Corporate CEO Leadership Breakfast on Ending Violence Against Women

On March 4, 2015, corporate executives from across the Greater Pittsburgh region gathered to discuss how our community can prevent domestic and sexual violence. The FISA Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, and United Way of Allegheny County sponsored the meeting, and it was co-convened by The Honorable Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive,; The Honorable Mayor Bill Peduto, Arthur J. Rooney II, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Morgan K. O’Brien, President & CEO of Peoples Natural Gas, and Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Jackson Katz, internationally known educator, activist, author, and filmmaker gave the keynote address, arguing that while sexual and domestic violence have often been perceived as “women’s issues,” they are in fact vitally important to men–especially men in positions of family, community, professional, and political leadership.

Participants developed action steps that corporate and civic leaders can take to prevent domestic and sexual violence, and many participants committed joining STANDING FIRM: The Business Case to End Partner Violence, supporting the Father’s Day Pledge to End Gender Violence, and/or becoming involved with Southwest PA Says No More.

Photo credit Renee Rosensteel.