2024 Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility

Lilliam A. Perez, a Bronx native, serves as vice president of government and community relations for Montefiore Health System. Formerly with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, she’s recognized for advocacy in social justice and honored as a top Latina leader. Lilliam’s extensive community engagement includes roles on boards like Mary Mitchell Family & Youth Center and VIP Community Services. She holds a B.A. in political science and international economics from Long Island University.

How do you define corporate social responsibility? 
Corporate social responsibility is the actions your organization takes to better the communities it serves and beyond. You cannot be a successful anchor institution without embedding in your mission and vision goals to positively improve the lives of the constituency, leaders, and organizations you serve while operating an effective organization. At Montefiore Einstein, we enrich the lives of all we serve through providing the highest quality care delivery, research, employment opportunities, and community partnerships.

What are your organization’s CSR goals? 
Montefiore’s mission is to heal, to teach, to discover and to advance the health of the communities we serve. Montefiore builds upon our rich history of medical innovation and community service to improve the lives of those in our care. Our mission is exemplified in our exceptional, compassionate care and dedication to improve the well-being of those we serve.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
I chose this career because I knew I could make a real impact in people’s lives. I love to give back to my community while working hard for the voiceless and strengthening underserved communities is one of my passions and goals in life. Montefiore has made a commitment to better the lives of the people we serve and the place they call home. I’m thrilled to be part of the team leading the efforts.

Seth Pinsky joined the 92nd Street Y, New York as chief executive officer in January 2020 from RXR Realty. Prior to that, Pinsky oversaw the development of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s $20 billion plan to protect New York from climate change and, from 2008 to 2013, was president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. He’s now implementing a $200 million master development plan and institutional rebrand as 92NY celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
92NY’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is rooted in the Judaic concept of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. We strive to connect people from all over the world through culture, arts, entertainment and conversation. 92NY is a home to anyone and everyone, regardless of faith. Guided by the values of pluralism, we prioritize strengthening and bringing together communities.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
The 92nd Street Y, New York has had an enduring impact on the cultural and civic fabric of New York City for nearly 150 years. We plan to continue to cultivate relationships with New Yorkers—and people around the world—to cement 92NY’s reputation as a world-class cultural and community center where people all over the world connect through culture, arts, entertainment and conversation.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
I’ve always been drawn to a career that is centered around serving the community, whether that means working for the government or in nonprofit capacities. 92NY has obviously had an enduring impact on the cultural and civic life of New York City for 150 years, and I’m honored to serve as its steward. This is one of New York’s leading institutions, and my mission is to set it up for its next 150 years.

Michael Rivadeneyra is the vice president, government relations at the YMCA of Greater New York. Joining the YMCA in 2017, he has worked on civic engagement campaigns, DEI planning, policies and budget agenda. Michael’s government experience ranges from serving as a legislative staffer for various council members to board members of NYC’s CCRB. Michael received his B.A. from SUNY Albany and his J.D. from CUNY School of Law. He was admitted to the NYS Bar in 2011.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
Corporate social responsibility is the centering of communities for the betterment of society.  Marginalized communities are rarely heard or listened to. Lifting up these voices in a genuine and culturally competent manner empowers and straightens our communities. The act of corporate social responsibility holds one and our organization accountable to our communities. 

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
The YMCA’s mission is to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen communities. I have the honor and privilege of telling the stories of our families and participants to elected officials to design policies to better serve our communities’ needs and adequately fund service programs. The YMCA’s services range from health and wellness to various human services – early childhood education, after school, adult literacy, citizenship classes, youth workforce development, food security and older adult programs.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
It’s very cliche to say, but honestly, I have always wanted to pay forward all the support and opportunities that have been offered to me. My experiences as a child of immigrants influenced my career trajectory to build communities and remove barriers to opportunities. 

Dr. Talya Schwartz is president and CEO of MetroPlusHealth, serving since 2019. During her tenure, MPH has seen a 35% growth in membership, a five-star rating from NYS’s Consumer Guide, and a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She spearheaded MPH’s transformation by insourcing its behavioral health services, overhauled its website and portals, modernized legacy technology, and expanded virtual visits to its 750k+ members. Her commitment to addressing the social determinants of health among NY’s most vulnerable communities is the pinnacle of her leadership. She is a mother of two daughters.

