Events
IBM Leader Shares Insights on Corporate Citizenship
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 28, 2012) - “It’s not only how much money you give away – it’s how you made that money in the first place.” Stan Litow, IBM Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, says his company’s commitment to social responsibility is guided by that belief. Litow discussed how the corporate giant is applying its best technology and talent to critical societal issues during a special presentation today at Wake Tech Community College. He was the keynote speaker at the Center for Strategic Futures, where he outlined some of IBM’s community service projects and plans. “We’re trying to build a smarter planet,” Litow said.
Litow described P-TECH, Pathways in Technology Early College High School, an initiative to strengthen America’s competitive edge by connecting education to jobs. Students start in 9th grade and earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in applied science (AAS) in computer systems technology or electromechanical engineering technology. The curriculum includes workplace experience and mentoring from IBM professionals, and successful graduates are first in line for IBM jobs. “The work world has changed and expectations are higher,” Litow said. “People need a higher level of skills.”
Litow’s presentation included questions from the audience and questions submitted on Twitter. Nearly 500 people attended the presentation on Main Campus, and more than 350 watched it (via web streaming) on five other Wake Tech campuses as well as at other colleges in North Carolina and outside the state.
Litow is the head of the IBM Foundation and former Deputy Chancellor for New York City Schools. He helped devise IBM’s Corporate Service Corps, a corporate version of the Peace Corps. He is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at major conferences in philanthropy and corporate leadership in the U.S. and around the world. He has served on the President’s Welfare to Work Commission, and currently serves on the board of the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Initiative.
The Wake Tech Center for Strategic Futures was established to facilitate the exchange of ideas and spark collaborative action. The goal is to convene local business, government, and educational leaders to address economic trends, to help students better prepare for careers of the future.
