The Dave Alexander Center for Social Capital announces its top Social Capital business leaders for 2023/2024 when people-centric leadership is more important than ever.

The business of America is business. That’s why it’s especially crucial in this nation that we conduct it with respect for humanity being our top priority.

Many in the business community are trying to make sense of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the tremendous public outcry on social media and elsewhere against large health insurers that headlines about it have sparked. Many of the commenters have shown a disturbing lack of empathy for Thompson and his family, citing the harm they or their own families have faced from big insurers that denied their claims for needed medical care.

We don’t know if the shooter was among these angry consumers. At the time of this writing, police have announced the arrest of a person of interest and the discovery of a document they say reveals his “motivation and mindset,” but the contents are not known.

What we do know is that everyday people are outraged at the insurance industry and reaching their breaking point as they refuse to express even an ounce of sorrow or mercy for Thompson or his family.

All of this begs the questions: Where are we and how did we get here?

While there is no reasonable justification for this horrible and ghastly act of madness, nor for the callous and insensitive response in a civilized society, there is no doubt this crime has served an irrefutable wake-up call to CEOs and business leaders everywhere that the American people feel victimized by business practices that they see as putting profits above people and morality. They do not feel that enough business leaders are listening.

Our hope is that all leaders will see this as an opportunity to take a close look at how they are serving all their stakeholders — including their employees, their customers and their communities — and make sure they are truly doing all they can to balance serving them with their obligations to shareholders. Clearly, something is out of balance. The only way to find that balance is to have an open dialogue, not just within the walls of the company but with people whose voices may be inconvenient to those who simply want to maximize profits.

In a nation and society where so much of our lives, our resources and our efforts are influenced by how big businesses choose to operate, if that world is not also focused on respect for all, then we will all spiral down a dangerous and destructive path to greed, human degradation and the eventual disintegration of our capitalist society — and, eventually, the call to replace it with dark alternatives or retaliation.

Some leaders believe if we all act in our own self-interest, that will ultimately lead to a system that works the way it is supposed to. But there are vast inequalities in the U.S., and most average Americans don’t have the agency over their fate that corporate leaders do. They don’t have a seat at the tables where corporate leaders are making decisions that affect whether they or their loved ones will live or die, as in the insurance industry. No one is responding to the injustice they feel. That seems to be why so many are angry.

As the philosopher Adam Smith explains in “The Theory of Moral Sentiment,” the seemingly simple concept of “self-interest” is not as simple as it seems. In the long run, it means keeping in mind the complex “interests” all humans have. We not only want to be prosperous but want to enjoy living in a community where our families, our friends, our neighbors and our fellow citizens are happy and prosperous as well. And at the end of the day, that is actually what capitalism can and should achieve.

In keeping with this, we believe now is the time to embrace people-centric business through the concept of Social Capital. And it’s time to let those leaders who are taking care of people — their customers, their employees and people in the community — to not only lead the way but be honored for their light and leadership. That is why we began covering them and more than a year ago and will continue to tell their stories.

Our Top Social Capital Business Leaders have seen firsthand that doing business that way results in greater prosperity for all and, just as importantly, greater happiness for them, for all those others and for the greater good of society in general. That’s a pretty incredible achievement and a powerful mission. It reflects the work they have done to listen to all their stakeholders. And that’s why we call them heroes.

Dave Alexander, Founder & Managing Member of Caljet of America 

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“Empathy is a very important part of my life and encompasses additional words or concepts that make me a better stronger person and leader. Put together in my mind, intuition, sensitivity, gentleness and empathy equals one concept: intellectual power!

“My life’s journey has used these words to learn how to read, influence, develop and lead people to become an entertainer, athlete, entrepreneur and good citizen. I have learned and attempted to do this with mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations.”

Austen Allred, Founder & CEO of BloomTech

January 2024 Five CEOs Who Empower Others – and How!

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

“Talent is distributed across races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, income and countless other factors — and I launched BloomTech to make the opportunity to pursue tech jobs more accessible to people of all backgrounds,” Austen proudly declares.

“The traditional risk equation of education is deeply flawed. It places an overwhelming burden on the individual — not the educators. I co-founded Lambda School [now BloomTech] with the underlying hypothesis that if we eliminate risk and align the incentives of students and schools on a large enough scale, we can democratize access to career and income mobility.”

And for Austen, that authentic appreciation and value of humanity doesn’t apply just to students but to his employees as well.

“Along those lines, empowerment is working in a company where you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not. You can bring your whole self to work. The great thing is that every aspect of your identity can be an incredible resource. Our employees’ professional and personal experiences give rise to ideas that can help the company and advance our mission of creating a lower-risk, direct path to higher income.”

Alires Almon, Founder of Deep Space Predictive            

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Maraia Tanner, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in March 2024 in Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon and June 2024 in The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever, shared the following with us when she nominated Alires Almon:

“I’ve known Alires for four or five years now. She’s very active in the Colorado Aerospace community, well-respected and extremely supportive of fellow women and POC in the industry and wanting to join. She’s one of the few who are really focused on developing and supporting the human component of commercial space as it gets built — bringing awareness to ensure the industry grows in a way that isn’t at the expense of the well-being of individuals involved. Star Harbor will be working with her and her team as we go forward.”

Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“Empathy lies at the heart of my leadership philosophy, guiding my approach to decision-making, communication and relationship-building. I believe effective leadership is about genuinely connecting with and understanding the needs and aspirations of those we lead. And to do that, I believe leaders must also be humble by always being open to feedback and new perspectives and ways of looking at the world.

“Furthermore, empathy transcends mere internal dynamics and extends to our interactions with customers and partners. Drawing from my engineering background, I inherently approach empathy as a crucial component in the development process. By deeply understanding the needs, challenges and aspirations of our stakeholders, we engineer updates and enhancements that go beyond mere functionality. This unique perspective allows us to craft solutions that not only address immediate concerns but also resonate deeply, making a meaningful and lasting impact on our customers’ experiences. In maximizing customer value, we don’t just consider the technical aspects but also the human element, ensuring our products and solutions align seamlessly with the diverse needs and aspirations of our users.”

Shari Ballard, CEO of Minnesota United FC

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Jasmine Jirele, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in October 2023 in Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture and December 2023 in Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution and March 2024 in Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon, shared the following with us when she nominated Shari Ballard:

“Shari uses her role as CEO of the MNUFC to unite the Twin Cities business community around supporting inclusivity in sports and in our community. She has been an active advocate in supporting and mentoring talent (especially women) throughout their career. She leads with compassion, heart and values that represent true leadership!”

Nathan Barry, Founder & CEO of Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Robert Glazer, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in October 2023 in Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture and May 2024 in Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen! and June 2024 in The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever, shared the following with us when he nominated Nathan Barry:

“I think he really puts his people first and went out of his way to create and equity program that could offer life-changing compensation for them. He’s incredible transparent and takes an open-source approach to his business.”

In fact, Robert shared that he and Nathan discussed this very idea on Robert’s podcast “Elevate Classics: Nathan Barry on Building the Creator Economy.”

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines 

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

January 2024 Five CEOs Who Empower Others – and How!

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

August 2024 In Pursuit of Excellence in Business

“Authenticity means a few things to me. It’s not just how you feel — it’s how you make others feel. My No. 1 job is to serve my team by supporting and empowering them. I need to make sure they have the latest resources and opportunities to be their very best. I’ve learned that I can’t be an authentic leader by sitting in my office; it’s important to stay very close to our people, to listen, to be transparent and to communicate often. In turn, I encourage them to do the same with me.

“Being authentic also means staying true to your values and to your purpose. At Delta, we work every day to help create a sense of belonging for our customers and each other. Everyone should return home after a Delta flight feeling valued, accepted and respected. “

Corey Berends, CEO of Footprint

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“The emergence of Footprint as a business stems from a profound recognition of the pervasive challenges posed by plastic pollution in our society. Footprint’s inception in 2014 by Troy Swope and Yoke Chung, former Intel engineers, reflects a visionary response to the urgent need for sustainable packaging solutions. Witnessing the detrimental impacts of single-use plastics on both environmental and human health, they identified an opportunity to innovate within the business landscape by providing plant-based fiber alternatives. …

“The advantage of a for-profit model over a nonprofit in addressing the plastic pollution problem lies in its capacity for scalable impact. Footprint’s for-profit structure enables agile innovation and strategic growth, underpinned by market-driven incentives.”

Rich Bielen, CEO & President of Protective Life

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Jasmine Jirele, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in October 2023 in Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture and December 2023 in Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution and March 2024 in Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon, shared the following with us when she nominated Rich Bielen:

“Rich is an active advocate of the life insurance industry and helping to use the work of the industry to do good. He is an advocate of leveraging the industry’s investment power and expertise to support healthy, vital communities across the country, and is a mentor to younger leaders and people joining our industry. He is the ultimate ‘connector,’ bringing leaders together from every corner of the industry to do good for the customers our industry serves.”

Seth Bogner, Global Chairman & CEO of HeartPoint Global

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“The stark healthcare access disparities, particularly between the affluent and marginalized, highlighted a significant market gap. Observing the challenges faced by underserved pediatric populations spurred the recognition of a business opportunity. HeartPoint Global identified this niche to provide innovative cardiac care solutions, aiming to bridge the gap in access to essential healthcare services for pediatric patients. …

“INTELLISTENT is the first and only minimally invasive, adjustable heart system that brings affordability, accessibility and the potential to save millions of lives in the developed and developing world. …

“With my more than three decades of experience in principal investing and structured finance, realizing the immense need for accessible cardiac care solutions ignited a personal drive to establish HeartPoint Global. … I am excited about what HeartPoint Global will do in the future to provide more democratized healthcare.”

Lorna Borenstein, Founder & CEO of Grokker

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

“We listen carefully to our employer clients’ needs but never sacrifice the member experience. We educate and collaborate to keep us all authentic to our brand promise to each member: to help them holistically “Be a Better You.” We do not have divided loyalties; the member comes first, and we know that if we take care of them, the business will take care of itself.

