What classes do you teach?

Managerial Communication, Organizational Behavior, Management and Organization, and Conscious Capitalism

What is your main research topic?

Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship Education

How have you helped make the world a better place?

My community work has evolved over the decades. From being a founder and president of Cornerstone, Inc (nka The Connection), a halfway house for high expectancy recovery from mental illness, and A founder and president of Fellowship, Inc, a therapeutic and social “club” for chronically mentally ill members who are provided with training in daily living and social skills, workforce development, arts and more. Both of those initiatives succeed in destigmatization and reintegration into the community.

More than 18 years were invested in the visioning, fundraising, and building of the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven, where I also served as President.

My most recent projects include funding construction and furnishing 18 apartments for women and their children will reside and receive counseling, training, wrap-around services, and job placement in sustainable wage career path jobs. The outcome is not only positive for the parent but changes the paradigm for generations to come. The second project is a halfway house for homeless youth (ages 18-24) in collaboration with Y2Y and Youth Continuum; this project has been less physically draining than the first but with no less impact. The youngsters will receive peer support and counseling from college students and wrap-around services from Youth Continuum. It is my hope that this diversion from potentially life-threatening, risky behavior to resources will have significant results.

I am also invested in and working with ‘r kids, specifically with a support program for adolescent girls in foster care. The suicide rate of that population is heartbreaking. Our efforts may be life-saving.

Another project is with a program at Southern CT State University where I co-created a Women’s Leadership Program for students at the School of Business. It offers speakers, training, and, most importantly, mentors from the business community. Most of the students have not had the benefit of influential family and friends to whom they can turn for guidance, support, and connections.

Most of the students are first-generation college attendees. A beta test the first year proved to be so successful in building confidence and self-esteem and job placement that I have endowed it as a permanent opportunity to “level the playing field”.

I am laser-focused on initiatives that will produce systemic and sustainable change.

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you?

In my role with the CT State Department of Economic and Community Development, the tenets of the organization are in concert with my personal and business priorities. Basic to Judaism is “Tikkun Olam”, the mandate to repair the world. Tikkun Olam underpins our religious way of life and perspective that works towards a time of peace – not just ending the war, but a time of prosperity, health, and justice for all. Pirkei Avot (literally, “Chapters of the Fathers,” but generally translated as “Ethics of Our Fathers”) is one of the best-known and most-cited of Jewish texts. Even those who claim to know little about Jewish literature are familiar with maxims such as “If I am only for myself, who am I? (1:14)” and “Say little and do much (1:15).” Popular Hebrew songs take as their lyrics lines such as “The world stands on three things: Torah, service, and acts of loving-kindness (1:2)” and “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (2:21).”

How have you helped make the world a better place?

I believe that contributing to a better world starts with each of us, how we behave with one another, and the goals that we pursue. One of my key goals is to create a positive change through my work, and that is why I decided to shift my career from traditional Corporate Law to the ESG space. I co-founded Thinking Beyond Business to help small and medium-sized businesses grow and become more profitable while operating in a socially and environmentally friendly way. My personal story is that of a modern global citizen, I was born in Latin America, and life has taken me to live and work in different countries across four continents. I aspire to contribute a global and inclusive perspective, and my professional expertise, to making the business world a positive force for change.

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you?

The push towards conscious capitalism means that all of us, but particularly our leaders, should be not just aware but deeply understand the interdependence and impact across individuals, organizations, and the environment, as we pursue our business goals. Conscious capitalism is not just a theory; it is about finding practical answers and creative solutions to the current business challenges. It is about helping businesses thrive by generating sustainable profits in an ecosystem that considers all stakeholders involved.

Give us an idea of how have you helped make the world a better place?

As an environmental and sustainability educator, I have spent the last 20+ years educating and inspiring youth to become leaders, stewards, and advocates for a brighter and sustainable future. As the Co-Lead for the International Society of Sustainability Professionals New York City Chapter I facilitate professional development opportunities in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you?

Conscious Capitalism is doing business in service of, centered around, and driven by a higher purpose. It is a philosophy that approaches every interaction intentionally and with integrity, respect, and compassion for all stakeholders including the planet.

Give us an idea of how have you helped make the world a better place? 

My focus for the last 30 years has been on developing engaging lean manufacturing cultures at different companies. By clarifying the mission, vision, values, and purpose at each company we have been able to create a more engaging environment for all employees. I cannot say that I have made the world a better place, but what I can say is that I tried to create a healthy work atmosphere focused on the why and not just the what or the how. This provided people with an opportunity to engage in meaningful, purposeful work each day. To have a successful career or a calling and not just a job.

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you? 

It is a validation of what I have believed since being introduced to lean manufacturing 30 years ago. It is a recognition that not all Capitalism is made equal. It is a confirmation that there is a better way of doing business, that is principle-based and it does not involve destroying the soul or the environment to win. It is a noble path forward for all young aspiring business leaders to follow that can lead to both financial success and professional happiness.

Give us an idea of how have you helped make the world a better place?

Through our latest venture, we are building a more equitable data economy for all. The ubiquitous nature of the solution we are building will not only bring privacy back to individuals but change the livelihood of millions across the world. It is an equalizer to an asymmetric information age where digital decency and ethical business use are built at a foundational level.

All through my life, I have lived by 3 core principles “Be good, Be Present and Be Future-ready”, it has not only helped me be successful but also live a life of content. I have hired 1000’s of people many of them have gone onto become successful leaders in their own right, we all believe that you can be wildly successful and good at the same time.

