John Walsh
CEO
UGI Corporation
“The Satell Institute is not trying in any way to direct your outreach activities. It gives businesses the freedom to look at their mission, look at their activities and make decisions that align with its goals and objectives. At the same time, it provides a connection to nonprofits that have demonstrated the ability to be effective and impactful. Another exciting aspect is that you are part of a network of great companies that are active in the community. These are highly focused and effective companies for which I have profound respect. With the Satell Institute, you can meet fellow CEOs from these companies and get ideas, which I think is a huge benefit.”
Henri Moore
Global Leader of the Center of Philanthropy and Education
DuPont
“Multi-year funding is a critical part of any CSR program, however, almost as important is the level of involvement between the for-profit company and their nonprofit partner. You can’t just throw money at an issue and you can’t unilaterally decide how to help people. It’s unfair and overly paternalistic. Funding must be a joint decision based on intelligence from all parties. If you don’t work with (and get agreement with) your partner to align on goals, you’re just tossing money at an issue instead of solving a problem. You need a plan and a constructive strategy wherein everyone is involved in the process. That’s where the Satell Institute comes in – they make the connection and their multi-year funding commitment ensures each side is held accountable to results.”
Mary Meder
President
Harmelin Media
She believes the fact that the for-profit and nonprofit leaders are personally more connected due to involvement in the Satell Institute leads to more effective collaboration and greater impact.
“There is so much benefit you get out of working for these organizations,” she said. “You experience things for yourself that you would never experience if you just go to the office all day.”
Andrea Custis
CEO
The Urban League of Philadelphia
Oh, it’s unique, and I mean it, it’s such a unique opportunity for the business leaders who run this city to meet with the nonprofit leaders, to have conversations, to share ideas and to get to know each other. To sit in a room with CEOs and have a conversation on mission. On their vision, why do they do it. I have to tell you; these executives don’t just talk. They invest. And I see the benefits in two ways— “mind share” and funding. The biggest change I’ve noticed in CSR is the emergence of the Satell Institute. He didn’t have to do any of this—he wants to make this world, make this city—a better place. So, I say God bless Ed Satell and generous corporate people like him. It’s been amazing.
Dan Tropeano
CEO in PA & DE
United Healthcare
“While I was certainly aware of the Satell Institute, it wasn’t until I attended their CEO Conference as a guest that I was truly blown away by the caliber of the CEOs involved. I signed up on the spot. I have a decent amount of years ahead of me in my career, and I feel like it’s important to never stop learning. I also believe that in order to do big things, you have to partner together to have a greater impact. That’s the real value of the Satell Institute – it’s a collective force that can really create change. At UHC, we’re accustomed to longer-term engagements with our nonprofits, so the multi-year commitment required for Satell Institute members felt natural. And while we tend to have national partnerships, we know that all things happen at a local level.”
Osagie Imasogie
Co-Founder and Senior Managing Partner
PIPV Capital
This venture capitalist relates the work of Satell Institute Founder Ed Satell to the work of billionaire investor Warren Buffet and Microsoft Founder Bill Gates who issued a challenge to other high net worth individuals to give away half of their wealth to nonprofit efforts to improve the community and its quality of life.
“It’s something that you live. It’s something that you use,” Imasogie said of CSR. “For me and my wife, it’s how we breathe.” While some private donors shy away from saying that companies have an obligation to give back to the community, he and his wife Losenge do not. “You have an obligation to give. You have an obligation to lead. You have an obligation to support the nonprofit world.”
Siobhan Reardon
CEO
The Free Public Library of Philadelphia
From my perspective, I think it is important the way Corporate Social Responsibility has poked corporations into understanding there is a space and a place you occupy and there is a space and a place you need to be. What I mean by that is, it’s one thing for you to do your business in a city, it’s another thing to participate in the life of that city and the cultural and nonprofit institutions that add to the quality of that place. I am seeing this more and more. The shift is clear when I think about the Satell Institute and who sits around that table. It really is an intellectual pursuit for me. I love listening to the increased and enhanced involvement of corporations and businesses in this city who understand that they have a responsibility. I love listening to what they’re doing and with whom they are connecting on the nonprofit side and why.
