by Luis Chacon and Jc Montenegro, PhD

On May 17th, leaders and friends of the Salesian Family Youth Center had the privilege of attending the Ethical Leadership event organized by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Los Angeles. This gathering provided an excellent opportunity to promote the mission of the Salesian Family Youth Center, learn from outstanding panelists, and connect with like-minded Catholic leaders.

The panel, moderated by Carol Costello, featured distinguished participants: Rick Caruso, Michael J. Casey, Bob Graziano, and a great friend of our youth center, María Salinas. The discussions were enlightening, offering diverse perspectives on ethical leadership in today’s business environment.

One of the key questions posed was: How can you inspire young people to be ethical in the future? Rick Caruso began by addressing the complexity of defining what it means to “be ethical.” He emphasized the importance of understanding this foundational concept as a prerequisite to inspiring ethical behavior in others.

Michael Casey highlighted the spectrum of ethics, stressing the importance of living out values before preaching them. He spoke about the role of philanthropic experiences in inspiring and motivating new generations to engage in philanthropic work, both now and in the future. Casey also underscored the need for personal well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually—as a cornerstone for ethical living.

Bob Graziano discussed the balance between pricing and meeting people’s needs, highlighting the necessity of building strong relationships with customers, employees, and society at large. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and treating workers and clients with fairness and respect.

María Salinas shared insights on the significance of public statements by leaders and the careful consideration they require. She talked about the importance of creating an ecosystem where businesses and nonprofits collaborate to advocate for ethical leadership. María also mentioned the Salesian Family Youth Center as an example of effective collaboration in advocacy in Washington DC and Sacramento. She stressed the challenge of channeling business resources into philanthropic organizations and advocated for involving young people in these efforts to foster hope across generations.

Rick Caruso affirmed that ethical businesses tend to have longevity. He noted that while making money is important, it should go hand in hand with philanthropy, supporting small businesses, and helping others. Caruso highlighted the responsibility of successful businesses to create opportunities for others and to distribute resources equitably.

As the panel drew to a close, Carol Costello quoted Pope Francis: “In no part of the Bible is there a commandment to produce poverty.” This powerful statement encapsulated the essence of the discussion on ethical leadership.

The phrase that resonated with us the most came from Michael J. Casey: “If you are someone who lives ethically every day, you will have no problem making ethical decisions as a business leader every day.”

Attending this event reaffirmed our commitment to ethical leadership and the mission of the Salesian Family Youth Center. It was a reminder of the profound impact that principled leaders can have on their organizations and communities.