A Good Force – a GivingForce original series

Ejaz Rashid

A Good Force. Where we spotlight moments that shaped the leaders behind enterprise CSR and ESG to turn purpose into measurable change. Hosted by Ejaz Rashid, Founder & CEO at GivingForce.

  1. EP14 - Sara Fromstein (DECEIM)

    5d ago

    EP14 - Sara Fromstein (DECEIM)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Sara Fromstein shares her journey from activism to corporate social impact, emphasizing the importance of trust, authenticity, and focus in DEIB and CSR initiatives. Discover how her work at Deciem and her insights on building belonging and impactful partnerships are shaping a more inclusive and responsible business landscape. keywords Social Impact, DEIB, CSR, Trust, Belonging, Corporate Responsibility, Community Partnerships, Impact Strategy, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion key topics Trust as the Foundation of Social Impact Focus and Strategy in CSR and DEIB Authentic Partnerships and Community Trust guest name Sara Fromstein key frameworks Trust as the Foundation of Impact Focus and Listening in CSR action items Prioritize authentic partnerships based on trust Focus impact efforts on areas with larger influence Ask questions and foster curiosity within teams Titles Building Trust in Social Impact: Sara Fromstein's Journey The Power of Focus in CSR and DEIB Initiatives sound bites "CSR is not optional today" "Focus on impact, not activity" "Address systemic issues early" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 00:18 The Importance of Social Impact and Belonging 02:43 Sara's Journey into Social Impact 04:55 Building DEIB Roadmaps at Deciem 07:39 Choosing Partnerships and Community Engagement 10:20 Lessons Learned in Social Impact Initiatives 13:05 Navigating Global Challenges and Changes 15:53 Looking Forward: Access to Truth and Knowledge 18:15 Final Thoughts and Encouragement resources Deciem and The Ordinary - https://deciem.com/ Sara Fromstein on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafromstein/ Impact Strategy Frameworks - https://hbr.org/2020/01/impact-strategy-frameworks guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafromstein/

    21 min
  2. EP 13 - Roos Bruggink (AstraZeneca)

    May 19

    EP 13 - Roos Bruggink (AstraZeneca)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Roos Brugink, Global Community Investment Lead at AstraZeneca, shares her journey in social impact, the strategic integration of CSR initiatives, and the challenges and opportunities in health-focused philanthropy. Discover how AstraZeneca aligns its business goals with societal needs, measures impact, and fosters youth leadership to create sustainable change. keywords CSR, social impact, health equity, AstraZeneca, youth leadership, sustainability, NGO partnerships, impact measurement, corporate purpose key topics Integration of CSR and business strategy Impact measurement and evaluation Youth leadership development and engagement guest name Roos Brugink Titles Unlocking Impact: How AstraZeneca Integrates CSR and Business Goals The Power of Youth Leadership in Health Impact sound bites "Preventing diseases by instilling healthy habits early." "Top-down and bottom-up approaches are essential." "Network, values, and stakeholder management are key." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:20 Challenges in Social Impact and Sustainability 05:51 AstraZeneca's Approach to Health and Community Engagement 07:56 Volunteering and Employee Engagement Strategies 09:41 Youth Leadership and Opportunities 14:15 Measuring Impact and Sustainability 17:16 Personal Journey and Advice for Newcomers resources AstraZeneca's Young Health Program - https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-responsibility/health-initiatives.html One Young World - https://www.oneyoungworld.com Business for Social Impact (BSI) Impact Framework - https://businessforsocialimpact.org PQMD Network Partnership for Quality Medical Donations - https://pqmd.org guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roosbrugink

    20 min
  3. EP12 - Nina Rauch (Lemonade)

    Apr 29

    EP12 - Nina Rauch (Lemonade)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Nina Rauch, Head of Social Impact at Lemonade, shares her journey from founding Pink Week to scaling impact programs within a for-profit company. She discusses the importance of embedding impact into business strategy, targeting younger generations for philanthropy, and overcoming challenges in social impact initiatives. keywords Impact, Social Impact, Lemonade, Pink Week, CSR, ESG, Impact Strategy, Generational Giving, Corporate Impact, B Corp key topics Impact strategy integration in business Targeting younger generations for philanthropy Scaling impact programs within corporations guest name Nina Rauch Titles Scaling Impact from Pink Week to Lemonade: Nina Rauch's Journey Embedding Impact into Business Strategy: Lessons from Lemonade sound bites "Impact should be part of the company's DNA" "Think outside the box for impact roles" "Authentic impact builds trust and longevity" Chapters 00:00 Dental Adventures and Personal Anecdotes 00:02 Introduction to Nina Rauch and Her Journey 01:47 The Importance of Engaging Younger Donors 03:29 Founding Pink Week: A Personal Mission 07:28 Transitioning to Lemonade: A New Chapter 09:13 Scaling Impact at Lemonade: Success Stories 10:47 Navigating Challenges in Social Impact 13:42 Mentorship and Support in the Impact Space 21:30 Advice for Aspiring Impact Professionals resources Pink Week - https://pinkweek.org Lemonade - https://www.lemonade.com Deed Volunteer Platform - https://deed.com Forbes 30 Under 30 - https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/ Impact Strategy Frameworks - https://impactstrategy.org guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/ninarauch Twitter - https://twitter.com/ninarauch

