USCIB Welcomes New Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Committee Vice Chairs

Published on January 24, 2023

Left to right: Melissa Kopolow and Ryan Larsen

USCIB is pleased to announce two new Vice Chairs of the USCIB Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs (CRLA) Committee—Melissa Kopolow and Ryan Larsen.

Kopolow is vice president with Dentons Global Advisors—Albright Stonebridge Group’s (DGA-ASG) Sustainability Practice, where she advises corporations, nonprofits and foundations on sustainability and ESG initiatives and strategies. Prior to joining ASG, Kopolow was the global director of policy at Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI), where she developed global multilateral engagement strategies and advanced programs in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Before ABI, she was a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Organizations, where she orchestrated efforts to advance U.S. policies, interests, and goals on global health and labor issues at a range of international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). During her time at the State Department, Kopolow also served as an Alternate U.S. Representative with the U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States, a Foreign Affairs Fellow with Counterpart International, and a Regional Affairs Officer for Central America. She also served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and began her career as a Presidential Management Fellow at the Department of Commerce.

Larsen is a senior director for International Labor Relations with Walmart, responsible for overseeing the company’s labor relations across global markets. During Larsen’s career with Walmart Inc., he has been posted to Mexico, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. Since returning to the U.S. in 2017, he has become increasingly engaged in work related to international labor policy issues, including supporting implementation of the company’s Human Rights Statement. Larsen has participated in the U.S. Employer Delegation to the ILO International Labor Conference as a member of various Committees dealing with Skills and Lifelong Learning, and Apprenticeships. He also participated in the ILO Tripartite Working Group on Decent Work in Supply Chains, and most recently served as an expert in the October 2022 ILO Tripartite Meeting of Experts on Decent Work in the Platform Economy.

“Melissa and Ryan bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Committee,” said USCIB Policy & Program Associate Jose Arroyo. “Please join me in welcoming our new committee leadership.”

USCIB Urges More Business Engagement in UN to Address Human Rights Gaps

Published on December 12, 2022

USCIB members discussed issues related to business and human rights with representatives of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights Council at the 11th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. This year’s Forum was held in Geneva during the week of November 28 and focused on the topic, Rights Holders at the Center: Strengthening Accountability to Advance Business Respect for People and Planet in the Next Decade.

The Forum provided a platform for historically underrepresented groups to voice their concerns and for business to reiterate its commitment for advancing human rights. However according to USCIB Policy Associate Jose Arroyo, business representation during the formal sessions was unfortunately limited, making the side events and extra meetings, which were organized by USCIB and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), all the more important.

“USCIB and IOE expressed to the UN Working Group the need to engage business in the discussions and highlighted our common goals to address informality, close the gap between labor practice and labor law and encourage more decisive action from States in enforcing existing regulations,” said Arroyo.

“While notable discussions were held during the Forum, the absence of a business perspective across several panels was palpable,” added Arroyo. This message, as well as the fact that business should be regarded as a partner in the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground, was conveyed directly to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a private meeting organized by IOE.

“In our messaging to the High Commissioner, the business community clearly expressed our common goal to promote the Human Rights approach and reiterated our strong commitment to do the right thing,” concluded Arroyo.

In the USCIB-organized meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights Council, members had the opportunity to discuss their concerns regarding the draft UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights and upcoming legislation in Europe, as well as to describe their due diligence efforts in the context of the UN Guiding Principles.

USCIB Welcomes New Associate for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs – Jose Arroyo

Published on July 6, 2022

USCB welcomed a new policy and program colleague at the end of June – Jose Arroyo, who joins USCIB as a Policy & Program Associate to help cover Corporate Responsibility & Labor Affairs as well as Corporate Governance. Jose will be based in USCIB’s New York office.

Originally from Costa Rica, Arroyo started his career in 2011 as a policy and financial auditor of the National Comptroller of Costa Rica. He audited the use of public funds according to financial and legal regulations. Then, he applied to work for the Foreign Service of Costa Rica and was appointed as a diplomat in New York City in 2013. He worked at the Consulate in New York for five years implementing foreign policy, with a particular focus on sustainability and immigrant protection, in partnership with multiple agencies and local officials.

As a diplomat, Arroyo tracked policy and legislation developments and fostered cooperation between the Government of Costa Rica, U.S. officials, and multinational organizations.

After leaving the Consulate and settling in New York City, Arroyo became a consultant with UNEP, advising on economic growth under a decarbonization strategy.

He brings expertise and experience in communications, project management, and partnership building.