Philip A. Berry, 2003 Graduation Commencement Speaker

Mr. Philip A. Berry, a 1975 graduate of the Columbia School of Social Work, was welcomed back to his alma mater on Wednesday May 21st when he delivered the commencement address at the School's 2003 graduation ceremony. With over 25 years of experience in all areas of human resources, Mr. Berry's exemplary leadership in corporate human resources has won him industry-wide praise for creating a positive work environment. As Vice President of Global Workplace Initiatives at Colgate-Palmolive, Mr. Berry's work has resulted in his company being named one of the top places to work by Fortune, Working Mothers and Latinas Style magazines. Berry, who has led global human resources teams from Latin America to Europe, credits the Columbia School of Social Work with giving him "the critical skills and values that provided the foundation for my effectiveness with people issues."

Berry, an African-American, was named one of the "100 Most Powerful Minority Business Leaders in New York" by Crain's Business magazine in April of this year. But Berry's influence reaches far beyond the corporate sector. He has also been singled out as a leader in education reform. In 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed Berry to the "New Board of Education" where he is helping shape the city's education policy of the future.

Berry believes that today's social issue—from AIDS to infant mortality—are a call to action for the modern social worker. "The time is right for social workers to take a leading role in helping to develop solutions to these problems," says Berry. He believes that social workers, with their "innate sensitivity," their academic training, their ability to work on all levels, utilizing evidence, are uniquely qualified to battle what are "not just domestic issues, but global issues."

"The Columbia School of Social Work is a world class organization with a global perspective," says Berry. "It comes up with viable approaches to dealing with global problems and cultivates the necessary skills and abilities in its students."