Good Business, Good Works
By Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO, President and Founder
Expanding and Evolving
When Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) enters new global markets to share our services and innovations, we also expand our ability to build local influence with leaders and communities. Growth presents new business opportunities, as well as the chance to learn, collaborate and evolve socially.
We Get to Work — and Make a Difference
Our commitment to Social Innovation (SI) is one way we bring together the principles of “good business” and “doing good.” The environment is another. With a goal of being carbon neutral by 2011, we look for ways to reduce our impact and our footprint. In addition, we devote 1 percent of our annual gross fee revenue to charitable giving, pro-bono services and community engagement activities.
Solutions Require Innovation
In a continent as large and diverse as Africa, the challenges are great. Like alleviating poverty by giving people in need the tools and means to help themselves; giving women a fair chance for respect and safety in nations where they are second-class citizens; helping children where conflict ruins their chances for good lives; eradicating diseases that can easily be prevented —
especially polio, malaria, TB and AIDS; and getting innovation into the hands of those who need it to promote nutrition, agriculture and clean water. The list goes on.
There Is Always More to Do
Personally, I’ve been able to travel to several African countries, and have focused my work around empowering women through self-employment in Ethiopia and improving middle school education in Ghana. I have seen firsthand how we can impact the future of the world’s children, as well as the power that comes with education, access to healthcare and a safe environment. Through a shared collective vision of businesses, governments, NGOs and society, these challenges can be met. More important, I am optimistic that they will be met if we focus on helping others to truly help themselves. The foundation for solving world problems is the promise and potential that exists in each of us.
Upholding Our Commitments
Collaboration. Curiosity. Respect. Innovation. Passion. Integrity. These are the values that drive Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, and the principles upon which my business partner, Pam Edstrom, and I founded the agency in 1983. Today, it is our honor to share a commitment to upholding these values with our clients, colleagues and the communities of South Africa.
