Risa Sherman Related Content

Risa Sherman presented at a CSR-intensive seminar at the Simmons College School of Management. The course, “CSR: Managing People, Planet and Profits,” discusses the business challenges and benefits of CSR. Professor Shuili Du, explains “Risa delivered an exceptional talk and … Continue reading →

Risa Sherman was a panelist at a Boston Foundation’s Understanding Boston series event, an initiative focused on public health, educational events and research to provide information and insight into the Boston region’s issues.  The panel, “Rebranding Public Health: Building the … Continue reading →

Risa Sherman judged the 17th Annual Net Impact Competition for the Boston University Graduate Net Impact chapter. Based on a case study about Keurig, students had to identify key CSR initiatives on which the company should focus over the next … Continue reading →

Risa Sherman delivered the Distinguished Alumni Lecture at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.  The lecture “CSR: Creating New Value for Companies, Brands and Society,” focused on the evolution of CSR, the importance of embedding CSR in business … Continue reading →

Risa Sherman facilitated the first annual AMD Changing the Game partner summit in New York City. Through AMD’s signature philanthropy initiative, the company works with more than 25 partner organizations around the globe to engage less advantaged middle and high … Continue reading →

I often say that one of my life’s purposes is to bear witness to the stories of human suffering and joy, to improve on and honor these circumstances, and to tell those stories.

And that theme could not have echoed more loudly than over the past twos days I spent at the 11^thAnnual Cause Marketing Forum in Chicago. For the past nine years companies, nonprofits, and those of us who work with them to create meaningful, high impact programs, have gathered to share tales of success, missteps and growth in our field.

The tales we tell are those of partnerships, programs, societal issues and needs, and, most importantly, narratives of the people and places whose state in our world is better as a consequence of our collective work. Continue reading →

Risa Sherman joined Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream partners, Boston Beer Company and ACCION USA, at the Microfinance USA 2011 Conference in New York. Over 850 people attended the second nationwide conference on U.S. microfinance. Jim Koch, founder of … Continue reading →

Risa Sherman judged the Boston University Net Impact annual case competition where teams of MBA students from across Boston competed to solve a business challenge dealing with current issues in sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Teams of four students … Continue reading →

I just returned from judging the 2010 Cause Marketing Forum Halo Awards. And the winners are….

Actually, I am sworn to secrecy.  Sorry!  Finalists will be announced June 3^rd at the Annual Cause Marketing Forum Conference.  There truly are some amazing programs to look out for.

One of the best things about being a part of the cause-related world is that our collective field is constantly innovating, evolving, pushing the limits of what might be possible and, ultimately, raising the bar for all of us who practice in this space. It is an amazing experience to be part of a discipline that is old enough to recognize some best practices, yet still young and agile enough to be the source of fertile ground open to exploration. Continue reading →

The continued research statistics about the continued momentum of the CSR movement and companies’ progress despite a down economy is encouraging. But recently I saw first-hand that momentum in action – and that was more exciting than any statistic.

A few weeks ago, I spoke at Simmons College School of Management at a seminar in CSR theory taught by Dr. Shuili Du, a CSR researcher and professor of marketing. I found the students smart and well informed and their questions and comments insightful. What has me all jazzed up, though is what happened after I left the class. Continue reading →

Risa Sherman was a guest lecturer at the Simmons College School of Management where she spoke about “Signature Philanthropy Program Development” at a class entitled Corporate Social Responsibility taught by Dr. Shuili Du, Professor of Marketing. Read more information about … Continue reading →

When I hear about a theme or a trend that catches my attention, I tuck it away and know I will use it at some point. If I hear about it again in a different circle I know it is an idea that is “bubbling” and is something that will likely resurface, and so I start to think about its relevance to my world. The third time this theme crosses into my domain, I know it is an established conversation that many are having. And in the past 10 days or so, at varied intersections, I have been part of conversations about what it actually takes to work in the CSR field. Is it training? DNA? Professional experience? Formal education? I don’t know the definitive answer, but I do know there is more than one path.  Mostly, I am just thrilled the conversation is actually taking place in numerous circles. Continue reading →

Risa Sherman spoke on the panel, Educating the Next Generation of CSR Communicators, at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) annual conference in Boston.

I often say that one of my life’s purposes is to bear witness to the stories of human suffering and joy, to improve on and honor these circumstances, and to tell those stories.

And that theme could not have echoed more loudly than over the past twos days I spent at the 11^thAnnual Cause Marketing Forum in Chicago. For the past nine years companies, nonprofits, and those of us who work with them to create meaningful, high impact programs, have gathered to share tales of success, missteps and growth in our field.

