Dear Public Officials, Leaders of Employee Ownership Organizations, and Friends:
I am John Hoffmire, one of the founders of this symposium, and am going to speak for about 25 minutes about Philosophy and Employee Ownership. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of my talk, so please take out your phone or
In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, inclusive business models are emerging as a transformative force for addressing poverty, inequality, and systemic barriers to opportunity. Unlike traditional business strategies that prioritize profit above all, inclusive business models are designed to integrate low-income communities into the value chain as producers, employees, suppliers, and consumers. By doing so,
As you know, we have long celebrated the power and potential of employee ownership to transform businesses and communities. From enhancing productivity to fostering a sense of belonging and mutual success, the benefits are immense. Today, we want to invite you to be a part of an exciting new initiative: starting an informal network dedicated
In an era of increasing economic inequality and job insecurity, businesses play a pivotal role not just in creating profits but also in shaping the broader socio-economic landscape. While corporate philanthropy often garners attention for its efforts to alleviate poverty and support communities, businesses have a much greater opportunity to foster lasting change by directly
In today’s world, the battle against poverty is not solely in the hands of governments and nonprofits. An emerging trend shows that corporations, often seen as profit-driven entities, are increasingly playing a vital role in bridging the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished. Through innovative business models and creative solutions, companies are contributing to
Employee ownership is gaining momentum worldwide, with businesses increasingly recognizing the benefits of giving employees a stake in the companies they work for. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and similar models enhance productivity, job satisfaction, and business resilience. While the United States has long been a leader in ESOPs, the concept is expanding rapidly across
As the global economy continues to expand, the wealth gap remains one of the most pressing issues, particularly in emerging markets like China and India. While businesses are often seen as engines of economic growth, the question arises: are they doing enough to close the widening wealth gap, or are they exacerbating it? While both
Dr. John Hoffmire: It’s a pleasure to reconnect with you, Himadri. You have over a decade of experience in risk management and consulting, can you share how your journey in this field began and what motivated you to specialize in enterprise risk management?
Himadri Gangwar: Thank you for this opportunity, John. My journey in risk management
Dr. John Hoffmire: It’s a delight to have the chance to reconnect with you, Apoorva. My lasting impression of you when you were a Chevening fellow at Oxford was that you were a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Your work at WPP India has garnered significant recognition, especially in the realms I’ve just mentioned.
John Hoffmire: Shantanu, you started your career in the corporate world with prestigious organizations like Wipro, Mercedes-Benz, and Intergraph. What inspired you to leave this comfortable path and transition into the social sector and political analysis?
Shantanu Gupta: While my corporate career was rewarding, I always felt a deeper calling to contribute to society in a
Dr John Hoffmire: Prachi, it’s a pleasure to be back in touch and learn more about your work. You are the External Affairs & Communications Lead at Organon, a global healthcare company focused on improving the health of women. Tell me more about your role at Organon and how it aligns with your long standing
Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Swagat. I’m delighted to have a chance to reconnect and learn more about what you are currently working on. You have had an interesting career that spans diverse and challenging roles, from District Collector of Kasaragod to Managing Director of Kerala Water Authority. I want to ask you what drives you
Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Samina. It’s good to be back in touch and I’m honored to get to ask you some questions about your work. I’ll start as I usually do by asking what inspired you to leave a successful career in management consulting and dedicate yourself to social change in education?
Samina Bano: Thank you, John. You
Dr. John Hoffmire: Ravi, you’ve been actively involved in public transport and electric mobility reforms in India for over a decade now and you started working across South Asia in recent years. What inspired you to focus on this sector, particularly in a country as complex as India?
Ravi Gadepalli: Hello John.
Dr. John Hoffmire: Nrupal, it’s a delight to be back in touch with you. I want to start by talking about your work at Paysafe, which involves leading payment solutions for North and South America, along with anti-fraud initiatives. Could you tell us about the challenges you face in this space and how you navigate
Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Chalinda! I’m excited to have this opportunity to chat with you and catch-up. I’m first going to site some impressive numbers. You have been working with startups for over 15 years now, mentoring over 3,000 entrepreneurs and have helped launch over 50 startups across South and Southeast Asia. You also played
Dr. John Hoffmire: Shashanka, I love talking with aerospace engineers. You are all so practical. It’s a pleasure to reconnect even though it’s only been a season since you were in Oxford. You have an impressive background in aerospace and digital transformation. Can you start by sharing what inspired you to pursue a career in
Dr. John Hoffmire: In preparing for this interview, I reviewed your impressive CV. You have the resume and skill set that is very much in demand right now: years of technical expertise, AI training, as well as product management experience. When you started out as an Electronics engineer, did you have any idea of the
John Hoffmire: We share something in common, you and I. We both wrote doctoral dissertations on topics we feel passionate about and then centered our careers around that topic and passion. For you, the focus has been medical leadership development in a low- and middle-income country, i.e. India. I’d love to know how your interest
One of the extraordinary attributes of Chevening fellows is the dynamic trajectory of their careers and the work they do. Their curiosity and passion compel them to expand their education, interests, and influence and pursue new opportunities and challenges. The arc of their work and interests is never static. They may start out as an
