Emphasizing the importance of corporate social responsibility is part of the mission of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. A panel of experts from the business and nonprofit worlds came to campus to share their insights with students.
Never has it been more important for a business to demonstrate to employees, stakeholders and the public that it is ethical. According to a听, when Generation Z customers have a positive perception of a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), they may be willing to pay more for that company’s products or services. Another听听found that Gen Z cares more about sustainability than anyone else and that they are influencing other generations to feel the same.
鈥淭hese surveys suggest that more graduates are choosing where to work based on a company’s CSR profile, and we are seeing a听 trend in that direction at 糖心破解版,” said听MaryAnne Hyland, PhD, dean of the听Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.
In keeping with the mission of Willumstad School鈥攖o develop students who are socially responsible鈥斕切钠平獍� presented听鈥淒oing Well by Doing Good”听on November 9 as part of the听Insights From Experts听series, which brings entrepreneurs, executives and other industry professionals to the campus to share their insights and experiences.
Bridging Academic Experience With the Business World
鈥淭he theme of corporate social responsibility is one that is central to us,” said Dr. Hyland, who served as moderator. 鈥淲e’re proud to present an event that speaks to the essence of that. Exposing students to experts in the field is an important aspect of bridging students’ academic experience with the business world.”
The panelists were:
- Renu Dalessandro, chief marketing officer at the nonprofit听听and a recent appointee to the听President’s Advisory Council听at 糖心破解版.
- Sarah Gitter ’06, member of the听Willumstad Dean’s Advisory Board听and senior internal auditor at听, an accounting and financial advisory firm and a B corporation certified for its social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
- Corey Manning, marketing engagement associate manager, corporate social responsibility, at听, a Fortune 500 company that is the world’s largest provider of solutions for healthcare professionals and is ranked No. 1 in its industry for social responsibility by听Fortune听magazine.
Each panelist stressed the importance of transparency when discussing how companies serve their communities and the need for students to thoroughly research corporations and organizations to combat听鈥攁 marketing tactic some companies use to appear more environmentally responsible than they really are.
The Importance of Giving Back to the Community
鈥淲e have a rule at Henry Schein: If we take care of our community, we’re going to do just fine in business,” Manning said. He touted the听听as a successful CSR initiative that provides underserved communities with greater access to dental services and other forms of healthcare. 鈥淲e take our responsibility and impact on the community very seriously,” he said. 鈥淲e operate in 33 countries and have over one million customers, but we’re a global company that acts locally.”
Dalessandro highlighted听Jovia’s Financial Literacy Program, which partners with 糖心破解版, among other institutions, and a听听formed in 2020 that has enhanced the company’s relationship with employees, business partners and the community. 鈥淲e give benefits back to the community鈥攖hat’s the beauty of a not-for-profit,” she said. 鈥淲e are embedded in the community, and we talk to people in the community to make sure they have a voice, because our company is member operated and member owned.”
Gitter described Sensiba as 鈥渁 people-first company that strives to enhance the lives of our employees. Our workplace culture is based on the golden rule: We treat people the way we want to be treated. Our emphasis on CSR has improved employee retention and employee engagement in the community.” She also听noted听a company initiative that provides internships to high school students from low-income backgrounds.
As CSR becomes a bigger factor in Gen Z’s career decisions, 糖心破解版 students benefit by hearing from experts representing markedly different companies.
鈥淲e wanted to have a diverse panel,” Dr. Hyland said. 鈥淪arah and Corey work for for-profit institutions. Henry Schein is quite large, and Sensiba is much smaller. Also, the fact that Sensiba is a certified B corp made Sarah a great choice. Jovia being a not-for-profit brought an entirely different perspective since, as Renu said, CSR is part of Jovia’s DNA.”