Whether it’s preventing drownings or ensuring the best possible work
environment, The Redwoods Group is all about people. Speaking with a wide-cross section of employees, it’s impossible to miss that these are top-quality professionals who have chosen to commit themselves to a business with a higher mission than money. Jim Fryling, General Counsel and Sr. VP of Claims, expresses this when he states, “I thought, what a wonderful way to combine a continuation of my law career with community service and serving others.” And he means community in every sense: from customers, to employees, to business associates. Whether insuring YMCAs, JCCs and camps and offering plans to save lives, or fulfilling the 4,000 work-hour community serve requirement, employees are constantly engaged, empowered and educated.
The Redwoods Group is a 15 year old company dedicated to improving the human condition. Founder and CEO Kevin Trapani formed a “model for the Redwoods Group based on creating change”. In order to be sustainable and continue to serve others, it is necessary to make a profit. However the true goal is to improve lives. By carefully studying data, this B Corp has eliminated the occurrence of drownings at their insured YMCAs, JCCs and camps in the last two years. Additionally,with a focus on disclosure, they are moving closer and closer to the huge goal of eradicating child abuse in America. Customers are not the only ones who benefit. Employees volunteer as far as Zambia, building homes, and as local as downtown Durham, cleaning up a former heroin den. They not only benefit professionally but physically, with one employee going so far as to lose 60 lbs through the company’s wellness program. No wonder Dan Moore, CMO, is proud to have “an opportunity to apply my expertise for positive social change and add a little to a huge force”. The Redwoods Group has also been recognized by BusinessWeek for its amazing work. In June 2010, readers voted them one of the top 5 most promising social entrepreneurs!
The Redwoods Group is a true advocate for B Corp principles. Passionate about the work throughout the organization, they live their commitment everyday in everything. Certification is an important distancing mechanism, provides legal protection and is a visible signal of the internal ethos. Furthermore, B Lab serves the important function of discipline, with measurable metrics, room for improvement and audits.
So what’s ahead for this community-oriented corporation? Taking the brand, information and services beyond their customer base, to the wider public. By transcending the categories of insurance and youth serving communities, they strive to become a model for business and share their knowledge with the world. Through their practices for rapid response and prevention, they will save lives, whether it be from drowning or abuse. This may seem like an impossible goal. But as Kevin Tripani states, no one believed there would ever be a polio vaccine. No one thought we would all be wearing seat belts. And no one thinks we can eradicate child abuse.
Insure the future, Better Know The Redwoods Group.
Top image of CEO Kevin Tripani, Senior VP Doug Paige and Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO Christina Holloway by Zach Taylor
Discussion: 1 Comment
Thank you so much for profiling our company! The Redwoods Group is proud to be a B Corporation! Thank you for all the good you do!
MJ Pearle
The Redwoods Group