For the EVOLution of Business

Caring. Sharing. Fairness. Inclusion. Why are some of the most basic things that we teach our children forgotten when we teach them about business? Laura Hall says that "children are stakeholders too" and that "we have a moral as well as a business obligation to build strong children" and help them to build purposeful businesses that will "lead the next stage of our evolution." Tune in to this episode to learn about her book "The ABCs of Conscious Capitalism for Kids: Create a Business, Make Money, Change the World" and pick up a copy for the future Conscious Capitalists in your life!

Laura Hall is a global retail executive with over 30 years of experience to the business of fashion and retail consumer goods. Considered a ‘collaborative co-conspirator’ by her peers, Laura has steered legacy fashion businesses as well as building emerging high potential brands. Laura left her last corporate role as President of Accessories for Polo Ralph Lauren in order to advise other global consumer goods companies.

In 2018, Laura co-founded WHYZ Partners with two other female C-Suite business leaders to empower the next generation of retail executives to create an ecosystem of extraordinary businesses and business leaders – under the purpose of promoting the ideals of financially and socially responsible business practices.

Throughout our Virtual Conference, we hope you've been inspired about the potential for "The Healing Force of Business" ... Now it's time for action!

Hear case studies from local companies with healing corporate cultures that lead to engaged employees, improved stakeholder relationships and healthy communities with inclusive prosperity for ALL.

Our panelists discuss how they've created "Healing Organizations" and how to get started at your own organization!

-Tom Bachmann - Paychex Culture Shaping Manager

-Mubarak Bashir - Greyston Open Hiring Regional Director

-James Norma - Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative Employment Working Group Co-Chair

-Tina Paradiso - Imprintable Solutions Owner and Imprinting Lives Founder

-Kim Townsend - Loretto President & CEO

What would it look like if Rochester became a model for the most diverse, equitable and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country?

Not only would the entrepreneurs themselves come from a diversity of backgrounds, but the types of businesses they would start and the customers they would serve would also reflect the diversity of our community. Opportunity would be broadly shared and our economy would be more dynamic, robust and resilient too!

What would it take to get there?

Join us for this panel with entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders:

Jennifer Byrnes - Business Insight Center at Rochester Public Library

Lomax Campbell - City of Rochester Office of Community Wealth Building

Arthur Goldfeder - The Commissary Downtown Kitchen Incubator

Yasmin Mattox - Arkatecht Advancement Tools For Working Parents

Cati Pulver - Junior Achievement of Central Upstate NY

On May 19th, 2020, the Rochester Black Agenda Group released a declaration that "Racism is a Public Health Crisis" in our region. Less than a week later, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis and the ensuing protests led many other cities across America to make similar declarations.

The declaration notes that racism is the primary cause of the disparities in mental, physical and financial health among African Americans. These disparities are especially stark in our region, where concentrations of poverty are among the highest in the country and where zip code and skin color can predict life expectancies that vary by as much as a decade.

While individuals and organizations can sign the declaration, that is only the first step of a long journey ahead, one that Conscious Businesses must help to lead. Racism is not only a public health crisis, but must also be seen as a business imperative for the health and vitality of our region.

How can businesses commit to tackling racism both inside their organizations and in the broader community? Tune in to this episode recorded at Conscious Capitalism ROC's 2020 Virtual Conference "The Healing Force of Business."

Featuring:

Jerome Underwood - CEO of Action For A Better Community and Co-Founder of Rochester Black Agenda Group

Mohammed Ahamed - CEO and Chief Diversity Officer at Engaging Diversity and Inclusion

Kesha Carter - Chief Diversity Officer at Coordinated Care Services

Ana Liss - Director of Planning and Development at Monroe County

What if there was a company whose CEO said, "Let's pay all our people as much as possible?"

What if your company treated your spouse, your children, and even your pets, as stakeholders, and made it a priority to ensure that you can be present for them?

And what if these businesses, who prioritize the welfare of all their stakeholders, who help heal their employees, customers and communities are more profitable and prosperous than their industry peers?

These are "Healing Organizations" as profiled by Raj Sisodia (Founder and Co-Chair of Conscious Capitalism, Inc. and author of Firms of Endearment, Conscious Capitalism, Everybody Matters, Shakti Leadership and now The Healing Organization!)

Recorded at "The Healing Force of Business" - Conscious Capitalism ROC's 2020 Virtual Summit

How can our Upstate NY economy heal from the dual crises of COVID-19 and racial unrest to "build back better" for a more inclusive and sustainable economy?

Recorded at "The Healing Force of Business" - Conscious Capitalism ROC's 2020 Virtual Conference

Panelists:

Heather Briccetti: President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State

Bob Duffy: President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Former Lt. Governor of New York State

Dr. Seanelle Hawkins: President and CEO, Urban League of Rochester

Rob Simpson: President and CEO, Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity

After a personal journey and transformation using non-violent communication with herself and her family, Kit Miller became an educator and practitioner to share these principles. In 2009, she joined the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, which was founded by Gandhi's grandson Arun. Kit has been learning about nonviolence and organizing on its behalf for the past 26 years. She draws on Gandhian and Kingian nonviolence, as well as Nonviolent Communication and permaculture, for direction and daily practice and uses the Institute as a learning laboratory for principled nonviolence. She teaches and works on community projects related to restorative justice, sustainability, and anti-racism in Rochester, has taught hundreds of groups world-wide and has spoken about nonviolence at the United Nations on multiple occasions.