Mark Baiada
CEO
Bayada Home Healthcare International, Inc.
“I believe the Satell Institute’s mission can benefit companies and communities around the nation and the world.
The Satell Institute, with its roots in the City of Brotherly Love, should take the lead.
I can see every city having their own Satell Institute chapter carrying out the Institute’s vision of a Collective Force of Businesses and Nonprofits for the Greater Good and sharing the benefits of its Think Tank.”
Gwen Borowsky
CEO
The National Liberty Museum
“As a board member of the Satell Institute, I find it illuminating to hear a donor’s perspective on where and why they contribute. All have made a significant four-year commitment to a nonprofit, including our museum. Each has a unique CSR way. And each is figuring this out. It’s an honor to hear and learn their approach as well as their successes and concerns. The Think Tank and educational material, such as the Massive Online Open Course done with the University of Pennsylvania, provides expertise from a range of CSR thought leaders whose insights are relevant to our work.”
Sir Oliver St. Clare Franklin OBE
Founder
Franklin Group
“I see several key success factors – first, the organization’s CEO focus. Second, its unique affiliations, for the conduct of groundbreaking research in CSR, with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Connecticut. Third, its goal of creating a CSR certification for companies wanting to follow best practices in this crucial area and be known for it. Fourth, most of all, the Institute’s passionate mission to support the CSR movement within the American free enterprise system. This includes an expansion of understanding the role of the corporation in society from an exclusive focus on shareholders to a broader focus on all stakeholders.
Many corporate leaders at first find it unbelievable that there is no cost of membership in the Satell Institute. He lauded “Ed’s brilliance is giving up the power to the members” and that companies learning about the Satell Institute come to understand how membership in the Institute will help them attract and keep the best talent in their increasingly millennial workforce.
David DeStefano
CEO
Vertex, Inc.
“I am attracted by the passion and purpose of the Institute, and I think there is strong excitement from business leaders about what the Satell Institute is doing. What’s great is that it’s passion with defined purpose. You need to have passion to fuel you because you’re going to go through some tough times, and you’re going to need to have a defined purpose to steer you toward your goals."
"There is also clear direction how the Satell Institute is going to bring that passion to life in the community. That really resonated with me. My initial reactions are that both Ps (passion and purpose) are there, and I am really looking forward to Vertex getting involved with the Satell Institute.”
John Francis Smith III
Partner
Reed Smith, Chancellor, Reed Smith University (ret), Founding CEO, Global Philadelphia First
I was glad to be part of an organization that saw itself not as a supplicant, but as an enabler. For me, it’s been a nice opportunity – even a pleasure – to be part of an organization that is acting in a critical, catalyzing role to inspire others to give, not to it but to other worthy initiatives. When I tell people about the Satell Institute and that it’s not going to cost them a dime except for a commitment to do some very heavy giving to other organizations, they are quite surprised and pleased.
To me, one of the biggest benefits is the network and the camaraderie of other similarly minded people. It’s about that feeling that “I am not alone in my interest in being charitably active.” I am reinforced by being in the company of others who are doing similar things and it emboldens me to speak to still others – third parties – that haven’t yet come into the fold. I also think the research part is extremely important. I am glad that Ed built that into the original concept. I like the notion of there being an academic thread – an important academic thread – so this is seen for what I think it should be: a deep philosophical way of thinking about civic engagement.
Kevin Duffy
President
Tozour Energy Systems
“As a corporate affiliate of the Satell Institute, we are with a high-power group of executives who are world leaders in Corporate Social Responsibility."
"As a Collective Force, we are taking the lead and setting an example of the value of long-term commitments to causes that make communities better for business and for those who live there.”
