Last weekend, I stood facing nearly 2,700 like-minded and passionate people at our 2012 Net Impact Conference and posed a challenge: do you have the courage to lead us - rapidly - into a new world of responsible and sustainable solutions?

As those of you in the U.S. head to the polls today to cast your vote, I hope you'll keep in mind the many stories you heard in Baltimore last weekend of courage, of risk-taking, of collaboration. From the college sophomore who learned about sustainability to the C-suite executive driving sustainability at a Fortune 500, the Net Impact community shared their best ideas and biggest challenges for accelerating our impact today and tomorrow to create a better future.

But if you missed our twentieth conference, fear not! We'll continue to share conference content over the coming weeks to help you accelerate your impact wherever you are. You can watch the keynotes, browse photo highlights, read the coverage, and discover the buzz that got #NI12 trending on Twitter!

Taking risks to accelerate our impact

Our keynote sessions this year embodied the weekend beautifully. Wendy Kopp and Freeman Hrabowski, III encouraged us to challenge the status quo, reminding a rapt audience that it takes just one person to make the impossible possible, and that choice - not chance - inspires your destiny.

In one memorable moment during our Think Outside the Box keynote, Joaquin Duato of Johnson & Johnson told the audience that corporate values, mentorship and, ultimately, sustainability are about transforming human lives. So I ask you: what innovative business models will you develop? What sustainability initiatives will you implement? Which inspired ideas of yours will transform generations to come?

Will you join up with an unlikely partner, as Seth Goldman (Honest Tea) and Beatriz Perez (Coca-Cola), or Dave Aardsma (Waste Management) and Jonathan Hsu (RecycleBank) did? Or will you play the role of a quiet, internal revolutionary as Kurt Kuehn of UPS encouraged? Perhaps you will welcome risk, with love and sacrifice, as described by our speed keynotes Laura Hall (Calvert Foundation), Jigar Shah (Jigar Shah Consulting), and Auret van Heerden (Fair Labor Association).

Recognizing those who think outside the box

In addition to our inspiring keynoters, and the hundreds of speakers who shared their expertise and insight, we also would like to honor the following Net Impact members who embody our mission so well.

Congratulations - and thank you - to these individuals who are already accelerating their impact through their work:

2012 Impact at Work Award winners
Asheen Phansey and Amy Green

Chapter of the Year
Undergrad: Net Impact Texas State Undergrad
Graduate: Net Impact Duke Fuqua
Professional: Net Impact San Francsico

Pioneer Employer Case Competition
University of San Diego

Now, with barely a pause, we're building another inspiring roster for the 2013 Net Impact Conference in San Jose, California!

We hope this year's conference has re-energized you to drive positive change on campus, in your community, and on the job.

Liz Maw
CEO of Net Impact