About

The Center for Responsible Enterprise And Trade (CREATe.org) is a movement to create jobs, growth, and innovation by promoting fair competition and responsible global supply chains. We are a nonprofit, 501(c)6 organization that aims to promote compliance and the rule of law; fair competition and responsible business practices; and respect for intellectual property rights. We are based in Washington, D.C., but our work is global.

We believe that by improving practices along global supply chains, multinational companies can help drive jobs, growth, and innovation—benefiting their own businesses, the global economy, and the communities where they operate. And by partnering with governments, nonprofits, think tanks and associations, we hope to amplify the work of each.

To achieve our shared goals, CREATe.org shares practical tools and best practices, provides education, and advocates for companies to use their supply chains to strengthen a rules-based global system of commerce.

Origins

CREATe.org was inspired by the work of a range of leading global corporations, think tanks, and nonprofits and was supported financially by a start-up grant from Microsoft Corporation.

CREATe.org also builds on the legacy and momentum of the fair labor movement and more recent environment sustainability efforts. Over the past several decades, multinational companies, labor unions, nonprofits, and governments have deployed a variety of mechanisms focused on global supply chains, including:

  • Voluntary, corporate codes of conduct.
  • Self-regulatory enforcement/auditing.
  • International Framework Agreements (IFAs) between global unions and multinationals.
  • Training and technical assistance to spur managerial changes that improve conditions.
  • International trade agreements.
  • National regulatory enforcement.
  • Procurement standards regarding fair labor practices enacted by city, state, and federal governments.

Mission

To stimulate the creation of jobs, growth, and innovation by promoting responsible enterprise and trade practices.

Principles

CREATe.org promotes a set of operating principles which are used in its own governance.

  • Comply with the law.
  • Compete fairly and responsibly.
  • Respect intellectual property rights.
  • Be honest and transparent.
  • Collaborate to achieve shared goals.

Who We Are

  • Pamela Passman, President and CEO

    Pamela Passman is the founding President and CEO of CREATe.org. Prior to establishing CREATe.org, Ms. Passman was the Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft responsible for regulatory compliance, public policy, corporate citizenship, and corporate philanthropy. She joined Microsoft in 1996 and until 2002 led the Legal and Corporate Affairs organization in Asia, based in Tokyo, with a focus on Japan, Korea and the People’s Republic of China. Prior to joining Microsoft, Ms. Passman practiced law with Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. and Nagashima & Ohno in Tokyo, Japan. She currently serves on the Boards of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, having served on its Independent Task Force on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy.

  • Mario Rebello, Managing Director

    Mario Rebello is the Managing Director of CREATe.org. Until October 2011, Mr. Rebello was the Senior Director of U.S. Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs at Microsoft. Previously, he led Government Affairs for Microsoft Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and managed state government affairs on the east coast of the U.S. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2001, Mr. Rebello held senior positions with AT&T Corporation and United Technologies, as well as serving as Policy Counsel and Legislative Director for Governor Lincoln Almond of Rhode Island and assistant to the late United States Senator John H. Chaffee. Mr. Rebello has an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a JD degree in Corporate & International Law from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law.

  • Michael Byrne, Head of Operations

    Michael Byrne manages CREATe.org’s operations. From 2002 through September 2011, Mr. Byrne led operations for the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (IIBLP), a nonprofit association providing educational training to bankers and lawyers on financing trade in emerging markets. Mr. Byrne was also involved in the production and publication of journals, books, and other media for IIBLP. He is a graduate of The Florida State University.