n this episode of The Caring Economy, host Toby Usnik sits down with Felita Harris, Executive Director and Co-Founder of RAISEFashion, to explore how she’s transforming the fashion industry into a more inclusive, equitable space for BIPOC creatives and professionals.

With over 25 years of experience at brands like Nordstrom and Donna Karan, Felita has witnessed firsthand the structural inequities in fashion. In the wake of the George Floyd protests, she helped launch RAISEFashion, a nonprofit committed to mentoring, supporting, and opening doors for Black and Brown designers and emerging talent.

Tune in as Felita shares how she’s using the power of storytelling, corporate partnerships, and mentorship to challenge the status quo and uplift a new generation of diverse fashion leaders. This conversation covers:

• The origins and mission of Raise Fashion

• How DEI efforts are evolving in 2025

• The importance of mentorship in fashion

• Why access — not just talent — determines success

Whether you’re in the industry or simply care about social impact, fashion, and equity, this is a powerful listen about turning purpose into practice.

🎧 Subscribe and listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of The Caring Economy, Toby Usnik sits down with Maury Wolfe, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Impact for Cox Enterprises, to explore how a century-old company is doubling down on impact in a modern world. From bold climate commitments to long-term investments in workforce development, Maury breaks down Cox’s holistic approach to corporate responsibility—and what it takes to build trust, resilience, and relevance in 2025 and beyond.

We discuss:

• How Cox is rethinking corporate legacy through environmental and social innovation

• Why real change starts from the inside—by engaging employees and elevating voices

• How Cox’s $400 million CleanTech investment strategy reflects purpose-driven business

• The power of cross-sector partnerships in creating scalable impact

If you're looking for a roadmap on embedding CSR into the DNA of a company—and doing it authentically—this is the episode for you.

In this powerful episode of The Caring Economy, host Toby Usnik speaks with Dawn Pinnock, President & CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). As the first woman and first person of color to lead CUCS, Dawn shares her bold vision for addressing homelessness through integrated care, systemic equity, and community-based leadership.

We explore:

• The evolving face of homelessness in urban America

• Why CUCS’s model of housing + healthcare is setting national standards

• How Dawn’s decades of NYC public service inform her approach to leadership

• Why compassion, infrastructure, and dignity must go hand in hand

If you care about public health, affordable housing, and the future of cities—this episode is for you.

Learn more: cucs.org
Subscribe to The Caring Economy for conversations at the intersection of purpose and leadership.

n this episode of The Caring Economy, we sit down with R. Adam Smith—seasoned investor, family office advisor, and legacy strategist—to explore how wealth, legacy, and leadership are being redefined for a new generation.

Adam brings decades of experience working with founders, families, and next-gen inheritors navigating the emotional and financial complexities of intergenerational wealth. From private equity to purpose-driven investment, he shares fresh insights on why the most successful family legacies aren’t built on spreadsheets—they’re built on storytelling, empathy, and trust.

We explore:

• How family offices are evolving into “family galaxies”

• Why emotional intelligence is becoming the most valuable asset in finance

• What rising generations are asking of their wealth—and their advisors

Whether you’re advising wealth, building a legacy, or simply curious about what it means to lead with care, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Caring Economy, we sit down with Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, to explore how national service is shaping the future of leadership, social impact, and civic engagement. With over 200,000 AmeriCorps members serving across 40,000+ communities, the organization is tackling some of the nation’s biggest challenges—from education and disaster relief to public health and climate action.

Michael shares his personal journey from growing up in a working-class Massachusetts town to leading one of the most influential service organizations in the U.S. We discuss the business case for volunteerism, how service can be a powerful career accelerator, and why corporate leaders should embrace community engagement as a strategic advantage.

As we move into 2025, where purpose-driven work is becoming the norm, this conversation challenges us to think about the role of service in leadership, workforce development, and social cohesion.

🎧 Tune in now for a thought-provoking discussion on the power of giving back.

The data is clear: when women thrive, economies flourish. But are we really putting our money where our values are? In this powerful episode of The Caring Economy, we sit down with Renee Wittemyer, VP of Program & Strategy at Pivotal Ventures, the Melinda French Gates-backed organization reshaping how we fund gender equity and economic opportunity.

Renee shares eye-opening insights into how strategic investments in women’s leadership, innovation, and workforce inclusion are driving real, measurable change—and why traditional philanthropy isn’t enough. We discuss:

✔️ The ROI of Gender Equity – Why funding women isn’t charity, it’s smart economics
✔️ Breaking Systemic Barriers – The biggest challenges preventing women from accessing capital, leadership roles, and opportunity
✔️ Pivotal Ventures' Bold Approach – How innovative funding models are accelerating change across industries
✔️ What’s Next? – The shifts we need to see in corporate and VC spaces to build a truly inclusive economy

If you're serious about rethinking corporate social responsibility, gender equity, and how capital can drive systemic change, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

What if corporate success wasn’t just about profit but about creating a positive impact on the world? Bob Stiller,founder of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, built a billion-dollar brand while pioneeringcorporate social responsibility (CSR). In this episode ofThe Caring Economy, Bob shares how he turned a small Vermont coffee company into a leader insustainability, ethical sourcing, and employee empowerment.

Frominvesting in fair-trade coffee farmers to fostering apeople-first company culture, Bob’s leadership proves thatbusiness can be a force for good. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or passionate aboutsocial impact, this episode is packed withinsights on building a mission-driven company that thrives.

Key takeaways from this episode:
✔️ WhyCSR is a competitive advantage, not a cost
✔️ Howlong-term thinking builds stronger businesses
✔️ The role ofemployee engagement in driving innovation
✔️ Whysustainability and business success go hand in hand

💡 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with atrue pioneer in purpose-driven business

How do we redefine ROI in today’s world? In this episode of The Caring Economy, we sit down with Graham McMillan, President of the Visa Foundation, to explore how corporate philanthropy and sustainable investments are reshaping the business landscape. Visa Foundation is at the forefront of financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and social impact, ensuring that capital works for underserved communities worldwide.

Graham shares his expertise on blending purpose with profit, the power of partnerships, and how corporations can drive real social change. If you're interested in corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG initiatives, and how financial institutions are stepping up to address global challenges, this episode is a must-listen.

Join us on the latest episode of The Caring Economy as we sit down with Paul Solman, the celebrated PBS NewsHour correspondent and co-founder of the American Exchange Project. With a career spanning five decades, Paul has been a beacon of curiosity, understanding, and storytelling.

In this episode, Paul shares:

As we step into 2025 and launch Season 15, this conversation is a powerful reminder of the impact we can all have by building bridges and creating connections.

🎙️ Tune in now to start the year inspired!

#PaulSolman #TheCaringEconomy #AmericanExchangeProject #Connection #Empathy

Step into the inspiring world of Wendy Hilliard, a trailblazing gymnast and the first Black rhythmic gymnast to represent the U.S. on the global stage. Wendy’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a profound commitment to making gymnastics—and opportunity—accessible to all.

In this episode, Wendy shares her journey from Detroit to the international spotlight, her experiences overcoming systemic barriers, and the mission behind the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation. With over 25,000 children served in urban communities like Harlem and Detroit, Wendy’s foundation is empowering the next generation through the transformative power of sports.

💡 What You'll Hear:

As we step into 2025, Wendy’s story inspires us to embrace resilience, foster opportunity, and create meaningful change in our communities.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how Wendy Hilliard is turning dreams into reality, one gymnast at a time.

#TheCaringEconomy #WendyHilliard #Gymnastics #SportsForGood #Resilience #EmpoweringYouth #Podcast