In 2024, the Hazel Henderson Center invited Dr. Paula Seymour to design and lead a signature initiative titled Innovative Studies in Sustainable Business Practices.

Rooted in the visionary legacy of Hazel Henderson and housed within The Hazel Henderson Center, this initiative began with the Center hosting Dr. Seymour’s Social Entrepreneurship program classes — creating an inspiring foundation for the broader work to come. Today, the program serves as a vibrant hub where students, scholars, researchers, and community members come together to explore, learn, and co-create regenerative solutions for people and planet.

Core Focus Areas

1. Social Entrepreneurship Semester Courses
The Hazel Henderson Center has proudly hosted Dr. Paula Seymour’s Social Entrepreneurship program since 2024. These courses equip students to confront social, cultural, and environmental challenges through innovative, action-oriented solutions. Each student develops a strategic plan for creating lasting impact, rooted in regenerative thinking and conscious leadership.

2. Sustainability and Green Transition
Building on Hazel Henderson’s legacy, the Center champions sustainable practices and supports green transitions across sectors. We will offer certifications and training programs — including LEED, B Corp Leadership, and other sustainability-focused credentials — to equip participants with the tools and skills needed to lead effectively in the transition to a more regenerative and resilient world.

3. Ethical Finance and Investments
As an educational resource and thought leader, the Center provides workshops and training in ethical investing and sustainable finance. In collaboration with global partners, we promote cutting-edge research, tools, and best practices that align capital with social and environmental impact.

4. Innovative Research and Analysis
The Center facilitates interdisciplinary research through forums, webinars, and working groups focused on conscious-based decision-making, enterprise stacking, and nature-inspired governance. By integrating biomimicry, spirituality, and systems thinking, we help catalyze innovative solutions to complex global challenges.

5. Holistic Learning and Retreat
Located within a peaceful retreat setting and home to a growing library of resources, the Center offers immersive learning experiences designed to ground participants in nature and well-being. Programs such as Onboarding Nature help individuals develop deep environmental connections that can be integrated into both their personal lives and professional practices.

The Center is dedicated to advancing regenerative approaches to business that honor planetary well-being, social justice, and inner development. Grounded in mindfulness as a core leadership value, the programs invite students, scholars, and changemakers to explore how conscious decision-making, systems thinking, and spiritual insight can transform the way we lead, live, and engage in the enterprise. Through self-awareness and intentional action, the initiative encourages a values-aligned pursuit of profit — where decisions are made with clarity, compassion, and responsibility. In doing so, it cultivates a new generation of leaders who view business as a force for restoration and collective healing. 

If you are interested in learning more about this initiative please send a note of interest to Dr. Seymour, Associate Professor of Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship Program Director at Flagler College: office@ethicalmarkets.com