The CEO Magazine Asia - 09.2018

theceomagazine.com | 9

What led you to United Way?

In the latter half of my career, I made

sure I got involved in the CSR program

that existed in the corporate I worked

for. In the past decade, I’ve taken the

opportunity to give back in a more

substantial way.

How does United Way work with

its partners to help communities

address inequality?

Over the past five to 10 years, United

Way has been involved in directly

offering programs around early literacy,

and youth transition to employment. We

operate across Australia, and connect

with corporates, trusts and foundations.

Do you think it’s important that

corporations pursue social justice?

It’s imperative that they come on the

journey and be a part of the solution.

It’s not just a government problem.

We help corporates understand that

they can move from being a for-profit

organisation, to being a profit-for-

purpose organisation.

How can companies start to improve

their CSR?

First, by making sure the CSR program

is on the agenda of the board and

senior leadership team. Think carefully

about the cause. Aligning it to the

values and competencies of the

organisation is a good idea as well.

The NextGen Cup Challenge,
which launches this month,
encourages idea submissions
for eco-friendly cups. Long-
standing rivals in coffee sales,
McDonald’s and Starbucks have
teamed up to supply US$
million in funds. Awardees will be
offered up to US$1 million with
which to develop their ideas. Compiled by

Oliver Featherston

FIVE MINUTES

WITH... CLAYTON

NOBLE, UNITED

WAY AUSTRALIA

Eco-

design