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Forum for Ethics in the Workplace

The Forum's mission is to provide opportunities for people to come together for study, reflection, conversation, and action on ethical issues in the workplace, especially in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Forum for Ethics in the Workplace

The Forum functions as a subsidiary corporation of DeSales University under the administration of the MBA/Division of Business and is guided by a board of directors. The Forum for Ethics in the Workplace hosts a quarterly ethics breakfast on the first Thursday of the month of each financial quarter in the University Center at DeSales University unless otherwise noted.

More about the Forum for Ethics in the Workplace

  • Forum Board

    2022 - 2023 FORUM FOR ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE BOARD MEMBERS

    Michelle Gaynor – (President of the Board) Vice President / Klunk & Millan Advertising

    Kati Labuda – (Vice President of the Board) VP, Wealth Management / Raymond James


    Robyn Barebo – Digital Marketing & PR Coordinator, Otterbine Barebo, Inc.

    Kevin Campbell – President & COO / Barry Isett & Associates

    Greg Chaples – VP / Property & Casualty Capstone Group

    Chris Cocozza – Division Head of Business / DeSales University 

    Thomas Craig – McCabe Chair of Business & Society / DeSales University

    Ron Eichenberg - Commercial Sales & Development / BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

    Deanne Fenstermacher – Comptroller / DeSales University

    Tom Garrity – Managing Partner / Compass Point Consulting

    Melissa Gerhardt – Financial Advisor / Legacy Planning Partners

    Justin Hartman – LPL Financial Advisor / Lehigh Valley Investment Group

    Bob Heimbecker – General Manager / Altronics Security Systems

    Murtaza Jaffer – Owner / Express Business Center (EBC)

    Renee James – Marketing Director / The Bach Choir of Bethlehem

    Art Kardos – Owner / TV Marketing & Promotion

    Melissa Kaschak – Director of Compliance Operations / Olympus Corporation

    Ray Lyons – Senior Consultant / Marsh McLennan Agency

    Shawn Mack – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer / Valley Youth House

    Colleen Mooney McGee – Manager, Community & Government Relations / Crayola 

    Andy Plank – Owner, President / Blue Eagle Logistics, Inc.

    Michael Rice – VP, Marketing / Follett Corporation

    Katie Santana – Director, Photography, ASR Media Productions & The PEAK TV

    Charlie Thiel – President / Thiel Strategic 

    Dan Villanti – Assistant Director, Alumni Relations / DeSales University

    Pat Witmer - Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications, B. Braun Medical Inc.

  • History

    Establishment

    In the Fall of 2000 a group of concerned citizens from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church met to discuss the lack of ethical conduct in many parts of our society today.  Out of subsequent conversations came the formation of the Interfaith Coalition on Ethics in the Workplace, incorporated in July 2001.   In 2003 the corporate name was changed to the Forum for Ethics in the Workplace.

    Rather than deal with ethics on a grand, national scale, the Forum decided to focus on ethical issues facing persons in the workplaces of the many organizations in the Lehigh Valley (PA), including business, education, health care, public service, law, human services, and communications.

    Read a detailed history from the Journal of Lutheran Ethics (September 2007)

    Re-organization

    In the Summer of 2005, members of the executive committee of the Forum met with the director of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture at DeSales University to discuss means of possible collaboration.  Subsequent discussions led to the formation of a new corporate arrangement in which the Forum would become a subsidiary of DeSales University. 

    As a subsidiary of the University, the Forum receives administrative assistance to fulfill its mission and is able to capitalize on the success of related programs in the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture.  By its partnership with the Forum, the Salesian Center is able to extend its mission of social engagement into the corporate world and is able to capitalize on the working relationships that the Forum has already established in the business community.

    The Forum's board of directors approved the arrangement in September 2005, and the University's board of trustees gave its approval in November 2005.  The new entity began operation on January 1, 2006. 

    Read the current By-Laws

  • Societas Award for Responsible Corporate Conduct

    The Forum for Ethics in the Workplace presents an annual award to one or more companies that demonstrate responsible business conduct. This award program honors those employers who meet the needs of others through the production of goods and services, the organization of good and productive work, and the creation of sustainable wealth distributed justly.

    Click on the links below for information & forms relative to the processes associated with this award:

    Previous Award Recipients:


    2017

    BerkOne (large company) 

    Concannon Miller (mid-size company)

    KMRD (small company)


    2015-16

    Barry Isett & Associates, Inc.


    2014

    Air Products (large company)

    Ecotech Marine


    2012-13

    Jaindl Corporation


    2011

    Lafayette Ambassador Bank