Purpose 360

What is your organization’s employee purpose iQ?

Host Carol Cone is joined by Wendy Salomon, Managing Director of Reputation & Corporate Strategy at The Harris Poll, to walk you through this first-of-its-kind tool to measure the success of your organization’s purpose. EPiQ, or Employee Purpose iQ, is an analysis of strengths and opportunities to activate your company's purpose with employees—backed by a custom roadmap to drive growth.

Based on a survey of an organization’s employees and using a succinct set of targeted metrics exploring Credibility, Talent, and Activation, EPiQ helps organizations understand and diagnose where purpose is not optimized while identifying efficient strategies to move the organization forward.

Listen for insights on:

• The EPiQ score and how it’s measured
• The specific areas for growth the EPiQ dashboard pinpoints
• How the EPiQ dashboard can inform investment and strategy decisions
• The long-term impact of knowing and advancing your employee purpose iQ

Resources + Links:

• Carol Cone’s LinkedIn
• Wendy Salomon’s LinkedIn
• Employee Purpose iQ
• Sustainable Brands: “Measure What Matters: Are You Optimizing Purpose to Uplift Your Workforce?
• Searching for the Soul of Business with Alan Murray: Part 1
• Searching for the Soul of Business with Alan Murray: Part 2

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - EPiQ: Employee Purpose IQ
• (02:28) - Meet Wendy Salomon
• (04:31) - Essential Ingredient
• (05:27) - The Impetus
• (06:47) - Broader Sense of Why to Measure the Purpose Investment
• (08:47) - How We Work With the Company
• (10:00) - Where the Need Is Greatest
• (11:29) - National Survey
• (14:07) - Three Core Dimensions
• (15:55) - Identifying Who's Bought In
• (16:41) - The Deliverable
• (18:17) - What Is Our Company's Purpose?
• (19:19) - Closing Comments
• (20:32) - Wrap Up

What job would you take after being the CEO of a 160-year-old, multi-billion-dollar international company?

Foreseeing tequila’s imminent rise, as well as its impact on ecosystems and communities in Jalisco, Michael Dolan, former Bacardi CEO, is on a mission to hold the spirits industry accountable for its carbon and community footprint. He’s leaned into sustainability to create a new company and category in the luxury market that promotes “premium with a purpose.” The company, Mijenta, is an exceptional award-winning artisanal liquor and the first and only B Corp tequila producer on the market.

We invited Michael Dolan, CEO of Mijenta, to share why he created Mijenta and how he is demonstrating to businesses and their leaders that it’s possible to pursue premium quality, purpose, and profit all at the same time.

Listen for insights on:

• The three most important pieces of advice for starting an ESG-focused company
• How a CEO recognizes value in business-driven environmental and social sustainability
• Educating and building ESG-minded boards
• Inviting industry outsiders to collaborate

Resources + Links:

• Michael Dolan’s LinkedIn
• Introducing Mijenta Tequila
• Mijenta Sustainability and Ethos
• The Spirits Business: “Ex-Bacardi CEO Launches Mijenta Tequila”

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Mijenta Tequila
• (02:17) - Mike's History
• (05:03) - Origins of Mijenta
• (08:26) - Why It's Important
• (10:45) - Shaking Things Up
• (12:06) - Being a B Corp
• (14:13) - What Mijenta Means
• (15:36) - The Purpose
• (17:14) - Consumers' Reactions
• (18:41) - Certification
• (22:26) - Partnerships
• (24:14) - Being Purposeful
• (25:14) - Purposeful Value Creation
• (28:11) - Marketing to the Consumer
• (30:27) - Three Tips
• (32:28) - In Closing
• (34:40) - Wrap Up

Each of Kimberly-Clark’s brands has a brilliant purpose that guides everything they do. From focusing on environmental impact to supporting and enabling women to break down barriers to opportunity, Kimberly-Clark equips its brands to provide Better Care for a Better World.

One way is through Kotex’s She Can Initiative. While the brand focuses on raising awareness around Menstrual Hygiene Day each year, it also champions women’s progress year-round by fighting period stigmas and the barriers they cause. Projects have included producing a film depicting how period stigma nearly stopped the first woman soccer referee, creating a “She Can Anthem,” and changing the color of the fluid used in product marketing.

We invited Alison Lewis, Chief Growth Officer, to discuss how Kimberly-Clark operates with its purpose-led, performance-driven approach and how it ultimately influences culture through its purpose.

