Fortune Impact Initiative 2023
The Fortune Impact Initiative™ is a membership community dedicated to supporting executives who manage the risks and growth opportunities that put people, planet, and purpose at the core of their business strategies.
Impact Initiative: Redefining Purpose and Charting the Way Forward
Increasing polarization around the globe and deteriorating trust in politicians and the media are driving a public outcry for industry to address the most crucial challenges of our time. The task is a difficult one for ESG leaders: Income inequality, health care access and addressing climate change are all issues that people want businesses more involved in solving.
2023 brings with it new uncertainties. An impending recession driven by soaring inflation, long-awaited regulation on climate disclosures, growing calls for pay transparency and the rising politicization of ESG present new hurdles for executives. In this new age of business, how can corporate leaders work to heal our societal divides? What metrics exist—globally, nationally and locally—to measure and report a company’s social impact? How will leaders redefine purpose and the way forward on addressing climate change? There are no easy answers, but Fortune’s Impact Initiative promises to help leaders build expertise on the implementation and measurement of ESG practices across all business areas. Speakers will include Former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams, BlocPower Founder and CEO Donnel Baird, Allbirds Co-founder Tim Brown, Emerson Collective Senior Director of Venture Investing (Environment & Energy) Michael Bruce, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Co-founder and Co-CEO Priscilla Chan, Global Black Economic Forum CEO Alphonso David, Visa Chief Diversity Officer and Head of Corporate Responsibility Michelle Gethers, GE Chief Sustainability Officer Roger Martella, Walmart Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Kathleen McLaughlin, GM Vice President, Sustainable Workplaces, and Chief Sustainability Officer Kristen Siemen, Colgate-Palmolive Chief Sustainability OfficerAnn Tracy, and Meta Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams
Who Will Participate?
The Impact Initiative members are senior leaders in Fortune 1000™ companies who have primary responsibility for ESG issues. Titles will include President/CEO, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officers, and senior titles in Corporate Responsibility, Ethics, Operations, and Compliance. Find out how membership in the Impact Initiative can make a difference to you. We also invite you to join our group on LinkedIn here.
An Advisory Panel made up of the most influential leaders in the areas of diversity, environment and governance been created to direct and drive the critical issues under discussion.
Fortune is committed to hosting a safe event and is following guidance issued by local authorities and the CDC. Fortune recommends that participants be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and that you self test prior to arrival. If your test is positive, please stay home, even if you do not have symptoms. Similarly, if you are feeling unwell, please stay home. Masking is not required; wearing one is at your discretion.
Event Speakers
Stacey Abrams
Former Minority Leader
Georgia House
Kathleen McLaughlin
Executive Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer, Walmart; President
Walmart Foundation
Kristen Siemen
Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer
General Motors
Alethia Jackson
Senior Vice President, ESG, and Chief DEI Officer
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Overview
Together, we will take a deep dive into these topics at our 2023 annual meeting:
- Impact Investing with perspectives from all sides
- The ESG backlash and navigating the future
- Leveraging science and technology to impact social issues and disease prevention
- DEI as a business critical issue
- Moving the needle on sustainability through strategy, operations and growth
- Boards diversity and responsibility
- The future of alternative energy
- The Electric Revolution and the way electricity will play a crucial role in the green energy transition
- Building carbon neutral products and the path to building a truly circular economy
- Affirmative Action Rollback and its Corporate implications
- Responsible A.I.
- ESG data and reporting
Agenda
THE ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER
The Atlanta History Center is a 33-acre estate, surrounded by gardens, historic houses, and a museum dedicated to showcasing the history of Atlanta. Attendees will have a chance to view the 1886 cyclorama painting, “The Battle of Atlanta,” for the first time in 100 years in the way it was intended to be seen: as an immersive learning experience illuminating how perceptions of memory can be shaped or distorted by our past. Following the cyclorama, attendees will visit the Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See exhibition, which highlights Mamie Till-Mobley’s pursuit of justice following the death of her only son and the eventual passage, in March 2022, of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.
Event Host:
Dr. Gordon Jones, Senior Military Historian
LOVE BEYOND WALLS
Love Beyond Walls is a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and support for our country’s unhoused community. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Dr. Terence Lester after viewing his recent documentary Homesick, which focuses on the legal issues surrounding homelessness in Tennessee. Following the documentary, attendees will tour The Dignity Museum, an immersive exhibition set in a shipping container. The museum shares stories of the forgotten, while presenting the unjust causes for disparity in resource allocation. The museum is designed to take you through a journey to promote equality, opportunity and justice and a hopeful future.
Event Hosts:
Dr. Terence Lester, Founder and Executive Director, Love Beyond Walls
Dr. Vonetta West, Chief Content Officer, The King Center
Join small group sessions with your peers to dive into the topics that will be discussed at the Impact Initiative.
SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE: PUSHING ESG FOR PROFITABILITY
ESG - While the acronym has received backlash, its principles are here to stay. Understanding the profit value of ESG isn’t always clear to the marketplace. Many organizations believe it requires a hefty initial investment to reap any rewards. Many consumers don’t believe they have enough information to make informed choices on the impact of a company’s ESG programs. How can leaders better educate and inform various stakeholder groups about ESG’s impact on a company’s long-term health?
Discussion Leaders:
Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer, Zoetis
Chris Hagleer, Partner and Head, ESG and Impact, Independence Point Advisors
Sheri Hickok, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Impact Partners
Moderator: Molly Wood, Founder and CEO, Molly Wood Media; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY DURING TIMES OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action ruling has and will continue to impact DEI teams across corporate America. How can organizations refocus efforts to build a more inclusive culture?
