2025 Corporate Responsibility Summit

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM ET

Breakfast and Registration

09:05 AM - 09:20 AM ET

Opening Remarks

Jeff Hoffman, Institute Leader, Corporate Citizenship & Philanthropy, ESG Center, The Conference Board

09:25 AM - 09:55 AM ET

100 Days In: Corporate Responsibility Under the New Administration

Our opening discussion will reflect on the initial policies and priorities of the new Trump administration, offering insights into how businesses can adapt and thrive within an evolving regulatory and cultural landscape. Panelists will explore how to integrate corporate responsibility—spanning sustainability, DEI, and other key initiatives—into company DNA while crafting narratives that humanize complex issues.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET

The ROI of Sustainability

Our panel will explore key questions such as: How can businesses effectively measure the financial return on investment (ROI) from sustainability initiatives like energy savings, waste reduction, or increased resource efficiency? How do companies balance short-term operational costs with the long-term financial benefits of these efforts? What strategies can businesses implement to ensure that long-term advantages—such as improved brand loyalty, reduced risk, and regulatory compliance—are included in their ROI calculations?

Andrew Jones, PhD, Senior Researcher, ESG Center, The Conference Board

10:35 AM - 10:45 AM ET

Morning Break

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM ET

Driving Action Through Storytelling

11:25 AM - 11:55 AM ET

Corporate Transparency and Accountability: Building Trust Through Ethical Environmental Reporting

This session will explore how companies can manage the potential risks of full transparency, such as revealing shortcomings or underperformance, while maintaining ethical standards in their environmental reporting. We will also discuss strategies businesses can adopt to address gaps or areas of concern in their sustainability performance without compromising trust.

Michael Stiller, New Initiatives, Capital Access Platforms, Nasdaq

12:35 PM - 01:35 PM ET

Lunch

01:40 PM - 02:10 PM ET

Empowering Communities: The Role of Corporate Philanthropy in Sustainable Development

This session will explore how corporate philanthropy can go beyond financial donations to empower communities through capacity building, skills development, and infrastructure support. We will showcase examples of companies that have successfully leveraged philanthropy to create self-sustaining, resilient communities capable of driving their own sustainable development.

Scott Heimlich, President, Amgen Foundation, Executive Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Amgen

Sarah Keh, Vice President, Inclusive Solutions, Prudential Financial

01:40 PM - 02:10 PM ET

The Future of Responsible Sourcing: Reimagining Global Supply Chains for a Sustainable and Equitable Tomorrow

This session will explore how companies can reimagine their supply chains to prioritize sustainability at every stage, from sourcing to production and distribution. We will also examine how businesses can ensure that their sourcing practices uphold human rights, promote fair wages, and provide safe working conditions for all stakeholders, particularly in developing economies.

02:15 PM - 02:45 PM ET

Climate Risk Management: How Governance Drives Resilience and Adaptation

This session will address key questions such as: What governance practices can help companies proactively adapt to emerging climate risks, ensuring long-term business continuity and resilience? How can companies integrate climate-related risks into existing risk management processes, such as enterprise risk management (ERM), to ensure they are considered alongside financial, operational, and strategic risks?

Shannon Carroll, AVP, Global Environmental Sustainability, AT&T

02:15 PM - 02:45 PM ET

Employee Engagement in Social Impact: Leveraging Volunteering and Giving Programs to Accelerate Impact

This session will explore strategies businesses can adopt to ensure their volunteer initiatives create measurable, sustainable outcomes for communities. It will also examine the metrics and frameworks companies can use to track the success of their volunteering and giving programs, ensuring they create long-term impact for both the community and the organization.

Nicole Anderson, President, AT&T Foundation, AVP, Corporate Social Responsibility

02:50 PM - 03:00 PM ET

Afternoon Break

03:05 PM - 03:35 PM ET

Boardroom Leadership and Corporate Governance: Steering Sustainability and Ethical Responsibility

This session will examine the responsibilities of the board in overseeing and integrating ESG metrics into corporate performance evaluation and reporting. It will also explore how boards can take a leadership role in managing climate risks and identifying opportunities for business growth through sustainability innovations.

Raman Venkatesh, PhD, MBA , Chief Sustainability Officer, Medtronic

03:40 PM - 04:10 PM ET

The Rise of ESG Activism: Navigating Investor Demands and Corporate Accountability

This session will delve into the key factors driving the rise of ESG activism among investors and how this trend has reshaped corporate accountability. It will also discuss how companies should respond to shareholder resolutions and campaigns led by ESG activists.

04:15 PM - 04:45 PM ET

Environmental Justice: Past, Present, and Future – Reflecting on Progress and Shaping the Road Ahead

In our closing session, we will reflect on the origins of the environmental justice movement and the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable communities, including pollution, poor air and water quality, and hazardous waste. We’ll also review current policies, such as the "Justice40 Initiative" and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Finally, we will discuss how corporations can evolve their ESG strategies to better address environmental justice, particularly in global supply chains and carbon reduction efforts.

04:15 PM - 04:45 PM ET

Closing Keynote

Tarang Amin, Chairman and CEO, e.l.f. Beauty

05:05 PM - 06:05 PM ET

Reception