More Than Profits: How Employee Ownership Drives Social Impact

More Than Profits: How Employee Ownership Drives Social Impact

 

 

What happens when the CFO leads a company’s social responsibility efforts? And what if that initiative not only improves company culture but strengthens the bottom line?

In this episode of the Leadership With Heart podcast, we hear from Sandra Torre, Co-President and CFO at Lavidge, a full-service advertising agency based in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandra challenges conventional expectations of the CFO role by spearheading a company-wide volunteer program called “Impact Giving and Caring with Passion.” This refreshing conversation highlights how financial and human-centered leadership can coexist and thrive in the same space.

Sandra shares how Lavidge transitioned to employee ownership and inspired a cultural shift toward shared purpose and contribution. Recognizing a growing desire among team members to make a difference beyond the workplace, Sandra created a structured volunteering initiative that grants employees 16 paid hours annually to support community causes  all during the workweek. 

What started as a modest internal effort became a cornerstone of Lavidge’s identity, fostering collaboration, deepening engagement, and attracting new talent aligned with its values.

But the most compelling part? When COVID hit and most agencies faced furloughs and pay cuts, Lavidge made a bold decision: no layoffs, no cuts, and no pulling back from the impact program. The result? It was one of their strongest financial years ever. https://heatheryounger.com/more-than-profits-how-employee-ownership-drives-social-impact/

About Sandra

Sandra Torre has more than 20 years of finance experience. Torre as a CPA and CGMA has helped grow LAVIDGE since 2003, serving as CFO for 15 years. She was officially named one of two co-presidents in May 2024. Torre also was named Phoenix Business Journal’s 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Executive of the Year.

About LAVIDGE

LAVIDGE is committed to building long-lasting relationships. Over the past forty years, we’ve been a valued long-term strategic partner for top local, regional and national brands as well as community leaders and business and trade media. We’re an integrated marketing and communications agency that is committed to our clients’ success, providing category knowledge, fresh insights, creative storytelling and strategic value. We’ve helped Arizona Public Service (APS) increase their J.D. Power scores as a top large US utility. We’ve supported ASU in becoming a top school for innovation. We’ve helped United Rentals incorporate mergers and acquisitions into a consistent brand. And we’ve worked with HealthLock to build their brand and incorporate their services into Mastercard, to name a few.