Discussion Leaders:
Floss Aggrey, Chief Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Randstad North America
Eileen Buckley, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Stryker
Jackye Clayton, Vice President, Talent Acquisition and DEIB, Textio
Moderator: Ellie Austin, Deputy Editorial Director, Live Media, FORTUNE
BEYOND BURNOUT
The pandemic showcased the importance of prioritizing mental health inside and outside of the office. As the economy cools and the labor market fluctuates, how can leaders prioritize and support employee mental health?
Discussion Leaders:
Tapaswee Chandele, Global Vice President, Talent, Development, and System Partnerships, The Coca-Cola Company
Kelly Rooney,Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Diversity & Inclusion Officer, WM
Moderator: Lila MacLellan, Writer, Leadership and Modern Board, FORTUNE
Impact investing has emerged as a powerful force for good, reflecting the growing recognition that financial success and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Rather than viewing social and environmental issues as separate, impact investing takes a holistic approach; working to align financial investments with purpose-driven outcomes. This discussion explores the latest innovative strategies in impact investing that deliver both financial returns and measurable social impact.
Michael Bruce, Partner, Venture Investing, Emerson Collective
Nikita Singhal, Managing Director and Co-head, Sustainable Investment and ESG, Lazard Asset Management
Roy Swan, Head of Mission Investments, Ford Foundation
Moderator: Peter Vanham, Executive Editor, FORTUNE; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
Today’s challenging cultural and political moment has led to an assault on DEI initiatives— including in the business community. Although the benefits of corporate diversity efforts have been well-researched, a certain amount of backsliding exists. How can business leaders remain committed to equity in the face of outside pressure?
Michelle Gethers, Chief Diversity Officer and Head, Corporate Responsibility, Inclusive Impact, and Sustainability, Visa
Alethia Jackson, Senior Vice President, ESG, and Chief DEI Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer, Cisco
Moderator: Holly Ojalvo, Managing Editor, FORTUNE; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
The challenges of climate change and depletion of fossil fuel reserves have made the transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources an imperative. The private sector has an important role to play in accelerating the development of energy-efficient solutions. How will the adoption of green energy solutions mitigate environmental impact and bring about economic growth and job opportunities?
Karli Swift, General Counsel, BlocPower
Dr. Caroline Golin, Global Head, Energy Markets and Policy, Google
Dr. Tammy Ma, Lead, Inertial Fusion Energy Initiative, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Moderator: Molly Wood, Molly Wood Media
Co-Hosted by EVERFI from Blackbaud
A REAL TYPE OF MEDIA OUTLET
Over the past ten years, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation established Seacrest Studios, state-of-the-art media centers, in 12 hospitals across the country (with 2 more coming this fall). The first studio opened in Atlanta—Seacrest’s hometown— in 2010. In this conversation, Ryan Seacrest talks about his foundation's mission, the significance of Seacrest Studios, and the importance of providing an outlet for young patients to express their creativity.
Ryan Seacrest, Emmy-winning television and radio host, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
Interviewer: Alan Murray, Chief Executive Officer, FORTUNE
Membership Benefits
Business leaders face unprecedented pressure as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns rise in importance to companies and communities. People, planet, and purpose have become central to the corporate mission, driving the development of new approaches, new skills, and new organizational structures prompting maximum positive impact.
To support these leaders and to nurture a new generation of leaders, FORTUNE has created the Fortune Impact Initiative™, a membership community dedicated to supporting executives who manage the risks and growth opportunities that put people, planet, and purpose at the core of their business strategies.
Benefits Include:
Member Networking
- Impact Initiative Annual Meeting (September 2023, Atlanta, GA): The Annual Meeting is a forum for supporting and connecting senior executives responsible for ESG. This meeting will help these leaders build expertise and a holistic understanding of the implementation and measurement of ESG practices across all areas of their business.
- Virtual Calls: These calls provide a forum for Impact members to share ideas and approaches with their peers. They are led by influential leaders in the areas of diversity, environment, and governance to direct and drive the critical issues under discussion.
- Membership Directory: The directory is a valuable tool to view and connect with your peers.
- LinkedIn Groups: Provide both public and private pages so members may network and discuss top of mind topics.
Editorial Coverage
- Fortune.com: Fortune will run an editorial report following the conclusion of the Impact Initiative Annual Meeting.
- Impact Channels: Members will be highlighted on Fortune.com and the Conferences site.
- Impact Newsletter: This newsletter, written by Fortune Executive Editor Peter Vanham, is your source for ESG content.
Fortune Access
- Premium-level Access across Fortune Media Platforms: These platforms allow access to subscriber-only journalism online; an immersive video portal, including every Fortune conference via livestream or on demand; and proprietary research each week.
- Discounted Invitations and Special Opportunities: This benefit allows you to attend select Fortune events throughout the membership year. These events bring leaders together across a variety of industries and disciplines to set the global business agenda and obtain information they need to run their businesses.
Click here for a PDF overview of membership benefits.
Contact Us
The FORTUNE Impact Initiative program is developed with the guidance of FORTUNE editors, whose journalistic perspective provides unique insights into the key trends and dynamic people that are driving business. The program is tailored to the immediate needs of its audience, with themes and speakers carefully selected to deliver maximum value.
For Speaker Inquiries:
To suggest a speaker for Impact Initiative, please complete the form at the link below. There are no exact deadlines for speaker submissions.
Click here to suggest a speaker.
For Participation:
Participation in the Impact Initiative is by invitation only, and subject to approval. The registration fee includes the complete program, activities, scheduled meals, and conference materials.
Email: ImpactInitiative@fortune.com
For Press Inquiries:
Email: PR@fortune.com
For Sponsorship Inquiries:
Elizabeth Parks
Monica Sembler
E-mail: fortunesponsorships@fortune.com