Speaking of Purpose

In this special episode of Speaking of Purpose, Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, is joined by Andrea Wood, President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals, for a conversation on corporate leadership during moments of crisis.Drawing from her experience living in Minneapolis, Andrea shares what it was like to witness her community navigate a period of unrest and uncertainty. She reflects on the role of grassroots movements, the power of mutual aid and how individuals and organizations mobilized to support those most affected.Together, they explore the gap between corporate statements and meaningful action, how leaders react in high-pressure moments and how companies can better support their employees and communities when it matters most.Links to note:https://accp.org/

A company's values are what truly drive its value. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, Maya Colombani, Chief Sustainability, Human Rights and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at L’ORÉAL Canada, shares how her company’s sustainability strategy drives innovation, talent development and financial growth. From integrating sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social impact into every part of the business to building partnerships with Indigenous communities, Maya shows what it looks like to be a force for good and a global market mover.

Shareholder, consumer and employee activism are top of mind for CEOs. Some companies are bending under pressure, while others are doubling down. So who really holds the power?In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we sit down with Andrew Jones of the Conference Board to explore how today’s most resilient companies are embracing their communities and harnessing stakeholder influence to better navigate risk, build brand trust, and align values with long-term success. Plus, we look at the latest data on activism to what it means for the future of business.

Trust-based philanthropy has been a growing movement for the past five years, but it hasn’t come without its fair share of naysayers and skeptics. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we talk to Shaady Salehi, Co-Founder & Executive Director at the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project as the initiative enters its next phase of growth. In this conversation, we tackle the myths, the benefits, the opportunities and what it takes to forge nonprofit partnerships that in fact enable funders to realize their investment goals, if they are willing to practice a bit of flexibility and… trust! Show Notes:Learn more about Trust-based philanthropy →  https://www.trustbasedphilanthropy.org/Dive into Benevity’s State of Corporate Purpose report → https://benevity.com/state-of-corporate-purpose-2025 Learn more about Unite in Advance → https://nonprofitquarterly.org/unite-in-advance-philanthropy-coalition-launches-solidarity-campaign/ Learn more about Meet the Moment → https://www.trustbasedphilanthropy.org/meet-the-moment 

In this rare episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, host Sona Khosla sits down with the new CEO of Benevity, Soraya Alexander. They talk about everything from building community and connection through giving, obsessing about unlocking more generosity, the role of technology and the opportunity for AI to make us intentional about being human, and the need to protect corporate purpose in this moment. In this joy-filled, laughter-infused conversation, you’ll delight in getting to know Soraya Alexander–the woman behind the title.Show Notes:Learn more about Benevity’s CEO announcement → https://benevity.com/press-releases/benevity-names-soraya-alexander-chief-executive-officer 

Nonprofits are facing a turning point. As government funding shifts and donor behavior evolves, the sector stands at a fork in the road. Forced to rethink how it stays financially healthy and mission-focused.In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we’ll unpack the growing strain on nonprofit budgets, the risks of relying solely on private philanthropy, and the rise of community-led giving models. We explore the warning signs, the opportunities, and what it will take to build lasting resilience in a changing funding landscape.Show Notes:Explore Charity Navigator → https://www.charitynavigator.org Support GlobalGiving → https://www.globalgiving.org Do Good Research Study → https://dogood.umd.edu/news/new-research-reveals-linkages-between-volunteerism-social-connections-0 Read Civic Participation Study → https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12586 USAID Stop-Work Order → https://www.usaidstopwork.com/ Visit ACLU → https://www.aclu.org Learn About PEPFAR → https://www.state.gov/pepfar Check Malaria Data → https://malariaatlas.org/news/new-malaria-data-warns-millions-at-risk/ Browse NOAA Data → https://www.noaa.govSee what we’ll lose without Nonprofits → https://fortune.com/2025/09/07/nonprofits-youll-miss-them-when-theyre-gone/

The way you think about goal-setting in business is about to change. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, we're joined by Charu Adesnik, Executive Director of Cisco Foundation and Director of Social Impact and Innovation for Cisco Systems. We deconstruct the company’s audacious goal to positively impact one billion lives within 10 years, which they exceeded ahead of schedule.Tune in to hear Charu and Sona talk about executive commitment, using business to drive impact, dealing with the unexpected, having the grace to test, and learn and what it means to authentically scale a  vision to “power an inclusive future for all.”Show Notes:Cisco Networking Academy → https://www.netacad.com/Cisco’s 40years of Impact → https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/index.htmlBenevity’s State of Corporate Purpose Report → https://benevity.com/state-of-corporate-purpose-2025Learn more about Cisco's 1 billion lives initiative → https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/social-impact/one-billion-lives.htmlnetacad.comCisco Networking Academy: Learn Cybersecurity, Python & MoreCisco Networking Academy is a skills-to-jobs program shaping the future workforce. Since 1997, we have impacted over 20 million learners in 190 countries.  https://www.netacad.com/CiscoCisco Purpose - Power an Inclusive Future for AllLearn how Cisco's Purpose aims to combine our technology, our people, and our broader ecosystem to power an inclusive future for all.  https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/index.htmlbenevity.comState of Corporate Purpose 2025The corporate purpose landscape is in a state of significant flux, with nearly two-thirds of companies redefining their purpose strategy in the past year.CiscoPositively Impacting 1 Billion LivesCisco changed over one billion lives for the better through social impact investments with 100+ global non-profit partners, and Cisco Networking Academy programs.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia, joined us on stage at Benevity Live! for a leadership masterclass. Rose shares how bold, values-driven decisions and business strategy can coexist—and succeed. Hear how this iconic CEO made decisions under pressure, how courageous leadership starts with small steps, and how nature is a perfect metaphor for resiliency.Learn more about the Enacting Purpose Initiative → enactingpurpose.org 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

What if purpose wasn’t just a buzzword, but the key to resilience in business, life, and leadership?Speaking of Purpose is where we sit with the big questions, challenge the old narratives, and uncover the deeper forces shaping the way we work and lead. Each episode features candid conversations with inspiring changemakers—unpacking insights that matter, breaking down the research, and sharing real stories of impact.If you believe in work that makes a difference, in leadership that lasts, and in businesses that walk the talk, this is your space.

In a time when division is drowning out connection, could the key to unity be… a simple conversation? In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla sits down with Sandra Clark, CEO of StoryCorps, to explore the contact hypothesis — a psychology-backed idea showing how meaningful dialogue builds understanding across differences.Sona and Sandra unpack how StoryCorps’ One Small Step program brings people together for open, non-political conversations that focus on human connection. From real-world stories of empathy to surprising research insights, this episode highlights the quiet power of listening to bridge divides and strengthen community.Since this interview was recorded, StoryCorps has lost over $2M in federal funding. Support stories of discovery, connection and hope here → https://donate.storycorps.org/Learn more about One Small Step → https://takeonesmallstep.org/00:00 Corporate Role in Political Dialogue05:57 Journalism vs. StoryCorps: A Reflection07:03 Unseen Stories of Blended Heritage12:02 Bridging Divides through StoryCorps14:14 "Rising Violence and Lost Faith"17:10 "Bridging Divides: Wayne and Alton"20:25 "One Small Step: National Conversation Movement"24:34 Navigating Business and Diversity Integration27:05 Value-Driven Storytelling in ERGs31:32 "Authenticity in Modern Leadership"34:40 "Neuroscience of Storytelling and Listening"36:43 Inspiring Business Listening Sessions🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla sits down with Carolyn Berkowitz, former President and CEO of ACCP (Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals), to unpack the shifting dynamics in corporate purpose that have accelerated beyond imagination in just the last few years. With more than three decades in the field, Carolyn reflects on how corporate social responsibility has evolved from CEO pet projects to a strategic business imperative, and what happens when that work gets caught in the political crossfire. Together, they explore how companies are adapting their language and approach to meet changing expectations, the cautious rebranding inside boardrooms and why today’s social impact leaders are under more pressure than ever. From crisis response playbooks to quiet legal reviews, this conversation offers a rare look inside the complex reality of corporate approaches to environment, social and governance.This episode was recorded in 2024; some government policies have evolved since the time of the conversation.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla sits down with two remarkable changemakers: AJ Jordan, Head of Community Stewardship and President of the Vanguard Group Foundation, and Jenny Bogoni, Chief of Community Engagement and Public Programs at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.Together, they explore how long-term, relationship-based partnerships can create sustained impact in communities and how Vanguard’s approach to funding goes far beyond traditional philanthropy. From investing in grassroots literacy programs to enabling system-level change, this episode uncovers what it really looks like when a corporation listens deeply, funds boldly, and redefines what real change means.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.Filmed live in the Vanguard Studio, watch this behind-the-scenes footage of this podcast recording.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla sits down with Joelle Emerson, CEO and co-founder of Paradigm, to unpack the hot topic of DEI. They explore what the charged acronym really means, who is driving the debate, what the data says about it, and how companies have shifted course from 2020's reckoning to today's retrenchment. And they look at practical ways that companies can adapt their strategies in a risky legal and political environment to embed fairness, driving performance, and maintaining brand trust.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla speaks with Brian Tippens, Chief Social Impact and Inclusion Officer at Cisco, during Benevity Live! 2024, about the company’s $300 million commitment to social justice and what it looks like to lead with purpose inside a global tech giant. They explore how Cisco connects community impact to business value, how Brian's team developed a framework for responding to complex societal issues, and why social impact leadership today is as much about strategy as it is about empathy.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.

