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IBM’s Ann Cramer Receives U.S. Chamber’s First ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for Corporate Citizenship
"Ann Has Shaped the Corporate Citizenship Field from Its Beginning," Says BCLC’s Jordan
IBM’s Ann Cramer Receives U.S. Chamber’s First ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for Corporate Citizenship
"Ann Has Shaped the Corporate Citizenship Field from Its Beginning," Says BCLC’s Jordan
Published 12-14-12
Submitted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s 13th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards last week, Ann Cramer, IBM’s director for corporate citizenship and corporate affairs for the Americas, was presented with the BCLC Lifetime Achievement Award. Cramer received the award, the first of its kind from the Chamber’s BCLC, in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the field of corporate citizenship, both as an IBM official and a member of BCLC’s board of directors.
“Ann is one of the strongest corporate citizenship officials in the United States,” said BCLC founder and executive director Stephen Jordan. “At IBM, Ann played a vital role in the company’s leadership for community and societal issues before corporate citizenship became mainstream in American businesses. She is an inspiration and mentor to many people, including me.”
In the last decade, corporate citizenship has steadily increased in importance as a business strategy for addressing societal challenges, such as education, sustainability, economic development, and disaster response.
Cramer’s involvement with the U.S. Chamber and BCLC began in 2004, when she advised Jordan in the creation of a program called the Business Education Network. IBM became part of BCLC’s corporate donor network in 2007, and Cramer joined the BCLC Board of Directors in 2011.
Cramer accepted the surprise award on stage on December 6, during the Chamber BCLC’s 13th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards event at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington. Cramer received a standing ovation from the 350 business and civic leaders at the event, as Jordan announced her name as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Members of BCLC’s board of directors joined Jordan on stage to present the award.
“It’s hard to think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Ann Cramer,” said Stanley S. Litow, IBM vice president of corporate citizenship & corporate affairs, and president of IBM’s foundation. “Ann has been instrumental in helping to shape and execute not only IBM’s citizenship strategy across the U.S., but those of countless other organizations as well. Her professional acumen, complemented by an endearing, personable approach, has made her an innovator and invaluable resource. We at IBM sincerely congratulate Ann for receiving the first U.S. Chamber of Commerce BCLC Lifetime Achievement Award -- a richly earned distinction.”
BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for businesses’ social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center
U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.
The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.
The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.
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