The COVID-19 pandemic, a reckoning of social justice, a global recession and a resounding call to action for all sectors to more deeply drive impact has fundamentally altered business today. To ensure short-term survival and long-term success, businesses must now consider the quickly changing expectations of their full range of stakeholders – employees, communities, consumers, investors and partners – and embrace the intersectionality of the issues we face as people, in business and around the world.
Today, we launch the virtual edition of our “Porter Novelli Purpose Summit: The Era of Stakeholder-centered Business,” the second installment in our summit series, which dives into the evolving mandate for business and how actions taken today will build the resilient brands of tomorrow. Here, we share insights from our own research, paired with perspectives from business leaders, partners and clients who are paving the way to a better future – from leading by example in diversity, equity and inclusion to internal change management programs and policies that enable brands to advance systems-level change.
With the partnership of brands, such as Harvard Business School, PVH’s Tommy Hilfiger, American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, One Young World, Mars, American Express and others, we are excited to bring you each of these thought-provoking sessions and hope you enjoy:
All sessions can be found here on Vimeo, and listed below:
- Opening Remarks, COVID-19 & Social Justice
Tracking Evolving Expectations
Start your experience with Porter Novelli CEO David Bentley and CMO Kate Cusick, as they set the stage for sessions that address the accelerated, shifting mandate for business today. Then, stick around to unpack key findings across our nine Tracker reports and learn how brands can not only navigate this tumultuous time, but also engage proactively and impactfully.
- The Emerging Intersection of Purpose & Policy
The Vitality of Public-private Partnerships
Join executives from top brands, including Lenovo, American Cancer Society and Sandoz — alongside Porter Novelli’s Joe Farren, MD of Washington, D.C., and Rosemary McGillan, Partner and Global Purpose Practice Lead, to learn how brands and NGOs can be the bridge to close our political divide and effect change at the policy level.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Begins with Me
The Movement for Justice & Equity Requires Committed Workplace Leadership
Lauren Wesley Wilson, President & Founder of ColorComm; Doug Melville, Chief Diversity Officer of TBWA Worldwide; Michelle Lee, Editor in Chief of Allure Magazine; and Soon Mee Kim, EVP & Global DE&I Lead of Porter Novelli, discuss their personal path to drive change in their organizations and across the broader business landscape.
- Employee Engagement in 2020
How to Keep an Employee-rooted Mindset Amid Continuous Change
In this session, Porter Novelli’s Margaret-Ann Cole, Global Talent Lead, and Conroy Boxhill, MD Atlanta, dive into the intersection of COVID-19, social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) through the lens of employee engagement and show how agile change management can help companies quickly respond to the changing environment.
- Meeting the Next Generation’s Expectations
A Fireside Chat with the CEO of National 4-H Council
Join our conversation with Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO of 4-H Council, a national nonprofit focused on building youth leadership. Through their efforts, nearly six million kids have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for both equity and inclusion. In this session, you’ll learn how impact of this scale can be achieved – and how brands will meet the next generation’s expectations. Following this conversation, you’ll also hear a synopsis of key takeaways from the first day of the summit from Porter Novelli CMO Kate Cusick and VP of Marketing & Research Whitney Dailey.
- Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire
A Fireside Chat with HBS Professor Rebecca Henderson
2020 has been the most volatile year for business since the 2008 financial crash. But, does that provide an opportunity to imagine a new capitalism to meet the needs of the 21st Century? Join Rebecca Henderson, Harvard Business School Professor & Author of “Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire” and Porter Novelli CMO Kate Cusick to discuss the evolving role of business in society and why it’s vital for business to advocate for a shift away from a shareholder-only economy.
- COVID-19 & Social Justice, Part II
Comparing Expectations of Business in the U.S. & U.K.
The outlook for business in the U.K. is evolving every day and as companies begin the slow road to recovery, others are hit by continued disruption, job loss and closure. Lately, through our own research, we’ve been tracking the pulse of those in the U.K. and their evolving expectations for business. In this session, we present our latest U.K. research and compare it to insights into U.S. public opinion.
- Making an Impact
How Brands Turn Sentiment & Statement into Action
Here, we convene a panel of NGOs, start-up’s, campaigns and businesses to discuss the practicalities of what it means to truly be a responsible organization in the U.K. in 2020.
- The Business Imperative of Disability Inclusion
A Conversation with Leaders at PVH’s Tommy Hilfiger & Valuable 500
30 years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the movement for inclusion continues. Especially today, we see a growing understanding of intersectionality and need for disability inclusion. Join this discussion to hear from Caroline Casey, Founder of the Valuable 500 and Jeannine D’Onofrio, Executive Vice President, Tommy Hilfiger North America, on the business imperative of weaving disability inclusivity into all aspects of business.
- Cross-sector Collaboration Combating the COVID-19 Crisis
Global Health in the Pandemic Era & Beyond
COVID-19 exposed the vulnerabilities present across health systems in all countries, regardless of income level. Here, in a dialogue with Rabin Martin CEO Dr. Jeffrey Sturchio and Renuka Gadde, VP of Global Health at BD, you’ll will explore the importance of cross-sector collaboration in combating our global health crises.
- Building the Foundation for Agility Today
Lessons Learned in Latin America
How does a brand build both agility and adaptability – especially in 2020? Join us, with partners from Mars and American Express, who will let you know how. Together, we explore what it means to survive, thrive and transform to meet the needs of our full range of stakeholders.
- Climate in a COVID-19 Reality
Accelerating Climate Action During a Health Crisis
While the world continues to reel from a global pandemic, another emergency continues to loom: the Climate Crisis. This session unpacks the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the climate crisis – and how brands are framing communication and action in light of the shifting landscape. Join a lively discussion with Jessica Appelgren, VP of Communications at Impossible Foods and Sandy Skees, our Global Innovation Practice Lead, as they dive into the intersectionality of these topics and how brands are tackling pressing social and environmental issues in tandem.
- The Next Generation
Gen Z’s Expectations for Business Amid the Pandemic
Gain deep insight into our most recent research on Generation Z, the most action-oriented and Purpose-driven generation yet. Here, you will learn their growing expectation on business, especially today, and the long-term implications on your business.
For additional insights, watch the full range of sessions from our first Porter Novelli Purpose Summit: Committing to Action Amid COVID-19.