Business and Society Program

Archived CVSG events

Communicating with Strength and Purpose in Times of Uncertainty (December 2008, New York City): On Dec. 15 at the NYSE, Aspen and Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics held an off-the-record meeting of senior financial executives and financial analysts. The session was rooted in the Aspen Principles, which encourage corporate-investor communications to focus on the long-term. John Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP and Lara Warner of Credit Suisse were instrumental in making the event happen.

Sustainability: Leadership Required (November 2008, New York City): The Business for Social Responsibility conference presented leading innovators in responsible business and explored sustainability challenges with an international audience of 1300. Business & Society Senior Fellow Rebecca Darr moderated "Long-Term Value Creation vs. Quarterly Earnings." This breakout session addressed how leading companies & investors are de-emphasizing short-term financial metrics. Panelists Peter Knight, co-founder of Generation Investment Management, Lara Warner of Credit Suisse, and Gene Capello of Pfizer highlighted a silver lining in the current market chaos: companies that can articulate compelling, long-term value opportunities.

Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Leadership Series (October 2008): This Thought Center webcast, "Blueprint for Growth: Building a World Class Board," is the fourth in a series designed to provide viewers with the latest information from the front lines. Deborah Norville (host of TV's "Inside Edition") moderated a conversation between Judith Samuelson (Executive Director, Business & Society Program) and four other panelists as they discussed what it takes to identify and attract the best board members to help businesses succeed --and remain-- in an uncertain global economy.

Council of Institutional Investors: Thinking Long-Term (October 2008, Chicago): BSP Executive Director Judith Samuelson moderated a panel, "Exploring Change for Long-Term Value Creation," at this three-day biannual event, hosted by the Council of Institutional Investors.

Best Practices in Earnings Guidance and Communications Symposium (September 2008, New York City): The Business and Society Program collaborated with Bloomberg, Business Round Table Institute for Corporate Ethics, CED, CFA Institute, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to shed light on best practices and alternatives to the current quarterly earnings guidance system that promote better investor-corporate communications. The half-day symposium featured Bill Donaldson, Bob Pozen and others. Business & Society Executive Director Judith Samuelson participated in "Looking to the Future," a panel that discussed important communication steps between investors, issuers and analysts, and questions that need to be better understood.

Yale Governance Forum (June 2008, New Haven, CT): Hosted by the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance and Performance, the Yale Governance Forum provides a venue for participants to discuss and debate key current issues in corporate governance. Judith Samuelson (Executive Director, Business & Society) will participate in a session considering the question: Should short-term owners have a say in a company's long-term strategy? Other panel participants include Steve Odland (Chairman & CEO, Office Depot), Andrew Shapiro (President, Lawndale Capital Management) and John Sunderland (Non-Executive Chairman, Cadbury Schweppes).

Social Venture Network (May 2008, New Jersey): SVN's Annual Member Gathering  brings together visionaries in business, economic justice and social enterprise, to reconnect and inspire one another. The Principles will be showcased in a panel on short-termism titled "A Compelling Case for Change -- The Aspen Principles," moderated by Judith Samuelson.

Aspen Environment Forum (March 2008, Aspen, CO): At the inaugural Aspen Environment Forum, Judith Samuelson, Executive Director of the Business and Society Program, moderated a panel titled "Sustainability in Practice: Managing the Long View," which considered how -- and to what effect -- leaders in banking and investment can encourage long-term thinking.