How Lara Jackle Dickinson Of One Step Closer Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate Justice
…Change is Incremental: It’s essential to be patient and persistent. Transformative change often happens in small, gradual steps rather than overnight. Early in my career, I was frustrated by the slow pace of change until I realized that each small victory contributes to a larger impact over time…
I had the pleasure of interviewing Lara Jackle Dickinson. As Executive Director and Co-Founder of One Step Closer (OSC), Lara turns challenges into actionable inspiration for a network of purpose-driven CEOs building regenerative business models. These inspirations have birthed many projects, including: the Climate Collaborative, an alliance of nearly 1000 organizations; the J.E.D.I Collaborative, which provides resources and roadmaps for DEI change across the natural products industry; and the OSC Packaging Collaborative, which aims the industry toward zero waste. Most recently, Lara has co-created the OSC Venture Fund.
She has been in the CPG and natural and supplemental products industry for 28 years, including serving as CEO of LightFull Foods, VP Marketing & Retail Sales at Numi Organic Tea, and VP of Marketing at the Balance Bar Company leading up to its acquisition by a major CPG company. She started her career at Reckitt Benckiser.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in Huntington Beach California, running, swimming and out in the fresh air and ocean a lot. I love being outside and feeling fit and active. I also grew up with parents who ate natural foods and consumed lots of vitamins. I guess that’s part of why I feel so comfortable in the Natural Products industry. My dad is the most fit 84 year old I know; I grew up appreciating the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and also love eating.
Everyone has a cataclysmic moment or marker in their life which propels them to take certain actions, a “why”. What is your why?
My “why” continues to evolve as I gain new experiences and insights. One of the first big moments for me was 9 years after the incredible success of an organization, called Balance Bar, where I served as the head of marketing. We grew the company quickly and with a lot of forward-thinking health and environmental purpose baked in. It was acquired by Kraft/Mondelez for a high multiple of sales so it seemed I had a career peak quite early in my career. Over the next few years, I saw the brand from afar, start to wane in its impact-forward work and seem to focus on promoting volume buys at Walmart. 9 years later a Private equity firm bought the business from Kraft and asked me to take a look at it. It was almost heartbreaking to see the brand that I built with all my heart and passion be a shadow of its former self; the rich brand story and purpose were gone. And the sales were half of what they were when we had sold it to Kraft. At that moment, I realized the importance of embedding passion and purpose into the company early on in a way that protected the essence of the business so that it could continue to thrive and have long-term impact. That was a big motivation for starting OSC; to discover pathways for CEO/Founders to grow successful businesses and bake that purpose in for the long term.
You are currently leading an organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change?
As the Executive Director of One Step Closer, our aim is to build stronger food and agricultural systems by creating a collaborative, activated network of leading natural products companies that can do more great work together than they can alone. We are focused on addressing systemic issues within the food and agriculture sectors, supporting purpose-driven leadership, and striving to eliminate practices that contribute to environmental degradation and social inequities. We work primarily at the CEO level to build a supportive network and then launch industry wide collaboratives most essential to thriving food systems. These collaborations include the OSC Packaging Collaborative, Climate Collaborative, JEDI Collaborative, OSC Women’s Circles, and most recently the OSC Advisory and Fund.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of my most memorable moments was launching the Climate Collaborative at Climate Day in 2017. We launched the organization on a new day that has become a hallmark impact gathering for the natural products industry ever since. On that day, I was so excited to see the turnout for an issue that was so huge but had a path to action or unifying platform for the industry to come together and expand their work. One of our keynotes was Paul Hawken. I remember how excited I was and then how conflicted I felt after his speech. Because one of the greatest contributors to addressing climate change was the education of girls and the empowerment of women. We had not touched on the human side in our work or a whole lot as an industry. And so what I thought was a finale with climate collaboration was just a start. The real journey has been in developing the JEDI Collaborative, Our OSC Women’s peer mentoring and development circles and funding programs to support women leaders. The insight on that first Climate Day ignited even more personal will and expanded action that I delight in each day when I see people bring their whole selves into this industry.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
Absolutely. One of my most influential mentors was Gary Hirshberg, co-founder of Stonyfield Farm. His dedication to organic and sustainable business practices deeply inspired me. Gary’s guidance was pivotal when I was navigating the complexities of integrating sustainability into large-scale business operations. He taught me the importance of perseverance and creativity in overcoming resistance to change. His mentorship was instrumental in helping me understand how to effectively advocate for and implement sustainable practices within a traditional business framework.
Thank you for that. Let’s now move to the central part of our discussion. Let’s start with a basic definition of terms so that everyone is on the same page. What does climate justice mean to you? How do we operationalize it?
