Local Peer Group Grows into Community Impact Driver for Denver’s Legal Industry
Local Peer Group Grows into Community Impact Driver for Denver’s Legal Industry
In an industry often defined by individual practice, a shared commitment to giving back has created an ecosystem where local legal professionals can come together to address pressing community needs.
“There is a real access to justice issue in this country. The number of people who can’t afford to receive legal help is enormous,” said Jayme Ritchie, Director of Pro Bono and Community Impact at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. But Jayme has seen a rise in pro bono work in Denver, which encompasses any work an attorney does for a client at no charge.
Recap of Redefining Corporate Impact: Leading with Responsibility
We explored three different yet aligned approaches to corporate responsibility:
- The philosophy of “to whom much has been given, much is required,” stemming from a founder’s personal experience.
- A core vision focused on serving people and improving lives, which includes seeking feedback and understanding your industry’s impact on the community.
- Responsibility is being responsive.
Each of these approaches support people holistically and requires patience. Special thanks to Issac Schilling, Regional Director of Field Marketing for Lifetime Windows and Siding, for sharing the direct impact of Lifetime’s workforce development partnership with Stout Street Foundation.
Thank you to CoCo Criste, Pete Dignan, Mara Kelly and Karla Rodriguez for sharing their insights and expertise.
Small Business Spotlight: Little Pub Company
Everyone who visits the office of Little Pub Company will notice their mission statement on the wall: well-served. The Little Pub team puts this into practice with their customers, employees, vendors and community, all leading to the employee-driven giving program, Raise the Bar, happening at the 20+ local pubs and bars across metro Denver.
Recap of Striking the Balance: The S and G in ESG Reporting
The environmental, social, governance (ESG) field is constantly evolving, but there are strategies and practices you can embrace now to prepare for upcoming changes. Our speakers discussed the importance of tying ESG goals to business strategies and developing shared ownership of goals. Keep an eye on voluntary regulations, like human capital management, that will likely become mandatory in the future. With the convergence of ESG and financial reporting, set standards to ensure your data is complete, consistent, comparable and reliable.
Thank you to Catherine Ziac Boyd and Rachel Mountin for sharing their insights and expertise.
Small Business Spotlight: YellowDog
YellowDog, a design, print and marketing studio in Denver’s Clayton neighborhood, completed their first-ever period product drive, collecting more than 3,500 donations.
The 2023 State of the Period report found that nearly one quarter of teens and one third of adults struggle to afford period products, resulting in missed school days, lost wages, stress and embarrassment that no one should have to experience. YellowDog Office Manager Sara Lou Klein saw this need and felt driven to help. She had previously worked with the organization Period Kits and felt strongly about equipping people who menstruate with these basic necessities. Community is one of YellowDog’s core values, and owners Jenny and Dan Mulligan threw their full support behind the initiative.
Recap of Activate a Network of CSR Champions
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is sustainable and powerful when many people within an organization have a hand in creating positive social impact. Our speakers showed how you can develop teammates who will continue to make an impact wherever they go. They recommended building community impact metrics into your team’s annual goals and framing engagement as a means of professional development. They also reminded us that everyone has a cause they care about – by getting to know your teams, you can understand and tap into that care.
Thank you to Brooks Dozier, Kate Kleyman, Carla Patrick and Mary Van Jacobs for sharing their insights and expertise. Read More