FORTUNE Impact Initiative

At Fortune's Impact Initiative conference last month, we asked leaders and advocates what they think is at stake in this election for climate change, gun control, DEI, and more. I chatted with Gregory Jackson Jr., Mat dos Santos, Zakiya Carr Johnson and others about the biggest issues the country is facing next week.

“The cornerstone of impact investing is finding innovative ways to improve access to valuable resources and services for underserved populations… Most of the time, the innovation is anchored on the application of technology.” - Steve Ellis, a Managing Partner of The Rise Funds speaking at the recent Fortune #ImpactInitiative. Ellis was joined on stage by Kentaro Kawamori, CEO of Persefoni, a Rise Fund portfolio company, where they discussed the role of technology in enabling companies to drive scalable change and real-world impact. Watch the full replay here: https://lnkd.in/eQrRzv9S

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend FORTUNE Impact Initiative's event in Atlanta, where I had the opportunity to hear from fantastic leaders, including Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, Beck Bailey, Mat dos Santos & of course, the magnificent Stacey Abrams. Also loved the opportunity to listen to Hello Alice's Elizabeth Gore & Neal Katyal speak yet again about the fight for DEI and how Hello Alice is playing a major role in the fight, on behalf of Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs. You may watch that video below (which I definitely recommend) https://lnkd.in/e5g52twD Thank you again for the invite, Fortune!

Returning from FORTUNE Impact Initiative conference, I'm more appreciative than ever of the “Impact” angle and the thoughtful curation of topics around DEI, ESG, and sustainability. These conversations continue to inspire, and I’m proud to have been part of such important discussions. A few highlights from the event: — Are Market Movers On Track? Andrea Barrack (RBC), Amelia DeLuca (Delta Air Lines), and Gayle Schueller, (3M) shared insights on whether corporations are on track to meet their ambitious climate goals. Moderated by Molly Wood, the session addressed the challenges and innovations being implemented across industries. — ESG In The Boardroom: A panel with Jeannette Ferran Astorga (Zoetis), Calvin Emanuel (Ecolab), Eileen Buckley (Stryker), and Tori Kaplan (Truist), moderated by Phil W., explored how boards balance ESG goals against shareholder demands. These VPs of Sustainability shared powerful takeaways on why ESG remains critical to long-term business success. — It was also great to run into my fellow Yale School of Management classmate Frank Wrenn; amazing to reconnect in this space! — The Case For Climate Action: In 2023, a district court in Montana ruled in favor of a group of young plaintiffs, aged 5 to 22, declaring that the state must protect citizens from climate change. This decision, the first of its kind in the U.S., shows how state constitutions can be used to achieve significant civil rights victories. At the conference, an inspiring discussion about this groundbreaking case and its future implications was held by Mat dos Santos (Our Children's Trust) and Grace Gibson-Snyder., youth plaintiff in the Held v. State of Montana lawsuit, with Kristin Stoller moderating. Special thanks to EVERFI from Blackbaud for their sponsorship and to the event's Co-Chairs Molly Wood, Phil W., Kristin Stoller, and Indrani Sen, for guiding these impactful sessions. I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation! #FortuneImpact #DEI #ESG #Leadership

Back from the FORTUNE Impact Initiative Summit in Atlanta! What an energizing experience. The conversation around corporate social responsibility is shifting, and I'm reminded that progress toward a more loving, life-centered ecosystem is non-linear. Our responses must remain agile. One thing that stood out was that although the 'woke walk-back' is here (and shouldn't be a surprise), there remains a critical, influential mass of folks committed to this work actively working within and around institutions. As corporations restructure employee resource groups and equity initiatives to mitigate risk, as the acronym "DEI" is reduced, reframed, renamed, and mangled in everyday conversation (even amongst advocates), and "sustainability" green-washes the more uncomfortable admissions of corporate greed - transparency, accountability, public education and embedding profound impact within business structures becomes more critical than ever. Doing so requires a new type of leader who uses moral and business arguments to drive change. In the words of Khalil Gibran Muhammad, "the bar for public reckoning is set low in the United States." We must raise expectations, respond with evidence, and remain honest about our positioning's hypocrisies. To succeed (actually, survive) in the future, companies must stop responding to regulatory sticks and instead embrace the genuine business benefits of doing good. The clear road ahead requires both urgency and patience, but I left feeling hopeful. Change is possible, and I remain inspired by reunions with team members, friends and new colleagues. Now, let's lean in and ensure it's happening - then make sure it's lasting. EVERFI from Blackbaud FORTUNE Impact Initiative Fortune Southern Communities Initiative (SCI) axle impact studio #Sustainability #ESGLeadership #CorporateImpact #DoingBusinessRight #ImpactForward #LifeCenteredEconomy #Foresight

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining the stage with Lauren Riley and Kristin Stoller during the FORTUNE Impact Initiative to share more about GM’s zero emissions journey. Like the title of the session implies, “clean wheels, clear skies” is a large part of how we get to a more sustainable future and creating a lasting impact for generations to come.   Thank you, Fortune, for having me! I’m looking forward to more conversations and collaborations to help us get to that future together. 

Thank you FORTUNE Impact Initiative for hosting a discussion on how Boards today are addressing ESG to realize value for all stakeholders. It was great to hear from my colleagues and learn about the engagement practices which enable long-term value for organizations. Thank you Eileen Buckley, Calvin Emanuel, Tori Kaplan for sharing your wise experience and to Phil W. for leading the conversation. Photography by Rebecca Greenfield/Fortune

Enlightening discussion last week with Carla Peterman, Tyler Spalding, Dalila Wilson-Scott and Sheryl Estrada at the FORTUNE Impact Initiative about the importance of public/private relationships and how corporations and governments can work together to create lasting change. #FortuneImpact

Returning from FORTUNE Impact Initiative conference, I'm more appreciative than ever of the “Impact” angle and the thoughtful curation of topics around DEI, ESG, and sustainability. These conversations continue to inspire, and I’m proud to have been part of such important discussions. A few highlights from the event: — Are Market Movers On Track? Andrea Barrack (RBC), Amelia DeLuca (Delta Air Lines), and Gayle Schueller, (3M) shared insights on whether corporations are on track to meet their ambitious climate goals. Moderated by Molly Wood, the session addressed the challenges and innovations being implemented across industries. — ESG In The Boardroom: A panel with Jeannette Ferran Astorga (Zoetis), Calvin Emanuel (Ecolab), Eileen Buckley (Stryker), and Tori Kaplan (Truist), moderated by Phil W., explored how boards balance ESG goals against shareholder demands. These VPs of Sustainability shared powerful takeaways on why ESG remains critical to long-term business success. — It was also great to run into my fellow Yale School of Management classmate Frank Wrenn; amazing to reconnect in this space! — The Case For Climate Action: In 2023, a district court in Montana ruled in favor of a group of young plaintiffs, aged 5 to 22, declaring that the state must protect citizens from climate change. This decision, the first of its kind in the U.S., shows how state constitutions can be used to achieve significant civil rights victories. At the conference, an inspiring discussion about this groundbreaking case and its future implications was held by Mat dos Santos (Our Children's Trust) and Grace Gibson-Snyder., youth plaintiff in the Held v. State of Montana lawsuit, with Kristin Stoller moderating. Special thanks to EVERFI from Blackbaud for their sponsorship and to the event's Co-Chairs Molly Wood, Phil W., Kristin Stoller, and Indrani Sen, for guiding these impactful sessions. I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation! #FortuneImpact #DEI #ESG #Leadership

We must continue to engage in debate on how to bring equitable access to capital to small businesses in the United States. Thank you Fortune and @NealKatyal