In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, host Sona Khosla sits down with Jason Saul, CEO of the Impact Genome Registry and Executive Director at the University of Chicago's Center for Impact Sciences. Together, they unpack the chaos behind how nonprofits measure success and reveal a bold new approach that could transform how billions in charitable giving gets allocated. From the hidden inefficiencies plaguing corporate philanthropy to the controversial idea that measurement might actually empower rather than punish nonprofits, this is a conversation that challenges everything you think you know about social impact.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at benevity.com.

Guest: Tricia Stevens, Former Charitable Giving and Ethical Campaigns Manager, Lush Cosmetics North America Wouldn’t it be nice to dig into a case study that shows how real companies — and the real people behind the scenes — have built relationships with Indigenous communities from the ground up? Enter Tricia Stevens, the former Charitable Giving and Ethical Campaigns Manager at Lush Cosmetics North America. In this episode, you’ll hear how Tricia and her team humbly embraced the unknown, helping Lush and its people become advocates for and accomplices to Indigenous Peoples through their operations, products and social impact programs. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts - https://link.chtbl.com/speakingofpurpose  Learn more about Speaking of Purpose or Benevity on our website - https://benevity.com/speakingofpurpose  Episode resources: 'Resistance and Resurgence' article by Edgar Villanueva - https://www.lush.ca/en/stories/article_resistance-and-resurgence-make-indigenous-peoples-day-about-reconciliation.html #92: Call to Action for Canada's corporate sector - https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524506030545/1557513309443 The Circle on Philanthropy - https://www.the-circle.ca/ Decolonizing Wealth Project - https://decolonizingwealth.com/ Benevity's #EducationForReconciliation campaign - https://benevity.com/educationforreconciliation Indigenous Corporate Training: Seventh Generation Principle - https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/seventh-generation-principle  

Guest: Lourdes Inga, Executive Director of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) How deeply do you think about the way you give? How can we give in ways that are both impactful and respectful of Indigenous culture and experiences? Lourdes Inga, Executive Director of IFIP, helps us understand the complexities of Indigenous philanthropy. Indigenous Peoples constitute the largest minority in the world, but the rate of giving to their causes is comparatively low. In this episode, we’ll explore solutions to this challenge as well as discuss Indigenous People’s self-determination and how it’s integral to the positive shifts we’ve seen in Indigenous philanthropy. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts - https://link.chtbl.com/speakingofpurpose Learn more about Speaking of Purpose or Benevity on our website - https://benevity.com/speakingofpurpose    Episode resources: International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) - https://internationalfunders.org/  United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html  Canadian Charity Law Report 2019 - https://www.canadiancharitylaw.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Canadian-charities-giving-to-Indigenous-Charities-and-Qualified-Donees-2019-Final.pdf  Indigenous Canada Course, University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies - https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html  Alliance Magazine article: “Indigenous Led Funds can be a solution to philanthropy’s inequity” - https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/indigenous-led-funds-can-be-a-solution-to-philanthropys-inequity/   

