Wading Back in to the Blogosphere

It's been a while since my last formal blog post. That one was some time last year on Intel's CSR blog. Since then, I've been on a little journey. The CSR and Sustainability world inside leading corporations has matured significantly over the last couple of years. Some companies have gotten better at telling the story and some companies have begun to crack the code of integration.

I have spent 12 years in the high tech sector, and shorter periods of time in the automotive, utility and consulting sectors. So, when the opportunity presented itself to create and lead an integrated CSR and Sustainability strategy for an iconic consumer products company - Campbell Soup, I decided to learn a little more.

I admit to being a little cautious. However, as I met the leadership at Campbell and saw their commitment and learned more about their programs and culture, my caution evolved to enthusiasm. It has been a big change for both me and my family. Intel is and always will be a great company with exceptional people. But I have to admit, Campbell Soup Company, (and its brands Pepperidge Farm, V8, Pace, Prego, Arnott's, Swanson, and Stock Pot) is an extraordinary company with all the ingredients to be a CSR benchmark.

In just my short 6-month tenure, I've seen some amazing examples from packaging to footprint reduction, to employee and community engagement. I've been working with my friends at JustMeans to begin telling that story. I look forward to being able to describe my steps in building this strategy as well as share some thoughts on the industry and trends in general.

This transition has brought me to the greater Philadelphia and I've had the chance to meet some great people, extend existing relationships and build new efforts with local chambers, trade groups, The Conference Board, The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship (BCCCC), Columbia University and many others. Next month, I'll be presenting at the Financial Times conference in NY, meeting with some investors, sharing some thoughts with the authors of Climbing the Green Ladder, visiting with a customer in Bentonville, and attending the BCCCC conference and board meeting in San Francisco to name a few.

It's been a great 6 months so far and all I can say now is "Watch this Space." I'll be back soon with posts on more specific subjects.