How do you define corporate social responsibility? 
Corporate social responsibility is the commitment to contribute to the well-being of others. 

What are your organization’s CSR goals?  
MetroPlusHealth’s CSR goal is to provide access to high-quality, affordable health care. Our efforts are focused on enhancing the physical and mental health of the individual while also recognizing and addressing social determinants of health, the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.  To address this successfully, we extend our focus to include support around housing, food security, and medically tailored meals.    

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR? 
At MetroPlusHealth, we want to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.  

As co-head of social impact and philanthropy, US, and head of community impact for UBS Americas, Jamie Sears is responsible for UBS’s corporate and client philanthropy business in the region. She joined UBS in 2012 and was the architect of the region’s corporate citizenship strategy. She has a life-long commitment to advancing equity and has helped launch and grow multiple high-impact initiatives of over $1B in aggregate for leading cross-sector organizations.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
Companies have an impact – positive and negative – through their products and services on the environment and society at large. The responsibility to account for impact on a broad set of stakeholders includes the community. When done well, corporate responsibility goes beyond obligation to fulfillment of their purpose. Companies are uniquely positioned to bring to bear their core business, expertise, employees, clients, networks and influence to contribute to making the world more equitable.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
At UBS we’re reimagining the power of people and capital to create a better world for all of us – a world that’s fair. That’s sustainable. And that gives everyone the opportunity to thrive. In the US, our Community Impact work seeks to advance inclusive economic growth through our focus on education for employment and entrepreneurship, unleashing the power of employee volunteering and giving, and driving impact at scale.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
I wanted to be part of leading social impact at scale and connecting organizations and people with purpose. As a mission-driven professional, it’s important that my career aligns with my values to create positive change in the world and contributes to measurable outcomes. Working in CSR allows me to utilize the platform, tools and resources of the private sector to advance more equity and justice in the world.

Hilary Smith is the executive vice president, corporate social responsibility for NBCUniversal. She is responsible for leading NBCUniversal’s global social impact strategy, philanthropic investments, and employee volunteer programs. In this capacity, she also works closely with business leaders throughout the company on important CSR initiatives in each division. Additionally, Smith oversees NBCUniversal’s award-winning public service announcement campaign, The More You Know, as well as NBCUniversal’s Creative Impact Lab. 

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
Making a positive social impact through programs that create more equity and access in the communities where we live and work. At NBCUniversal, we use our unique position as a leading media and entertainment company to create impact through storytelling, by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for our employees and supporting organizations that help foster the next generation of creators.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
Our CSR mission is to leverage the gift of storytelling to spread good in the world, with a strong focus on employee volunteerism. Our social impact initiative, NBCUnites, leverages our greatest assets – our people, our creative expertise and our media and entertainment platforms – to advance equity and opportunity in our communities. 

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
Community service has always been important to me. My work over the past 10+ years with the nonprofit Step Up opened my eyes to the positive impact mentors can have on young girls. This inspired me to do more in the social impact space on a professional level, and I feel lucky to have a job that affords me the opportunity to help uplift our communities through mentoring and apprenticeship programs. 

Roy Swan leads Ford Foundation’s global impact investing work. Formerly, he was Morgan Stanley’s co-head of global sustainable finance. Roy is a board member of the Global Impact Investing Network, Parnassus Funds, and Freddie Mac. In 2023, Roy was appointed to the Church Commissioners for England Oversight Group to advise on a groundbreaking £100 million impact investment fund created in acknowledgment of the Church of England’s sponsorship of the transatlantic chattel slave trade.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
American laws and tax regimes confer enormous benefits to corporations that fuel our world-leading economy. CSR is the quid pro quo for those benefits. Even Milton Friedman thought investing in workers and communities was enlightened self-interest for corporations because it boosts employee engagement, productivity, and innovation while building brand value. CSR investments can generate significant enterprise value when wisely executed by sophisticated staff with expertise in capital markets and sustainable capitalism.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
The Ford Foundation’s mission is to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement by investing in individuals, building institutions to work on social change issues, and supporting new ideas for social good. Our goal is to create a world in which we all work toward the protection and full expression of human rights, actively participate in the decisions that affect us, equitably share resources, and achieve our potential.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
I believe we are here to help one another. When I was younger, I wanted a job where I was paid to help people, so I originally set out to become a doctor. Life put me on a different path, and I learned that activating capital for positive change scales much faster than working with one patient at a time. I feel fortunate, honored, and privileged to have the opportunity to do this work.

