With an action-packed schedule, the 2025 MO Summit provided moments to connect, reflect, and plan a new path on pressing social and environmental issues. Now in its eighth year, the annual event hosted by Big Path Capital drew a record-high number of leading impact CEOs to Asheville, North Carolina, for learning and creating enduring value.
In a volatile time for federal funding and policy, the 2025 MO Summit gathered leaders of high-growth, positive-impact companies who demonstrate that businesses can prioritize employees, values, and the planet while maintaining a strong bottom line. Many attendees were honored as part of the MO 100 CEO Ranking, which recognizes leaders who are using business to create impact for all stakeholders.
The event theme, “Double Down: Leading with Values During Times of Uncertainty,” reinforced the importance of collaboration, discovery, and purpose in creating actionable solutions to social and environmental challenges. With help from attendees and Big Path staff, we gathered quotes, highlights, and images that offer a glimpse of powerful moments and key takeaways from the 2025 MO Summit that offer actionable ideas for all impact leaders.
Demonstrating Values-Based Leadership in Uncertain Times
“It was powerful to hear from such accomplished and passionate CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders. What stood out most was the genuine spirit of support — everyone was eager to share, connect, and help each other grow.” — Erin Mittelstaedt, The FruitGuys
Torani CEO Melaine Dulbecco, a MO 100 CEO honoree, explained how the coffee flavor company made a move to a new facility during the COVID-19 pandemic while prioritizing employee safety and avoiding layoffs.
Provost Jay Roberts of Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina, east of Asheville, shared how the small work college adjusted when facing challenges. During COVID, they chose to forgo tuition to preserve student safety. In the wake of flooding from Hurricane Helene, they balanced supporting the needs of students and staff who lacked running water with being stewards of the land, which sustained storm damage.
During these and other sessions, speakers reinforced how their values helped them navigate challenges, burnout, and other uncertainties.
Gathering for Actionable Ideas and Inspiration
“It felt really good to be surrounded by a group of people who understand the need — now more than ever — for purposeful leadership and #responsiblebusiness practices. Leaders who realize that addressing issues like supply chain resilience, operational efficiency, workforce diversity, and climate risk are both ethical and strategic business imperatives.” — Mica Crouse, Big Mountain Impact
The MO Summit is designed to spark action, with resonant sessions featuring leaders who are making an impact with their everyday work. Several sessions highlighted ways to embed impact in basic business practices.
The “Values as Value: Why Mission-Aligned Partnerships Matter” session emphasized how companies can improve their impact with mission-aligned partners in insurance, banking, and other support industries.
Session speakers included CEOs who have built ecosystems of value-aligned partnerships and transformed their supply chains: Brad Stevenson, Founder + CEO at Premiums for the Planet; Julien Gervreau, Sustainability Practice Leader at Sensiba; Jim Black, Impact Partner at Impact GC; and Lauren Dubé, VP & Director of all Good Things at Climate First Bank.
Another session focused on the incredible impact companies can have simply by where their day-to-day cash sits. Dollars are the raw materials that banks use to lend and invest. When businesses use a values-aligned bank, they are literally supplying a purpose-driven economy with its basic raw materials — currency.
The “How to Change the World — Move Your Money” session highlighted the benefits of doing business with values-aligned banks that use deposits for the good of the planet. It featured financial leaders Ken LaRoe, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Climate First Bank; Eric Schurr, Chief Strategy Officer, National Products at Sunrise Banks; and Charley Cummings, CEO at Walden Mutual Bank.
The Action for Impact workshop, “Multicultural Intelligence: The New Consumer Currency,” featured case studies and personal insights about the growth potential in the multicultural consumer market from Chiqui Cartagena, Founder at Multicultural Growth Partners; Ana Ceppi, Founder at Multicultural Growth Partners; and Mary Schroeder, Managing Partner at MCS Partners. These leaders shared how learning what customers value based on their cultural influences allows businesses to highlight their products thoughtfully and intelligently to a fast-growing and loyal customer base. (Spoiler alert: It has nothing to do with adding another language to your packaging!)
Finding Power in Purpose and Pivoting
“Feeling incredibly grateful & inspired after the MO 100 Summit! My cup is full of gratitude, inspiration & insights from collaborating with CEOs who share a powerful strategy: Driving success through purpose, rather than seeking purpose through success. … The energy & potential for positive change within this collective are immense.” — Greg Collins, Boldr
As an impact leader event, MO Summit attendees arrive with a grounded belief in purpose and values. Driven by their need to do right by their stakeholders and guided by their commitment to values, they find a like-minded community of leaders who are ready to share lessons and mistakes, pivots and frameworks, and knowledge and connections.
Like the flood-stricken town of Asheville, which hosted the event and is home to several Big Path team members, the MO Summit 2025 serves as a reminder of the importance of community in times of challenge.
“We had a wonderful two days together. I’m more inspired, hopeful, and rejuvenated than before the Summit,” said Big Path Capital Founder and CEO Michael Whelchel. “There is a strong resolve in the community that how we live out our values is more important than ever. Here is a quote from ‘Not Too Late’ by Rebecca Solnit that I shared at the event that articulates the forward-looking approach: ‘Hope is not optimism. Optimism says everything will be fine. Hope says we don’t know what will happen, but if we show up, if we stand up, we can seize the chances. Hope makes friends with uncertainty, hope grabs the possibilities. Hope recognizes the future is made in the present… made by what we do and don’t do…here and now and tomorrow…’”
MO Summit will return to Asheville from March 16-18, 2026! Learn more about the annual convening and stay up to date on plans for MO 2026 here.