Taproot and BMW Foundation Convene the 2nd Annual Global Pro Bono Summit
The Global Pro Bono Summit brings leaders from different sectors across 15 countries to set goals and expand the impact of pro bono.
February 24, 2014 /3BL Media/ - This week in San Francisco over 200 leaders from 15 countries are coming together to engage in interactive discussions and design sessions that enable the sharing of best practices and spark field changing ideas for the pro bono movement. Participants include leaders in corporate social responsibility, pro bono experts and business professionals in HR, design and IT. This year, for the first time, the four-day conference hosted by the Taproot Foundation in partnership with BMW Foundation will be held simultaneously with the 17th annual BMW Transatlantic Forum.
The pro bono movement has significantly expanded beyond the legal field in the last ten years, with dozens of Fortune 500 companies now offering their employees opportunities to volunteer their professional expertise to nonprofits. Seventy-seven percent of nonprofits believe that skilled volunteers could significantly improve their organization’s business practices, but only 12% have been able to put volunteers to use in that way. Pro bono gives business professionals the opportunity to provide their skilled services to nonprofits, while at the same time improving their professional networks, getting professional development opportunities and giving back to the community.
As the pioneer and architect of the global pro bono movement, Taproot annually convenes professionals from companies, professional services firms and nonprofit providers worldwide. Liz Hamburg, new Taproot Foundation CEO and President, said “We are thrilled to bring together so many leaders who are using pro bono in innovative ways to learn from each other and think about where pro bono should go from here.”
The Summit is a highly participatory conference with group discussion at its core. Speaker highlights include:
- Michael Gough, VP of Experience Design, Adobe who will open Monday night’s reception with a TED-style presentation on pro bono, design and the professional.
- Jonathon Copulsky, National Managing Director of Brand and Eminence, Deloitte
- Meg Garlinghouse, Head of LinkedIn for Good who will join Transatlantic Forum’s Expert Panel, speaking on strategies to strengthen responsible leadership in a globalized world
“The partnership between the BMW Foundation and the Taproot Foundation is a key piece of our strategy in engaging executives in social change,” said Markus Hipp, CEO, BMW Foundation.
The Summit has four separate participant tracks. Sponsorship for the Summit is provided by Hewlett Packard and Adobe. Media are encouraged to contact Taproot for program information and invites.
Media Contact: Emmett Mehan
Emmett@taprootfoundation.org
@taprootfound, #GPBS14
About the Taproot Foundation
Taproot Foundation is a US-based nonprofit organization that is a leader in pro bono service. Through its programs, advisory services support and field-building work, Taproot leads, mobilizes and engages professionals in pro bono service that drives social change. taprootfoundation.org
About the BMW Foundation
The BMW Foundation is an international networking foundation. Through its Global Responsible Leaders Forums, it seeks to inspire leaders to participate in and shape civil society, social entrepreneurship, and politics. www.bmw-stiftung.de/en/
