For more than two centuries companies have created economic value while not accounting for their social and environmental negative externalities. As a consequence, clean water shortages and global warming are the challenges of the 21st century. This panel discussion from Bridging the Gap, the Stanford 2005 Net Impact conference sponsored by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, brings environmental issues front and center within a company’s CSR strategy.
To what extent are companies today willing, able, and competent to internalize their externalities? How can they improve their environmental performance in a financially viable way? What is the potential for better corporate environmental practices?
Among the catalysts behind the adoption of environmental sustainability as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, the panelists touch upon the notions of cost savings, differentiation, inspiration, and employee satisfaction...
Panelists include:
Sheila Davis is the executive director of Silicon Valley Toxics, a San Jose-based Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition that is the world's first and most influential environmental watchdog on the high tech industry.
Over the past 5 years, Ms. Davis has played a valuable role at SVTC in shaping environmental policy in the high tech industry. Her experience provides a strong foundation for SVTC's continued success. Last year she assumed the role program manager, overseeing all programs.
Ms. Davis is also the program director of SVTC's Clean Computer Campaign and serves as a steering committee member of the national Computer TakeBack Campaign.
Alex P.H. Heard manages and oversees Intel’s global EHS programs, performance, and policy. He serves as a senior contact and interface with employees, stockholders, governmental entities, customers, suppliers, NGO’s, and communities on a wide range of EHS issues pertaining to Intel.
Prior to his current assignment, Alex held numerous positions managing EHS for Intel’s operations in Europe, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, and California. He has been with Intel for over 13 years and spent the previous eight years with Philips Electronics in a myriad of EHS roles in both Europe and the United States.Alex has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United Kingdom.
As Gap Inc.’s Sr. Environmental Manager, Liz Muller develops and oversees the company’s environmental strategy and programs. Since joining Gap Inc. in 1998, her work has focused on integrating environmental efforts throughout the business. Before joining Gap Inc., Liz worked for private environmental consulting firms and the U.S. Coast Guard. She focused on issues such as asbestos, fuel and storm water pollution
prevention plans, cleaning up military landfills, and overseeing environmental aspects of dismantling navigation stations located in national wildlife refuges.
Liz has a master’s in environmental health from University of Hawaii and bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from University of California, San Diego.
This free podcast is from our Bridging the Gap series.
For The Conversations Network: