Sam Mazzeo
• – • The Lane
About the speaker
Most people like to think of Sam as an approachable renaissance man. Here are some things he can help you better understand: trademark, business formation & securities, contracts, Halloween party planning, how to do a standing backflip, and the proper pronunciation of the word “GIF.” When Sam isn't providing legal advice and empowering his clients, he's either outdoors adventuring or working on local policy and social justice initiatives, often through his volunteer positions with Business For Good San Diego. Sam also serves on several Boards of Directors, including TEDxSanDiego, A Reason to Survive (ARTS), Space4Art, and The Foundation at Hearst Castle. He leads with both heart and smarts.
Additional details
Corruption can start innocently, like favoring someone you know over someone you don’t. Or recalling a gift they once sent, and repay them with a project for that sweetness. Corruption is a spectrum, rewarding social connections and financial advantages over the rules of fair play. It exists in every society and every institution.
Some people survive through corruption, the labyrinthine bureaucracies where they live making it literally impossible otherwise. But while they survive, others perish. Rising plumes of toxic chemicals, collapsing buildings not constructed to code, we owe the calamities all around us to those who cared more about profit than people and gain over the greater good.
As social anthropologist Lucy Koechlin notes, “A world without corruption is a powerful idea. But it doesn’t appear out of the blue.” It takes courage to speak out. To demand transparency and accountability. To strengthen whistleblower protections and the rule of law. To break up corporate concentration while organizing coalitions of people to reset the balance. What will you do to hold power to account?
Our Monterrey chapter chose this month’s exploration of Corruption and Violeta Hernández illustrated the theme.
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