ICCR is a coalition of religious institutional
shareholders who accept the unique challenge to the faith
community to address issues of corporate social responsibility
with our resources, particularly our investments. We work
together for justice for all peoples in and through economic
structures and for stewardship of the earth and its resources.
Through its members, ICCR seeks to offer
a moral voice -- grounded in faith-based beliefs -- to corporations
and religious institutions. Building upon more than thirty
years of experience, ICCR members combine the approaches of
organized engagement and dialogue as we partner with others
working in socially responsible investing in order to effect
a more just economic order and a more peaceful world.
Available for Interviews: The following
ICCR members and staff are
available to answer your questions on a broad range of corporate
responsibility
topics.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Shareholder Activism / History
Laura Berry 212-870-2294, lberry @ iccr.org
Laura Berry is ICCR's Executive Director, and took up the
position in June of 2007. Prior to joining ICCR, she was the
Senior Vice President for Philanthropic Service for the Community
Foundation for Greater New Haven. Before joining the Community
Foundation, Laura served as Community Development Initiative
Director for the New London Development Corporation. Prior
to that, she managed a $250 million portfolio as vice president
at SSB Citi Asset Management, relying on the synergy between
faith and socially responsible investing guidelines. Laura,
a native of Detroit, Michigan, lives in New Haven, Connecticut.
She received her Certified Financial Planner designation from
Quinnipiac University and holds an M.S. from the University
of Michigan and a B.S. from Michigan Technology University.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Genetically Modified Foods
Margaret Weber, c/o ICCR at 212-870-2294, weber @ igc.org
Margaret Weber has worked in corporate responsibility since
1990, serving as Coordinator of Corporate Responsibility for
the Adrian Dominican Sisters since 1998. In that capacity,
her focus is on pharmaceutical access issues and environmental
issues, particularly genetic engineering of seed and food.
In addition to researching shareholder proposals, organizing
dialogues and assisting in defense of proposal to the SEC,
she oversees the proxy voting for the Adrian Dominican portfolio.
Prior to work in corporate social responsibility, Ms. Weber
was Metro Detroit Coordinator of Bread for the World, a national
citizens anti-hunger movement. A resident of Detroit, she
coordinates a neighborhood recycling drop-off center that
has operated since 1990. Ms. Weber has a bachelors of science
in chemistry from the College of St. Francis (now the University
of St. Francis, Joliet, IL).
Global Warming – Automotive and Oil Industries
Patricia Daly, 973-579-1732, tricri @ mindspring.com
Pat Daly serves as the Executive Director of the Tri-State
Coalition for Responsible Investment, an organization of 35
Roman Catholic Dioceses and Congregations of Women and Men
in the NY metropolitan area. Pat is also the Corporate Responsibility
Representative for the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell,
NJ. She has worked in Corporate Responsibility and Socially
Responsible Investing for over 25 years. Over the years Pat
has negotiated with companies on issues of human rights, labor,
ecological concerns, militarism, equality, health and tobacco
and international debt and capital flows. Pat has played a
role in forcing General Electric to pay for a clean-up of
the Hudson River, positioning the agenda of global warming
into the priorities of Corporate America, and is a founder
of Campaign ExxonMobil: calling this oil giant to task on
matters related to climate change. Pat has worked to encourage
investors to participate in the work of their companies and
continues to mentor people in effective strategies for systemic
change. She has lectured internationally and has been featured
in a variety of news outlets including The New York Times,
CNN, 60 Minutes, The Star Ledger and NPR.
Environmental Justice
Leslie Lowe, 212-870-2623, llowe @ iccr.org
Leslie Lowe is the Director of ICCR’s program on Energy
and the Environment. Ms. Lowe has been an attorney in New
York State for over 20 years. A graduate of Harvard Law School
and of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism,
she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College
and did post-graduate research in economic and social history
at the University of Paris. Until March of 2002, she was the
Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice
Alliance (NYCEJA), a citywide network of 16 community-based
organizations in low-income communities of color. She serves
on the Boards of Directors of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation,
Environmental Advocates of New York, the Center for Economic
and Environmental Partnership, Housing Works, Inc., and is
a Trustee of The Weeksville Society.
Water Rights
Leslie Lowe, 212-870-2623, llowe @ iccr.org
Leslie Lowe is the Director of ICCR’s program on Energy
and the Environment. Ms. Lowe has been an attorney in New
York State for over 20 years. A graduate of Harvard Law School
and of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism,
she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College
and did post-graduate research in economic and social history
at the University of Paris. Until March of 2002, she was the
Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice
Alliance (NYCEJA), a citywide network of 16 community-based
organizations in low-income communities of color. She serves
on the Boards of Directors of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation,
Environmental Advocates of New York, the Center for Economic
and Environmental Partnership, Housing Works, Inc., and is
a Trustee of The Weeksville Society.
