Conference Presentation, Panel, Fireside Chat
Leading with Purpose: The Corporate Moral Compass | Global Conference 2026
Milken InstituteDiane Brady, Marvin Ellison, Ryan Gellert, Linda Hubbard, Daniel Lubetzky, Hamdi Ulukaya
- In approximately five years, the perspectives of panelists are predicted to become the primary source of wisdom and the most critical factor in business relevance.
- Companies that fully integrate investment in people, communities, and causes into their core DNA are expected to be the ones who "matter," aligning with the growing public concern for workers, consumers, the environment, and refugees.
- Social missions viewed as an inherent, sustainable part of the business model are anticipated to be unstoppable, whereas initiatives treated merely as temporary trends or standard ESG compliance may not sustain.
- Carhartt expects that continued awareness of its purpose will attract new customers, while the brand remains deeply relevant due to essential workers constituting over a third of the GDP.
- A healthy planet and thriving communities are predicted to depend on a healthy democracy, with an expectation that every company must engage in the election process, which is described as the most bipartisan activity.
- Skilled trades are projected to face a severe replenishment cycle gap, with 40% of the current workforce expected to retire within five years, despite societal undervaluation of these occupations.
- To address the skilled trades shortage, a foundation aims to create 250,000 individuals by investing in vocational schools and community colleges, with an aspiration for other companies to follow this lead.
- Business leadership is expected to become necessary on complex issues like immigration, as society and consumers increasingly look to CEOs to act while government policy fluctuates.
- AI agents are predicted to eventually replace certain current functions, though the goal is to leverage the technology to enhance human value creation, potentially generating jobs that do not yet exist.
- Public companies are expected to find methods to give back, prioritizing employee retention as a more economically viable strategy than managing turnover.
- Problem-solving through business sectors using market forces is preferred when sustainable and scalable, though some infrastructure projects may require a civic model to resolve where business models are absent.
- Individuals are expected to select their own specific areas for philanthropy and business model development.
- The business sector is expected to be preferred for solving problems, though a shift in civic models may be required for certain infrastructure challenges.
- Leadership at Carhartt anticipates a generational transition with the current generation potentially gone by the fifth generation, necessitating the continuous earning of trust from the brand's wearers.
- Cultural shifts regarding wealth are predicted to continue, moving away from hoarding or flaunting resources, which are viewed as dangerous and unattractive values.
- There is a expressed concern regarding the potential of the country to advance humanity and a fear regarding the risks associated with mishandling this potential.
- Long-term success is defined by creating a legacy where future generations view the current one positively.
- Toxic polarization driven by media, political parties, and rigid ideologies is feared to be terrifying and socially destructive, prompting a call for individuals to break these chains and work together.
- Democracy is expected to remain valuable for allowing different opinions and methodologies to solve problems without fear.
- Most problems in the country are predicted to be solved through public-private solutions rather than government-driven initiatives.