Pro Bono Perspectives

2021 was a year of transformation, defined by society's continued reckoning with racism, the pandemic, climate change, and the Great Resignation. These issues underscored how pervasive inequity is and why centering the voices of those impacted by social challenges unlocks the most effective, sustainable solutions. In the Season 3 finale of Pro Bono Perspectives, host Danielle Holly highlights three ways you can be a force for good in the new year. ----- Episode mentions: “The Existential Crisis we Need” with Vu Le, NonprofitAF “Holding Companies Accountable on Racial Equity” with Yusuf George, JUST Capital “Practicing Equitable Philanthropy” with Dr. Rahsaan Harris, Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNYC) “Leadership in Times of Crisis & Recovery” with Stephanie Royal, Robin Hood Foundation “The True Purpose of Business” with Judy Samuelson, The Aspen Institute “Slowing Down and Finding Fulfillment” with Grace Bonney, Design*Sponge “Decolonizing Wealth: Equity in Philanthropy and Beyond” with Edgar Villanueva ----- Pro Bono Perspectives is brought to you by Common Impact, a nonprofit that leverages skills-based volunteering and innovative, cross-sector partnerships to create more equitable communities. Visit commonimpact.org/companies for information on how we help companies deliver on their social impact, talent development, and employee engagement goals and commonimpact.org/nonprofits for insights into our capacity-building programs address social sector challenges. Keep up with the latest news, events, and stories of impact at commonimpact.org/blog.

Get an inside look at the tactics top companies are using to build more inclusive, equitable culture and support the fight against racism in their communities. Find out how your organization can move from transactional to transformative change and strengthen employee and customer loyalty in the process. Plus, as we approach the end of year giving season, learn what equity-minded philanthropy and service look like and how they drive stronger results for nonprofits and their causes. Guests Teresa Pelletier, Vice President of Community Relations at Fidelity Investments, and Wendy Matheny, Vice President & Principal with Ichor Strategies, a national social impact and community engagement consultancy, cover these topics, their racial equity listening tour, community-first partnerships, and more. ----- Fidelity Investments helps over 40 million people feel more confident in their most important financial goals, manages employee benefit programs for over 22,000 businesses, and supports more than 13,500 financial institutions with innovative investment and technology solutions to grow their businesses. Fidelity's diverse businesses and independence gives it insight into the entire market and the stability needed to think and act for the long term as it delivers value to its customers. The company is also deeply committed to communities. ----- Ichor Strategies is a Black-owned advisory and research firm that specializes in connecting businesses to the communities they operate within, so that they can understand different perspectives, build authentic relationships, and foster mutual success. Ichor Strategies partners with engagement specialists across the country known as community relationship advisors (CRAs) who have powerful local roots and long-standing ties to their communities, helping businesses further connect with key audiences. ----- Pro Bono Perspectives is brought to you by Common Impact, a nonprofit that leverages skills-based volunteering and innovative, cross-sector partnerships to create more equitable communities. Visit commonimpact.org/companies for information on how we help companies deliver on their social impact, talent development, and employee engagement goals and commonimpact.org/nonprofits for insights into our capacity-building programs address social sector challenges. Keep up with the latest news, events, and stories of impact at commonimpact.org/blog.

Learn how relationships with people from different cultures and ways of life can have a profound impact on your values, happiness, and success as bestselling author Grace Bonney takes you through her new book, Collective Wisdom: Lessons, Inspiration, and Advice from Women Over 50, where she interviewed over 100 trailblazing women on their purpose, careers, activism, and community work. Hear Grace and host Danielle Holly discuss some of the biggest takeaways from the book, including the power of slowing down and the unique fulfillment of intergenerational relationships. ----- Grace Bonney is the author of the bestselling books In the Company of Women and Design*Sponge at Home, and her brand-new title, Collective Wisdom: Lessons, Inspiration, and Advice from Women Over 50. She is the founder of Design*Sponge, a blog dedicated to the creative community, which reached nearly 2 million readers per day for 15 years; Good Company, a print magazine and podcast about creative entrepreneurs; and the After the Jump podcast. Grace is passionate about equity, inclusivity, and supporting all members of the creative community. ----- Pro Bono Perspectives is brought to you by Common Impact, a nonprofit that leverages skills-based volunteering and innovative, cross-sector partnerships to create more equitable communities. Visit commonimpact.org/companies for information on how we help companies deliver on their social impact, talent development, and employee engagement goals and commonimpact.org/nonprofits for insights into our capacity-building programs address social sector challenges. Keep up with the latest news, events, and stories of impact at commonimpact.org/blog.

