Discussing corporate strategy in a boardroom full of seasoned professionals, I sat towards the head of the table. I was 20 years old, barely halfway through my undergraduate degree, sitting beside the CEO.
As the GreenBirdi team deliberated about our core values as a company, not once was I made to feel out of place in that room. That moment captured exactly what makes this company different: we don’t just talk about inclusivity and authenticity, we live it.
The Impact Team exemplifies these values. We’re a small, but prominent group of Mimi’s former students who bring a cross-generational perspective to the table. All recent university graduates or nearing the end of our degrees, the Impact Team acts as a compass, nudging the company toward decisions that resonate with a wider audience. Much more than a token addition to the core team, the Impact Team is woven into the tight-knit fabric of GreenBirdi’s operations.
MoreThan Just a Seat at the Table
My perspective as a resident Gen Z-er has been met with genuine curiosity and openness. From the beginning, the Impact Team's voices have been embedded into numerous aspects of Greenbirdi’s work — from product sourcing and vetting, to the language and imagery used in our marketing.
Our role is simple, but powerful: to bridge generational gaps and ensure Greenbirdi isn’t just building a brand, but a movement that feels relevant and inclusive across audiences.
Why Gen Z Input Matters
Greenbirdi is built on the idea that businesses should connect authentically with their customers. But genuine connection requires a deep understanding of culture, values, and shifting consumer expectations.
But why does Gen Z input matter?
Gen Z is a generation of conscious consumers. We read labels carefully, we do our homework on companies, and we’re quick to walk (or click) away if something feels off. We can spot greenwashing from a mile away. Most importantly, Gen Z values transparency and realness. Tokenizing young people with trendy slogans or performative activism will actively drive us away.
The Impact Team ensures cross-generational input isn’t just a check box, but actually embedded into decision-making at all levels.
Being on the Impact Team means more than showing up to strategy meetings. It’s about creativity, collaboration, and honest dialogue. It’s about bouncing ideas between generations, exploring what resonates, and sometimes acknowledging when something just doesn’t land. Across ages, everyone at GreenBirdi learns from one another.
Think of the Impact Team as professional vibe checkers, ensuring the choices Greenbirdi makes align with the values of the people we’re trying to serve.
Success Beyond Sales
At GreenBirdi, success isn’t just measured in sales. True success is measured in trust—in the genuine connections we build with our community. To earn that trust requires listening, adapting quickly, and staying real.
The Impact Team plays a crucial role in that. Beyond shaping the products we sell, we’re helping to build a community that feels connected by shared values. Our goal is to ensure Greenbirdi’s growth isn’t just sustainable for the planet, but also rooted in genuine, lasting relationships with the people who believe in what we’re building, across generations.
During my time working with GreenBirdi, I’ve never stressed about where I sit at the table. The Impact Team demonstrates that each of us have something valuable to offer, regardless of age, professional background or life experience. Helping to shape the ways in which GreenBirdi grows is the kind of impact that makes me proud to be part of the flock.
Author: Devon Oneschuk, Impact Team Member
