Rewirement in a DisruptED World of Corporate Social Responsibility with Kelem Butts, Vice President of CSR Strategy, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has undergone a dramatic shift in the last decade, driven by the need to address inequities in education, workforce development, and social impact giving. Companies that prioritize social responsibility can gain the trust and loyalty of their customers, establishing themselves as impactful contributors to society. As companies reimagine their approach to philanthropic programs, initiatives like AT&T Aspire and Year Up have transformed how organizations create opportunities for underserved communities while aligning with corporate goals. DisruptED explores the evolution of CSR with Kelem Butts, the Vice President of CSR Strategy at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

How are leaders leveraging CSR to drive meaningful change in a disrupted world?

In the first episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski sits down to explore the evolution of CSR with Kelem Butts. The conversation also delves into the integration of upskilling initiatives and future of social impact giving. From his 22-year career at AT&T to his current role at United Way, Kelem shares key insights from the frontlines of corporate philanthropy.

Key Points from the Episode:
– The Evolution of CSR: Kelem discusses how CSR programs like AT&T Aspire transitioned from funding education to directly investing in workforce upskilling, emphasizing alignment with corporate goals.
– The Power of Upskilling: Programs such as Year Up demonstrate how providing technical and soft skills to underserved communities can disrupt traditional pathways into corporate roles.
– Rewiring Career Paths: Kelem shares his personal journey from corporate marketing to becoming a leader in CSR, illustrating the growing importance of purpose-driven work in today’s business landscape.

Kelem Butts is an accomplished Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leader with over two decades of experience at AT&T, where he directed multi-million-dollar initiatives such as AT&T Aspire and Connected Learning to bridge the digital divide and support student success. Currently serving as Vice President of CSR Strategy at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, he leverages his expertise in grant management, sustainability operations, and strategic partnerships to position organizations as key ESG resources. His career highlights include spearheading large-scale philanthropic programs, fostering public-private collaborations, and driving impactful outcomes for both communities and corporations.

Article written by MarketScale.