Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility

Kerry Cooperman is director of Stroock’s national pro bono program, known as the Public Service Project. He leads cases and provides resources and counsel to attorneys across Stroock’s offices, in partnership with public interest organizations, to combat social, economic, and racial injustice by providing pro bono legal services to underserved populations in matters involving special education, immigration, housing, family law, nonprofits and microenterprises, criminal justice, civil rights, and disaster relief. Kerry is also an experienced litigator, leads Stroock’s nonprofit practice, and co-runs Stroock’s Anti-Racist Ideas & Actions program.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
We view corporate social responsibility as a commitment to carry out our work, establish goals, and relate to one another in a manner consciously designed to improve the lives of others. This ethos provides a foundation from which we, as attorneys, can discharge our obligation to promote access to justice.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
CSR is embedded in Stroock’s infrastructure and culture. Our Public Service Project enables our attorneys and staff to integrate pro bono legal service into their work not as periodic events but rather as sustained activities. Our Diversity Equity & Inclusion program implements multipronged initiatives to address inequity and ensure our workplace is diverse and inclusive. And our Affinity Groups are dedicated to enhancing cultural awareness, promoting equity, and facilitating community building.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
Our CSR and social impact goals are multipronged. We endeavor to find new and compelling ways to incentivize one another to assimilate public service into our personal and work lives, whether through pro bono, volunteering, or other forms of community engagement. We intend to continue to grow as a law firm leader in helping underserved individuals and communities achieve access to justice. And we strive to be a diverse, inclusive, and equity-promoting workplace where differences are celebrated and attorneys and staff are empowered in an atmosphere of openness and cooperation.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Holding ourselves accountable

Samara is a partner at Bolton St. Johns, where she brings her expertise in stakeholder partnerships and community engagement along with extensive work with affordable housing developers and non-profit capital projects. Samara is also co-founder of DalyGonzalez, an M/WBE boutique government and community affairs firm where she has helped to navigate and nurture public-private partnerships for their diverse range of clients. Samara sits on the board of directors of All in Bklyn, GrowNYC and the Service Learning Project NYC. Samara resides in the Hudson Valley with her family. 

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
Corporate social responsibility is important to me and our firm’s practice to help support our client’s projects and policies to have a long lasting and sustainable impact in New York State. 

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Our company works with a mix of non-profit & private companies to help them to carry out their mission & vision in New York City & throughout New York State. Our clients are passionate drivers in what makes up NYS. We carry out our social responsibility as a company by helping to support our clients overall work & mission driven work. We ensure this by helping to overall engagement with community & public leaders.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
Our company works with nonprofit and for-profit organizations on a range of services and issues that includes supportive housing, affordable housing, homeless services, arts programs to LGBTQ educational programs. All of these groups combined are committed to social impact day in and day out and our direct work and services help to aid these organizations to reach broader audiences; serve more constituents and fulfill their vision.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Empathy, impact, investment

Daniel has spent his whole professional life engaged in uplifting communities in the corporate, nonprofit and public sector. As a young professional he worked in international development, before turning his attention to community development in the US, where he held leadership roles in non-profits focused on small business development. Daniel then joined the public sector, focusing on facilitating partnerships between banks and community groups. He has worked in community development banking and CSR since 2006, driving community development and engagement in the banking sector and he proudly leads Dime’s community development efforts.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
A corporation is only as strong as its people. Dime has high expectations for ourselves regarding both financial performance and corporate citizenship. We believe that excellence starts from within. Guided by strong core values, Dime’s  caring and passionate approach to each customer interaction leads to even stronger, more vibrant communities.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
For nearly two centuries, Dime has proudly built its business around being a trusted, leading community partner.  Our consistent dedication to the betterment of our customers and communities has made us a reputable, recognizable, and reliable source for sound business solutions, equitable access to capital, impactful community investment, and active volunteerism. Dime employees are eager and excited to put our banking knowledge and expertise towards making a positive impact and giving back to the community.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish
Our philosophy of driving excellence from within through the trust-building practice of integrity is highlighted by the positive impact we’ve had on the communities we serve. Since 2020, Dime has invested over $180 million in community development projects and grants as a key partner in all our operating markets. Additionally, Dime has approximately $115 million in lending exposure to environmentally friendly businesses via extended lines of credit, term loans, and commercial mortgages. Our employees are also highly engaged in skills-based volunteerism with non-profit partners.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Partnership, win-win, inclusive

With a concentration in finance, management, and strategic planning, Emma DeVito’s career spans more than 25 years. She led VillageCare’s reconfiguration and reform of its long-term and chronic care services, shifting the emphasis from institutionalized care to community-based services. Under her leadership, the VillageCareMAX Managed Long-term Care Plan has grown to nearly 20,000 members. As a member of the Governor-appointed Medicaid Redesign Team II, Emma worked alongside government officials, as well as a select number of other health care industry stakeholders, to identify changes necessary to New York State’s Medicaid program to help ensure recurring savings while protecting beneficiaries.

Ed Domingo oversees day-to-day operations at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Westchester County. Formerly chief financial officer of Bellagio in Las Vegas, Domingo is an industry veteran with decades of experience in law, finance, hospitality & gaming. A first generation Filipino-American born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he received his B.A. and M.B.A. from Duke University, and J.D. from NYU School of Law. Domingo resides in Westchester with his wife, twin daughters and two dogs. 

