Following my service in the Peace Corps, I created a humanitarian consulting agency called Advance Humanity. It was dedicated to helping people change themselves and change the world.
Everyday humanitarians, freelancers, nonprofits and businesses were all part of our worldwide community.
Our mission
We were one of the founding B Corporations in New England, alongside some great companies like King Arthur Flour, Seventh Generation and Ben & Jerry’s. B Corps are dedicated to making our business a force for good by working with people who are making the world a better place, whether nonprofit, for profit or educational institutions.
Over a decade, I provided consulting to help companies become Certified B Corporations, including the first one in Asia. I provided pro-bono services to nonprofits who were trying to make a big impact in the world. And I taught in graduate schools to empower changemakers and entrepreneurs while making a minimal environmental impact.
I donated 10% of my time to pro-bono work and in-kind donations, and we were also proud to be a Certified B Corporation and member of 1% for the Planet.
What’s a B Corp? My B Corps 101 presentation, the videos, and a free 56-page primer on using business as a force for good. Read B Corps →Accelerating change
We worked with optimists who were building a brighter future.
Organizations we worked with
- B Labthe Certified B Corporation community
- The New Media GroupMongolia · the first Certified B Corp in Asia
- The New Media FoundationMongolia
- Hatan Foundationwomen’s empowerment in Mongolia
- Life Vest Inside
- National Peace Corps Association
- World Learning
- SIT Graduate Institutewhere I wrote my master’s thesis
- Marlboro CollegeVermont
- Marlboro College Graduate & Professional Studies
- Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
- The Optimist CenterWoodstock, Vermont
- Dean’s Beansorganic, fair trade coffee
- Scott Farm OrchardVermont heirloom apples · B Corp
- Loggers Wear
Projects
- B Corp 101presentation & course
- Dalai Lama Quotesthe Dalai Quotes app
- The Unofficial Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook
- TEDxUlaanbaatarthe first TEDx in Mongolia
- Sukhbaatar Social Business Community FundMongolia
- The Awesome FoundationMongolia chapter
- Net ImpactSIT Graduate Institute chapter
- Marlboro College Center for New Leadership
- BeyondFairtrade.org
- Tip Top Pottery
- Race for the Reason10K / 5K
In June 2018, Advance Humanity was a sponsoring company for the 3rd Annual New England B Corps Leadership Development Retreat, when over 180 Certified B Corps employees, fans and friends from all over New England gathered at the Alnoba.
Client feedback
“Travis is extraordinary… with his guidance and help our team was able to host the first TEDx in Mongolia and become the first Certified B Corporation in Asia. He is a great leader, business partner and friend.”
Mende Amartaivan · The New Media Group
“Working with Advance Humanity is transformational. The talent, energy, and integrity of the Advance Humanity team helped reposition my business and enabled me to bring both the business and my professional career to a new level.”
“Travis is truly exceptional. He has been a source of inspiration, encouragement, and knowledge and his guidance has helped Life Vest Inside continue to move forward and take steps in the right direction.”
“Advance Humanity has made available a wide network of professionals who can help me take my projects to new heights I’d never considered possible. The opportunity to draw on that advice and support is really exciting.”
“Travis’s drive and passion to empower others is second to none. He has continuously encouraged and challenged our team to think bigger than ourselves. He is an inspiration and a player every team needs.”
“Travis has a track record of making good things happen. Now he’s brought together a team to help you reach your own goals to help humanity.”
“The personal and professional support I received from the Advance Humanity Community turned me from a graduate student into a social entrepreneur. The Fellows program is my opportunity to pay it forward, have fun, and learn!”
“Being part of the Advance Humanity community has helped me to meet amazing world changers that inspire me to do my small part every day.”
“By connecting people who share a passion for social entrepreneurship, Advance Humanity has accomplished something totally unique: to provide an interactive workplace for Partners to collaborate, accelerate, and creatively innovate together, wherever they may be.”
Meet our Fellows
We also provided mentoring and support to a special group of Fellows working in a wide variety of humanitarian work. Our Fellows included Peace Corps Volunteers, activists, authors, photographers and consultants in places like Tibet, Mongolia, Iraq, Nicaragua, Myanmar, Azerbaijan as well as here in the United States.
Tunga HellstromMongoliaMasters & Women’s EmpowermentLinkedIn
Heath MitchellMongoliaPeace Corps Volunteer · Good Father ProjectLinkedIn
Karen RossMyanmarInclusivity & Civic EngagementLinkedIn
Amir AshourIraqHuman Rights & LGBTQA+ ActivistLinkedIn
Emily GaynorUSAMasters & B Corps WorldwideLinkedIn
Julie NelsonAzerbaijanPeace Corps Volunteer & MBA StudiesLinkedIn
Ashley VeenemaUSAMasters in Sustainable DevelopmentLinkedIn
Chris DeBruynIraqPeace Corps Volunteer & PhotographerLinkedIn
Jampa LatsoTibetMasters & Women’s EmpowermentLinkedIn
“I couldn’t be more excited about the Fellows program, it’s exactly the kind of support system that I wish had been around for me when I was launching my projects.”
Travis Hellstrom · Advance Humanity
Advance Humanity was led by Travis Hellstrom and Amy Robb, Managing Partners.
Follow along
One essay a week, every Saturday morning.
Two dreams from my list, and the thread running through my Year of Advance Humanity, Year of Awesome and Year of Unity.