Beyond “Checking the Box”: Islanders Owner Jon Ledecky Shares What Real Corporate Responsibility Looks Like

At Adelphi University's annual Hagedorn Lecture last spring, Gene McCarthy-a former executive at illustrious brands including Nike, ASICS, Under Armour and Merrell, and known as "The Godfather of Athletic Footwear"-sat down with New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky for a conversation about the importance of intentionally embedding social responsibility into an organization's DNA, with a specific focus on the world of sports.

"Leadership, Legacy and the Future of Corporate Responsibility in the Sports Industry" drew more than 200 students, alumni and community members to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center to hear the two leaders draw on decades of experience to explore the evolving role of corporate responsibility.

Moving Beyond "Check-the-Box" Corporate Responsibility

Both Ledecky and McCarthy have witnessed the role of corporate responsibility change dramatically in recent years. What was once often treated as philanthropy-or worse, a public relations exercise-has become a test of an organization's values and leadership. McCarthy cautioned against companies that simply "check the box," recalling one organization that touted a $1 million charitable initiative to plant saplings in the Amazon rainforest, then spent a whopping $25 million promoting the effort. The imbalance, he suggested, illustrates the difference between meaningful action and marketing.

Ledecky sees an even greater responsibility for sports organizations, whose growing visibility gives them a powerful platform. A team can strengthen its community while also building a profitable organization. As McCarthy put it, "Doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive."

The distinction, both men argued, lies in whether social responsibility sits on the sidelines or becomes part of how an organization operates every day. For the Islanders, that commitment is built into the rhythm of the season. Take "Hockey With a Heart" as an example. At each home game, a nonprofit organization is given the opportunity to raise funds and share its mission.

Sustaining this commitment is essential. Ledecky rejected a "one-and-done" approach to community engagement, sharing the story of Colin Moon, the son of a fallen firefighter. The Islanders have taken Moon under their wing, welcoming him back each year to the owners' box for his birthday. Relationships like these, Ledecky suggested, are what make ownership meaningful. "It's satisfying to have the resources, venue and platform to do good in the community," he said.

Why Ethical Leadership Matters

Embedding the values of corporate social responsibility into an organization requires leaders willing to protect them-particularly when short-term pressures pull in another direction. McCarthy framed leadership in simple terms: "When you're a CEO or you're a leader, you have the power to serve." Ledecky described that responsibility as stewardship, noting that team owners are temporary caretakers of institutions that belong, in a larger sense, to their communities. He recalled how former Islanders owner Charles Wang carefully considered who would be the right steward of the franchise when selecting its next ownership group-a responsibility Ledecky hopes to carry forward one day.

The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility

Looking ahead, both speakers pointed toward a model of corporate responsibility that is more authentic and more deeply integrated into organizational strategy. One-time gestures and well-publicized donations will carry less weight than measurable impact and long-term relationships. For organizations with significant visibility, that also means using their platforms more intentionally, creating opportunities to turn awareness into action.

Ledecky also sees service becoming increasingly valuable at the individual level. His advice to students was straightforward: Find an organization "near and dear to your heart" and get involved. In a stack of 50 résumés, he said, the candidate who has stepped outside of themselves to serve others stands apart.

Adelphi University's Legacy of Social Responsibility

Adelphi University has long turned out graduates with the skills needed to thrive professionally. Notably, these students place high value on being active, engaged citizens-making their mark within their organizations, their communities and the world at large. This is the result of a deliberate commitment to social responsibility and ethical leadership that is organically woven into the very fabric of how the University teaches, leads and serves.

At the Adelphi University Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, the conversation around ethics is hardly new. Since the school's founding in 1964, ethical practices have been a cornerstone of its approach to business education. In recent years, expectations of corporations have shifted, and so, too, has the conversation-expanding into a broader, more intentional focus on corporate social responsibility and the role organizations play in strengthening communities.

In 2003, a gift from the late Amy Hagedorn '05 (Hon.) and the late Horace Hagedorn '01 (Hon.), founder of Miracle-Gro, was used to establish the annual Hagedorn Lecture Series on Corporate Social Responsibility. Since then, the series has brought prominent leaders to Adelphi University to examine how businesses can balance the push and pull of profit and purpose.