Marcus Allen
CEO
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
The Satell Institute is bringing like-minded people together to spread a message that nonprofits frankly need right now. The problems that we are trying to solve are getting bigger and bigger and the resources are getting smaller and smaller. What Ed Satell and the Satell Institute are trying to do is create ambassadors and champions who are of influence and who can get more people off the sidelines to really get involved in helping us to solve these issues.
Marc Brownstein, CEO
Brownstein Group
“If I was talking to a CEO I would tell him or her that there is a new generation that really look at a brand, and evaluates if they will be a customer, depending on what that company or brand stands for. Those companies that are more progressive, that embrace giving back, are going to do better than those who don’t. A lot of companies are scrambling to figure this out. But evidence from the Satell Institute’s Think Tank proves that millennials really do care about what a company stands for. They will be loyal to that company that embraces CSR over companies that do not.”
“What I really admire about the Satell Institute is that they practice what they preach. What they preach is the cutting-edge research and best practices from their Think Tank, with some of world’s most highly acclaimed CSR scholars and thought leaders. What they practice is using this knowledge to help businesses and nonprofits set up innovative, long-term projects or programs that have impact that can be measured.”
Craig Snyder
CEO
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
“Like many other great ideas having roots in Philadelphia, the Satell Institute is at the leading edge of the global CSR wave, informing CEOs about the centrality of CSR to their forward-looking business plans. By creating and codifying long-term commitments between businesses and nonprofits, the Satell Institute is building a structure within which all of us can win.”
Paul Silberberg
CEO
Concierge Insurance Solutions
"What impressed me was the authenticity of the Satell Institute. I believe in the Satell Institute's honesty, transparency, integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness."
"I've known Ed for 30 years, and know he's the real deal. Ed says, 'Follow Me,' and before you know it, me and 30 other CEOs are doing just that. I'm amazed at the quality of the people around the table. They are doers as opposed to talkers. I'm very glad I am part of this Collective Force."
John Weidenhammer
Founder & President
Weidenhammer
I do think the Satell Institute has come up with a revolutionary aspect of CSR that is having a positive effect. I think companies are beginning to realize they can track the positive results of CSR in areas such as recruitment, marketing and customer retention. Employees like to know their company does more than give lip service to help the communities where they live and work. Customers also recognize companies that help to improve health care, education, child-care, mental health and culture in their communities. So, there is an ROI in CSR that goes beyond good feelings about philanthropy.
Joseph P. Dougherty
CEO & Managing Partner
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
One of my favorite quotes is ‘To whom much is given, much is expected,’” Joe says. “I have always felt an obligation to give back, both as an individual and a member of a firm. We have always supported nonprofits in the communities where we work in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It wasn’t until I became a member of the Satell Institute that I learned a key component of CSR – commitment.”
You can’t live and work in Philadelphia for any length of time without hearing about Ed Satell. He’s Mr. Philanthropy. I don’t remember if I read about the Institute or heard about it through a colleague. In any case, I wasn’t particularly interested in joining. We had active giving programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and I didn’t see how we would benefit from any outside influence. I got hooked at the first meeting I attended. I went almost reluctantly but realized this had to be something special when I noticed the CEOs in attendance. They represented some of the best companies in the greater Philadelphia area. The motivation of the group was incredible. We were all there for a common cause, to help the nonprofits of our choice make things better for our community. There was a free exchange of ideas on how we can maximize our contributions.
Tom Caramanico
President
McCormick Taylor, Inc.
“When it comes to the Satell Institute I just tell them, listen – you’d better get involved with this thing for two reasons:
- If you want to make a difference and an impact in your community, these members are already doing it and it’s a great place to hear about how they’ve done it. Just being in the same room with those people is inspiring. It’s a place where people understand that to get anything done in the community, you need the money and insight from the private sector.
- I have seen tremendous value in adding my name to a list of people and companies who are doing good things. It enhances anyone’s image to be associated with these companies, and there is certainly a halo effect from being a part of the Satell Institute.”
