Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

TruStory FM

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society's most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it's a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the power of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Host Carol Cone brings decades of social impact expertise and a 360-degree view of integrating social purpose into an organization into unfiltered conversations that illuminate today's big challenges and bigger ideas.

  1. Tackling Hunger Today, Preventing Hunger Tomorrow with Eric Bebernitz

    26 AUG

    Tackling Hunger Today, Preventing Hunger Tomorrow with Eric Bebernitz

    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 shiftsHow to balance emergency aid with long-term changeBuilding trust and resilience in fragile communities through local leadershipResources + Links: Eric Bebernitz’s LinkedInAction Against HungerPlumpy'NutNew York Times: A $45 Treatment Can Save a Starving Child. US Aid Cuts Have Frozen the Supply (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Action Against Hunger (02:08) - Eric’s Background (05:36) - World’s State of Hunger Today (08:15) - Origin Story (09:44) - Structure (12:19) - Plumpy’Nut (14:17) - Innovations (19:42) - Addressing USAID Cuts (25:06) - Personal Stories (29:16) - Career Path (31:32) - Last Word (33:39) - Wrap Up

    35 min
  2. Mastercard Strive USA Is Strengthening Small Businesses

    12 AUG

    Mastercard Strive USA Is Strengthening Small Businesses

    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 strategyThe power of data, technology, and AI in advancing inclusive economic developmentAdvice for early-career professionals seeking to grow in social impact and corporate sustainability rolesResources + Links: Jonathan Fantini-Porter’s LinkedInMastercard Center for Inclusive GrowthMastercard Strive USA (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Mastercard (01:23) - Jonathan’s Background (03:05) - Moving to Mastercard (04:40) - Lessons from Parents (08:05) - Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (09:54) - Setting the Goal (12:12) - Strive USA (14:52) - Rural America (17:23) - Small Businesses (19:19) - Integrating AI (22:22) - Advice (25:24) - Last Words (29:00) - Wrap Up

    32 min
  3. Navigating CSR in a Time of Change

    29 JUL

    Navigating CSR in a Time of Change

    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 professionalsReframing strategies and language to align with evolving internal and external expectationsConnecting business priorities to community impact work for long-term success and continued funding Resources + Links: Andrea Wood’s LinkedInACCPAnnual CSR Insights ReportACCP CSR LaunchPadBest Buy Teen Tech Centers (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Andrea Wood from ACCP (02:54) - Andrea’s Background (05:40) - Working with Hubert Joly (07:54) - Andrea’s Personal Purpose (08:48) - Listening to Members (09:45) - Members’ Concern (13:30) - DEI and ESG (16:35) - Issues Prioritized (17:45) - The Use of AI (19:47) - Best Buy Teen Tech Center (21:37) - Measurement (24:28) - Career Advice (25:33) - Insights for Career Growth (27:12) - Last Words (28:26) - Wrap Up

    30 min
  4. Ford Philanthropy’s Roadmap for Greater Mobility

    15 JUL

    Ford Philanthropy’s Roadmap for Greater Mobility

    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 communitiesMobilizing corporate assets beyond dollarsEvolve a legacy program into a modern philanthropy platform Resources + Links: Mary Culler’s LinkedInFord PhilanthropyNew York Times: Ford Rescues a Detroit Train Station as It Plots Its Own FutureTennessee Community Center (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Mary Culler from Ford Philanthropy (02:16) - Mary’s Background (03:46) - Their Focus (05:39) - Rebranding (06:53) - Committed to America ad (08:25) - The Stanton Story (10:25) - Michigan Central Station (12:49) - Building Together Initiative (16:20) - Volunteerism (17:34) - Building Together (18:05) - Transportation Gap (19:47) - Mobile Health (20:21) - Deciding Where the Money Goes (21:01) - Future of Philanthropy (21:48) - Proving You’re Having an Impact (22:54) - The Station (23:36) - Last Word (24:36) - Wrap Up

    26 min
  5. It’s Time to End Youth Homelessness

    1 JUL

    It’s Time to End Youth Homelessness

    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 crisisWhat it takes to end youth homelessnessCreating visceral experiences for donors Resources + Links: Bill Bedrossian’s LinkedInCovenant HouseThe Sleep Out (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Covenant House (01:38) - Bill Bedrossian’s Background (04:38) - Formative Moment (07:16) - Covenant House Origins and Mission (09:32) - Services Provided (11:28) - Volunteers (13:14) - The Scope (13:58) - Insights for a Large Non-Profit (15:12) - Guiding Principles (19:04) - The Journey Home (21:24) - Linden Commons (24:21) - The Sleep Out (26:22) - Partnerships (28:16) - Favorite Story (31:03) - Integrating AI (32:11) - Last Word (33:40) - Wrap Up

