The engaging, well-attended conference featured outstanding speakers, powerful networking, and deep conversations about Corporate Social Responsibility
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The Satell Institute wishes to thank everyone who attended our 15th Private CEO Conference at the beautiful National Constitution Center. What a morning of inspiration and connection!
SI is an organization made up of CEO business leaders who are, as founder Ed Satell puts it, “doers in the community.” It’s why our corporate and foundation members are required to make long-term commitments to the nonprofits they support.
At the conference — chaired by Reverend Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake (above, left), President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation — we were privileged to hear from true doers, people who understand the power that Corporate Social Responsibility creates for companies and communities.
Some takeaways:
Focus on trust.
Ed Satell (above, right) spoke to the current moment, noting that, according to the respected Edelman Trust Barometer, the public has lost trust in some key pillars of society, including government, media, and higher education. Fortunately, the public still has trust in two crucial sectors — nonprofits and free-enterprise organizations. (You can find more details about the Edelman Trust Barometer here.)
Partnership between those sectors is what the Satell Institute is all about — corporations and nonprofits coming together to improve communities. It’s why the Satell Institute, a high-trust organization, is thriving, with members having committed more than $150 million to nonprofits. SI’s vision is to expand into America’s 50 largest markets.
Don’t be afraid to be first.
Keynote speaker Jay Sugarman (above, left), owner and chair of the Philadelphia Union, spoke brilliantly about the value of business being involved in the community. Sugarman talked about the courage it takes to be the first to do something — and also the importance of first followers. It’s how change happens and movements are made.
The Union made a bold bet when it decided to build its soccer stadium in the community of Chester. Fifteen years later, the team has now created a super campus that’s making significant change in that community.
Understand the value of partnerships.
Project HOME CEO Donna Bullock (above, right) noted that from its earliest days, her organization’s mission has been to end homelessness. It’s a lofty goal, but Project Home has helped Philadelphia make enormous progress. Though Philadelphia is the poorest large city in the country, it has the lowest rate of homelessness, with fewer than 1000 people who are chronically unsheltered. That didn’t happen by accident, but by people in various sectors coming together to build systems and infrastructure.
Seize the moment — then ask, what’s next?
Two speakers highlighted things happening in the next year in Philadelphia — and the importance of seizing moments as leaders dedicated to the community. George Leone (above, left), CEO of Homecoming 250, noted the 300,000 visitors who’ll come to Philadelphia this fall for events celebrating the 250th birthday of America’s Navy and Marine Corps. This volunteer group of business and nonprofit leaders has stepped up to ensure a fitting celebration of our nation’s active armed forces and veterans.
Meg Kane (above, right), CEO of Signature 57, spoke on the value of trusted brands like SI, and she celebrated Philadelphia’s role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, when all eyes will be on Philadelphia for America’s 250th birthday. It’s an opportunity to define Philadelphia’s brand for the world and redefine it for ourselves. It’s also an opportunity for the city to ask, what’s next?
The conference concluded with SI’s signature CEO Idea and Experience Exchange roundtables, where attendees have the opportunity to engage with their peers about CSR.
Thank you to Lorina Marshall-Blake for her extraordinary leadership of this conference, as well as our outstanding conference committee!