Archives

2021

  • The Center Congratulates Emma Weber on Graduating with her MAS Degree from Gies!

    Emma Weber, a long time Center student employee, just completed her fifth year master’s degree in Accountancy (MAS) at the Gies College of Business. Emma spent nearly four years working alongside Executive Director Gretchen Winter in managing the Center's initiatives.

    In addition to her work at the Center, Emma partook in Alpha Phi Omega – Alpha Alpha, volunteered as a Peer Advisor for Gies, and was a member of the Business Honors Program. Emma also served as a TA for Accounting 201 and a Business 101 Section Leader and Course Manager for two years.

    As Emma pursues a career in accounting, she shared a few highlights from her time working at the Center:

    What will you be doing now that you have graduated from Illinois?

    I look forward to working as as an Audit Associate at RSM US LLP in Madison, WI

    What were some of your favorite accomplishments at the Center?

    Working on the Business Ethics Pioneers Project and hearing about everyone’s different journey into the field and its formation.

    Assisting in running of the annual Professional Responsibility Strategy Case Competition hosted by the Center and BP.

    What does the Center and its guiding mission mean to you?

    Its mission is so important for business students to understand, and I am glad we have the vessel of Business 101 to help start introducing students to it.

    Business 101 is a great course that not only introduces students to Gies and business in general, but professional responsibility in business. By using case studies, students are able to understand in the course how things can go wrong without professional responsibility or right with professional responsibility. They are also able to explore what professional responsibility is in a broad sense, but more specifically how they can use it in their own career.

    What advice and wisdom do you have for future students and leaders?

    Be open-minded as to what your plans/goals are, as they are likely to change, and that’s ok. – Be willing to try new things or things you didn’t think you would enjoy.

    Enjoy the journey at Gies and explore all it has to offer!

    Alex Kogen, Center student employee, reflects on his time working with Emma:

    Where do I even start? Emma is the one who first introduced me to Professor Winter and the opportunity of working at the Center. So, everything since then I have Emma to thank! During these past few years, we have worked together on a variety of projects and collaborated closely in Business 101 too, playing a significant role in transforming the class. It is hard to imagine successful outcomes in either of these positions without Emma.

    With great knowledge and passion, and expectations for nothing short of perfection, Emma continues to raise the bar, serving as the ultimate source of inspiration. Needless to say, Emma means a great deal to the Center and anyone who has ever worked alongside Emma will share a similar account. Emma will be greatly missed at the Center and all her interactions throughout Gies and Illinois. Emma, best of luck in all future endeavors!

  • Nicola Sharpe, professor in the Illinois College of Law and Center fellow, selected for Durbin and Duckworth screening committee

    Professor Sharpe teaches business law courses, including Business Associations, Antitrust, and Compliance, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility. As detailed in this press release, Sharpe has conducted research in areas of corporate governance, ethics, compliance, and professional responsibility. This statement further mentions her role as Director of the Chicago Business Law Program and as a Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society fellow. Congratulations to Professor Sharpe on receiving this impressive distinction!

    In addition to this recognition, “Professor Nicola Sharpe has been honored with the 2021 Illinois Student Government Teaching Excellence Award. The awards are an opportunity for students to recognize and thank excellent instructors at the University of Illinois for their hard work and commitment to the University's mission.” Additional details may be found here»

    Recently, Sharpe also co-authored a piece on Corporate Transitional Justice in Jurista. The complete version of the piece may be accessed here»

    Interested in learning more about Professor Sharpe? More information on Sharpe’s background and current research is available under the Faculty Fellows & Advisors section.

  • Ying Li, PhD Student in Business Administration, Receives Best Student Paper Award at the Academy of Management

    Thanks in part to the Center’s ongoing research and grant funding initiatives for students and faculty at Illinois, Ying Li, a prior recipient funded by the Center, has been selected for the Best Student Paper Award at the Academy of Management. Li’s article is titled: The show must go on: The role of organizational values in art houses’ identity-violating transformation during COVID-19. Congratulations on this impressive accomplishment Ying Li!

    Interested in learning more? Additional information on Ying Li and her recent work is available under Research Support»

2020

  • Harry Kraemer Delivers the 2020 Leighton Lecture on Ethics and Leadership

    Background:

    Professor Kraemer currently serves as an executive partner for Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Kraemer is also a current professor of management and strategy at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in Evanston, Illinois. Prior to his current roles, Kraemer was the former chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International, a $12 billion global healthcare company. During his 20 plus years at Baxter, Kraemer worked in both domestic and international operations, assuming the position of CEO in 1999.

    Awards and Recognition:

    In addition to his highly distinguished career in both academia and business, Kraemer has received numerous accolades in recent years. Shortly after arriving at Kellogg, he was awarded "Best Professor of the Year" in 2008 and was a finalist in 2014 as well. More recently, Kraemer was named one of Poets and Quants "Favorite MBA Professors of 2017" for his ability to "bridge the researcher - practitioner divide." Kraemer is also the author of two bestselling books on leadership: From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership as well as Becoming The Best: Build a World-Class Organization Through Values-Based Leadership. See here for images of these books, along with links to respective descriptions.

    Learn more about Harry Kraemer!

    Interested in learning even more?