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
MGM Resorts is fiercely committed to creating a positive environmental and societal impact through our operations-for our employees, guests and the communities in which we operate. As a leader in the gaming and hospitality industry, we take seriously our responsibility to the planet and communities that have welcomed us.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Grounded by our company values, Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet is our commitment to a set of actions that we hope have a positive and enduring impact on our communities and the planet. This commitment begins with our board and senior leadership and trickles down to each of our employees, whether it is through volunteerism, giving to the MGM Resorts Foundation or participation in our scholarship or mentorship programs.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
We have ambitious goals for each of our three strategic pillars-investing in the community, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and protecting the planet-a framework that is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By 2025 we aim to surpass 1.12 million employee volunteer hours; expand our Supplier Diversity Mentorship program to 150 graduates and reduce our carbon emissions per square foot by 45%. As a result, we hope to build on the best of our communities; embrace our differences to achieve best-in-class experiences and preserve the environment by reducing water, energy and waste.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Purpose, strategy, commitment 

Sean M. Doolan, Esq. has over thirty years of experience dedicated to government relations, general counsel, and administrative law. Doolan is currently president and shareholder of Hinman Straub. In this role, Doolan provides strategic, legal, regulatory, and legislative representation for an array of clients with diverse interests such as health plans, health care providers, insurers, technology companies and other general corporate interests. Doolan earned his B.A. from Siena College and J.D. from Albany Law School. 

As Ayr Wellness’ head of corporate responsibility, Khari is responsible for providing strategic leadership and advancing a commitment of being a Force for Good by creating a culture of inclusion and providing avenues of opportunity in the industry. He is an experienced leader in healthcare and government. During his 25 years of public service, he worked for several elected officials, non-profit organizations, with a dedicated focus on strengthening communities by advocating for racial, health and civic disparities. Khari is married to Jahmila Edwards and has 3 children, Ethan, Niah, Myles.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
An industry like cannabis it is more important to be good employers, great neighbors and even stronger advocates for social justice. The thought of running a business without addressing the issues of the past is and addressing the issues that the war on drugs created is unconscionable to our leadership.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
We start with our consumers and our employees. We talk to them about what is important for their community. What programs, initiatives, and direction they want to see our company go. That ensures company wide input and inclusion from our budtenders, to our union employees, to our managers, to our cultivators, to our customers and ultimately our communities. Our motto is, be a Force for Good!

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
Ayr Wellness has a nine state footprint. With each region having their specific needs. However we have national pillars which are rooted in the fight for social justice and education. Our Changing Legacies program addresses the issues of the past of the war on drugs. We work with local groups to expunge (non violent) criminal records, hire through re-entry programs, health and housing access opportunities. Our other pillar is Seed to Success, which opens up employment, training and accelerator programs to get specifically people of color in this industry.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
People over profit

Keelin Evans, vice president of sustainability for Macy’s, Inc. is responsible for leading the sustainability strategy across Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Bluemercury. Having joined Macy’s in 2010, she has held roles across the organization, including merchandising, stores, and supply chain. Most recently she was the senior director of supply chain strategy, managing the portfolio of projects focused on modernizing the company’s supply chain and supporting its Polaris strategy. Evans is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.  

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
Fashion and style are a force for change; We have a unique role in creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Our focus is on building a workforce representative of our communities, cultivating an inclusive culture, providing sustainable and ethically produced products, upholding human rights and reducing our environmental impact.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
We are intentional about every decision – considering our responsibility and impact each step of the way so that people and planet can thrive together. We foster a culture of ethical conduct to guide everyone in our organization, from our leaders to our colleagues and to our suppliers.  

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
Our mission is to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all through commitments to our people, communities and planet. We’re committed to integrating DEI and embedding sustainability into all aspects of our business. We’ll do this by curating and creating sustainable products and services so people and planet can thrive together; recognizing and rewarding our diverse community of colleagues and partners to fuel our mutual growth, innovation and impact; and empowering the curiosity and confidence of young people on their journey to become future leaders.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Sustainable, transparent, purpose

Mike Farrell has spent much of his career at the intersection of finance and clean energy. He’s held leadership and consulting positions for several companies, including KPMG and GE Capital. Mike joined the AES in 2019 taking on leadership positions in clean energy development with focus on the New York market. Mike lives in New York City and is also a member of the board of directors for the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
We are all in need of more sustainable solutions to power our lives and our world. AES focuses on building strong local partnerships that enable us to work together to integrate innovative clean energy solutions, develop positive social impact programs, and create long-term value within the communities where we operate.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Working together with our partners, AES tailors social impact programs that respond to the needs of the communities, maximize resources, and deliver long-lasting benefits. Our social impact programs are aligned with our purpose of accelerating the future of energy, together, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
Around the world and in New York, AES strives to ensure that all our clean energy projects deliver tangible economic and social benefits to the local communities where we operate. Through our Social Impact Program, the AES team works with stakeholders in the communities we serve to understand the vision and aspirations people share. We collaborate with community leaders from government, business, education, social services, and residents to identify opportunities where AES can provide financial and other types of support to high-impact initiatives, programs and institutions that enjoy broad support.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Improving people’s lives

Winston Fisher is a partner at Fisher Brothers as well as an executive vice chairman of the Fisher House Foundation. In his role, Fisher directs Fisher Brothers’ financing and investing activities, property acquisitions and dispositions, and oversees all new development initiatives. Fisher is the co-chair of the NYC Regional Economic Development Council, and serves as a trustee on the Citizens Budget Commission. Fisher earned a B.A. in philosophy from Syracuse University.