SWEATSHOPS, HUMAN RIGHTS, CORPORATE CODES OF CONDUCT
Contract Suppliers
Rev. David Schilling, 212-870-2928, dschilling @ iccr.org
Rev. David M. Schilling is ICCR’s Global Corporate Accountability
Program Director. A United Methodist minister, David works
on labor rights and human rights issues related to the Maquiladora
sector in Mexico and Central America and U.S. based multinational
companies in Asia. He has led delegations to Mexico, El Salvador,
Honduras, Indonesia, Vietnam and China visiting factories
and meeting with workers and non-governmental organizations.
He helped write the "Principles for Global Corporate
Responsibility: Bench Marks for Measuring Business Performance,"
a comprehensive set of business principles proposed by ICCR.
David has published articles in a number of magazines and
journals and has spoken at a variety of workshops and conferences,
in the US and internationally, on codes of conduct compliance,
human rights and corporate social responsibility issues. Rev.
Schilling graduated from Carroll College, Union Theological
Seminary, Columbia University (International Fellows Program)
and received an advanced professional studies degree from
Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.
HEALTH ISSUES
Political Influence of the Pharmaceutical
Industry/Lobbying
Caroline Williams, 212-787-7300, caroline.williams @ nathancummings.org
Caroline Williams is Chief Financial and Investment Officer
of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. Her career includes 20
years as an investment banker and 10 years as a financial
consult for tax-exempt organizations and socially responsible
companies before joining the Foundation in 2001. Ms. Williams
graduated from Vassar College in 1968 having majored in economics.
She received a master's degree in nonprofit management from
the Milano School of Management and Urban Policy at The New
School for Social Research in 1994 as part of her transition
from Wall Street to the non-profit sector. The Nathan Cummings
Foundation is deeply committed to democratic values and social
justice as part of its mission. The Foundation’s core
programs include Health, Environment, Arts and Culture, Jewish
Life and Values.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Compensation and Transparency
Frank Coleman, 212-490-0800, colemanf @ cbisonline.com
Mr. Coleman joined CBIS in 1987 and is a member of the Management
Team. He was elected Executive Vice President in 2002 and
is responsible for overseeing the SRI, Marketing/Communications
and Technology Departments. He has had a number of responsibilities
at CBIS, including Vice President of Socially Responsible
Investing, Director of Socially Responsible Investing, Director
of Marketing and Participant Services and Director of Participant
Services and Operations. As VP and Director of SRI he was
responsible for incorporating ethical standards into investments
and developing a policy and approach for CBIS that reflects
the Church's broad concerns in an effort to impact corporate
America. He is also the Chair of the Board of Partners for
the Common Good, a community-investing program sponsored by
CBIS. In 1997, he was elected to the Governing Board of the
Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and
served as its Vice Chair from 1997-1998 and as Chair from
1998 - 2001. He also serves on the Board of the Leviticus
Fund, an alternative loan fund operating in the New York metropolitan
region. He holds a B.A. from Columbia University.
FINANCE AND CAPITAL
Domestic Finance
Pat Zerega, 412-367-7575, patricia_zerega @ elca.org
Pat Zerega is in her fourth year with the Corporate Social
Responsibility program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America. As Acting Director she is responsible for the
educational efforts within the church, the outreach to various
Lutheran entities and developing the CSR work for the church.
Prior to this work, Pat ran an ecumenical AIDS program in
Pittsburgh for six years. The AIDS Interfaith Care Teams developed
care teams in congregations to support those living in the
region with HIV and AIDS. She currently serves on the board
of directors for Residential Care Services, a local program
developing housing alternatives for those persons living with
Mental Illness.
Access to Credit
Frank Rauscher, (972) 596-1222, rauscher @ aquinasassociates.com
Frank Rauscher is currently Senior Principal of Aquinas Associates,
Dallas, Texas. Rauscher co-authored the first American Bankers
Association Policy on Electronic Banking; initiated the first
shared ATM system (MOST) in the U.S., issued the first Visa
card with a usage rebate to the customer; provided the first
consumer friendly simple language and simple interest loan
documents in the U.S.; was President of the American Institute
of Banking (Dallas, Phoenix, Tucson organizations); member
of the Board of Directors of the State of Maryland Chamber
of Commerce; President-elect Better Business Bureau of Phoenix,
Chairman United Way of Dallas Finance Division. He earned
a degree from the University of Arizona (Finance) and an advanced
banking degree from the University of Washington Pacific Coast
Banking School. Rauscher has been an instructor in Economics,
Management, and Business Administration classes at several
colleges in the southwest. From 1994 to 2005 he served as
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aquinas Investment
Advisers and The Aquinas Funds, "A Socially Responsible
Family of Mutual Funds." Rauscher has twenty-eight years
of experience as a senior executive, including serving as
president of two major banking institutions. Rauscher has
extensive experience in credit and the Community Reinvestment
Act. He has served at a director of the Consumer Bankers Association
and many committees of the American Bankers Association
International Finance
Catherine Rowan, 718-822-0820, rowan @ bestweb.net
Cathy Rowan is a consultant on corporate responsibility issues
for the Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment, a
coalition of Catholic religious orders, and Trinity Health.
