April Capil

April Capil came to the Green MBA Program seeking refuge from the traditional corporate model. "I had gone through this restructuring where I watched a company throw away social capital that had taken years to build, just because the CEO wanted us be the Wal-Mart of commercial real estate. It was ridiculous." During graduate school, April developed financial models for an Eco-Villa rental property, a CSA for a master-planned community, and an organic mobile restaurant chain. Her insights and endeavors are available at aprilcapil.com.

Her latest project, "Fridge Box," a recyclable, compostable, completely non-toxic children's playhouse, launched January '08 at www.FridgeBoxWorld.com and will be making its debut at the GreenWest Expo in Los Angeles May 20-22, 2008 (www.greenwestexpo.com). To join the conversation at Fridge Box's online community, visit www.FridgeBlog.net.   “With Fridge Box, I was able to incorporate everything I learned in the Green MBA Program - not just the financial, marketing, and operational strategies - but also the why of environmental entrepreneurship: the change I want to be in the world. In a post-petroleum economy, the generations behind us are going to need skills like resourcefulness, innovative thinking, and creativity. I designed Fridge Box to be a product that teaches, so that the children of today can cultivate those skills, and respond to the challenges coming down the pipeline at them. I will forever be grateful to the Green MBA program because it taught me how to translate this concept - of ‘being the change you wish to see’ - into a viable business that enables me to make a living doing what I love.”  In addition to being the Director of Fridge Box, Inc., April works with the Ma’at Youth Academy in Richmond, CA developing environmental engagement programs for at-risk youth. She splits her time between the San Francisco Bay Area and Kalaheo, Kaua’i, and spends most of her paycheck on carbon offsets. Her website is www.aprilcapil.com.

What people are saying about the GreenMBA

"The GreenMBA is a departure from Business-As-Usual. Where most business schools include the environment and CSR as electives or footnotes, they serve as our foundations. I feel honored and fortunate for the opportunity to participate in this transformative process--of myself and the business world.

Small cohort sizes are amazing--we each have a voice that is heard regularly and the instructors have the freedom to use the most creative and effective exercises with such an intimate group."

Janine Elliott,
Cohort R