The tales we tell are those of partnerships, programs, societal issues and needs, and, most importantly, narratives of the people and places whose state in our world is better as a consequence of our collective work. Continue reading →

So my husband went to Home Depot this weekend and like any good Samuel Adams drinker, he was wearing his “Just Brew It” t-shirt.

The woman who helped him complimented him on his shirt and asked whether he works at Sam Adams. He said, “no, but my wife works closely with them on their philanthropy program.”

She said: “Oh, Brewing the American Dream?”

He said: “Yeah, do you know it?” Continue reading →

I just returned from judging the 2010 Cause Marketing Forum Halo Awards. And the winners are….

Actually, I am sworn to secrecy.  Sorry!  Finalists will be announced June 3^rd at the Annual Cause Marketing Forum Conference.  There truly are some amazing programs to look out for.

One of the best things about being a part of the cause-related world is that our collective field is constantly innovating, evolving, pushing the limits of what might be possible and, ultimately, raising the bar for all of us who practice in this space. It is an amazing experience to be part of a discipline that is old enough to recognize some best practices, yet still young and agile enough to be the source of fertile ground open to exploration. Continue reading →

My dad has given me many lessons over my lifetime and one of the ones I always seem to draw on is:  Do not confuse someone’s method with his motive.

This came to mind recently when Goldman Sachs announced a $500 million philanthropy initiative to help small business owners through higher education scholarships, access to capital and mentoring.  There is little doubt expressed by journalists and bloggers all around the country that what is motivating Goldman is a desperate need for good will coming out of months and months of revelations around the company’s role in Wall Street’s financial meltdown. Continue reading →

As Congress introduces what is hoped to be life-saving legislation to ban texting while driving, and the National Safety Council earlier this year called for a nationwide ban on cell use while driving, causenation sees a tremendous opportunity for scores of mobile device manufacturers and carriers to stand up and be counted as pro-safety.  Next week the U.S. Transportation Secretary will host the Distracted Driving Summit on this life & death issue.

Like the automobile industry before them that championed seatbelt laws and advocated for tougher drunk driving legislation, it is time for this sector to align corporate values with action and create CSR initiatives that promote more responsible and safer use of its products. The social need being both profound and timely, would allow companies in this space to take some really innovative steps toward addressing the increasing danger of using all types of mobile communications devices while driving. Continue reading →

So I just read that the Pope has announced a Christmas cause marketing campaign. He has partnered with David Geffen and is making a CD of holiday music to benefit less advantaged kids around the globe. I, for one, couldn’t be happier. In my book it communicates a big, pious thumbs up for the practice of cause marketing. Continue reading →

When I hear about a theme or a trend that catches my attention, I tuck it away and know I will use it at some point. If I hear about it again in a different circle I know it is an idea that is “bubbling” and is something that will likely resurface, and so I start to think about its relevance to my world. The third time this theme crosses into my domain, I know it is an established conversation that many are having. And in the past 10 days or so, at varied intersections, I have been part of conversations about what it actually takes to work in the CSR field. Is it training? DNA? Professional experience? Formal education? I don’t know the definitive answer, but I do know there is more than one path.  Mostly, I am just thrilled the conversation is actually taking place in numerous circles. Continue reading →

I recently had the privilege of volunteering along with the employees of our client, Samuel Adams, at their “Speed Coaching” event. Speed Coaching is an integral part of Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, the company’s signature philanthropy program that helps lower-income food and beverage microentrepreneurs build and strengthen their small businesses, realize their dreams, and achieve economic independence. The program offers microloans, and other hard-to-come-by resources, through the Samuel Adams Microloan Fund with nonprofit partner ACCION USA. Continue reading →

Despite the economic downturn and tightening budgets, it seems the opportunities to speak, learn, and network in the CSR and Citizenship world are proliferating.  How can CSR professionals get the smartest bang for our conference buck?

We sat down with veteran conference planners, turned executive speaker consultants, Lori Zetlin and Jeanne Tee, of S3 – Strategic Speaker Services, whose clients include IBM, Fed Ex, and NetApp, to get their take on the rapidly evolving world of CSR conferences. Continue reading →

At causenation, the corporate philanthropy programs we like best are the ones that get us up off the couch with a fist-pumping cheer for the people that cause initiatives help. So today we give a big “You Go Girl!” to Lucy Valena of Voltage Coffee who was featured yesterday on CNN’s American Morning. Continue reading →