Patagonia. What comes up for you when you see that word?

For us, Patagonia is a guiding light towards what sustainable business should be. It’s the exemplar of business as a force for good. It’s a signal that the person wearing clothes with the Patagonia label is in some way values aligned. How can so much be packed into one word, one brand?

Patagonia has become a global icon, and a symbol of a hopeful future by way of its humble and deeply impact-driven mission. The company started out making recyclable rock-climbing pitons for scaling the Yosemite mountains in California. In 1957, Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard went to a junkyard and bought the tools he needed to teach himself how to blacksmith. He made two pitons per hour and sold them to friends for $1.50 each. Decades of steadfast loyalty to environmental ethics followed.

Patagonia now owns and operates offices in the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Chile and Argentina — with over 70 Patagonia stores worldwide. In addition to conscious consumption, activism and storytelling, their dedication to transparency in minimising their carbon footprint also speaks to the company’s refreshing humility and self-awareness – traits usually ascribed to people held in high regard, not global retail businesses.

Dane O’Shannassy is the Country Director of Patagonia Australia. His leadership embodies the very values that are so dear to Patagonia. Rather than striving to be a visionary of change and innovation, O’Shannassy sees his role as a custodian of something much greater, something in service to our planet, something intergenerational, something simultaneously profound and humble.

Join us for this rare opportunity to experience the internal vision of Patagonia, to hear how we can commit our companies to being in service to the planet and understand the power of storytelling to share that journey with the world.

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About Dane O’Shanassy:

Since August 2013, Dane has been leading Patagonia in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, supporting growth in sales and brand awareness, alongside steering our regional environmental impact. He finds joy and satisfaction through building strong teams and creating business strategy that can be disruptive and transformational. A Master’s in Business Administration at Melbourne’s Deakin University underscores more than 20 years working with some iconic Australian brands including Rip Curl, Bellroy and Colorado. Now in his role at Patagonia, Dane has the opportunity to demonstrate that business success and positive environmental impact don’t have to be at odds, in fact, they can be harmonious and profitable. Dane finds his passion in the surf, the mountains, and through spending time with his family at home on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

About our host, Berry Liberman:

Berry is the co-founder and Creative Director of Small Giants, the Publisher of Dumbo Feather and a mum to the three cutest kids in the world. Berry loves the garden at work. Especially the roses. A few years back, Berry used to write screenplays in LA and directed a few short films but decided to come home, get married to Danny and start Small Giants.

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Concession Rate:

We offer concession rates to support those who are unemployed, studying or working for non-profits and B Corporations. Please check out using the concession ticketing option.

Accessibility:
If you require Auslan Interpretation, please contact us at info@smallgiants.com.au at least 2 weeks prior to the event. We will be very happy to arrange this for you.

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About Small Giants Academy:

Our vision at Small Giants Academy is for a just and inclusive transition to a global economy that supports human flourishing while living in harmony with the natural world. Through articles, podcasts, conversations and masterclasses that illuminate the work of global thought leaders, Small Giants Academy is leading its communities towards a hopeful future, the Next Economy.