Last week, Tech Goes Home Co-CEO Dan Noyes joined host Danielle Holly at Common Impact's Skills for Cities for a Community Conversation on the role cross-sector partnerships can play in addressing the digital divide and advancing racial equity. Shortly after, they sat down for this conversation to take a deeper dive into the root causes of the digital divide, the fundamental changes we must make to create a digital world that is accessible to all, and why this is both a social and economic imperative. --- Tech Goes Home is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the digital inequities that pose a significant barrier to opportunity and success for students, workers, and families across Greater Boston. Visit techgoeshome.org to learn more and techgoeshome.org/get-involved for meaningful ways you can contribute toward digital inclusion and equity. --- Pro Bono Perspectives is brought to you by Common Impact, a nonprofit that leverages skills-based volunteering and innovative, cross-sector partnerships to create more equitable communities. Visit commonimpact.org/companies for information on how we help companies deliver on their social impact, talent development, and employee engagement goals and commonimpact.org/nonprofits for insights into our capacity-building programs address social sector challenges. Keep up with the latest news, events, and stories of impact at commonimpact.org/blog.

Nearly two-thirds of workers are considering leaving their jobs. As the Great Resignation continues with no signs of slowing down, we explore the challenges and opportunities it brings for the nonprofit sector, which was already under significant capacity constraints exacerbated by the pandemic, especially in HR and talent development. Host Danielle Holly speaks with Melissa Madzel, Managing Director, Equity Initiatives, at Koya Partners about nonprofit turnover and retention, disruptions to the way we work, and how the growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is changing hiring practices and the way individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds search for new roles. --- Koya Partners is a mission-driven executive search and strategic advising firm that connects exceptionally talented people with high-impact organizations. Visit koyapartners.com to learn about their services and read Melissa's article “Nonprofit Job Hunting as a Person of Color” at koyapartners.com/blog/nonprofit-job-hunting-as-a-person-of-color. --- Pro Bono Perspectives is brought to you by Common Impact, a nonprofit that leverages skills-based volunteering and innovative, cross-sector partnerships to create more equitable communities. Visit commonimpact.org/companies for information on how we help companies deliver on their social impact, talent development, and employee engagement goals and commonimpact.org/nonprofits for insights into our capacity-building programs address social sector challenges. Keep up with the latest news, events, and stories of impact at commonimpact.org/blog.

Unless companies take immediate action on climate change, we will quickly surpass the 1.5 degree Celsius global temperature increase that will have catastrophic implications not only on the environment and severity of natural disasters, but on human health, livelihoods, and security. But there is cause for optimism: more than ever, the private sector – which accounts for the vast majority of carbon emissions – is listening and stepping up sustainability commitments. In this episode, Ceres Senior Director of Climate and Energy Steven Clarke shares how his organization is helping companies strategically navigate changing business realities and thrive in the accelerated transition to a more equitable, just, and sustainable economy. Learn more at ceres.org.

Corporate mandates have changed. Customers, employees, and even investors are increasingly pushing companies to move from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism. What does this look like across companies and sectors? Are companies moving fast enough when it comes to making good on their commitments to social change? Carolyn Berkowitz, President & CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), shares her insights, plus the importance of diversity and inclusion within CSR departments. Visit accp.org to learn more.

