DATE: February 8, 2008

The number of companies that "walk the talk" of corporate social responsibility is growing rapidly, expanding opportunities for young people who wish to make a difference in the world through their business careers.

This according to the panel of experts who discussed “Corporate Responsibility: Companies and careers that make a difference” at the public forum February 6 at the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

The event, which drew more than 100 students, was part of UW Career Discovery Week. The panel was comprised of Bev Hori, vice president of Ben Bridge Jeweler and a member of the Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices; Robert Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft; Sue Mecklenburg (MBA 1994), vice president of sustainable procurement practices at Starbucks; and Dr. David Brandling-Bennett, senior program officer in the Global Health Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mecklenburg, who has converted Starbucks’ famous corporate ethic into action, articulated the business case behind this movement. "The benefits of acting responsibly are huge," she said, "because our customers and our employees want to know that we’re doing business in a way that they can feel good about. It's essential to the long-term health of the business."'

The panel agreed that good corporate citizens are driven by strong, passionate, visionary leaders who see that doing business the right way is as good for the bottom line as it is for the conscience.

Brandling-Bennett reminded the audience that most of the great philanthropists have given their money toward the ends of their lives. Yet the Gates Foundation began when Bill and Melinda Gates were married, sparked by a persuasive letter from Bill’s mother. According to Brandling-Bennett: "Mimi Gates wrote, 'To whom much has been given, much is expected,' That’s one of the core values under which this foundation operates."

To remind students of more modest means that they still can – and should – make a difference, Hori introduced investor Warren Buffet’s concept of "the ovarian lottery," and the nearly miraculous good fortune that has smiled upon each in the audience. "We should never forget that any action in the right direction is valuable," she said.

Bernard introduced the scale of impact that one can make through a company with the sway of Microsoft. In his new role, he’s working to dramatically reduce the energy footprint of the existing computer industry, while also working with other industry players to attack the most ominous threats to the planet through the power of software.

Bernard, with the others, acknowledged that the scale need not be so dramatic. And there aren’t a slew of "dream" jobs like theirs out there. But more companies are enabling employees at every level to contribute to societal and environmental good through their work.

"When you are considering a job, is this the kind of company that takes corporate social responsibility seriously or not?" Bernard said. "CSR should permeate at every level."

It may take a while to get to a position of influence. "When I graduated, the idea of philanthropy was kind of theoretical," Bernard added. "But can you find a culture where you are encouraged or empowered to take on the issues you are passionate about? Are there opportunities to make a difference today, or to learn something that will allow me to make a difference tomorrow? Don’t underestimate the power of your time and IQ put toward an issue that’s important to you. And if one dream doesn't work out, keep going."

The corporate responsibility panel was presented by the UW Career Center and the Retail Management Program at the Foster School of Business.