Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility

Andres Nieto is the senior director of community and population health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He focuses his efforts on disease prevention, health education and creating strong liaisons with community partners. Some of Nieto’s most notable accomplishments include creating and supporting relationships with community-based organizations that service the social determinants of health needs within the community, as well as extensive involvement in coordinating and launching community programs.

Mr. Nolan is the chair of the NYC Health + Hospitals Board of Directors Community Relations Committee. He’s also a member of the board’s Capital Committee and the HHC Capital Corporation. He was appointed to the board in 2011 after serving in the Bronx borough president’s office for almost 30 years. Mr. Nolan previously served as the director of the Economic Development Corporation. He is a graduate of Fordham University.

Sue Doster has been an LGBTQIA+ activist for almost 30 years, serving as national co-chair of the Equality March, co-president of Interpride (growing WorldPride), championing the PrideRadar project, while working as the CTO for amfAR for three decades. This is her 2nd term as co-chair. André Thomas, a Yale-educated, Marine Corps veteran, has served in varied positions at NYC Pride, including volunteer captain for PrideFest, director of Pride Island, and since 2020 the first African-American male elected as co-chair, alongside his 15 year research career in the medical device/pharmaceutical industry.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
CSR is important to us and our organization because it is inherent to our mission.  Our mission statement, which drives our day-to-day work, states that we work toward a future without discrimination for the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, and that is NYC Pride’s purpose to amplify.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Reading our mission statement is how we begin all our meetings- that ensures all stakeholders know what our purpose is.  Beyond that, we open ourselves to input and challenges from our community- that feedback is key to keeping ourselves accountable to this mission and to the best ideals of any Pride organization. We consistently challenge each other from the top on down, because we see ourselves as stewards, not owners, of the Pride movement.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
We have taken a keen look in the last year at the impact of the footprint of our events- how can we engage our community in more sustainable and environmentally responsible interactions with us and using our media to highlight these messages- they have a part to play as we set the table for bringing people together. Our goal is to always elevate the most marginalized in our community, from the vendors we employ to the images we choose to represent who we are.

Jack O’Donnell offers clients a unique understanding of the intersection of politics and policy. That knowledge—together with years of experience—form the basis of intelligent, strategic plans and their dynamic execution, delivering results for New York’s most successful leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and activists. Jack is focused on problem solving. He founded O’Donnell & Associates to offer clients a solutions focused approach to government relations and public affairs. He helps clients pass—and stop—legislation, solve complex regulatory matters, craft multi-million dollar economic development packages, and win state awards including multi-billion dollar procurements.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
To me, social responsibility means making New York a better place to live, work and play for everyone, and that’s what we try to do at O’Donnell & Associates.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Every client at O’Donnell & Associates has to pass a simple test: Can I explain what I am doing to my 5- and 7-year-old kids, and do they approve?

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
OD&A is focused on New York’s energy transition–for the environment, for workers, and for our economy–as well as protecting and rebuilding our health and social safety net.  We also have a unique focus on advancing workers rights across the entire state.

Since joining the gallery in 2000, Marc Payot has been central in establishing Hauser & Wirth’s presence in the United States and has substantially grown its philanthropic and community outreach programs, including a five-year commitment and million-dollar donation to Cal State LA. Payot has also been instrumental in developing Hauser & Wirth’s roster of artists as part of an overall vision to expand the narrative of modern and contemporary art history to be more inclusive.

The Reverend Jeannette J. Phillips has been a pioneer in securing access to health care for the disenfranchised for over five decades, working with the three other “Founding Mothers” to launch Sun River Health in 1975. Today, she serves as the executive vice president of business and community development, overseeing culture and legacy, community relations, and the spiritual health and wellness of staff, as well as serving as special advisor to the CEO.

