As technology continues to redefine industries and jobs, IBM is a beacon of progress, driven by a purpose to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. Through flagship initiatives like the SkillsBuild program, IBM is arming both internal and external workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today's economy. By fostering opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, IBM not only bolsters individual employability but also empowers individuals to pursue career paths previously out of reach.

Justina Nixon-Saintil is one example of the transformative power of continuous learning. Initially an engineer and then an educator, Justina today serves as IBM's Vice President and Chief Impact Officer — so she knows a thing or two about reskilling and adaptation. We invited Justina to share how IBM is setting a standard for corporate responsibility through employee volunteering, skills development, and the Sustainability Accelerator, which has been heralded as a blueprint for corporate responsibility.

Listen for insights on:

• Activating employee volunteers through their skills and passions
• Advancing in or getting started with your sustainability career
• Creating an infrastructure that evaluates the internal and external ethical use of AI

Resources + Links:

• Justina Nixon-Saintil’s LinkedIn
• IBM is skilling 30 million people globally by 2030
• IBM SkillsBuild
• IBM Sustainability Accelerator

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

How do we identify the companies that are truly "good?” We might look through their sustainability reports or tally up the awards they've received, but finding an answer is rarely simple—and it can depend on a range of factors, from how companies treat their employees to whether they practice sound governance.

JUST Capital is at the forefront of this work. A non-profit organization dedicated to aligning corporate behavior with the values of the American public, JUST Capital releases its highly anticipated "100 Most JUST Companies" list each year to spotlight the businesses that prioritize their workers, communities, customers, the environment, and shareholders and governance over profit alone.

Martin Whittaker, CEO of JUST Capital, returns to Purpose 360 to explore the recently released 2024 rankings, shedding light on what matters most to Americans today and what distinguishes the most “just” companies from all the rest.

Listen for insights on:

• The American public’s three most important issues
• Why “just” companies lead in financial performance
• The methodology behind the JUST 100

Resources + Links:

• Martin Whittaker’s LinkedIn
• The 2024 JUST 100
• Contact JUST Capital
• The Case for Purpose

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Having a diverse and inclusive workplace makes good business sense, but the truth is that we're stuck at an impasse. Companies are so focused on how many people from different backgrounds they employ that they’re missing the point. It’s not about the numbers. It's about ensuring that every individual is equitably woven into the fabric of the organization and has opportunities to advance and thrive.

We invited Margaret Spence, an advocate for transformative change in the DEI landscape, to elaborate on where companies currently stand with DEI and what needs to change. With a commitment to challenging the status quo, questioning barriers, and leading inclusively, Margaret offers a compelling vision. Her expertise extends beyond rhetoric, by proving that DEI is not just a checkbox but an ongoing commitment.

Listen for insights on:

• Recommended data points for tracking DEI success and impact
• How being entrenched in the status quo can obstruct inclusion
• Navigating bias and inclusion challenges as a person of color

Resources + Links:

• Margaret Spence’s LinkedIn
• About Margaret Spence
• Employee to CEO Action Project
• The Inclusion Learning Lab
• Inclusion Unscripted Podcast

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

The fashion industry is continuing to undergo crucial transformations. With the environmental toll of fast fashion evident, consumers are demanding more from the brands they love: top-notch quality, enduring designs, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Rothy’s, a direct-to-consumer shoes and accessories brand, is leader in this shift. At the heart of Rothy's success is a revolutionary approach to sustainability that combines innovative materials, a zero-waste factory, and no-waste manufacturing practices. Each pair of shoes is crafted not only for style and comfort but designed to minimize its ecological footprint. Rothy's takes it a step further by prioritizing longevity, ensuring their products are designed for long-term use. For products that do reach their end-of-life point, Rothy’s encourages a sustainable life cycle through a recycling program, using well-worn shoes to create new products.

