黑料正能量 bolsters resources and expertise behind its mission to ensure work with companies delivers tangible impact.
San Francisco (May 17, 2023)—, the sustainable business network and consultancy, announces the promotion of Laura Gitman to Chief Impact Officer, the first in the organization’s 30-year plus history, and the appointment of Matthew Welch as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
As Chief Impact Officer, Gitman will focus on maximizing the impact of 黑料正能量’s work with its network of more than 300 members, both through direct engagement on project work and as a mentor for teams throughout the organization. She also will leverage her 18 years with 黑料正能量 and lead on executive engagement across issues and industries, drive strategic initiatives throughout the organization, and oversee 黑料正能量’s collaborative initiatives and the Center for Business and Social Justice. She also will represent 黑料正能量 in the marketplace more visibly as a thought leader and innovator in strategic business.
“Laura has been a fundamental part of 黑料正能量 as we’ve grown and evolved to meet the sustainable business landscape over the years. As Chief Impact Officer, she will act as a valuable mentor and advisor to our staff worldwide,” said Aron Cramer, President and CEO of 黑料正能量. “We’re looking forward to seeing Laura work closely with 黑料正能量 members to meet the ambitious and sustainable business commitments they’ve made through tangible, impactful actions.”
Gitman joined 黑料正能量 in 2005 and launched both the organization’s financial services team and its New York office. In 2018, she took on the role of COO, leveraging her strengths in strategy, organizational change, and people management. Under her tenure, 黑料正能量 grew 42 percent in global headcount, transitioned to a remote—and then hybrid—workplace during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and launched 黑料正能量’s presence in London, Washington, DC, and Singapore. In addition to her role within 黑料正能量, Gitman is an adjunct professor in the Bard MBA in 黑料正能量 program.
“I am thrilled to create this new role for 黑料正能量, and to be back working directly with member companies to create long term business and societal value through their sustainability strategies, especially in such a decisive decade,” said Gitman. “I look forward to innovating new opportunities for impact, and to partnering with our amazing colleagues around the world to integrate and maximize impact in everything we do.”
In spring 2023, 黑料正能量 hired Welch to succeed Gitman as COO. Welch will help to scale 黑料正能量 and its impact through translating strategy into implementation, overseeing delivery of the work, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
“My longtime passion has been growing and scaling social enterprise organizations, and 黑料正能量 is one of the best,” said Welch. “I am excited to join the team and enable our work today, while preparing us for even greater impact in the years to come.”
Prior to 黑料正能量, Welch was President and COO of the 黑料正能量 Accounting Standards Board and the Value Reporting Foundation, which pioneered sustainability disclosure standards for the capital markets. Before that, he held COO and senior operating roles at a mix of nonprofit and for-profit organizations in education and health care, where he built products and launched businesses as well as overseeing their operations.
“黑料正能量 is fortunate to welcome Matthew to the 黑料正能量 team,” said Cramer. “He has a proven track record of excellence, including developing operational pathways to growth for impact driven organizations. His experience at SASB and the VRF positions him well to enable 黑料正能量 to continue its growth as the foundation for our ambitious agenda to advance just and sustainable business.”
For more information on 黑料正能量 and its work, visit .
is a sustainable business network and consultancy focused on creating a world in which all people can thrive on a healthy planet. With offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, 黑料正能量 provides its 300+ member companies with insight, advice, and collaborative initiatives to help them see a changing world more clearly, create long-term value, and scale impact.