Conversations with Leaders
Community organizing and building ally-ship for systems change
Malia Lazu, CEO and founder of The Lazu Group, was the Center’s featured speaker for the Social Impact conversation series last spring. Lazu discussed finding joy and purpose in the roles she has held from community organizer to bank president to university lecturer. She talked about how her founding of MassVOTE began as a college internship—an initiative to encourage urban youth to vote—and also how as a regional bank president for Berkshire Bank she worked to bridge the wealth gap by making capital more accessible to people of color and other marginalized groups. In every role she’s taken on, it has been with the underlying intent to create systemic change; to take on structures that fail to repair past harm. Lazu spoke about the importance of ally-ship to make systemic change possible. She said it is no secret that white males control the way things operate in the world, and thus it is not something that they need to or have to care about changing. However, in recent times there has been an awakening of sorts where this group is becoming more open to talking about making changes, and so it is important for conversations between them and people from marginalized groups to take place. These conversations, she said, will help them to learn different perspectives and very importantly help them to not make missteps (even if well intentioned) as they implement changes. White males, she said, would be great leaders for promoting diversity and inclusion; the greatest result and reward will be from them.
Corporate culture and values transcend geography
Last spring’s Ethics conversation featured Patrick M. Gallagher ’02, CEO, Americas of Gallagher Global Brokerage, and Thomas J. Tropp, Global Chief Ethics Officer, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG). AJG is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm that for 10 years in a row has been named one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere. The speakers began the conversation by advising students that during their job search they should seek organizations whose values align with their own. They said that doing web searches will allow students to learn not only about a company and its values but also about the executive leaders and their activities, and also the board makeup and their backgrounds. They cautioned that companies that do not have a stated value statement might be one you may give pause to. Gallagher and Tropp are particularly proud of their organization’s commitment to values, which has been laid out in the Gallagher Way and provides a framework for their corporate culture. When asked how the organization maintains the Gallagher Way across a global company, Tropp said, “Compliance is difficult to sync globally, but values transcend geography.” Gallagher added that you have to be intentional in making sure that the values are in sync across the organization regardless of the country you’re operating in. Citing an example where gender equality is not the same across the world, they said they would not do business with organizations whose policies do not support gender equality. As leaders of the organization, they believe in and live by the Gallagher Way, and the people who work for the organization or do business with them also have to embrace these values, and are encouraged to move on if they don’t.
Finding purpose and being grateful for second chances
From PULSE to leading an organization that accompanies marginalized people on their journey from healing to thriving to leading, Boston College alum Steve Tumolo ’84 spoke with students at one of the Center’s leadership conversations. Tumolo shared the story of his heart, talking about finally finding purpose at BC during his junior year when he joined PULSE and was placed at an orphanage for his service work. It was during this time and his relationship with the young men there that he decided he wanted to pursue a career that makes a difference in people’s lives. His journey eventually led to his working with the incarcerated in New Mexico with an organization called Comienzos. Tumolo expanded the organization to the East Coast, founding Heart to Heart Comienzos - East, where he currently serves as the executive director. Heart to Heart uses mindfulness, empathy, decision-making, and conflict resolution (MEDC) techniques to help families, organizations, and those who are incarcerated to become peace leaders within their communities. As a leader, Tumolo said that you also have to be a follower. One must follow their spirit, their heart, their inner wisdom, and follow the light inside that is leading them on their journey. He said in his field and role, one has to be prepared to make personal sacrifices; however, one should think of them as sacrifices for something that you love and care about. Tumolo ended his talk by saying that he is grateful for second and third chances, and not only is he leading an organization that provides that to people, but he acknowledges that he would be nowhere without himself having received a second chance at various points in his life.
Create your own destiny by diversifying your experiences
Rupal Patel Poltack ’94, president of Walton Enterprises, LLC, told students to take advantage of all the options that are provided to them at Boston College, even ones that may seem uncomfortable. She advised students that there is value in trying everything; that they should gain experience and knowledge in different topics, classes, and extracurricular activities because the cross-pollination of skill sets gained in these experiences will and can translate in professional life. Poltack said that as employers review resumes, they look for the diversity of experiences of each candidate to see who would bring unique and different perspectives to a role. For example, a lawyer whose resume reads exactly like every other candidate’s resume on technical experience but stands out because they are also an opera singer. Describing her career journey, where she has held roles in areas like finance, consulting, technology, client services, and risk management, Poltack reemphasized the value of diversifying experiences even in professional life, which in turn has helped her in her role as a leader and her ability to effectively manage teams with diverse skill sets. She spoke about her enthusiasm to keep learning new things and being challenged in whatever she does. She said if she starts getting bored, it is a sign that she has to do something different. In her words, she is taking control of her own destiny. She advised students to be intentional about doing that, and not let systems or structures control it for them.