A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Yousuf Aftab, Director of Atelier Aftab As investor interest in ESG accelerates and new challenges emerge, directors and executives can expect more nuanced legal challenges. Among the most difficult of these are questions about the legal aspects of corporate political responsibility. Please join us for an interactive conversation to explore: […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Debilyn Molineaux and Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson of The Bridge Alliance Though many business leaders are concerned about the effects of polarization and partisan conflict internally and externally, few are aware of the burgeoning movement to build bridges and renew civic space. Members of the Bridge Alliance, a coalition […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Debilyn Molineaux and Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson of The Bridge Alliance Though many business leaders are concerned about the effects of polarization and partisan conflict internally and externally, few are aware of the burgeoning movement to build bridges and renew civic space. Members of the Bridge Alliance, a coalition […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Tyler Duvelius of the Conservative Energy Network Thursday, November 17, 3-4:15pm ET Tyler Duvelius has built his career bringing conservative viewpoints into the clean energy conversation, working to educate, train, and organize conservative grassroots support for clean energy issues, and actively participating in clean energy policy discussions at the local, state, and […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Josh Zinner of ICCR and John Keenan of AFSCME Investors are increasingly concerned about the impacts corporations have on people and the planet, and the risks these can create for businesses, investors, and beneficiaries. Institutional investors in particular worry about “externalities” that can undermine a firm’s financial performance or amplify […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Mahlet Getachew of PolicyLink Over the past few years, business leaders have become more aware of racial discrimination and economic inequity, and how they affect employees, customers, communities and their businesses. Many are now working to create cultures of equity and inclusion, promote economic opportunity and invest in the communities […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Jonas Kron, Chief Advocacy Officer at Trillium Asset Management Amidst the current debate about ESG and impact investing, fund managers are taking a deeper look at the political activities of the companies they invest in. Some push companies into active advocacy. Others focus on ensuring that political influences are not […]
An Expert Dialogue with Christine Mahoney of the University of Virginia Despite the enormous burden of current reporting requirements on lobbying activity, there is surprisingly little useful information to enable problem-solving or accountability. Meanwhile, companies now face pressure to report in more depth on the issues they advocacy priorities and their positions on key issues. […]
We are excited to host a timely discussion about ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) at Ross Business School in March, featuring Elizabeth Doty (Director, Erb Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce); Bennett Freeman (Associate Fellow of Chatham House and former Senior Vice President of Calvert Investments); Vik Khanna (William W. Cook Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School); and moderated by Erb Institute Faculty Director, Tom […]
An Expert Dialogue with Paul Washington of the Social & Governance Center at the Conference Board Chief legal officers and government relations executives are finding it difficult to conduct long-term planning and investment in the current US political environment, where a combination of political polarization and extremely close elections increases the risk of wide swings […]
An Expert Dialogue with Gaya Herrington of Schneider Electric Today’s debates over sustainability and prosperity hinge on foundational assumptions about the economy, growth and the drivers of human well-being. Since its publication in 1972, the “Limits to Growth” model commissioned by the Club of Rome has been at the center of such debates, raising fundamental […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Jon Drimmer of Paul Hastings LLC and Lelia Mooney Sirotinsky of Georgetown University Law Center In the current US political environment, companies are facing complex, high stakes decisions related to cultural issues, civic participation, free speech, informed civic discourse and the rule of law. Could the field of Business and […]
An Expert Dialogue with Pat McLagan, author and expert in leadership and complex organizational change As trust in civic institutions declines in the US and around the world, many are turning to business to help reverse the cycle. But how? What is most effective? And how can business play a positive role without encroaching on […]
An Expert Dialogue with Seth Radwell, author of American Schism: How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing Our Nation Business leaders across the US and the world are increasingly concerned about polarization and intensifying incivility, but often loathe to get involved in issues that are fraught with conflict and brand risk. Yet, as […]
An Expert Dialogue with Daniella Ballou-Aares and Lauren Caplan of the Leadership Now Project With the 2024 campaigning underway and distrust of American civic institutions at an all-time high, business leaders and boards can expect to confront multiple “democracy flashpoints” in the coming months. What scenarios should they be preparing for? Where might they need […]
Please join Shalanda Baker, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy, as she shares her passion for climate justice and her research on the equity dimension of the global transition away from fossil fuel energy to cleaner energy. Her book, Revolutionary Power: An Activist’s Guide to the Energy Transition (Island Press […]
A CPRT Expert Dialogue with Sarah Bonk & Richard Eidlin of Business for America In the current tumultuous U.S. political environment, business leaders are exploring ways to navigate heated debates and intensifying culture wars. When and how should they take action? How can they prepare internally? Are there ways business can help address the root […]
As more investors consider risks related to climate change and a just energy transition, and California and the European Union implement new Scope 3 reporting, companies are being pressed to develop concrete action plans to achieve net zero or other environmental targets. Though these plans focus on operations, supply chains, and products or services, firms […]
Companies have become increasingly powerful political players in recent decades, using their political clout to influence public policy on social, economic and environmental issues – often behind closed doors and too often, in ways that undermine the public interest. In his new book, Corporate Political Responsibility, Tom Lyon and a series of leading scholars of […]
