Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

Every day, we make small decisions to lead more sustainable lives. These choices reflect a growing awareness of the impact humans have on the planet. Yet when it comes to banking, many overlook the influence our choice of financial institution can have on the environment and in our communities. Where we choose to save and invest our money can align with—or work against—our personal values. This is...

In 2026—two years from now—the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday, making it the perfect time to show America some love by sprucing up neighborhoods across the country. Since 1953, the nonprofit Keep America Beautiful has been inspiring and working alongside people nationwide to beautify their communities. Keep America Beautiful is inviting everyone to join the Greatest American Clean...

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a reevaluation of many aspects of society, and the sports industry was no exception. Deemed "non-essential," professional sports and recreational activities ground to a halt — in one instance, in the middle of a professional game. This classification served as a wake-up call: if sports wanted to remain relevant, it would need to evolve and adapt. We invited Neill Duffy...

Countries around the world are anticipating the start of the Paris Olympics, a celebration of the unifying power of sports. For many, an introduction to sports begins at a young age. From participating in a sport to watching games with family, sports plays a pivotal role in shaping youth, teaching invaluable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience and encouraging healthy lifestyle...

What does purpose have to do with movements? StrawberryFrog, a movement marketing agency, were faced with this question when clients came to them with a purpose statement but were unsure how to activate it. This led to a pivotal realization: purpose activation is essentially a movement, where a group of people rally around a shared purpose to drive change. Inspired, StrawberryFrog decided to enter...

Even with a supportive family and access to quality education, opportunities for meaningful and inclusive work can be scarce for people with disabilities once they reach adulthood. The transition from school to the workforce is often overlooked, exposing a systemic failure to provide equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of cognitive or physical ability.  Ultranauts, a company born f...

Does acting on values hurt the bottom line? According to Daniel Aronson, Founder and CEO of Valutus, the answer is no—in fact, the converse is true. In his new book, The Value of Values , Daniel shows that making ethical choices can actually increase a company's profits and competitive advantage, often without much extra cost or risk. Using research and real-world examples, Daniel explains that th...

We are facing a tragedy of the commons — and have been for a while. At worst, businesses are taking advantage of the planet and society and aren’t holding themselves fully responsible for the damage they are doing. When companies release excessive carbon into the air or keep wages low, the resulting environmental damage and societal burdens are paid for by the average citizen and the taxpayer.  Ch...

Gen Z is an important stakeholder for companies: they're powerful consumers, passionate activists, and many are already part of the workforce. But when it comes to engaging Gen Z, older generations are the ones studying them—and deciding what will work best.  This felt counterproductive to 16-year-old Ziad Ahmed, who questioned why decisions about his generation were being made without them. And s...

"If a check would fix the problem, I would've written that check already," said Sam Johnson, founder of Johnson Outdoors. These words embody the company's ethos founded with a reverence for nature and a commitment to its preservation. Since its inception, Johnson Outdoors has steadfastly safeguarded the outdoors while nurturing consumers’ passion for outdoor adventure and enjoyment. At the heart o...

At the heart of Eli Lilly's purpose lies a deep understanding: their insulin is more than just a product—it’s essential for peoples’ health and survival. This purpose, to unite caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world, is embedded deeply within the organization. The company focuses on ensuring their medicines are inclusive to all patients by inves...

Caryl Stern's remarkable journey spans more than 30 countries and several high-impact roles, including former CEO of UNICEF USA, former Executive Director of the Walton Family Foundation, and present Chief Impact Officer at LionTree, an independent investment and merchant bank for creativity, community, and capital. From her inspirational upbringing (shaped by her mother who survived the Holocaust...

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...

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 al...

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...

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...

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 throug...

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 throug...

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 ar...

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 rethink...

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 w...

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. Th...

Macy's Inc., inclusive of companies Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, is setting the stage for a remarkable new era of purpose with their new statement, "Mission Every One." This commitment to creating a brighter, more equitable future set the stage for significant changes across the enterprise, including the revitalization of their annual holiday season campaign. With Mission Every One at i...

What kind of company would you create if you could start from a blank slate?  Despite being spun off from 130+-year-old Merck, Organon had this unique opportunity. The women’s health, biosimilars, and established medicines company started from the beginning, defining a new mission, establishing a board of directors, and unifying their impact around a commitment to the global health of women and gi...

Operating a successful purpose-led company comes with its share of challenges — even to the companies that excel at it. Driving meaningful impact, investing in a sustainable future, and fostering employee engagement all require strategic decision making and often significant internal transformations. So how are the best companies navigating these challenges? An unwavering commitment and a well-def...