Every B Corp starts with belief: belief we can make a difference, belief that our actions matter, and belief that there is still hope in the world.
B Corp Month is a moment to celebrate that belief, but it is also a moment for accountability.
At Catalyst Partners, we are proud to be a Certified B Corporation. That certification affirms our commitment to balancing purpose and performance as we work to transform the built environment.
We do not view certification as an achievement to admire. We view it as a framework to uphold. One that challenges us to continually improve how we govern, operate, and serve.
As the B Corp movement evolves, particularly with the introduction of the new V2 standards, we are embracing the opportunity to raise the bar once again.
Pride in Certification
Being a B Corp influences how we make decisions every day.
It shapes the clients and partners we choose to work with, the way we structure governance and accountability, the investments we make in our people, and the standards we apply to ourselves internally.
Being a B Corp is not a marketing label. Shayna Kerkstra, a member of Catalyst’s B Committee, comments “Being a B Corp reflects the commitment to ethical, equitable, and sustainable business practices. It provides a framework for continuous improvement and cultivates a strong workplace culture.”
The Work Behind the Seal
Certification requires far more than alignment with values. It demands measurable systems, documented policies, and long-term accountability.
Over the past year, we have strengthened our governance infrastructure to ensure impact remains embedded in our operating model. This includes:
- Updates to our employee handbook and operating agreements
- Clearer documentation of roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority
- Ongoing development of tracking systems to support our annual impact reporting
Our first public Impact Report last year marked an important milestone in transparency and formalized how we measure our progress.
Operations & Environmental Impact
As a firm focused on transforming the built environment, environmental responsibility is central to our work and our operations.
In 2025, we continued to measure and evaluate our emissions footprint, assess reduction opportunities, and strengthen procurement standards and vendor screening processes.
Under the new V2 standards, climate accountability becomes even more prescriptive, and we welcome that clarity.
People & Culture
One of the most meaningful aspects of our B Corp journey has been how it has shaped our approach to supporting our team.
In recent years, we expanded benefits and strengthened equity in our policies, including:
- Addition of employer-paid long-term disability coverage
- Company-paid vision coverage
- Non-gendered parental leave
- A Winter Wellness Break
- More objective and transparent compensation practices
We also continue to refine our employee engagement practices to ensure feedback informs leadership decisions.
Client & Community Impact
Impact does not stop at our internal operations.
We remain committed to building partnerships that align with our mission and to supporting our communities through volunteering and strategic engagement.
We are also strengthening how we quantify client impact, moving beyond anecdotal outcomes toward measurable performance indicators through client surveys and interviews.
Caitlin Talbert, a member of the B Committee, states that she would like to see “Catalyst focus more on the company’s impact in the community. What more can we be doing to engage and contribute locally or nationally”. This has been added to the B Committee’s charge for 2026 to help us focus our efforts on the areas that matter most to our employees.
Celebrating the B Committee
Behind every policy, initiative, and report is a group ensuring that impact is embedded in the company.
Our B Committee plays a central role in integrating B Corp standards into our strategy and operations. Its cross-functional representation ensures that governance, finance, people, and client work are aligned with our commitments. This committee is currently comprised of:
- Caitlyn Meyers – Director of Finance & Operations
- Shayna Kerkstra – Certification Team Lead
- Caitlin Talbert – Accounting & Marketing Coordinator
- Benjamin Glendening – Director of Business Development
- Allie Frost – Commissioning Provider
Shayna Kerkstra shares her experience on the B Committee – “I love being part of the B Committee! It allows me to actively contribute to specific organizational goals and collaborate on tasks to drive results. Being a part of the committee provides me with a chance to influence decisions related to our B Corp certification.”
Last year, the committee led the development of our first public Impact Report; a milestone in transparency and accountability.
The Shift to V2: A New Chapter for the Movement
The introduction of the new B Corp V2 standards represents one of the most significant shifts in the movement’s history.
The changes include mandatory performance requirements rather than a points-based system, more presciptive climate expectations, stronger risk assessment frameworks, and increased transparency
This evolution raises the bar for all B Corps. It reduces the risk of “impact washing” and reinforces credibility across industries. We support this shift as higher standards strengthen the movement and ensure that certification remains meaningful.
Preparing for What’s Next
As we prepare for alignment with V2, we are prioritizing several areas of focus for 2026:
- Quantifying Client Impact
We are developing stronger systems to measure and report the impact of our advisory work, including structured client feedback mechanisms and defined KPIs.
- Public Transparency
We will release our next Impact Report in May, with expanded data and clearer progress tracking.
- Strengthened Governance
We are formalizing board-level oversight, refining operating guides, and clarifying delegation of responsibilities to ensure accountability is systemic.
- Investing in People
We are continuing to invest in professional development, refine feedback mechanisms, and evaluate expanded benefits to support long-term wellbeing and retention.
- Community Impact
We are contributing to our communities, both locally and nationally, through financial contributions, volunteer hours, sponsorships, and other advocacy efforts.
Data Snapshot: 2025
As part of our commitment to transparency, here is a preview of key metrics. Full details will be included in our May Impact Report.
- Volunteer Hours: 271 hours across the team
- Employee Retention Rate: 96%
- Employee Engagement Score: 4.12 out of 5
Looking Forward
As standards evolve, so will we.
Our commitment is not to a label. It is to building a firm that delivers measurable impact alongside measurable performance. Being a B Corp strengthens our ESG credibility, informs governance structuring, and reinforces our commitment to impact-driven work.
B Corp Month is a celebration! But for us, it is also a reminder: the work continues.