To me, climate justice means addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities. It’s about ensuring that our actions to combat climate change also promote equity and inclusivity. Operationalizing climate justice involves integrating social equity into climate policies, supporting vulnerable communities in building resilience, and ensuring that the benefits of climate action — like clean energy and sustainable jobs — are accessible to all. It requires a holistic approach that considers both environmental sustainability and social equity in decision-making processes.
Science is telling us that we have 7–10 years to make critical decisions about climate change. What are three things you or your organization are doing to help?
- Promoting Regenerative Agriculture: We are partnering with farmers and companies to transition to regenerative agricultural practices that restore soil health, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity.
- Advancing Sustainable Supply Chains: We are working to eliminate deforestation and reduce carbon emissions in supply chains by promoting responsible sourcing and production practices.
- Building Collaborative Networks: We are creating platforms for businesses to collaborate on sustainability initiatives, share best practices, and collectively drive large-scale environmental and social impact.
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you in your mission?
- Support Policy Reform: Advocating for policies that incentivize sustainable practices and penalize environmental degradation can drive systemic change.
- Consumer Awareness and Action: Communities can support our mission by making informed choices, supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability, and demanding transparency in supply chains.
- Invest in Innovation: Encouraging investment in sustainable technologies and practices can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economy. Supporting startups and research in this field can drive significant advancements.
- Make Commitments: This year our Packaging Collaborative launched our first annual “Pack Pact” designed to empower brands, packaging developers and consumers to take action to a more circular future. We invited brands to join partners and sustainable packaging developers AE Global Packaging; Ancient Nutrition; Banyan Botanicals; Clover Sonoma; Mountain Rose Herbs; Nature’s Path Organic; and Traditional Medicinals by going to the Pack Pact website and pledging to one or more of the following commitments:
- change one material to a sustainable alternative;
- conduct a lifecycle assessment of current packaging;
- perform a plastic usage and waste audit;
- assess the ability to adopt extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging;
- engage in policy advocacy that supports sustainable packaging programs and materials; and
- communicate sustainability metrics or goals with consumers.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
Sustainable practices can enhance a company’s profitability by reducing costs, improving brand reputation, and increasing customer loyalty. For example, one of our partners, Alter Eco, implemented regenerative farming practices that not only reduced their environmental footprint but also led to cost savings in production and increased product appeal. Their commitment to sustainability resonated with consumers, leading to higher sales and brand loyalty. This demonstrates that investing in sustainability can yield tangible economic benefits alongside environmental ones.
This is the signature question we ask in most of our interviews. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started promoting sustainability and climate justice” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Change is Incremental: It’s essential to be patient and persistent. Transformative change often happens in small, gradual steps rather than overnight. Early in my career, I was frustrated by the slow pace of change until I realized that each small victory contributes to a larger impact over time.
- Build Alliances: Collaboration is key. Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and communities, amplifies impact. A successful initiative we launched was only possible through the strong partnerships we formed across sectors.
- Communicate Effectively: Clear, compelling communication can drive engagement and support. Learning to articulate the benefits of sustainability in terms that resonate with different audiences — whether it’s economic, social, or environmental — has been crucial.
- Embrace Innovation: Don’t be afraid to explore and adopt new technologies and approaches. Our work in regenerative agriculture was greatly enhanced by innovative soil health monitoring tools that provided critical data and insights.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrating your commitment through your own actions inspires others. When our organization adopted zero-waste practices internally, it motivated our partners to do the same, creating a broader culture of sustainability.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to have breakfast together with Kyle Pows Whyte and Paul Pollman. Each brings different visionary perspectives that have the potential for reimagining our potential to work together as a human race.
Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever. His visionary leadership in integrating sustainability into core business strategies and his advocacy for the UN Sustainable Development Goals have been incredibly inspiring. I would be eager to learn from his experiences and discuss how we can further drive sustainable business practices globally.
Kyle is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and serves on several high-profile advisory councils, including the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. I love his writings on Kinship as he recognizes that the climate crisis cause and solution lie not just in commitments to big climate solutions but in our relationships with each other. We displaced and decolonized kinship principles such as trust, reciprocity and consent when we arrived in the US and we have an opportunity to reframe and reclaim Kinship in business. That is what I am excited about. I launched the Climate Collaborative 7 years ago based on environmental science, but human relationship is the next level work I dream of us all taking on together to actually have a shot at achieving vital progress.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Readers can follow our work through the One Step Closer website, where we regularly share updates on our initiatives and impact. Look out for the Purpose Pledge….our biggest, hardest and most far reaching movement ever, launching in 2025. Additionally, they can connect with me on LinkedIn for insights and updates on our projects and industry trends.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing these important topics with you.
How Lara Jackle Dickinson Of One Step Closer Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.