“Authenticity also manifests itself in another of our corporate values: It’s Personal. What we mean by that is we know that work is fundamentally personal because it is where we spend the majority of our waking weekday hours, and so we want to both show up as our true selves and know each other as people, and give one another the benefit of the doubt when inevitable missteps occur. You can’t be your authentic self in an environment where you feel judged or lack a sense of belonging. So, we create ways to encourage open debate and help quieter voices be heard.”

Michael Brady, Founder of Organic Food Incubator and Operating Partner at Southeast Acquisition Capital

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“Fairness of opportunity in the workplace means creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the resources, training and support they need to succeed. Whether it’s through inclusive hiring practices that eliminate traditional barriers to employment or through providing equal access to benefits and career development opportunities, the goal is to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to thrive using their specific set of skills and capabilities. It’s about focusing on the potential of each person and providing the tools necessary for them to contribute and grow within the organization.”

Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

July 2024 Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer

“In a recent article I co-authored with David Miliband, president and CEO of International Rescue Committee, we explore the tremendous value refugees bring to the workplace and communities, and actions the private sector can take:

“Deliver on Hiring Commitments: By helping the 120 million displaced people worldwide restart their careers, the private sector can help communities thrive, one person at a time. Importantly, empowering refugees enables organizations to meet labor needs, bring in employees with diversified skill sets and open doors to opportunity.

“Provide On-the-Job Training: Affording refugees the same investment for career progression as their peers gives them a chance to re-establish roots and grow professionally — which can lead to higher retention rates.

“Adopt Inclusive and Localized Talent Acquisition Practices: Working with local refugee resettlement agencies to share job openings can be an important step in addressing barriers to employment, ensuring opportunities are surfacing with the local refugee community.”

Bob Chapman, CEO & Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller Companies

January 2024 Five CEOs Who Empower Others – and How!

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“As leaders, we should strive to create work environments where our team members feel safe, cared for and comfortable being their true selves. Empathy, respecting and valuing others’ perspective, naturally leads to kindness. A work environment rooted in kindness strengthens the foundation of any business and, above all, impacts the health, well-being and overall quality of life of its team members.

“But it goes beyond the four walls of an organization. When we demonstrate kindness, when we act in empathy, when we show people that they matter, we can restore, honor and protect the sense of dignity that is a basic human need. This is how a good job, positive work environments and business itself can work toward ending the poverty of dignity that exists in the world.”

Alex Chriss, President & CEO of PayPal

February 2024 Faith Matters – And the Business World Finally Gets It!

On its website, PayPal states, “We believe all employees have the right to bring their whole self to work. Faith and worldviews are core to who we are — our values and beliefs — and to how we conduct business. The mission of Believe is to foster an inclusive work culture and to promote holistic wellbeing by providing a forum to openly exercise and celebrate all faiths and worldviews while working. Believe exists to create awareness and understanding of faith, hope, love, empathy, respect for one another and service toward our customers, communities and co-workers.”

Kevin Classen, CEO of FirstBank

August 2024 In Pursuit of Excellence in Business

“FirstBank has operated with one simple mission for over 60 years: Do what’s right for our customers, communities and employees — or what we refer to as ‘banking for good.’ …

“We know intrinsically happy customers, healthy communities and engaged employees have a direct impact on our company’s financial performance. We’ve not only maintained over a decade of strong financial growth but are also named one of “The 10 Top Performing Banks with $10–$50 Billion in Assets” by American Banker.

“We’ve found that when you operate in your stakeholders’ best interest, opportunities and profits will follow.

“Those best interests and excellence go hand in hand.”

Ellen Cooper, Chair, President & CEO at Lincoln Financial Group

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Jasmine Jirele, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in October 2023 in Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture and December 2023 in Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution and March 2024 in Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon, shared the following with us when she nominated Ellen Cooper:

“Ellen is a humble, thoughtful, collaborative leader who values the ideas and contributions of everyone she works with. She is extremely passionate about leveraging her role to do good to support the communities in which we live and work, and in creating a corporate culture that is focused on doing the right thing (even when tough decisions need to be made) and creating sustainability for the long term.”

Bob Dalton, Founder & CEO of Sackcloth & Ashes

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

July 2024 Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer

“I never thought I’d own a business, and didn’t even think I would end up in business at all. I was always looking for opportunities to make a difference and believed my only options were to be working at a church or nonprofit in order to do so. When my mom experienced homelessness in 2013, her journey had inspired me to call shelters in my community to see what they needed. They all said blankets. That’s when I came up with the idea that for every blanket I sell, I’ll donate a blanket to a shelter in the buyer’s local community.”

Susanne Evens, Founder & CEO of AAA Translation

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“My business has flourished into a full-time venture, running remotely from the get-go. With team members spanning around the globe — except Antarctica (we haven’t cracked the Penguin language yet) — we prioritize flexibility in work arrangements. This includes remote options, flexible hours and unlimited time off. We also make sure to involve our local team members in various enjoyable offsite events to provide a holistic experience of our business. Outdoor walking meetings have become a regular occurrence, fostering both productivity and well-being.

“Additionally, we offer professional development opportunities such as skill-building workshops and mentorship programs, allowing employees to advance their careers and boost job satisfaction. This culture of continuous learning contributes to a positive work environment and fosters employee growth.

“In conclusion, employers have a crucial role in enhancing employee well-being through extraordinary benefits that extend beyond the conventional offerings.”

