Fr Mike Crosby Award – Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investing

Dan Tretow to receive SGI’s 2023 Fr. Mike Crosby Award

August 16, 2023August 16, 2023Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment is pleased to announce that Dan Tretow, the member representative for the School Sisters of St. Francis (S.S.S.F.), has been selected to receive the 2023 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented in a reception at the SGI conference on September 12^th. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

“We are delighted to honor Dan Tretow,” said SGI Board Chair Cindy Bohlen. “Dan was instrumental in helping SGI become a member-led organization. As SGI’s second board president, Dan’s leadership enabled SGI to build capacity and empower its members toward fulfilling its mission to build a more just and sustainable world for those most vulnerable by integrating social and environmental values into corporate and investor actions.”

“Dan took time out from his day job to be on our first Board of Directors and served as our Treasurer in 2015,” said Frank Sherman, previous executive director. “He stepped up again in 2018 to become our President at a critical time in SGI’s development. I came to rely on Dan for his experience and patience; but it is his deep faith and warm friendship that I appreciate the most. Brother Mike will be pleased to see that Dan won this award presented in his name. Congratulations, my friend!”

“It has been a pleasure and gift to work with Dan over my years with SGI. He is often among the first to recognize and lift up the good work done by others to support SGI, and he quietly supports the organization in a myriad of ways,” said SGI executive director Chris Cox. “Now, we get to return the favor as we recognize his deep contributions to SGI. We are grateful for Dan’s generosity and the 50-year legacy of the School Sisters of St. Francis with SGI.”

Dan has been the member representative for the School Sisters of St. Francis and worked with the Wisconsin Coalition and its successor organizations, now SGI, since the early 80’s. His longest standing work in CRI involves the members working with a Wisconsin corporation on human rights, executive pay and supply chain sustainability. Dan was a founding SGI board member and held the offices of Treasurer and President. Amid questions about the future of SGI following Fr. Mike’s untimely death, Dan was instrumental in repositioning our coalition to the member-led organization that it is today. Dan works for the School Sisters of St. Francis – Generalate as Director of Financial Services and St. Joseph Center Facility Director.

SGI was founded in 1973 by Fr. Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap., Sr. Alphonsa Puls, S.S.S.F., and Sr. Charlita Foxhoven, S.S.S.F., who were pioneers in corporate shareholder engagement.

Please join us in congratulating Dan.

Frank Sherman to receive SGI’s 2022 Fr. Mike Crosby Award

September 25, 2022February 21, 2023Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith coalition is pleased to announce that Frank Sherman, the executive director of SGI, has been selected to receive the 2022 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented in a reception at the SGI conference on October 11. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

“We are so happy to honor Frank Sherman,” said SGI Board Chair Cindy Bohlen. “Several board members came forward to nominate Frank to receive this year’s award; once Dan Tretow’s final nomination was shared, Frank’s selection was unanimous. All who have had the privilege of working with Frank understand that he has been the person who has shepherded SGI toward fulfilling Fr. Mike Crosby’s vision. The award is the perfect way to cap off Frank’s role as the Executive Director.”

“I have had the privilege of working with Frank on multiple corporate engagements over the years, said Dan Tretow. “Everyone knows they are working with a wise, educated, pragmatic and sincere individual. And he does not work alone. In each engagement, he partners with experts from partner coalitions, ICCR program directors, Ceres and NGO’s that add credibility and strength to the conversation. He challenges the companies to do better, not for his own sake or for our coalition, but for all of society and the world.”

Frank’s background is unlike many others in our ministry; he sat on the other side of the table for 35 years. Before retiring from the corporate world at the end of 2012, Frank worked in the chemical industry, rising to serve as President of the American affiliate of AkzoNobel, a multinational paint and performance coating company. As part of his duties at AkzoNobel, he acted as a board member and, later, chair of a trade association.

While others in retirement might have hesitated, Frank made a wholehearted commitment to Fr. Mike when he was asked to help with some engagements focused on the risk of transport by rail and engagements concerning deforestation. Frank’s agreement to help resulted in his leadership in the process of creating a board of directors, re-naming SGI, and incorporating the organization. When Fr. Mike was diagnosed with cancer, Frank led the strategic planning process to envision how SGI might move from a founder-led organization to a member-led organization and was named executive director in July 2017. From the beginning, Frank has given his time freely to SGI, seeking no remuneration for his work.

Amid questions about the future of SGI following Fr. Mike’s untimely death, in his actions, Frank guaranteed growth from seeds that Fr. Mike planted.

During his tenure as the Executive Director of SGI, Frank has worked to fulfill SGI’s mission to build a more just and sustainable world for those most vulnerable by integrating social and environmental values into corporate and investor actions. Father Mike Crosby’s vision to use the shareholder voice toward a more just and sustainable world for those most vulnerable has been realized and continues to grow thanks in large part to the dedication of Frank Sherman.

Please join us in congratulating Frank.

