James Epstein-Reeves is a Chicago-based expert on corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and cause-marketing. Having recently served as the Director of Community affairs for the multi-billion dollar office supply company OfficeMax, James led the company’s philanthropy and volunteer program. His efforts led to the creation of the award winning volunteer event A Day Made Better – an initiative that united the company during a simultaneous volunteer event in 1,000+ locations across the country. In addition, he co-led the effort for the company to publish its first and second corporate social responsibility report which used the Global Reporting Initiative framework.
James started his career in the think-tank world of Washington, DC researching corporate social responsibility and public policy. He is the co-author of the 2002 book Corporate Responsibility in the Global Village which looks at government-led initiatives in Europe and North America that promote socially and environmentally responsible practices among businesses operating overseas.
In addition to working on corporate sustainability, James is well-versed in corporate philanthropy having created the giving programs at OfficeMax and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the mid-Atlantic. He has served as an officer of the OfficeMax Charitable Foundation and as the board-liaison for the Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation. He has also tirelessly worked to support diversity and inclusion at both companies, having served on the Diversity Councils for each.
