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Division of Business

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 Salesian Center for Faith & Culture. Its work is guided by a board of directors and managed by the director of the Salesian Center.

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

  • Breakfast Series

    The Forum for Ethics in the Workplace hosts an ethics breakfast on Thursday, from 7:30 am to 9:00 am, during the academic year. The event takes place in the University Center at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA (**unless otherwise noted).  Campus Map

    The series sponsor for 2019-20 is ALTRONICS.

    Registration is required for these events and can be done online.

    Our series topic is Back to Basics: Examining the Building Blocks of an Ethical Workplace

    Upcoming events:

    December 5, 2019 - panel will discuss "Integrity Across the Generations”

    March 19, 2020 - featuring Tom Scalici, CEO of  Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management to discuss Community Integrity - POSTPONED 

    June 4, 2020 - TBA

     

  • Forum Board

    2020-2021 FORUM FOR ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE BOARD MEMBERS

    Paul Kane - (President of the Board) SVP, Actuarial, Underwriting & CRO / Independence Blue Cross

    Michelle Gaynor - (Vice President of the Board) VP, Client Services / Klunk & Millan Advertising

    Bob Dietzel - (Secretary of the Board) Co-Founder/Principal / KMRD Partners, Inc. 

                                                                                                                                  

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

    Scott Blair – Associate VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion / DeSales University

    Kevin Campbell – President & COO / Barry Isett & Associates

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

    Jim Devine – Sr. VP & HR Practice Leader / Univest Insurance, LLC

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

    Deanne Fenstermacher – Comptroller / DeSales University

    Tom Garrity – Managing Partner / Compass Point consulting

    Bob Heimbecker – General Manager / Altronics Security Systems

    Andrew Hoffman – Attorney / Zator Law

    Murtaza Jaffer – Owner / Express Business Center (EBC)

    Renee James – Marketing Director / The Bach Choir of Bethlehem

    Audra Kahr – CFO, COO & Treasurer / Cedar Crest College

    Art Kardos – Owner / TV Marketing & Promotion

    Karen Kent – Director, MBA Program & Assistant Professor of Business / DeSales University

    Kati Labuda – VP, Wealth Management / Raymond James

    John Lushis – Attorney / Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A.

    Drew Maron – President & CEO / Paragon Strategic Wealth

    Ron Miller – Attorney, Ashby Law Offices

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

    Michael Rice – VP, Marketing / Follett Corporation

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

    Lisa Spradlin - Business Coach & Strategic HR Consultant / Empower2Achieve, LLC

    Ed Taliaferro – VP, Internal Audit & Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network

    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

  • Pint of Ethics

    a FREE networking opportunity for Young Professionals in the Lehigh Valley to develop an ethical sensibility in their work as they become tomorrow's corporate leaders. 
    NO registration is required, just bring your business card!

    Next event: date / speaker TBA 
    at the Copperhead Grille in Center Valley, PA

    5:30 meet ‘n greet … a chance to network among Young Professionals (admission is free … your “ticket” to the event is your business card!)

    6:00 another round (+ appetizers) … while we enjoy debating an business question

    6:30 table-top thoughts … discussion among everyone

    7:00 Q&A … with a wrap-up by the guest speaker

    7:30 last call

    ** space is limited … first come, first served ** (must be at least 21 years old to participate)

    Questions? Contact our director of programs, Valerie Wolfenden, Valerie.wolfenden@desales.edu

    Previous events/speakers:

    THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 featuring Jill Yapsuga

  • 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

     

     

  • Virtual Events

    FREE events - register online

     Upcoming events:

    June 11, 2020 - 8 am to 9 am - An open discussion on Zoom - "The Building Blocks of an Ethical Workplace: What is Integrity"

Forum for Ethics in the WorkplaceA subsidiary corporation of DeSales University under the administration of the MBA/Division of Business

Contact Us

Forum for Ethics in the Workplace
610-282-1100 x2841