Donna Meyer to receive SGI’s 2021 Fr. Mike Crosby Award

September 21, 2021October 28, 2021Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment is pleased to announce that Donna Meyer, recently retired from Mercy Investment Services, has been selected to receive the 2021 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented at the SGI member meeting and conference on October 12. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

“We’re so happy to recognize Donna with the Fr. Mike Crosby Award. In addition to working closely with Father Mike in tobacco engagements, she has been a leader in ICCR and beyond by promoting health equity for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Frank Sherman, SGI executive director. He added, “Companies and investors alike recognize Donna for her knowledge and compassion. Mike is smiling today!”

“Through her quiet but steadfast dedication, and gracious leadership, Donna has promoted health equity and helped improve the health of local and global communities,” said Katie McCloskey, vice president of social responsibility at Mercy Investment Services.

Donna Meyer, PhD, was Director of Shareholder Advocacy for Mercy, where she specialized in Public Health and Health Services. She actively participated with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), serving alongside Fr. Mike on its board from 2007 to 2013 and using her expertise in health care and public health to provide leadership for domestic and global health issues. Recently, she helped lead the focus on increasing access to COVID vaccines and treatments.

Throughout more than two decades of shareholder advocacy, Donna was a regular collaborator with Fr. Mike. Fr. Mike collaborated with Donna in the design of the SRI program for CHRISTUS Health, and he guided her into an engagement about the sale and advertisement of tobacco products that was her first “win.”

Donna also served as co-chair of the Investors for Opioid and Pharmaceutical Accountability (IOPA). The IOPA is a coalition of 61 investors with $4.2trn in combined assets under management. In four years, this coalition has engaged major opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retail pharmacies on gaps in governance and oversight, leading to companies pulling back pay from executives, producing public reports on their board oversight of opioid-related risks, and instituting oversight committees.

Donna’s career in healthcare administration includes serving on the Board of Directors of a number of health-related organizations. She currently serves on the Board of the Texas Health Institute and as a member of the Catholic Health Initiatives (Common Spirit) Mission and Ministry Board Committee. She is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives; she earned her BS and MS from the University of Minnesota and her Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Public Health.

Please join us in congratulating Donna!

Sr. Ruth Geraets, PBVM to receive SGI’s 2020 Fr. Mike Crosby Award

September 8, 2020January 25, 2021Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith coalition is pleased to announce that Sister Ruth Geraets of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aberdeen, SD has been selected to receive the 2020 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented at the SGI member meeting on October 12. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

“We are so happy to honor my dear friend Sister Ruth”, said SGI Board Chair Dan Tretow. “She worked closely with the SGI staff and other members in engaging several companies to operate more just and sustainably.”

“Ruth’s dedication to those most vulnerable guides her shareholder advocacy”, added Frank Sherman, SGI Executive Director. “At the same time, her cheerful and gracious attitude creates common ground with corporate management. This is why Sister Ruth has been so effective in her work with companies. Father Mike would be very pleased with this well-deserved recognition.”

Sister Ruth entered the Presentation Convent in August 1961. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and Mathematics at Northern State University and went on to obtain a Masters of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. For 21 years, Sister Ruth taught in Catholic Schools in MN and SD. Her ministry then led her to McDowell County, WV, where she worked with Catholic Community Services serving with those made poor as coal companies were leaving the area. Her compassionate heart led her back to South Dakota where she directed shelters for abused and neglected women and children on the Cheyenne River Reservation. She was Coordinator of Formation and Director of Novices 1999-2011. In January 2008, she was appointed Congregational Treasurer, a position she still holds today.

Sister Ruth became involved with SGI in 2008, serving on the Board for the past 6 years. Her Presentation Congregation has a particular interest in Care of the Earth and the Rights of Women and Children.

Please join us in congratulating Sister Ruth.

SGI Board presents 2019 Fr. Mike Crosby Award to Sr. Barbara Jennings, C.S.J.

September 8, 2019September 11, 2020Chris Cox

The Board of Seventh Generation Interfaith coalition is pleased to announce that Sister Barbara Jennings of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet has been selected to receive the 2019 Fr. Mike Crosby Award. The award will be presented at the SGI annual conference on October 8. The Fr. Mike Crosby Award recognizes a person who has promoted a more just and sustainable world and exemplifies the passion and commitment of our founder, Michael Crosby, O.F.M., Cap.

Sr. Barbara was born in St. Louis, educated at Fontbonne College with English for Secondary Degree. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1967. Barbara has taught high school in Waco, TX and Kansas City, MO. She has also facilitated Religious Studies classes on the University level at Avila and Fontbonne adult MBA students.

Since 2007, Sr. Barbara has been working at Midwest Coalition for Responsible Investment, monitoring the shareholder activity of MCRI members in various companies such as Ameren, American Outdoor Brands (Smith & Wesson), Boeing, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Emerson, Johnson and Johnson, Monsanto, Merck, etc. She has served as Lead on Ameren, Boeing, and Monsanto/Bayer. She is active at ICCR on the Food and Water WG and the HR WG. She was Chair of the ICCR WG on Department of Defense companies. She served on the Board of ICCR for three years.

Barbara serves on the Board of Fontbonne University and Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, a neighborhood organization.