Celebrate, elevate, and empower: Building inclusive community
By Scott Uzzell, Converse President & CEO /
Trustees One Waterfront CEO Roundtable member
When we moved our main offices into the City of Boston in 2015, we chose a site on the waterfront between the Zakim and North Washington Street Bridges on Lovejoy Wharf just a few miles from where we were founded in Malden in 1908. We purposely chose a site that would allow us to connect with communities and become a valuable part of the local fabric.
In finding the right location, an accessible and inclusive waterfront was an important draw for us. Today, our offices occupy a formerly dilapidated piece of harbor infrastructure, with a completely refurbished wharf set on three-quarters of an acre of publicly accessible waterfront open space, available to all. Our employees often frequent this space, as do members of the public, who find a spot to sit, reflect, and enjoy a spot of green along the bustling Harborwalk.
At Converse, our core values are geared toward being a valuable part of the communities in which we live, work, and play—to be useful, to elevate, and to empower. We believe that strong, resilient cities start with strong, resilient communities who celebrate diversity and improve the quality of life for others, by providing equal access to vital services and amenities such as educational opportunities, arts and culture, and open space.
A PROUD WATERFRONT CITY
Thanks to our new headquarters location, we have seen firsthand the value that welcoming, open space has brought to our staff and neighbors. Boston is truly a beautiful and proud waterfront city, with a rich maritime and marine history. But, as a recent survey from the Conservation Law Foundation points out, not all residents feel they have equal access to an increasingly developed shoreline.
Let’s make 2020 the year that changes. Having personally experienced the value of an accessible waterfront, Converse is a strong proponent of developing more parks and green space in Boston. I am thrilled to be expanding our community work with this focus, as a member of The Trustees of Reservations’ One Waterfront CEO Roundtable, joining a group of leaders from the Boston business community.
Together, we support Boston in its plans to “increase access and open space along the waterfront,” and will strive to be part of the solution in making our waterfront a more welcoming and accessible place for all to enjoy. With local roots that go back over 100 years, Converse is invested in the future of our great and historic city. Together with One Waterfront, we look forward to building a more inclusive waterfront—for all.
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To learn more about The Trustees Boston Waterfront Initiative, One Waterfront , visit: https://onewaterfront.thetrustees.org/about
Scott Uzzell
Scott Uzzell is the President & CEO of Converse, Inc. where he leads all aspects of the business, globally and has recently overseen the company’s successful return to the Basketball category across product, marketplace and sponsorships, after a 10-year hiatus from the sport. Scott joined Converse, Inc. from The Coca-Cola Company where he previously served as President, Venturing & Emerging Brands Group (VEB) and led the development of a portfolio of high-growth brands, including Honest Tea, ZICO Coconut Water, Fairlife Milk and Suja Juice.