Executives to discuss social responsibility

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — May 14, 2021) Company executives will discuss employee-driven corporate social responsibility at the final event in California Lutheran University’s 2020-2021 Corporate Leaders Breakfast Series. 

Tobi Petrocelli, director of environmental stewardship and sustainability management for MUFG Union Bank, and Larry Scherzer, president of Scherzer International, will be the panelists for the event, which will be held virtually from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, June 3. Jean Kelso Sandlin, a Cal Lutheran communication professor with an interest in corporate social responsibility, will moderate.

Held on the Remo platform, the event will feature face-to-face networking that enables participants to move from “table to table” to talk to the people they choose before the discussion begins.

The panelists will discuss the benefits and risks of engaging in employee-driven corporate social responsibility to address pressing community issues. They also will share information about their companies’ programs. There’s an increasing interest among investors and employees to be part of solutions, and corporations are increasingly stepping up to tackle social, economic and environmental crises. Most S&P 500 companies now produce corporate social responsibility reports.

Petrocelli heads environmental stewardship and sustainability management for MUFG Union Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility division. The division creates partnerships with employees, volunteers and low- and moderate-income communities to help stabilize or revitalize the areas and promote social equity and diversity. Petrocelli develops environmental, social and governance policies.

Scherzer founded Scherzer International in 1993. Headquartered in Woodland Hills, the company performs business background investigations for banks, private equity funds and law and public accounting firms throughout the world. Mostly in response to employee requests, the company is involved in several social programs. Scherzer serves on the board of directors of four nonprofit organizations.

Sandlin joined the Cal Lutheran faculty in 2007 after working in advertising, public relations and journalism for 20 years. She has directed campaigns for environmental management companies, green retailers and nonprofit organizations.

Started in 2002, Cal Lutheran’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast Series brings members of the business and civic communities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties together to network and hear from prominent leaders. The series switched to a virtual format for 2020-2021. 

Reservations are requested by Monday, May 31. To RSVP, go to callutheran.edu/clb. For more information, contact Sharon Nelson at smnelso@callutheran.edu.