Employee engagement is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful forces shaping corporate philanthropy today. And skilled volunteerism—where employees contribute their professional expertise to nonprofits—can transform both the organizations served and the employees themselves.

We invited Lauren Coape-Arnold, Executive Director of the Apollo Opportunity Foundation (AOF) and Global Head of Citizenship at Apollo Global Management, to speak about how AOF built a model that puts employees at the very heart of the company’s philanthropy. It empowers employees to nominate, evaluate, and partner with grantees, ensuring that they are engaged throughout the entire relationship—not just at the funding stage. Through cross-functional “deal teams,” employees apply their analytical, financial, and strategic skills to help nonprofits thrive, all while cultivating collaboration and leadership within Apollo’s culture. By structuring philanthropy around its people, AOF creates a cycle of giving and growth that benefits communities, strengthens performance, and deepens employees’ sense of meaning at work.

Listen for insights on:

• Establishing relationships with grantees that go beyond check-writing
• Building skilled volunteer programs employees actively want to join
• Creating successful grant councils that bolster nonprofits and engage employees 

Resources + Links:

• Lauren Coape-Arnold’s LinkedIn
• Apollo Opportunity Foundation

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

There are only five years until the 2030 deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the urgency for bold action has never been greater. Many companies are struggling to truly address the mounting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Now is the time for leaders and organizations to chart a path forward, ensuring their strategies and actions rise to meet the scale of the increasing challenges ahead.

In this special episode of Purpose 360, we revisit a powerful 2021 conversation with Paul Polman—former CEO of Unilever, UN SDG Advocate Emeritus, and co-author of the game-changing book, Net Positive. This re-edited version highlights timeless insights from Net Positive, which remains profoundly relevant today. Paul explores the qualities of courageous leaders, the importance of partnerships that drive systemic change, and how purpose-driven companies can outperform competitors while creating a better future for all. Whether you’re a CEO, a sustainability professional, or a changemaker at heart, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance to help you lead with impact in today’s rapidly evolving world.

Listen for insights on:

• Making the business case for sustainability when the moral argument isn’t enough
• Engaging employees, partners, and your value chain in delivering on bold sustainability commitments
• Becoming the courageous, purpose-driven leader needed to build and lead a net positive company 

Resources + Links:

• Paul Polman’s LinkedIn
• Paul Polman’s Website
• Net Positive
• The birth of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Artificial intelligence has the power to reshape economies, societies, and our daily lives. But with its rapid rise comes an important question: how can we ensure AI is developed and applied ethically so that it serves humanity instead of harming it? Responsible use requires transparency, accountability, and inclusivity—but defining and implementing these is complex. JUST Capital, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing just business practices, is addressing this challenge by exploring what “just AI” looks like, while also giving both the public and companies a voice in shaping its future.

We invited Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, to speak about how companies can responsibly navigate the opportunities and risks of AI. He highlighted the importance of aligning AI strategies with company values, building strong governance, and listening to stakeholders to guide ethical decision-making. Martin also shared insights from JUST Capital’s new research, which reveals a gap between companies acknowledging AI and those taking meaningful steps, such as workforce training and transparency. He ultimately challenges business leaders to reflect on what it means to be a truly human company in an AI-driven world while assuming the responsibility that comes with this technology.

Listen for insights on:

• How AI layoffs may require new ethical standards and practices
• Why company culture determines success in AI adoption and use
• Lessons from early leaders like IBM and Boston Scientific
• The growing role of investors in shaping AI accountability

Resources + Links:

• Martin Whittaker’s LinkedIn
• JUST Capital
• The JUST Report: An Early Measure of JUST AI
• 2025 JUST 100

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Hunger is one of the most pressing challenges of our time—driven not only by a lack of food, but by inequality, conflict, climate change, and health crises. For more than 45 years, Action Against Hunger has been on the frontlines of addressing these interconnected issues. The organization works in nearly 60 countries, reaching over 21 million people annually through lifesaving nutrition programs, sustainable farming solutions, clean water systems, and innovations that help communities withstand future crises. Action Against Hunger is pioneering solutions that save lives today while tackling the root causes of hunger for tomorrow.

