On Thursday, November 13, 2025, we gathered for an inspiring evening at the Conscious Cocktails event, hosted by Conscious Capitalism of Central Maryland (C3MD). Held at the beautiful Bar None gathering space at Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC, the event was a perfect blend of networking, learning, and community spirit.
After welcome and introductions by C3MD President Camille Mazelev, the evening featured a panel discussion on conscious leadership and stakeholder theory. Jeff Cherry, Founder and Managing Partner of Conscious Venture Partners, shared his insights alongside two of his Conscious Venture Lab graduates Evan Lutz of Hungry Harvest and Funlayo Alabi of Shea Radiance. Jeff’s opening remark, “If I want you to care about me, I should care about you first,” set the tone for a thoughtful discussion on stakeholder theory and conscious capitalism.
Attendees like Maria Villani found the conversation deeply resonant. She reflected, “Evan mentioned a ‘knowing mindset’ vs. a ‘learning mindset’ and how that shift has shaped how he runs his business. It reminded me of the importance of aligning my values with those I work with to help more people and grow my business.”
Tracy Turner appreciated Jeff’s emphasis on mutual care, while Board Member Paul Merena expressed a desire for more, saying, “I do wish we had Jeff Cherry for an 8-hour master class!”
In the spirit of giving back, we also held a canned food and dry goods drive for Columbia Community Care, collecting five full bags of groceries! It was heartwarming to see both familiar and new faces, some of whom we hope to welcome into the C3MD community.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates about upcoming in-person and virtual meetings in 2026. Happy Holidays!
Special thanks to our hosts, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC and our other sponsors: insight180 Brand Consulting & Design, Indigo Ink Digital Printing, and The Wendy Slaughter Team & Vybe Realty.
(Scroll below for photos from the November event!)
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