In their recent Harvard Business Review article, Strategy in a Hyperpolitical World, Roger L. Martin and Martin Reeves argue, “Almost everything about business today is political, in the sense that it requires consideration of a wide range of often controversial ethical, social and ecological issues.” Many executives know this reality all too well, as […]
As technology platforms provide more and more of the “public square” for civic discourse and debate, their actions will be critical as voters weigh choices in 2024 election in the US and around the world. Now, with the accelerated adoption of AI, technology will have an even greater role in averting electoral crises and navigating […]
Dr. Rajiv Shah (BS ’95) is president of The Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution with a mission to promote the well-being of humanity around the world. Shah will discuss his new book, “Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens” (Simon & Schuster, 2023), and how universities can embrace a big bets mindset of transformative change, especially […]
As businesses seek to balance shifting expectations from stakeholders ranging from investors and legal counsel to customers and employees, they’re increasingly exploring how a principled structure for political activities can help increase business resilience and sustainability. In her recent work developing more than 30 case studies on corporate sustainability, Angeli Patel has discovered three indicators […]
An invitation to executives to manage risk, maintain stability and take non-partisan action to ensure the health of our civic institutions The 2024 General Election is approaching fast. Across the country, voters will go to the polls in a political landscape that is increasingly polarized and volatile. With energized stakeholders looking for companies to lead, […]
Trade associations are key players in helping businesses and industry sectors deliver on ambitious sustainability goals, stakeholder priorities, and an ultimate interest in a healthy environment. In these efforts, public policy is a critical lever. As a natural vehicle for industry advocacy on sustainability policy, trade associations lobby and sometimes make political contributions. Yet, specific […]
As more companies face challenges related to ESG and DEI initiatives, some are pulling back on investments and hesitating to take public stances on issues. But prevailing public sentiment and market indicators rebuke the conventional idea that business leaders must choose between profit and purpose. Increasingly, the numbers — factual and financial — show the […]
The communications and actions of companies and industries influence policy outcomes, including policies that affect people’s health, positively or negatively, directly or indirectly. One example of a large-scale industry with both influence and dependency upon policy outcomes is the U.S. firearms industry. Lecturer in Inequalities and Global Health Policy Nason Maani recently worked on a […]
A practical introduction to the Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce and the Leadership Now Project’s Corporate Guide to Navigating U.S. Political Risk In this critical election year, executives in every business function are faced with unprecedented risks and uncertainties related to an increasingly polarized and volatile US political landscape, from supply chain disruption to […]
Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm PST Marriott Marquis San Francisco780 Mission StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103 Join us at The MBA Tour to connect and chat with the Erb Institute and the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Admissions Team. The MBA Tour will provide access to exclusive panels and discussions, and help you network with alumni […]
Sunday, July 14, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm PST Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza251 South Olive StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012 Join us at The MBA Tour to connect and chat with the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Admissions Team. The MBA Tour will provide access to exclusive panels and discussions, and help you network with alumni and […]
Saturday, July 20, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm Marriott Marquis Washington, DC901 Massachusetts Avenue NorthwestWashington, DC 20001 Join us at The MBA Tour to connect and chat with the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Admissions Team. The MBA Tour will provide access to exclusive panels and discussions, and help you network with alumni and fellow candidates from the world's leading business […]
Saturday, July 27, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm ET Sheraton New York Times Square HotelWest 53rd StreetNew York, NY 10019 Join us at The MBA Tour to connect and chat with the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Admissions Team. The MBA Tour will provide access to exclusive panels and discussions, and help you network with alumni and fellow candidates […]
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - 5:00pm to 8:30pm Marriott Marquis Atlanta265 Peachtree Center Ave NEAtlanta, GA 30303 Join us at the QS Discover MBA Fair in Atlanta to connect and chat with the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Admissions Team. The MBA Fair will provide access to expert advice, and help you network with alumni and fellow candidates from […]
A practical introduction to the Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce and the new CPR Decision Tool based on the Erb Principles for CPR Following the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, the realities of an increasingly volatile and unpredictable geopolitical environment have never been more clear. In response, boards, companies, and associations are […]
As business leaders seek alignment between their political engagement and their companies’ stated mission and values, leading companies are increasingly auditing their trade association memberships. As unveiled by The Good Lobby Tracker, benchmarking around engagement with trade associations is increasing. In some cases, as in the recent high-profile Unilever trade association assessment, this analysis reveals […]
With the tumultuous events of the 2024 US election season, companies are reviewing a wider range of risk scenarios — from political violence to election interference, conflicting stakeholder pressures, regulatory uncertainty, and the politicization of strategic business issues. These challenges are unlikely to abate completely after the election. In this hyper-politicized environment, proactive risk management is […]
Welcome to Erb Returns 2024! Join us on Thursday, November 7th - Saturday, November 9th in Ann Arbor for exciting programming and networking opportunities at Erb Returns 2024! Erb Returns will bring together the Erb Institute community: graduate and undergraduate alumni, current students, staff, and faculty for professional development. It will be a time to reconnect, share […]
