About - Intentionalist

Spend Like It Matters

Small businesses are important to the social and economic fabric of our communities. From bookstores and restaurants, to stores that have sustained families for generations, local businesses are part of the heart and soul of the places where we live and work—they’re places where we come together, whether to make new connections or celebrate longtime friendships.

Local businesses bring cultural diversity, contribute philanthropically, and they simply make our communities better.

Community

Support the small businesses that shape our communities.

Connection

Learn who is behind a business.
Feel more connected.

Convenience

Life is busy.
We make it easy.

Intentionalist is an online guide to intentional spending that supports small businesses and diverse local communities. We make it easy for you to find local restaurants, bars, gyms, shops, and more owned by women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ, families, and differently abled people. Beyond serving as a directory, Intentionalist supports community connection through business profiles based on interviews with local business owners, and meet-ups that provide the opportunity to meet them and learn about the stories behind their businesses.

It all starts with everyday decisions about where we buy a cup of coffee, work out, or pick up a birthday gift. Whether you identify as a localist, activist, or just a good neighbor, Intentionalist helps you contribute to the businesses that keep our communities vibrant and diverse.

Our Team

Intentionalist is powered by a small but mighty team that is truly diverse in both identity and experience. We are mission-driven change makers with expertise that spans marketing, design, technology, and communications. Our advisors are industry thought leaders, technology experts, investors, and entrepreneurs who share our passion for economic inclusion.

Laura Clise
Founder & CEO

Our founder and CEO, Laura Clise is a corporate intrapreneur turned social entrepreneur with a passion for instigating impact at the intersection of business and society. Prior to founding Intentionalist, she held a variety of corporate roles leading sustainability, corporate responsibility, supplier diversity, and external communications. She serves on board of directors for IslandWood and Athlete Ally and can sing and/or order chocolate ice cream in Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Cambodian, Hebrew, and Turkish.

Laura is an Aspen Institute First Mover Fellow and alumna of Carleton College and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.