Remembering Dorianne Beyer

As a founding member of SAI’s Advisory Board, Dorianne was integral to the early development of SAI and the initial publication of the SA8000 Standard, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Outside of SAI, she was a dedicated attorney and fierce advocate for labor rights, working as a national and international labor standards lawyer, author, trainer, and lecturer for over 30 years.  

Dorianne also applied her labor policy experience as a public consultant to many government agencies, such as the U.S. Departments of Labor, State, and Agriculture, the New York State Department of Labor, and the U.S. Army, as well as to the United Nations, the Child Labor Coalition, Burger King Intl., universities, corporations, blue ribbon panels, policy makers, the NGO community, and the media. In the private sector, Dorianne was a founding partner in Labor & Monitoring Consultants, LLC, (LMC) which provides a wide range of private labor standards services to corporations, governments, trade associations, and law firms. 

Her career in labor standards began at the National Child Labor Committee, where she began as National Project Director and was General Counsel for over 25 years. In addition to SAI’s Advisory Board, she also served on the Internal Standards Committee of the Sustainable Agricultural Network of Rainforest Alliance and on the Board of the Children’s Center of the National Farm Medicine Center. 

As a member of the SA8000 Standards Committee in 1997, Dorianne was indispensable to the conceptualization and development of the Standard. She was profoundly skilled in deliberating challenging concepts and distilling them into succinct and understandable language, ensuring that SA8000 was as impactful as possible in upholding the rights of workers around the world. Dorianne continued to play an active and invaluable role in SA8000 revisions through 2014.   

In addition to her intellect and dedication, Dorianne is remembered as a deeply warm friend to all who knew her. Rochelle Zaid, Executive Advisor of Standards and Impacts, remembers, “when you became friends with her, that was it. She was the best friend you could ever ask for and so interested in you as a person. If you were with her, you were the only person that mattered. And she was like that with everyone.”

So many of us were lucky to be great friends with Dorianne and will miss her wit, warmth, energy, and eternal love.  

Memories from the SAI Community

“Dorianne was not only a treasured friend but a tremendous contributor to the development of SA8000, the international standard for decent work and to decades of work interpreting, updating and implementing it as a highly respected member of the Advisory Board of Social Accountability International.  

It was Dorianne whose lawerly skill parsed every word, comma and phrase. It was Dorianne who often integrated and interpreted long, complex board discussions, drafting the perfect language to accurately reflect the board’s intent and insights. It was Dorianne who drove the SAI decision to incorporate remediation into the SA8000 child labor provision. It was Dorianne so often reminding us all how intertwined are child labor, low wages, dangerous work, excessively long hours.  

I shall miss her dearly, colleague, friend and neighbor.”   – Alice Tepper Marlin, Founder and President Emerita 

“My first memories of Dorianne are of course the time I spent with her in the early days of our SAI Advisory Board meetings. It’s hard to overstate how important her contributions were to the very complex issues we were all grappling with at the time. She never backed away from a tough discussion, and she always found ways to keep us connected and moving forward. My relationship with Dorianne evolved over the years from trusted colleague to dear personal friend, and I considered her a part of my extended family. The most remarkable thing about her was how much she invested in relationships wherever she went. She had a vast network of friends around the world who all viewed her as a close personal friend. She made all of us feel seen, heard and loved, and we all loved her in return.” – Dan Henkle-Kawa, Board of Directors Chair 

“I’m so overwhelmed and saddened by the passing of Dorianne.  I considered Dorianne a wonderful colleague and a friend. She was so instrumental in the creation of SA800, the world-wide and recognized bench mark for worker’s rights. I remember the early days of SAI’s Advisory Board, when I was a member and later on as its’ Chair, Dorianne’s input, experience, advice and straight forward approach was something I always admired. She advised me when I crafting the Toy’s R Us Code of Conduct for Suppliers’ Program. She was a staunch and devoted bedrock for everything SAI stands for. 

And, every time I saw her, she always complimented me on the tie I was wearing.  I loved ties and always tried to wear a different one to the meetings  — just for Dorianne. 