    Harry Kraemer on Leadership

    Northwestern Kellogg – Harry M. Kraemer

    Full Bio of Harry Kraemer

  • Former Section Leader finds inspiration from her time in Business 101 to serve the community while fighting the Coronavirus pandemic

    The Gies College of Business recently featured a story on Rachel Jacoby, a 2018 Gies graduate who has co-founded Feed the Front Line Chicago. The organization provides healthcare workers with meals from local, family-owned restaurants. Feed the Front Line Chicago is providing assistance for those most in need during a time of crisis and uncertainty.

    Jacoby attributes much of the organization’s inspiration to her experiences in Business 101 and at Gies: “My business ethics class at Gies taught me about the importance of a people-centered approach and radical transparency… We want to direct resources to those who are not receiving support... these people are putting their lives on the line for us every day but don’t receive the same recognition. Feed the Front Line Chicago is trying to change that” (Gies College of Business, 2020).

    In a conversation with the Center’s Executive Director, Gretchen Winter, Jacoby further attests to the impact of business and professional responsibility: “Business 101 was a really influential part of my college career and has shaped the decisions I make, whether big or small, ever since. It has been an honor to find a way to give back to my community during these uncertain times. Please know that the lessons and values I learned in Business 101, which I now took nearly six years ago, have become a part of who I am today.” (Rachel Jacoby, 2020).

    To learn more about Rachel Jacoby and her mission, please visit the following link: Learn More>>

    To donate to the Chicago chapter of Feed the Front Line, please visit the following link: DONATE HERE>>

  • Billy Tabrizi recognized with Harvard Business School Dean’s Award for “Service to the School and Society”

    Congratulations to Billy on this HBS recognition, which does not come as a surprise to those of us who knew and worked with him! Tabrizi, a former Business 101 Course Manager and Section Leader and 2020 Harvard Business School (HBS) MBA graduate, attended the University of Illinois Gies College of Business from 2009 to 2013 and majored in accountancy and minored in information technology.

    Add to this the thoughtfully presented documentation, featuring code highlighting, snippets, class customizer explanation and youve got yourself one powerful value package.

  • About Billy Tabrizi:

    During his time at Illinois, Tabrizi served as a Business 101 Section Leader for three years earning “outstanding” teaching ratings each semester. Tabrizi also served as the Business 101 Course Manager and played a key role in supporting faculty and staff in both course design and operations.

    At Illinois, Tabrizi received Bronze Tablet and Highest Honors for his sustained academic excellence. He also was recognized in the Senior 100 Honorary, the Dean’s Scroll, and was selected as the University of Illinois Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

  • In reflecting upon his time at Illinois, Tabrizi stated:

    “My time in Business 101 and working with the Center shaped my four years on campus. The course is incredibly important -- I still find myself having "aha" moments, ten years after I took B101, where the lessons of professional responsibility come through in my work and life. Applying to serve as a section leader, both for the opportunity to lead your peers and yourself committing to this content, was one of the best decisions I made during my time at Gies.”

  • He also commented on the concept of professional responsibility at Gies and Harvard:

    “B101 is almost an introductory, mini-MBA in a course. None of this content is one and done; instead, professional responsibility is like a booster shot -- we need it often! I hope these themes of professional responsibility become even more pervasive at Gies, throughout all courses. At HBS we say, "make a difference in the world" -- and at Gies, we say "business on purpose" which to me is all about professional responsibility!"

  • A fellow Harvard graduate shares the following on Tabrizi:

    '"Billy has been committed to HBS from the moment he stepped on campus… He was the person that took the lead on anything that would make our section stronger... More than anything else, I admire that he truly believes that he can leave HBS a better place and community than he found it, and his optimism in that regard is infectious; I don't know a single person that thinks Billy isn't working to make this place better.'" (Harvard Business School Press Release; May 27, 2020).

  • Tabrizi shares a few words of his own:

    '"I love community and am incredibly energized by interactions with others and the buzz of a group… I saw a few opportunities to make a difference and strengthen the great culture we have, to build in some new traditions. I tried to invest my time in efforts that would bring people together and make our campus feel like one…'" (Harvard Business School Press Release; May 27, 2020).

  • Additional Information:

    Tabrizi’s work continues to leave a lasting impact on the Center, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois, and HBS. In the near future, he will return to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) in Chicago to work in consulting. For more information on Tabrizi’s recognitions at Harvard, please visit the following LINK»

    Citation: Harvard Business School, “Nine Harvard Business School Students Win Dean’s Award for Service to the School and Society” Press Release, May 27, 2020. https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/deans-award-2020.aspx

  • Four Former Business 101 Section Leaders Receive Class of 2020 Dean’s Scroll Designation

    Each year, the Gies College of Business recognizes ten graduating seniors who have displayed dedicated leadership and leave a lasting impact on the college and community. Among the ten students recognized for the class of 2020, four of them (Agastya Brahmamdam, Drew Danko, Kayla Santucci, and Sarah Jaeger) served as past Section Leaders for Business 101. Throughout their time in the classroom they inspired others as passionate leaders and mentors, conveying the importance of ethics and professional responsibility throughout college and beyond. Further, they have encouraged many to follow in their footsteps and continue serving the Gies community. See below for personal statements from each individual:

    Agastya Brahmamdam (Finance and Accountancy) –

    "I loved being a part of the Business 101 team, an experience I will cherish forever. My Friday mornings will never be the same!"

