Join the Women’s Collaborative as CSOM faculty Katherine Smith and Colleen Olphert introduce the work of the Center for Corporate Citizenship. They’ll provide an overview of corporate citizenship and offer resources for you to grow your understanding. Audience questions are encouraged!

What is ESG? ESG is shorthand for a growing movement of organizations committing to environmental, social justice, and governance standards as a part of their business practices, and of investors increasingly holding corporations accountable not only for shareholder profits but also for the way they treat employees, customers, and the communities where they do business. ESG is a trending topic in U.S. politics, financial markets, and the media.

Presenter bios

• Katherine Smith has been executive director of the Center for Corporate Citizenship at the Boston College Carroll School of Management for more than a decade.  She also serves as faculty at the Carroll School of Management where she teaches "Business in Society." Prior to her current role, she served as AVP of Research at Brown University, and the COO of the University of Massachusetts Foundation, where she doubled assets under management to more than $700 million. Katherine is the co-author with Dave Stangis of '21st Century Corporate Citizenship: A Practical Guide to Delivering Value to Society and to Your Business’ and “The Executive’s Guide to 21st Century Corporate Citizenship: How Your Company Can Win the Battle for Reputation and Impact.”

• Colleen Olphert has been with the Center since 2001. As Director for Membership and Member Services, she leads the strategy and operations related to the recruitment and retention of member companies who partner with the Center. Under her leadership the Center now serves close to 500 member companies a year ranging in size and industry. Colleen received her MBA and MSW from Boston College and brings experience working in the nonprofit sector to the Center.