- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Leading Conversation of CEOs on Identifying Market Drivers for Long-Term Investments in Society https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/68207?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/68207?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/68207?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Leading Conversation of CEOs on Identifying Market Drivers for Long-Term Investments in Society&body=ESG News from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/68207?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Events, Media & Communications](/CSR-News/events-media-communications) # Leading Conversation of CEOs on Identifying Market Drivers for Long-Term Investments in Society ##### 11th Annual CECP Board of Boards Feb 29, 2016 4:15 PM ET Campaign: [2016 Board of Boards ](/news/campaign/2016-board-boards) NEW YORK, February 29, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Fifty CEOs from the world’s largest companies convened at [CECP’s](http://cecp.co/) 11th annual [Board of Boards](http://cecp.co/events/ceo-conference/2016-board-of-boards.html) to discuss the theme *Competing for the Long Run* and how leading companies are addressing societal challenges through business. A *Forbes*-named top three “power player” event for CEOs, the Board of Boards is a closed-door, CEO-to-CEO forum on the imperative for thinking long-term about business and societal strategies. [Participating companies](http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-board-of-boards/attendees-15-4f2ac617b79f42b995bb488893ae7309.aspx) generated nearly $400 billion in revenue in the last year and have led initiatives on disaster relief, education, employee engagement, health, nutrition, veterans, and more. CEO [Force for Good](http://cecp.co/events/force-for-good-awards.html) honorees recognized at the event, who led the discussions, included: - **David Abney**, Chairman & CEO, UPS: Strong Start Force for Good Award - **J. P. Bilbrey**, Chairman, President & CEO, The Hershey Company: Collaboration Force for Good - **Eileen Fisher**, Founder and Chairwoman, EILEEN FISHER, Inc.: Pacesetter Force for Good - **Dr. H. Fisk Johnson**, Chairman & CEO, SC Johnson: Founders Force for Good - **Kip Tindell**, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, The Container Store: Pacesetter Force for Good - **Ronald A. Williams**, Former Chairman & CEO, Aetna Inc.: Lawrence A. Wien Legacy CEO Force for Good Additional conversation leaders included: - **Mitch Barns**, CEO, Nielsen - **Mark T. Bertolini**, Chairman & CEO, Aetna Inc. - **Richard Edelman**, President & CEO, Edelman - **Lynn Forester de Rothschild**, CEO, E.L. Rothschild - **Erika Karp**, Founder & CEO, Cornerstone Capital Inc. - **Joseph Keefe**, President & CEO, Pax World Management LLC - **Dr. Candace Kendle**, Former Chairman & CEO, Kendle International Inc. - **Raj Sisodia**, FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business & Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Conscious Capitalism Inc. Board meeting-style conversations on the enlightened CEO, conscious capitalism, the new consumer expectations, purpose as a long-term market driver, and good beyond giving allowed CEOs to share insights and best practices to help advance the impact of corporate community investment, tapping strategies that are a competitive advantage. Key takeaways as determined through live CEO polling include: 1. If the tension between **management’s desire to focus on the long term** and the **shareholders focus on short-term** stock price lessens, the potential for investments accrued in impact-oriented companies is great. 2. The **business benefits of an employee-focused workplace are manifold**; one great, engaged employee is equal to three good, somewhat engaged employees. 