Listen for insights on:

• Inspiring innovation with purpose
• Activating brand purpose to challenge stigmas
• Opening social impact work to other collaborators
• Creating and maintaining a purpose-led, performance-driven culture

Resources + Links:

• Alison Lewis’ LinkedIn
• Kotex She Can Initiative
• Video: Kotex’s Female Football Referee Ad
• “Kotex and South African Pop Star Create 'She Can Anthem' to Challenge Period Misconceptions”
• Wall Street Journal: “Kotex Decides Women’s Blood Is Red, Not Blue”
• Toilets Change Lives Program

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Kimberly-Clark
• (01:26) - Meet Alison Lewis, Chief Growth Officer
• (02:46) - The Importance of Purpose
• (05:41) - Doing Better, Reinventing, Reimagining
• (07:49) - Social Impact Strategies
• (10:46) - Innovation From Purpose
• (12:21) - Menstrual Hygiene Day
• (14:11) - Kotex She Can Initiative
• (16:46) - Changing Fluid
• (17:45) - From the Core
• (19:34) - Culture Compass
• (21:34) - Linking Company Purpose to Personal Purpose
• (23:47) - Toilets Change Lives
• (25:00) - Measurements
• (25:40) - Bringing Others In
• (27:13) - Pearls of Wisdom
• (29:54) - ESG
• (31:39) - Last Word
• (34:45) - Wrap Up

When you think of cultural anthropologists, do you picture them working for a food company?

It makes perfect sense once you meet Tanya Rodriguez of Hormel Foods. Tanya, whose official title is Senior Human Experience Research Manager, uses ethnography and storytelling to uncover diverse consumer insights. By identifying product pain points and uncovering consumer's desires, she guides Hormel teams on renovating existing products or creating new ones to improve consumer food experiences. As a former social worker, Tanya is also a fierce advocate for food equity and food sovereignty.

We invited Tanya to speak about the nature of her role and how learning directly from consumers impacts Hormel’s food while ensuring products reflect equity and representation.

Listen for insights on how a cultural anthropologist:

• Evokes understanding of and improves equity to lower-income consumers
• Inspires product innovation that drives inclusion
• Advocates for the emerging needs of consumers

Resources + Links:

• Hormel Foods’ “This is Our Food Journey” video
• The Language of Food interview with Tanya Rodriguez

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Hormel
• (01:37) - Meet Tanya Rodriguez
• (04:06) - Hormel's History
• (05:50) - Our Food Journey
• (07:52) - Skippy
• (09:13) - A Day in the Life
• (10:41) - Driving Authenticity Forward
• (14:30) - De-Colonizing Food
• (16:03) - Equity
• (18:34) - Examples
• (19:43) - Future Goals
• (20:57) - Advice for Young People
• (23:02) - Food Deserts
• (23:49) - Global
• (24:50) - Publicly Held
• (25:40) - Cultivating Unicorns
• (28:23) - Last Word
• (29:18) - Wrap Up

What does a sustainable future look like?

Leading international sustainability nonprofit Forum for the Future works to tackle this very question. Their answer: a just and regenerative future where the capacity of all living systems is strengthened to adapt, replenish, and regenerate; everyone’s human rights and potential to thrive is respected; and our economies and societies are rewired to serve both people and the planet.

But how do we get there?

We invite Sally Uren, Chief Executive at Forum for the Future, to walk us through how businesses can lead the way to create a just and regenerative future where both people and the planet thrive and what to do along the way.

Listen for insights on:

• Why procurement is a critical opportunity for value creation
• How to build and maintain a successful partnership
• How to shape the C-suite and Board’s mindsets to be open to social and environmental sustainability

Resources + Links:

• Sally Uren’s LinkedIn
• A Just and Regenerative Future
• The Business Transformation Compass
• Growing Our Future US Collaboration
• Climate and Health Coalition

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Forum for the Future • Sally Uren
• (01:33) - Sally's Role
• (03:01) - What Does a Sustainable Future Look Like?
• (05:29) - Vision of Collaboration
• (09:43) - Business Transformation Compass
• (11:14) - Just and Regenerative
• (12:57) - Procurement as Value Creation
• (18:29) - Partnerships
• (21:26) - Next Steps
• (22:54) - Convincing CEOs
• (26:01) - Workshops
• (28:05) - What She's Proud Of
• (29:21) - What's Important
• (32:26) - Wrap Up

ESG — which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance — has become increasingly important as businesses recognize their responsibility to prioritize environmental and social investments.

Over the past few months, ESG has come under fire as politicians challenge whether ESG factors should be considered by investment managers and state pension funds. With the threat of being labeled “woke,” companies are looking for counsel on how they can maintain their commitments to environmental and social impact without being brought into the ESG fray.