This week, as we reflect on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, host Danielle Holly and New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley have a conversation on how era defining moments from the 9/11 attacks to the current pandemic and racial reckoning bring on new waves of service and activism. They also talk about New York Cares' increased focus on food insecurity, taking meaningful action on DEI, and why companies actually benefit more from designing service programs around nonprofit and community needs rather than their own business results. Visit newyorkcares.org to learn more about how you can serve NYC or support the organization.

CSR and social impact expert Susan McPherson talks about her new book, “The Lost Art of Connecting,” and signature “gather, ask, do,” method for meaningful networking and lasting business relationships. She and host Danielle Holly discuss the Great Resignation and how employees having more power will democratize companies' approaches to CSR. Plus, Susan explains why even though companies are not moving as quickly as they need to on social and environmental issues, we should be encouraging – not disparaging – those that are making efforts to deliver on their goals. For more on Susan's work, visit mcpstrategies.com.

One of the biggest takeaways from the past year and a half has been that the “old normal” wasn't working – like the digital divide. In this episode, host Danielle Holly welcomes Lina Klebanov, Head of CSR at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting & business solutions, to share some of the solutions for digital equity and inclusion from TCS's brand new report in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation: “Digital Empowers: Technology as a Catalyst for Empowering Communities.” Learn how the current digital revolution is transforming education, employment, and access to basic needs, plus hear about TCS's proven programs and partnerships to increase access to technology for all. Find the Digital Empowers report at https://on.tcs.com/Catalyst(available August 11, 2021) and visit https://www.tcs.com/corporate-sustainability to learn more about TCS's CSR and ESG initiatives to bring STEM education to under-resourced and underrepresented groups.

Dr. Stephanie Royal, Chief People Officer at The Robin Hood Foundation, New York City's largest poverty fighting organization, talks about community-driven philanthropy, leading with compassion, and how the K-shaped recovery from COVID-19 is further disadvantaging under-resourced communities and the nonprofit sector. Hear Stephanie's takes on nonprofit talent management in the COVID-19 era, including new challenges with employee retention, the importance of investing in staff, building a culture of DEI, and supporting mental health and wellness. Visit robinhood.org to learn more.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Rahsaan Harris, CEO of Citizens Committee for NYC (CitizensNYC), a micro-funding organization that provides support to community leaders on the front lines of change in their own neighborhoods. Hear what it was like for Rahsaan to assume his position as CEO in March 2020 right as New York went into lockdown, how he drove meaningful change during the pandemic, and why he believes many elements of pandemic era philanthropy and work culture should remain in place. Visit citizensnyc.org to learn more about Dr. Rahsaan Harris and micro-grants for neighborhoods, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Hear from Yusuf George of JUST Capital, the only independent nonprofit that tracks, analyzes, and engages with large corporations and their investors on how they perform on the issues Americans care about most. Yusuf recaps findings from JUST Capital's Corporate Racial Equity Tracker and recommendations for how corporate leaders can act on DEI commitments as outlined in the CEO Blueprint for Racial Equity. One of the most crucial steps companies can take toward racial equity is tracking and reporting on the state of pay equity within their organizations, says Yusuf, who believes measurement, transparency, and accountability are all key to achieving meaningful change. Yusuf and host Danielle Holly discuss other trends in CSR including shareholder versus stakeholder capitalism, the need to shed short-termism in DEI work, and why leaders must push past discomfort in order to make real progress on racial equity. Visit justcapital.com to learn more. Corporate Racial Equity Tracker: justcapital.com/reports/corporate-racial-equity-tracker CEO Blueprint for Racial Equity: fsg.org/sites/default/files/A%20CEO%20Blueprint%20for%20Racial%20Equity.pdf

