Everybody's Business: The Impact of Human Trafficking and Forced Labor on Your Business with discussants: Mr. David Arkless, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Manpower, Inc.; Ms. Kim Olson, Vice President/Chief Communications Officer, Carlson Companies; and Mr. Mechai Viravaidya, Chairman, Population and Community Development Association, and Former Minister and Senator of Thailand. Ms. Yang Lan moderates the discussion.
Bio
David Arkless
David Arkless was named Manpower Inc. Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs in 2004 and is a member of the company's Executive Management Team. In his role, Arkless is responsible for Governmental and International Affairs, as well as various strategic relationships with high-profile organizations such as the World Economic Forum, the Centre for European Policy Studies, the European Policy Centre, the U.S. Departments of State and Labor, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of China and the government of Shanghai.
Arkless joined Manpower in 1992 as company Vice-President and served in the Global Marketing and Strategic Services divisions before founding The Empower Group, a global consulting subsidiary of Manpower Inc, in 1999.
Arkless serves as board member of both the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and was named Special Envoy of the End Human Trafficking Now! movement.
Prior to joining Manpower, Arkless worked in various international assignments for Hewlett-Packard and subsequently established his own consulting company, Caden Corporation, which delivered both strategic and project implementation programs for corporations like ABB and Rolls-Royce NEI.
Yang Lan
Ms. Yang Lan is a TV Anchor and Talk Show Host and the Chair of the Sun Culture Foundation.
Kim Olson
Kim Olson joined Carlson in December 2005 as the company’s first-ever chief communications officer. She is responsible for directing all communications for the company, a global leader in the hotel, restaurant, travel, cruise and marketing industries. Kim is a member of Carlson’s Executive Committee, reporting to Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO.
Since joining Carlson, Kim has overseen a global reputation management strategy and has led the company’s initiatives to develop a new corporate logo launched in late 2006; a crisis communications plan; and a communications leadership council, which helps guide internal and external communications functions across Carlson. As a member of the executive committee, she directs the development of communications strategies that support Carlson’s vision to become the most respected private company on earth, and its mission to build better relationships.
Prior to joining Carlson, Kim was director of brand public relations for General Mills, where she headed all brand public relations efforts for that company – from Wheaties box introductions to the Pillsbury Bake-off. Before her career at General Mills, she headed global client services as a senior vice president for Weber Shandwick Worldwide.
Kim earned a professional accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is a member of that group’s Counselors Academy and is a PRSA Silver Anvil Award winner.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Mechai Viravaidya
Mechai Viravaidya, popularly known as "Mr. Condom" in his native Thailand, was recently awarded the 2007 Gates Award for Global Health on behalf of The Population and Community Development Association (PDA), the organization he founded in 1974.
For over 30 years, PDA has helped improve lives and strengthen communities in Thailand through HIV prevention and family planning programs that have become international models. A health economist by training, Viravaidya is best known for his use of humor and unorthodox methods in focusing the public's attention on public health.
The programs developed by Viravaidya and PDA led to a dramatic reduction in new HIV infections in Thailand, from 143,000 in 1991 to 21,000 in 2003. Using a nationwide network of village-based volunteers, PDA empowers women to plan their pregnancies, giving both mothers and children the opportunity to live healthier lives.
PDA's comprehensive approach to poverty reduction also addresses income generation, water resource development, sanitation projects, environmental conservation, and promotion of gender equality and democracy.
Today, PDA's 600 employees and more than 12,000 volunteers work in 18 regional development centers and branch offices throughout Thailand. Through its international training program, PDA has trained 2,900 people from 50 countries in innovative approaches to HIV prevention, family planning, adolescent reproductive health and other issues.
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