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Salt and Light
Bob Burke founded Ladder Up in Chicago at 22, initially providing tax assistance to low-income families. The nonprofit has since expanded its services to include banking and college financial aid, helping over 225,000 families with the work of 24,000 volunteers. Alice Griesemer Sheehan aids her community through Community Cooks, providing homemade meals to shelter residents, while Jordan Karcher merges his love of coffee and animal rescue through Grounds & Hounds Coffee Company, donating a portion of sales to no-kill shelters. Luis Javier Lopez recalls his critical role in rescue efforts following a devastating earthquake
Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', emphasizes the urgent need for a global response to climate change and calls for a shift away from consumerism. In light of this, University of Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins announced the university's commitment to end coal burning within five years and reduce its carbon footprint substantially by 2030. The university plans to invest $113 million in renewable energy projects and has already initiated various environmental initiatives aimed at fostering sustainability and addressing climate change.
to know us outside of the classroom, and we love learning about their lives too." Other initiatives, like outdoor study groups and casual coffee chats, further reflect Mendoza's commitment to fostering connections between faculty and students. These interactions not only enrich the educational experience but also support the notion that learning extends beyond lectures and textbooks.
Alumni Community
Perry Dellelce (MBA '87) has been honored with the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding achievements in business and commitment to the Mendoza College of Business. A founding partner of a prominent law firm in Toronto, Dellelce actively promotes Notre Dame's reputation in Canada and contributes to various nonprofit organizations while fostering community connections. His dedication to the university includes mentoring students and supporting initiatives like the Dellelce Irish Hockey Shop and scholarships for MBA candidates.
Mendoza News
Maria Bailey, an EMBA graduate and owner of a successful marketing agency, initially felt skeptical about taking a negotiations class at Notre Dame, especially one taught by the Rev. Eric Zimmer, S.J. However, the course transformed her perspective, revealing the importance of a moral approach to negotiations and the potential for both parties to benefit. Zimmer emphasizes that true negotiation isn't about winning at the other's expense, but rather about creating value together, shifting the focus from competition to collaboration.
Salt and Light
Living a comfortable life is often seen as a goal, but many Mendoza alumni illustrate a different path focused on faith and service. This edition of the Salt & Light series shares inspiring stories of alumni embracing challenges with compassion and courage, honoring the college's mission and ideals. Their experiences demonstrate how the lessons learned at Mendoza can be applied in meaningful ways, showcasing a commitment to making a difference in the world.
Carolyn Woo, President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, participated in the Vatican's launch of Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change, where she represented the business community's perspective. Reflecting on her experience, Woo emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change as both a moral obligation and an opportunity for businesses, while also calling for clearer government regulations. As the closing keynote speaker, she urged participants to consider climate change as a responsibility, an opportunity, and a matter of the heart.
John Fullerton emphasizes the urgent need for innovative funding strategies to support the low-carbon transition, stressing that traditional banking systems lack the capacity to handle the projected $40 trillion investment required. He advocates for addressing corporate short-termism and points out that public sector involvement is crucial, including the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and the introduction of a carbon tax to realign market incentives. With estimates highlighting a staggering $44 trillion needed to decarbonize the energy sector by 2050, Fullerton calls for a shift in perspective to grasp the scale of investment necessary for sustainable infrastructure.
Mark Campanale, Founder and Executive Director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, emphasizes the need for investors to focus on long-term climate risks and opportunities rather than succumbing to short-term performance pressures. He calls for a shift in the financial community's approach to climate action, urging investors to lead the charge in transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, regardless of government action. As he prepares to address attendees at the Climate Investing Conference, Campanale highlights the growing separation between the financial and business communities in the context of climate commitments.
William F. Hederman of the U.S. Department of Energy emphasized the potential for attractive investments in climate-related initiatives during the "Industry and Policy" panel. He highlighted the need for public-private partnerships to address areas where the private sector may not proceed alone due to inadequate returns on investment. While outlining challenges like regulatory uncertainty, Hederman also pointed to numerous promising opportunities in energy conservation and emissions reduction, noting a significant shift in the energy sector towards positive developments over the past decade.