Tune in to this episode for Kit's insights on:

-First, practicing nonviolence with yourself

-The nonviolent design principles of permaculture and what they can teach us about leadership

-Restorative practices that build trust and community

-Becoming an anti-racist organization

"To enjoy the fruits of diversity, you have to face unlearning, discomfort and difficult decisions," says Mohammed Ahamed.

Recent racial unrest has alerted many white people to the interpersonal, institutional and structural racism that people of color have long faced in the workplace and in broader society. While many companies have made efforts toward diversity, too often the training is inadequate and the result can be "performative diversity" without meaningful inclusion. Tune in to this episode to hear Mo's insights on taking conscious action for equity as a leader.

Mohammed or (Mo) as everyone calls him, is the CEO of EDI (Engaging Diversity and Inclusion) and leads the firm's diversity practice. He most recently served as Director of Diversity & Inclusion in the President's Office at Nazareth College. Prior to Nazareth, he was Assistant Director of Admissions & Multicultural Counselor, Workplace Advisor, and Chaplain at Bucknell University where he co-authored the enrollment strategic plan for multicultural recruitment that led to the enrollment of the most diverse class in the university's history.

Mo earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Nazareth College. He holds an Executive Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School and several certifications including a certificate as a Restorative Justice facilitator.

Mo conducts diversity trainings and workshops for small to large audiences ranging from educational institutions, non-profit to corporate organizations. With a talent for spotting systemic and structural challenges waiting to be addressed, connect with our CEO to help your organization attract talented diverse and inclusive leaders to help drive innovation and achieve your strategic inclusive goals.

Should your brand take a stand?

"You can't dip your toe in the water...you should be up to your neck. You need to jump on board and take a stand before it's too late," says Rashad Smith.

But brands need to be prepared to move beyond words of support and toward meaningful action. We can "acknowledge these companies, but not applaud them, because there is still so much work to do."

Tune in to this episode to hear what to think about before deciding whether to take a stand, the brands that have done it well, and why you should think outside the box when hiring diverse talent.

Rashad also leaves us with some hope: "Coronavirus taught us that we could shut down the world. If we could respond to this pandemic like that, we can also respond to this epidemic of racism."

Radical Rashad is a National award-winning media professional. As a creative strategist and multimedia account executive at 105.5 The Beat, he plays a variety of roles to help enhance the station’s relationship with the community, local leaders and commercial sponsors.

In addition to his behind the scenes responsibilities, each Sunday Radical Rashad hosts a community-oriented show comprising interviews with movers and shakers from the town, spotlight stories, and contests.

When he’s not working to strengthen the station’s brand, Radical Rashad is generating buzz for his brands as a freelance publicist and project manager. He has worked for big brands like Black Entertainment Television C-Span and Rock the Vote– experience that led to the development of PowerHourEvents.com– a networking movement that brings together creatives and decision makers to collaborate on for-impact initiatives.

Radical Rashad holds a B.A. in Communications (2010) from Johnson C. Smith University, a Historically Black College (HBCU) in Charlotte, North Carolina and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Each of the first four generations of family leadership at Zweigle's embodied a value that became part of their corporate culture: quality, accountability, integrity and caring. CEO Julie Camardo has yet to officially add a value to represent the fifth generation of her leadership, but there's no doubt that she's leaving her mark on the family business through multiple expansions and a focus on building culture. Tune in to this episode to learn what it means to have the courage to stand out as a white hot in a world of red hots and why Zweigle's is "still poppin'" after 140 years.

Julie serves as the 5th Generation owner and CEO of Zweigle’s Inc. In 2002, Julie moved back to Rochester from Maryland to work for Zweigle’s. She started in the office environment and then transitioned to sales while both her grandfather and mother were still at Zweigle’s. In 2005, Julie was named Vice President of Zweigle’s. She took over as President of Zweigle’s in 2009 after her mother passed away. In 2015, she was named CEO by the Board of Directors.

Under Julie, Zweigle’s expanded two times and has grown in product diversification, sales and employees. The company is guided by four core values of quality, caring, accountability and integrity, each representative of one of the prior generations.

Julie is committed to the community where she lives. She sits is on the Board of Directors for MCC Foundation, ESL, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Holy Childhood and Special Touch Bakery (many of which have been on the podcast!). She is a strong supporter of United Way, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Susan B. Anthony House, and The Strong. She is also a current member of the Vistage organization.

Julie has three children two daughters and a son. She supports her children in their education, sports and artistic activities. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends outside of work. Her favorite hot dog is a white hot dog and her favorite sausage is the Zweigle’s Italian sausage.