Satell Institute's Executive Session

About Satell Institute's Executive Session

Executive Session features the business world's most impactful CEOs talking about giving back to their communities — and why it's become THE crucial business strategy in the 21st century. In these candid, fast-paced conversations, you'll learn tactics and best practices from companies committed to Corporate Social Responsibility. You'll also hear why CSR helps not only communities and nonprofit organizations, but also employees, shareholders and companies. Executive Session is produced by the Satell Institute, the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Publisher

The Satell Institute

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Feb 2026

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   Building Community and Wealth with Lynette Sutton of Girl Concrete

   Tom McGrath speaks with Lynette Sutton, managing partner of Girl Concrete, a union contractor specializing in structural and site concrete. Sutton shares how she moved from reproductive biology into construction, built a company rooted in local hiring, and developed a construction-inspired financial literacy book for young adults. Girl Concrete is a self-performing contractor whose workforce is approximately 98 percent from the greater Philadelphia region. Sutton describes her path from a master’s degree in reproductive biology and work on HIV and STD efforts in sub-Saharan Africa to home renovation, real estate, and construction. She founded Girl Concrete in 2022 after seeing the infrastructure investment ahead and recognizing an opportunity in concrete contracting. In a male-dominated industry, the company built credibility by putting its own crews on projects and letting completed jobs serve as references. Sutton sees community impact as part of the work itself: local people should have the chance to work on and benefit from the region’s growth. Girl Concrete partners with Hopeworks in Camden and Kensington to support young people’s training in street mapping and construction. Sutton’s forthcoming book, Concrete Wealth: The Next Generation’s Guide to Financial Strength, uses construction metaphors to explain money foundations, saving, investing, budgeting, credit, cash flow, and entrepreneurship. Sutton says Girl Concrete grew from $6,900 in initial gross revenue to nearly $20 million, and hopes the book helps young people see that building wealth is possible for them, too. She describes the Satell Institute’s approach as finding nonprofits whose missions align with a business and making a lasting commitment, rather than waiting to be asked or simply writing a check.

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   What Your Organization Can Learn from Special Olympics

   Special Olympics, community impact, and building lasting partnerships Tom McGrath sits down with Matt Aaron, Chief Operating Officer of Special Olympics International and longtime Special Olympics Pennsylvania CEO, for a conversation about how Special Olympics has grown from a single event in Chicago into a global movement serving more than 5 million athletes. They discuss the organization’s mission, the power of unified sports, and why its work with corporate partners is designed to create long-term community impact rather than transactional sponsorships. Matt shares how Special Olympics uses sports, education, health, and leadership to build inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, and why volunteers, athletes, and business partners all play a role in that mission. Key topics Matt Aaron outlines Special Olympics’ evolution from the 1968 World Games in Chicago to a global nonprofit operating in about 200 countries. The organization now serves more than 5 million athletes, with only about 10% based in the United States. Special Olympics’ mission has stayed remarkably consistent over the decades, even as the language and delivery methods have evolved. The movement goes beyond sports, with work in education, health, and leadership aimed at helping people with intellectual disabilities become respected community members. Matt explains how global awareness varies widely, noting that Special Olympics is widely recognized in the U. S. but still emerging in many other regions. The 2027 World Games in Santiago, Chile, will be the first World Games held in Latin America and will support a broader regional legacy plan. Unified sports bring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities onto the same teams, changing how people view one another through shared competition. Matt describes his own path from Navy aviator to nonprofit leader, shaped by volunteer work, community connection, and an MBA focused on nonprofit management. The conversation highlights the role of grassroots volunteers and coaches, who often say they get more back from Special Olympics than they give. Matt makes the case that people with intellectual disabilities should not only be seen as peers, but also as leaders and role models. Loretta Claiborne is featured as a powerful example of that leadership, with a life story that includes 26 marathons, board service, and decades of advocacy. The partnership model between Special Olympics and corporate supporters is framed as relationship-based, long-term, and mutually beneficial, closely aligning with the Satell Institute’s philosophy.

3. 