We invited Dayna Quanbeck, President of Rothy’s—but Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer at the time of recording—to explain how the company is helping consumers understand the harmony between fashion and environmental responsibility. As we step into a future that demands both, Rothy's will continue the way with style and sustainability.

Listen for insights on:

• Revolutionizing the use of unconventional materials like plastic bottles and algae
• Challenging consumer perceptions of eco-friendly materials
• Making consumers your product champions
• Incorporating advocacy into a company’s impact

Resources + Links:

• Dayna Quanbeck’s LinkedIn
• How Rothy’s Makes Its Shoes
• How Rothy’s Calculates Its Sustainability Impact
• Give a Dime About Plastic
• Rothy’s Recycling Program

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

COP is a pivotal moment for United Nations members, politicians, and business leaders to gauge progress in tackling climate change and chart a course for action. At COP 28 this past December, a new group came to the forefront. Youth from around the world finally secured a seat at the decision-making table and were embraced more prominently than ever before.

This generation sets itself apart through a commitment to causes that matter, as well as its emergence as leaders that look beyond the needs of just their organizations or cause, focusing on impact for the world as a whole.

Four remarkable One Young World Ambassadors are part of this transformative group of young leaders. In the second half of this two-part series, host Carol Cone welcomes Kehkashan Basu of Green Hope Foundation and Mavis Durowaa Mainu of OAK Foundation, who both deliver a clear message: that the youth of today are not waiting for change, they are propelling it.

Resources + Links:

• Kehkashan Basu’s LinkedIn
• Mavis Durowaa Mainu’s LinkedIn
• Green Hope Foundation
• OAK Foundation
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

COP is a pivotal moment for United Nations members, politicians, and business leaders to gauge progress in tackling climate change and chart a course for action. At COP 28 this past December, a new group came to the forefront. Youth from around the world finally secured a seat at the decision-making table and were embraced more prominently than ever before.

This generation sets itself apart through a commitment to causes that matter, as well as its emergence as leaders that look beyond the needs of just their organizations or cause, focusing on impact for the world as a whole.

Four remarkable One Young World Ambassadors are part of this transformative group of young leaders. In the first half of this two-part series, host Carol Cone welcomes Anna Stanley-Radière of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Enkhuun Byambadorj of Breathe Mongolia—Clean Air Coalition, who both deliver a clear message: that the youth of today are not waiting for change, they are propelling it.

Resources + Links:

• Anna Stanley-Radière’s LinkedIn
• Enkhuun Byambadorj’s LinkedIn
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• Breathe Mongolia—Clean Air Coalition
• One Young World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

In the ever-evolving business landscape, the state of purpose has faced significant challenges over the past year, many that have led to troubling ramifications. The politicization of the term “ESG” has caused companies to scale back their sustainability investments; an increasing number of DEI commitments and positions have also been reduced; and tensions between countries and political groups around the world continue to grow.

And yet, the desperate needs of our planet and society are only intensifying and demanding more urgent action. And so, a pressing question arises: How can businesses continue to balance their commitment to purpose?

We invited three purpose leaders to shed light on this crucial topic as we enter 2024. David Casey, Chief Inclusion and Social Impact Officer at Tapestry; Caryl Stern, Chief Impact Officer at LionTree and former Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation and President & CEO of UNICEF USA; and Andy Pharoah, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Mars, provide key insights into the needs of purpose in 2024 and offer valuable advice on how businesses can continue advancing purposeful impact despite barriers on the horizon.

Resources + Links:

• David Casey’s LinkedIn
• Caryl Stern’s LinkedIn
• Andy Pharoah’s LinkedIn

Previous Episodes:

• Episode 67: Building a Better Tomorrow with Mars Inc. (Andy Pharoah)
• Episode 149: Stretching What’s Possible with Tapestry (David Casey)

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

WSP, a leading engineering advisory and consulting firm, is paving the way to a sustainable and resilient future with its cutting-edge global innovation program, Future Ready. The program analyzes future trends through four lenses—Climate, Society, Technology, and Resources—to shape WSP’s approach to projects. From reviewing the evolving social and cultural norms influencing city design to rethinking resource utilization for a more efficient and sustainable economy, WSP is shaping a world that is not only functional, but sustainable and prosperous.

