When the spotlight on diversity, equity, and inclusion dims, how do you keep purpose alive and keep business leaders aligned?
Join the CRE Alliance for a closed-door exchange with Rose Stuckey Kirk, NASDAQ Board Director, former Chief CSR Officer and Senior Marketing Executive at Verizon, and John Harper, CEO of FSG.
Kirk built purpose into corporate strategy long before it was popular—championing diversity and values-driven leadership from functional business roles. She’ll share what it takes to:
- Influence and sustain purpose when priorities and leaders change
- Embed purpose into core business goals and decision-making
- Build allies across the C-suite to protect and grow impact
This is a rare, candid conversation for business leaders who carry the work forward, often without the formal authority to do so. Step in, connect, and leave with real strategies for leading with purpose when it matters most.
SPEAKERS
Rose Stuckey Kirk, C-Level Executive and NASDAQ Independent Board Member
Rose is a global business leader and seasoned C-level executive recognized for redefining corporate social responsibility as a driver of innovation and growth. With more than 35 years of leadership experience across sales, marketing, customer service, and responsible innovation, she has guided organizations through transformational change and consistently delivered strong business results. As Verizon’s Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, she transitioned the company from philanthropy to purpose-driven business models that generated new revenue and social impact. Rose serves on the Board of Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ: CWST) and has been profiled by Forbes, Fortune, and Good Morning America.
John Harper, CEO, FSG
FSG is a global nonprofit consulting firm that partners with foundations and corporations to create equitable systems change. Throughout his career, John has been a thoughtful and inclusive leader with a deep commitment to advancing equity, shifting power, and uplifting the voices of historically marginalized communities. At FSG, John has successfully led engagements with notable organizations such as W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, Ares Charitable Foundation/Ares Management, the James S. McDonnell Foundation, and numerous multinational corporations. Prior to joining FSG, John worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade, leading strategy and development for both direct service and field-building nonprofits.
Mahlet Getachew, Managing Director, PolicyLink
Mahlet leads a portfolio of strategic initiatives, including the Corporate Racial Equity Alliance and its groundbreaking new Business Standards for 21st Century Leadership — advancing equity, inclusion, and the best of socially responsible business. Prior to joining PolicyLink, Mahlet was General Counsel, Head of HR and Business Operations at Suki AI, Inc., and previous to that, she was Associate General Counsel & Assistant Secretary at GoPro, Inc. She serves on the boards of B Lab Company and the Sierra Club Foundation. She holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Lewis & Clark College and received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Kendra Joy Berenson, Director, FSG
Kendra leverages her deep expertise in education to design and facilitate collaborative learning and strategic planning experiences for clients who seek to center racial justice and equity in their work. She is a core team member of the Corporate Racial Equity Alliance, partnering with PolicyLink and JUST Capital to develop corporate performance standards to advance equity, inclusion, and socially responsible business practices. Prior to joining FSG, she spent eight years as an English and history teacher at a diverse public school where she co-founded an innovative interdisciplinary program emphasizing project-based learning and 21st-century skills. Kendra earned her MBA from the Yale School of Management and MA in Education from Stanford University.