The words and deeds of business leaders hold particular resonance in our 21st century world. Any country can transform its workforce by engaging executives who are not part of the children’s services sector to advocate for public investments, as well as take private actions. As employers, philanthropists, and civic leaders, these leaders can use their positions to increase awareness of and support for these programs. As business executives, they are powerful precisely because they are not early childhood experts, with no vested interest in a particular service.

This section showcases the wide variety of actions business leaders are taking to support improve the lives of young children and start them on the path to productive adulthood. We group these into six types.

1. Supporting local programs, with funds, expertise, volunteers or other resources
2. Effecting change in their company, through family-friendly practices and educating employees
3. Disseminating information on the importance of early childhood through their customer network
4. Providing products that generate profits while also contributing to social goods
5. Giving high-level public presentations or media appearances that call attention to the issue
6. Advocating for policy change to increase public funding