CSM profiles the architect behind CVS Health's CSR and philanthropy initiatives

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - The Christian Science Monitor on Thursday profiled one of the architects behind both CVS Health's bold move in walking away from selling tobacco in stores, and the company's philanthropic endeavors.

According to the profile, CVS Health in 2004 recruited Eileen Howard Boone, SVP corporate social responsibility and philanthropy for CVS Health and president of CVS Health Foundation. "In the 12 years since, she’s become the embodiment of the alignment between the company’s profitmaking and philanthropic goals," CSM wrote.

Since, Howard Boone has been responsible for formulating the strategic positioning of the company’s corporate social responsibility platform across three focus areas: building healthier communities, creating economic opportunities and protecting the planet.

In addition to leading CVS Health's philanthropic charge, Howard Boone played a key role in the implementation of CVS Health's #BeTheFirst campaign, a five-year commitment toward creating the first tobacco-free generation underwritten by CVS Health to the tune of $50 million, CSM reported.

That program is an extension of CVS Health's commitment toward not selling tobacco products in its stores. “It’s a business function,” Howard Boone told CSM. “We’re trying to support our long-term growth, and when we’re doing it in a socially responsible way, it really benefits the company and stakeholders.”

Howard Boone also was instrumental in leading stakeholder engagement around the company’s decision to stop the sale of tobacco in 2014 and garnered support from key anti-tobacco non-governmental organizations and health care organizations surrounding the announcement and tobacco exit, CVS Health noted. That focus on smoking cessation initiatives was reflected in CVS Health's annual corporate social responsiblity report titled, "Prescription for a Better World," released in May.

Among the new targets announced in this year's Report, four are aimed at creating a tobacco-free generation by 2020.

As the head of corporate philanthropy, Howard Boone leads a team that directs nearly $80 million in charitable funding for philanthropic programs that support the company’s purpose of helping people on their path to better health by increasing access to health care for underserved populations, improving the quality of care and ultimately reducing costs on the health care system. This includes charitable donations, gifts in-kind, customer and colleague fundraising and volunteerism.

Active in the community, Howard Boone serves on several nonprofit boards of directors, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Crossroads, Easter Seals and the NACDS Foundation. Through her work and expertise, she has earned many professional service accolades, including the CECP’s Charles H. Moore Award, which recognizes perseverance in pursuing societal advancement, and the National Child Labor Committee’s Lewis Hine Award for service to children and youth.

Howard Boone is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, and earned her MBA from Fordham University in New York.