Business For Good Foundation Broadens Mission To Tackle Wealth Gap Across the U.S.

Business for Good, a non-profit philanthropy committed to bridging the wealth gap in America, has announced plans to expand its mission and community work beyond the Albany/New York Capital region. New areas of focus will include economic mobility, business growth and entrepreneurship, workforce & community development and housing accessibility & affordability. Additionally, Co-Founder Ed Mitzen will turn his attention to identifying and partnering with likeminded leaders on a national level while Maire Masterson has been named as Executive Director, with a focus on local giving. The organization has also been rebranded the Business for Good Foundation.

The gap between the rich, richer, middle class and the poor is widening at an alarming rate, with socioeconomic disparities not only persisting, but growing. According to the Peter G. Petersen Foundation, the top 20% of wealthiest households in America have seen their income rise 165% from 1981 to 2021, while the middle and lowest quintiles have seen income growth of only 33% and 38%, respectively, over the same period.

A renowned healthcare marketing entrepreneur, Ed has built three consecutive businesses that generated over $1 billion in revenue. He co-founded Business for Good with his wife Lisa Mitzen by combining his entrepreneurial acumen with a personal passion for giving back – empowering entrepreneurs and working with local government and policymakers to drive meaningful change at the community level. Ed, best-selling author of Wealthy and White, has invested his own money into the Albany/New York Capital region over the recent years through projects, such as the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce.

“I am committed to using my privilege for good and with today’s announcement, we will be expanding our focus on a national level,” said Ed Mitzen, Co-Founder of Business for Good Foundation. “I realized that to have the impact that we want, we will need to partner with other leaders to make a difference – one person, one neighborhood and one community at a time.”

“We are excited to share our expanded mission, new website and leadership team news,” added Lisa Mitzen, Co-Founder of Business for Good Foundation. “Naming Maire Masterson as our new Executive Director will strengthen our local efforts and we are confident that Maire’s passion and experience will help us build on what Ed and I started.”

In her new position as Executive Director, Maire Masterson will lead the organization’s mission to turn business success into community impact through strategic philanthropy, inclusive partnerships, and sustainable economic development. Masterson is known for her collaborative leadership style, her unwavering focus on impact, and her belief that business can—and should—be a force for positive change.

Masterson expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with Ed and Lisa Mitzen and to continue their work within the Albany/New York Capital region.”