Corporate Humanity Podcast News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRONX, NY - FORDHAM UNIVERSITY'S LATEST PODCAST, CORPORATE HUMANITY, INTERVIEWS GUESTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON HUMANITARIAN AID

Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs aired the first episode of Corporate Humanity this Wednesday, March 4. This new podcast series, hosted by two Fordham alumni and colleagues, Holly Curtis with Fordham University and Martine van der Does with the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University, brings together corporate leaders working at the intersection of profit, responsibility, and long-term impact. Each episode will explore the evolving role of the private sector in addressing humanitarian crises.

"I think there is a request for it in the sector," said van der Does when discussing the reason for starting the podcast. "We explore and investigate the questions people are curious about when it comes to distributing aid."

As of this year, according to the International Rescue Committee, 239 million people require humanitarian assistance, and 117.3 million people are forcibly displaced globally. Can the humanitarian and international corporate sectors come together to deliver aid during this critical phase, when needs are becoming increasingly high, and resources are low? Listeners will find out during Fordham's new Corporate Humanity series.

"Cross-sector collaboration is crucial to support the growing need for humanitarian assistance, and this includes the humanitarian organizations, the private sector, and higher ed. Having a shared language and understanding of the urgent and long-term needs in crises is paramount for humanitarian agencies to feel supported and for private-sector actors to feel impactful. Higher ed, like the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham, can play a unique role in bridging this gap and in training private-sector teams in best practices," said Curtis on the timeliness of Corporate Humanity.

The Fordham and international community is encouraged to tune in to this new series regularly to discover the various roles international businesses can play in humanitarian action and what drives their commitment to supporting people living through crises.

"Whether it's leveraging existing supply chains, operational strengths, or unique employee engagement programs, the companies we've spoken with thus far all take a very strategic and creative approach. These conversations continue to feel like a bright spot in trying geopolitical times," said Curtis.

"I'm surprised at how much training they provide for their employees. Some companies really make an effort to make an impact. It's been fun to have these conversations, and I look forward to having more," added van der Does.

The first episode, available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and many other channels, features Mayyada Ansari, global head of GoHelp with DHL, a multinational logistics company. Through Ansari's conversation with Curtis and van der Does, listeners learn how DHL integrates humanitarian principles into its global logistics operations, how it sustains employee-led volunteering at scale, and more about their GoHelp program and Academy for Humanitarian Logistics as models of long-term, values-driven engagement.

Listen to the podcast

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The Institute acts as a bridge between the University and humanitarian practice, hosts lectures and symposia on a regular basis, and is the US partner for NOHA, a consortium of 12 European universities offering humanitarian education. The IIHA at 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, New York also provides space for undergrad and graduate students to meet and gallery showings. In addition to our courses, the IIHA publishes on a wide range of humanitarian topics, such as A Skein of Thought. Media Inquiries: [email protected].