    23 min
  4. EP11 Helen Wilson (Rathbones)

    Apr 29

    EP11 Helen Wilson (Rathbones)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Helen Wilson, Head of Responsible Business at Rathbones Group, shares her journey from oceanography to finance, emphasizing the interconnectedness of sustainability issues and the importance of collaboration, practical impact, and adaptive strategies in ESG and responsible investing. keywords ESG, sustainability, responsible business, finance, collaboration, climate, social impact, nature, regulation, financial services key topics Interconnectedness of sustainability issues Helen Wilson's career journey from oceanography to finance The importance of collaboration in ESG Challenges and opportunities in responsible investing guest name Helen Wilson Titles From Fish to Finance: Helen Wilson's Journey in Sustainability Unlocking the Interconnected Nature of ESG with Helen Wilson sound bites "Business is a solution, capital flows are a solution." "We need to bring people on the sustainability journey." "Collaboration is essential for driving real impact." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:00 Introduction to Responsible Business and ESG 01:05 Understanding Interconnectedness in Sustainability 02:42 Helen's Journey into Sustainability 05:08 Evolution of CSR to ESG 08:47 Financial Services and Responsible Business 13:27 Challenges and Lightbulb Moments in Sustainability 17:52 Future Focus: Nature and Social Mobility 21:04 The Role of AI in Financial Education resources Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) - https://tnfd.info/ Rathbones Group - https://www.rathbones.com/ Helen Wilson's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenwilson/ ESG and sustainability resources at Rathbones - https://www.rathbones.com/our-thinking/sustainability guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenwilson/

    24 min
  5. EP10 - Rohit Burman (PVH/Calvin Klein)

    Apr 21

    EP10 - Rohit Burman (PVH/Calvin Klein)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Rohit Burman shares his journey at the intersection of business and purpose, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, trust, and resilience in impact work. Discover insights from his extensive experience in global brands, impactful projects like HIV prevention in South Africa, and personal lessons that shape his approach to social impact and inclusion. keywords Impact, Inclusion, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Leadership, Diversity, Social Impact, Purpose, Business Strategy, Personal Journey key topics Impact and purpose in business Building trust and authentic leadership Transformative social impact projects Personal lessons and resilience in impact work guest name Rohit Burman Titles From Purpose Statement to Purpose Practice: Rohit Burman's Impact Journey Building Trust and Resilience in Social Impact with Rohit Burman sound bites "It's about how you show up in the work" "Impact is a journey, not a ladder" "Say more yes than no to open new possibilities" Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Impact and Purpose 01:33 Myths in the Field of Inclusion and Diversity 06:02 Influences and Inspirations 11:27 Proud Moments and Achievements 13:54 Challenges and Lessons Learned 15:45 Energy Management and Personal Growth 17:54 The Power of Saying Yes 18:47 The Importance of Multiple Identities resources PVH Corporation - https://www.pvh.com/ Calvin Klein - https://www.calvinklein.com/ Tommy Hilfiger - https://usa.tommy.com/ UNICEF South Africa HIV Partnership - https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/ Impact and Inclusion Strategies at PVH - https://www.pvh.com/impact-inclusion guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitburman/

    19 min
  6. EP9 - Erika Mork (University of Lynchburg)

    Apr 7

    EP9 - Erika Mork (University of Lynchburg)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Erika Mork shares her extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, international perspectives, and insights into effective donor engagement strategies. Discover how to navigate the complexities of philanthropy, the importance of community-centered approaches, and practical tips for securing funding. keywords nonprofit fundraising, philanthropy, donor engagement, community-centered fundraising, grant writing, nonprofit strategy key topics Fundraising strategies and best practices International influence on philanthropy Effective donor engagement and motivations takeaways Community-centered fundraising balances donor interests with community needs. Effective evaluation plans include clear metrics and outcome measures. Successful Give Days create urgency and foster a sense of belonging. Understanding donor motivations enhances engagement and giving. Partnerships with corporate programs can provide valuable in-kind and financial support. guest name Erika Mork key frameworks Community-Centered Fundraising Logic Models for Outcomes action items Incorporate outcome measurements in grant proposals. Develop community engagement strategies that respect donor motivations. Plan and execute Give Day campaigns with clear urgency and goals. Build partnerships with corporate and community organizations. Titles Unlocking Fundraising Success: Insights from Erika Mork The Art of Donor Engagement: Strategies from a Nonprofit Expert sound bites "Organizations doing real good deserve proper funding." "Community-centered fundraising builds trust and impact." "Understanding donor motivations enhances engagement." Chapters 00:00 Influences and Experiences in Nonprofit Work 00:51 The Role of Funding in Nonprofits 03:25 Transitioning into Fundraising 05:18 The Journey into Fundraising 06:28 The Success of Give Days 09:56 Common Threads in Philanthropy 15:15 Navigating Philanthropic Demands 16:03 Community-Centered Fundraising 22:24 Common Mistakes in Grant Seeking 25:46 Future Endeavors in Philanthropy resources GivingForce - https://givingforce.com University of Lynchburg - https://www.lynchburg.edu Grant Writing Resources - https://grantspace.org The Seven Faces of Philanthropy (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Faces-Philanthropy-Understanding-Motivation/dp/1118876444 guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/erika-mork Twitter - https://twitter.com/erikamork

