Changemakers from One Young World Series 

Host Carol Cone interviews Angela F. Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, at the One Young World Summit in Montreal. Angela shares her dynamic career journey, spanning roles as an Air Force Judge Advocate, federal prosecutor, and nonprofit leader. She highlights United Way's transformative efforts, including its new global app, thrHIVEr, aimed at mobilizing young professionals to drive community impact. Angela discusses her vision for empowering changemakers, addressing urgent global issues like education and period poverty, and preparing the next generation of leaders through initiatives like the Next Gen Leaders program.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Angela F. Williams’ LinkedIn
• United Way
• ThrHIVEr
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

Host Carol Cone delves into the inspiring story of Project Oscar, a transformative initiative combating neonatal jaundice to prevent life-altering conditions. We invited Oscar Anderson, disability activist and the project’s inspiration, and strategic partners Patty O’Hayer from Reckitt and Her Excellency Toyin Saraki of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa. They discuss the project's global impact, including providing phototherapy lightboxes to rural hospitals in Vietnam and launching an inspiring program in Nigeria to combat jaundice. Listeners will gain insights into the power of purpose-driven partnerships, the importance of disability rights, and actionable steps to address preventable healthcare issues worldwide.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Oscar Anderson
• Patty O’Hayer
• Her Excellency Toyin Saraki
• Reckitt
• The Wellbeing Foundation Africa
• The Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Social Impact Partners Reckitt Launch Project Oscar: How the Power of Light Changes Lives

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Every day mentorship transforms lives by opening doors for young people to reach their full potential. Yet, many overlook the profound impact that just one positive adult connection can have in empowering youth and strengthening communities. This is where Big Brothers Big Sisters of America steps in—bringing mentorship to the forefront of social change.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America connects youth nationwide with caring adult mentors who guide and inspire them. Through intentional matching and strong partnerships, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America supports mentorship programs in over 5,000 communities across the U.S., creating real opportunities for youth to thrive.

We invited Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, to share his journey, from leading the organization to how he leverages partnerships to expand mentorship’s impact. Through collaborations with organizations like Macy's and the NFL, Artis is bringing national attention to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s mission and creating new avenues for people to get involved in mentorship.

Listen for insights on:

• Distributing large philanthropic gifts to drive lasting, organization-wide impact
• Fostering partnerships that generate widespread awareness and support for the organization’s mission
• The transformational value of and growing need for more mentors

Resources + Links:

• Artis Stevens’ LinkedIn
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Become a Big
• Meet Big Brother Chris & Little Brother Shane
• Macy's Rings in the Holidays with Big Brothers Big Sisters

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

Host Carol Cone talks with Katie Hodgetts and Dr. Adewumi Babatunde Enoch, two impactful leaders from the One Young World Summit, to discuss how personal purpose drives meaningful environmental and social change. Katie, founder of The Resilience Project, shares her journey in climate activism, emphasizing the need to support young leaders in addressing climate anxiety and burnout. Adewumi, a public health advocate from Nigeria, discusses his work with Quinta Healthcare, focusing on women’s health equity through cancer screenings and education. Together, they explore how personal motivations fuel resilience and how cultivating purpose can address pressing global challenges in both health and climate action.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Katie Hodgetts’ LinkedIn
• Adewumi Babatunde Enoch’s LinkedIn
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

Host Carol Cone interviews Per Heggenes, former CEO of the IKEA Foundation, on his commitment to empowering refugees and addressing the global issues causing an increase in refugees, such as climate change and poverty. Per shares insights from his tenure, highlighting successful organizational and governmental programs and policies. Per also encourages young leaders to push for impactful change, asserting that businesses can be both profitable and purpose-driven, aligning with the values of today’s conscious consumers.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Per Heggenes’ LinkedIn
• IKEA Foundation
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

Host Carol Cone speaks with two inspiring changemakers: Annie Lu, co-founder of H2Ok Innovations, and Rebecca Daniel, founder of The Marine Diaries. Annie discusses how her company uses AI and sensor technology to make manufacturing more sustainable by optimizing processes and reducing waste, water, and energy consumption. Rebecca highlights critical issues like climate change and overfishing and discusses how The Marine Diaries connects people with ocean science through storytelling and immersive experiences. Together, they offer valuable insights into the intersection of technology, environmental sustainability, and youth-driven solutions.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Annie Lu’s LinkedIn
• Rebecca Daniel’s LinkedIn
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