Beth Ford, President & CEO of Land O’Lakes Inc.

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“Our industry is a broad and critical subset of our economy from the American farmer to businesses, such as the cooperatives I lead to the rural communities that both support and benefit from the success and strength of our food supply.

“We’re focusing on the things that are most important to our members, their families and to their businesses. And from my perspective, I don’t get involved in politics. We don’t talk politics. We talk policies that are enablers for farmers, for the food supply.

“Working together and including diverse voices and ideas is rooted in Land O’Lakes’ history as a cooperative. Our employees and our members need to always feel heard and valued for who they are.”

Robert Ford, Chairman & CEO of Abbott

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

Most of us may be familiar with the many incredible lifesaving and life-changing medical products Abbott makes to improve our lives. In its own words, its “purpose is to make the world a better place by bringing life-changing health technologies to the people who need them. That’s our commitment to helping you live your best life.”

President and CEO Robert Ford has been with Abbott for more than 20 years, and, during his tenure there, the company has created a benefit structure for its 115, 000 employees working around the world so supportive of family that it’s too much to talk about here. So click on the link above to learn more!

Pat Gelsinger, Former CEO of Intel                      

February 2024 Faith Matters – And the Business World Finally Gets It!

“Today, there’s a lot of discussion on diversity and inclusion. It turns out that, for humanity, over 70% of all humans on the Earth claim that faith is an or the most important thing in their lives. So, if we’re going to talk about diversity and inclusion but we’re not going to allow faith in the workplace, I’m telling 70% of humanity, ‘No, the most important thing to you can’t come into the workplace.’ So, of course, ‘diversity and inclusion’ means faith has to come into the workplace. It needs to be visible.”

Robert Glazer, Founder, Chairman & Former CEO of Acceleration Partners            

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“I believe that being authentic in business comes down to a very simple principle, inspired by a famous Gandhi quote related to happiness: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

“For me, authenticity is when what you think, what you say and what you do are all aligned. It’s not that everyone will or should agree with you; authenticity is when your actions are consistent with your beliefs and your words.

“We understand that our company and its culture won’t be a fit for everyone, and we don’t try to be something we’re not. I believe this honesty is what makes us stand out to the people who matter most to us.”

 

Marshall Goldsmith, Founder of marshallgoldsmith.com

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

“What I mean by the earned life: We live in the earned life by the choices, risks and effort we make in each moment aligned with an overarching purpose regardless of the eventual outcome.

“The counterintuitive part is ‘regardless of the eventual outcome.’ People tend to associate results as what everything is about. Never place your identity as a human being based on results.”

Jim Goodnight, Co-founder & CEO of SAS

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

“My chief assets drive out the gate every day,” Jim says. “My job is to make sure they come back.”

Trent Griffin-Braaf, Founder of Tech Valley Shuttle

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“We only get one family, and no matter what is going on at work or in the world I also tell the team, ‘family first.’ The team knows whenever they have something going on with themselves or family members, I’m going to tell them [to] stop what they’re doing and go take care of themselves and/or family.”

Fred Hassan, Director at Warburg Pincus and Former Chairman & CEO of Schering Plough

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“Authenticity in business, as in life, means being grounded in reality. It begins with the qualities of self-awareness. These include knowing who you are, who you are not, what you are good at, where you need help and what you really want in life — and having the courage of knowing what stares you in the face. Once one is authentic on the inside, one can be authentic on the outside. This means being vulnerable, perceptive, empathetic, respectful and candid with others as an important way of earning trust with others.”

Heather Hasson, Co-founder & Co-CEO of FIGS

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“I can’t imagine the day where I’d ever give up on anything, and I don’t think you can if you have a dream or a vision. At Figs, we’re not on the other side of health care. Nobody’s dying, and we’re all okay and alive. You can’t give up unless you’re incapacitated. You have to keep going, especially if there’s a bigger purpose. Every day, I feel like I’m fighting for health-care professionals, and that’s what gets me up. There’s so many people who will give up on you. If you don’t believe in yourself, then nobody’s going to believe in you.” —from “The Good Thing About Confessing Even Giant Screwups,” The Cut (https://www.thecut.com/2022/03/figs-co-founder-heather-hasson-biggest-setback.html)

Josh Higgins, President of ING Source, LLC

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

“The first thing we need beyond all else is safety. It’s the fundamental building block to meeting all other needs as you build a holistically healthy life.” —from Sisters Rising Worldwide (https://srw.org/donor-spotlight-os1st-ensures-holistic-health-safety-for-all/)

Damien Huang, CEO of Cotopaxi

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

January 2024 Five CEOs Who Empower Others – and How!

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“Empowered employees bring their full selves to work, and feel able to contribute the best of their abilities. They recognize how the work they are doing supports their peers, their team and the company at large. Our culture strives to foster clear communication and active feedback within our teams, so employees understand organizational goals and their role in achieving them. They have well-defined decision-making authority and autonomy within their sphere of expertise.”

Haviv Ilan, President & CEO of Texas Instruments

February 2024 Faith Matters – And the Business World Finally Gets It!

