Sustainable Business Practices
Promoting global corporate sustainability through systems change that aligns profitability with people and the planet.
Creating the just and sustainable world envisioned by Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato si' will require a true and sustained commitment of global business. The McKenna Center was created to engage and accompany businesses as they create and implement sustainability policies and principles across their operations and global supply chains. We seek to make the best of sustainability research available to corporate professionals to address today’s most pressing challenges, from climate and biodiversity to food security and human rights. Through partnerships, conversation and consultation at the highest levels of corporate leadership, we seek to create a community of practice built on the belief that business and markets exist to serve people and planet and that business serves the common good when it serves us all.
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National Sustainability 2nd Annual Conference
The University of Notre Dame will host the 2nd Annual National Sustainability Society (NSS) Conference—a national gathering of scholars, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and government representatives committed to transformative change for a just and sustainable future.
This year’s conference, led by Arun Agrawal, a distinguished sustainability scholar and new faculty member at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, reflects the university’s growing leadership in sustainability research and policy. The McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business is proud to support the conference, with Ray Offenheiser, McKenna Center director, moderating two panels on business and sustainability as part of the program.
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Ray Offenheiser
Director, McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business; Senior Advisor to the Dean, Keough School of Global Affairs
Past Events
- Geopolitical Corporate Responsibility in a World of Turbulence and Uncertainty | Bennett Freeman, Chatham House (UK think tank): A leader in human rights and business and current fellow with the UK-based Chatham House think tank, Bennet Freeman discussed the implications for corporate policy and strategy and the potential consequences for security and sustainability principles in light of global tectonic shifts in international relations and corresponding shifts in U.S. foreign policy. How are multinational corporations navigating this turbulent geopolitical landscape?
- Creating Value Sustainably: Ford Motor Company's Challenge to Move Beyond a Fossil Fuel Heritage | Jeff Nemeth, CEO, Ford Motor Company, South Africa: How does a historic auto manufacturer embrace sustainability and successfully transition to a post-fossil fuel era? What are the unique challenges and opportunities presented by such a dramatic transformation? In a discussion with the CEO of Ford Motor Company, South Africa, Jeff Nemeth '82, explored how one of the world's largest automakers is transforming its future and the challenges that come with it.
- From Purpose to Profitability: The Sprint Turnaround Story | Dan Hesse, former CEO of Sprint; Board Chair Akamai Corporation; Board Member, Just Capital: Former head of Sprint reflects on lessons learned from the company's work to mainstream sustainability practices, an early success story in rebuilding corporate culture, prioritizing service to customers and publicly championing the need for businesses to embrace stakeholder capitalism.
Connect with us
The McKenna Center is actively reaching out to corporate leaders in sustainability policy and practice to explore opportunities for engagement as well as internships and employment opportunities for our students and graduates.