    Drew Danko (Finance and Hoeft Technology & Management Minor) –

    "I am so thankful for all of the experiences I’ve had and the relationships I’ve built through Business 101. Business 101 will certainly be one of my brightest memories looking back on my college experience in the future! Being a section leader provides an incredible opportunity to teach and mentor younger Gies students and certainly should not be taken for granted. If you are a younger section leader, always remember the lasting impact you can leave on your students for years to come and throughout their professional careers!"

    Kayla Santucci (Accountancy) –

    "Serving as a Business 101 section leader was certainly one of my most valuable and rewarding experiences of college. Being a section leader is a unique privilege and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to give back to Gies in this way!"

    Sarah Jaeger (International Management and Economics) –

    "I am most proud of teaching transfer students in an introductory course titled Business 101: Professional Responsibility. It has been great to see the successes my former students have achieved during their undergraduate careers. I am also proud of my affiliation with the course because the content centers around ethical decision making; a concept that I personally feel is immensely important when transacting in business." (Poets & Quants, 2020).

    For additional information on the Gies College of Business Deans Scroll Award, please visit the following link: Learn More>>

    In addition to Dean's Scroll designation, Drew Danko and Kayla Santucci were also awarded Honorary Senior 100. The full Senior 100 list can be accessed HERE>>

  • Sarah Jaeger, former Center Student Intern and Business 101 Section Leader, receives Poets and Quants Best and Brightest 2020 Designation

    Sarah Jaeger, currently completing her senior year as a Gies College of Business and Liberal Arts & Sciences student, has served as a leader and an inspiration to many throughout her time at Illinois. In recognition of her many accomplishments and contributions to the Center and university, Poets and Quants highlighted Jaeger among 99 other outstanding senior business undergraduates in the top 50 business schools across the country.

    In an article recently published by Poets and Quants and featured on the Gies College of Business homepage, Center Executive Director Gretchen Winter provides her own description of Jaeger and her unique attributes which have left a lasting impact on campus: “Sarah is a passionate, focused planner who dreams big and executes well and with integrity…. Sarah pursued her interest in professional responsibility and business ethics by applying for and then becoming a Business 101 Section Leader. In that role, I watched her lead insightful and engaging discussions, sharing various aspects of professional responsibility in business… It’s been a pleasure to know Sarah as a student, and I look forward to staying connected with her as her life and career continue!” (Poets & Quants, 2020).

    At another point in the article, Jaeger describes Winter as a main source of influence and inspiration throughout her time in college. As Jaeger put it, “she represents a stellar example of what it means to be an ethical leader; her mentorship along the way has been instrumental in becoming the person I am today.” (Poets & Quants, 2020).

    For additional information on Sarah Jaeger and her impact at the Center as well as the Gies College of Business, please visit the following link: Learn More »

  • Emily Yates, former Business 101 Section Leader, Receives Class of 2020 Bronze Tablet and Senior 100 Designation

    Since 1925, the University of Illinois has maintained a tradition of inscribing the names of the top 3% of each college's graduating class based upon academic achievement. Each year, a new "Bronze Tablet" is hung along the walls of the Main Library showcasing these individuals. Bronze Tablet recipients demonstrate continued academic excellence and achievement throughout their time at Illinois. This is the highest academic honor awarded at the University of Illinois and Gies College of Business. Former Business 101 Section Leader Emily Yates, a 2020 graduate with a degree in finance, is among this year's top students to receive this prestigious honor. Like Drew Danko and Kayla Santucci, Yates was recognized as a Senior 100 recipient at the University of Illinois. Below, Yates describes her experience as a Business 101 Section Leader:

    Emily Yates (Finance) –

    "Working as a Business 101 section leader for two years defined my collegiate experience most significantly with regard to both professional and personal development. It provided a great opportunity to give back to the College of Business in an incomparable way. I developed meaningful relationships with my students and fellow section leaders while enhancing my abilities to lead, communicate, and mentor. These valuable skills and wonderful memories will stay with me and support my future endeavors."

    The full Senior 100 list can be accessed HERE>>

  • Engineering Solutions for the Next Pandemic: Exploring Ethics Concerns

    Earlier this year, the National Academy of Engineering Online Ethics Center (OEC) hosted several panel discussions on “Engineering Solutions for the Next Pandemic: Exploring Ethics Concerns.” These panels highlight many of the current issues surrounding the pandemic as well as how we might prepare for future pandemics, through new engineering solutions developed with the insight and knowledge gained during this current crisis. Additional information on each of these panels as well as links to respective recordings is available below:

    Panel 1: Standards and ethics for R&D, infrastructure, and systems during a crisis

    A recording of the initial webinar which aired on June 19th is accessible here: VIEW RECORDING HERE>>

    Panelists include: Jonathan Beever, Angela Bielefeldt , Steve Ceccio, and Carolyn Compton

    Visit this LINK to learn more about the panelists and the discussion from June 19th, 2020

    Panel 2: Ethics of challenge studies, avalanche testing and other approaches to vaccine development

    A recording of the initial webinar which aired on June 24th is accessible here: VIEW RECORDING HERE >>

    Panelists include: David Allison , Stephanie Bird,  Arthur Caplan,  Ezequiel Garfinkel, and Peter Schwartz

    Visit this LINK to learn more about the panelists and the discussion from June 24th, 2020

    Panel 3: Social (in)justice, disparities in COVID-19 health care delivery

    A recording of the initial webinar which aired on June 26th is accessible here: VIEW RECORDING HERE >>

    Panelists include: Paloma Beamer, Karletta Chief,  Cato T. Laurencin , Lisa M. Lee,  and Dr. Monica Peek

    Visit this LINK to learn more about the panelists and the discussion from June 26th, 2020

  • 2020 APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl® Virtual Summer Workshop

    Each year, the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) hosts an intercollegiate ethics bowl in which teams across the country compete in addressing a variety of practical and professional ethics issues. In the Spring of 2020, over 150 college teams from around the US competed.

