The ICCR 2020 Legacy Honoree:
Susan Smith Makos
The ICCR Legacy Award was created to honor those whose work has provided a strong moral foundation and an enduring record of demonstrated influence on corporate policies.
Susan Smith Makos, Vice President for Mercy Investment Services, has been a powerful advocate for the common good – a thoughtful and skilled professional with a deep commitment to shareholder advocacy that advances social justice and the building of a sustainable world. Through her deep knowledge, dedication, and collaboration she has helped numerous organizations to live out their missions and values through shareholder engagement. Susan has shared her time and talent with the ICCR community in many ways. Notably, she served in leadership roles at ICCR including six years (2008-2014) on the Governing Board, two years of which (2010-2012) were as board chair. She currently serves as a member of ICCR’s investment committee and has previously served on the finance committee and many working groups.
Through the years, Susan has engaged corporations on a variety of issues including human rights; health care; environmental sustainability; financial sector practices; and corporate governance. Most recently, Susan led work on climate lobbying; organized work on recycling, water, and plastics; and engaged a variety of companies on board diversity.
“In her work with Mercy Investment Services, Susan has truly exemplified who we are as ICCR - she has not only been inspired by faith and committed to action, but she has also helped us to be the organization we profess to be: investors seeking a triple bottom line—social, environmental and financial. The ICCR Board is delighted to honor her with this award.”
- Frank Sherman, ICCR’s Board Chair
“Working alongside Susan for almost two decades in the social responsibility community, I have seen her bring a strong and steady voice to corporate engagements, an effective and articulate approach to ICCR governance and a caring hand to leading and working with staff. Her passion for shareholder engagement and vision for a more sustainable world will continue to impact Mercy Investment Services, our partners and ICCR for many years to come.”
- Pat Zerega, Senior Director of Shareholder Advocacy for Mercy Investment Services
“Susan has managed a model that is inspiring – a strategic framework for engagement that balances multiple issues and multiple forms of advocacy in a way that moves the social needle.”
- Colleen Scanlon, EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer for CommonSpirit Health