Cranfield University MBAs Gather for ‘Doing Good, Doing Well’ Conference
A group of seven MBA students from The Cranfield University School of Management recently attended the Doing Good, Doing Well Conference (DGDW) held in February in Barcelona.
The conference, which focused on social impact issues, brings MBA and MSc students from across Europe together to discuss ways in which they can create a sustainable, responsible business culture.
Sarah Hatcher, full-time MBA student, described the importance of the gathering:
“As an ex-City worker, the key message for me from the conference was ‘Impact Investing’ [which] combines the skill and analysis of investment management with the core value of investing in causes that have a positive impact on society…[While] these causes are not charitable by nature, [they] deliver high returns and respectable investment choices.”
Sessions at DGDW raised the issues of whether or not the sharing economy makes a positive social or environmental impact; how to provide banking and financing services to the economically disadvantaged; and how innovation can be harnessed to efficiently alleviate poverty.
“The post conference networking…proved that the MBAs and MSc participants…who attended are driven to contribute further than just to a commercial bottom line, and they feel a passion to give back. Leaving Barcelona, I feel motivated and inspired that commercial employment doesn’t have to just be 8-6 desk based, corporate values can be flexible, can inspire you and can contribute to making a difference,” Hatcher continued.
The students’ attendance was supported by Cranfield’s Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility and by the contributions of alumni.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
