Mike Davis on the role of Director of Corporate Social Responsibility

Transitioning from President to the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mike had the opportunity to re-imagine his role within our Design Collaborative to focus on Bergmeyer's goals of serving the greater public good.
2022 02 28 Mike Davis New Role Web

What was the inspiration behind the creation of this role?

Last year, the United Nations awarded Non-Government Organization (NGO) status to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). For the first time, the AIA attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, and asked me to be one of their delegates.

I had somewhat of an epiphany at COP26. I realized that we in the collective business world have as much of a responsibility to address the climate crisis as do the world’s governments. In fact, businesses are ideally positioned to be the drivers of positive change as rapid decarbonization will have to happen in our economic sectors. We can’t wait for the world’s governments to act; we must take the initiative one business at a time.

As Bergmeyer’s second President, I have always thought of myself as a bridge between the firm’s five original Principals (and our original President, Dave Tubridy), and the next generation of corporate executives, led by Rachel Zsembery. It didn’t take an epiphany in Glasgow for me to see that the bridge had been crossed and that Bergmeyer was in a place where the next generation was more ready than ever to take the lead.

The combination of my “aha moment” at COP26 and the evolution of Bergmeyer’s leadership structure created the pull to re-imagine my role and focus on the greater public good that we as a design collaborative are obliged to serve. Rachel suggested I write my own job description, and I did.

Could you please explain some of the goals you are hoping to achieve as the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility?

My primary goal is to make serving the greater public good an explicit part of our fundamental business practices. For years, we have had self-organized communities at Bergmeyer that strive to address social and environmental needs in our profession, communities, and world.

  • Our Social Responsibility Team runs our philanthropic and community engagement projects.
  • Our “Green Team” increases our sustainable design capabilities across all our market segments.
  • Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee drives initiatives that foster a more welcoming, respectful, and empowering progressive workplace.
  • Our Board of Directors has overseen self-funded scholarships and supported job creation and outreach programs that create equitable access to careers in design while increasing the diversity of our profession.

We simply need to codify all this good work into a mission statement, then “lock” this statement into our corporate by-laws so these projects and programs can be budgeted annually and run-in perpetuity. I want future generations of Bergmeyer employees to understand this as business-as-usual and to be able to measure and report on the meaningful public good we have created over many years.

Bergmeyer has experienced enormous growth and changes over the past two years with a brand refresh, new strategic direction, and change in leadership. How are you aligning the goals of your new role with Bergmeyer's continued evolution?

Among the defining features of this company are most notably our adaptability, our resilience, and our independence. When we change, it is never sudden. Ideas are not imposed on us from outside the firm. We think very deeply about who we are and what we want to accomplish. We are rigorous about experimenting with new ideas and learning what works for us. We always aim to keep our unique and empowering corporate culture top of mind.

This has allowed us to break down silos, erase boundaries between our design practices, move between, among, and into new markets, and develop a singular identity that describes everything we do in very compelling terms. The statement “we are a Design Collaborative” wasn’t written for us by a consultant. It evolved from our understanding of how we really work, and this understanding allowed us to bravely embrace this not-really-new direction as an authentic path for Bergmeyer.

This is exactly what I hope to do as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. We will reflect upon the good work we have done in the past and think deeply about how and why we want to contribute to our professions, communities, and world in the future. We will set goals for ourselves that we can commit to over many years and make and deliver on authentic and meaningful public promises that are true to Bergmeyer.

How long have you had this direction for Bergmeyer in mind?

Well, honestly, this type of work has been a part of my personal career path for decades, but I hadn’t thought of it as a direction for Bergmeyer until I changed jobs!

I have been doing community engagement work since joining Boston Main Streets in the mid-1980s, serving on the Boston Civic Design Commission for 22 years, and doing pro-bono design assistance projects through the AIA’s Communities by Design since roughly 2010. I was appointed to Boston’s first Green Building Task Force in 2001, elected to the AIA College of Fellows in 2010 for my government advocacy work on sustainable design and public policy, contributed to the AIA’s Climate Action Plan in 2018, and in 2021, I found myself at COP26.

I have been very fortunate to work at a firm that championed my serial volunteerism for 30-plus years. It’s time for me to do what I can to make sure that all “Bergies” who are similarly inclined to give a little of themselves towards making the world a better place will feel the same support long after I’m gone.

