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