    In preparation for the 2021 Ethics Bowl, APPE hosted summer workshops in late July. The workshops highlighted team formation, coaching strategies rules, and judging as well as any changes to the Ethics Bowl given the new, virtual format.

    To learn more about this past webinar as well as any upcoming opportunities, please visit the following LINK »

  • Professor Patricia Werhane, Center Fellow, Presents "Ethics in Global Commerce during Coronavirus" Webinar

    On April 22, 2020 the Gies College of Business featured a webinar with Patricia Werhane who offered information regarding global ethical dilemmas faced during COVID-19 and how to effectively navigate these challenges. The event was moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Luckman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Gies College of Business and leader of Illinois' National Center for Professional & Research Ethics.

    In a statement, the Professor Werhane reported that, "the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease has created opportunities and challenges locally and globally as we quarantine ourselves locally while still dependent on global imports and supply chains for goods and services. These contrasting views lead to serious ethical issues for those engaged in global commerce." This dichotomy served as the main point of discussion throughout the webinar. (Patricia Werhane).

    The webinar served three purposes:

    1.   Define the various ethical dilemmas impacting global commerce due to Coronavirus.

    2.   Examine, as Werhane puts it, “local identify versus the interconnectivity and dependence on global commerce."

    3.   Offer a decision-making process for navigating difficult quandaries such as those posed by Coronavirus.

    To learn more about Patricia Werhane and watch her discussion on ethical related issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the following link to view a recording of the original webinar: Learn More>>

    To access the slides utilized in the webinar presentation, please visit the following link: Download the PowerPoint>>

  • Illinois Law Student Brian Nasala Attends Ethics & Compliance Initiative Event and is Named a 2020 Northrup Grumman Scholar

    Brian Nasala, current student in the College of Law at the University of Illinois, was selected as a recipient of the 2020 ECI Ethics Academy Scholarship funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation. Each year, the ECI Ethics Academy highlights the ethics and compliance (E&C) field and further seeks to educate students through the support of academics, researchers, and other practitioners involved in E&C. Graduate business and law students in addition to researchers and academics may apply for scholarships to attend the annual event. This year’s conference was scheduled for April 20–23, but due to the Coronavirus, was held virtually instead.

    To learn more about Nasala, the ECI event, and how to apply for future events and scholarships, please visit the following link: Learn More »

    Below, Nasala offers his thoughts and experiences on this year’s event:

    What did you find to be most impactful during the experience?

    “The highlight of the ECI Ethics Academy Scholarship was attending the ECI IMPACT conference which brings together practitioners and top experts to share about trends and how to improve E&C in organizations. Due to Covid-19, however, the Ethics and Compliance Initiative (ECI) had to adapt its strategy and held a virtual conference. This of course inadvertently limited networking opportunities. Even then, I was able to interact with experts through a chat platform with the system that was being used. The Northrop Grumman Scholarship is worth more than attending a conference – it has given me access to E&C learning and training materials for one whole year.”

    “On the whole, ECI IMPACT 2020 was highly informative… I had a fantastic time while virtually attending the conference.”

    Are there any practitioners or industry professionals in particular you found interesting?

    What information or advice did these practitioners impart?“There are several that I found interesting, especially Yan Tougas. He is the Global E&C Officer at Raytheon Technologies. I was able to connect with him in a separate conversation after the conference and we spoke about the importance of organizations getting the right balance between law and values. We discussed how these can be leveraged to drive highly impactful E&C programs… Other professionals worth mentioning are; Karen Clapsaddle, Director Ethics Core Programs & Services at Lockheed Martin Corp., Andrene Bresnan, Director, Ethics and Business conduct at the Boeing Company and Steve Scarpino, Director Ethics and Compliance at BP.”

    What information or advice did these practitioners impart?

    “In a session on Corporate Culture in Transition, a panel consisting of Andren Bresnan and Jeff Oak, Ph.D. spoke about the dimensions of an ethical culture and how it’s connected to daily E&C work. The richness of their experiences enabled me to identify some cultural management tips like, trust is the soil in which strong culture grows and actions that strengthen culture are sometimes not apparent until after the fact.”

    Moving forward, what are some of the next steps and plans you are considering after attending the event?

    “I have always known that Ethics and Compliance is a field I am very interested in. I will be taking full advantage of the one year subscription to learn as much as possible, grow a network, and possibly find organizations where I can help build and implement great E&C programs.”

    What advice do you have for anyone who might be considering applying for the Northrup Grumman Scholarship and ECI initiative or similar opportunities?

    “It is so worth it! And if one gets it, they should intentionally position themselves to build relationships, learn and engage.”

  • Global Ethics & Integrity Benchmarks – 3rd Edition

    The 2020 edition of the Global Ethics & Integrity Benchmarks (GEIB) is hot off the press! GEIB serves as an assessment tool for organizations to analyze and maintain their commitments to ethics and integrity. GEIB benchmarks are derived from “foundational concerns, through ethics resources and culture, and incorporate specific ethics and reputational risks." Interpersonal misconduct is of particular importance in the latest edition which highlights “gender, diversity and inclusion expectations in the workplace” and further addresses “developmental steps for harassment, discrimination, abuse of power, bullying and shaming.” (QED Consulting) This edition was produced in part by Joan Dubinsky, a Center fellow. Additional information on Ms. Dubinsky is accessible under "People."

