Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

Long before sustainability, ESG, and stakeholder capitalism entered the business mainstream, Jeffrey Hollender was building a company founded on the belief that business could serve both people and the planet.In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, and her fellow pioneer of the purpose movement for a candid conversation about his new book, Built for a Better World, and the remarkable story behind Seventh Generation. Together they explore the realities of building a mission-driven company before the market was ready, the role of transparency in earning consumer trust, the challenges of scaling culture during rapid growth, and the difficult lessons Jeffrey learned about investors, governance, and leadership.Jeffrey also reflects on employee ownership, activist business leadership, and the boardroom decisions that ultimately led to his departure from the company he founded. Along the way, he shares why today’s purpose-driven businesses must think beyond products and profits to address the broader impact they have on people, communities, and the planet.Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM.Full Show Notes & Resources HereView on YouTube Here (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Jeffrey Hollender (03:49) - Jeffrey’s Background (07:03) - Seventh Generation (09:51) - The Early Years (11:06) - The Name (12:59) - Built for a Better World (16:45) - Albertson’s Example (19:31) - Role of Employees (21:26) - Company Machinations (23:58) - Moderating Growth (26:58) - Learning Through Activism (29:13) - Going Too Radical (31:12) - Working with a Board (33:51) - Getting Terminated (35:56) - The Role of Family (38:37) - What Companies Get Wrong About Purpose (40:53) - Speed Round (42:17) - Last Words (43:07) - Wrap Up

Sport has always been central to Nike’s identity, not just as a business, but as a force for human potential. This commitment extends to the social issues at the heart of youth athletics today, particularly surrounding keeping youth in sports and connected to physical activity and elevating the role of caring, well-equipped coaches. With young people today navigating unprecedented levels of stress and lack of physical activity, coaches play an invaluable role in providing community, restorative power, and safe spaces. Nike has been at the center of this work for decades, stemming from its belief that if you have a body, you’re an athlete—and that every athlete deserves access and the opportunity to thrive.We invited Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at Nike, to share how Nike is reimagining the landscape of youth athletics and building purpose-driven programs. Vanessa unpacked the insights behind Nike’s “Coach the Dream” initiative, the importance of caring and culturally aware coaches, and why investing in girls’ coaching is non-negotiable for long-term impact. She also emphasized the role of partnerships, with organizations like Dove and Spotify, and in meeting girls where they are to dismantle barriers to participation. This episode offers a powerful blueprint for how a long-established, trusted brand has integrated purpose, community relevance, and business value to drive meaningful change.Listen for insights on:Building impact programs around what your company uniquely does bestDesigning scalable tools for global activationEstablishing clear long-term goals with flexibility for real-time adaptationAdvice for young professionals looking to work in social impact Resources + Links:Vanessa Garcia-Brito’s LinkedInCoach the DreamIf You Let Me Play (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Vanessa Garcia-Brito, Nike (02:54) - About Vanessa (03:58) - Early Influences (06:09) - Chief Impact Officer (06:59) - Superpower (08:17) - Nike’s Purpose (10:09) - Key Campaigns (12:23) - If You Can See It, She Can Be It (16:33) - Partnerships (18:08) - Coaches (19:00) - Coaching Girls Guide (22:09) - Inspirational Story (24:29) - Measurements (27:00) - Advice for Colleagues (28:34) - Advice for Young People (30:17) - Last Word (31:19) - Wrap Up

The most prominent argument against purpose is that doing good doesn’t actually pay off at the bottom line. For decades, and throughout Carol Cone’s career, skeptics have dismissed purpose as a “soft” strategy that is good for reputation but not for financial returns. That misconception is what Impact ROI set out to challenge. Impact ROI’s Project ROI reports have published research that links purpose to profit. And with the release of the newest edition, there is now fresh data connecting purpose to financial value.We invited Steve Rochlin, CEO of Impact ROI, to walk us through this new research and how it can be used to make the case to leaders focused on financial returns. From revealing how sustainability leaders can see up to a 36% boost in market value and a 57% reduction in employee turnover, to outlining the “Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect” framework that defines high-performing purpose strategies, Rochlin offers a key strategies for organizations looking to align impact with performance.Listen for insights on:How to convince your CFO to champion purposeHow purpose-driven firms outperform peers in profitability and growthWhy doing good is the smartest growth strategy today Resources + Links:Steve Rochlin’s LinkedInImpact ROIProject ROI Report (free) (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Steve Rochlin, Impact ROI (02:30) - Steve’s Background (04:40) - Project ROI 2015 (06:10) - Project ROI 2025 (08:59) - Key Findings and Data Points (14:51) - Two to Three Key Points (16:26) - Changing Minds (18:24) - Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect: Fit (19:15) - Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect: Commit (20:49) - Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect: Manage (21:45) - Fit, Commit, Manage, and Connect: Connect (23:32) - What to Do Next (26:09) - Last Words (28:21) - Wrap Up