David Rosenberg
CEO
The David and Majorie Rosenberg Family Foundation
“The Satell Institute gives our Foundation the opportunity to make an impact on Corporate Social Responsibility. I am excited being involved with many people who feel similarly about the importance of CSR. Another reason we joined is that we wanted to be part of a collective force where all members share a common goal; that is to strengthen the well-being of our communities through philanthropy. The Satell Institute provides members a strong forum for academic research and engagement with the priority of making our world a better place. This has always been the philosophy of our Foundation! We welcome the opportunity to align our giving with the philosophies of the Satell Institute and its members, which will continue to enhance and strengthen the community in which we live.”
Brian Effron
CEO
Healthcare Administrative Partners
"I’ve known about the Satell Institute since it was first conceived, and have witnessed its roster of impressive members grow and evolve. We’re at a seminal moment for CSR work right now, and there has been tremendous enthusiasm building over the past five years. We were drawn to the Satell Institute because of their stellar reputation, but also because they are fully endowed, which is important. A lot of nonprofits can get bogged down with the (very necessary, but time-consuming) work of constant fundraising. Being fully-endowed allows us to free up time to focus on the issues."
Josh Gross
CEO
Mill Creek Capital Advisors
“As a Corporate Affiliate of the Satell Institute, I am associated with some of the people who are world-class at CSR. I look around the room at these incredible people as mentors and ask ‘What did they do’ and ‘What are they doing’? Each has a different story. I ask myself ‘What is the common thread?’ That’s when I discover more truths about CSR, which enables us to set our compass true north and continue our growth.”
Barry Kahan
The Kahan Family Fund
“I am thrilled and honored to be part of this prestigious Board of successful individuals who are ‘acting’ to make a difference. The vision of the Satell Institute is a simple one, we all have a responsibility to each other and to support each other’s success – as we are all one community. Whether you are a for-profit, nonprofit, academic or cultural institution, or an individual – in the end, no one can win at the expense of the others in the community, as we all win or lose together. As a corporate affiliate of the Satell Institute, we are benefiting from best practices and learning from other organizations that are taking Corporate Social Responsibility to the next level. We’re always looking to get better at what we do, and this opportunity takes another step in that direction.”
Bernard Dagenais
President & CEO
The Main Line Chamber of Commerce
“The future of Greater Philadelphia is brighter and the state of corporate philanthropy is stronger thanks to the existence of The Satell Institute. I’m particularly excited to see what many of the region’s top CEOs, including the leaders of some of our mid-sized companies, can accomplish together in addressing issues that can enhance our region.”
Craig Adams
Former CEO
PECO
“Nonprofits have a sense of relief when they know they will have the resources that they will need to accomplish their mission. It enables them to plan ahead and use their time most effectively. This is one of the factors that attracted us to the Satell Institute in the first place.”
“As a corporate affiliate of the Satell Institute, we are benefitting from best practices and learning from other organizations that are taking Corporate Social Responsibility to the next level. We’re always looking to get better at what we do, and this opportunity takes another step in that direction.”
John Emery
Managing Director, Corporate Client Banking
JP Morgan Chase
“The Satell Institute is unique in its focus on senior executives and its data driven approach to promoting corporate philanthropy. Not only does it provide an opportunity for business leaders to work together to better our community, but it really is a better mousetrap when it comes to driving thoughtful support for nonprofits.”
Robert (Bobby) Keyes
VP & General Manager
Enterprise Holdings
“What has resonated with me, working with the Satell Institute, is the thought process. It’s many business people who really do terrific things such as creating a great culture in their companies, and their ability to give something back.”
“I think the real genius of the Satell Institute is bringing the collection of top business leaders together and getting them to work towards a mission we can all benefit from. It is exciting to see wealth management firms, energy companies, banks, advertisers and other industries come together to make the community better. Sometimes I ask myself ‘Why am I holding hands with this person – she or he is a competitor?’ But, the big picture is the vision of what the region is going to look like in 5, 10 and 15 years, and how can we impact it. That’s why we joined the Satell Institute, and I applaud the Institute for the great work it is doing.