We invited Alastair (Aly) MacGregor, Senior Vice President and Executive Business Line Leader for Property and Buildings at WSP USA, to speak about his recently released book Future Ready: Your Organization's Guide to Rethinking Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability. Aly shares insights on how other companies can redesign their sustainability plans to put climate and resiliency at the forefront of strategy and execution. 

Listen for insights on:

• Personalizing brand-specific sustainability initiatives to engage a broad audience
• Developing and implementing climate resilience strategies
• Helping stakeholders understand the importance of climate, resiliency, and sustainability

Resources + Links:

• Aly MacGregor’s LinkedIn
• Future Ready Program
• Future Ready: Your Organization’s Guide to Rethinking Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability
• McDonald’s Opens First Net-Zero Restaurant at Disney World

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

As we revel in the joy of the holiday season, it's important to remember that 2.3 billion of the world’s children are ensnared in the harsh realities of conflict, both in distant regions and right within our own communities.

Save the Children stands as a beacon of hope for children worldwide, working to alleviate suffering and build brighter futures for vulnerable young lives. The organization’s work extends across a spectrum of services ranging from healthcare and education to protection, emergency response, policy advocacy, and local empowerment programs.

In 2023, Save the Children has been at the forefront of some of the world's most pressing conflicts. From providing aid in the aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquake to offering support in the war-torn regions of Ukraine and addressing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, the organization has demonstrated unwavering commitment to children caught in the crossfires.

We invited Perry Yeatman, Head of Corporate at Save the Children, to speak about the organization's remarkable century-long impact and how it is forging partnerships to create positive change for the children of the world.

Listen for insights on:

• Five considerations for companies partnering with an NGO
• Guidelines for respectful and effective on-the-ground support (in conflict zones)
• Insights on collecting stories from beneficiaries
• Moving away from the “savior mentality” in communications

Resources + Links:

• Perry Yeatman’s LinkedIn
• Give to Save the Children with matching between 5-10x your donation
• Save the Children in Ukraine
• Save the Children in Gaza
• Save the Children & the Movie "Barbie" Are Helping Children Achieve Their Dreams

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360

Every 79 seconds, someone is killed or injured in a drunk or impaired driving crash in the United States. As we near the holiday season, this risk increases to approximately 21 million chances of encountering an accident between November 1 and January 1.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the foremost non-profit leading the fight to prevent the devastating consequences of impaired driving. The organization has played a crucial role since its inception, reducing crashes by 50% through advocacy efforts, influencing federal policy, leading education initiatives, and providing support services to victims.

Ultimately, the power to reduce drunk driving lies not with any organization but with the people who make the decision to drive impaired. So this holiday season, MADD is introducing its new year-end campaign and cause platform, ToGetThere, with the aim of increasing everyone’s chances to get home safely.

We invited Stacey Stewart, CEO, and Kim Pucci, Senior Director of Marketing and Engagement, to speak to MADD’s impact, how you can make a plan to drive safely this holiday season, and how they plan to get “there”— to a world in which impairment puts no lives at risk.

Listen for insights on:

• Rebranding cause initiatives to align with the digital media age
• Helping stakeholders understand the true impact of a statistic
• Engaging multi-stakeholder groups
• Staying true to purpose during periods of change

Resources + Links:

• Stacey Stewart’s LinkedIn
• Kim Pucci’s LinkedIn
• Sign the ToGetThere Pledge
• Drunken-Driving Warning Systems Would Be Required for New Cars Under U.S. Bill
• MADD’s Power of Parents Program
• MADD’s Power of Youth Program
• MADD’s Victim Support

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360