    35 min
  6. The Purpose Reset

    17 JUN

    The Purpose Reset

    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 alignmentCreating a team purpose statementAssessing your personal impact and opportunitiesReconnecting with purpose through small shifts, not big leaps Resources + Links: The Purpose ResetRich Fernandez’s LinkedInCarolina Lasso’s LinkedInSteph Stern’s LinkedIn (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - The Purpose Reset (02:12) - Meet the Authors (05:50) - Why ‘The Purpose Reset’? (07:58) - The Napkin Story (09:13) - Personal Purpose (13:18) - The What, the Why, and the Who (16:08) - Mindfulness (17:21) - Silvia’s Story (19:04) - Where We Are in the Movement (21:55) - Purpose and Teams (23:24) - Building the Culture (26:43) - One Word (27:22) - Last Word (30:21) - Wrap Up

    32 min
  7. Packaging + Purpose + Profit Does Exist

    3 JUN

    Packaging + Purpose + Profit Does Exist

    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-friendlyEmbedding sustainability into business strategy through innovation and educationCreating holistic employee wellness programs rooted in physical, mental, and emotional healthHow purpose, legacy, and personal values shape leadership and drive long-term impact Resources + Links: Wes Carter’s LinkedInA New Earth ProjectPackaging Solution CenterFishbone Sustainable Wellness CarriersAtlantic Wellness (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Wes Carter, Atlantic Packaging (02:38) - Atlantic Packaging (07:28) - Wes’ Purpose (10:19) - Packaging Solution Center (13:10) - Fishbone C-Clip (14:22) - Health (17:14) - A New Earth Project (19:43) - Storytelling (21:12) - Connections (23:23) - Recommendations (25:16) - Last Thoughts (27:35) - Wrap Up

    30 min
  8. Giving It All Away for Good with Newman’s Own Foundation

    20 MAY

    Giving It All Away for Good with Newman’s Own Foundation

    If you’ve ever put a Newman's Own salad dressing into your grocery cart, congratulations! You’ve made a charitable donation. That’s because Newman's Own Foundation owns the food company outright and directs 100% of profits to the foundation’s philanthropic initiatives. What began as actor Paul Newman’s holiday gift—homemade dressing in old wine bottles—has grown into a $600 million force for good. Guided by the late actor’s generosity, the foundation continues to give it all away, staying true to its founding mission to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. We invited Alex Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, to talk about the foundation’s success and how it’s sharpening its focus, building strategic partnerships, and doubling down on impact measurement. She shares how Newman's Own Foundation is not only nourishing children but helping the entire philanthropic ecosystem thrive by funding resilience-building camps through the SeriousFun Children's Network, fighting for food justice in schools via grantees like FoodCorps, and launching initiatives like the “100% for Purpose Club.” This work goes far beyond philanthropy: “When you get the intersection right of aligning to your mission and to your superpowers, you are living your purpose.” Listen for key insights on: Impact measurement, monitoring, and evaluationLeveraging influence and partnerships to multiply donation impactFocusing philanthropic investments on a core mission to achieve greater success Resources + Links: Alex Amouyel’s LinkedInNewman’s Own FoundationPaul NewmanNewman’s Own Foundation Impact (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:14) - Meet Alex Amouyel, Newman's Own (02:19) - Alex’s Background (05:31) - Origins (08:45) - Stories About Paul (12:47) - SeriousFun Network (15:35) - Response (16:04) - Taking Stock (18:42) - Measurement (20:37) - Food Corps (23:25) - Paul’s Hundredth Birthday (24:13) - Other Programs (26:47) - Living Your Purpose (28:17) - In Three Years (28:44) - Last Thoughts (29:07) - Wrap Up

    31 min
See All (210)

About

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society's most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it's a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the power of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Host Carol Cone brings decades of social impact expertise and a 360-degree view of integrating social purpose into an organization into unfiltered conversations that illuminate today's big challenges and bigger ideas.

Information

More From TruStory FM

You Might Also Like