Ann Vermes is the chief of strategic initiatives at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She oversees the firm’s social responsibility, ESG, and philanthropic programs, including the signature Weil Legal Innovators fellowship program; volunteerism and community engagement; charitable giving; and the firm’s foundation. Ann serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of New York City.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
CSR is the way that a company, or in Weil’s case, a law firm, contributes to the good of society, and the communities in which we live and work.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
As a global law firm, we aim to be an outstanding corporate citizen, by contributing in a meaningful way to the communities in which the Firm has offices, supporting the CSR goals of our clients, and making a positive and lasting difference in the legal profession. Our CSR programs include year-round charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations, public-private partnerships, educational scholarships, nonprofit board service, and year-round volunteer opportunities and cause-related events.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR?
As the daughter of Holocaust survivors who received assistance from individuals when they arrived penniless in the US, I feel a responsibility to give back. While working in CSR was not something that I sought out, when the opportunity to lead the CSR function at Weil arose several years ago, it seemed like a natural fit, bringing together my legal training, prior experience in the nonprofit sector, and my own passions and skills.

Pat Wang has dedicated her career to championing the health care needs of New Yorkers. In 1993, Ms. Wang helped create Healthfirst based on a pioneering value-based model that aligns payments for care delivery to the quality of care provided. Healthfirst is one of the largest not-for-profit health insurers in the United States. Pat is proud to lead more than 5,000 employees who focus on providing excellent health insurance to more than 1.8 million New Yorkers.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
Operating with the highest levels of integrity, ethics and transparency, making positive and lasting change in the community by reinvesting in health care and related assets and causes, fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace that creates opportunities for all, and leading by example to maintain civil discourse and respect diverse points of view. For a health insurance plan specializing in government programs, it also means being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?
Healthfirst’s mission is to make health care easier and more equitable for our downstate NY communities through a hyper-local approach that builds trust and improves quality. We reinvest surpluses into health care providers through value-based care models and deliver culturally and linguistically competent services to our diverse membership. We foster an inclusive work environment, grant our employees an extra paid day off annually for community service activities, and make contributions aimed at addressing social determinants of health.

As ICCR’s chief executive officer since January 2016, Josh Zinner oversees programs and operations for the organization and is the lead external organizational representative. Josh has more than 25 years of experience as a nonprofit leader, coalition builder, and policy advocate. Josh is also a long-time public interest lawyer who has spent his career working to promote social and economic justice and corporate accountability.

How do you define corporate social responsibility?
Sustainable corporations must look beyond the next earnings report to account for the full impact of their businesses on society and view the well-being of all of their stakeholders ― including their workers and the communities where they operate — as integral to their long-term value. There is a growing conviction among both investors and companies that when companies honor their social license by reducing corporate externalities that create systemic risks to both people and planet, they are better positioned for the long term.

What are your organization’s CSR goals?  
As faith and values investors, ICCR members make the case to companies they own that they need to address critical environmental, social, and governance risks, and prioritize people, planet, and long-term sustainability over short-term profits. The world’s greatest challenges ― the climate crisis, income, racial and gender inequality, and access to health care, among many others ― require urgent and forceful responses from the investor and business Communities.

Why did you choose to pursue a career within CSR? 
I worked for two decades as a lawyer defending foreclosures and advocating against discriminatory financial services practices. Prior to coming to ICCR, I co-directed the New Economy Project, an organization that works with community groups on economic justice issues. It was in this role that I first learned from ICCR members about the power of shareholder engagement as a tool to catalyze corporate change, and appreciated the unique role that investors have to hold corporations accountable.