There are only five years until the 2030 deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the urgency for bold action has never been greater. Many companies are struggling to truly address the mounting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Now is the time for leaders and organizations to chart a path forward, ensuring their strategies and actions rise to meet the scale of the increasing challenges ahead.In this special episode of Purpose 360, we revisit a powerful 2021 conversation with Paul Polman—former CEO of Unilever, UN SDG Advocate Emeritus, and co-author of the game-changing book, Net Positive. This re-edited version highlights timeless insights from Net Positive, which remains profoundly relevant today. Paul explores the qualities of courageous leaders, the importance of partnerships that drive systemic change, and how purpose-driven companies can outperform competitors while creating a better future for all. Whether you’re a CEO, a sustainability professional, or a changemaker at heart, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance to help you lead with impact in today’s rapidly evolving world.Listen for insights on:Making the business case for sustainability when the moral argument isn’t enoughEngaging employees, partners, and your value chain in delivering on bold sustainability commitmentsBecoming the courageous, purpose-driven leader needed to build and lead a net positive company Resources + Links:Paul Polman’s LinkedInPaul Polman’s WebsiteNet PositiveThe birth of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Net Positive with Paul Polman (03:03) - Paul’s Purpose (05:09) - Net Positive Company (06:03) - Leadership Traits (07:52) - Starting with Team’s Personal Purpose (09:27) - Partner to Win (11:30) - Measurement (14:19) - Employees (15:42) - Return Equity (17:16) - Embedding and Building Off Purpose (19:47) - Three Important Things (21:26) - Last Thoughts (23:49) - Wrap Up

Hunger is one of the most pressing challenges of our time—driven not only by a lack of food, but by inequality, conflict, climate change, and health crises. For more than 45 years, Action Against Hunger has been on the frontlines of addressing these interconnected issues. The organization works in nearly 60 countries, reaching over 21 million people annually through lifesaving nutrition programs, sustainable farming solutions, clean water systems, and innovations that help communities withstand future crises. Action Against Hunger is pioneering solutions that save lives today while tackling the root causes of hunger for tomorrow.We invited Eric Bebernitz, Director of External Relations for Action Against Hunger, to elaborate on this critical work. With more than two decades of experience in humanitarian and social justice organizations, Eric brings a powerful perspective on what it takes to fight hunger in the most difficult contexts. Eric is joined by ~9,000 colleagues worldwide—95% of whom are from the countries where they work—ensuring that every effort is grounded in local knowledge and built for long-term resilience. They embody the belief that ending hunger isn’t just possible; it is one of the smartest investments we can make in a better future for all.Listen for insights on:Approaches to sustaining impact amid political and funding shiftsHow to balance emergency aid with long-term changeBuilding trust and resilience in fragile communities through local leadershipResources + Links:Eric Bebernitz’s LinkedInAction Against HungerPlumpy'NutNew York Times: A $45 Treatment Can Save a Starving Child. US Aid Cuts Have Frozen the Supply (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Action Against Hunger (02:08) - Eric’s Background (05:36) - World’s State of Hunger Today (08:15) - Origin Story (09:44) - Structure (12:19) - Plumpy’Nut (14:17) - Innovations (19:42) - Addressing USAID Cuts (25:06) - Personal Stories (29:16) - Career Path (31:32) - Last Word (33:39) - Wrap Up

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

Bill Bedrossian was set on becoming a stockbroker. With a job lined up in Chicago’s financial district, he was focused on financial and professional success. But one afternoon, while walking to lunch, he stepped over a man experiencing homelessness without even noticing him. The man shouted after him, calling Bill out for his fancy suit and “little problems” while the homeless man was unable to get something to eat. Faced with another human just fighting to survive, Bill realized he had been preoccupied by things that, in the end, didn’t really matter. The encounter shook him. Weeks later, he left his career behind and enrolled in graduate school for social work.Now CEO of Covenant House, Bill leads one of the most impactful organizations supporting youth experiencing homelessness. Founded in 1972, Covenant House provides shelter, support, and essential services to young people who have no safe place to call home—whether they’re aging out of foster care, escaping trafficking, navigating life as young parents, or surviving on the streets. Through powerful partnerships and programming, the organization serves tens of thousands of youth every year—helping them heal, gain stability, and build a future full of possibility.Listen for insights on:The impact of the affordable housing crisisWhat it takes to end youth homelessnessCreating visceral experiences for donors Resources + Links:Bill Bedrossian’s LinkedInCovenant HouseThe Sleep Out (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Covenant House (01:38) - Bill Bedrossian’s Background (04:38) - Formative Moment (07:16) - Covenant House Origins and Mission (09:32) - Services Provided (11:28) - Volunteers (13:14) - The Scope (13:58) - Insights for a Large Non-Profit (15:12) - Guiding Principles (19:04) - The Journey Home (21:24) - Linden Commons (24:21) - The Sleep Out (26:22) - Partnerships (28:16) - Favorite Story (31:03) - Integrating AI (32:11) - Last Word (33:40) - Wrap Up