Speaking of Purpose

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.gov

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.html Benevity’s State of Corporate Purpose Report → https://benevity.com/state-of-corporate-purpose-2025 Learn more about Cisco's 1 billion lives initiative → https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/social-impact/one-billion-lives.html netacad.com Cisco Networking Academy: Learn Cybersecurity, Python & More Cisco 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/ Cisco Cisco Purpose - Power an Inclusive Future for All Learn 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.html benevity.com State of Corporate Purpose 2025 The corporate purpose landscape is in a state of significant flux, with nearly two-thirds of companies redefining their purpose strategy in the past year. Cisco Positively Impacting 1 Billion Lives Cisco 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 Dialogue 05:57 Journalism vs. StoryCorps: A Reflection 07:03 Unseen Stories of Blended Heritage 12:02 Bridging Divides through StoryCorps 14:14 "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 Integration 27:05 Value-Driven Storytelling in ERGs 31:32 "Authenticity in Modern Leadership" 34:40 "Neuroscience of Storytelling and Listening" 36:43 Inspiring Business Listening Sessions

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

In this episode, you'll learn why social impact data is important for donors when selecting which charities to give to. We chat with Heather King, Vice President of Evidence and Implementation, and Chief Ontologist of Impact Genome, and explore how donor decisions actually change when provided with data. Finally, we discuss how to standardize social impact data. Learn more about Impact Genome: 1:04 - How do donors decide on which charities or non-profits to give to? 4:14 - Why impact data is...

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)