We invited two business leaders to explain the ESG controversy and provide their insight to business leaders: Judy Samuelson, VP, Founder, and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program; and David Young, Managing Director and Senior Partner of Boston Consulting Group.

Listen for insights on:

• Why the ESG controversy is happening now
• How the industry can shift the conversation away from politics and to better business
• How businesses can hold themselves accountable with no single, accepted standard for ESG reporting
• Why Boards are critical to advance ESG

Resources + Links:

• Judy Samuelson’s LinkedIn
• David Young’s LinkedIn
• JUST Capital: "5 Key Insights from the American Public to Help Companies and Investors Lead Through Increasing Attacks on ESG and ‘Woke’ Companies"
• GreenBiz: The first rule about ESG: Don’t talk about ESG
• Judy’s Book “The Six New Rules of Business: Creating Real Value in a Changing World”

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - State of ESG
• (01:11) - Judy's Background
• (02:51) - David's Background
• (04:03) - What Is ESG?
• (07:49) - No One Single Set of Metrics
• (09:52) - Telling Your Authentic Story
• (12:13) - How Did We Lose Control?
• (16:16) - Shifting Away from Politics
• (18:28) - What Is a Term?
• (22:21) - Talking to DeSantis
• (24:10) - Boards
• (28:36) - Last Word
• (30:17) - Wrap Up

“We don’t hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people.”

Greyston, a for-profit benefit corporation, is committed to unlocking the power of human potential through inclusive employment, one person at a time. Founder Bernie Glassman built Greyston bakery to hire people who faced barriers to employment. His solution was simple: Anyone with a desire to work would be added to a list and called when there was a position available. No interviews, no background checks, and no resumes required.

More than 40 years later, Greyston has benefited thousands of workers, their families, and communities through open hiring. And the company isn’t stopping there. Its new ten-year vision is to impact 100,000 people by helping other organizations implement inclusive hiring practices.

We invited Joseph Kenner, President and CEO, to speak to the present and future of Greyston and how inclusive hiring can benefit your organization.

Listen for insights on:

• Why open and inclusive hiring won’t compromise professionalism and efficiency
• Organizations that have successfully adopted open and inclusive hiring practices
• The business impact of open and inclusive hiring

Resources + Links:

• Joseph Kenner’s LinkedIn
• Open Hiring at Greyston
• Wide Open Dreams Trailer
• Forbes: “How A Bakery Is Breaking Down Barriers To Employment Through Open Hiring And Job-Development Programs”
• Forbes: “Joseph Kenner, CEO, Greyston: The Changemaker Interview”
• CEO Magazine: “Greyston CEO shares six reasons for your company to consider open hiring in 2023”

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Joseph Kenner • Greyston Bakery
• (01:32) - What Drives Joe
• (02:41) - What Does Greyston Do?
• (03:51) - Open Hiring
• (05:05) - Founder Bernie Glassman
• (07:07) - Numbers
• (07:50) - Why Open Hiring
• (10:09) - Feeling
• (10:55) - Example
• (12:50) - Creating Awareness
• (13:47) - Starting at Greyston
• (15:17) - Pandemic Protocols
• (16:55) - The Foundation
• (20:00) - Advancing the Movement
• (21:10) - Progress
• (22:01) - 2030 Vision
• (22:28) - Social Innovator of the Year
• (23:29) - Exportability
• (24:07) - Challenges
• (24:50) - Fears
• (26:17) - Barriers and Points
• (27:40) - Buy, Donate, Replicate
• (29:04) - Next Steps
• (29:31) - Last Words
• (30:18) - Wrap Up

Today, the idea that business can be a force for good is mainstream…but it wasn’t always that way. The early pioneers, including host Carol Cone, invested and contributed to the creation of Business for Social Responsibility, a sustainable business network and consultancy focused on creating a world in which all people can thrive on a healthy planet, in 1992. Fourteen years later, three college friends launched a new movement: one that would transform the global economy through a standards and certification process designed to benefit all stakeholders.

This was the launch of B Lab, the nonprofit organization that sets the standards for and certifies businesses driving an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. These businesses make up the B Corporation movement – distinguished by their special “B” logo.

We invited Eleanor Allen, B Lab’s new Lead Executive, who has taken the reins from its original founders to speak to the present and future of both B Lab and B Corps.