This Pride Month, we welcome Lena Ballantine, COO of The Trevor Project, which does life-saving work in mental health and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, and Jen Carter, Head of Technology & Volunteering at Google.org and founder of the Google.org Fellowship Program, a pro bono program that matches Google employees with social impact organizations full-time for up to six months. Since the beginning of COVID-19, the volume of youth reaching out to The Trevor Project has increased significantly, at times as much as doubling. The recent political climate and racial injustices have also contributed to a mental health emergency where 42% of LGBTQ+ youth have “seriously considered” suicide. In this context, Lena and Jen recap The Trevor Project and Google.org Fellowship Program's work on the Crisis Contact Simulator, which leveraged cutting-edge AI technology to better equip volunteer counselors to support LGBTQ+ youth during a mental health crisis. Hear about the impact of this project and best practices for ensuring pro bono partnerships are set up for success. Visit thetrevorproject.org for LGBTQ+ mental health resources and google.org to learn about the Fellowship Program and Google's other philanthropic works. Volunteer with The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org/get-involved/volunteer The Trevor Project's National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2021: thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021

Chef, cookbook author, and activist Julia Turshen operates at the intersection of food and social justice. Her highly acclaimed cookbooks share deeply personal and meaningful narratives on LGBTQIA+ representation, racial equity, body positivity, and more. Here, Julia talks about food insecurity and how the pandemic put the spotlight on systems that were already broken, plus what each of us can do to promote social justice and equity from our kitchens. Learn more about Julia and her latest cookbook, Simply Julia, at juliaturshen.com and visit equityatthetable.com, her easy-to-navigate directory of women and gender non-conforming individuals in the food industry, focusing primarily on members of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.

Controversy over the tech sector's role in society, democracy, and philanthropy has been making headlines for years. Recently, some tech companies have leaned into these areas even further while others have made statements that they are specifically staying out of political and social issues. In this episode, get a frontline perspective from Platypus Advisors Founder Caroline Barlerin, a leader in CSR and skills-based volunteering with experience at companies like Twitter, Eventbrite, and HP. Caroline and host Danielle Holly discuss the changing nature of tech CSR through the lens of systemic inequity, diversity, and evolving approaches to philanthropy, especially amongst billionaires. Hear their thoughts on how skills-based volunteering and “platypus professionals,” those who span both business and social impact, will be some of the biggest drivers of meaningful social change in the years to come. Visit platypusadvisors.com to learn more about Caroline and her work.

Dr. Mai Nguyen talks about the power of design thinking and how it's being applied to financial institutions like credit unions to advance economic empowerment and social justice. Director of the Design Lab at UCSD and a Filene Research Institute Fellow, Mai has dedicated her career to addressing systemic discrimination and policies that create inequities in access to capital, housing, and more. Currently, she is focusing on the study and expansion of credit unions as a catalyst for community transformation. Listen for a fascinating take on the social responsibility of credit unions, the significant community investments they've made in recent years, and how design thinking can transform them into a true force for equity. To learn more about Mai's work, visit mai.web.unc.edu, designlab.ucsd.edu, and filene.org.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week and the anniversary of Californians for All, Director Dave Smith shares about the founding of this California Volunteers initiative and how it achieved over one million volunteer hours and 600,000 meals served in its first year. At the beginning of the pandemic, food banks and pantries faced an operations crisis when demand skyrocketed and volunteerism dropped off, sometimes up to 75%. Californians for All was launched to mobilize lower-risk individuals as volunteers and direct them toward overburdened organizations addressing food insecurity as well as other core needs like education, mental health, blood donations, and more. To learn more about Californians for All, visit californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19.

Joining us this Global Volunteer Month is Judy Samuelson, Vice President at The Aspen Institute and Executive Director of its Business and Society Program. A leading voice on the alignment of business and purpose, Judy has published influential works on companies’ duty to society and how they can create true, sustainable social change. She and host Danielle Holly discuss the state of CSR and its future post-pandemic, CEO pay and income inequity, employees as a force for good, and why trust is crucial to a company’s success. Judy also shares highlights from her new book, “The Six New Rules of Business: Creating Real Value in a Changing World,” which explores how major shifts in expectations for the private sector are prompting companies to reevaluate their definitions of success and transform the way they operate. Visit aspeninstitute.org and judysamuelson.com to learn more.