    Anyone can download GEIB 3rd edition from the QED website: HERE>>

  • Professor Jeffrey Lowenstein and Ph.D. Jihyeon Kim Publish New Findings on Analogical Encoding and Ethical Decision Making

    Thanks to support from the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, Gies College of Business, and the University of Illinois, Jeffrey Lowenstein and Jihyeon Kim have produced new findings on analogical encoding. The title states that "Analogical Encoding Fosters Ethical Decision Making Because Improved Knowledge of Ethical Principles Increases Moral Awareness" The research seeks to determine how knowledge of an ethical principle(s) might influence moral awareness and ethical decision making. In their abstract, Kim and Lowenstein claim that their "findings provide further reasons to link work on ethics with work on expertise and knowledge transfer as well as indicate new approaches to ethics training." (Kim, Lowenstein, 1). Professor Lowenstein is a current faculty member and fellow of the center Additional information on Professor Lowenstein is accessible under "People." Jiheyon Kim received her Ph.D. in April of 2020 from the Gies College of Business.

    The full article is accessible HERE>>

    Kim, J., Loewenstein, J. Analogical Encoding Fosters Ethical Decision Making Because Improved Knowledge of Ethical Principles Increases Moral   Awareness. J Bus Ethics (2020).

2019

"Are School Debate Competitions Bad for Political Discourse?"

Great article on the relevance of Ethics Bowl by UC-Santa Cruz Philosophy Professor Jonathan Ellis and former ethics bowler Francesca Hovagimian.

Article on Patricia Werhane

Read about how Patricia Werhane helps Gies students to tackle ethical decisions. This article was posted to the Gies Business website.

C.K. Gunsalus Has Article Published in Nature

Professor C.K. Gusalus, Director of the National Center for Professional and Research Ethics, recently had an article published on the cover of Nature, titled “Overdue: a US advisory board for research integrity.” Read the article here.

Former B101 Section Leader Article on Ethics and Sports

Former B101 Section Leader, Tom Homa, recently posted an article on LinkedIn, What is Wrong With College Sports?, about ethics and sports. Tom currently works as the Men's Soccer Director of Operations at the University of South Florida. Read the article here.

2018

More information will be available soon!

2017

International Business Ethics Case Competition

Videos from the 2017 IBECC competition:

90 Second Presentation

10 Minute Presentation

Full Presentation

APPE Welcomes New Chair of the Executive Board

Gretchen Winter, Executive Director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, is the new Chair of the Executive Board for the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics.

2016

Gretchen Winter Elected LFA Board President

The Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Gretchen Winter has been elected as the Leadership Fellows Association (LFA) Board President. To read more about Gretchen Winter’s wonderful achievement click here.

Mark Peecher & Jessen Hobson Awarded Glen McLaughlin Prize for Research in Accounting Ethics

Congratulations to Professor and Academic Director, Mark Peecher and Associate Professor Jessen Hobson. Their paper, “Improving Experienced Auditors’ Detection of Deception in CEO Narratives” co-authored by Bill Mayew and Mohan Venkatachalam (Duke University), has been selected as the recipient of the 2016-2017 Glen McLaughlin Prize for Research in Accounting Ethics from the Steed School of Accounting at the University of Oklahoma.

Gretchen Winter Featured on Compliance Beat Podcast

The Center’s Executive Director discusses the importance of ethics and compliance education in law and business schools. She offers advice on beginning a career in of ethics and compliance and provides commentary for future trends in the field. Listen to the podcast here.

2015

More information will be available soon!

2014

Peecher named Academic Director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society

Mark E. Peecher was named academic director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society this summer. He holds the Deloitte Professorship in Accountancy at College of Business, specializing in behavioral auditing and financial accounting research, and has a courtesy appointment with the College of Law.

Deloitte’s Support for the Professional Responsibility Celebrated at University of Illinois

College of Business students, faculty, and staff recently celebrated Deloitte’s multi-year funding and staunch support for the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society. Over the last eight years, Deloitte and the Center have partnered with the College to build an innovative professional responsibility program through curricular and extra-curricular initiatives, support for faculty research, and engagement with business. Read more on the Center’s website about our programs, including the award-winning Auditor Independence Education Materials.

2013

Curriculum Conference encourages ethical culture in business and academia

The Coordinated Science Lab’s National Center for Professional and Research Ethics (NCPRE) and the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society in the College of Business hosted a Curriculum Conference in May to encourage discussion between academic and business professionals about ethics and professional responsibility. read article

“The goal was to share ideas and learn from others who are pursuing the same objective in different ways. We believe that we can learn from one another and reduce the reinvention of the wheel,” said Gretchen Winter, the conference co-convener and executive director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society. Read more about this conference.

