Sustainability, Corporate Governance & Culture
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Why is sustainability and good corporate governance an important business strategy and what are the implications for attracting and retaining top talent, engaging employees, promoting training and development, and advancing diversity and inclusion practices?
We have assembled a panel of national and local leaders to discuss why businesses that prioritize good sustainability practices and focus on developing a comprehensive social strategy positively impact their workforce challenges.
Some topics our speakers will address are:
- What is sustainability and how does it help organizations meet the needs of today without compromising future generations?
- Why is it important to have a good social strategy to help you meet your workforce challenges?
- Why is today's workforce often driven by values and principles as much as financial compensation, and how can you leverage a values-led culture to meet your employee's new expectations?
- What are some best practices you can implement that will have a positive organizational impact?
- Why is the Greater Providence Chamber advocating that companies make sustainable practices a business priority to help them attract key talent and build a diverse and innovative team?
SCHEDULE:
- TIME: 8:00 - 9:00 AM EST
- Location: Virtual Via Zoom
This program has been submitted for HRCI and SHRM credits.
OUR SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Jordan Mitchell
Associate Director, ESG Strategy, DEI Practice Social Strategy - KPMG
Jordan is an Associate Director in KPMG's ESG Social Strategy practice. He serves on the Social Solution and Strategy team and leads DEI and Human Rights for the Social Strategy practice.
Jordan's professional and consulting experience in people management; business strategy and operations; talent acquisition; human rights; social impact; and diversity, equity, and inclusion has led to a passion for impacting business with an emphasis on a culture of inclusion, innovative approaches to growth, and setting standards of excellence that exceeds business and people objectives.
Prior to joining KPMG Jordon served in DEI, Business Operations, and Marketing Leadership roles. Jordan is a proud disabled veteran and the author of A Career Unpaved: Insights and Inspiration for a Career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which shares his perspective as a DEI leader. He is a graduate of DePaul University.
Laurie White
President, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
Laurie White has been the President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce -- Rhode Island's largest private-sector business and economic development organization since 2005. The Chamber's mission is to advocate on behalf of the membership to improve the vibrancy of the local economy and to be a champion for members as they work to fully achieve their own business development goals.
Laurie founded the Taricani Lecture Series on First Amendment Rights at URI in honor of her late husband and nationally recognized investigative journalist Jim Taricani of NBC 10 Providence. Laurie has served on several boards such as Skills for Rhode Island's Future, the Rhode Island Commodores, and the Capital Campaign Committee for the Jonnycake Center Food Pantry and is a member of the Board of Directors and an Officer of the John F. White & Company.
Laurie is an honors graduate with a BA in Journalism from URI and earned the designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). She completed the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business "Directors Consortium" which focused on best practices in corporate governance.
Stuart Benton, CPA, CGMA
President and CEO, Bradford Soap Works
Stuart (Stu) Benton has been the President & CEO of Bradford Soap Works since 2016 after serving as their CFO and Executive Vice President for over 5 years. He is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Non- non-executive board Director with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods, physical security, food & beverage, and construction industries. Leading transformations, turnarounds, and/or growth in privately held, closely held, and PE-owned companies. Stuart is skilled in Manufacturing, Strategic Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, and leading cultural change within organizations. Stu has focused and led Bradford through its sustainability journey
Prior to Bradford Soap Works, Stu served in several executive financial and operational management positions. He has served on many non-profit and corporate boards such as C.N. Wood Company, Matlet Group, LLC, and as a member of the RI Governor's Manufacturing Council.
Stu graduated from Bentley University and Suffolk University, He is a graduate of the the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program.
Shameem Awan, SHRM-CP
Sr. AVP, Talent Management and DE&I, Amica Mutual Insurance
Shamem has been employed at AMICA for over 27 years. Her current responsibilities in Human Resources include companywide oversight of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Talent Acquisition and Talent Management.
She previously worked in the Claims Executive Department for 11 years and worked as an adjuster, assistant training instructor and held a variety of supervisory and managerial positions at Amica. She has worked in the Wellesley, MA, Seattle, WA, Indianapolis, IN, Atlanta, GA and Houston, TX offices as well as Rhode Island where she is currently based.
Shameem graduated from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA and has a B.S. in Business Management with minors in Art History and Spanish from Providence College Her professional insurance designations include CPCU, SHRM-CP, AIC, AIC-M, API, AINS, ACS and AIS. Shameem is a 13 year Rotarian, board Secretary with the Nonviolence Institute, board member with RI for Community and Justice and is a member of the Providence College President’s Council. Shameem is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island, an LRI certified Strengths Coach and a 2023 graduate of the RI Foundation’s Equity Leadership Initiative.
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Sponsorship opportunities are available.
