Corporate Leadership Center's thought leadership focuses on timely and relevant topics for business leaders as they, and their organizations, work to shape the future. These materials have been developed in celebration of Corporate Leadership Center’s achievements and the positive impact of its programs, CEO Perspectives and Leading Women Executives.

We welcome your feedback, questions or comments -- please email us at [email protected].

Bringing Sustainability to the Forefront of Business: The Story of S’well

The following webinar on ‘Bringing Sustainability to the Forefront of Business: The Story of S’well’ was held on March 15, 2022, for the Corporate Leadership Center community. The program featured Sarah Kauss, Founder and Executive Chairwoman of S’well, in celebration of Women's History Month.

Sarah shares how she turned her passion for the environment into a purpose-driven business that has grown into an international success, in addition to ways businesses can strive to embed sustainability goals into their culture and increase their impact for the benefit of customers, other stakeholders and the world at large.

Additional Topics

MARCH 2022 - BRINGING SUSTAINABILITY TO THE FOREFRONT OF BUSINESS: THE STORY OF S’WELL

Bringing Sustainability to the Forefront of Business: The Story of S’well

NOVEMBER 2021 - PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP: REIMAGINING BUSINESS

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Reimagining Business

The following webinar on ‘Purpose-Driven Leadership: Reimagining Business’ was held on November 12, 2021, for the Corporate Leadership Center community. The program featured Hubert Joly, former Chairman & CEO, Best Buy, and author of The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the Next Era, and was moderated by Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner of the WNBA and former CEO of Deloitte.

During his tenure as CEO, Hubert Joly engineered a turnaround based on balancing financial and non-financial measures, elevating the dignity of work and workers, and making a difference in society. Cathy Engelbert has brought a similar philosophy to her current role as Commissioner of the WNBA – elevating the importance of players and establishing the league as a catalyst for change in society.

AUGUST 2021 - CREATING WORKPLACES THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE

The following themes, ideas and recommendations were generated during the Leading Women Executives workshop, held on August 3^rd, 2021, to address the topics of:

Retaining and reengaging talent;
Rebuilding culture; and
Reskilling employees.

Guest speakers featured Mary Bilbrey, Global CHRO, JLL and 2019 CEO Perspectives Fellow; Carrie Blair, Executive Vice President & CHRO at Allstate; and Diane Earll, Senior Vice President, USG Corporation & President, Ceilings; Fall 2012 Leading Women Executives Ambassador and 2020 CEO Perspectives Fellow.

FEBRUARY 2021 - REPAIRING THE STRESS FRACTURES OF 2020

On January 28, 2021, Corporate Leadership Center held an informative, panel-based webinar to address these and other urgent questions around ‘Repairing the Stress Fractures of 2020’.

The panelists included: Christa Davies, Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President, Global Finance at Aon; CEO Perspectives Fellow, 2012, and Leading Women Executives Advocate; Daniel Diermeier, Chancellor of Vanderbilt University and longtime CEO Perspectives faculty member and academic advisor; and Marc Howze, Group President of Lifecycle Solutions, Chief Administrative Officer of Deere & Company and CEO Perspectives Fellow, 2019.

DECEMBER 2020 - PASSING THE TORCH – PERSPECTIVES, INSIGHTS, ACTION, IMPACT, EPISODE 4

The following episode highlights the impact Corporate Leadership Center and its programs have had on the community, including the participants and their respective corporate and civic organizations. Cheryl and Sheila reflect on memorable moments and leadership lessons learned over the years, as Deb shares her vision for the future of the organization.

Episode 4: Passing the Torch – Perspectives, Insights, Action, Impact

NOVEMBER 2020 - TIPPING THE BALANCE – ADVANCING BOTH CAREER AND COMPANY, EPISODE 3

The following episode highlights the Leading Women Executives program, which was created in 2009 for high-potential women preparing to advance to senior executive roles. It discusses the origins and evolution of the program, its unique attributes, and the incredible impact it is having on the women and their companies.

Episode 3: Tipping the Balance – Advancing Both Career and Company

OCTOBER 2020 - ACCELERATING IMPACT– CORPORATE LEADERS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW, EPISODE 2

The following episode focuses on the CEO Perspectives program, which was created in 2004 for professionals transitioning from executive to enterprise leaders. The video highlights the program's unique attributes; impact on the 387 participants to date and their companies; and continuous evolution to meet the growing needs of the business community.