So, dear Dorianne, rest in peace knowing you left behind a powerful and enduring legacy that will carry-on into perpetuity.” – Tom DeLuca, Founders Committee 

“I joined SAI in Jan 2001, and returned to China to launch our China program in 2004. During my stay in New York, Dorianne had always treated me in the kindest way possible and had given me all the encouragement and inspiration. I retreated from China to join my family here in CT.  A few months ago, when I told Dorianne that my daughter Moli, who is in college now, would like to pursue a legal career for public interest, Dorianne immediately invited me and Moli to meet with her in the city, to advise Moli as she had mentored me. Though the meeting didn’t take place, her offer made me feel that I have a big sister here who cares about me and my baby. 
 
The Chinese character of the word “people” is very simple, basically only two strokes: / and \ leaning on each other: “人”. RIP, dear Dorianne, we supported each other, and will always keep you in my mind.” – Martin Ma, former SAI China Director 

“Irreverent and generous, you adored your friends and colleagues, especially your SAI family. 

You fought for justice, for child workers, and for social accountability, traveling the world on your quest for human rights. 

You loved theatre, dance, and literature. I had the good fortune to be your friend, and you followed not only my path, cheering me on, but also the lives of my daughters and the books I wrote. 

Your apartment was lined with photos of you with the leaders you admired and supported, especially Hilary Clinton. 

I have such gratitude for our adventures together. When we were in Copenhagen for the Social Summit, we were able to see the Royal Danish Ballet perform Giselle and sample several kinds of herring. 

You encouraged me and mentored me and we in turn celebrated you. Even when walking was hard for you, you ventured to hear me read poetry at Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, Amy Hall’s marvelous book store. 

The last few times we met, we planned for your birthday celebration in Cambridge, UK. You wanted to host us for High Tea and show us one of the many places you called home. 

A consummate New Yorker, you were wise, witty, and fierce, telling outrageous jokes. You loved the Met. You knew everyone and your calendar was filled with gallery openings, lectures and theatre. 

It is hard to imagine this world without you.” – Deborah Leipziger, SAI Consultant 

“You were so generous. You made time to visit me, in my home (in the woods of Northeastern Connecticut) and to come speak at our land-grant school, UConn. You made an unforgettable impression. You spoke before an auditorium of students awed by your frank appraisal of how hard the world is for working children – especially those who make the clothes we wear and harvest the food we eat. You shared the stage with Robin Romano, a courageous, outrageous New Yorker whose photos matched your words. Your power and candor were inspiring. You and Robin are together, somewhere beyond pain, in conversation – and keeping watch over the rest of us, urging us on in this work and reminding us to take time to enjoy this fragile place we call home.” – Shareen Hertel, University of Connecticut, former SAI Advisor  

“Dorianne. 

Tireless advocate. 

Brilliant tactician. 

Unstoppable force. 

Forever friend. 

We will miss the twinkle in your eye, your wit, and your curiosity. 

May you never stop fighting for the right to dignity, whether in this life or beyond.” – Amy Hall, Advisory Board Member 

“I was so sad to hear about Dorianne, such a marvelous human being – enthusiastic, passionate about workers’ rights, lovely and authentic.” – Oliver Bach, Sustainable Agriculture Network 

“Dorianne was a fierce defender of children and workers everywhere: knowledgeable, convincing, determined and yet always with a knockout sense of humor.” – Chris Wille, Former Advisory Board Member 

“I was shocked by Dorianne’s passing. In these last two years I was not able to hear from her as I would have liked but she was always in my heart and in my thoughts. Dorianne for me was a mentor, a role model, and finally also a friend. When I first met Dorianne in 2000, I was working in SGS, John Brooks introduced her to me, at a conference at FAO. I was immediately struck by her intelligence, her charisma and sympathy and her joy of life, her irony. I remember Dorianne spilling a jar of medicine on the table in the middle of a meeting and joking about all the medicine she had to take. 

