Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purpose has proven to be a solution for a major business challenge: The Great Resignation.

The pandemic has given us a lot to think about. Employees are rearranging their priorities to pursue greater meaning (and values-alignment) in their work, placing significant new demands on their employers.

Where does purpose fit in? Purpose Under Pressure, a research collaboration between Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, The Harris Poll, and Allison + Partners, unpacks the benefits of a strong Purpose during turbulent times, its value for recruitment and retention – as well as some early red flags for Purpose practitioners – and tools to embed Purpose within organizations for maximum benefit. ​

Listen to host Carol Cone; Wendy Salomon, Managing Director of Corporate Reputation & Strategy (The Harris Poll); and Whitney Dailey, Executive Vice President of Purpose (Allison + Partners) for insights on:

• What employees expect from employers
• Why there is a disconnect between employees and leadership when it comes to purpose fulfillment
• How marketing and strategy-building functions are the least “bought in” to purpose
• Shifts that have occurred since the start of the pandemic

Resources + Links:

• Purpose Under Pressure
• The B2B Purpose Paradox
• Carol Cone ON PURPOSE
• The Harris Poll
• Allison + Partners

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

The climate is in crisis.

Low-income groups are disproportionately impacted in health.

Racial minority students struggle to enter the STEM field.

While these topics may appear unrelated, Biogen is at the intersection of all three. From approaching the climate crisis as a health crisis through Healthy Climate, Healthy Lives – its $250-million, 20-year commitment – to investing in STEM education and development of young students underrepresented in STEM, Biogen is at the forefront, applying its scientific expertise and resources to address health equity and STEM representation.

We invited Johanna Jobin, Global Head of Corporate Reputation & Responsibility at Biogen and Executive Director of Biogen Foundation, to discuss Biogen’s approach to CSR and ESG and the victories they’ve accomplished along the way.

Listen for Johanna’s insights on:

• How to operationalize and integrate ESG across your organization.
• How to develop a strategic and measurable ESG initiative – and act on it.
• Why it’s vital to engage legal teams in ESG work and how to foster a relationship for long-term harmony.
• What to look for when building your ESG team of do-ers.

Resources + Links:

• Johanna’s LinkedIn
• Biogen’s Year In Review
• Healthy Climate, Healthy Lives
• Biogen Foundation
• Biogen Community Lab
• Biogen Foundation and Community Lab’s 20th Anniversary

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360