On October 29–30, purpose-driven leaders gathered at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 2024 Business Solves Conference. This year’s conference spotlighted the crucial and unique role of business in identifying, navigating, and solving the most pressing issues facing communities globally. Over two days of engaging conversations, we learned how business is leading the charge in turning challenges into opportunities to support the needs of communities from civic education and youth development to disaster preparedness and economic mobility.
Participants united under the shared purpose and the core mission of the Foundation: harnessing the power of business for the good of America and the world. As our world continues to change, the need to work together to ensure stronger communities is more crucial than ever. From increasing billion-dollar disasters to geopolitical tensions to persistent workforce shortages, our world is in a state of polycrisis. Issues around us are becoming more complex, underscoring the need to share ideas and learn from each other.
See below for our five key takeaways from the 2024 Business Solves Conference:
Conference attendees were engaged in two days of everything social purpose including the presentations of the 25th annual Citizens Awards winners.
Tom Kane of Harvard Graduate School of Education joins Andy Rotherham of Bellwether Education Partners for a data-centric conversation on K-12 student achievement.
Leaders from AECOM, AT&T, Healthcare Ready, and Edward Jones, discuss strategies for building disaster-resilient communities. From left to right: Doug Bellomo, Ligia McEvoy, Tom Cotter, Lamell McMorris, and moderator and Foundation resilience expert, Rob Glenn.
Excitement filled the room as corporate citizenship innovators awaited the announcement of the 25th annual Citizens Awards winners.
Corporate leaders share strategies for maximizing community impact and leading with purpose. From left to right: Marc DeCourcey of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation moderates a discussion with Madge Thomas of American Express Foundation, Randy Bumps of RTX, and Balaji Ganapathy of Tata Consultancy Services.
(L-R) Larry Kidd (:hire), Janice Brunner (Travelers), and Dave Leichtman (Microsoft) join moderator Hilary Crow (U.S. Chamber Foundation) for a dynamic conversation on corporate civic leadership.
Angie Adams, Senior Manager, Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America, accepts the Citizens Award for Best Commitment to Education Program.
(L-R) Andrea Moribe (PepsiCo Foundation) and Howard Byck (U.S. Chamber Foundation) dive into the story behind Food for Good, a groundbreaking social enterprise tackling food insecurity.
Fenwick Broyard, SVP of commercial operations at Creature Comforts Brewing Company, accepts the 2024 Citizens Award for Best Community Improvement Program.
Conference participants take a mindful break between sessions, energizing with guided stretches during a wellness moment.
In a compelling dialogue on youth development, (L-R) Patrick McCrummen (DuPont), Chelsey Antony (NFL Players Association), and Richard Santoro (Pinterest) share insights in conversation with moderator Joseph Davis of the U.S. Chamber Foundation.
During the Innovation that Serves demonstration, founder and CEO of the Washing Machine Project, Nav Sawhney, gave a live demonstration of the Divya washing machine, welcoming participants on the stage to show the laborious nature of washing clothes.
Enrique Alvarez, co-founder and managing director of Vector Global Logistics, poses with the Citizens Awards finalists showcase. Vector Global Logistics won the 2024 Citizens Award for Best Corporate Steward Small and Middle Market Business.
Foundation SVP Marc DeCourcey (L) moderates a panel on tapping into leadership qualities of distinctive talent pools with DeeDee Merritt of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (C) and Jana Toner of Hiring our Heroes (R).
Dionna Stokes, manager of civics at the Foundation, presents the 2024 Citizens Award for Best Civic Engagement Program to Dave Leichtman, director of corporate civic responsibility at Microsoft.
President and chair of the KPMG Foundation, Anita Whitehead, discuss the impact of AI on corporate social responsibility with Foundation president Michael Carney.
Day one of the program focused on celebrating business doing well and good with a showcase of 25th annual Citizens Awards finalists.
From left to right: Vivian Greentree of Fiserv, Charisse Conanan Johnson of Next Street and Sally McCrady of the PNC Foundation join Foundation executive director Shanique Streete for a conversation on achieving economic mobility through entrepreneurship.
Conference participants submitted their fan favorites of finalists from the Citizens Awards.
- Business is at the forefront of purpose and innovation. The private sector is harnessing its capabilities and acumen to address complex challenges. By leveraging core business strengths – whether in technology, logistics, or operational expertise – companies are creating scalable solutions for the issues facing communities around the world. Leaders from companies at American Express, RTX, and Tata Consultancy Services share insights here.
- Civic leadership strengthens business and society. The health of our democracy and the success of American business are inherently linked. By investing in civic education and empowering employees to become engaged in their community, companies are building the collaboration, communication, and civic leadership skills needed for both business and society to thrive. More insights from Microsoft, Travelers, and others are here.
- Community resilience demands proactive investment. Building truly resilient communities requires forward-looking investment, adaptive strategies, and empowering the most vulnerable populations with the right resources. Community-centered approaches ensure resources and expertise create lasting impact where they're needed most. More insights from Edward Jones, AT&T, and others are here.
- Impact multiplies through strategic partnerships. The most effective solutions emerge when businesses collaborate across sectors and align their unique capabilities with community needs. These partnerships create new pathways for education-to-career alignment, youth development, and economic mobility. Read examples of this from DuPont, Pinterest, and others here.
- Innovation starts with anticipating challenges. Whether addressing nation-wide disaster resilience, workforce development, or niche community challenges, companies are learning that proactive investment and responsive engagement create lasting change. This forward-thinking approach helps build stronger, more resilient communities.
The 25th Annual Citizens Awards
At the forefront of purpose-driven leadership are nine companies who harness their unique business capabilities to serve as a force good and improve communities. For over two decades, we’ve honored America’s top corporate citizens through the Citizens Awards. This year’s winners were no exception, demonstrating how much farther we can go when we work together.
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About the authors
Sydney Lewis
Sydney Lewis is associate communications manager at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
