AGENDA

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

11:00 AM EST
- 12:00 PM EST

The capital equipment industry uses an unsustainable 7.2 million tons of virgin materials every year, but the industry is rapidly moving towards a more circular economy.  In this session, members of the Capital Equipment Coalition North America will share key highlights from their sustainability journey and how moving towards more circular business practices can help create more sustainable business models. The session will be interactive and include time for Q&A.


1:00 PM EST
- 1:05 PM EST

1:05 PM EST
- 1:25 PM EST

This session will look at how being a purpose-driven company can help manage change.


1:25 PM EST
- 1:35 PM EST

The U.S. Chamber Foundation is proud to induct Abbott into the Corporate Citizenship Hall of Fame for their sustained social and environmental impact, and significant contributions to advancing the field of corporate social responsibility.


1:35 PM EST
- 1:55 PM EST

This fireside chat will look at the latest insights around how purpose-driven companies generate both social and business value. Speakers will look at how the C-suite is prioritizing and implementing purpose across their organizations, examples from local partnerships such as the Greater Washington Partnership network, and the importance of coalition-building and partnerships to achieve collective value.  Additionally, speakers will highlight how companies can drive inclusive growth to foster a thriving and more equitable economy.


1:55 PM EST
- 2:05 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their efforts to improve communities in the U.S. and around the world.

The 2021 finalists are:

  • DTE Energy
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • VF Corporation

2:05 PM EST
- 2:40 PM EST

The U.S. Chamber’s Global Task Force on Pandemic Response provides a unified platform for businesses to mobilize and deliver resources to assist efforts in the highest need areas around the world. This session will look at how this life-saving effort evolved and what lessons can be applied to future disasters.


2:40 PM EST
- 2:50 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their efforts in building community resilience and disaster response.

The 2021 finalists are:

  • GM
  • The PepsiCo Foundation
  • Walgreens

2:50 PM EST
- 3:05 PM EST

During the height of India's COVID-19 crisis, Medtronic leaned into its sense of purpose to help save lives. The company increased manufacturing of ventilators needed for the most vulnerable patients and worked with local regulatory bodies to ship, install, and train hospitals and clinicians in the areas of greatest need, as fast as possible - ultimately helping save countless lives. This session will explore how a company can leverage its strengths and assets to make a difference.


3:05 PM EST
- 3:35 PM EST

COVID-19 and other diseases won't be defeated anywhere until they are defeated everywhere. We must commit to collective action that will ensure vaccine equity. This session will explore multi-sector partnerships that help protect the globe.


3:35 PM EST
- 4:05 PM EST

Businesses are leading the way on innovation in sustainable plastics to reduce waste in the environment and create economic opportunity. Hear from leaders about cutting-edge approaches to address plastic waste throughout the value chain and what the future of sustainable plastic holds.


4:05 PM EST
- 4:15 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their environmental stewardship, and efforts to advance sustainability and the circular economy. 

The 2021 finalists are:

  • ADM
  • Biogen Inc.
  • Microsoft Corporation
  • Philips

4:15 PM EST
- 4:45 PM EST

The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Beyond 34: Scaling Circularity for a Sustainable Economy initiative is aimed at advancing the circular economy in cities and regions across the U.S. With the initiative now operating in four cities, this session will address how the public and private sectors in each region are collaborating to make progress towards a circular economy.


4:45 PM EST
- 4:53 PM EST

The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a helpful framework for action. This session will highlight how Bayer has turned intent into impact by partnering within and across industries, who share the same values and are driven to improve communities, to ensure equitable access to health care for all.



Thursday, November 18, 2021


1:05 PM EST
- 1:20 PM EST

The housing crisis has escalated due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic challenges. As communities face difficult times, companies are stepping up to provide housing assistance, particularly among vulnerable populations. This session will look at innovative resources to help stem the housing crisis.