Contributors

Trending now

Web
2023 Women's History Month: Q&A with the Women of Bergmeyer
In honor of Women's History Month and to commemorate the courage and achievements of the women who came before us, we’ve shined the spotlight on ourselves to share the thoughts and messages of our very own Bergies. These influential women inspire, pioneer, and break the bias of gender inequality in their everyday lives.
Tik Tok Gen Z web
How Gen Z and TikTok Created a Consumer Revolution
One of the most prominent present-day marketing challenges a business can face is capturing a target audience’s attention and keeping them intrigued for the long haul.
Hampshire Web Thumb
Enduring Design: Hampshire Dining Commons Turns Ten
We asked the UMass Amherst Dining Services team to share their thoughts, feedback, and statistics on the modern-day Hampshire Dining Commons.
Web1
Join us for the Upcoming Career Paths through PAVE Event in Boston
Help us grow the future of retail at Career Paths through PAVE.
HHAC 2023 Scholarship
The 2023 Hip Hop Architecture Camp x Bergmeyer Scholarship + Internship Program
We are excited to announce that the application window for the 2023 Hip Hop Architecture Camp x Bergmeyer Scholarship and Internship Program is now open!
Sociasl2 05
The Romance of Tangibility
In light of the recent movement for “vintage” innovation, Bergmeyer Graphic Designer Ariana Piacquadio reflects on the romanticization of the analog world. As the tables are rapidly turning backward with tech so commonplace, real-life experiences you can engage with using all your senses start to embody a new kind of nuance and exclusivity.
2022 CD Retails New Horizon
Retail's New Horizon
How can retail brands seize the moment and reinvent themselves?
2022 Behind the Bar Web
Behind the Bar
Operational efficiency is critical to ensuring a seamless experience in the hospitality industry. Our design team decided to get "behind the bar" with several sought-after libation destinations serving Boston's Seaport community to get a design perspective from the people integral to facilitating world-class restaurant experiences.
2022 SDAT Petaluma Web Full
Reimagining Petaluma’s Community as a 15-Minute City
The passionate locals of Petaluma called upon us to help them achieve their goal of becoming a more accessible “15-minute city,” where every resident can access most of their daily necessities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.
2022 CK Meta Web
Connecting with Customers in Virtual Retail Experiences
How will shopping in the Metaverse compare with real-life experiences?
Promotions 2022 2023
Bergmeyer Announces 2022 Leadership and Practice Promotions
As we look forward to the New Year, we are celebrating the many achievements and successes of our team.
2022 Bthe Change Web
B the Change - A Commitment to Giving Forward
A new social responsibility mission statement that reinforces giving forward as a core part of our design collaborative.
2022 Quinn Metaverse Web
The Responsibility of Designers in a Virtual World
Although the Metaverse is still in its infancy, designers should be prepared to play a significant role in the next digital revolution.
2023 PAVE Scholarship web
The 2023 Bergmeyer x PAVE Scholarship and Mentorship Experience
Submit for the 2023 Bergmeyer x PAVE Scholarship and Mentorship Experience by January 13, 2023!
Metaverse Web
Designing the Future: The Meta-Dilemma on the Role of Designers in a Virtual World
Four designers share their unique perspectives on what we may experience in the Metaverse and task the design industry with being ready to create for both the physical and the virtual world.
Web
The Pan-Mass Challenge 2022: Trusting Your Instincts and the Importance of Self-Advocacy
Team Bergmeyer recently rode in the 2022 Pan-Mass Challenge, which raises funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Artboard 3
Design Outside the Lines
Built environments can guide our thoughts, behavior, and habits. So, in a world that is rapidly changing, why do many of the spaces we use every day remain the same? Bergmeyer Interior Designer Eliza Steele shares her thoughts on designing outside the lines.
Shutterstock 117585706
Designing Out Waste
Building waste accounts for a staggering 35-40% of worldwide waste in landfills, and carbon emissions from both building erection and deconstruction are increasing. These factors can be daunting when considering whether the design profession is an active or passive player- in the unending game we play each day with environmental management.
Web
So-Ho Inspired: Design Trends in NYC
Our retail design team fueled our creativity and reinforced our desire for true connectivity.
Microsoft Teams image 1
Influential Black Leaders, and their Stories that Inspire Us
Beyond the month dedicated to celebrating Black History are the people and their stories that have made a permanent and influential impact on our lives.