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Many companies striving to be good corporate citizens today face an internal tug of war between giving attention to community initiatives that address social problems and the growing demand to make environmental issues paramount.
Conference Update: PwC chief diversity officer challenges attendees to ask tough questions
By Tim Wilson, Editor & Writer, Boston College Center
The Boston College Center’s International Corporate Citizenship Conference was kicked off tonight by Niloufar Molavi, U.S. chief diversity officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers, who highlighted the common commitment of corporate citizenship and diversity programs “to do the right things.”
During the welcome reception hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Molavi remarked that there are parallel interests to diversity and corporate citizenship and numerous areas where they intersect. “Work with diversity directly impacts many areas around CSR,” she said, noting that both are connected to core values and are business imperatives as key factors in building trust and connecting an organization to the community.Companies are being asked by the public to lead on social issues, she said, citing surveys that find 75 percent of consumers believe CSR is important and that 65 percent would choose products supporting specific causes.
Molavi said that PricewaterhouseCoopers is committed to high ethical values to help create lasting sustainable businesses. This commitment includes embracing the United Nations Global Compact’s 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Examples of how PricewaterhouseCoopers demonstrates this commitment include: embracing a 20 percent cut in carbon emissions without offsets; encouraging employees to be actively engaged with lasting impact in community and giving them 10 days of paid time off to do it; and the “Impact” program, in which PwC mentors help talented African-American high school juniors navigate the college planning process and provide them with the necessary tools and strategies for success in college and beyond.
“We’re all about service,” said Molavi. But beyond delivering service to clients, she added that it’s important to deliver the highest quality service to our communities. “These initiatives have lasting impact on clients’ colleagues and communities.”
Molavi said that while PwC is making a commitment to diversity and corporate citizenship, the company continues to ask “what more can we do?” She challenged attendees to ask themselves and their companies questions about their commitment.
What will you do to inspire creativity, innovation and diversity as part of business?
How will you encourage partnerships that are productive, resilient and successful?
What are your ambitions for your people and how will you deliver them?
