Phillip Owens is the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Anser Advisory, part of Accenture. Previously, Philip was Director of Anser's Charlotte Douglas International Airport Program and Project Controls. His extensive experience leading diverse teams and managing large-scale projects has equipped him with the skills to drive CSR initiatives forward. Phillip's career pivot into CSR reflects his dedication to using his expertise to create meaningful social, environmental, and economic change within the industry and our company. We interviewed Phillip to dive deeper into his journey and gain insights into the impactful work happening with our CSR efforts.
What does Corporate Social Responsibility mean to you, and why did you transition to this role after a successful career in project controls?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a company's will to positively impact society beyond profit. CSR includes reducing environmental impact, treating employees fairly, supporting community development, and being transparent in business dealings. In short, CSR is about balancing profitability with a commitment to the well-being of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities, and the environment.
Even before CSR was a business function, I practiced CSR principles by helping others throughout my career. I believe that companies should act ethically and consider their operations' social, environmental, and economic effects. I am fortunate that Anser created the CSR role, which allows me to continue to help others.
Why did Anser Advisory create the corporate social responsibility role?
In 2020, our CEO, Bryan Carruthers, expressed his desire to strengthen our internal commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). In 2021, we launched the DE&I Council. The Council identified social and environmental issues to address and recognized the need for additional resources to support our endeavors.
What are the key CSR focus areas for Anser Advisory?
My focus is advancing our social, environmental, and sustainability goals in partnership with Anser's senior management. Key areas include reviewing and updating our policies and practices and helping to translate our goals into actionable initiatives to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment. I enjoy working with all of our stakeholders to make this vision a reality and make a meaningful impact within Anser and the communities we support.
How do CSR and DE&I intersect at Anser Advisory?
Anser's goal is to create a nationwide supplier diversity network program. This proactive program will enable procuring goods and services from businesses owned by diverse people, including, but not limited to, minorities, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and veterans. A critical factor in selecting these organizations will be their commitment to CSR and adherence to our CSR mission and goals.
What CSR initiatives have you created at Anser that highlight the success of our program?
One standout initiative was the development of Anser's first Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report in 2023. I collaborated with Bryan and partnered with a leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firm to embed ESG and resiliency strategies into our operations, enhancing our industry position.
Another successful initiative has been the establishment of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). We created ERGs to give employees a voice and the option to engage as participants or allies in the safe spaces we've created. Our ERGs include Early Career, LGBTQ+, BI-POC, Sustainability, Veterans, and Women.
At Anser Advisory, part of Accenture, Corporate Social Responsibility is central to what we do. If you are ready to advance your career and join a company that values growth, innovation, collaboration, and positive change, visit our Careers page today and explore exciting opportunities to shape your future!