Episode 2: Accelerating Impact – Corporate Leaders for Today and Tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 2020 - LEADERSHIP ISN’T ALL IN A BOOK – A SHARED EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE, EPISODE 1

Co-Chairmen Cheryl Francis and Sheila Penrose established Corporate Leadership Center (CLC) in 2002 to cultivate dynamic business leaders through the CEO Perspectives and Leading Women Executives programs. Today, more than 1000 professionals have completed the programs, and they and their companies have benefitted.

Recently, CLC Advisor and Board Member, Deb DeHaas, was appointed as incoming CEO of the organization, and will join Sheila and Cheryl in leading Corporate Leadership Center. This transition provides a unique opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and focus on future aspirations. The following Legacy and Leadership series highlights the growth of the organization, explores the development of the programs and shares many of the valuable lessons acquired along the way.

EPISODE 1: Leadership Isn’t All in a Book – A Shared Executive Experience

MARCH 2020 - CRISIS MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS FOR PANDEMICS AND HEALTH CARE EMERGENCIES

As infections with the COVID-19 virus continue to grow across the world, leaders in business, government, and civic society face unprecedented challenges. Crisis situations can overwhelm even the most experienced leaders, presenting unexpected, complex scenarios that evolve at a fast pace and in several directions. Read more

DECEMBER 2019 - SHAPING THE FUTURE: THE ROLE OF BUSINESS

On November 13th, 2019, Corporate Leadership Center celebrated the 15th anniversary of its CEO Perspectives program and 10th anniversary of its Leading Women Executives program at Chicago’s Mid-America Club. Members of the CEO Perspectives and Leading Women Executives communities came together to honor the achievements of both organizations, which have now served almost 1000 participants collectively. Read more

SEPTEMBER 2019 - ENABLING THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY THROUGH INCLUSION

by Deborah DeHaas, Director and Advisor, Corporate Leadership Center; Vice Chairman and National Managing Partner, Center for Board Effectiveness, Deloitte

Companies have focused on improving the diversity of their executive leadership and talent pool for years, with progress at a slower pace than many leaders and directors aspired to. It has become increasingly evident that improving diversity without enhancing inclusion does not allow the value of diversity to be fully realized. Read more

JULY 2019 - UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP

On June 5th, 2019, CEO Perspectives held its Spring Event at Deloitte in Chicago, to focus on the fast-changing nature of work across sectors. The event featured: Keynote Speaker: Jeff Schwartz, Human Capital Principal, Global Human Capital Marketing, Eminence & Brand Leader, US Leader for the Future of Work, Deloitte; Panel Discussion Moderator, Deb DeHaas, Vice Chairman and National Managing Partner of the Center for Board Effectiveness, Deloitte; and Panelists: Jeff Schwartz, Jonas Prising, Chairman & CEO, ManpowerGroup, and Betsy Ziegler, CEO, 1871. Read more

MAY 2019 - UNDERSTANDING EFFECTIVE REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

CEOs and board directors view a company’s reputation as one of its most valuable assets. Recently however, there is a growing gap between the rise in corporate reputational risk and companies’ capabilities to manage it.

Every month a new reputational disaster makes the headlines, destroying shareholder value and trust among customers and other stakeholders. But the loss of public trust is just the beginning of a company’s troubles -- lawsuits, public hearings, and investigations often follow. Management missteps may be a part of the problem, but there are broader trends in these ever more frequent and severe corporate crises. Read more

MARCH 2019 - THE RISE OF URBANIZATION

A recent report in The Economist estimated that the 50 largest urban areas contain only 7% of the world's population but produce 40% of its economic output. Major urban areas are hotbeds for innovation, sources for talent and driving changes in patterns of demand for goods and services. Business leaders need to understand the urban landscape and shape strategies to reflect these growing trends.

To provide greater insights on this topic, Christian Beaudoin, Managing Director, Research, Strategy, Site Selection at JLL, discusses what companies need to consider when selecting a city (Watch Video), and Mark Hacker, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer at Motorola Solutions, shares how Motorola's move from the suburbs has benefited the company. Read more

Thought Leadership