On its website, Texas Instruments shares this from Haviv Ilan: “I am honored to lead TI during this amazing time for our company and our industry. The combination of our broad portfolio of products, strong foundation of manufacturing and technology, reach of market channels and diverse and long-lived positions all put TI in a unique class of companies. Our ambitions and values will continue to be integral to how we build TI stronger and when we are successful, our employees, customers, communities and shareholders all benefit.”

Stephan Jacob, Co-founder & COO of Cotopaxi

February 2024 Faith Matters – And the Business World Finally Gets It!

“We try to role model this as a leadership team. We don’t just use the ‘heart’ emoji on Zoom/Google Meet; we actually use the word ‘love’ a lot.”

Jasmine Jirele, President & CEO of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

 “Our approach to wellness benefits is always employees first. Every year, we survey our employees to ask about what sort of benefits will help them and their families the most. We do this not only to keep a pulse on what it is our employees need, but to also make sure we are adapting to take care of all employees and their families. We know that in order for our employees to be engaged and happy at work, they need to be able to focus on life outside of work. We want to make wellness — whatever that looks like — accessible for all our employees and their families.”

Abigail Johnson, Chairman & CEO of Fidelity Investments

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“By 2044, there will be no ethnic majority in the U.S. and, women are surpassing their counterparts in levels of education and workforce participation. In addition, innovation is happening at a rapid pace and companies need to be constantly incubating new ideas. I want Fidelity to tap into the power of our differences by looking for associates with diverse backgrounds and experiences and ensuring that our culture welcomes them and creates an environment where everyone thrives.”

Anders Jones, Co-founder & CEO of Facet

August 2024 In Pursuit of Excellence in Business

 “Because our members are not millionaires, and in fact are making trade-off decisions on a monthly basis, there is no room for error — and, as a result, we have to be excellent. So, really, Facet’s excellence comes from a bottom-up feeling that all of us have in pursuit of the mission.”

Laura Katz, Founder & CEO of Helaina

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“The spark for Helaina hit me on the New York City subway. I was listening to a podcast about black market breast milk. It featured moms telling stories about how they went to extreme lengths, traveling across state lines and digging into the dark web, to get the powerful nutritional benefits of breast milk for their babies. This made me wonder if the compounds in human bioactive proteins might serve other populations, too — people of any age seeking immunity support or high-performance athletes. And what if we could make and scale those components to improve health for all phases of life?”

Jonathan Keyser, Founder & Managing Partner of Keyser

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“For me, empathy isn’t just about superficially recognizing emotions. It’s about establishing an essential connection that allows me to deeply understand the emotional experiences of others. This connection enables me to grasp not only the surface-level feelings but also the complex blend of life experiences, thoughts and perspectives that shape those emotions. I view empathy as a valuable skill that empowers me to provide thoughtful assistance with heightened awareness and sensitivity, whether collaborating with my team or supporting clients. This capacity to emotionally connect enhances my ability to deliver genuine care, support and tailored solutions, contributing to an empathetic and nurturing environment both professionally and personally.”

Paul Knopp, Chair & CEO of KPMG US

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“When I think about inclusivity and equity, I believe it is important to help everyone at work feel comfortable. In today’s world, you need more equity and inclusion to make sure that talent can rise to the top of the organization. We spend a lot of our time talking to our people about the importance of those values. What’s important to us is the recognition that a lot, if not all, of what we accomplish as an organization is accomplished in a team environment. Therefore, [we have] to ensure that people know what it means to live the value of together and for the better.”

Jill Koziol, Managing Director of Costella Kirsch and Co-founder & Former CEO of Motherly

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“Overwhelmingly, mothers express a desire for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, to better balance their professional and personal responsibilities. Additionally, access to affordable childcare and parental leave policies are crucial. Companies that invest in these areas not only attract top talent but also foster a more inclusive and productive work environment for all employees. It’s not just about accommodating mothers; it’s about creating a culture that values and supports work-life integration for everyone.”

Harry Kraemer, Executive Partner of Madison Dearborn Partners

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

 “I was taught very early on by my grandfather that the key to leadership is to realize that every single person matters, and to treat every single person the way you want to be treated. I believe the benefit of being a senior leader has nothing to do with power, prestige or titles. The benefit of being a values-based leader is having the opportunity to have a positive impact and set a positive example for every individual with whom you come in contact.”

Don Larson, Founder & CEO of Sunshine Nut Company

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

 “I see all individuals as equals, whether they are country leaders or part of the subsistence farming community. We all have capability. It is mostly our circumstances that shape our future. Change the circumstances to allow people to see beyond surviving and you quickly see hope spring forth, allowing them to start thriving.”

Amy Lemire, President & CEO of AIM Training and Consulting

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

 “People are the cornerstone of profit because their passion and skills drive performance, innovation and success. I achieve this by empowering leaders and teams to unlock their potential, creating a culture of excellence and continuous growth, and prioritizing meaningful relationships. This approach boosts confidence, fuels momentum and, ultimately, enhances profitability and team productivity.”

