Leading for Good 2024: A Day of Content and Community

Thank you to our amazing Baumhart scholars and alums for their support in highlighting the key points from the day.

We started the day of March 21st, with a Power of Impact Talk “Building The Unseen: Mindset of A Changemaker” featuring Abena Boahmoah-Acehempong of Hanahana Beauty. Her inspiring story of empowering Black women globally set the tone for the day and reminded those in attendance that we all can make a difference.

Guiding us through the day was our Experience MC, Scott Hoseman! He kept everyone engaged, enthused and expectant about the great day ahead.  

Our first main stage session, “AI For Good: A Tool For Transformation” was a discussion on how AI is transforming philanthropy, nature, and the medical industry.  Moderated by Lisa Laws, each of our panelists, Brandolon Barnett, Chuck Cannon, Sam Glassenberg, gave exciting insights into the risks and advantages of using the technology and how we can use it as a positive force for change.

For example, Sam Glassenberg highlighted how this technology is being used to train medical professionals to deal with a variety of medical issues on diverse populations.

Morning Breakouts 

We then choose between three breakout offerings varying across topics of human resources, economic mobility and ESG communications. One the options was the “Pipelines of Purpose: Hiring and Building the Teams of Tomorrow” with Jonathan Chapparo, Shelley Davis, Jazmin Garcia, and Britney Robbins.  

In this panel, Jazmin Garcia highlighted some key inequities that exist in the human resource system. 

“With regards to hiring approaches, the talent pool size can grow by looking at candidates’ skillsets, not necessarily just credentials, when possible. 70% of jobs require a Bachelor's degree, but only 37% of population has that degree. Skills-based hiring is expected to double by 2027.”

Also, we gained insights from “The New Chicago Way: Investment in Every Neighborhood” panel with Nancy Bonges, Johnathan McGee, Lyneir Richardson, Carl Jones Jr., and Michael Strautmanis and “Progress and Peril: Communicating Impact in 2024” with Corliss Garner, Dale Green, Stephanie Lerdall, and Linda Tuncay Zayer. 

Corliss addressed how challenges to DEI initiatives must continue to be advocated for.  

“You have to be intentional and focused about addressing matters from a systemic prospective and move the work forward.” 

Innovator Awards and Afternoon Breakouts 

Congratulations to each one of our Innovator Award recipients for 2024!

• Winner of the Parkinson Award for Purpose and Profit: Builders Vision (left)
• Social Impact Award Winner: New Moms (middle)
• Environmental Stewardship Award Winner: Climate Vault (right)  

New this year: we introduced breakouts with each of Innovator Award winners to dive deeper into their work. We were delighted to welcome back past winners as well. 

During the Social Impact Deep Dive, Laura Zumdahl, Kathleen Caliento (past award winner), and Leeatt Rothschild navigated the balance between doing social good and running a business. For example, New Moms' job training programs lead to trainees finding better opportunities elsewhere. While this might seem counterintuitive to traditional business models, it reflects positively on the organization's effectiveness in preparing clients for success. New Moms equips its trainees with valuable skills and confidence that make them attractive candidates for higher-level opportunities.

In the Environmental Stewardship Deep Dive, we learned from Jon Cohen, Kim Evans, Alex Kruzel, and Jimmy Samartzis (past award winner), we learn that the environmental movement doesn’t always do a great job of highlighting all the amazing work happening. As we progress to get to net zero by 2050, it is important that this work is showcased to inspire others to meet this goal.  

At the Parkinson Purpose and Profit Deep Dive, Arthur Chow, Karen Weigert, Matt Knott, and Haven Leeming talked about impactful work that Builders Vision is doing across the board.  

The conversation encouraged companies to make the investment in measuring and declaring the impact they're trying to have on the world. These north stars will help guide organizations to find collaborators, tell their stories, and identify priorities.  

Matt Knott urged current and future leaders in the room to think about their effect on the world.  

“The next generation of leaders increasingly care about the kind of impact they have on the world and the impact their families have on the world.” 

Afternoon Sessions 

Chicago Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas coined the term “Everything Dope About America Comes from Chicago,” and that point was not only reflected in his talk, but throughout the last half of the day.  

The fireside chat with Victoria Rudd and April Williams-Luster “A Pathway to an Equitable Workforce: The Discover Chatham Customer Care Center” showcased the work the Center has been doing. Moderated by Stephan Ban, it was highlighted that the center has 80% employee engagement and scored higher than every other call center in 2021 despite being the least experienced and having fewer employees.  

“Discover chose the Chatham community and the Chatham community chose Discover,” said Victoria.   

Dilla kept the energy high by showcasing examples why Chicago has historically been at the peak of innovation. From Harold’s Chicken to the World Trade Center, Chicago is a city that celebrates diversity, community, and social impact. You can learn more by attending one of his tours.  

Another dope thing about Chicago is the cross-sector collaboration between organizations like The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Wilson Sporting Goods and Thresholds and Starbucks.  

Lastly, our Baumhart Scholars compiled a list of action items that you can do to help Lead For Good in your organizations, communities, and in the world. 

Key Takeaways 

• Learn the implications of using artificial intelligence and be proactive in using it responsibly to change the world.  
• As leaders of our organizations, we must create opportunities ourselves and through our connections for young people to succeed. 
• Diversify revenue sources to build insurance for mission sustainability 
• Understand where your and your firms’ values are and pick one thing to focus on. Pick one thing and do it.  
• When considering social impact strategies and/or investing in the community, be thoughtful and intentional about what the community actually wants and needs. Get community members involved in the decision-making process.  
• Seek out meaningful ways that cross-sector collaboration can be implemented in your community.  
    

The New Business of Impact will combine innovative technology, social and climate-focused initiatives, partnerships between for-profit and non-profit organizations, and most importantly, knowledge sharing and collaboration among leaders like yourself.  

Though this event is once a year, the dedication, community-building, and impact are ongoing.  

Thank you to our Baumhart Scholars and alums for their participation in not only the day but helping to propel the mission of the Baumhart Center forward: Laura Aguilar,  Clifton Ballard, Kat Birkenbeul, Johnathan Goodell, Tayo Hill, Kirstin L. Jones, Sunyou Kang, David Klein, Renee Marongwe, Jonathan McGee, Fionna Millett, and Karrie Miner.  

Thank you for being with us that day and Leading For Good in your way.