Listen for insights on:

• What B Corp certification is and why your company should pursue it
• The future for B Corp certification standards
• Why large, publicly traded companies are becoming B Corps
• How B Lab’s tools can help companies evaluate their ESG performance without applying for certification

Resources + Links:

• Eleanor Allen’s LinkedIn
• B Lab
• B Corp Certification
• B Impact Assessment

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - B Lab • Eleanor Allen
• (03:02) - Eleanor's Background
• (04:41) - Advice
• (06:28) - What Is a B Corp
• (07:53) - B Corp Community
• (08:46) - Mainstream?
• (09:42) - B Impact Assessment
• (11:26) - Benefits
• (13:17) - Best Practice Sharing in the Community
• (14:38) - Common Questions
• (15:20) - Standouts
• (18:00) - Demand
• (19:12) - Rollout Duration
• (20:10) - Response
• (22:17) - Evolution
• (23:02) - 10 Year Vision
• (24:40) - Advice
• (26:32) - Why Become a B Corp?
• (28:10) - Wrap Up

“You have to have a bias for action in the world if you want to do your part to make it a better place.”

     —Jake Wood

Jake Wood’s “bias for action” is indisputable: after graduating from college, he joined the Marine Corps and served two years overseas. His return to civilian life wasn’t easy. Like many veterans, Jake was faced with a loss in structure, purpose, and sense of impact. After a close friend and fellow veteran committed suicide, Jake founded non-profit Team Rubicon with a dual purpose: (1) to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises, and (2) to reintegrate veterans into civilian life through opportunities to utilize military training for communities in need.

Ten years later, Jake welcomed his second daughter, who required surgery shortly after she was born, into the world. The experience sparked a new idea to empower more people to have a greater impact and sense of purpose. In 2021, Jake co-founded Groundswell, a corporate philanthropy platform that allows you to “give like Gates, be taxed like Warren Buffet, and be recognized like Rockefeller.”

We invited Jake to lead us through his purpose journey, from creating social entrepreneurship ventures to the impact your company can make through them.

Listen for insights on:

• What to expect from venture investors
• How companies can support and enable employees in their philanthropic giving
• How employee-driven corporate donations drive better business outcomes
• Advice for pursuing greater impact through social entrepreneurism

Resources + Links:

• Jake Wood’s LinkedIn
• Team Rubicon
• Groundswell
• New York Times: “Once a Warrior, Then a Nonprofit Leader, Now an Entrepreneur”
• Forbes: How Groundswell Is Shifting Giving From The 1% To The 99%
• “Once a Warrior” Memoir

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Jake Wood • Groundswell
• (01:30) - Jake's Personal Purpose
• (02:32) - Evolving Purpose
• (04:00) - Team Rubicon
• (06:49) - Helping Veterans
• (09:19) - Creating Groundswell
• (12:12) - Structure
• (13:37) - Elements of Groundswell
• (17:19) - Response
• (18:17) - Example
• (19:52) - Philanthropy Trends
• (20:41) - Inspiration
• (21:32) - Insights
• (23:01) - Empathy and Love in Leadership
• (24:02) - Last Word
• (24:44) - Wrap Up

As the economy pressures companies to tighten their budgets, more ESG and CSR leaders are having to prove why their initiatives should remain a priority. Claims of “woke capitalism” from political leaders and a lack of internal consensus on ESG’s importance only complicate the situation.

ESG and CSR leaders are not alone, though. For 18 years, the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) has provided a network of support and resources to help professionals advocate for investment in ESG/CSR initiatives. ACCP cultivates inclusive peer communities to help members create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous society through corporate commitments.

To share more about ACCP’s work – and the state of ESG and CSR today – we invited Carolyn Berkowitz, President and CEO at ACCP, to the show. 

Listen for insights on:

• The difference between ESG and CSR
• How to help educate colleagues in different departments about the importance of ESG/CSR
• How to measure the “S” in ESG and extend it to corporate strategy
• When companies should publicly engage in ESG issues
• The skills needed for CSR employees today 

Resources + Links:

• Carolyn Berkowitz’s LinkedIn
• ACCP Community
• ACCP Membership

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Carolyn Berkowitz • ACCP
• (01:16) - Carolyn's Background
• (02:00) - Who Is ACCP?
• (02:26) - Generosity
• (03:34) - Why Become a Member?
• (05:21) - CSR and ESG
• (08:47) - Who's Doing It Well
• (14:16) - Challenges
• (16:12) - Dealing With 2023
• (20:20) - Measure the S
• (22:34) - Employee Turnover Metrics
• (24:35) - DEI
• (27:37) - Dealing with Woke Capitalism
• (30:35) - Communication Practices
• (31:43) - Skills
• (33:53) - Last Thoughts
• (34:41) - Wrap Up

“The world today is at a critical inflection point. The sheer number of ongoing crises calls for bold collective action.”