Doug Tieman
President & CEO
Caron Foundation
“The Satell Institute from its inception has been unique in that it is cause agnostic, requires no financial commitment to the institute, but rather directly to non-profits. It has brought together outstanding leaders from the corporate and philanthropic world for collaboration, has fostered intellectual thought and research, while at the same time, encouraging thoughtful and meaningful philanthropic commitments from companies to directly impact charitable missions of our community’s non-profits. A shining example of synergy that has enhanced companies thoughtful and purposeful philanthropy and challenged non-profits to identify opportunities to partner with corporate leaders to have an immediate and significant impact on our community – a win-win for our society!”
Travis Rhodes
Regional President
BB&T
He was stimulated by his participation in the Satell Institute CEO Impact Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), “It was great for me to be around other leaders and to hear their philosophies about why they give and how they live,” Rhodes said. “I had never run an organization this size before, and it was great being around other CEOs who care and have the heart to do something positive.”
Alan Luxenberg
CEO
Foreign Policy Research Institute (ret)
“I never could have imagined the network of people Ed (Satell) has brought into The Satell Institute and the CEO Conferences they have had,” Luxenberg said. “It’s really astonishing.” He has also been impressed with the breadth and accomplishments of SI’s own emerging Intern Program.
Matthew Aaron
CEO
Special Olympics of Pennsylvania
“It was immediately clear… the idea of connecting CEOs with each other and connecting the corporate and not-for-profit sectors for four-year projects was an ‘aha moment’ for me. I knew this organization was going to fill critical needs.” He argues that this way of thinking encouraged and enabled by SI pushes CSR beyond “a fad, or something done for public relations.”
“The Satell Institute is advancing the idea that CSR is an inherent part of today’s business world and must be approached with the same seriousness of planning and purpose as every aspect in the life of a corporation.”
Mike Quinn
Founding CEO
The Museum of the American Revolution (ret)
I’m equally proud to serve as a member of the Executive Committee of the Satell Institute. I’m watching the early success in Philadelphia motivate the Satell Institute to expand to major cities across the country. Ed’s vision is inspiring: if 10,000 corporations join, the Satell Institute would be the catalyst for the largest source of funding for nonprofits in the nation. What a legacy that would be!
Bob Beard
President & CEO
UGI Utilities
I was fascinated by the quality of the Institute’s members. They represented many of the leading companies and nonprofits in the central Pennsylvania area. The energy and enthusiasm I felt at that first meeting was contagious. To sit and listen to other executives discuss CSR and to interact with leaders of nonprofits is invaluable. It is refreshing to join an organization dedicated primarily to helping others. The only price of admission is to make a four-year commitment to any nonprofit for $25,000 or more a year and continue for four years. The choice of the nonprofit is left entirely up to the organization making the pledge.
Ronald P. Sandmeyer, Jr
President
Sandmeyer Steel
A member of our Board of Directors told me about the Satell Institute and invited me to a meeting. I was impressed immediately with the enthusiasm of Ed Satell, who founded the Institute, and its mission. I joined immediately after that first meeting and consider it one of the best decisions I made. The Satell Institute truly believes in a mission of social good and purpose and to make the world a better place. I think any company with a CSR program, or planning one, would benefit from membership in the Satell Institute.
A member of our Board of Directors told me about the Satell Institute and invited me to a meeting. I was impressed immediately with the enthusiasm of Ed Satell, who founded the Institute, and its mission. I joined immediately after that first meeting and consider it one of the best decisions I made. The Satell Institute truly believes in a mission of social good and purpose and to make the world a better place. I think any company with a CSR program, or planning one, would benefit from membership in the Satell Institute.
CEO-to-CEO connections are among the many benefits of Satell Institute membership. While every company and program is different, my peers’ stories and experiences are still valuable in offering lessons and inspiring new ideas. I’m also amazed at the quality of the CEOs who are members of the Satell Institute. One thing is for certain – they are doers, not talkers.