We invited Eric Bebernitz, Director of External Relations for Action Against Hunger, to elaborate on this critical work. With more than two decades of experience in humanitarian and social justice organizations, Eric brings a powerful perspective on what it takes to fight hunger in the most difficult contexts. Eric is joined by ~9,000 colleagues worldwide—95% of whom are from the countries where they work—ensuring that every effort is grounded in local knowledge and built for long-term resilience. They embody the belief that ending hunger isn’t just possible; it is one of the smartest investments we can make in a better future for all.

Listen for insights on:

• Approaches to sustaining impact amid political and funding shifts
• How to balance emergency aid with long-term change
• Building trust and resilience in fragile communities through local leadership

Resources + Links:

• Eric Bebernitz’s LinkedIn
• Action Against Hunger
• Plumpy'Nut
• New York Times: A $45 Treatment Can Save a Starving Child. US Aid Cuts Have Frozen the Supply

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

In the years following the pandemic, the U.S. saw a historic surge in small business creation—a promising sign of entrepreneurial spirit and economic resilience. Yet, if historical trends continue, nearly half of these new businesses will fail within five years. Small businesses in rural communities face even steeper challenges, from lack of access to capital to limited digital tools and networks. And yet, the promise of small businesses is immense: they are powerful engines for economic mobility, creating pathways for families and individuals to build lasting financial stability and opportunity.

We invited Jonathan Fantini-Porter, Senior Vice President for the Americas at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, to talk about how the Center is working to change the trajectory for small business owners through Mastercard Strive USA. This bold initiative aims to unlock $50 billion in lending capital, reach five million small businesses, and strengthen ecosystems that enable them to thrive. With more than $46 billion in capital already unlocked and millions of businesses reached, Mastercard Strive USA is proving that when small businesses grow, communities grow with them.

Listen for insights on:

• Designing scalable, systems-level solutions that align with business strategy
• The power of data, technology, and AI in advancing inclusive economic development
• Advice for early-career professionals seeking to grow in social impact and corporate sustainability roles

Resources + Links:

• Jonathan Fantini-Porter’s LinkedIn
• Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
• Mastercard Strive USA

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals are facing unprecedented challenges—from the politicization of ESG, to executive orders targeting DE&I, to dramatic shifts in federal funding. The landscape is turbulent, the language is shifting, and the pressure to prove business value has never been higher. Yet, in this moment of uncertainty, many CSR professionals are finding the most value by turning to the CSR community for support and guidance. It’s organizations like the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) where CSR professionals are finding a space to connect with peers, share practical tools and data, and stay focused on delivering impact in a rapidly changing environment. 

We invited Andrea Wood, President and CEO of ACCP, to join Carol Cone for a wide-ranging conversation about the current and future state of CSR. Together, they unpacked key findings from ACCP’s sixth Annual CSR Insights Report, including how companies are reframing their language, refocusing on long-term strategies, and leaning into AI for both productivity and impact measurement. This conversation is a powerful reminder of how CSR leaders can evolve through adversity, and how ACCP is helping them chart the course today.

Listen for insights on:

• Advice for rising and mid-career CSR professionals
• Reframing strategies and language to align with evolving internal and external expectations
• Connecting business priorities to community impact work for long-term success and continued funding 

Resources + Links:

• Andrea Wood’s LinkedIn
• ACCP
• Annual CSR Insights Report
• ACCP CSR LaunchPad
• Best Buy Teen Tech Centers

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

From the moment Henry Ford put the world on wheels, Ford has stood for not just cars, but mobility. More than just helping people move from one place to another, Ford gives people the opportunity to reach and achieve more. That same ethos drives Ford Philanthropy today. Rebranded from the “Ford Fund” to reflect a deeper, more holistic commitment, Ford Philanthropy is using the company’s global reach and core strength of mobility to help people move forward not just in life—but on the road.

We invited Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy, to share how her team is redefining what corporate giving looks like. From co-creating community centers to launching the “Building Together” initiative that connects Ford’s 3,000+ dealers and employee volunteers with national nonprofits, Ford is uniting its assets to deliver impact at scale. Whether through mobile health clinics or restoring Detroit’s historic Michigan Central Station as a beacon of innovation and equity, Ford Philanthropy is tackling one of the greatest barriers to equity: access. For any purpose-driven leader, the message is clear: legacy, when aligned with innovation and humility, can be one of the most powerful tools for change.