    27 min
  7. EP8 - Stephanie Bormann (DPR Construction)

    Apr 1

    EP8 - Stephanie Bormann (DPR Construction)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Stephanie Bormann shares her journey from HP to DPR Construction, highlighting innovative programs like 40 Days of Doing Good and the importance of embedding CSR into company culture. Discover practical insights on leadership, community impact, and fostering employee engagement in social initiatives. keywords CSR, employee engagement, community impact, corporate philanthropy, volunteer programs, leadership, ESG, social impact, DPR Construction, HP key topics Embedding CSR in corporate culture Innovative employee volunteer programs Leadership's role in social impact guest name Stephanie Bormann key frameworks 40 Days of Doing Good action items Start small with volunteer programs and build from there Engage leadership early and often Use gamification to motivate participation Embed social impact into company culture Titles How to Embed CSR into Company Culture: Lessons from Stephanie Bormann 40 Days of Doing Good: A Successful Employee Volunteer Program sound bites "I wish more companies would do this." "When we do good, we do well." "Start anywhere, and it will grow." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping 00:00 Stephanie's Philanthropic Journey 05:01 The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility 08:11 Innovative Volunteer Programs at HP 11:51 Overcoming Challenges in Employee Engagement 15:17 Evolving Volunteer Preferences and Skills 18:28 Advice for Aspiring CSR Professionals 21:49 Future Endeavors in Community Initiatives resources 40 Days of Doing Good Program - https://example.com/40-days-of-doing-good Career Village Platform - https://careervillage.org Rebecca Wang at ServiceNow - https://linkedin.com/in/rebeccawang B. Bacolandro's Publications on Purpose-Driven Work - https://amazon.com/bacolandro-purpose-driven Boston College Corporate Impact Certificate - https://bostoncollege.edu/certificates Holy Cross Social Impact Program - https://holycross.edu/social-impact guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/stephaniebormann Twitter - https://twitter.com/stephaniebormann Website - https://dprconstruction.com

    23 min
  8. EP7 - Seth Laxman (Lush)

    Apr 1

    EP7 - Seth Laxman (Lush)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this engaging interview, Seth Laxman shares his journey from environmental activism to leading advocacy campaigns at Lush Cosmetics. Discover how he leverages employee activism, navigates corporate risks, and drives social change through innovative campaigns that align business values with impactful action. keywords Environmental activism, Corporate social responsibility, Employee activism, Lush campaigns, Climate change, Advocacy, Social impact, Business for good key topics Seth Laxman's transition from Greenpeace to Lush The role of employee activism in corporate social responsibility Strategies for effective advocacy campaigns in retail Overcoming perceived risks in social activism Long-term systemic change versus short-term campaigns takeaways Employee activism is a powerful asset for brands when leveraged correctly. Consistent messaging and deep partnerships are key to successful campaigns. Addressing systemic issues requires ongoing effort, not one-off actions. Building community and networks enhances resilience in impact work. Authenticity and deep engagement are crucial for campaign success. guest name Seth Laxman key frameworks Systemic Change Model Long-term Impact Strategy Titles From Greenpeace to Lush: A Journey of Advocacy and Impact How Lush Uses Employee Activism to Drive Social Change sound bites "You win more people over by standing strong." "Business can be a core blocker for climate action." "Customer engagement is a different value exchange." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:00 Activism and Advocacy at Lush 01:34 The Importance of Employee Activism 04:08 Challenges in Corporate Activism 06:42 Personal Journey into Advocacy 09:45 Transitioning from Nonprofit to Private Sector 12:24 Guiding Principles and North Star 14:50 Lessons Learned in Advocacy 17:25 Advice for Aspiring Activists 19:56 Upcoming Campaigns and Future Directions resources Greenpeace - https://www.greenpeace.org Lush Cosmetics - https://www.lush.com Grist 50 - https://grist.org Ben & Jerry's - https://www.benjerry.com guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethlaxman Twitter - https://twitter.com/sethlaxman

    21 min

About

A Good Force. Where we spotlight moments that shaped the leaders behind enterprise CSR and ESG to turn purpose into measurable change. Hosted by Ejaz Rashid, Founder & CEO at GivingForce.