The Climate Week Edition

It's the end of Climate Week in NYC. After a crush of back-to-back events, I'm sure many of us are taking advantage of a pause to breathe, decompress, and reflect.

Over the years, the Climate Week calendar has expanded so much that it can be difficult to decide how best to prioritize your precious time and attention—what stages to be on, what rooms to be in, who to meet with, and how to take care of yourself in the midst of it all. Trust me when I tell you, even the most seasoned Climate Week troopers struggle with this. We could all use a Climate Week orientation to start us off in setting intentions.

That's why we were so happy to kick off Climate Week with an Open House on my roof on Sunday afternoon, along with our co-hosts Penny Abeywardena from Soft Power Strategies and Lisa Witter from Apolitical Foundation .?

Under sunny skies, we gathered with clients, partners, and friends for a new annual ritual focused on making intentional connections, sharing plans, and setting the tone for the week ahead. Thank you to all who joined. And to those whose invitations were lost in the fray of planning, we will make it right next year.

For other highlights from our team's Climate Week, have a peek at @mcpstrategies ’ stories and highlights on Instagram.

With gratitude,

Susan

ON OUR MINDS

Brought to you this week by Account Executive Leah Holloway, who’s reflecting on how collective action through intentional steps can spark meaningful and lasting change for a better tomorrow.

Climate Week: The Time to Take Action is Now

This Climate Week, the message is clear: the time for real action is now. Over 100,000 leaders, businesses, and activists gathered in New York City to tackle critical climate challenges like energy, environmental justice and finance. Across more than 900 events, concern over greenwashing remains high while many companies make bold promises. True leadership requires measurable and transparent steps beyond words. Climate Group, organizers of Climate Week NYC, outlined seven actionable steps with their Global To-Do List for the next 12 months. Now is the time for businesses to turn commitments into meaningful change.

The Cost of Silence on Abortion Access

Just as climate change demands urgent action, so too does the ongoing crisis of restricted reproductive rights in the U.S. We’ve seen the devastating human cost of abortion bans, recently the deaths of Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller of Georgia. Both women were denied life-saving medical care because of state-imposed abortion bans. These bans remind businesses that reproductive rights are workforce and economic issues. Companies must act by offering comprehensive health benefits and joining public advocacy organizations like McPherson clients Don’t Ban Equality and BSR’s Center for Business and Social Justice, which provide resources and tools for businesses to take action. BSR’s Seven Actions for Business in Post-Roe America offers a roadmap for businesses to lead in supporting reproductive rights.?

Hispanic Heritage Month: Confronting Harmful Narratives

Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off on September 15 against the backdrop of harmful narratives about immigrants that have dominated several media cycles during this election season. But other narratives are pushing back. A recent study found that Latina women contributed over $1 trillion to U.S. GDP . During the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting this week, McPherson client Upwardly Global announced an effort to empower immigrant workers and drive economic growth in collaboration with the Hispanic Federation, while McPherson client Alight made a commitment to fostering positive interactions between immigrants and long-time residents that can help heal social divides. It's time for companies to follow their lead by embracing inclusive hiring practices, promoting mentorship, and ensuring that Hispanic workers' contributions are recognized and celebrated across all sectors.

ON OUR RADAR

Media:

• Fortune’s Change the World List shines a light on the companies stepping up to tackle society’s most pressing challenges, proving that business can be a force for good.?
• In the latest “From Start-Up to Grown-Up ” episode, Susan McPherson shares tips on reigniting connections, leveraging networks, and growing her business through collaboration.

Business:

• Despite growing anti-ESG rhetoric, 45% of Fortune Global 500 companies are quietly leading the charge toward a sustainable future, with 45% setting net-zero goals, according to their latest “Quiet Climate Action ” report.
• Led by World Economic Forum and Salesforce, 24 companies have united under the Rise Ahead Pledge to tackle a $1.1 trillion funding gap in social innovation, aiming to quantify investments by 2025 and leverage AI for lasting impact.
• McPherson Account Director Nicole Loher’s Climate Week NYC panel of women innovators focused on transparency and accountability in climate action was featured in Forbes .

Philanthropy:

• In TIME, Amy Willard Cross, founder of Gender Fair, emphasizes that closing the $1.6 trillion gender wage gap and investing in women-owned businesses could transform markets and reshape politics.
• First Lady Jill Biden announced a $500 million annual investment in women’s health research to address health inequities at the Clinton Global Initiative.
• Disability is not a dirty word. But there are many words, phrases and actions that may be offensive or insensitive to people with disabilities. Easterseals just launched Disability Pride , a new campaign that helps us all navigate conversations about disability with confidence and empathy.

Culture:

• Paola Ramos' new book, Defectors , explores how race, identity, and political trauma have led some U.S. Latinos to align with far-right movements.
• What Happened to Belén by Ana Elena Correa recounts the story of an Argentinian woman imprisoned for a miscarriage, sparking a feminist movement that influenced Argentina's abortion decriminalization.

IN OUR COMMUNITY

HP Digital Equity Accelerator: Pitch Fest

The Digital Equity Accelerator , a program by HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, supports nonprofits working to bridge the divide by providing them with the resources and mentorship to scale their impact. In 2024, HP selected 10 nonprofits from Brazil, Canada, and Poland with innovative solutions for digital inclusion. Since its inception three years ago, the Digital Equity Accelerator has supported 27 nonprofits across nine countries, helping them expand their reach by over 8 million people. This year’s cohort received $100,000 in grants and approximately?$100,000 in HP technology, along with six months of capacity-building support and training from MIT Solve. On October 1, 2024 from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET, HP will host a Pitch Fest—a virtual global forum for these nonprofits to showcase their transformative impact. ?

Connecting with Lisa Sun

Meet Lisa Sun , founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, a company dedicated to catalyzing confidence through size-inclusive apparel and innovative styling solutions. In our latest CONNECTED interview, Lisa shares how mentorship, vulnerability, and intentionality have shaped her leadership style and professional growth. Discover how Lisa, as an AAPI woman, has prioritized inclusivity by ensuring diverse representation and building supportive, empowering circles. Sign up for the CONNECTED newsletter to catch her full interview and more insights from inspiring leaders. ?

Events and Jobs

• Philanthropy Together is hosting a virtual pop-up giving circle in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Give to Women and Girls Day on October 9.?
• On October 11, Amplify Her Foundation and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute are co-hosting the Give to Women and Girls Day flagship event in NYC to celebrate collective giving and its impact on gender equity.?
• The Climate Reality Project’s free Virtual Leadership Training with former Vice President Al Gore from October 17–23 will offer the skills and tools needed to advance clean energy and protect our democracy.?
• BSR’s Center for Business and Social Justice will host the ACCP webcast From Crisis to Action: Social Justice Guide for Business on October 30.?
• KIA Motors (USA) is searching for a Senior Social Impact Manager .
• Hot Bread Kitchen is looking for a talented Director of Impact and Innovation .

How can we help? Reach out here .