1:20 PM EST
- 1:35 PM EST

Large corporate efforts to positively impact communities get a lot of attention, but the outsized efforts of small businesses should not be ignored. The causes and social issues that are championed by small businesses are often driven by the community-centered customers, clients, employees, and suppliers they work with daily. They also are on the frontlines of community response in emergency situations. This session will look at how small and mid-sized companies can strategically drive social impact in the places where they operate.


1:35 PM EST
- 1:45 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their efforts to advance economic empowerment in the U.S. and around the world. 

The 2021 finalists are:

  • Entergy Corporation
  • ID4A Technologies
  • TD Ameritrade

1:45 PM EST
- 1:55 PM EST

After facing unprecedented times, small business growth is accelerating and helping power the economy. This session will look at how we can provide a foundation to help small businesses grow into the future.


1:55 PM EST
- 2:15 PM EST

The Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB) is a multi-year initiative to support Black small business owners as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a path forward. After distributing nearly 1,100 grants, in its second year, CBBB continues to offer grants and mentorship through the Ureeka coaching platform. This panel will discuss the significant impact that CBBB has had, the importance of companies to support the small business community, insights regarding what small businesses need to be successful, and how you can help strengthen the Black-owned business community.


2:15 PM EST
- 2:40 PM EST

A solid diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) framework is no longer a "nice to have", it is an absolute necessity. This session will look at how companies have prioritized this work and what effective models can be replicated.


2:40 PM EST
- 2:48 PM EST

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) connects business priorities to societal impact and has taken on greater significance in recent years. This session will address how to create a shared-value framework that creates economic opportunities for all stakeholders.


2:48 PM EST
- 2:55 PM EST

Building a healthier, more sustainable global food system requires quantifiable commitments, specific action, and deep partnerships. This session will demonstrate how one company is making measurable impact and transforming food systems in a way that supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.


2:55 PM EST
- 3:10 PM EST

COVID-19 has amplified food insecurity and complicated delivery to populations in need. This session will discuss how cross-sector organizations can work together in creative ways to meet the challenge of providing healthy foods where they are needed most.


3:10 PM EST
- 3:20 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their efforts to build healthier communities in the U.S. and around the world. 

The 2021 finalists are:

  • Bayer U.S. LLC
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Pfizer, Inc.


3:25 PM EST
- 3:50 PM EST

The racial unrest in 2020 inspired companies around the world to step up their efforts to address racial inequities in the U.S. Though the business community has made significant promises and financial commitments to promote greater equality of opportunity, this kind of change requires hard work and comprehensive action over time. This session will reflect on where we are – 18 months later – and the opportunities and challenges that exist.


3:50 PM EST
- 4:00 PM EST

This category recognizes companies for their efforts to improve educational outcomes for students in the U.S. and around the world. 

The 2021 finalists are:

  • Chicago Fire Football Club
  • Mastercard
  • Raytheon Technologies

4:00 PM EST
- 4:30 PM EST

Education systems across the country have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial inequities, and the shifts between remote, hybrid, and in-person learning. Companies can and must step in to help build educational opportunities and strengthen local communities.  This session will look at how the business community is making investments – large and small – to help local communities get through this remarkable season of learning loss.


4:30 PM EST
- 4:45 PM EST

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on mental health as a critical health issue. This session will look at how businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, can embrace mental health as a cause on both the consumer and employee level, and the importance of having commitment from leadership to make an impact.


4:45 PM EST
- 4:55 PM EST

This category recognizes small and mid-size companies that are responsive and responsible members of society, whose overall values, operational practices, and decision-making exemplify shared value.

The 2021 finalists are:

  • Adore Me, Inc.
  • Blackbaud
  • Primo Partners

4:55 PM EST
- 5:05 PM EST

This category recognizes large companies that are responsive and responsible members of society, whose overall values, operational practices, and decision-making exemplify shared value.

The 2021 finalists are:

  • Aflac Incorporated
  • Citi
  • DSM
  • Rocket Companies

5:05 PM EST
- 5:05 PM EST