Host Carol Cone speaks with three inspiring young leaders—Abideen Olasupo, Lillian Olivia Orero, and Gitanjali Rao—about their impactful work in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence for social innovation. Abideen, co-founder of FactCheckAfrica, talks about combating misinformation in Nigeria through community engagement and fact-checking. Lillian, a gender and technology lawyer and founder, discusses her work with SafeOnline Women Kenya addressing online safety for women and girls. Gitanjali, an MIT student and innovator, shares her efforts in empowering students globally through innovation workshops. The conversation highlights the role of AI in advancing their missions and the importance of collaboration and empathy in driving positive social change.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Abideen Olasupo’s LinkedIn
• Lilian Olivia Orero’s LinkedIn
• Gitanjali Rao’s LinkedIn
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Changemakers from One Young World Series

In this debut episode, the first in an exclusive series from the One Young World Summit, Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and co-author of Net Positive, joins host Carol Cone to discuss the urgent need for courageous leadership in today’s world. Paul shares insights on how businesses must adopt regenerative, restorative practices to address climate change and inequality, and how young leaders are key to driving this transformation. He also explores how companies can move beyond corporate social responsibility to embrace a "net positive" approach, where they give back more than they take.

This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact.

Resources + Links:

• Paul Polman’s LinkedIn
• Net Positive
• “Stakeholder Capitalism Still Makes Business Sense” (Harvard Business Review)
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

In 2004, the PNC Foundation was faced with a challenge: it had focused grantmaking on meeting the unique needs of the communities in the company’s 12 markets. While this enabled custom solutions to local challenges, the PNC Foundation struggled to clearly articulate the impact its philanthropy was driving.

Recognizing the need to align grantmaking with one cause, the PNC Foundation first turned to employees for input. Overwhelmingly, employees expressed a passion for early childhood education. This led to the launch of PNC Grow Up Great, a $500 million, multi-year, bilingual initiative aimed at preparing children from birth to age five for success in school and life. Fast forward to today, Grow Up Great is celebrating its 20th anniversary, having positively impacted more than 10 million children through grants and educational programs across the U.S.

We invited Sally McCrady, Chair and President of the PNC Foundation, to share how Grow Up Great has sustained lasting impact over two decades. She highlighted the program’s strategic direction, driven by strong leadership engagement, active employee volunteerism, and a commitment to asking, “Is this going to help children?” By staying true to this mission and fostering a culture of service, Grow Up Great has become a powerful force for early childhood education, inspiring long-term success both within PNC and in the communities it serves.

Listen for insights on:

• Managing a philanthropic initiative so it remains relevant and impactful
• Working alongside and supporting partners in growing their capabilities and offerings
• Engaging employees through skills-based volunteerism 

Resources + Links:

• Sally McCrady’s LinkedIn
• Grow Up Great
• Grow Up Great Advisory Council and Partners
• Donors Choose

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Aflac is proving that a well-crafted philanthropic initiative can thrive by continuously adapting to the evolving needs of those it serves. Launched in 2018 as part of Aflac’s Childhood Cancer Campaign, My Special Aflac Duck® is a soft and cuddly companion that was designed to support children undergoing cancer treatment by helping them prepare for medical procedures, express their emotions, and engage in distraction therapy. Created with input from child life specialists and psychologists, My Special Aflac Duck® offers a range of interactive features—from medical play accessories to calming Soundscapes—all aimed at making a child’s journey through treatment more manageable.

Aflac’s commitment to My Special Aflac Duck® has not waned since the initiative’s launch. Instead, Aflac has continued to distribute the medical companion to pediatric cancer patients (at no cost to them) and has evolved it to support children with sickle cell disease, another population facing long, difficult treatments.

We invited two Aflac executives who worked on the duck’s development to speak to the program’s success and evolution: Jon Sullivan, Director of Corporate Communications, and Buffy Swinehart, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility. They share insights on how companies can sustain and grow their social impact efforts and remain true to their mission while making a real difference.

Listen for insights on:

• How to pitch philanthropic opportunities to a CEO
• Developing a public and philanthropic initiative that can stand up to scrutiny in public relations
• The importance of grounding philanthropic initiatives in data and research

Resources + Links:

• Jon Sullivan’s LinkedIn
• Buffy Swinehart’s LinkedIn
• My Special Aflac Duck®
• This robot duck eases children through cancer treatments
• Parents and Caregivers Report a Reduction in Anxiety and Distress in Young Cancer Patients Using the My Special Aflac Duck®

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360