MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. - Doug Conant will be recognized as the first Corporate Citizen Fellow of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University on November 5 for his exemplary leadership and emphasis on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. He will deliver a public lecture followed by questions from the audience on November 5 at 4:30 p.m. in Alumnae Lounge in the Aidekman Arts Center, on the Tufts University’s Medford/Somerville campus. Members of the news media who would like to attend should contact Katie Cinnamond at 617-627-4703 or Katherine.cinnamond@tufts.edu for a ticket and reserved seat. Members of the Tufts University interested in attending should contact rsvpevents@tufts.edu or 1-888-320-4103.
Conant’s lecture, Embracing the Genius of the “and" - Delivering Economic "and" Social Value will be a discussion on the importance of creating a "mission driven" approach to leading an organization, establishing a mind-set and culture designed to inspire employees to do "extraordinary things in the marketplace and the workplace."
The Tisch College Corporate Citizen Fellow award recognizes executives who have led a significant change in their company’s core operations to improve their company’s societal impact and provides a forum for developing the next generation of corporate leaders. Throughout the day, Conant will meet with Tufts student groups and classes to expand their understanding of how private sector leadership can result in positive societal impact.
"We are honored that Doug Conant will be our first Corporate Citizen Fellow," said Nancy Wilson, interim dean at Tufts Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. "His work exemplifies corporate citizenship and leadership which has gone beyond corporate philanthropy and cause co-branding to truly change products and processes."
Conant served as president and CEO of Campbell Soup Company from 2001 until 2011. During that time, he drove the creation of a top-to-bottom strategy around corporate social responsibility and sustainability. As a result of this leadership, Campbell’s today includes sustainability and corporate social responsibility as one of its seven core business strategies – driving innovations in product design and manufacturing. Conant also built a strong corporate culture at Campbell’s, working to create a diverse, engaging workplace. The advancement of women in the workplace, supporting the employment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, and a commitment to adopting healthier lifestyles is now strongly emphasized at Campbell’s.
Conant joined Campbell after 25 years of experience from three of the world’s leading food companies: General Mills, Kraft and Nabisco. Immediately prior to coming to Campbell, he was president of the $3.5 billion Nabisco Foods Company, where he led his team to improved marketplace performance and five consecutive years of double-digit earnings growth.
Conant currently devotes his time to helping advance the agendas of organizations at the board level. He is chairman of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and an active member of the board of the following organizations: National Organization on Disabilities, the Partnership for Public Service, Students in Free Enterprise, Catalyst, The Conference Board, the Families and Work Institute, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and most recently, the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships. He is also a former chairman of both the Grocery Manufacturers Association and The Conference Board. Conant earned his B.A. degree from Northwestern University and his M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
To join the conversation, go to www.ConantLeadership.com.
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The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, a national leader in civic engagement, prepares students from all fields of Tufts University to become engaged public citizens and community leaders.
Tufts University, located on three Massachusetts campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville, and Grafton, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of its students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university’s schools is widely encouraged.
