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Pro Bono Perspectives Rewind: September 2021

By Emily Patrick | September 28, 2021

Catch up on the latest Pro Bono Perspectives podcast episodes from September 2021! Hear host Danielle Holly’s conversations with Carolyn Berkowitz, President & CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), and Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares, NYC’s largest volunteer network.

“Ushering in a New Era of CSR” with Carolyn Berkowitz, ACCP
Customers, employees, and even investors are increasingly pushing companies to move from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism. Are companies moving fast enough – or too quickly – when it comes to making good on their commitments to social change? ACCP President & CEO Carolyn Berkowitz shares her insights, plus the importance of diversity and inclusion within CSR departments and what’s ahead for the field.

Companies, rightfully, are afraid to tout their own progress [on CSR and DEI] or to champion themselves and I think it only starts when somebody is willing to say, ‘here’s where we started, and here’s where we’re going, and here’s where we are.‘”

If companies were to move too quickly, it might do more harm than good. Companies really shouldn’t just throw resources at something without the depth of understanding. I don’t think that’s an excuse, but I do think it is a reality.”

“Reflecting on Service 20 Years After 9/11” with Gary Bagley, New York Cares 
In the days leading up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11, host Danielle Holly and New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley ruminate on how era-defining moments from the 9/11 attacks to the current pandemic bring on new waves of service and activism. Plus, hear them talk about food insecurity during COVID-19, how to take meaningful action on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as white nonprofit leaders, and why corporate service programs yield stronger business results when they (somewhat counterintuitively) focus on nonprofit and community needs first. 

“More over the last three years than any time in my tenure, people reference their service as activism… It’s led people to have a broader social justice or racial justice framework in their service that directs where they want to serve and the context around their service.”

“[DEI] is an important journey and until it becomes a personal journey, I don’t believe it can really transform an organization. It’s got to be very genuine and very personal.” 

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