 
Dorianne followed my entire career path, my transitions from certification realities, to companies, and the confrontation with her was not only on the work level but also on the personal level and sphere. I often drew from her immense pills of confidence and wisdom, she could always find the silver lining in any situation, she could always smile and make you smile. I have a box full of comics and articles she sent me for my birthday over the years. I remember long talks about work and life, memorable dinners and beautiful evenings. An incredible professional, a wonderful woman, a friend with an immense heart. I will miss her very much” – Rossella Ravagli, Giorgio Armani, Former SAI Advisory Board Member 

“We hit it off very quickly, must have been when I was first at a SA8000 meeting for the ILO around 2008. Mutual appreciation of rights-based approaches and social justice. I think Dorianne was a huge asset for SAI. And on a personal level she was great fun and also full of insights and stories and understanding. What a lovely lady!” – Steven Oates, former SAI Advisor 

“In reflecting on Dorianne, who she was as a colleague, rights advocate, and above all a friend, the first thing that comes to mind is her quick wit and wonderful laugh, that was at once warm and crackling. But if you take a moment and really reflect, it’s clear Dorianne was a giver. She was generous in sharing her talents and her care for others. 

Anyone who has worked with Dorianne will likely know how quick she was with words. For many years, I relied on Dorianne’s brain power and her ability to translate complex legal text into plain language. We worked closely together for 12 years on drafting, evaluating, and redrafting the SA8000 standard for workers’ rights. We read International Labour Organization Conventions and jurisprudence, all written to define government duties to uphold workers’ rights. This was the decade before the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and we were translating government obligations into what that should mean for corporate policies. She was a master at interpreting legal principles into actionable language to define corporate accountability. 

Where Dorianne truly excelled was in navigating the comments and edits that came in from trade unions and transnational corporations and incorporating those in real time. The SA8000 consensus-based drafting process could not have worked without Dorianne in the room. She had an uncanny ability to listen – sometimes to longwinded commentary and discussion – and then convert that into succinct proposals for edits everyone could agree on. What was particularly special is that she could do this with good humor and leave everyone with a sense that we accomplished something together. She never took lead credit, though she often deserved it. 

Dorianne was a giver and a listener. And she listened to much more than the words being said. She saw through people and had an abundance of empathy that invariably led to friendships. She was generous in how she showed up for others, as evidenced by her volunteer work and the many boards she supported. She didn’t just become your friend though. She followed your life and your kids’ lives, keeping track of who was where and doing what. We stayed in touch, but never as much as I’d have liked. So I find, yet again, that I am learning from Dorianne, my mentor and friend. Losing her is a reminder of the qualities I hope to carry forward, because no matter how much she struggled, she continued pouring her heart into showing up for others.” – Judy Gearhart, American University, former SAI Director 

“Brilliant. Loving. Giving. Funny. Irreverent. Larger than life. Global citizen. Advocate. Ally. Change agent. Wordsmith. Connector. World Traveler. Terrible driver… 

…Beloved friend. In emails, posts and at your beautiful Celebration of Life, these and many more words of tribute came pouring out from your huge network of family and friends around the world. Words fail to capture what a force you were and what we and the world have lost with your untimely passing. But I like to think of you, a lover and crafter of words, soaking it all up and laughing at us as we try. 

From your thoughtful advocacy and writing for the SA8000 Standard over decades, always centered on the perspectives of workers, children and stakeholders, we saw your seriousness and your dedication. In the lighter moments, from clever poems, political satire, and random puns to long coffee chats in Chelsea, Mumbai, Haarlem, and sometimes even hospital beds, you always had some choice words for the powers that be and everyone else in between. You made us think and laugh, the latter most often at ourselves, and offered a dose of sass and encouragement at just the right moments. Thank you for continually centering our conversations on what matters most. We will aways remember your love of words and art, and most fundamentally, people and justice. We miss you and carry you in our hearts as we continue to change the world, chanting this refrain: Be Dorianne: Be the Change. Be Brilliant, Be Bold, Be Brazen. (And maybe take the train instead of driving). 

(And yes, Dorianne, I know I’m the even worse driver who banged up your car.)” – Jane Hwang, President and CEO

Please feel free to leave a comment on this post to contribute your memories of Dorianne.