ICCR Inaugurates its Legacy Award for Outstanding Service in Corporate Social Responsibility
Co- recipients are long-term ICCR members Sr. Valerie Heinonen, OSU and Attorney Paul Neuhauser
NEW YORK, NY////September 14///The ICCR governing board announces the introduction of the ICCR Legacy Award to recognize those whose work has provided a strong moral foundation and an enduring record of demonstrated influence on corporate policies. The ICCR Legacy Award will be given to a foundation, non-governmental organization, corporation or individuals whose work has advocated or evinced corporate social responsibility.
The inaugural awards are being given to two ICCR members who have been committed to social justice their entire lives and have been active members since the organization’s founding 40 years ago: Sr. Valerie Heinonen, OSU and Mr. Paul Neuhauser, attorney.
In a 2005 New York Times article, Sr. Valerie Heinonen said, “Part of what we are doing is planting seeds.” Valerie’s own words aptly describe her 35-year commitment to corporate social responsibility. She has “planted seeds” through countless dialogues and resolutions with companies, fearlessly encouraging them to be accountable for the impacts of their businesses. Valerie began her ministry in corporate social responsibility in 1976 where she served as ICCR program staff and, briefly as its interim executive director, for 20 years. During the past 15 years, she has served as a corporate social responsibility consultant for her own congregation, the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, as well as for the Dominican Sisters of Hope and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Speaking of Sr. Valerie in the Washington Post, a corporate representative said, “If she has a disagreement with me, she'll put her velvet elbow in my eye, and she'll still be a friend."
The second Legacy Award recipient is Mr. Paul Neuhauser, one of the organization’s founding members and its resident legal advisor. Mr. Neuhauser has supported ICCR’s work in so many capacities: as a co-founder of the organization; member of the governing board; member representative to the Episcopal Church; legal counsel and, importantly, ICCR’s contact with the SEC. When speaking of the first shareholder proposal he drafted on apartheid at General Motors, Paul says, “We didn’t know it would work, we hoped it would. But there’s also a theological basis to it, too….If I own property, it’s in trust. It’s God’s property.”
Mr. Nauhauser joined the faculty of the University of Iowa, College of Law in 1963 and continues as a Professor Emeritus. Prior thereto he was in private practice with the New York City law firm of Simpson, Thatcher & Barton. A former Associate Dean of the College of Law, he was also Director of the corporate law field. In the words of Broc Romanek, Editor of TheCorporateCounsel.net-- “Paul Neuhauser undisputedly is one of the ‘giants’ of shareholder activism. He has worked tirelessly behind the scenes for many decades, navigating the nuances of a complex set of rules to pursue his mission.”
Both recipients are being honored at ICCR’s special event, Taking Stock: Shaping a New Age in Corporate Responsibility on September 22nd at Bridgewaters at the South Street Seaport.
CONTACT:
Susana McDermott
Director of Communications, ICCR
212-870-2938
smcdermott@iccr.org
About the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR):
Currently celebrating its 40th year, ICCR is the pioneer coalition of active shareholders who view the management of their investments as a catalyst for change. Its 300 member organizations with over $100 billion in AUM have an enduring record of corporate engagement that has demonstrated influence on policies promoting justice and sustainability in the world.