C. K. Gunsalus discusses the responsibility of teaching ethics in Inside Higher Ed

People who hire and supervise others in the real world are desperate to hire people — our graduates — who have the “whole package”: substantive knowledge plus “soft” skills (basic responsibility, working well with others, ethics, etc.) that contribute to success in the world of work. You might argue that teaching those skills isn’t our problem because we’re providing educational foundations for professional knowledge. Or that we can hardly be held responsible for failings of families and society, which ought to be the ones instilling work ethic and manners and common sense. read article

C. K. Gunsalus recognized by The Economist as one of the Top 15 Business Professors in the World

Assessing value blends both art and science, the former lending its free form creativity and the latter its precision. It’s scarcity, however, from which a good derives value. The pool of business academics abounds in talent, the most valuable of professors ascending high above expectations of a teacher, a value so conspicuous in Professor Gunsalus’ classroom it’s easy to forget how scarce it truly is. In taking two of Professor Gunsalus’ courses, I’ve been exposed to the delicate care she infuses in each student relationship. I’d never met someone so fiercely embodying the values she espoused—leading classes in Professional Responsibility and Negotiations, the values disseminated through lesson plans are the same that govern her personal decisions, bringing ethics and theory to life via personal stories as few others can, because she lives what she teaches as few others do. Cultivating a style that delivers not just knowledge but a unique personal touch to each student, her teaching shapes every decision I make, a subconscious nod to the quality she delivers. Transforming our College into a community—and establishing Professional Responsibility as its cornerstone in doing so—Professor Gunsalus’ impact extends beyond any classroom. Her passion for student learning proves tangible, flowing through her students’ every work, reinventing the concept of learning for me and so many others as she mounts a one-professor campaign to escalate the standard defining scarcity.

Deloitte and the University of Illinois College of Business Collaborate on Innovative Award-winning Learning Tool

The American Accounting Association (AAA) presented its prestigious Innovation in Auditing and Assurance Education Award to Deloitte and the University of Illinois for the groundbreaking learning program the two developed together – the Auditor Independence Education Materials (AIEM). The award recognized the collaboration of a Deloitte team, headed by Mark Chain, partner in Deloitte LLP’s Independence Consultation Group, and Professor Mark Peecher, Ph.D. of the University of Illinois College of Business. They were supported by Phil Hueber, Audit Senior Manager, Catherine Armfield Mojumdar, Audit Senior Manager, and Gwyn Blanton, Director Ethics and Compliance. read more about this award

What Should You Do? C.K. Gunsalus helps students form responses and habits that build professional responsibility muscle

“The scenario presented above is what’s known in Business 101 at ILLINOIS as a two-minute chal- lenge. It’s a strategy that C. K. Gunsalus, professor emerita of business administration, has devel- oped to “help students form re- sponses and habits that build professional responsibility muscle.” Two-minute challenges are an inte- gral part of the curriculum for this in- troductory class, which is required of every first-year business student. The impact of addressing these ethical challenges early and often, however, reaches far beyond the classroom and has merit in corporate settings as well.” Read the full article in the Spring 2013 issue of Perspectives.

2012

BP leads college exercise in professional responsibility

Working with the University of Illinois Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, BP Integrated Supply and Trading Global Oil-Americas (IST GO-A) sponsored and led 36 undergraduate and graduate students in a strategy competition that addressed the professional responsibility challenge involved with building a downstream fuels business in a developing nation.

In the strategy competition each team presented their analysis and solutions to a distinguished panel of judges from BP, the University of Illinois, legal, and business professions. The team that presented the best articulation of case objectives won the top prize of $2,000 in scholarships. “This is our second year and BP’s partnership with the Center continues to deepen and grow,” said IST GO-A Head of Operations Tim Harms. “This competition further advances the dialogue about the importance of professional responsibility with both current and future business leaders.” “Gretchen Winter, the Executive Director for the Center, and I were thrilled by the level of interest in this competition and the outstanding quality of students who applied. We picked the best of the best and ended up with a mix of students from 11 different countries with a wide range of academic and cultural backgrounds. The diversity of the student teams was fantastic and many of the students mentioned that this level of diversity was one of the unique benefits of this competition.”

Said Zackary Starbird from BP IST Legal: “The student teams that participated in the University of Illinois Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition were outstanding. They committed an enormous amount of time and energy into their presentations. As judges in the final round, we were very impressed by the quality of the presentations of the finalist teams.”

Said Jim Bordignon from BP IST Legal, Ethics and Compliance: “The students who participated in the Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition clearly developed a deeper understanding of the complex ethical and legal challenges facing professionally responsible businesses today. The commitment, enthusiasm, and performance of the students demonstrates the value and the importance of the alliance between BP and the University of Illinois and its Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, an alliance that we will continue to grow.” As part of the competition, the students traveled to BP’s Chicago office and the Whiting refinery. Their itinerary included BP presentations about refining, IST, bribery and corruption, HSSE and community outreach.

Students expressed these sentiments, reflecting the positive experience of all participants:

– “This case competition helped me step out of my comfort zone and develop as a responsible global operator. The main takeaway I learned from this case competition was that you need to stay true to your values in both your personal life and professional career.”

– “I appreciate the contribution of staff of BP and the Center of Professional Responsibility. The Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition is the most well-prepared event I ever participated, especially the trip to Chicago office and Whiting Refinery.”

The winning team included students Akash Moradia, Yanzhong Deng, Xiongwei Zhang and Jessica Weaver. Best Speaker and Best Q&A awards went to students Nicholas Connolly, Lindsay Gross, Jessica Weaver, Nikhitaa Sundaravadivelpandiyan, Arjun Dutta, Yijin Iris Zhang and Akash Moradia.