Jason Lippert, President & CEO of Lippert Components

August 2024 In Pursuit of Excellence in Business

 “The charge at our company is for all individuals to have a personal and professional growth plan. We feel if people are growing personally and professionally, and developing, they become better people. And if they become better people at work, then the workplace is better. And they don’t just forget about that when they walk out the door and go home — it spills over into their home life with their spouse and their children or whoever they interact with outside of the work four walls, and the world does get to be a better place when you’re creating better human beings at work. And who better to develop better human beings than the workplace?”

Harold MacDowell, Former CEO of TDIndustries

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“We’re all humans, right? That includes seeing the humanity in others to work through challenges and find positive solutions. People wear a lot of masks in the world, but when you take the masks away, we’re pretty much the same.”

John Mackey, Co-founder of Love.Life and Co-founder & Former CEO of Whole Foods

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“In today’s complex world full of various interdependent organizational stakeholders, as well as a very challenging political environment, empathy has become even more important for leaders to skillfully employ. It starts with being fully present with someone else and quieting my busy mind down. When my mind is quiet and I am present, I can really listen to what someone else is saying (both verbally and non-verbally) and feel what she or he is feeling. In such a mindful state of presence, I am better able to go much deeper into whatever situation I find myself in and can see and intuitively know what is most appropriate to say or do.”

Steve MacMillan, President & CEO of Hologic

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

“Each year, our teams at Hologic continue to build on the original mission of our co-founders, Jay Stein and David Ellenbogen, who in 1985 created a company that would do good for both employees and people around the world. As a global medical technology innovator, we define health in a comprehensive way, with benefits and programs that improve all aspects of well-being for our colleagues and their communities. The first step for us was simply asking our colleagues what was important to them in a benefits and wellness program and making their concerns a priority.”

Charlie Malouf, President & CEO of Broad River Retail (dba Ashley)

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

 “The experience of ‘breaking all of our bone’s and nearly disintegrating as a company was the best thing that ever happened to us. The thing about broken bones is that when they heal, they tend to grow back stronger.

“One of the sea changes that we implemented in our moment of darkness was to shift from a ‘Human Resources’ mindset to a ‘Human Capital’ mindset. And, when we were at our worst financially, we made the decision to give everyone a raise on our sales floor. We then implemented career paths for every area of our company and saw our people as assets, not liabilities, to invest in and grow. We began saying, ‘We will grow as far as our people will take us … or not.’”

Richard Moore, President & CEO of The Good Feet Store        

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

July 2024 Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer

“If you live a life of scarcity, you’re always going to worry. You’re always going to try to take your piece of the pie. And somebody else is after it. So then, you spend your energy defending what really wasn’t yours to begin with, right? Or defending what you clawed for and took from someone else. But that is draining, that is tiring, that’s not fun. And then, are you a good dad when you come home after living a workday like that? Are you a good husband, a good wife? You’re just not.

“If you flip it on its head and say, “Hey, let’s live a life of abundance. How do we create a win for all of us?” might I on occasion get a few less pieces of the pie than my partner or my associate or the customer? Maybe. But I think, over time, it creates more pies and I think it creates more opportunity.”

Nasrin Mostafazadeh, Co-founder of Verneek

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Nasrin’s statement on her LinkedIn page, “At Verneek, we are building the most helpful AI to augment human knowledge in everyday life, one interaction at a time!”

We recognize Nasrin’s focus for advancing AI is aimed squarely at the people connection.

Antonio Neri, President & CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

“At Hewlett Packard Enterprise, we are only as successful as our people,” Antonio says. “That’s why we put them first and care so deeply about fostering a workplace that is unconditionally inclusive, extending all team members an equal opportunity to succeed with a sense of belonging.”

Brian Niccol, Chairman & CEO of Starbucks

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

“As I have said in the past, we want to attract and retain the best people we can develop and grow. Part of this includes listening to their needs and investing in ways that will help our employees thrive both professionally and personally. This is why we recently added new benefits to our industry-leading benefits platform like enhanced mental health care, a student loan retirement match, and additional financial wellness tools for our workforce.”

Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott                   

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

“I learned, personally, early on, the power of putting smart people around you and then really allowing those people to do their jobs. Also, kind of coming up through my career, you remember certain things along the way. And I always remember when I felt the boss didn’t trust me,” he shares. “I didn’t like the feeling that I didn’t have a voice at the table, I didn’t have a vote. And I wanted to make sure if I ever got put in a position of authority, I wanted to make sure that I’d hire people and allow them to do what they wanted to do and be great. … I love the quote that Harry Truman said: ‘You can accomplish anything in life as long as you don’t mind who takes credit for it.’” —Tom Nolan, in his interview with Chris Benguhe for Social Capital.

Antonio Nuño, Co-founder & CEO of Someone Somewhere

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

“To me, being authentic starts with vulnerability. There’s a lot of ego in the business world and most leaders feel a lot of pressure to show only their victories and genius moments. But when you also share your mistakes, your worries and your insecurities with your community (e.g., your team, mentors, investors or customers), that’s when a real connection is built. A little humor also helps build more authentic relationships by reminding us that we shouldn’t take everything so seriously.”

Penny Pennington, Managing Partner of Edward Jones

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

A decades-long tradition and event for Edward Jones’ financial advisors and their families that Penny is particularly proud of is a multi-day summer regional meeting for each of the company’s 328 regions across North America. “The experience is part pep rally, part business meeting, and part family reunion,” Penny proudly states. “Because families are included in everything we do, the multi-generational opportunity to bond with and learn alongside one another is a hallmark of our culture.”

