Strange Bedfellows at GreaterThan Conference

By Katie Loovis

Somali refugees stitched designer golf shoe bags out of donated coffee sacks from a local company; a homeless man started his own recycling company after a local business executive helped him recycle scrap metal; tough-to-hire individuals have jobs making the yummy brownies that go into a company’s fancy ice cream.

GreaterThan is pouring story after story of how innovative business executives and companies are examining their supply chain and stakeholder relationships, ramping-up community engagement and partnerships, and demonstrating overall solid corporate citizenship.

The buzz words I’m hearing in nearly every conversation: sustainability, economy, continuity, partnerships, collaboration, and of course the phrase “we can’t do it alone.”

It is clear that nearly everyone here is impacted by the recession. Interestingly, today, Newsweek reported that “The Recession is Over,” but they added a snarky little asterisk that added: “Good Luck Surviving the Recovery.” Most agree that the recovery will be long and painful and look more like a recession with likely increased job loss.

The businesses, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies here seem to agree that partnerships are a necessary strategy for surviving and thriving in this time.

About Katie Loovis
Katie Loovis has joined BCLC as director for their Business and Society program. Prior to accepting this position, Katie was Director of External Affairs for the U. S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Positioned in the Office of the Secretary, Katie advanced the agency's mission, initiatives, and policies with the private and nonprofit sectors. In addition to her external affairs role, Katie was also Executive Director of Take Pride in America(R) (TPIA), a national service initiative promoting volunteer service on America's public lands. Since its original launch in 1985, TPIA now boasts over 400,000 volunteers, Clint Eastwood as national spokesman, and partnerships with national nonprofits, schools, and companies.