NYC Chief Service Officer Anusha Venkataraman leads NYC Service, a division of the Mayor’s Office that builds nonprofit and corporate partnerships to advance lifelong civic engagement through volunteer and service programs. Anusha shares that even though COVID-19 put constraints on in-person volunteering, the City still saw an increased interest in service this past year. According to the most recent NYC Civic Engagement Survey, 52.8% of New Yorkers volunteer either formally or informally. Anusha encourages us to adopt a broader view of service, one that recognizes the many ways - big and small - that people show up for their communities every day. She also shares about the City’s racial inclusion and equity work and how she and her colleagues are dismantling problematic systems and building more equitable ones that create true, transformative change. Visit nycservice.org to learn more about initiatives and resources including the NYC Civic Engagement Survey, NYC Volunteers Count, the NYC Corporate Volunteer Council, and the Mayoral Service Recognition Awards.

Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Sally Holmes joins host Danielle Holly for a peek behind the scenes at the iconic brand, including insights into the new topics and editorial direction they’re taking on and a closer look at some of the powerful women making headlines in the US and around the world. Sally shares her take on Marie Claire’s role in progressing diversity, equity, civic engagement, and a transformation of the publishing industry, as well as her commitment to engaging and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Visit marieclaire.com for the latest stories on everything from fashion and culture to politics and activism.

Jerome Tennille, Manager of Social Impact & Volunteerism at Marriott International, joins host Danielle Holly for a dynamic conversation on the state of volunteering and employee engagement. Jerome shares how Marriott, a major figure in the hospitality industry that was hit so hard by COVID-19, has reimagined service for the current moment by taking it online, but also his perspective that the future of volunteering is not virtual. From his viewpoint as the leader of his own social impact consultancy, Jerome shares powerful insights on the need for greater diversity and equity in the nonprofit sector at the professional, leadership, and volunteer levels. Plus, he addresses systemic power imbalances between companies and the nonprofits they volunteer with and how we can right them. To learn more about Jerome’s work, visit marriott.com/marriott/aboutmarriott.mi and jerometennille.com.

In our first episode of Black History Month 2021, host Danielle Holly speaks with Delores Morton, CEO of Step Up, a mentorship nonprofit that supports girls in fulfilling their potential by empowering them to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. About half of girls who start the program are not on track to graduate high school, but with Step Up’s mentorship, over 98% do. Delores shares what makes Step Up’s mentorship model successful, why it’s important for girls to have career role models that look like them, and how women and companies can step up to support young girls and foster a more diverse workforce. Delores also reflects on the joy and burden of being a role model for girls and women of color and the need for volunteerism and community to be integrated into daily life, not separate from it. To learn more about Step Up and how you or your company can make a difference, visit suwn.org.

United Way Worldwide Senior Director of Volunteer & Employee Engagement Mei Cobb reveals how her organization is pivoting amidst COVID-19’s significant disruptions to volunteering and the first responder organizations that provide vital services relating to hunger, housing, domestic violence, and more. The world’s largest privately funded nonprofit, United Way supports the health, education, and financial stability of 48 million people annually and has continued to do so during the pandemic by embracing virtual volunteering. Mei shares how her upbringing influenced her career in service (she previously spent 15 years with Points of Light), the strategies her team and partners employed to keep supporting communities through COVID-19, and how they’ve maintained strong engagement remotely. Recorded in advance of MLK Day, Mei and Danielle's conversation also includes reflections on the civil rights leader's legacy of service, the future of volunteerism, and the trends they expect to see going forward, from hybrid in-person and virtual models of volunteerism to a continued focus on serving locally. The pandemic has disrupted all aspects of life and work, but it’s also given us an opportunity to build back better with an increased focus on equity, inclusion, and unity. To learn more about United Way Worldwide, visit unitedway.org

