Ethisphere Announces the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability, today unveiled the “100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics,” an annual list of individuals who have made a significant impact in the realm of corporate citizenship over the course of the previous year.

“This year we have seen significant consequences that ethical failings can have on an organization and industry at-large. However, we have also observed the profoundly positive impact that sound corporate ethics can have on the long-term success and sustainability of a company”

“This year we have seen significant consequences that ethical failings can have on an organization and industry at-large. However, we have also observed the profoundly positive impact that sound corporate ethics can have on the long-term success and sustainability of a company,” said Stefan Linssen, editor-in-chief of Ethisphere Magazine. “The individuals on this year’s list have impacted the way we think about and practice ethics in ways that will continue to resonate with the business community for years to come.”

Some are world famous and some are completely unknown, but through their actions in 2011 – from hunger strikes to recouping losses from Ponzi schemes – the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics list will impact the world of business ethics – and the way we do business – in 2012 and beyond.

The following are the top 5 of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics:

	1.		Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare had a huge impact on the governance of the world's largest democracy through a series of internationally publicized hunger strikes.

	2.		U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff set a new precedent when he ruled against a proposed settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Citigroup because the settlement did not require Citigroup to admit or deny guilt.

	3.		Russian blogger and activist Alexei Navalny made headlines throughout 2011 for running a blog that covers corruption in Russia, navalny.ru, and galvanizing Russia’s nascent opposition (i.e., anti-Putin) movement.

	4.		Irving Picard, the trustee leading the recovery efforts of the Madoff Ponzi scheme, makes the list for his relentless work recouping the money lost by investors around the world.

	5.		The Commissioner Responsible for Competition at the European Commission, Joaquín Almunia, is recognized for his efforts leading one of the most active antitrust enforcers in the world.

Rounding out the top 10:

	6.		Lanny Breuer, Assistant Attorney General
	7.		Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York
	8.		Richard Alderman, Director of the Serious Fraud Office
	9.		Mary Schapiro, Chairman of the SEC
	10.		Nick Davies, Reporter for the Guardian Newspaper

The individuals recognized on this list, ranked from 1 to 100, represent ten distinct categories:

Government and Regulatory
Business Leadership
Non-Government Organization
Design and Sustainability
Media and Whistleblowers
Thought Leadership
Corporate Culture
Investment and Research
Academics
Philanthropy

For the full list of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics, including descriptions of the recognized individuals, visit us at http://ethisphere.com/2011s-100-most-influential-people-in-business-ethics/ and watch for the list to be published in the next issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

On March 15, 2012, Ethisphere will recognize the World’s Most Ethical Companies – companies from across the globe that have leading ethics and compliance programs, particularly as compared to their industry peers, and go beyond making statements about doing business “ethically” to translate those words into actions.

About Ethisphere Institute

The Ethisphere Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement, and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. Ethisphere Magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World’s Most Ethical Companies Ranking™, is the quarterly publication of the Institute.

The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes companies that truly go beyond making statements about doing business “ethically” and translate those words into action. WME honorees demonstrate real and sustained ethical leadership within their industries, putting into real business practice the Institute’s credo of “Good. Smart. Business. Profit.”

More information on the Ethisphere Institute, including ranking projects and membership, can be found at http://www.ethisphere.com.