Listen for insights on:

• Identifying philanthropic solutions in local communities
• Mobilizing corporate assets beyond dollars
• Evolve a legacy program into a modern philanthropy platform 

Resources + Links:

• Mary Culler’s LinkedIn
• Ford Philanthropy
• New York Times: Ford Rescues a Detroit Train Station as It Plots Its Own Future
• Tennessee Community Center

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Bill Bedrossian was set on becoming a stockbroker. With a job lined up in Chicago’s financial district, he was focused on financial and professional success. But one afternoon, while walking to lunch, he stepped over a man experiencing homelessness without even noticing him. The man shouted after him, calling Bill out for his fancy suit and “little problems” while the homeless man was unable to get something to eat. Faced with another human just fighting to survive, Bill realized he had been preoccupied by things that, in the end, didn’t really matter. The encounter shook him. Weeks later, he left his career behind and enrolled in graduate school for social work.

Now CEO of Covenant House, Bill leads one of the most impactful organizations supporting youth experiencing homelessness. Founded in 1972, Covenant House provides shelter, support, and essential services to young people who have no safe place to call home—whether they’re aging out of foster care, escaping trafficking, navigating life as young parents, or surviving on the streets. Through powerful partnerships and programming, the organization serves tens of thousands of youth every year—helping them heal, gain stability, and build a future full of possibility.

Listen for insights on:

• The impact of the affordable housing crisis
• What it takes to end youth homelessness
• Creating visceral experiences for donors 

Resources + Links:

• Bill Bedrossian’s LinkedIn
• Covenant House
• The Sleep Out

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

In The Purpose Reset, authors Rich Fernandez, Carolina Lasso, and Steph Stern offer a timely and refreshing approach to this show’s favorite topic: purpose. Drawing from decades of experience across the corporate, nonprofit, and coaching worlds, they reinforce an important way of thinking—that purpose isn’t a one-time discovery, but an evolving and continuous process.

We invited the authors to explore how this layered view of purpose creates resonance and alignment with employees and, ultimately, organizational success. They share practical tools, like mapping your “what, why, and who,” and creating shared team purpose statements that connect personal motivations to organizational goals. With examples ranging from courageous individuals to organizational leaders, the conversation reinforces that purpose isn’t about grandeur—it’s about small, continuous resets that keep us aligned with what matters. For anyone navigating change, leading teams, or just looking to reconnect with meaning in their work, The Purpose Reset offers a path forward grounded in curiosity, compassion, and clarity.

Listen for key insights on:

• How to identify your personal purpose and true alignment
• Creating a team purpose statement
• Assessing your personal impact and opportunities
• Reconnecting with purpose through small shifts, not big leaps 

Resources + Links:

• The Purpose Reset
• Rich Fernandez’s LinkedIn
• Carolina Lasso’s LinkedIn
• Steph Stern’s LinkedIn

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Packaging is an undeniable part of daily life—from containers that store the food we eat and the products we use to the packages that arrive on our doorstep. This necessity plays a major role in one of the planet’s most pressing challenges: pollution. Packaging waste is clogging ecosystems and contributing to a health crisis that affects both people and the planet. As consumer demand for sustainable solutions grows, the packaging industry stands at a crossroads—one that calls for innovation, long-term thinking, and moral responsibility.

We invited Wes Carter, President of Atlantic Packaging, to explain how his family-owned company is creating a more sustainable future. Atlantic Packaging is proving that packaging, purpose, and profit can go hand in hand through initiatives like A New Earth Project and the company’s state-of-the-art Packaging Solution Center, where the company partners with major brands to design custom sustainable packaging for products. Equally committed to employee wellbeing, Atlantic Packaging embeds health into its employee culture through biometric screenings and holistic wellness programs, recognizing that human and environmental health are deeply connected.

In rethinking both packaging and purpose, Atlantic Packaging is building a legacy not just of innovation, but of stewardship, responsibility, and opportunity.

Listen for key insights on:

• Building packaging solutions that are both brand-enhancing and planet-friendly
• Embedding sustainability into business strategy through innovation and education
• Creating holistic employee wellness programs rooted in physical, mental, and emotional health
• How purpose, legacy, and personal values shape leadership and drive long-term impact 

Resources + Links:

• Wes Carter’s LinkedIn
• A New Earth Project
• Packaging Solution Center
• Fishbone Sustainable Wellness Carriers
• Atlantic Wellness

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360