Guest: Rukka Sombolinggi, Secretary General of AMAN (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara/Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago). It’s no secret that relationships — both past and present — between Indigenous Peoples, governments and corporations all over the world are troubled. How did this happen? And what does this look like today? We asked Rukka Sombolinggi, the Secretary General of AMAN, to share perspectives from the communities she serves. In this episode, you’ll hear stories of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia and learn why building trust, authentically and with purpose, is critical to creating and maintaining meaningful partnerships between companies and Indigenous communities. You’ll also learn how individuals and consumers can help drive companies to take ethical action, too.   Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts - https://link.chtbl.com/speakingofpurpose Learn more about Speaking of Purpose or Benevity on our website - https://benevity.com/speakingofpurpose   Episode resources:   International Labour Organization Report - https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_735607.pdf AMAN - https://aman.or.id/ Rukka’s TEDxJakarta talk (enable closed captions and click settings to enable translation) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5atXld4PguI

Guest: Melissa K. Nelson, Ph.D., Indigenous Scholar, Professor of Sustainability, Leader at The Cultural Conservancy How should companies and individuals begin the process of reconciliation? Indigenous Scholar, Professor of Sustainability, and Leader at The Cultural Conservancy, Melissa Nelson, takes us through past colonization and settlement, residential schools, and how history continues to shape the experiences Indigenous Peoples have today. In this episode, you’ll hear stories and gain knowledge about how understanding Indigenous issues today is part of healing for all people, and the environment. By looking at the past, educating ourselves and imagining a future of mutual respect, we can forge our own paths toward reconciliation. Let the journey begin... Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts https://link.chtbl.com/speakingofpurpose Learn more about Speaking of Purpose or Benevity on our website https://benevity.com/speakingofpurpose --- Episode resources: The Cultural Conservancy - https://www.nativeland.org/ Land Acknowledgments Resource - https://native-land.ca/resources/territory-acknowledgement/ Sogorea Te' Land Trust - https://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ Schuumi Land Tax - https://sogoreate-landtrust.org/shuumi-land-tax/ Tribal Leaders Directory - https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-leaders-directory Mohawk Institute Residential School — Virtual Tour - https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/mohawk-institute-residential-school-virtual-tour-now-available-online/

Welcome to Season 2 of Speaking of Purpose! Join host, Sona Khosla, as she gets curious about how we can do our part in driving change around the challenges Indigenous communities face across the world, and Indigenous ways of knowing. Tune in for a sneak peek of what’s to come this season as we share our learnings from speaking with four remarkable guests about exploring reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. wherever you listen to podcasts () Learn more about Speaking of Purpose or Benevity on our website (https://benevity.com/speakingofpurpose)

Guest: Bryan de Lottinville, Founder and Executive Chairperson, Benevity. Business is now our most trusted institution. Employees look to their workplaces to address social issues, and consumers increasingly support brands based on their actions as much as their products. As the role of business in society changes, it takes genuine leaders to challenge the status quo. One such leader is Benevity’s Founder, Bryan de Lottinville. On this season’s final episode, he joins us to reflect on how he developed the idea of bringing Goodness to the corporate world, and how purpose has changed from a top-down mandate to a democratized process of personal, authentic action. Listen to Ep. 5 to learn more on ESG and the future of business

Guest: Anil Soni, Chief Executive Officer, The WHO Foundation Anil Soni is passionate about vaccine equity. But as our conversation with the CEO of the WHO Foundation unfolds, we learn that vaccine equity is about much more than vaccines. The issue is a microcosm of systemic and generational injustice that continues to perpetuate today. Anil joins us to discuss why vaccinating the entire world is critical for global health and economies - and how the private sector plays a vital role in making it happen. Go Give One – WHOF - ICC commissioned study

Guests: Allison Fary, Senior Program Manager and Stephanie Franco, Head of Corporate Giving and Volunteerism They say necessity is the mother of invention, and it holds true even when the topic is the changing face of volunteering. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person volunteering was no longer possible, companies were forced to rethink the way they gave back to their communities during a time of profound need. Luckily, the answer was right in front of them. Just as they introduced a hybrid approach to work — remote employees, digital communications, and more — they could also shift their programs to include virtual opportunities, and a broader, more open definition of what it means to volunteer. On this episode of Speaking with Purpose, we speak to Allison Fary and Stephanie Franco from TELUS, who tell us how they successfully pivoted during a massive upheaval, and why the new definition of volunteering is here to stay.