Vu Le of the NonprofitAF blog and formerly Rainer Valley Corps joins host Danielle Holly for the Season 3 premiere of Pro Bono Perspectives. Recorded the day after the violent insurrection on the Capitol, Vu and Danielle discuss how the nonprofit sector can and must be bolder in responding to injustices like this. Philanthropy has become the white moderate Martin Luther King, Jr. famously warned us about in his “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” and we must get out of our own way if we are to address the true roots of systemic inequity, not just the symptoms. An expert in nonprofit capacity building, Vu explains that while necessary and widely underfunded, capacity building has actually been harming – not helping – many organizations, especially those that are BIPOC-led. It’s time for an existential crisis in philanthropy, Vu declares. Time to reject harmful funding practices and flawed approaches to capacity building. Time to move beyond sharing power to releasing it so that underrepresented and marginalized groups can take the helm and lead in creating transformational change. For more of Vu's words of wisdom on the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and CSR, visit his blog, NonprofitAF.com.

"There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen’s famous words were a source of comfort for host Danielle Holly – and many of us in the social impact field – during this difficult year. In our Season 2 finale, Danielle reflects on the challenging moments we lived through, from COVID-19 to a divisive election to the brutal murders of Black Americans and racial justice reckoning that followed. Danielle highlights some of the most moving experiences and advice our guests shared in 2020 and why she is optimistic for the new year, one that we hope sees more resilient, equitable, and connected communities than ever before. Featured in this episode are clips from episodes with Natalye Paquin, Points of Light; Ngozi Okaro, Custom Collaborative; Tom Crohan, John Hancock; Chris Tyson, Build Baton Rouge; Edgar Villanueva, Schott Foundation; and Gregg Betheil, PENCIL.

Tom Crohan, Vice President & Counsel, Corporate Responsibility & Government Relations at John Hancock, joins host Danielle Holly to talk Skills for Cities and John Hancock’s response to COVID-19, racial injustice, and social inequity. John Hancock co-hosted this year’s Skills for Cities day of cross-sector collaboration aimed at supporting racial justice and BIPOC-led nonprofits amidst the dual pandemic of racism and COVID-19. Having participated in Skills for Cities as a volunteer himself, Tom comments on the diversity of backgrounds and location the virtual environment enabled, as well as how the diversity of thought at the table made it an even more powerful instance of combining strengths to do good for communities in need. Tom and Danielle discuss the urgency in addressing not just COVID-19, but racial justice and systemic social issues too, and the need to maintain that momentum. He shares how John Hancock doubled down on its MLK Scholars program to connect Boston teens with jobs in the nonprofit sector and how they and their partners made it work virtually so young people could still have access to important opportunities to succeed during this difficult time. Tom and Danielle also discuss more broadly the strain COVID-19 has put on the nonprofit sector, the imbalanced “K-shaped” recovery we’re already seeing, and the importance of humility, balanced power dynamics, and true collaboration in order to achieve the impact all sectors want to see. To learn more about John Hancock’s services, CSR initiatives, and community engagement programs, visit johnhancock.com/index.html.

Shalu Umapathy, Managing Director of New Ventures at IDEO.org, shares how her organization creates a more just and inclusive world through people-centered design. As the nonprofit arm of the innovation and design firm by the same name, IDEO.org partners with organizations to pioneer new ways of working and builds tools that help millions of people learn and practice human-centered design. Shalu explores what innovation means in the nonprofit sector in the context of COVID-19, how to make it stick in the long term, and how her team sees it as a path toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. Visit IDEO.org to learn more about people-centered design and their philanthropic and humanitarian work.

