Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

Leadership coaching has the power to unlock profound personal and organizational transformation. That belief lies at the heart of 100 Coaches. Founded by executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, 100 Coaches began with a bold experiment: Marshall offered to teach 15 people everything he knew for free, in gratitude for the teachers and leaders who helped shape him. As those first 15 committed to “pay it forward,” the idea resonated deeply. More than 16,000 applicants were interested, and so the initiative grew into a community of more than 100 coaches from top leadership, academia, non-profits, healthcare, and beyond.

We invited Scott Osman, CEO of 100 Coaches, to reflect on how that founding vision has flourished. Scott shares how 100 Coaches functions as a curated network that matches each leader with the right coach at the right moment, grounded in deep expertise across organizational psychology, leadership development, and human behavior. He underscores how coaching can shift organizational trajectories: when leaders evolve, their teams, culture, and long-term outcomes evolve with them. For those wondering if coaching is a luxury or necessity, this conversation makes a compelling case for the power of investing in people.

Listen for insights on:

• What leadership coaching looks like from the start
• What leaders today struggle with the most
• Top leadership myths we need to move away from 

Resources + Links:

• Watch this full conversation on YouTube
• Scott Osman’s LinkedIn
• 100 Coaches
• Becoming Coachable

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Sport has always been central to Nike’s identity, not just as a business, but as a force for human potential. This commitment extends to the social issues at the heart of youth athletics today, particularly surrounding keeping youth in sports and connected to physical activity and elevating the role of caring, well-equipped coaches. With young people today navigating unprecedented levels of stress and lack of physical activity, coaches play an invaluable role in providing community, restorative power, and safe spaces. Nike has been at the center of this work for decades, stemming from its belief that if you have a body, you’re an athlete—and that every athlete deserves access and the opportunity to thrive.

We invited Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at Nike, to share how Nike is reimagining the landscape of youth athletics and building purpose-driven programs. Vanessa unpacked the insights behind Nike’s “Coach the Dream” initiative, the importance of caring and culturally aware coaches, and why investing in girls’ coaching is non-negotiable for long-term impact. She also emphasized the role of partnerships, with organizations like Dove and Spotify, and in meeting girls where they are to dismantle barriers to participation. This episode offers a powerful blueprint for how a long-established, trusted brand has integrated purpose, community relevance, and business value to drive meaningful change.

Listen for insights on:

• Building impact programs around what your company uniquely does best
• Designing scalable tools for global activation
• Establishing clear long-term goals with flexibility for real-time adaptation
• Advice for young professionals looking to work in social impact 

Resources + Links:

• Vanessa Garcia-Brito’s LinkedIn
• Coach the Dream
• If You Let Me Play

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Only a handful of companies were bold enough to connect their business to a deeper societal or environmental issue in the early days of purpose branding. These companies stood out precisely because they believed that brands could and should stand for more than profit. But the tide has shifted over the past two decades. Purpose became not just acceptable but expected, and suddenly everyone has a stance on the climate and community. But as this movement accelerated, so did its risks. In recent years, increasingly more prominent companies have taken a step back from their purpose commitments, leading consumers to wonder how purposeful they were to begin with. How can we know who to trust?

We invited Thomas Kolster, founder of Goodvertising and author of Goodvertising and The Hero Trap, to speak about how brands can navigate this increasingly complex landscape. He explores how purpose has evolved from a differentiator to a crowded and sometimes performative space. Thomas also shares personal reflections on authenticity, the dangers of purpose-washing, the pressure on legacy brands, and the growing backlash against woke messaging. This conversation is a provocative, clarifying conversation for leaders seeking to build and communicate their company’s purpose and impact efforts.

Listen for insights on:

• Why bravery, and not perfection, is the most important brand trait today
• Why companies should not position themselves as heroes
• Building trust by enabling people to become better versions of themselves 

Resources + Links:

• Watch This Episode on YouTube!
• Thomas Kolster’s LinkedIn
• Thomas Kolster’s Website
• Goodvertising
• The Hero Trap
• The Drum: ​If Ben and Jerry’s goes vanilla, Unilever will eat its just desserts

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

The most prominent argument against purpose is that doing good doesn’t actually pay off at the bottom line. For decades, and throughout Carol Cone’s career, skeptics have dismissed purpose as a “soft” strategy that is good for reputation but not for financial returns. That misconception is what Impact ROI set out to challenge. Impact ROI’s Project ROI reports have published research that links purpose to profit. And with the release of the newest edition, there is now fresh data connecting purpose to financial value.

We invited Steve Rochlin, CEO of Impact ROI, to walk us through this new research and how it can be used to make the case to leaders focused on financial returns. From revealing how sustainability leaders can see up to a 36% boost in market value and a 57% reduction in employee turnover, to outlining the “Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect” framework that defines high-performing purpose strategies, Rochlin offers a key strategies for organizations looking to align impact with performance.

Listen for insights on:

• How to convince your CFO to champion purpose
• How purpose-driven firms outperform peers in profitability and growth
• Why doing good is the smartest growth strategy today 

Resources + Links:

• Steve Rochlin’s LinkedIn
• Impact ROI
• Project ROI Report (free)

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

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