Ethical Legacies

09/30/2026

What kind of legacy does our decisions leave behind?

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, organizations around the world will recognize Global Ethics Day, an initiative created by Carnegie Council to encourage reflection on the values that guide our choices. This year’s theme, “Re-centering Ethics,” speaks directly to the mission of Ethical Legacies.

We believe ethical leadership is reflected in more than policies or statements. It is revealed through character, accountability, transparency, responsible decision-making, and the willingness to protect trust over time.

Global Ethics Day offers leaders, organizations, professionals, and communities an opportunity to ask: Will the choices we make today strengthen the legacy we leave tomorrow?

Ethical Legacies invites you to celebrate Global Ethics Day with us by examining how values are translated into everyday actions, decisions, and responsibilities. Every decision leaves an imprint, and over time, those decisions become a legacy. Let’s work together to build ethical legacies grounded in trust, responsibility, and 'Impeccable Integrity'.

07/31/2026

Today for National Whistleblower Day, Ethical Legacies recognizes the importance of enhancing organizations where concerns can be raised responsibly, reviewed seriously, and addressed before they cause lasting harm.

Before blowing the whistle, be sure to practice whistleblower etiquette by being proactive.

Whistleblowing is often viewed as a response to misconduct, but ethical leadership should also focus on prevention. That begins by asking whether a business has the habits, controls, and leadership discipline needed to identify problems early.

To support National Whistleblower Day, we're sharing two self-audit resources: 250 Top Breaches of Care & 250 Top Breaches of Loyalty.

http://www.ethicallegacies.org/directors-and-boards-corporate-governance-survey/

Directors and Boards Corporate Governance Survey Ethical Legacies Team CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) Directors and Boards Corporate Governance SurveyDownload To send to a friend: Did you enjoy this content?If so, sign up below to be the first to receive new articles, updates and news from Et...

07/29/2026

Through years of research, subject matter experts and business leaders have identified the top breaches of loyalty & care which can undermine trust or weaken accountability in a business.

Strong organizations are not defined by the absence of mistakes; they are defined by a leadership culture that actively works to prevent them. Over time, breaches in trust or care can gradually erode an organization’s reputation if not taken seriously.

Meaningful discussions surrounding these principles can help leadership teams recognize potential blind spots, reinforce ethical decision making, and cultivate positive behaviors. This type of self-audit aligns closely with the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) because responsible organizations are expected to examine not only what they achieve, but how ethically and accountably they achieve it.

At Ethical Legacies, we believe that great leadership is not achieved through intentions alone—it is demonstrated through thoughtful governance and an unwavering commitment to ‘Impeccable Integrity.’ Our experience has consistently shown that organizations willing to examine themselves honestly are often the ones best positioned to preserve confidence and build legacies capable of enduring for generations.

Keep your eyes peeled on July 30, National Whistleblower Day, for when we share the top 250 breaches of care and loyalty in business to protect businesses who believe that protecting an organization’s legacy begins long before problems ever emerge. If you feel as we do, please share them with others!

07/28/2026

We're looking forward to celebrating National Whistleblower Day with ethical leadership around the globe in 2 days!

Check out this article from last year's day of acknowledgment to learn more about how lawmakers and federal officials commemorate National Whistleblower Day annually.

The National Whistleblower Center commemorated National Whistleblower Day on Capitol Hill. Speakers included former employees of Boeing, ExxonMobil, a local Georgia police department, and other organizations who blew the whistle on their former employers for various wrongdoing such as faulty manufac...

07/14/2026

Before organizations can build ethical cultures, they must first learn to recognize where their most valuable knowledge already exists.

The latest Forbes article on the hidden value of Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs) is a timely reminder that the individuals closest to daily operations, product development, governance, compliance, customer relationships, and innovation often possess the clearest understanding of emerging risks and opportunities. Yet many organizations fail to create environments where those voices are consistently heard, developed, and incorporated into strategic decision-making.

At Ethical Legacies, we believe this is more than a management challenge—it is an ethical responsibility. Organizations that encourage informed dialogue, welcome diverse expertise, and elevate credible voices are better positioned to strengthen transparency, improve governance, enhance product stewardship, and build lasting public trust. Expertise should never be confined by hierarchy when it has the potential to improve decisions that affect employees, customers, shareholders, communities, and future generations.

Whether you lead a business, nonprofit, educational institution, manufacturing team, design group, or public organization, investing in your subject-matter experts is ultimately an investment in better judgment, stronger accountability, and a more resilient legacy.

Read the article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rheawessel/2025/11/30/the-hidden-value-of-subject-matter-experts-smes-and-how-to-unlock-it/ !

Subject-matter experts (SMEs) are often the untapped engine of thought leadership. Here's how to work with SMEs for visibility, differentiation and growth.

06/08/2026

One of the core beliefs behind Ethical Legacies is that every organization, regardless of its size, purpose, industry, or prestige, has a responsibility to uphold the principles upon which its reputation and legacy were built. Strong legacies are sustained through ethical conduct, responsible governance, and a commitment to the principles that inspired the institution in the first place.

That belief is why Ethical Legacies Founder & Director, Craig R. Gordon, recently submitted a letter to the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau in support of the complaint filed by John Donnelly Sweeney regarding the governance, administration, and commercial operation of the America’s Cup and related entities.

As the world's oldest international sporting trophy dating to 1851, the America’s Cup has long represented ideals of trust, sportsmanship, and ethical competition. While the America’s Cup is known globally as a sporting institution, the concerns raised in this matter extend far beyond sport. They involve questions of transparency, fiduciary accountability, responsible stewardship, independent oversight, and whether organizations remain faithful to their founding purposes as they evolve over time.

At Ethical Legacies, we believe public trust is one of the most valuable assets any institution can possess. Our support for appropriate regulatory review is rooted in a simple principle: every organization entrusted with a public, charitable, historical, or community legacy should be held to standards that preserve its credibility and integrity.

02/10/2026

Understand the importance of preparing the next generation for family business ownership and leadership through meaningful experiences.

02/04/2026

A family constitution is a living document created and implemented by a family that guides their relationship inside their family enterprise. It defines their collective vision and includes principles, policies, and statements. It is intended to harness their cooperative energy, inspire them to achi...

01/23/2026

Ethical issues in family businesses become increasingly relevant for businesses, societies and, consequently, organization scholars which manifests in a growing number of publications in the field over the years. Considerable knowledge generated in the area needs to be systematically structured and....

12/19/2025

The next generation of owners is crucial to the family firm's survival. The process of getting them ready and instilling the right attitudes should start early.