Page 12 - 2023 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Cultivating and Advancing Talent
Global Leaders
Westchester has long been the headquarters of some of the biggest names across a range of industries, including Mastercard, IBM, PepsiCo, Danone North America, Heineken USA, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
© Adobe Stock
© Courtesy of Greyston Foundation
© Courtesy of Greyston Foundation
10
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
But it’s also home to a distinguished array of global leaders in three complex and dynamic sectors: social innovation, advanced medical research and quantum computing.
Meet three leaders creating a global impact, here.
JOSEPH D. KENNER, CEO, GREYSTON
Helping People Find Success Through Meaningful Employment Greyston unlocks the power of human potential through inclusive employment – one person at a time.
e company not only creates delicious brownies and blondies - it transforms lives, one bite at a time. Greyston hires bakers with its innovative Open Hiring® policy that provides meaningful work
to those who have experienced barriers to employment. Greyston provides the job, training and workforce development which creates a stronger community for all. Although based in Yonkers, Greyston’s impact is worldwide.
Recognition as a Global Social Innovator
of the Year
In early 2023, Kenner took the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. As a featured speaker, he called upon business leaders to adopt Open Hiring. Kenner was also the recipient of the Social Innovators of the Year 2023 award by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
“e award addresses the key societal ills of our times,” notes Kenner. “We were one of 16 companies recognized and the only one from the United States. Our focus is inclusive employment, and we won because we’re tackling a huge issue with economic and social ramifications. How
“We are proud to be part of the change and share our economic vision as a force for good.” —Greyston CEO Joseph Kenner
do we get folks off the sidelines and back into the labor force? We believe Open Hiring is the answer.”
Per Kenner, “Deloitte and Touche recognized that we are impacting 25% of their Sustainable Development Goals, related to poverty, economic growth, reduced inequalities, and partnership towards the goals. Our methodology is to help divert people away from the criminal justice system. Gainful employment impacts not only the person, but their family and their community as well.”
Open Hiring battles the current labor shortage and those hampered by traditional employment barriers
- such as a criminal record, poor credit or housing instability - by offering work on a first-come, first-hired basis, with no interviews, background checks or resumes. is approach has fueled the success of Greyston, which is known for the brownies used in one of Ben & Jerry’s bestselling ice creams, Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
Driving Societal Change in Yonkers –
and Beyond
“We’re proud to be in Yonkers for over four decades, going back to our founder, Bernie Glassman, who wanted to be a force for good and provide a shot of adrenaline to the area. I like to judge a company by asking what if we weren’t here. Currently, 80% of
our employees are from
Yonkers and we provide
well over $12 million of
economic impact to the
area. We are proud to
be part of the change
and share our economic
vision as a force for good.”
The Business Council of Westchester
On partnering with the BCW, Kenner shares,
“For County businesses,