Leading Conversation of CEOs on Identifying Market Drivers for Long-Term Investments in Society

NEW YORK, February 29, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Fifty CEOs from the world’s largest companies convened at CECP’s 11th annual Board of Boards to discuss the theme Competing for the Long Run and how leading companies are addressing societal challenges through business. A Forbes-named top three “power player” event for CEOs, the Board of Boards is a closed-door, CEO-to-CEO forum on the imperative for thinking long-term about business and societal strategies. Participating companies generated nearly $400 billion in revenue in the last year and have led initiatives on disaster relief, education, employee engagement, health, nutrition, veterans, and more.

CEO Force for Good honorees recognized at the event, who led the discussions, included:

David Abney, Chairman & CEO, UPS: Strong Start Force for Good Award
J. P. Bilbrey, Chairman, President & CEO, The Hershey Company: Collaboration Force for Good
Eileen Fisher, Founder and Chairwoman, EILEEN FISHER, Inc.: Pacesetter Force for Good
Dr. H. Fisk Johnson, Chairman & CEO, SC Johnson: Founders Force for Good
Kip Tindell, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, The Container Store: Pacesetter Force for Good
Ronald A. Williams, Former Chairman & CEO, Aetna Inc.: Lawrence A. Wien Legacy CEO Force for Good

Additional conversation leaders included:

Mitch Barns, CEO, Nielsen
Mark T. Bertolini, Chairman & CEO, Aetna Inc.
Richard Edelman, President & CEO, Edelman
Lynn Forester de Rothschild, CEO, E.L. Rothschild
Erika Karp, Founder & CEO, Cornerstone Capital Inc.
Joseph Keefe, President & CEO, Pax World Management LLC
Dr. Candace Kendle, Former Chairman & CEO, Kendle International Inc.
Raj Sisodia, FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business & Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Conscious Capitalism Inc.

Board meeting-style conversations on the enlightened CEO, conscious capitalism, the new consumer expectations, purpose as a long-term market driver, and good beyond giving allowed CEOs to share insights and best practices to help advance the impact of corporate community investment, tapping strategies that are a competitive advantage. Key takeaways as determined through live CEO polling include:

If the tension between management’s desire to focus on the long term and the shareholders focus on short-term stock price lessens, the potential for investments accrued in impact-oriented companies is great.
The business benefits of an employee-focused workplace are manifold; one great, engaged employee is equal to three good, somewhat engaged employees.
Business must measure the impact a visible higher purpose has on the brand, which will reinforce its importance.

“There’s no other forum of CEOs that focuses on bringing balance to long- and short-term business strategies for the benefit of business and society,” stated Daryl Brewster, CEO, CECP. “These CEOs bring purpose to their businesses by aligning with and investing in society. It builds trust. It engages employees. It improves the business reputation. It opens up new opportunities for the long run. And we are seeing increased evidence that it is leading to superior performance.”

Attendees, the agenda, speakers, and more can be found on CECP’s website. An Executive Summary including live polling results, images, and highlight videos will be available on the CECP website following the event.

CECP, a coalition of CEOs who believe that societal improvement is an essential measure of business performance, was founded in 1999 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman.

The conference was held at the Time Warner Headquarters in New York City, and event attendance was limited to CECP CEOs. CECP thanks the event supporters, Newman’s Own Foundation and PwC US, and the Empire State Building for lighting in CECP blue the evening of the Board of Boards in honor of the convening.

Note to Editors: Select CEO attendees, including award winners and speakers, and CECP executives are available for comment following the event.

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About CECP: The CEO Force for Good
CECP is a coalition of CEOs who believe societal improvement is an essential measure of business performance. Through convenings and thought leadership, CECP fosters collaboration among Fortune 500 companies striving to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems through the skills and resources of their companies. CECP, a global nonprofit organization, counts more than 150 affiliated at the CEO level and 50 at the company level. Companies affiliated with CECP together have more than $6.5 trillion in annual revenue and more than 14.5 million employees, and invest more than $14 billion annually in cash and non-cash in the communities around them. For more information visit cecp.co.

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