As a young industrial designer sitting at a male-dominated table of engineers, current Humanscale chief sustainability officer Jane Abernethy did what any self-respecting woman would do to be heard – she took opera lessons.

“I realised I wasn’t taken as seriously because I was a young woman in the field. I was talking to a lot of highly knowledgeable men with loads of experience,” Abernethy explains. “So I practised sitting in a larger, more confident way and also took vocal lessons. I went to an opera singer because you really have to project [your voice]. I learned how to use my voice differently so it would be louder and stronger when I needed it to be.”

Abernethy’s initiative paid off.  As chief sustainability officer of Humanscale, she boasts over a decade of experience leading design teams in the creation of innovative products. At present, she spearheads Humanscale’s commitment to engender a net positive impact through its products and operations. By fostering close collaboration with executives, designers and engineers, Abernethy navigates the development process to create the most sustainable products possible. “We don’t pollute and we don’t have a lot of waste,” she asserts. “We never use toxins in our products. In fact, all of our new products are developed with the same philosophy: to leave the world better off.”

Six pillars of sustainability

The commitment to sustainability is woven into the very fibre of Abernethy. As a child growing up in Canada, her parents took her on extended camping trips every summer.

“I was lucky enough to have spent whole weeks in the woods where I wouldn’t see a single person because it was so far from civilisation,” she recalls.  Later, as a young adult, Abernethy worked summers in remote forestry areas where she had to be flown in by a helicopter and live in a tent for several weeks at a time. “After  those experiences, it never made sense for me not to be concerned with sustainability.”

Sharing her passion for the land and environment, the team she leads at Humanscale is guided by six essential pillars that shape their practice and products. By prioritising healthy materials, they ensure safety for their consumers, but more importantly, for the environment. This dedication extends to designing products with longevity in mind. “We create durable items that minimise waste by their lifecycle, reducing the need for frequent replacements,” Abernethy emphasises.

Circularity is a core principle at Humanscale, as evidenced by their recent launch of an e-commerce program for reselling previously owned products. The initiative keeps materials in circulation and fosters a circular economy that benefits everyone. 

“We are equally focused on climate and energy efficiency, implementing practices that reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change,” Abernethy notes. 

“Social responsibility is at the heart of our operations, ensuring fair labour practices and community engagement are integral to our mission. We also place high priority on wildlife preservation and water conservation, recognising their vital role in maintaining biodiversity and safeguarding the planet for future generations.” 

With forward-thinking like this, Abernethy has advanced sustainability initiatives within Humanscale since her earlier tenure as an industrial designer. Her diverse portfolio encompasses a wide range of industries, from sporting goods to medical devices to furniture. This extensive background in design serves as a robust foundation for developing products that are both sustainably assembled and ergonomically optimised for the workplace.

B Corp and the bigger picture

This year, Humanscale acquired B Corp certification, reaffirming its enduring leadership in sustainability and highlighting its dedication to planet-positive manufacturing.

Humanscale is one of few in the commercial furniture sector to achieve B Corp certification, joining esteemed companies such as Patagonia, Aesop, and Allbirds. This distinction exemplifies their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. B Lab, a non-profit organisation, meticulously evaluates businesses across five impact area pillars: governance, workers, community, environment and customer impact.

To secure B Corp status, companies must adhere to rigorous standards in these domains, legally commit to stakeholder governance and ensure transparency by publicly disclosing their B Impact Assessment (BIA) results. This thorough process guarantees that B Corps remain accountable for their social and environmental endeavours.

Abernethy says B Corp matters to her and Humanscale because they’re so aligned with what she’s always aimed for: making a business a force for good.

“We are out here trying to figure out how we can manufacture and leave the world better off,” Abernethy adds. “So B Corp was a great community to be a part of and say, ‘OK, these are all the businesses that are really trying to change the world for the better.’ It is our aspiration that Humanscale’s certification inspires other companies to take meaningful action for the future of our planet.”

Humanscale actively seeks independent, third-party validated certifications to dispel misleading sustainability claims and foster transparency, essential for achieving genuine progress.

“I can never quite understand why anyone wouldn’t be trying to manage our resources well, because that’s really going to determine the core quality of life for now and future generations.”

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Find out what other businesses are B Corp certified on ADR.