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you?

It is going back to the roots of our society, it is a means, a mechanism, a tribe that believes the fruits of our future are only as good as the strength of the roots.

Give us an idea of how have you helped make the world a better place?

Over my lifetime, I have been involved with many non-profit organizations. I attribute this passion to my mother who was always very mindful of what our family could do to assist or welcome others.

Currently I serve on three boards including Conscious Capitalism Connecticut. What I have realized over the years is that it is not enough to be a donor or a sponsor. Donors and sponsors are great but tend to have simple transactional relationships with philanthropic organizations. To be a champion of the cause and donate one’s time, talent, treasure and spread the word on the mission, is when everybody wins. I strive to be involved by contributing my time, funds and talent communicating and marketing organizations missions while building their brand.

Additionally, my intention is to be a true champion for the organizations I am associated with and to continue to encourage companies to find their purpose for an employee, business and community win-win-win.

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you?

Conscious Capitalism is the opportunity for a for-profit business to associate itself with a challenge or inequity in society and then champion for its elimination or improvement resulting in a better world.

There are many for-profit businesses that have giving strategies or a non-profit association where they donate funds or gifts-in-kind. But many of these relationships lack the full commitment of time, talent, treasure and evangelize the message. When companies can engage on all four of these aspects, our world will be a better place.

Give us an idea of how have you helped make the world a better place? 

I read a lot of different books and learned about practices other more progressive companies.  I also read a lot in the field of positive psychology and other recent scientific studies. It became obvious to me that we should be managing and structuring our companies not on current “best business practices” which are not science based, but we should be structuring our companies and managing our work places based on the current best research.  Using the information and the examples of other companies I tried out several new approaches and they work very well. We created an environment rich in autonomy and information flow where people can flourish and the company performance is much better. 

What does Conscious capitalism mean to you? 

It means being conscious, self-aware, a certain stage of human development and maturity.  Many companies don’t stop to think about anything past the strategic plan, coming within budget, and making money.  They are acting like a single cell organism that is not self-conscious. A single cell organism that is consuming all of the food in the petri dish as fast as possible.

A conscious company is self-aware.  A conscious company knows why it exists and knows that it exists for something much more than making money.  A conscious company has a purpose and regards making money as just something it must do so that it can continue to exist and continue to pursue it’s purpose.  A conscious company also knows that it has a responsibility to all of its stakeholders. First of all the employees for without them nothing else matters, and without them the purpose cannot be pursued.  Then the other stakeholders; the suppliers, customers, the community, the environment and finally the shareholders who get what is left over of the money. In a conscious company there will be plenty of financial reward because the conscious company will outperform it’s non conscious competition.  The shareholders true reward however is the knowledge of the difference their assets are making in the world. Because the shareholders of a conscious company are of course themselves conscious.

What does Conscious Capitalism mean to you?

The Conscious Capitalism organization – supports companies in their efforts to manage for long-term, sustainable goals. It offers Schwerdtle Inc. opportunities to connect with and learn from other business leaders who see clearly that what has worked in the past has lead us to the cliff’s edge.

Together, by systematizing the tools utilized by conscious capitalists, we can learn best practices and at the same time, educate other business leaders on the alternative to the currently rigged system. We need a new way of measuring success because the old way is destroying our planet, turning productive wealth generated by healthy, well-run businesses into private wealth.

And, what is wrong with private wealth, you might ask. If that wealth was gained by buying businesses and then stripping them of their true value in order to increase their short-term bottom line… they are destroying the multiplier effect that a business managed for long-term stability creates. This investment class reduces costs to increase profit by means we are all too familiar with, including off-shoring (which many times involves the use of child labor and slave labor, unsafe work environments, stripping of natural resources, loss of our intellectual property, increases in our carbon footprint), firing the highest-paid (and arguably most knowledgeable employees), eliminating the R&D that built the company in the first place, etc. There is only one winner here and it is not the company or its employees or its customers. The price for this quick gain is devastating our country and our planet. Our stock market has responded to the changing rules of the game, which for most of our history rewarded ‘buy and hold’ and ‘good to great.

Today, too many businesses manage for quarterly returns to shareholders with no care for the long-term future of the company, its employees, or the environment. Activists like Robert Reich bemoan the ever-expanding distance between CEO pay and that of the average employee, without getting to the real issue. The CEOs of the largest corporations in the world are not ignorant of the fact that the rules changed and there are no golden handcuffs anymore. They are charged with making money for their shareholders and the real customers are secondary. They understand that they need to get their payoff early and with guarantees because running their company by the crony capitalism rules means that they, or the company, or both may not be around for the long term. And, Reich is also wrong that unions are a solution to this wage gap. The true solution is to allow our CEOs to run their companies to serve the best interests of their customers and their employees and not for short-term gain to shareholders. Workers will be paid more, products will not be offshored to the lowest wage countries, our IP will remain at home and drive growth and innovation and CEOs will be rewarded for stability and customer satisfaction.

If enough companies, large and small, commit to Conscious Capitalism and reject its evil twin Crony Capitalism, we can have a strong middle class and we can have a healthy planet and a more predictable economy and I think we can even aspire to such lofty goals as world peace. Capitalism is only effective as an economic model if the system that the model operates within rewards decision-making for the greater good for the present AND future generations.

And, last but not least – Conscious Capitalism is good business. companies that consistently apply the principles of conscious capitalism outperform their peers in the S&P index by 14:1 so; why not inject more consciousness into your business?