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.
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.
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.
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.
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.