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos convened CEOs from around the world to discuss global business challenges and identify forward-looking strategies for the years ahead. With the week-long convening over, it’s time for the real work to commence: putting what was discussed into action.

We invited Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, to address what conversations from Davos will mean for ESG in 2023.

Listen for insights on:

• Why ESG measurement will be critical for business success and growth
• What AI and machine learning mean fo the future of work
• How ESG and politics will come into play in 2023

Resources + Links:

• Martin Whittaker’s LinkedIn
• World Economic Forum’s "5 things to know about Davos"
• Richard Edelman's "A Business-Focused Davos"
• Alan Murray's "Davos forces CEOs to step back and take a broader view of their place in society"
• Alan Murray's "Davos CEOs are confident a bad economy won’t stall climate initiatives or digital transformation: ‘Total nonsense.’"

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Martin Whittaker Post Davos
• (02:22) - Martin and Just Capital
• (03:44) - Davos Then and Now
• (06:27) - Just Capital on Site
• (07:59) - Major Changes
• (09:08) - How Do You Know the Plan Is Working?
• (11:00) - Key Discussion Points
• (13:27) - Environment
• (16:43) - Technology and AI
• (18:26) - The Mood
• (19:45) - Global Standards
• (22:40) - Last Thoughts on Davos
• (23:37) - Just Capital in 2023
• (25:13) - Wrap Up

Traditional advertising is transactional. But that’s not the case at Procter & Gamble.

At P&G, advertising goes beyond presenting a product and its benefits to consumers. Instead, P&G uses advertising as a medium for mass storytelling, with the objective of both deepening the public’s understanding of social issues and informing them on the role they can play. This supports transformative change: broadening perspectives and igniting a drive to make change. Don’t believe us? Watch “It’s Our Home.” These stories don’t (just) sell products – they build relationships and spark change.

We invited Damon Jones, Chief Communications Officer at Procter & Gamble, back to Purpose 360 to talk about how P&G leverages storytelling to drive change for the environment and society. Behind the ads are programs that invest in underrepresented communities, products that enable consumers to create positive change, and platforms that foster empathy and understanding. 

Listen for more insights on:

• The difference between investing in research and consumer understanding.
• How to respond to current events with meaningful, substantive, and measured commitments.
• How to authentically integrate products into issue-driven marketing and advertising campaigns.
• Why a company’s actions matter more than headlines. 

Resources + Links:

• Damon Jones’ LinkedIn page
• P&G’s “It’s Our Home”
• Widen the Screen
• Meet the Bennett Sisters Who Are Helping to End Period Poverty
• P&G’s “The Talk”
• P&G’s “The Name”
• P&G’s “The Choice”

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Damon Jones • P&G
• (03:46) - Meet Damon
• (05:09) - His Role and Team
• (06:22) - Leading During Covid
• (10:06) - Partnership Pivots
• (11:50) - Consumer Understanding (Research)
• (14:13) - The Talk
• (17:31) - Fullness of Their Humanity
• (18:37) - New Initiatives
• (21:09) - Working Relationship with Mark
• (23:29) - Moving to Purpose
• (25:08) - Other Brands
• (28:30) - Selling a Relationship
• (29:24) - Innovation
• (32:26) - Period Poverty
• (35:35) - Citizenship Report
• (37:15) - Damon's "Why"
• (38:14) - Recruiting
• (39:55) - Sources of Inspiration
• (41:12) - Final Thoughts
• (42:24) - Wrap Up

Developing a corporate purpose is often compared to a journey. Like journeys, purpose requires precise planning, situational awareness, team coordination, and a steadfast commitment to reaching the destination. Often, the most challenging part is determining where to start.

Kerry Group – global nutrition and ingredients company with billions in annual revenue and 22,000 employees – began its purpose journey in 2018. Now, the company’s purpose is embedded throughout the organization, supporting portfolio growth, new partners and acquisitions, improved recruiting and retention, and a new strategic direction.

We invited Edmond Scanlon, CEO, and Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs and Brand Officer, of Kerry Group to take you through each step of the process to the “center of Kerry’s soul.”

Listen for more insights on:

• Scanlon’s “absolutes” for the purpose discovery process.
• How to ensure purpose is unique and holistic.
• Which roles senior leaders should take throughout the discovery and embedding process.
• How to ensure company buy-in and avoid purpose being interpreted as a top-down exercise.
• How to launch purpose so it resonates with employees. 

