Ethisphere Launches “Annual Planning” Masterclass, Data, and Resources for Ethics, Compliance and Governance Leaders

Phoenix, AZ, October 12, 2022 – Ethisphere®, a global leader in defining and advancing standards of ethical business practices, announced today the launch of a range of ethics, compliance and governance annual planning resources designed to inform leaders as they map out 2023 programs.

On October 19th, Ethisphere will host the first of a two-part masterclass series, with a session focused on “Building the Annual Compliance Plan.” It will feature Ethisphere CEO Erica Salmon Byrne and CBRE SVP, Deputy GC and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Liz Atlee. They will discuss ways to optimize 2023 compliance annual planning to effectively evolve program elements, prioritize initiatives, and secure budget and resources.

The second masterclass session, taking place on October 20th focuses on “Compliance Risk Assessments for Annual Planning.” Ethisphere Executive Vice President Brian Beeghly will cover the role of compliance risk assessments in the annual planning process. Those interested can register at Ethisphere.com/events.

“Organizations continue to face daunting challenges–from worker shortages to a potential recession, changing regulatory expectations, and global disruption–and executive leadership is leaning more heavily on the ethics, compliance, and governance function to address these issues in the evolving Ethics Economy. However, in many cases, the budget is not following,” said Erica Salmon Byrne. “Our data shows—and recent DOJ updated guidance confirms—that investments in ethics, compliance, and governance reaps long-term rewards. These tools and resources are designed to equip teams with data and insights to build a business case for investing in programs at this critical time.”

In addition to the Masterclass series, a range of related resources will be available to subscribers of The Sphere, a data and insights platform which enables ethics and compliance leaders to benchmark their programs against data on the practices of peers and the World’s Most Ethical Companies® to identify risks and mature their program. Featured resources include sample training and communication plans, policy guidelines and examples, and program templates. For those who are not subscribers of The Sphere, Ethisphere is offering opportunities for in-house ethics and compliance professionals to enjoy guest access in the month ahead.

Available now, Ethisphere has released a whitepaper entitled Turning 2023 Challenges into Ethics and Compliance Opportunities: Futureproofing Your Ethics and Compliance Program Through Benchmarking. It outlines the value of benchmarking programs as ethics and compliance teams seek to recession-proof their programs, make them budgetarily defensible, and to provide quantitative analysis to executive leadership teams and Boards that shows how their program aligns to leading practices. The whitepaper is available for download at Ethisphere.com/Resources

Ethisphere will also be releasing an infographic featuring related annual planning data of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® and other organizations. This data, and additional resources, including Ethicast

interviews and the Fall edition of Ethisphere Magazine, will become available at the end of October.

About Ethisphere

Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust, and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also helps to advance business performance through data-driven assessments, benchmarking, and guidance. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com

Ethisphere Announces Partnership with Alpine Investors to Grow Data-Centered Approach to ESG Governance

PHOENIX & SAN FRANCISCO – October 6, 2022 – Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, today announced its strategic partnership with Alpine Investors (“Alpine”), a people-driven private equity firm, and Alpine’s newly formed data software business platform, predictis. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Ethisphere has been the leader in helping companies strengthen their integrity practices through data, tools and expertise, all enriched by a trusted global community, to take the polysemic concept of “integrity” and give it structure. Data-centered decisions are expected by multiple stakeholders, such as board members, investors, communities and regulators, all of whom consider compliance, ethics and governance essential to the business mission. The partnership with Alpine will empower Ethisphere to build upon its long history of helping companies strengthen their ethics, governance and integrity practices and partnering with companies around the globe on their journey to better.

Effective with this partnership, Erica Salmon Byrne is now the CEO of Ethisphere and Andrew Neblett is now President of Ethisphere. These seasoned leaders take over from their immediate past Ethisphere roles as President and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Udit Pillay, a member of Alpine’s talent program, joins Ethisphere as its Chief Operating Officer and Head of Transformation.

The company is also delighted to announce that Tim Erblich, Ethisphere’s long time CEO will become a Senior Advisor with a special focus on advocating pan-industry standards that advance the work companies do around the world to positively impact society. Further, Tim will continue to work closely with boards and senior executives of leading companies to further the thesis that doing good is good business. Tim currently sits on the Board of Ethisphere.

“Alpine is the ideal partner. Alpine’s B-Corp certification and its PeopleFirst philosophy combined with its dedication to being a force for good through its DEI and ESG initiatives, directly align with Ethisphere’s mission to define and advance ethical business practices,” said Tim. “ESG will only grow in importance and impact. Together with Alpine, we expect Ethisphere and the broader business community to continue to learn, collaborate and make a difference together.”

