Jeffrey Hollender

Jeffrey Hollender (born 1954 in New York City) is an American entrepreneur, author, and activist best known for founding Seventh Generation Inc.

Jeffrey Hollender
Jeffrey Hollender in 2014
Born	(1954-11-08) November 8, 1954 (age 69) New York City, New York, US
Alma mater	Hampshire College
Occupation(s)	Founder & CEO of Sustain Natural Co-Founder of American Sustainable Business Council
Known for	Co-Founder & CEO of Seventh Generation Inc.
Board member of	Greenpeace, Kimberly-Clark
Website	jeffreyhollender.com sustainnatural.com

Early life

Hollender grew up in New York City and attended The Town School, The Allen-Stevenson School, Riverdale Country Day School, Putney School, and Santa Barbara High School. He graduated high school from Baldwin School. Hollender attended Hampshire College for three semesters and did not graduate.

Career

From 1976 to 1978, Hollender founded and served as CEO of the Skills Exchange of Toronto, a non-profit that offered evening and weekend classes. In 1979, Hollender was the president of Network for Learning and Warner Audio Publishing.^{[citation needed]}

Seventh Generation, Inc.

In 1988, Hollender and Alan Newman acquired a small mail order catalog centered on energy conservation products known as Renew America, which eventually transformed into Seventh Generation Inc. The company sells eco-friendly household products. It reached $8 million in sales within three years of operation.^[1]

In June 2009, Hollender stepped down from his role as CEO and became Executive Chairperson of Seventh Generation. Hollender was fired from Seventh Generation by the board of directors in October 2010.^[2]

Leadership

In 2009, Hollender co-founded the American Sustainable Business Council,^[3] which describes itself as a "growing coalition of business networks committed to public policies that support a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy." It claims to be "a national partnership of 57+ business associations representing over 150,000 businesses and 300,000 entrepreneurs, managers, investors, and others. These partners support sustainable , socially responsible business practices, and strong local Main Street economies."^[4]

Hollender has served on the board of Greenpeace USA since 2005 and as co-chair of the Board of Directors since 2010. He also has served on the board of Verite, Health Care Without Harm, and Practically Green.^{[citation needed]}

Sustain Natural

In 2013, Hollender and his daughter Meika Hollender started Sustain Natural, a sexual wellness company that provides sustainable, fair trade, and non-toxic condoms. Hollender got the idea for the company while surfing. The Hollenders approached more than 25 venture capital firms looking for backing but did not receive investments. Instead, they started the company with money from themselves, family, and friends.^[1] Sustain Natural was acquired by Grove Collaborative in 2019 for an undisclosed sum.^[5]

Writing

Hollender has written six books on corporate responsibility and sustainable practices. Hollender's writing has been published in academic journals such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review.^[6]

• How to Make the World a Better Place (1985) coauthored by Linda Catling^[7]
• Naturally Clean (2006) coauthored by Geoff Davis and Meika Hollender^[8]
• In Our Every Deliberation: An Introduction to Seventh Generation (2006)^[9]
• What Matters Most (2006)^[10]
• The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win (2010) coauthored by Bill Breen^[11]
• Planet Home (2010) coauthored by Alexandra Zissu^[12]

Recognition

• 2004 Terry Ehrich Award^[13]
• Fast Company Fast 50^[14]
• Winning Workplaces' Best Bosses Award 2006 (sponsored by FORTUNE)^[15]
• 2012 NYU Stern's Citi Leadership & Ethics Program Distinguished Fellow ^[16]

References

1. Gelles, David (2017-02-17). "Eco-Friendly, Nontoxic and Vegan: It's a Condom". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
2. Sacks, Danielle (2010-11-02). "Inside Seventh Generation's Firing of Founder Jeffrey Hollender". Fast Company. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
3. "Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Council, becomes its Chair of the Business Leadership Council – Press Releases on". Csrwire.com. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
4. "About Us | American Sustainable Business Council". Asbcouncil.org. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
5. Segran, Elizabeth (2019-08-08). "Feminist sexual wellness brand Sustain just got acquired by Grove". Fast Company. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
6. "Net Positive: The Future of Sustainable Business (SSIR)". ssir.org. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
7. Catling, Linda; Hollender, Jeffrey (1995-04-17). How to Make the World a Better Place: 116 Ways You Can Make a Difference (Rev Sub ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 9780393312911.
8. Hollender, Jeffrey; Davis, Geoff; Hollender, Meika (2006-02-01). Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning (3rd Printing ed.). Gabriola Island, B.C.: New Society Publishers. ISBN 9780865715486.
9. Hollender, Jeffrey (2009-08-03). In Our Every Deliberation: An Introduction to Seventh Generation. Burlington, Vt.: BookSurge Publishing. ISBN 9781439233832.
10. Hollender, Jeffrey (2006-01-03). What Matters Most: How a Small Group of Pioneers Is Teaching Social Responsibility to Big Business, and Why Big Business Is Listening. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 9780465030866.
11. Hollender, Jeffrey; Breen, Bill; Senge, Peter (2010-03-15). The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win (1 ed.). San Francisco, Calif: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 9780470558423.
12. Hollender, Jeffrey; Zissu, Alexandra (2010-12-28). Planet Home: Conscious Choices for Cleaning and Greening the World You Care About Most. New York: Potter Style. ISBN 9780307716644.
13. . Web.archive.org. 2011-07-03. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved 2012-12-12. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
14. "Making Constant Improvements". Fast Company. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
15. . Winning Workplaces. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
16. "NYU Stern | Jeffrey Hollender as NYU Stern's 9th Distinguished Citi Fellow". Stern.nyu.edu. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2012-12-12.

External links

• Jeffrey Hollender official website
• Sustain Natural