Resources + Links:

• Edmond Scanlon’s LinkedIn
• Catherine Keogh’s LinkedIn
• The Impact of Purpose at Kerry Video

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - The Kerry Group
• (00:47) - Evolving the Purpose
• (02:16) - Katherine's Perspective
• (03:10) - Absolutes
• (04:50) - Not a Top-Down Exercise
• (06:16) - Intimacy
• (07:15) - Giving Time to the Process
• (09:00) - Kerry Group's Purpose
• (12:35) - Embedding the Purpose
• (16:54) - Intuitive
• (17:52) - Social Impact
• (18:55) - Product
• (20:50) - Examples
• (23:27) - Insights
• (25:22) - Last Thoughts
• (26:47) - Wrap Up

Purpose is under pressure.

Last year, we said 2022 would bring a “great reckoning” for corporate purpose – and it did. ESG made headlines and came under fire. Urgency around climate action accelerated, as progress failed to cool our planet. Employees shuffled between companies in search of greater meaning, pay, and balance. Twelve months later, we’re left feeling unsettled, but sure of one thing: When a strategy like purpose causes this much tension and change throughout the global economy, it’s for a good reason.

It is now a new year, bringing new opportunities for change, commitments, and action. But what challenges will purpose face this year? And how will purpose guide us to transformative change and progress?

We invited four great minds and leaders in purpose to answer these questions. Damon Jones, Chief Communications Officer at P&G; Shannon Schuyler, Chief Purpose and Inclusion Officer at PwC; Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; and Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital have joined Carol to share their insight, predictions, and advice for acting with purpose and succeeding in 2023.

Resources + Links:

• Damon Jones’ LinkedIn
• Shannon Schuyler’s LinkedIn
• Artis Stevens’ LinkedIn
• Martin Whittaker’s LinkedIn

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Purpose Predictions 2023
• (02:07) - Shannon Schuyler
• (13:41) - Damon Jones
• (21:36) - Martin Whittaker
• (37:37) - Artis Stevens
• (55:36) - Wrap Up

On May 12, 2015, Geralyn Ritter, Senior Vice President at pharmaceutical company Merck, was flung from her train car in Amtrak’s deadliest train derailment since 1987. Of 238 passengers, over 200 people were injured and eight were tragically killed. Geralyn was the most critically injured of those who survived.

It took just seconds for Geralyn to go from being a senior executive at one of America’s largest companies to an immobilized ICU patient facing an uncertain future. Despite intense pain, years of recovery, and a continuing struggle with trauma, Geralyn came to view her situation as an act of grace – an undeserved, unmerited gift – that empowered her to rebuild her body and re-establish her career, “bone by bone.”

We invited Geralyn Ritter, now Executive Vice President of External Affairs, ESG, and Sustainability at Organon, a new women’s health organization and spinoff from Merck, to talk about her recovery and return to work through the lens of gratitude, grief, resilience, and, of course, purpose. 

Listen for more insights on:

• Servant leadership and its transformative impact on employees.
• How to balance realism and optimism – both at work and in life.
• Why being open to new solutions and opportunities can improve your resilience in new and challenging situations.

Resources + Links:

• Geralyn Ritter’s LinkedIn
• Bone by Bone
• Merck for Mothers
• Organon
• Why You Don’t Need a Dedicated ESG Strategy

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Geralyn Ritter
• (03:13) - Meet Geralyn
• (05:42) - Scale and Impact
• (06:24) - Her Role at Merck
• (11:50) - Outcomes
• (13:20) - The Crash
• (16:10) - The Book
• (17:54) - Reslience
• (20:50) - Dealing With the Pain
• (24:34) - Applying Lessons to Work
• (29:25) - Organon
• (34:30) - God's Reason
• (35:56) - New Purpose Perspective
• (36:57) - Goals for Organon
• (38:50) - Servant Leadership
• (41:08) - Advice for Leaders
• (42:43) - Advice When Going Through Trauma
• (45:10) - Final Thoughts
• (45:42) - Wrap Up

What does it mean to be a car company? At Subaru, it’s about showing love and respect to every person at every interaction. But more than that, it’s about improving lives.

This is the Subaru Love Promise: a far-reaching commitment which is embedded in the company’s culture, retailer relationships, community giving, and consumer connections. Subaru’s annual Share the Love event – now in its 15th year – supports one of five charities with the purchase of every vehicle. Underdogs, a social impact campaign, drives awareness for shelter animals that are less likely to be adopted. And Subaru continues to support its hometown community in Camden, NJ.