   3 Aug 2026

   The American Dream Is Alive and Well in Queens

   In this episode, Tom McGrath sits down with Tom Grech, CEO and President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, to explore how the Chamber boosts economic development, promotes diversity, and fosters community resilience in Queens—New York City's most diverse borough. Discover how their work supports small businesses, attracts major investments, and drives innovative initiatives in technology and sustainability. Key Topics: The historical role and evolution of the Queens Chamber of Commerce since 1911 How Queens’ diversity—190 languages and 300 countries—shapes Chamber strategies The impact of recent development projects: LaGuardia airport, JFK overhaul, mega casino entertainment projects, and US Open Support for small and large businesses, including mom-and-pop shops and corporations The Chamber’s core functions: education, advocacy, and networking Initiatives in workforce development, including a cybersecurity academy and tech incubators Examples of companies giving back through philanthropy, internships, and community engagement The importance of supporting not-for-profit organizations as part of economic and community growth Collaboration with elected officials and community organizations to streamline regulations and promote growth Future plans: tech innovation, minority women-owned startups, and leadership in AI and cyber security Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Queens Chamber of Commerce’s role in community growth 02:00 - Overview of Queens' diversity and economic landscape 05:00 - Historical background and evolution of the Chamber since 1911 08:30 - Major development projects transforming Queens (airports, casinos, stadiums) 12:00 - How local businesses—from mom-and-pops to multinationals—benefit from Chamber programs 15:00 - Core mission: education, advocacy, and networking features and success stories 18:00 - Chamber’s work supporting workforce development and tech innovation 22:00 - Philanthropy and corporate social responsibility initiatives in Queens 25:00 - Collaboration with community organizations and overcoming regulation barriers 28:00 - Future initiatives: cybersecurity, minority-owned startups, and global competitiveness 30:00 - Closing remarks and the Chamber’s vision for the future

4. 

   8 Jun 2026

   The Biggest Challenges Facing Nonprofits

   In this episode, Jennifer Alleva, CEO of Your Part-Time Controller (which works with 2300 nonprofits across the country), shares her insights on the biggest issues facing the nonprofit sector — from competition for donors to talent retention. Alleva says those headwinds make having strong operational and financial management more necessary than ever.

5. 

   7 May 2026

   An NBA Team's Championship Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

   In this episode of the Satell Institute's Executive Session Podcast, Tom McGrath speaks with Leslie Walker, the executive director of the Sixers Youth Foundation, a longtime Satell Institute member. They discuss the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and professional sports, particularly focusing on the Philadelphia 76ers. Leslie shares her journey into philanthropy, the foundation's focus areas, current projects, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation highlights the role of corporate partnerships, the impact of the Sixers brand, and the future goals of the foundation.

6. 

   6 Apr 2026

   What You Can Learn from the Powerful Partnership Between GNC and the American Diabetes Association

   How important is collaboration between for-profit and nonprofit organizations when it comes to improving communities? It's essential. In this episode, Michael Costello (CEO of GNC), and Chelsea Musial (from the American Diabetes Association) visit the podcast to talk about their powerful partnership. The guests discuss the alignment of their missions, the robust relationship between their organizations, the benefits of long-term commitment, and the future initiatives aimed at scaling impact. The episode showcases the integration of CSR into business operations, the importance of personal relationships, and the collaborative efforts to drive positive change in the community. Takeaways Strong partnership between a for-profit corporation and a non-profit organization Corporate social responsibility and community impact Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 06:21 Partnership and Collaboration 11:56 Leadership and Communication 17:55 Long-Term Commitment and Planning 26:01 Membership and Future Initiatives

7. 

   24 Feb 2026

   A Brand Builder On Why Giving Back Is Essential for Your Company's Success

   Marc Brownstein, CEO of award-winning branding firm the Brownstein Group, visits the podcast and talks about why Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer just a "nice" thing to do — it's essential for your company's long-term growth. Marc talks about why companies need to develop a targeted CSR strategy and why authenticity is crucial. He also discusses brands that are doing CSR right — and seeing a big impact because of it. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Marc Brownstein's background 02:45 - Brownstein Group’s evolution and expansion of services 04:40 - The cultural shift towards increased CSR focus 06:55 - The relationship between CSR and corporate branding 07:53 - Cause-related marketing examples (Subaru, Alex’s Lemonade Stand) 09:17 - Consumer expectations, especially among Gen Z 10:36 - Effective storytelling and authentic communication strategies 12:20 - Leadership’s role in embedding CSR into corporate culture 13:49 - Risks of inauthentic CSR efforts and reputation management 14:27 - Case study of NJM Insurance’s community involvement 17:00 - Virtuous cycle: employee engagement, brand loyalty, and community impact 19:23 - The strategic focus on select causes for greater impact 22:39 - Future trends: nonprofit consolidation and increased CSR pressure 25:06 - Moving from token gestures to strategic CSR initiatives 26:54 - The role of industry peer exchange through the Satell Institute 28:01 - The value of CEO conferences and peer learning in CSR strategy 29:24 - The importance of storytelling platforms and transparency 32:00 - Closing thoughts on long-term CSR strategy and authenticity Resources & Links Satell Institute (https://satellinstitute.org/) Brownstein Group (https://brownsteingroup.com/) Subaru’s Cause Marketing Campaigns (https://www.subaru.com/) Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (https://www.alexslemonade.org/) NJM Insurance Community Initiatives (https://njm.com/) Connect with Marc Brownstein LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/marcbrownstein) Twitter (https://twitter.com/marcbrownstein)

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