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The Mackinac Center for Public Policy prides itself in advancing liberty and opportunity for all people. We believe that by championing this for the past 25 years, more and more people in Michigan and even beyond have helped us to be effective.
With that in mind, this year’s 25th Anniversary Gala is themed “Liberty Changes Lives.” The event will feature stories of how liberty improves the well-being of all those with whom it comes in contact. The keynote speaker will be a man who has proven the value of the free market with both tangible and intangible results. The Mackinac Center is proud to feature a leader in the “conscious capitalism” movement: John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods.
Mackey is unapologetic about his message that capitalism can be caring. In the book he co-authored, “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business,” he details many mainstream companies that not only profit financially, but also benefit society.
“I think one of the most misunderstood things about business in America is that people are either doing things for altruistic reasons or they are greedy and selfish; just after profit. That type of dichotomy portrays a false image of business.
It certainly is a false image of Whole Foods. The whole idea is to do both: The animals have to flourish, but in such a way that it’ll be cheap enough for the customers to buy it.”
One of his missions is to remediate poverty. He has set up foundations to bring healthy, organic food at a reasonable price to those who normally would not have access to it.
Mackey believes he has a responsibility to the communities where his stores are located and also across the country where a lot of trading takes place. He encourages his team members to volunteer in service missions, reaching out to developing countries.
Mackey will deliver his keynote address during the Mackinac Center’s 25th anniversary gala Oct. 7 at the Kellogg Center in Lansing. Visit mackinac.org/25th today to join in the celebration!
