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Jessica Yinka Thomas

Director of Business Sustainability Collaborative
Associate Professor of Practice
She/Her/Hers
[email protected]

Courses Taught

MBA 587 Sustainability in Business
MBA 582 B Corp Clinic Sustainability Practicum
MBA 590 Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets (Study Abroad to Brazil)

Areas of Expertise

  • Social Innovation
  • Sustainable Business Strategy
  • B Corps & Public Benefit Corporations
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Business Ethics

Education

  • MBA, Duke University Fuqua School of Business 
  • B.S., Engineering, Stanford University

Notable Accolades

  • Interdisciplinary Teaching Excellence Award (2025)
  • NC State Sustainability Award (2024)
  • Featured as World-Changing Woman in Business (2020)
  • Outstanding Outreach and Engagement Award (2019)

Teaching and Student Engagement

I am passionate about preparing the next generation of “changemakers” who can use business to create positive social, environmental, and economic value. My courses are high-impact experiences, including the Brazil study abroad, where students analyze sustainability challenges, develop stakeholder-centered mindsets and drive positive change in local and global businesses. A cornerstone is the B Corp Clinic, an interdisciplinary, experiential learning course I teach, where students consult with companies globally to improve their social and environmental impact. This clinic has become a model for other universities, connecting hundreds of students with real-world projects and reinforcing the power of purpose-driven organizations.

Research and Industry Experience

My work focuses on leveraging business as a force for good, emphasizing sustainability as a strategy for innovation and competitive advantage. With over 15 years in sustainable enterprise and social innovation, I previously directed UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Center for Sustainable Enterprise and led its Business Accelerator. I founded B Academics, a global nonprofit that advances B Corp research and teaching, now comprising over 2,000 scholars and leaders. My research explores how businesses can create value for all stakeholders while aligning with a global shift toward a more inclusive and durable economy. 

Why Poole College?

I joined Poole College in 2013 to launch the Business Sustainability Collaborative (BSC), drawn by the opportunity to build a program centered on “business as a force for good.” The college’s commitment to integrating sustainability across its curriculum and fostering cutting-edge research made it an ideal fit. I recently designed and launched a new Graduate Business Sustainability Certificate, which aligns perfectly with NC State’s land-grant mission by preparing students to drive real-world positive impact. This collaborative environment and the strong student demand for sustainability education provide immense inspiration and validate my mission to prepare leaders for a more equitable economic system.

Outside the Classroom

Beyond my academic work, I am a novelist, with books that explore themes of social and environmental change, hoping to inspire readers. I also enjoy playing the cello in my free time. These pursuits allow me to continue my passion for contributing positively to the world through creative expression.