Each year, B Bash brings together a vibrant community of leaders, innovators, and organizations committed to using business as a force for good. In 2026, the event marked an exciting new chapter with the continued growth and rebrand of On Purpose Oregon, an organization dedicated to advancing a values driven business ecosystem across the state.
Through its sponsorship with On Purpose Oregon, previously known as B Local PDX, Portland State University’s School of Business is creating meaningful opportunities for MBA students to engage directly with this community. The partnership ensures students have access to events like B Bash, where they can build connections, gain insight into purpose driven organizations, and explore how business can create lasting social and environmental impact.
A Space for Connection and Inspiration
Held at the Weiden + Kennedy space, this year’s B Bash offered an energizing environment where students and professionals came together to share ideas, celebrate progress, and strengthen relationships. The event highlighted the collective momentum of Portland’s B Corp community and reinforced the importance of collaboration among mission aligned organizations.
For MBA students, the experience went beyond networking. It provided a firsthand look at how values driven leadership operates in practice, offering inspiration and clarity as they shape their own career paths.
“One of the main motivators for coming to PSU for the in-person MBA was the opportunity to build relationships with other students and mission-aligned business leaders in the community. My first exposure to the B Corp community was working at A to Z Wineworks and seeing firsthand how people-first values shape business decisions. B Bash gave me the chance to reconnect with former colleagues, meet new people, and continue building relationships in a community I was introduced to through my work before the MBA.” – Maxine Markovitz, MBA ‘26
Strengthening the Bridge Between Education and Industry
Events like B Bash play a critical role in connecting classroom learning with real world application. By engaging with leaders from B Corporations and other purpose driven organizations, students gain a deeper understanding of how business strategy, ethics, and impact intersect.
The School of Business remains committed to preparing students for careers that not only drive financial success but also contribute to broader societal good. Partnerships with organizations like On Purpose Oregon are key to that mission, opening doors for students to step into conversations that are shaping the future of business.
Looking Ahead
As On Purpose Oregon continues to grow, so does the opportunity for PSU students to be part of a thriving, impact focused business community. B Bash 2026 stands as a powerful example of what is possible when education, industry, and shared values come together.
Through continued collaboration, the School of Business will keep expanding access to experiences that empower students to lead with purpose and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Inside the Weiden + Kennedy space, conversations started long before the program formally began. MBA students from Portland State University’s School of Business moved between clusters of entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and B Corp representatives, exchanging introductions and ideas in a room that felt more like a living network than a formal event. The annual B Bash once again brought together a community centered on a shared idea: using business as a force for good.
In 2026, the gathering also marked a new chapter for the region’s values-driven business ecosystem, as On Purpose Oregon continued its growth and rebrand from its former identity as B Local PDX. The organization’s mission—to strengthen a statewide network of purpose-driven businesses—was reflected throughout the event, where collaboration and shared impact were recurring themes in every conversation.
Through its sponsorship with On Purpose Oregon, Portland State University’s School of Business is helping create direct pathways for MBA students to engage with this community. The partnership gives students access to events like B Bash, where they can build relationships with mission-aligned organizations, gain insight into how values-driven companies operate, and explore what responsible business leadership looks like in practice.
For students, the experience extended well beyond networking. It offered a window into how purpose shows up in day-to-day decision-making across organizations that prioritize people and planet alongside profit.
“One of the main motivators for coming to PSU for the in-person MBA was the opportunity to build relationships with other students and mission-aligned business leaders in the community,” said Maxine Markovitz, MBA ‘26. “My first exposure to the B Corp community was working at A to Z Wineworks and seeing firsthand how people-first values shape business decisions. B Bash gave me the chance to reconnect with former colleagues, meet new people, and continue building relationships in a community I was introduced to through my work before the MBA.”
Events like B Bash also serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world practice. By engaging directly with leaders from B Corporations and other purpose-driven organizations, students gain a clearer understanding of how strategy, ethics, and impact intersect in the business world.
The School of Business continues to focus on preparing graduates who can succeed professionally while contributing to broader social and environmental goals. Partnerships like the one with On Purpose Oregon help make that possible by creating consistent opportunities for students to step into real conversations shaping the future of business in Oregon and beyond.
As On Purpose Oregon continues to evolve, so too does the network of students and professionals connected through it. This year’s B Bash reflected not just a moment in time, but a growing ecosystem of leaders committed to redefining what business can be when values are placed at the center.