Featured this week: Erica Opstad, U.S. Bank; Sophie Rich, Target; Crowe; Delta Air Lines; Estee Lauder; FactSet; Morgan Stanley; Philip Morris International; Prudential; Regeneron; Royal Caribbean; Vanguard; Argo AI; CenterPoint Energy; CSX; Enbridge Gas; Nestlé in the U.S.; PNC Bank; Pokémon Company International; U.S. Bank; Zebra Technologies; Bose; WillowTree Apps; TC Energy

The member community convened by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is one of a kind. The 500+ companies we serve each year around the globe are leaders in environmental, social, and governance action, and the thousands of individuals who make up this network are some of the best in the field!

Members: Would you like your company to be featured in future posts? Fill out this Member News Form.

Here is how our members have been working to build better business and a better world:

Spotlight on You

Erica Opstad has been promoted to the role of managing director of the U.S. Bank Foundation, marking a joining of leadership between the company's foundation and community affairs & engagement teams. "Rooted in the leadership of today and those who came before, there are no words to express my gratitude for being given stewardship of the U.S. Bank Foundation," said Opstad. "My thanks to Sophie Rich for a laying a solid foundation for the Foundation and to the many amazing leaders who have taught me over these 24 years better ways to listen, learn, and wonder!"

Member Job Postings

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship 
Chestnut Hill, MA
Director, Executive Education & Advisory Products
Senior Writer/Production Manager

Crowe
Various Locations
ESG Internal Audit Manager

Delta Air Lines 
Atlanta, GA
Head of Sustainability and Corporate Innovation Strategy
Sustainable Travel Experience Program Manager, Global Sustainability

Estee Lauder 
New York, NY
Manager, Equity, Philanthropic Partnerships

FactSet 
Norwalk, CT or New York, NY
Manager, Corporate Sustainability

Morgan Stanley 
New York, NY
Community Affairs Program Coordinator

Philip Morris International 
Stamford, CT
Community Relations Specialist

Regeneron
Tarrytown, NY
Associate Director, Corporate Responsibility - ESG Reporting and Engagement

Royal Caribbean Group 
Miami, FL
Senior Specialist, ESG Comms

Vanguard
Malvern, PA / hybrid
Community & Employee Experience Lead 
Head of Community Stewardship 

Member Companies in the News.

Argo AI has partnered with 412 Food Rescue and Parkhurst Dining to help tackle food insecurity with the launch of an autonomous vehicle delivery service to transport surplus food to local nonprofits in Pittsburgh. The service will pair Argo autonomous vehicles with 412 Food Rescue partners to pick up and transport meals to nonprofits who offer food assistance and supplies in the region. Argo will also donate and deliver meals prepared by its food service provider, Parkhurst Dining, from its headquarters in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. “We’re driven by our purpose of reimagining the human journey, and that includes ensuring self-driving vehicles are broadening access to transportation and goods to everyone in the communities where we operate,” said Summer Fowler, chief corporate responsibility officer, Argo AI.

CenterPoint Energy announced that the utility's Community Safety Grant program had awarded more than $260,000 to communities so far this year. The funds have been awarded to communities in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, and Texas, through approximately 130 different grants. The grants awarded to communities through the program provide safety-related equipment and funding for local projects. “Safety is a core value of CenterPoint Energy’s,” said Alicia Dixon, director of community relations, CenterPoint Energy. “Our Community Partnership Grant program allows us to stay connected to emergency officials, first responders and others in the communities we serve to support our customers’ safety.”

CSX employee volunteers are helping children in the military community get their school year off to a strong start by distributing thousands of backpacks with essential school supplies as part of Operation Homefront’s annual Back-to-School Brigade. In July, employees took part in the delivery of backpacks prepared previously at a CSX-Operation Homefront event at CSX headquarters in June. In all, CSX employees distributed school supplies to more than 2,000 children of military families.

Enbridge Gas Inc. is celebrating the arrival of Ontario’s first carbon-negative waste-collection truck, in partnership with Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) and Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA). The truck is fueled entirely by renewable natural gas, sourced largely from cow manure. The company says that municipalities and businesses who operate fleets of waste collection vehicles such as BRA and other OWMA members can achieve a zero-carbon footprint using RNG fuel, affordably and practically, without sacrificing performance, reliability, or range. “We’re pleased to support these efforts as we work together to transition Ontario to a clean energy future,” said Michele Harradence, president, Enbridge Gas.

Nestlé in the U.S. announced it is expanding its career exploration and social impact initiative, Nestlé Needs YOU, which aims to empower and prepare the next generation to thrive and make their impact in the world. Through the initiative, the company aims to reach more than half a million people in the U.S. by 2025, which comes about as the U.S. experiences increasing job vacancies and skills gaps in essential areas such as manufacturing and warehousing. “Whether they are future employees who will power Nestlé, entrepreneurs who build the next hot start-up, or farmers who grow raw materials to feed our communities, developing a skilled and future-ready workforce is more important than ever,” said Judy Cascapera, chief people officer, Nestlé North America.

PNC has released its 2021 Corporate Responsibility report. In its sixth year of reporting, the company wants to share how it continues to progress with its evolving corporate responsibility commitments year after year, and strives to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse set of stakeholders from coast to coast. “This really is our PNC story," said Richard K. Bynum, chief corporate responsibility officer, PNC. “Our commitment to creating a positive, lasting impact for all of our stakeholders is interwoven into how we operate as a business. It's in every part of how we show up for work each day, how we function, and how we engage with each other and our customers, communities and shareholders."

The Pokémon Company International, the company responsible for the Pokémon brand outside of Asia, announced it is committing a minimum of $25 million over the next five years to organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and supporting social equity. The $25 million will be realized primarily as monetary donations to a predetermined group of organizations that support children, help create equitable communities, or a combination of both. The gift of play in the form of in-kind donations of Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Center products will round out the commitment and be provided to groups who are able to distribute toys and games to families and children in need. Each organization is intended to be a long-term strategic partner that The Pokémon Company International can support year over year for at least five years.

Zebra Technologies Corporation announced its emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), joining more than 1,500 companies globally. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets. Zebra’s commitment includes a 50% reduction in absolute scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 from its 2020 baseline. The company also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and the use of sold products by 15% within the same timeframe. “Zebra is proud to be part of the climate solution and committed to investing in climate initiatives with a sound economic proposition,” said Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer, Zebra Technologies. 

Members on the Move

Welcome to new members, Bose and WillowTree Apps! They will join more than 10,000 professionals in the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship member community. Learn more about joining them and what you get as a part of membership. 

A corporate citizenship professional from TC Energy just registered to attend the Summit! This week-long learning experience is designed to help busy professionals complete a large portion of their Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Practice all at once, with plenty of time to network with peers. Learn more about joining them at one of two upcoming Summit events!