3. Business must **measure the** **impact a visible higher purpose has on the brand**, which will reinforce its importance. “There’s no other forum of CEOs that focuses on bringing balance to long- and short-term business strategies for the benefit of business and society,” stated **Daryl Brewster**, CEO, CECP. “These CEOs bring purpose to their businesses by aligning with and investing in society. It builds trust. It engages employees. It improves the business reputation. It opens up new opportunities for the long run. And we are seeing increased evidence that it is leading to superior performance.” [Attendees](http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-board-of-boards/attendees-15-4f2ac617b79f42b995bb488893ae7309.aspx), the [agenda](http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-board-of-boards/agenda-4f2ac617b79f42b995bb488893ae7309.aspx), [speakers](http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-board-of-boards/speakers-4f2ac617b79f42b995bb488893ae7309.aspx), and more can be found on [CECP’s website](http://cecp.co/events/ceo-conference/2016-board-of-boards.html). An Executive Summary including live polling results, images, and highlight videos will be available on the [CECP website](http://cecp.co/events/ceo-conference/2016-board-of-boards.html) following the event. CECP, a coalition of CEOs who believe that societal improvement is an essential measure of business performance, was founded in 1999 by actor and philanthropist **Paul Newman**. The conference was held at the Time Warner Headquarters in New York City, and event attendance was limited to [CECP CEOs](http://cecp.co/membership/members.html). CECP thanks the event supporters, **Newman’s Own Foundation** and **PwC US**, and the Empire State Building for lighting in CECP blue the evening of the Board of Boards in honor of the convening. **Note to Editors: Select CEO attendees, including award winners and speakers, and CECP executives are available for comment following the event.** \### **About CECP: The CEO Force for Good** CECP is a coalition of CEOs who believe societal improvement is an essential measure of business performance. Through convenings and thought leadership, CECP fosters collaboration among Fortune 500 companies striving to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems through the skills and resources of their companies. CECP, a global nonprofit organization, counts more than 150 affiliated at the CEO level and 50 at the company level. Companies affiliated with CECP together have more than $6.5 trillion in annual revenue and more than 14.5 million employees, and invest more than $14 billion annually in cash and non-cash in the communities around them. For more information visit cecp.co. [![LOGO](/sites/default/files/Clients/CECP_rgb_hz_grd_pos_cntrd.png)](/profiles/cecp-chief-executives-corporate-purpose) ### More from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) ###### [New CECP Report Reveals Corporate Foundations Drive Significant Business and Social Returns](/news/new-cecp-report-reveals-corporate-foundations-drive-significant-business-and-social-returns) Apr 2, 2026 10:30 AM ET ###### [Global Business Leaders Explore Responsible Leadership in an Era of Shared Challenges](/news/global-business-leaders-explore-responsible-leadership-era-shared-challenges) Feb 19, 2026 5:15 PM ET ###### [CECP Launches Giving in Numbers™ 2026 Survey: The Industry's Definitive Resource on Corporate Social Investment ](/news/cecp-launches-giving-numberstm-2026-survey-industrys-definitive-resource-corporate-social) Feb 11, 2026 10:55 AM ET ###### [Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose Announces Covista Chairman and CEO Steve Beard, Cencora Inc. Former Executive Chair Steven H. Collis, and Ann Fairchild, Interim President and CEO of Siemens USA Joining Board of Directors](/news/chief-executives-corporate-purpose-announces-covista-chairman-and-ceo-steve-beard-cencora-inc) Feb 9, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [CECP Welcomed 20 Leading Companies to Coalition in 2025, Expanding Network of Corporate Purpose-Driven Leaders](/news/cecp-welcomed-20-leading-companies-coalition-2025-expanding-network-corporate-purpose-driven) Jan 21, 2026 3:45 PM ET ###### [2026 Look Ahead: Leading With Purpose in a Year That Demands Responsible Leadership](/news/2026-look-ahead-leading-purpose-year-demands-responsible-leadership) Dec 9, 2025 3:10 PM ET ###### [Giving in Numbers™: 2025 Edition – Companies Aligning Business Practices with Purpose Report 25% Higher Revenue and 22% Higher Pre-Tax Profit](/news/giving-numberstm-2025-edition-companies-aligning-business-practices-purpose-report-25-higher) Oct 16, 2025 9:00 AM ET ###### [Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose and Partners Lead Cross-Sector Collaboration Empowering Companies To Build AI Ready Workforce](/news/chief-executives-corporate-purpose-and-partners-lead-cross-sector-collaboration-empowering) Sep 9, 2025 10:00 AM ET