive in the impact space?
Don Wenner: It takes grit, dedication, drive, and discipline to make meaningful change in anything — especially the world. It’s not enough just to want to make an impact, no matter how strong that drive is. Grit is the passion and perseverance to wake up each day and continue progressing toward the big picture, even when it feels out of reach or when you must pivot in an unexpected direction. Grit is born from clarity and fueled by authenticity. Before you can make an impact, you need to know the what, why, and how — that’s the clarity. These elements of clarity are something you can turn to again and again when you feel off course. Authenticity and truly believing and caring about the work you do are crucial to thriving in the impact space. It keeps you going. True authenticity and passion can be felt by others, drawing them in to join you and magnify your impact.
RL: What milestones have you achieved this year?
Wenner: For the 12th consecutive year, DLP was recognized by the Inc. 5000 annual list of America’s fastest-growing companies. The funds that DLP sponsors had a range of successes, including surpassing $1 billion in assets under management in the DLP Lending Fund as of June 2024.
RL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Wenner: Amid the interest rate hikes and other market distress, it was challenging over the last year to source and find deals that the firm was confident would make sense for investors, which is paramount in the decision to invest or not invest in an asset. Despite these challenges, the firm has continued its track record of exceeding return targets in all funds since inception.
RL: What is your best strategy for finding investors?
Wenner: When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, when you do what you say you are going to do, when you believe in how powerful the work you are doing is, people are going to be drawn to that. The world is full of people who want to do good; they just don’t always know where to start. People lose sight of just how valuable — actually, let me go stronger with that — essential it is to create relationships. We don’t just talk to investors from behind a computer or a phone. We talk to them over dinner, in workshops, and live on webinars. The reason investors stay with DLP isn’t just about returns; it’s about the team support they feel on everything from investments to building extraordinary families and financial legacies.
RL: What is your long-term, mission-oriented dream?
Wenner: It is to make an impact on 10 million lives through the funding and building of 5,000 thriving communities.
RL: What is your best advice for fellow impact CEOs?
Wenner: Don’t lose sight of why you started. There will be pivots, challenges, and people who don’t believe in what you’re doing. Keep going. Stay true to your mission with an open mind about new opportunities that could potentially magnify your impact.