Gunsalus Discusses Book: The Young Professional’s Survival Guide

Discussion about ethical dilemmas in the workplace with C.K. Gunsalus, Director of the National Center for Professional and Research Ethics, and Professor Emerita in the College of Business at the U of I, and author of The Young Professional’s Survival Guide: From Cab Fares to Moral Snares. listen to interview

Business Student Dylan Hoyer’s Commentary on Professional Responsibility

“Freshmen Business students know all too well about the concept of professional responsibility: What do I owe to myself, my company and the world at large? The final third of the semesterlong course is dedicated to the question of what companies owe society. This question, once the topic of theoretical debate, is becoming reality, not just in the classroom but in greater happenings around the world and here in the states.”

Why Employment Counsel Should Study FCPA Guidance

This article, written by Steven J. Pearlman, partner and head of the Whistleblower and Retaliation practice at Proskauer, and published in Law 360 (November 27, 2012), focuses on the convergence between employment law and HR best practices and FCPA issues and investigations. It highlights the expanding role of HR and methods companies can take – particularly with respect to incentivizing, training and disciplining employees – to minimize the risks of FCPA claims. read more

New book helps young professionals navigate workplace ethics

College of Business professor C.K. Gunsalus’ new book on professional ethics was the subject of this recent article in USA Today. read more

Partners in Business Ethics Conference

The 3rd annual Partners in Business Ethics Conference took place on September 19 & 20, 2012 in Chicago, IL. The conference was hosted by the College of Business at ILLINOIS and its Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, with sponsorship support from the Deloitte Foundation and BP. read more

2012 Leighton Lecture on Ethics and Leadership

This year’s Leighton Lecture featured Keith Darcy, Executive Director of the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association (ECOA) who delivered his talk on “Managing Organizational Integrity in an Age of Texts, Tweets & WikiLeaks.” view slides  watch video

“Professional Responsibility in Action”

A new speaker series co-sponsored by the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society and The Hoeft Technology & Management Program aims to explore real word challenges associated with addressing professional responsibility, ethics, and compliance issues in a corporate environment. Each seminar features one business leader and one ethics/compliance leader from the same company. This team shares the ways they work together to address real situations their companies face. read more

2011

2011 Bounty Hunting: Will New Regulations Create a New Incentive for Whistleblowers?

Earlier this year, the whistleblower provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act went into effect. The legislation authorizes the SEC to provide financial awards to eligible individuals who provide original information that leads to an enforcement action in which more than $1 million in sanctions is ordered. Some call it an award; others call it a bounty. Most everyone calls it a challenge?a challenge for companies, compliance officers, and the SEC. And the next year or two will tell the tale of just who is up to that challenge.

Multidisciplinary Teams Challenged in New Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition

The inaugural 2011 Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition was sponsored by the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, BP, the Center for International Business Education and Research, and the James Scholar Executive Committee. Six teams took on a complex 66-page case that situated them as analysts employed by a fictional international energy company, World Petroleum, Inc. Their challenge was to create a business plan to build a long term, financially successful downstream oil business in Afrinia, a fictional developing African nation. The plan?s objectives also needed to include the team?s vision of professional responsibility within the business, as well as the Afrinian society in which it operates. read article

Nell Minow on Apple, HP, and What Enables Bad Boards

Nell Minow has been called the “CEO killer” and the “queen of good corporate governance.” She is a former president of Institutional Shareholder Services and has literally written the textbook on corporate governance — it’s titled Corporate Governance and is now in its fifth edition. Nell is co-founder of The Corporate Library, which is now part of GovernanceMetrics International, where she serves on the board of directors.

Ethics in Action: Leighton Lecture Hosts Bart Schwartz, Corporate Monitor

“In most cases, it is not a company-wide problem that causes an ethical issue, it is the activity of a few individuals,” explains Bart Schwartz, chairman and CEO of SolutionPoint International, LLC, and recent speaker at the ILLINOIS Leighton Lecture on Ethics and Leadership.

2010

Integrated Reporting by Michael Krzus, Grant Thornton

Integrated reporting is more than the newest “best practice” in corporate reporting which companies can choose to practice or not. Instead, it is a moral obligation of any corporation that truly wants to take an ethical stance towards all of its stakeholders, including investors and civil society. It is only through integrated reporting that a company can understand the relationships between financial and nonfinancial performance, both positive and negative, in order to make the right decisions for creating a sustainable strategy for a sustainable society. And it is through integrated reporting that a company makes a binding commitment to do so, provides evidence on its progress, enables all stakeholders to evaluate and challenge its performance and, through the Internet, facilitates dialogue and engagement with them. Michael Krzus from Grant Thornton presented on campus, and you can learn about the concept of integrated reporting and the current international efforts that are underway to create a common reporting standard that incorporates the measurement of sustainability efforts in the corporate world by downloading the podcast or viewing the speakers session. watch video

One Thing Leads to Another: How Corruption Topples Business

Executive Director Gretchen Winter and faculty fellow Ruth Aguilera are featured in this article from the Spring 2010 edition of Perspectives, the official magazine from the College of Business. read article

Leighton Lecture

This year’s Leighton Lecture featured Andy Milnes, head of supply and trading for BP America who delivered his talk on “Ethical Leadership as a Competitive Advantage.” In his presentation, he spoke from personal experience, detailing a compliance issue at BP and the company’s actions and recovery. watch video