Jamie Ratner, Founder & CEO of CertifiKID

July 2024 Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer

“At Macaroni KID, our whole business is about community. From our HQ team to our publisher community, we focus on staying connected and supporting each other. This creates a strong internal bond that spreads out to local communities. By working closely with our publishers and giving them the tools they need, we help them build their own vibrant local communities.

“This strong foundation naturally extends to the businesses we work with and the parents who subscribe to Macaroni KID. We engage with our audience through social media, local events and community partnerships. We love hosting and joining events like family festivals, workshops and charity drives to build real relationships.

“By focusing on what local parents need and creating spaces for them to connect, we strengthen our ties and make sure our community-first approach benefits everyone.”

Garry Ridge, Founder of The Learning Moment and Chairman Emeritus, Former President & CEO of WD-40 Company

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

January 2024 Five CEOs Who Empower Others – and How!

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“When I was CEO of WD-40 Company, I observed that true employee empowerment was baked into the culture in everything we did and all the decisions we made,” Garry relates. He emphasizes that it wasn’t a matter of unleashing employees to do what they thought best, noting that they weren’t leashed to begin with. He led from a belief that it was a matter of infusing within “our tribe” a thorough, shared understanding of the company’s values, and then supporting them in making their own decisions according to that set of values. “Notice I didn’t say allowing them. They don’t need to be empowered to act by our permission.” Rather, he believes they deserve to be given everything they need to be successful in the implementation of their decisions, and that doing so is the role of their leaders — who, he notes, “are called ‘coaches’ within the WD-40 Company, not ‘managers,’ for obvious reasons.”

Chuck Robbins, Chair & CEO of Cisco

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins’ belief in the bonds of family led him to speak out publicly in 2018 against the family separations being forced at the United States’ southern border — seeing it as a moral issue, not a political one. Not surprisingly, then, valuing family permeates the employee policies throughout the company he leads.

“We champion every family,” the company website proudly declares. “Every family has a unique story — and we have benefits to support them all.”

Rachel Romer, Co-founder, Executive Chair on Leave & Former CEO of Guild

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“Guild is on a mission to unlock opportunity for America’s workforce through education and upskilling.

“We work with the largest employers in the country — companies like Walmart, Chipotle, Disney, Lowes — to offer education and upskilling to their workforce. We help their employees go to school debt-free while helping the companies connect education and upskilling to their talent strategy, both to upskill their workforce and as a tool for retention and recruitment. Guild pursues this work in the interest of serving more than 88 million Americans who need to go back to school or need to keep learning, reskilling and training in this economy.”

Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman, President and CEO of IBM

May 2024 Business Leaders Who Really Know How to Listen!

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“I consider preparation the ultimate compliment to anyone and essential to being in service of others. That said, no matter how much I prepared, I never assumed I knew it all.

“I discovered how to bring value by not talking, but by listening with the intent to learn [during the years I spent in consulting at IBM].”

“I discovered that listening breeds knowledge, knowledge breeds credibility, and credibility earns trust that allows relationships to flourish. It’s in candid collaboration with those I was in service of that I often discovered the most valuable ‘ah-has.’”

[Excerpted with permission from Good Power (Harvard Business Review Press, 2023) by Ginni Rometty]

Brian Scudamore, Founder & CEO of O2E Brands

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

“I have always believed that trust is everything when building a business and a team. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you and they won’t grow with you. How do you build trust? You be authentic. And that means being vulnerable. Being real.

“It always blows my mind when people try to be someone else — someone they think others want them to be. No one buys it! Because it’s not authentic. People can tell.

“So, my rule: Always be myself.”

Trina Spear, Founder & CEO of FIGS

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“I think my background in finance certainly helped me and Heather to identify the white space that existed in the scrubs industry, and it helped us to understand how we could grow FIGS into the global company that it is now. We started selling scrubs out of Heather’s car outside of hospitals, and those same customers would give us feedback about the product — including what they loved and how we could improve it. Personally, seeing those near-immediate reactions from healthcare professionals was extremely rewarding and made me feel like I was impacting one of the most important communities in the world.”

Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company     

September 2024 Fairness Versus DEI? You Can and Must Have Both

“Efforts to achieve equality can also backfire if they become a box-ticking exercise or a quota-driven program, which may fail to address the root causes of inequality. As a result, the goal of achieving a fairer workplace or society may not be achieved, and outcomes may even worsen for certain groups.

“When it comes to achieving sustainable, inclusive growth, it is crucial first to fully recognize both the reinforcing as well as the counteracting loops. Then the conversation must move from agreeing on the targets — for who would not agree to such a tantalizing vision? — to understanding how to solve the tough problems that stand in the way.” —Bob Sternfels, along with colleagues Tracy Francis, Anu Madgavkar and Sven Smit

Julie Sweet, Chair & CEO of Accenture

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

Honored Social Capital business leader Tony Capuano, some of whose Social Capital creds we spotlighted in December 2023 in Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution and July 2024 in Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer, shared the following with us when he nominated Julie Sweet:

“Julie Sweet has focused on Accenture’s workplace culture to prioritize employee well-being and development. Under her leadership, Accenture invested over $840 million in learning and professional development in just one year, expanded parental leave policies, and championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. She has focused on responsible business practices, including sustainability and digital ethics, and significantly contributed to the Bridges from School to Work program [which was founded by the Marriott family] by serving on its board of trustees, where she advocates for programs that support young people with disabilities in their transition from school to the workforce.”