She has been involved in the international side of access
to capital shareholder work since 1995, filing resolutions
on behalf of the Maryknoll Sisters on such issues as debt,
money laundering and capital controls. Prior to beginning
her consulting work, Cathy was a Maryknoll lay missioner for
15 years, spending 6 years in Brazil working on human rights
and women's and children's issues.
VIOLENCE AND THE MILITARIZATION
OF SOCIETY
Violent Video Games
Cathy Rowan, rowan @ bestweb.net
Cathy Rowan is a consultant on corporate responsibility issues
for Trinity Health and for the Tri-State Coalition for Responsible
Investment, a coalition of Catholic religious orders in New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut. She has been involved with
the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility for 10 years,
focusing on issues related to access to health; access to
capital; tobacco; and violence in society. Prior to beginning
her consulting work, Cathy was a Maryknoll lay missioner for
15 years, spending 6 years in Brazil working on human rights
and women's and children's issues.
Military Sales
Mary Ellen Gondeck, 248-541-3094, megssj @ aol.com
Mary Ellen Gondeck is a Sister of St. Joseph from Nazareth,
Michigan, where she co-ordinates the Office of Peace and Justice
for her community. She is co-chair of the Conference on Corporate
Responsibility of Indiana and Michigan (CCRIM) and has been
active in socially responsible investing work for over 20
years.
Offsets / Foreign Military Sales
Valerie Heinonen, O.S.U., 212-674-2542, heinonenv @ juno.com
Valerie Heinonen, O.S.U., is the consultant on corporate social
responsibility for the Sisters of Mercy-Regional Community
of Detroit and for the Mercy Investment Program, a pooled
investment program option for the Sisters of Mercy. From October
2000 through March 2001, Valerie Heinonen was Interim Executive
Director at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
(ICCR). For some 20 years, she was ICCR’s program director
for Militarism, Maquiladoras, and Global Finance and Community
Economic Development. Between her terms at ICCR, Valerie worked
at Nazareth Housing, a small family shelter located in lower
Manhattan. She is on the Finance Advisory Boards of the Dominican
Sisters of Hope and the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt.
Nuclear Weapons Products
Valerie Heinonen, O.S.U., 212-674-2542, heinonenv @ juno.com
Valerie Heinonen, O.S.U., is the consultant on corporate social
responsibility for the Sisters of Mercy-Regional Community
of Detroit and for the Mercy Investment Program, a pooled
investment program option for the Sisters of Mercy. From October
2000 through March 2001, Valerie Heinonen was Interim Executive
Director at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
(ICCR). For some 20 years, she was ICCR’s program director
for Militarism, Maquiladoras, and Global Finance and Community
Economic Development. Between her terms at ICCR, Valerie worked
at Nazareth Housing, a small family shelter located in lower
Manhattan. She is on the Finance Advisory Boards of the Dominican
Sisters of Hope and the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt.
Violence
Gary Brouse, 212-870-2316, gbrouse @ iccr.org
Gary Brouse is the Director of ICCR’s Corporate Governance
Working Groups, and works on issues of pay disparity/pay equity,
diversity on corporate boards of directors, and election of
boards of directors. He is also the Director of the Militarism
and Violence Working Group, which addresses criteria for military
spending, the economic and environmental affects of military
contracts, and violence in media and entertainment. Mr. Brouse
has been a Program Director at ICCR for the past 15 years,
where he has previously worked on such issues as Indigenous
images, public disclosure of diversity information, and the
glass ceiling. Gary is the recipient of several human rights
awards, including the Soaring Eagle Human Rights Award (1999),
from the Committee for 500 Years in Cleveland, Ohio; and the
Human Rights Award (1998), from the African American Association
on Corporate Responsibility in New York City, New York. Mr.
Brouse serves on the Advisory Board of Calvert Social Investments,
the Board of the A. Philip Randolph Educational Fund, and
the Advisory Board of the Stakeholders’ Alliance.
DIVERSITY
Diversity on Boards of Directors
Gary Brouse, 212-870-2316, gbrouse @ iccr.org
Gary Brouse is the Director of ICCR’s Corporate Governance
Working Groups, and works on issues of pay disparity/pay equity,
diversity on corporate boards of directors, and election of
boards of directors. He is also the Director of the Militarism
and Violence Working Group, which addresses criteria for military
spending, the economic and environmental affects of military
contracts, and violence in media and entertainment. Mr. Brouse
has been a Program Director at ICCR for the past 15 years,
where he has previously worked on such issues as Indigenous
images, public disclosure of diversity information, and the
glass ceiling. Gary is the recipient of several human rights
awards, including the Soaring Eagle Human Rights Award (1999),
from the Committee for 500 Years in Cleveland, Ohio; and the
Human Rights Award (1998), from the African American Association
on Corporate Responsibility in New York City, New York. Mr.
Brouse serves on the Advisory Board of Calvert Social Investments,
the Board of the A. Philip Randolph Educational Fund, and
the Advisory Board of the Stakeholders’ Alliance.