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. His next major task is to implement a robust institutional rollout to celebrate a major milestone: 92NY’s 150th anniversary in 2024.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
92NY was founded nearly 150 years ago by German Jewish philanthropists as a place to create community. Though established and supported throughout its history by the Jewish community, 92NY continues to serve anyone and everyone. In a troubled world, our task is to make lives fuller, richer, and more meaningful.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
We like to believe that corporate social responsibility isn’t just a buzzword or a “side hustle” for 92NY. It is central to our mission. Put simply, the guiding principles of our work are the goals of enriching, enlightening and changing lives for the better and strengthening the ties that bind people to people.  In short, social responsibility is built into our DNA.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
92NY has had an enduring impact on the civic fabric of New York for nearly 150 years. Now we are expanding our catchment area to cover the entire planet, thanks to our growing online programming. Going forward, we plan to continue to innovate, bringing meaning to the lives of our global audience and helping to develop stronger communities among people around the world. Throughout our history we have served people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or socio-economic status and intend to continue that project as we enter our second century-and-a-half.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Repairing the world

Dr. Jocelynne Rainey is president and CEO of the Brooklyn Community Foundation where she advances the organization’s commitment to racial justice. Since joining the Foundation last year, Dr. Rainey has overseen the organization’s full transition to participatory grantmaking which gives community members with lived experience decision-making power, representing a huge advance in philanthropic racial justice.  Last year, the Foundation deployed $4.8M to 134 Brooklyn nonprofits advancing racial justice. Notably, 87% of those grantees were led by people of color. The Foundation also surpassed the $100M endowment mark under Rainey’s leadership.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
Community foundations build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to participate in creating, fueling, and directing funds to meet present and future needs. Community foundations across the country advance philanthropy that is visionary, diverse, and inclusive.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
Through our Community Fund and Donor Advised Fund programs and strategic initiatives, Brooklyn Community Foundation seeks to mobilize people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn.

Jeanique Druses is the northeast head of global philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase.  Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she finds joy in doing her part to develop a more equitable NYC. Previously, Jeanique led Resident Business Development Efforts at the New York City Housing Authority and has held management positions at Verizon, Mercedes Benz USA, and American Express, and taught entrepreneurship and marketing in the City University of New York system. A Wharton Business School Graduate, Jeanique also holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
When the communities we serve succeed, so do we. JPMorgan Chase is committing $30 billion to advance racial equity. I came here six years ago because they were supporting inclusive economic growth for communities of color. I’m passionate about investing the firm’s resources and infusing equity into all we do.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
There is an active dialogue between corporate responsibility and the rest of the firm. We work together on strategies to ensure that racial equity is woven into everything we do. We leverage our business and policy expertise, capital and data to advance four universal pillars of opportunity: careers and skills, business growth and entrepreneurship, financial health and community development.

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
We’re guided by our impact model which has been implemented and refined across the globe. The model is comprised of five social impact pillars tailored to meet the needs of NYC by supporting equitable economic recovery and shrinking the racial wealth gap by growing existing businesses through market and flexible capital access; workforce development in growth sectors with career mobility; wealth generation through homeownership preservation and acquisition and; financial health in collegiate settings. I hope to see a more equitable and economically thriving NYC where everyone can achieve their goals.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Uplifting, resources, accountability

Michael Rivadeneyra is the vice president of government relations for the YMCA of Greater New York. Responsibilities include: developing the Y’s strategic legislative advocacy plans, and strengthening relations with elected officials. Prior to joining the Y in 2017, he served as a legislative staffer to various NYC council members. Michael was appointed to the CCRB in 2018. Holding a B.A. in American history and political science from SUNY Albany and J.D. from the CUNY School of Law. He was admitted into the NYS Bar Association in 2011.

Why is corporate social responsibility important to you and your organization?
Social responsibility is a practice and behavior that centers community through the lens of equity and justice. Unfortunately, generations of divestment into our communities and over policing of our communities have left scars. The Y is an anchor, stabilizing communities through our various families and youth programs.

How does your organization ensure that CSR flows through all of its areas?
The Y’s mission of empowering youth, improving health and strengthening communities, enables CRS to be a natural practice for us. 

What are some of your organization’s specific CSR goals and what social impact do you hope to accomplish?
At the Y, my work focuses on dismantling past societal wrongs by advocating for meaningful and sustainable investments into education and youth development programs for our communities and influencing policies that remove barriers to access and opportunities to social mobility. I’m encouraged and inspired daily by all the cradle to older adult social service work we do – early childhood education, childcare, adult literacy, citizenship classes, youth workforce development, food security and older adult programs.

How would you describe CSR in three words?
Justice, equity and compassion