Maraia Tanner, CEO of STAR HARBOR Academy        

March 2024 Well-Being and Companies Slaying the Burnout Dragon

June 2024 The Empathy Emergency! Successful Business Leaders Need It Now More than Ever

“I am committed to doing the “’right’ thing by my employees, even when the right thing is hard or more costly than the easy thing, because it’s who I am and I believe this approach garners a level of productivity, trust and commitment that is hard to come by in business today. Admittedly, in the decade-plus that I have been leading Star Harbor, there have been occasions I feel have fallen short of my ideals, for one reason or another, and when that happens, it hits hard. I then take the lesson so I can do it better in the future. Your employees don’t expect you to be perfect or to sacrifice the business on their behalf; however, they do expect you to be human in the process. No one wants to feel like a number.”

Rich Templeton, Chairman, Former President & CEO of Texas Instruments

February 2024 Faith Matters – And the Business World Finally Gets It!

“An inclusive environment is essential at TI. It enables our global workforce to contribute openly and without barriers. In this environment, diversity thrives and every employee — no matter where they are and what job they hold — has the opportunity to take part in the company’s business success. We believe our rich diversity improves thought processes, encourages collaboration and ignites creative solutions,” a company presentation quotes Rich Templeton as chairman, president and CEO.

Donald Thomson, Founder & Chairman of CRDC Global

April 2024 Companies Created to Save the World – for Real

“In my opinion, ‘business for good’ is quickly becoming the norm and not the exception as almost all companies are now being judged by their consumers on their social, environmental and economic ethics and values. What was once almost the exclusive environment for nonprofits is now mainstream and competitive business and, as such, the boundaries between nonprofits and for-profits are blending and evolving. In today’s world, there is a direct correlation between sales and a company’s alignment with its consumers’ values and expectations, and those expectations are a healthy, equitable and inclusive world.”

Chris Todd, Former CEO of UKG

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

“Successful and inspiring leaders understand that leading is not extra work, it’s the work. Being all in on leading and having true care and compassion for people is foundational to authentic leadership. That starts with transparency and vulnerability. Being vulnerable and modeling a growth mindset demonstrates to others that there are many paths to success. This goes hand in hand with surrounding yourself with a diverse team who bring different perspectives, experiences and viewpoints.”

Joe Ucuzoglu, Global CEO of Deloitte

December 2023 Family Is the Backbone of Business: CEOs Who Support Our Most Important Institution

“If we embrace the obligation to serve a broad cross-section of constituents, we do right by our employees, we do right by the communities where we live and work. By virtue of doing right by those constituents, profits will be an outcome, not the initial or primary objective. They’re a natural long-term outcome,” Joe declares.

“On one end, there’s some skepticism as to whether this is virtue signaling,” Joe explains. “On the other end, there’s some lingering debate about whether this broader focus on stakeholders detracts from shareholder returns. If you cut through all the noise, what we’re seeing is actually a huge convergence of interests. This is core to sustaining a vibrant capitalist system. If you take a long-term view, the only way that you’re going to deliver sustainable shareholder returns is to take really good care of all of those constituents.”

Brandon West, Founder & Chief Purpose Officer of PHOS Creative

November 2024 Top People-Centric Business Leaders Pick the Best Leaders of 2024!

“Business doesn’t have to be about people; the internet is full of stories of businesses that have chosen the path of profit over people. Every day, every leader is forced to choose between exploitative and redemptive options in their business ventures — choices that either use, abuse or exploit team members, customers and partners, or choices that renew, redeem, restore and bless others. There is arguably no more impactful platform in the world to build a redemptive and people-first enterprise than business. For faithful leaders, that reality compels them to offer their businesses to a purpose greater than profit generation. Profit becomes a means to an end, not the end. For those leaders, the end is people, purpose and impact (fueled by profit).”

Walter White, Independent Director and former President & CEO of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

October 2023 Authentic CEOs: Antidote to the Counterfeit Culture

“In a world where cynicism about most institutions has grown, such that significant values-based inconsistencies are expected and reviled, authenticity and alignment are increasingly rare and valuable. Although authenticity is not often tracked as a key performance indicator, companies would be well-served to identify ways to assess it in an objective way and to understand the conditions under which it would suffer. As we all quickly learn when getting a car serviced, alignment is a good thing!”

Payam Zamani, Founder of One Planet Group    

July 2024 Business Is the Ultimate American Community Organizer

“The other thing is collective service. Collective service can contribute to that community-building effort. In our company, what we do is offer up to nine paid service days to our employees. On those days, together or individually, we serve humanity however we see fit. There’s one thing we ask our team not to do on those days, and that is to please not serve a political party on those days, because by nature they’re divisive. That community-building is, as a result, built on the foundation of serving others together.”