A man holding a red box with gold bow

The business case for giving back: How community engagement strengthens firms and their people

This article was originally published in InvestmentNews. Click here to read the full article.

Katrina Radenberg is the chief investment officer of Mariner, a Registered Investment Adviser and founding member of Net Positive Consortium.

Giving back feels like something that has always been a part of my life.

Perhaps it’s because I was raised in a family that cared for others. We didn’t have a lot, but I watched my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles regularly lend a helping hand to those around them.

As I started my career, I was fortunate to find myself surrounded by people who shared those same values. That’s one of the reasons working at Mariner feels more like being part of a family than just having a job.

One of the greatest joys I’ve experienced during my time here has been through my involvement with the Mariner Foundation. The foundation is driven by our associates’ philanthropic passions, which allows us to create positive change in our communities. Over time, I have witnessed firsthand giving back isn’t just good for the community, it’s also good for business. 

Since 2023, Mariner has been a member of the Net Positive Consortium in Wealth Management (NPC), a network of industry leaders committed to creating a better future. The goal of the NPC is to come together to share our collected experiences, best practices, learnings and programs with each other and with the industry, with the hope of inspiring other firms to join us on the net positive journey. Through initiatives such as the Mariner Foundation and our annual +Impact Day, Mariner has established itself as a steward of positive change in and among our communities. These programs have strengthened our culture and deepened our purpose, and they’re a big part of why I believe every firm should consider doing the same.

Firms have a responsibility to the communities in which they live and work

Businesses don’t operate in a vacuum. They’re part of the communities they call home, and when firms commit to service and community engagement, the ripple effects are real. It strengthens trust, opens doors for collaboration and reinforces a company’s presence in ways that advertising and marketing alone cannot. Contributing time, resources and expertise builds lasting relationships. In turn, these connections create goodwill, build trust and help shape a healthier, more supportive environment for doing business.

Click here to read the full article on InvestmentNews.