We invited Bridget Hanrahan, Associate Director of Marketing Operations, and Shira Haaz, Corporate Responsibility Manager, to speak about Subaru’s legacy of embedding and acting with love, leading with focus and dedication, and creating positive impact from retailers to your drive. 

Listen for more insights on:

• Enabling employees to share ideas and solutions when they observe change needs to happen.
• Engaging in your community and building local partnerships to elevate impact.
• Embedding purpose into the culture, starting on each employee’s first day.
• Connecting corporate purpose and culture to consumer values and experiences. 

Resources + Links:

• Bridget Hanrahan’s LinkedIn
• Shira Haaz’s LinkedIn
• Subaru Love Promise
• Share the Love
• Underdogs Video

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Subaru Shares the Love
• (02:52) - Introducing Bridget and Shira
• (04:54) - What is it like to work for a cause-forward company?
• (07:39) - The Subaru Six Stars
• (10:32) - Love Promise and Share the Love
• (25:37) - Dealers versus Retailers: More than a car company
• (27:57) - Love in Action
• (36:59) - What resources do you count on?
• (39:58) - Future Insights?
• (45:42) - Wrap Up

Has a statistic ever shocked you so much you can’t forget it?

In 2011, David Heath learned the most requested item in homeless shelters was socks. For such a small and ordinary item, David couldn’t stop thinking about the impact they had on people experiencing homelessness. He began carrying extra pairs of socks with him while walking around New York City and handing them out to people he met. While it was a small expense for him, it mattered immensely to these people, some of whom had resorted to wrapping their feet with plastic bags and banana peels.

David and his friend, Randy Goldberg, wanted to do more. They began researching athletic sock technology and developed two products: one for consumers seeking top-tier socks for athletic pursuits, and one for a person experiencing homelessness. This was the start of Bombas and its buy one, give one model.

Eleven years later, Bombas employs 200+ people, generates $300+ million dollars annually, and has donated more than 75 million new clothing items. We invited David Heath, CEO and Co-Founder, to share how a desire to do good launched a multi-million-dollar business, how Bombas has evolved over time, and how it remains focused on helping the homeless.

Listen for more insights on:

• Starting a business with the sole mission for impact.
• Building and maintaining partnerships.
• Enabling employees to drive innovation based on their passions.
• Exploring new impact areas while remaining aligned with a core focus.

Resources + Links:

• David Heath’s LinkedIn
• “This is the Impact Socks, Shirts and Underwear Can Make” Video
• 2022 Impact Report
• 60K Day
• The Black Hive Collection
• The Pride Collection

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Dave Heath • Bombas
• (03:15) - The Genesis
• (12:43) - Response
• (14:48) - The Name and How It Works
• (20:47) - Favorite Stories
• (23:35) - Giving Network
• (27:23) - Real Time Needs
• (29:18) - Equal Branches
• (31:00) - Numbers
• (31:29) - Black and Rainbow Hives
• (34:45) - Finding Focus
• (36:13) - Buy One Give One Model
• (39:58) - The Future
• (43:48) - Last Advice
• (46:36) - Wrap Up

Legacy companies are still around today for a reason: they’ve developed exceptional products or services, nurtured their workforce, and committed to serving their communities. Take New York Life: at 177 years, the company and its Foundation have a long history of supporting family legacies and leading on the issue of child bereavement.

Recent events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasized the importance of this work. It also highlighted how underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by many issues, including loss. Already committed to providing financial security, protection, and peace of mind, New York Life created a new pillar focused on social justice to address and drive access to generational wealth.

We invited Heather Nesle, President of New York Life Foundation and Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, to share how the Foundation launched its new pillar and continues to drive impact for families around the country.

Listen for more insights on:

• How a legacy company maintains and develops philanthropic focus areas to remain relevant and impactful.
• How to engage employees and stakeholders in difficult or sensitive topics.
• Training your workforce to be advocates for issues that matter to your company and stakeholders.
• Advice on how to approach social impact work when you’re creating a new campaign, starting a new project, or launching a new pillar.

