『Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need』のカバーアート

Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need

Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need

無料で聴く

ポッドキャストの詳細を見る

このコンテンツについて

 Today on Y Connect, we're joined by a powerhouse leader whose commitment to purpose and community is shaping what corporate social responsibility looks like in Metro Atlanta and beyond, Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, is one of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta's most generous corporate partners, giving not only through financial support but also through the countless volunteer hours employees dedicate to helping others. Carley is known for leading with heart and innovation, always focused on where actual impact happens: in the lives of children and families. Under her guidance, Gas South continues to expand its "Fuel for Good" philosophy, a purpose that's about caring for customers and employees while elevating communities. In addition to her leadership role, Carley serves on the board of the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead and is helping shape the Y's 2026–2028 Strategic Plan as part of our Board Task Force. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How purpose-driven companies like Gas South bring their values to life by empowering employee volunteerism and listening to what matters most to their teams and communities ✅ Why authentic leadership matters in corporate social responsibility—and how asking more profound questions leads to more meaningful nonprofit partnerships that address real needs beyond surface-level solutions ✅ The difference between traditional charity and systemic change, including why companies must invest in living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofits to solve community challenges ✅ Practical strategies for community investment and strategic planning that move corporate giving programs from transactional donations to transformational impact through collaboration and innovation Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Zarinah, Robert, and Allison discussing early educator conferences and leadership development and introducing Carley Stephens of Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation 05:50 Gas South's "fuel for good" philosophy and how purpose-driven corporate social responsibility evolves through employee empowerment and listening to community needs 08:22 How Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation work together to create community impact through member-based engagement and hands-on nonprofit partnerships 11:02 The power of asking more profound questions in corporate giving programs and moving beyond surface-level sponsorships to address challenges 18:46 Car seat safety story: How observing families during COVID food distribution led to immediate community investment and mental health support initiatives 23:12 Employee volunteerism through team grants that empower staff to support causes they care about beyond children's programs 26:53 CEO Kevin Griner's authentic leadership and how Gas South's pricing model reflects corporate social responsibility values in daily business decisions 34:04 Gas South's $1.3 million investment in YMCA programs, including Adaptive Swim, and nonprofit funding for inclusive education initiatives 37:44 Strategic planning insights from the YMCA task force and the importance of pressure-testing ideas for systemic change 43:55 Moving from charity to systemic change: Why companies must address a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce first KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Corporate social responsibility starts at home. Companies must invest in a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofit partnerships to solve community challenges, creating systemic change from within 💎 Employee volunteerism becomes more powerful when workers have autonomy. Gas South provides team grants allowing employees to support causes they're passionate about, from veterans to animals, beyond the company's core focus on children in need 💎 Authentic leadership means showing up and doing the work. CEO Kevin Griner demonstrates purpose-driven values by volunteering alongside employees, pulling weeds with his own tools, and ensuring corporate giving decisions reflect fairness in everyday business practices like pricing ABOUT THE GUEST: Carley Stephens is Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. With over a decade of CSR experience, she's expanded Gas South's philanthropic reach across multiple states, increasing giving by over 300%. Recognized as an Atlanta Business Chronicle 'Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Top Practitioner' and Atlanta 40 Under 40 honoree, she drives impact through connection, collaboration, and mentorship. A Kalamazoo, Michigan native with a philosophy degree from Calvin College, Carley is a ...
まだレビューはありません