Lead The Change

On September 5th, we talked with Christine Bader, author; visiting scholar and lecturer at Columbia University; and human rights advisor to BSR. She discussed her new book When Girl Meets Oil: Evolution of A Corporate Idealist. The New York TImes calls it “Thought-provoking... if the book doesn’t leave one convinced that every multinational has suddenly developed a guiding conscience, it does offer some encouragement that many are on the way."

The Impact Report brings together students and faculty in Bard MBA‘s Sustainability Program with leaders in business, sustainability, finance, social entrepreneurship and more.

On April 25th, we talked with Jeana Wirtenberg, Ph.D, who is President and CEO of Transitioning to Green. Her company helps companies and organizations mainstream sustainability into all aspects of their corporate culture. Based on original research in her new book, Building a Culture for Sustainability, Jeana will share stories and practical insights about how nine companies are finding ways to move sustainability from CEO-level concept to everyday action and everyday outcomes. Drawing on more than 20 years of her own research, teaching, and front-line experience in HR, she pulls all those pieces together to deliver practical advice to large and small organizations on how to begin or accelerate their own transitions to long-term sustainability.

On April 4th, we talked with Tom Polton, the Senior Director of Product Stewardship within Pfizer's Global Environment, Health, and Safety Platform. In 2010, Tom Polton was appointed to lead Pfizer's Environmental Sustainability program. Together with his responsibilities for Product Stewardship, he is engaged in an effort to manage Pfizer’s environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle.

On March 28th, we talked with Dave Stangis, VP Public Affairs & Corporate Responsibility, Campbell Soup Company. Campbell's is the world's largest soup manufacturer, and comprises other brands such as Pepperidge Farm, V8, Pace, Prego and Swanson. Campbell's is also recognized as a sustainability leader: according to Strangis, "We are focused on delivering business value by reducing our carbon footprint, promoting a sustainable environment and making a meaningful contribution to the workplace, marketplace and community."

We're talking with David

J. Tulauskas, Director of Sustainability for General Motors Co. Dave will focus on his team's efforts to further embed

sustainability into GM's business through activities such as goal setting and

sustainability reporting.

On February 28th, we're talking with Toby Usnik of Christie's, a fine art auction house, who will be speaking about launching inaugural CSR campaigns within one of the world's oldest companies.

Rob Bennet, Founder and CEO of EcoDistricts is a recognized leader in the sustainable cities movement with 14 years of direct experience shaping municipal sustainable development projects and policy at the intersection of city planning, real estate development, economic development and environmental policy. Before EcoDistricts, Rob worked for two of North America’s most innovative cities, Vancouver, BC and Portland, Ore., and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation, where he provided technical assistance to cities throughout North America in the areas of climate change reductions and building performance policy.

This week, we're talking with Lewis Fix of Domtar. During his tenure as VP Sustainable Business & Brand Management, Lewis first recognized the need for sustainable practices from a market perspective; customers were demanding more sustainable paper products. To help differentiate Domtar in a commoditized industry, Lewis helped lead several initiatives, including third party certifications of forests and the supply chain, collaborating with ENGOs, marketing, branding and communications, and establishing grassroots initiatives within Domtar to further advance employee engagement.

We’re talking with Amy Hall, the Director of Social Consciousness at Eileen Fisher.  A pacesetter in sustainability in the fashion industry, the company sees “business as a movement” and prioritizes its Social Consciousness Initiatives, which support community, supply chain and environment in ways that impact women’s lives directly.