Resources + Links:

• Heather Nesle’s LinkedIn
• New York Life Foundation Grantmaking
• “New York Life Foundation adds social justice pillar”
• Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative
• Kai’s Journey: A Book Series About Grief, Strength, and Love
• Purpose 360 (2020): New York Life Foundation’s Heather Nesle & Maria Collins on Grief and Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Purpose 360 (2018): Leadership Through Focus — New York Life Foundation President Heather Nesle

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - New York Life
• (02:20) - Heather Nesle
• (04:05) - Heather's Role
• (05:07) - Focus and Alignment
• (06:41) - Pillars of Their Focus
• (08:23) - Kai's Journey
• (10:14) - Defending Against Naysayers
• (11:53) - Agent Training
• (14:02) - Agent Experience
• (15:28) - New Third Pillar
• (17:53) - Supporting Generational Wealth
• (18:49) - Billion Dollar Commitment and First Loss Protection
• (20:20) - Mixing the Pillars
• (23:11) - Being a Pleasure to Work With
• (24:21) - ESG
• (26:03) - Benchmarking
• (28:44) - Power of Focus
• (30:27) - Volunteerism
• (32:39) - Last Thoughts
• (34:03) - Wrap Up

We use appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines daily to save time and improve our quality of life – often without recognizing their impact on our lives. Aside from noticing our monthly electric or water bills, we rarely think about the environmental impact of these appliances – but Whirlpool does.

Whirlpool and its portfolio of impressive brands like KitchenAid, Maytag, and Consul understand both the environmental and social impact of its products – and have for the past 111 years. From its net zero and energy efficiency targets to a 23-year long partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Whirlpool is committed to bettering the planet while producing quality products that improve life at home. Purpose is deeply embedded in the company’s operations, products, and community involvement so everyone – regardless of where they live or what they make – can have an improved life at home.

We invited Pam Klyn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Reputation & Sustainability, and Deb O’Connor, Director of Global Corporate Reputation and Community Relations, from Whirlpool to discuss the company’s legacy, its House + Home programs, and how Whirlpool balances environmental impact while still delivering a quality product. 

Listen for more insights on:

• How to bring environmental sustainability and social commitments under one umbrella.
• How to communicate CSR accomplishments while maintaining humility and staying true to values.
• Real challenges and lessons learned from working in and with local communities.
• How to start and engage in effective internal mentoring. 

Resources + Links:

• Pam Klyn on LinkedIn
• Deb O’Connor on LinkedIn
• Net Zero Target
• House + Home
• House + Home World Tour
• Racial Equality Pledge

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Whirlpool
• (03:35) - Pam's Background
• (04:49) - Deb's Background
• (05:48) - Learning from Dreams
• (09:58) - Getting That First Job with Whirlpool
• (13:35) - Historic Engagement & Sustainability
• (16:00) - Corporate & Community Relations
• (19:11) - Net Zero
• (24:54) - Partner Relationships
• (29:45) - Build Better With Whirlpool
• (32:05) - Embedding
• (34:44) - Generating Ideas
• (35:56) - Working in Their Own Community
• (40:20) - Dealing With Challenges
• (42:46) - Newsroom
• (44:45) - Embedding Purpose
• (47:25) - Innovations in the Underdeveloped World
• (50:12) - Mentoring
• (54:05) - Last Words
• (55:31) - Wrap Up

Non-fungible token. Seed phrase. Ethereum. Cryptocurrency. These are terms that have emerged in recent years and may still leave you puzzled. But what if you learned that these terms and their meta counterparts mean opportunity, inclusivity, representation, creative freedom, and, yes, financial profit?

Still a relatively new concept for many, this episode breaks down what NFTs are and illustrates the opportunity that exists for corporations, nonprofits, and individual donors who embrace NFTs.

We invited Nick Fontova, Chief Marketing Officer of the Metaverse Team at Landmark Ventures – known as MrPinkNFT – for a crash course in what NFTs are, how they can be used for good, and why you should get involved now. 

Listen for more insights on:

• Why NFTs are a necessary technological advancement to recognize new forms of art.
• The new donation opportunities NFTs present to nonprofits.
• How you can support underrepresented groups through NFTs. 

Resources + Links:

• Nick Fontova’s LinkedIn
• Ethereum
• Coinbase
• Bored Ape Yacht Club
• The Guardian: “Cryptocurrency ethereum plans to cut carbon emissions by 99% with upgrade”
• World of Women

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - NFTs for Dummies... and for Good
• (03:18) - Meet Nick
• (04:06) - The Basics
• (11:50) - Buying Them
• (16:05) - NFTs for Good
• (22:08) - FOMO
• (24:06) - Saving Energy
• (26:19) - Fundraising Potential
• (30:21) - Using the Money and Security
• (33:55) - Crypto Winter
• (36:02) - Setting One Up
• (39:36) - Who's Collecting?
• (43:07) - Top Insights
• (45:00) - Last Thoughts
• (47:07) - Wrap Up