First Things recently published several letters under the heading of “What I Would Say to the Synod.” One, by Rob Hays, president and chief executive officer of Ashford Hospitality, describes very well the role that the Busch School can play over the second decade of our existence, helping business be a force for good.
Hays reflects on the interactions of a group called the "Business Ethics Forum," comprising over thirty Catholic business executives in Dallas who meet quarterly to discuss business challenges through the lens of Catholic Social Doctrine. The first point emphasizes the struggles faced by employees and colleagues, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, including issues of anxiety, depression, and identity confusion. The author advocates for prioritizing lay moral and spiritual formation, asserting that employees need a foundation of virtues, committed relationships, and a sense of professional work as a noble vocation. The plea is for the Church to offer clear and charitable teachings to address the confusion prevalent in contemporary society.
The second point underscores the workplace as a critical arena for formation and evangelization. With a focus on a recent case study on mental health in the Business Ethics Forum, Hays argues that corporate managers and executives are increasingly compelled to address personal issues traditionally handled within familial or religious contexts. The article suggests that businesses, despite any perceived suboptimal structure, will play a central role in the next wave of Christian formation due to cultural challenges. The author calls for the training of business leaders to see their workplaces as a mission field and emphasizes that their unique skills, such as creative problem-solving and financial acumen, can significantly benefit the Church in areas like evangelization, education, and financial management. The article concludes with a plea to recognize and engage Catholic business leaders, stressing their willingness to contribute not only financially but also through their skills and experiences.
Rob Hays is the president and chief executive officer of Ashford Hospitality Trust, a large, Dallas-based hotel owner; the chairman of the board of the Ethics and Public Policy Center; and the chairman of the board of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Studies at Princeton University, of which he is a graduate. He and his wife Alicia, a Princeton alumna, are expecting their seventh child in January.