We believe that knowledge fuels opportunity. The core of our business is to provide insights that help equip participants in the global financial markets to understand risks and move forward with critical insight. Our approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rooted in that same belief. We seek to empower people with the knowledge, resources and confidence they need to create a better future — for themselves, their communities and the environment.
Corporate social responsibility has been part of Moody’s approach to doing business for many years. In 2017, we took a deep look at how we could better focus Moody’s CSR activities and investments to reflect the issues our employees care most about and the challenges we believe we can uniquely solve.
Our process included interviews with more than 40 company leaders, survey responses from 700-plus employees worldwide and an in-depth materiality assessment to identify the CSR-related issues that are most significant in Moody’s business. We emerged with a companywide CSR strategy targeted at empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to create a better future — for themselves, their communities and the environment.
This approach allows us to make a lasting impact on specific environmental, social and economic challenges that align with our expertise and resources. As our CSR strategy evolves, we’ll have a solid base upon which to build new initiatives and to engage other organizations that share our drive to make a difference where it matters most.
We’re advancing these efforts with support from our most senior leaders and input from employees at all levels through an expanded CSR governance structure. Moody’s CSR Council, chaired by President and CEO Raymond McDaniel, convenes senior management team members to shape our overall strategy. Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Global Head of CSR, leads a CSR Working Group of executives charged with honing and implementing the strategy. Our CSR team oversees the various programs and investments to ensure we’re achieving Moody’s goals. Lastly, people across the company serve as CSR Impact Leaders, who encourage their colleagues to get involved and bring new ideas.
With this groundwork in place, we’re excited to reach new heights in 2018 and beyond. We believe CSR makes us stronger — whether it’s being an employer of choice, igniting innovation or building goodwill in new markets.
