We are deeply grateful to the Erb Institute at the University of Michigan for its foundational role in incubating Third Side Strategies.
What began as an experimental idea—the Corporate Political Responsibility (CPR) Taskforce—found a home at Erb, where we were able to explore, test, and grow under the leadership of then-Faculty Director Tom Lyon, author of CSR Needs CPR: Corporations, Sustainability and Politics. Tom and the Institute provided space and support to convene a remarkable cross-sector group of corporate leaders, academics, and advocates whose insights shaped the development of the Erb Principles for Corporate Political Responsibility and informed our broader approach.
Thanks to Erb’s leadership, resources, and belief in the power of principled business action, we are proud to now launch Third Side Strategies as an independent organization committed to advancing CPR Governance in companies, classrooms, and boardrooms. Thanks to Managing Director Melissa Zaksek, Faculty Director Charlene Zietsma, the entire staff and dedicated student Research Assistants, we are excited to be launching with a rich library of CPR resources, and a full suite of CPR Insights.
Looking ahead, we are delighted to know we can continue to engage Erb students in this emerging field. To the Erb community: thank you for your trust, partnership, and vision.