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The Governance Advantage: Why Benefit Corporations Are the Future of Business
In today’s boardrooms, a quiet revolution is brewing. Beneath the surface of quarterly reports and shareholder updates, a bigger question is beginning to shape leadership agendas:
What is our purpose beyond profit?
The answer may define not just your company’s relevance in the next decade, but its ability to survive.
The Imperative for Change: The Limits of a Growth-Only Economy
Traditional governance models, grounded in the assumption of infinite economic growth, are beginning to show signs of wear. As climate change accelerates, biodiversity collapses, and inequality deepens, the cracks in our current economic paradigm become harder to ignore. For boards and business leaders, this isn’t just an environmental or social crisis — it’s a governance wake-up call.
The very definition of success is under scrutiny. Is GDP still a valid measure of progress in a world facing existential threats? Are quarterly earnings enough when legitimacy and long-term trust are in short supply? In this shifting landscape, forward-thinking boards are being asked to challenge old assumptions and embrace new responsibilities that go beyond compliance and short-term profitability.
A New Paradigm: Understanding the Wellbeing Economy
In response to these pressures, the idea of a Wellbeing Economy is gaining traction among scholars and board leaders alike. One of the strongest advocates of this shift is Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti — a globally respected economist and former Minister of Education in Italy. He argues that the health of an economy should be measured not by what it produces, but by how it supports the well-being of people and the planet.
This paradigm invites decision-makers to redefine value itself, integrating social cohesion, environmental health, and long-term prosperity into the boardroom agenda. It’s a transition from extractive capitalism to regenerative systems — from profit-only to purpose-aligned. It’s about boards asking not just “How much?” but also “Why?” and “For whom?”.
The Practical Solution: How to Become a Benefit Corporation
One of the most effective governance tools for implementing this new mindset is the Benefit Corporation model. More than a legal label, it’s a transformative governance framework that embeds purpose into the DNA of a business. Boards that embrace this model commit to creating public value alongside financial returns, making them accountable not only to shareholders but to all stakeholders.
By aligning governance with sustainability, and profit with impact, Benefit Corporations open a new frontier in stakeholder capitalism. From risk management to brand loyalty and talent retention, the benefits of this model are tangible. But transitioning requires clarity — on legal implications, operational shifts, and board responsibilities. That’s where education and expert guidance become essential.
Join the Global Movement: A Masterclass for Strategic Leaders
On October 29th, 2025, Envisia – Boards of Elite, in collaboration with Aspen Institute Romania, is hosting a one-day masterclass designed to equip strategic leaders with the knowledge and tools to lead this transformation. This exclusive event brings together some of the most influential voices shaping the future of governance, including Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti, Director, NATIVA Campus | Former Italian Minister of Education | Member, Club of Rome, global authority on sustainable governance and the Wellbeing Economy and Juan Diego Mujica Filippi, Impact Law Lead, NATIVA | Harvard Law Graduate, Legal innovator for Benefit Corporation frameworks in Europe and Latin America.
Through real-world insights and practical frameworks, participants will explore how to shift their boards from oversight to impact — and from obligation to opportunity. Attendees will also receive a signed copy of The Wellbeing Economy, Professor Fioramonti’s blueprint for purpose-driven governance. Access more details about this masterclass here.
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About Envisia – Boards of Elite
Envisia is the first business school in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to the professionalization of board directors and governance leaders. In partnership with Henley Business School, the Romanian-American University, and the Bucharest Stock Exchange, Envisia offers internationally accredited programs that combine academic excellence with real-world boardroom relevance.
With over 170 certified professionals and a growing community of strategic thinkers, Envisia is redefining what it means to lead at the highest level of decision-making.
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