Guest: Maya Chorengel, Co-Managing Partner, The Rise Fund The growing importance of corporate purpose and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies are changing the way boardrooms operate. The past year has shown just how important it is for companies to lead the way, particularly on social issues. From protecting frontline workers to striving for racial justice, companies have the reach and resources to create real change. Maya Chorengel has spent over two decades contributing to that change. As a veteran of many director positions – including a board position here at Benevity – she has seen corporate purpose and ESG transform conversations by making companies rethink their role as social actors. Maya joins us on this episode of Speaking of Purpose to discuss how systemic problems require systemic solutions, and how learning from environmental strategies can help guide our action on social issues.

Guest: Whitney Dailey, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Research Insights, Porter Novelli We know the idea that companies should address and contribute to social change has taken hold. But this responsibility has put a new kind of stress on business leaders — the threat of getting canceled. As companies uphold their values and wade into difficult conversations, they are bound to be faced with backlash from consumers, activist groups, and even their own employees. On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Whitney Dailey, who has spent years studying how brands can and should respond to being canceled, and maybe even avoid cancel culture in the first place.

Guest: Bruce Simpson, Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Co., CEO of Stephen A. Schwarzman Foundation Over the past few decades, we’ve seen the priorities of business shift. A company’s primary responsibility used to be the pursuit of profit. But now, in the age of stakeholder capitalism, we’re seeing a surge in corporate purpose. But what exactly is stakeholder capitalism, and what impact does it have on a company’s bottom line? Bruce Simpson has the answers. Bruce has worked with clients across the globe on integrating societal missions into their core business strategies – missions that are driven by companies’ customers, employees, suppliers, regulators, and broader society. On this episode of Speaking with Purpose, Bruce joins us to discuss stakeholder capitalism and how it’s changing environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies for the better.

Guest: Aisha Thomas-Petit, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, AMC Networks These days, more and more people are bringing their full selves – their culture, their background, and their lived experiences – with them to work. The days of living with a clear divide between personal life and work life are over. As the expectation grows for workplaces to create a culture that supports people as their full selves, the question becomes: How are businesses adjusting to the increasing call for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging? Aisha Thomas-Petit has dedicated her life to that question. In this episode, she sits down with us to talk about the importance of having DEI&B strategies ingrained into your corporate purpose, and what risks companies run when they go the other direction.

Guest: Altaf Gilani, Head of Product for Microsoft Rewards, Give with Bing, and Bing Rebates Customers are demanding that companies take action on the social causes that affect our communities every day. Truly visionary companies, like Microsoft, are taking it a step further. Their giving programs are designed not only to have an impact, but to engage their customers to define where that impact is directed. Altaf Gilani spearheaded Microsoft’s Give with Bing – a rewards program that enables users to raise money for the charity of their choice every time they conduct an internet search. Learn what inspired Altaf into action, and how his past passion for giving back helped shape the ideas that formed his professional future, as well as a truly innovative program that translates customer clicks to Goodness in 8 countries. Webinars for nonprofits:

Guests: Christina Lewis and Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Co-founders of Give Blck In the wake of the summer of 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement became an urgent conversation around the world, donations to racial equity causes through our giving platform reached an all-time high, at $166 million. Just six months later, that momentum slowed down and donations returned to their previous levels. It was during that summer that Christina Lewis and Stephanie Ellis-Smith joined forces to create Give Blck, an organization designed to raise the visibility of Black-led causes and ensure that support for racial justice didn’t fade away with the news headlines. Join us as they share stories about their lives in fundraising and teach us how to keep the momentum going towards systemic, long-term change.

Guest: François Locoh-Donou, President and CEO of F5 Networks François Locoh-Donou is the President and CEO of F5 Networks, a company that supports 48 of the world’s Fortune 50 companies by creating apps that connect businesses with their customers and help employees do their jobs. But what makes F5 truly special is the way their corporate purpose is ignited by employees, supported by leaders, and ingrained into every aspect of the business’ DNA. In our first episode, learn from François about how F5’s leaders create space for a purpose-driven culture, and what criteria he looks for when he’s hiring leaders at F5 Networks to uphold and deepen that culture.

Introducing Speaking of Purpose… by Benevity! We want you to join us as we explore purpose. What does it mean? What does it look like? Why is it critically important in today’s world? Who inspires and leads us towards change? Sona Khosla, Benevity’s Chief Impact Officer, will be our host through conversations with some of the world’s leading purpose-driven people. Join us for season one, entitled Movements, by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts.