As businesses navigate a shifting cultural and economic landscape, what role should morality play in capitalism? Watch back the candid discussion on the future of corporate responsibility in Australia.
The United States is experiencing a significant cultural shift away from corporate commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social objectives. Could this trend reach Australia, and what lessons can we draw from it? While capitalism remains our economic framework, the business landscape extends far beyond high-profile figures like Musk and Meta—so what should we expect from Australian companies?
Australia has a stronger foundation of social enterprises and government support compared to other countries, giving us unique insight into business ethics. While we should strive to broaden the definition of success to include perspectives from purpose-driven and nonprofit organisations, we may need to demonstrate traditional commercial success first to prove to industry leaders that diversity and inclusion create real value.
What about the role of B Corps; are they part of the solution? The panel discussed where B Corps fall on the spectrum from not doing enough to a neo-capitalist club with exclusive membership. We brought together influential and candid voices from the economic sphere for a conversation with Simon Goodrich about morality in business. Together, we examined what the shifting DEI landscape overseas means for Australia and explore the future role of the impact industry.
Andrew Davies - CEO, B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand (He / Him)
Melinda Cilento - CEO, Committee for Economic Development of Australia (She / Her)
Simon Goodrich - Co-founder, Portable (He / Him)
Andrew Davies
Andrew Davies is the CEO of B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand. B Lab is the nonprofit global network behind B Corp Certification, working to transform the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.
Andrew joined B Lab AANZ as CEO in 2019 after more than twenty years of diverse experience, spanning commercial law practice and executive management roles. Working across varied industries and business types from start-ups to ASX-listed companies, Andrew is passionate about the powerful role that all businesses have to be a force for good.
Melinda Cilento
Melinda Cilento is Chief Executive of CEDA, a company director, economist and experienced senior executive.
She is the Deputy Chair of Australian Unity and Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia. Melinda is also a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council and the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. Melinda was previously a Non-Executive Director with Woodside Petroleum, Commissioner with the Productivity Commission and Deputy CEO and Chief Economist with the Business Council of Australia. Melinda has also previously held senior roles with the Federal Department of Treasury, Invesco and the International Monetary Fund.
Simon Goodrich
Simon, one of Portable's co-founders, has a strong interest in the legal space, working with the majority of Senior Leadership in Legal Aid Bodies around Australia to help make justice more human-centred and accessible to all. He is a fellow of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University, a leading justice innovation body, and Senior Honorary Fellow at Melbourne Law School and Melbourne School of Government at The University of Melbourne.
He has led the co-design process across government and for the company over the past 16 years, including extensive work in the digital sector across roles such as the Australian Ambassador for the New York-based International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, dubbed the Oscars for Online, and past National President of AIMIA, the peak digital body in Australia at the time.
Every year during March, B Lab, Sistema B, and the global B Corp community join together to celebrate everything it means to be a B Corp. Throughout the month we build awareness and educate different audiences on the ways in which the movement is transforming the economic system for the better. This event was one of many being held.