Erica said, “The remit of the community we serve has expanded to encompass traits that rise above traditional control functions. With ethics and compliance positions at a premium, they are now focused on an integrity-enabled business strategy grounded in rigorous measurement, persuasive communication, matrixed risk assessments and cultural impact. Since the beginning, Alpine has made clear its commitment to help spread the mission of Ethisphere by listening to, investing in and empowering our team. Its track record in growing data businesses will provide our team with the right resources, knowledge and expertise to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers as we extend our impact across the industry.”

“We are excited to partner with Ethisphere,” said Jean-Marc Levy, CEO of predictis. “We are committed to unleashing the transformational power of data and furthering Ethisphere’s mission of solving the biggest social and governance challenges businesses face today by helping workplaces across the globe for the better. We will support Ethisphere by promoting proper business ethics and practices, investing in Ethisphere’s employees and supporting its growing global customer base across innovative platforms.”

Evercore served as financial advisor to Ethisphere.

 

About Ethisphere 

Ethisphere® is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character and measure “S&G” risk within ESG frameworks. Ethisphere’s foundational BELA (Business Ethics Leadership Alliance) network comprises 390+ industry leaders that collaborate to define what “good” is (i.e., ethics, compliance and governance best practices). Its recognition program, “World’s Most Ethical Companies®”, also measures and showcases the superior achievements of organizations that are committed to doing business with ethics and integrity. Ethisphere currently serves 500+ active customers across all industries, with a heavy focus on large multinationals. More information about Ethisphere can be found at www.ethisphere.com.

 

About Predictis

predictis is Alpine Investors’ newly formed data software business platform. It is the home for data founders and entrepreneurs who seek to scale their businesses as they set out to democratize data and unlock its transformative power. predictis is founded on the thesis that aggregating vertical software-enabled data businesses will unlock significant value for acquired businesses and generate above-average investment returns, and it seeks to acquire, operate, and grow leading data software businesses across multiple industry verticals. Founders and data companies interested in learning more about partnering with predictis should contact James Reaney or Pat Eble at [email protected] or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.predictisdata.com.

 

About Alpine Investors

Alpine Investors is a people-driven private equity firm that is committed to building enduring companies by working with, learning from, and developing exceptional people. Alpine specializes in investments in companies in the software and services industries. Its PeopleFirst strategy includes a talent program which allows Alpine to bring leadership to situations where additional or new management is needed post-transaction. Alpine is currently investing out of its over $2.25 billion eighth fund. For more information, visit www.alpineinvestors.com.

 

Contacts:

 

Ethisphere

Anne Walker

[email protected]

 

Predictis

Jean-Marc Levy

CEO

[email protected]

 

Alpine

Audrey Harris

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

One Mind at Work, Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab

One Mind at Work, Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab, and Ethisphere announce the Mental Health at Work Index™, the first of its kind comprehensive strategy to not only measure but also improve and innovate workplace mental health.

 

The partners formed a Founding Corporate Council to support the development and global adoption of the Index. Led by AXA as the Founding Principal Partner, the Council consists of the following additional organizations: Aon, Bank of America, Business Group on Health, HCA Healthcare, Jardine Matheson, MINDSET Care Limited (Singapore), MINDSET Limited (Hong Kong), LifeWorks, Prudential, and URAC. Informed by science and guided by real-world experience, The Mental Health at Work Index™ takes the guesswork out of mental health at work. With The Mental Health at Work Index™, organizations around the world can measure, improve, and innovate their workplace mental health efforts.

October 4, 2022, Rutherford, CA – One Mind at Work, a leading mental health non-profit, Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab, and corporate ethical standards measurement company Ethisphere, have formed a partnership to develop the Mental Health at Work Index™. The Index includes a standardized assessment of organizational programs and practices that support workforce mental health and an advice library that provides recommendations and resources to guide data-driven strategic improvement and innovations.

Accelerated by the COVID pandemic, around the world, the case for attending to mental health at work has never been greater. Research from the World Health Organization shows that 15 percent of working adults are affected by a mental health condition. The majority of workers expect their employers to support their mental health, and nearly all believe that employers could take actions that would make a real difference.

Recognizing the importance of providing a standardized tool to help organizations of all sizes and industries globally invest in sustainable and best-practice workplace mental health programs, a Founding Corporate Council of nine organizations have come together to help drive the development and adoption of the Mental Health at Work Index™. These founding members contribute their expertise and perspectives to ensure the practical value of the Index.

The founding members include:

  • AXA, Asia & Africa, Founding Principal Partner
  • Aon
  • Bank of America
  • Business Group on Health
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Jardine Matheson, MINDSET Care Limited (Singapore) and MINDSET Limited (Hong Kong)
  • LifeWorks
  • Prudential
  • URAC

The Mental Health at Work Index™ will launch in early 2023 after the current beta testing phase is complete.