2009

Winter Joins Legislative Internship Hall of Fame

The Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame honored five individuals who have served as legislative interns at the state Capitol. John Day, Claire B. Eberle, Stephen R. Pacey, Lee J. Schwartz and Gretchen A. Winter were inducted during a ceremony on November 16, 2009. Inductees are selected based on their contributions to Illinois and its citizens. The Hall of Fame is also recognition of the important role public service internships play in developing public sector leadership. read article

Emotions an Overlooked Key to Whistle-blowing

Though largely overlooked, tapping into employees’ emotions and personal values can produce powerful triggers for calling out wrongdoing in the workplace, U. of I. researchers say. “If I care deeply about my company, I’m more inclined to defend it and blow the whistle on wrongdoing,” said Ruth V. Aguilera, professor of business. “If my job is just a paycheck, I’m more inclined to just say ‘whatever’ if I see something wrong.” read article

Corporate Compliance Roundtable

On November 6, 2009 the Center co-sponsored a corporate compliance roundtable on global anti-corruption law and corporate practice with the Center on Law and Globalization as a program of the College of Law, the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), and a corporate partner, McDonald’s. The day-long seminar was open to students, faculty, alums, business representatives, and friends of the University, and the discussion was dynamic and thought-provoking. Background on the law and global enforcement efforts was presented by Professor Paul McGreal and Trace International, and corporate policies and practices were presented by McDonald’s, Aon, and Monsanto. Links to each presentation are provided below.

The Legal and Policy Framework of the U.S. FCPA – Paul E. McGreal

Anti-Corruption Compliance: Domestic and International Enforcement – Carolyn Lindsey

Designing and Implementing an Anti-Corruption Compliance Program – Sarah M. DiLorenzo

Anti-Corruption Compliance: Dealing with Regulators When a Company is Under Investigation – Carrie Di Santo

Advisory Board Member Featured in Washington Post

Nell Minow was recently profiled in the Washington Post Magazine where she explained her dual role as corporate watchdog and family movie critic. After the publication of the article Minow also participated in an online chat with readers, a transcript of which is available. read article  view online chat

Governance Expert Addresses Students, Faculty

Nell Minow, an Advisory Board member, spent a few hours in the new Business Instructional Facility on the University of Illinois campus sharing strategic insights on corporate governance. Her visit with the business students and faculty was sponsored by the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society at the College of Business. read article  read Q&A

2009 Leighton Lecture on Ethics and Leadership

Rita Kahle (’78) returned to the University of Illinois as part of the Leighton Lecture Series that was co-sponsored by the College of Business and the Center. Richard (’49) and Grace (’50) Leighton, the generous sponsors of this series, attended Kahle’s lecture and were recognized for their foresight in creating the ethics-based format. read article

“Rewriting the Syllabus”

Professor Ira Solomon talks to Crain’s Chicago Business regarding the impact of the current financial on business education and how the Center will play an important role in shaping future business leaders.

UI delivering experience dealing with ethical dilemmas

The Center was recently featured in a lengthy article in The News-Gazette. It discusses many of the Center’s initiatives, including bringing in noteworthy guest speakers, creating the Business 101 module, and mentoring an award-winning student team in an international business ethics competition. read article

Solomon Awarded 2009 AICPA “Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education”

Ira Solomon, CPA, Ph.D., who heads the Department of Accountancy and holds the R.C. Evans Endowed Chair in Business at the University of Illinois, is the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education award from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Solomon serves on the Center’s Advisory Board.

U. of I Students Capture Award in Ethics Competition

A three-student team from the University of Illinois earned an award at Loyola Marymount University’s 11th annual Intercollegiate Business Ethics Competition. Gretchen Winter, the Center’s Executive Director, was the team’s on-site adviser.

Madoff Whistleblower Speaks at University of Illinois

The Center co-sponsored a lecture by Harry Markopolos, who repeatedly tried to warn the Securities & Exchange Commission about Madoff. Speaking at Loomis Lab on May 4, 2009, Markopolos estimated the size of Madoff’s fraud at $65 billion – many times greater than anyone had imagined it could be. read article

Beyond Compliance-Innovative Educational Materials Depict Auditor Independence as a Value Driver

The Department of Accountancy has partnered with industry leaders at Deloitte and thought leaders at the College of Business’s Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society to produce educational videos and case studies. read article

2008

The High Cost of Doing Business Right

Jeffrey W. Jackson, senior vice president and general counsel for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company spoke of his business experiences while at State Farm and gave his advice to College of Business attendees on Oct. 16, 2008. The lecture, titled “How to Survive in Business,” was the 7th Alan M. Hallene Lecture and was co-sponsored by the Center. read article

New Business Course Seeks to Instill Professional Responsibility

Handshakes and other people skills, ethics training and social awareness are just a few aspects of a back-to-basics business course that will begin this fall in the College of Business, aimed at instilling professional responsibility to guide students through their careers. The Center provided funding to develop the curriculum. read article

Net Impact Hosts William Blackburn

On April 15th, 2008, Net Impact proudly hosted William Blackburn J.D., author of The Sustainability Handbook-The Complete Management Guide to achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The Center facilitated the visit, and Executive Director Gretchen Winter attended the event as well.

Leighton Lecture: Creating a Win-Win for Both Employers and Employees

During her lecture on March 26, 2008, alumna Mary Kay Haben of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company left her audience with a strong message to take with them: leadership and ethics constitute reputation and there is nothing more important than how people perceive your character. read article