Stephanie Hagen is a candidate in Weatherhead's MBA program.
It’s hard to believe there are now less than 100 days left
until graduation! (Not that anyone is keeping track, but the Cleveland
Marathon’s website has a convenient countdown.) As a full-time MBA student, it
can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of classes, homework, and
applying for jobs (or, for those more fortunate among us, working at said jobs)
and forget to appreciate our time at Weatherhead.
One of the highlights from my MBA experience has been the opportunity
to work at the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. The
Fowler Center is based on the idea that by creating value for society and the
environment, businesses can create even more value for customers and
shareholders—“doing good” can (and should) be part of a company’s core mission,
not just an afterthought.
This is such a refreshing idea. When I was first applying to
business schools, I had just left Washington, DC, and my prior dreams of
changing the world through public service. A part of me wondered if I was
selling out, giving up any ambition of making a positive impact on a larger
scale.
However, as I started to explore Weatherhead and the Fowler Center, I
realized that business could also be a powerful force for good in the world.
As a Fowler Family Fellow, I’ve had the opportunity to work part-time
with the Fowler Center. In helping with research and event planning for various
projects, I’ve come to appreciate even more the importance of business in
shaping the future. Here are two examples:
AIM2Flourish: AIM2Flourish is a global initiative that highlights
businesses around the world that AIM2Flourish.com. This is a pretty cool
experience! Last year, I interviewed the owner of Storehouse Tea, a local organic tea
company that focuses on hiring refugees. Not only is the company fully
committed to social and environmental responsibility, but it also offers
amazing loose-leaf teas.
are helping to achieve the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals. As part of our core course in Sustainability,
first-year MBAs at Weatherhead interview a business leader and write about
their innovations in stories that are published on
Other Cleveland-based companies highlighted range from BrownFlynn,
a sustainability consulting firm, and EPOCH
Pi, an investment firm focused on conscious capitalism, to Sherwin
Williams, which recently introduced an antibacterial paint, and Great
Lakes Brewing Company, a craft beer company focused on the triple bottom
line of people, planet, and profit. Right now, the Fowler Center is working on the
logistics for the 2018 Flourish Prizes and a local Cleveland celebration in the
spring…stay tuned!
Fourth Global Forum: Every
three years, the Fowler Center brings together executives, entrepreneurs, and
change agents to explore how flourishing enterprise can improve performance.
The most recent Global
Forum happened last summer, from June 14 to June 16 at the Tinkham Veale
University Center. The other Fellows and I helped with the behind-the-scenes
logistics to make sure the event ran smoothly and got to listen in on the
keynote presentations. One of the coolest parts involved bringing Flourish
Prize winners from around the world—including students, professors, and
business leaders—to Cleveland to participate. It was amazing to see how
individuals from completely different industries, backgrounds, and countries shared
a dedication to business as a force for good.
The Fowler Center was key to my decision to come to
Weatherhead, and it has continued to shape my perspective on the role of
business in society. I’m excited to look for ways to put these ideas into
practice as I start my post-MBA career!
No comments:
Post a Comment