By completing The Mental Health at Work Index™, organizations can benchmark their programs and services, and use the personalized reports generated to help develop high-quality services and offerings that will translate into real impact.

Aligned with global guidance and standards, including International Organization for Standardization, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the recently released World Health Organization guidelines, the Index guides leaders through an algorithm-driven library of resources and practical recommendations. These resources and evidence-based recommendations will provide business leaders with real data to inform strategic decision making about what has impact when it comes to mental health programs.

The Mental Health at Work Index “Three Ps Framework” assesses workforce mental health programs across the continuum of Protection, Promotion and Provision of care. The assessment dives deep into 10 organizational categories: mental health strategy, leadership, workforce engagement, communication, organizational culture, mental health training, work environment, mental health benefits, employment practices and monitoring and reporting.

Christina McCarthy, Executive Director of One Mind at Work, said, “The pandemic has highlighted the need for companies to invest in sustainable mental health strategies to support their employees.

While approaches vary across different companies, the evidenced-based and technology-enabled

Mental Health at Work Index sets a common standard, with best practice guidelines on the evaluation of workplace mental health initiatives that are vital in ensuring their success. It also helps equip companies with easy-to-access resources and practical recommendations to support mental health in the workplace in impactful, measurable ways.”

Dr. Kathleen M. Pike, Director of the Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab said, “The data don’t lie. Mental health is impacting the workforce at every company and ignoring it is not an option. The Mental Health at Work Index is designed to empower leaders who recognize the needs of their workforce and are ready to step up on this critical issue. By partnering with One Mind and Ethisphere, we are tapping into a reservoir of expertise, creating evidence-based solutions to help leaders drive data-informed strategies that translate into better health and greater productivity for workers, while also shoring up recruitment and retention of talent.”

Craig Moss, EVP-Measurement of Ethisphere, said, “It is exciting to partner with Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab and One Mind to bring our expertise in developing maturity assessments to the critical topic of mental health practices. Ultimately, companies need to create a culture that supports the mental health of their workforce. The Mental Health at Work Index will define what good looks like, create a maturity ladder and provide resources to make the improvement journey faster and more efficient. Under the leadership of AXA, the Founding Corporate Council has been a tremendous resource in helping us understand current practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.”

Gordon Watson, CEO of AXA Asia and Africa said, “We are proud to be the founding principal partner of this pioneering Mental Health at Work Index, taking a leading role in collaborating with One Mind, Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab, and Ethisphere. While companies are increasingly stepping up with expanded benefits to support the mental well-being of their people, more is needed when it comes to benchmarking progress made. The Index will address this critical gap by establishing a guided path for companies to achieve measurable progress in line with global standards. This is essential as companies continue to invest in and refine their mental health initiatives and ultimately deliver better mental health outcomes for employees.”

For more on the Mental Health at Work Index, visit mentalhealthindex.org, or email [email protected].

About One Mind and One Mind at Work

One Mind is a leading mental health non-profit that heals lives through science and advocacy. Around our collective vision of “Accelerating Brain Health for All”, One Mind is advancing a three-pronged program strategy of accelerating discoveries, scaling implementation, and transforming societal culture. Together, we are creating a world where all individuals facing brain health challenges can build healthy, productive lives. www.onemind.org

As an arm of One Mind, One Mind at Work is a global coalition of organizations committed to the development and implementation of a gold standard for workplace mental health and well-being. With most of the world’s population spending one-third of their adult lives at work, employers have a tremendous opportunity to improve quality of life for all people and play a critical role in driving mental health solutions. Leaving mental health needs unaddressed has costly results like higher absenteeism, increased liability, and lost productivity. One Mind at Work believes that a committed group of CEOs can transform the way we view and approach mental health, brain fitness, and well-being in the workplace. Today, there are nearly 150 One Mind at Work member organizations.

About The Columbia University Mental Health + Work Design Lab

The Mental Health + Work Design Lab, led by Dr. Kathleen M. Pike, provides thought leadership, content expertise, scientific research, and strategic guidance on advancing mental health at work. The Mental Health + Work Design Lab has a long history of collaborating closely with a wide range of organizations – both non-profit and for-profit, around the world – to address mental health at work. As part of the Columbia-World Health Organization Center for Global Mental Health, Dr. Pike and colleagues contributed scientific analysis and reporting to the forthcoming WHO Guidelines for Mental Health at Work. Providing targeted research reports, analytic models, survey instruments, and training programs, The Mental Health + Work Design Lab is committed to translating science into practice to improve mental health at work. The Mental Health + Work Design Lab streamlines the process of working with Columbia’s world-renowned researchers to bring scientific rigor to the pursuit of workforce mental health solutions.

About Ethisphere

Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust, and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also helps to advance business performance through data-driven assessments, benchmarking, and guidance. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

Media Contacts: DKC News, [email protected]