Edgar Villanueva is a Senior Vice President at the Schott Foundation and the award-winning author of Decolonizing Wealth, a bestselling book offering hopeful and compelling alternatives to the dynamics of colonization in the philanthropic and social finance sectors. Edgar was named a 2020 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity and is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. In this episode, Edgar unpacks the phrase “decolonizing wealth” on a macro level and as it applies to philanthropy specifically. He addresses several important critiques of philanthropy head on, such as the common disconnects between missions and where money actually goes, low endowment payouts, reluctance to embrace unrestricted funding models, and dominant white culture crowding out diverse ideas and experiences. Edgar’s return to Indigenous values and wisdom now guides his career, which is dedicated to leveraging philanthropy to do transformative work, end racial inequity and injustice, and spread truth. To learn more about Edgar’s work, visit schottfoundation.org and decolonizingwealth.com.

Chris Tyson, President & CEO of Build Baton Rouge, joins host Danielle Holly to share about the redevelopment authority’s mission to bring together people and resources to promote equitable investment, innovative development, and thriving communities across Baton Rouge. Like many places, Baton Rouge is a tale of two cities, marked by economic disparity and racial and spatial stratification as the result of decades of race-based housing and transportation policy. Chris explains why a lens of equity and a deep understanding of the community are essential for overcoming the consequences of these discriminatory policies and enabling communities to succeed. Skills-based volunteering and capacity building are also crucial in the fight for equity, something Chris experienced firsthand when Build Baton Rouge partnered with JPMorgan Chase on a pro bono project that contributed toward the revitalization of Plank Road, one of the city’s most blighted commercial corridors. To learn more about Chris’s organization, equitable urban planning, and community development, visit buildbatonrouge.org.

Wendy John, the new Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion at Fidelity Investments, joins host Danielle Holly to discuss the rapid growth in corporate DEI positions in the past several years and the added urgency these programs have taken on in 2020. Wendy explains why DEI is a necessity – not a “nice to have,” the challenges and opportunities her work presents, and the ways in which Fidelity has enhanced its social impact work, like expanding its Impact Week skills-based volunteering initiative and dedicating it to supporting racial justice and BIPOC-led nonprofits. Wendy also reflects on the 10th anniversary of Fidelity’s Aspire employee resource group (ERG) for Black and Latinx employees and how the company created an environment that fostered it to grow from a group of just 50 to 5,000 strong. To learn more about Fidelity, its DEI work, and Impact Week, visit fidelity.com.

Custom Collaborative Executive Director Ngozi Okaro joins Danielle Holly to discuss nonprofit management during times of crisis. Earlier this year when COVID-19 first hit New York, Custom Collaborative, a workforce development nonprofit that prepares women from immigrant and low-income communities for careers in fashion, partnered with Common Impact and S&P Global for a skills-based volunteering project. Ngozi tells the story of this collaboration, how she made the time and space to focus on capacity-building, and how Custom Collaborative successfully pivoted its fashion industry trainings and career readiness programs to virtual when the pandemic began. To learn more, visit customcollaborative.org.

Dana Castro, HP’s Worldwide Education Manager, and Justin van Fleet, Executive Director of GBC-Education, join us as we continue our exploration of the digital divide and education equity. We're in the midst of a back-to-school season where many children - over 17 million(!) - can't even participate in the new virtual education environment due to lack of access to computers or sufficient Internet. Hear Dana and Justin share how HP and GBC-Education are combining their talents and resources to ensure all children have access to quality education, plus how other companies, nonprofits, and public sector institutions can be part of the movement to close the digital divide. Visit hp.com/us/en and gbc-education.org to learn more.

Gregg Betheil is President of PENCIL, a NYC-based education nonprofit that brings together business partners and educators to develop strategies that disrupt current college and career readiness outcomes and help public school students succeed. Gregg joins host Danielle Holly for a conversation on back-to-school amidst the continuing pandemic, virtual education, and the deepening digital divide that is preventing millions of students from continuing their schooling. Gregg shares how PENCIL is stepping up to ensure NYC public school students have the opportunities they need to succeed, how the organization pivoted to virtual when COVID-19 first closed schools and office buildings, and what the future of education may hold, both in the next few months and after the pandemic has passed. Visit pencil.org to learn more.

Ami Dar is the Founder & Executive Director of Idealist.org, the top resource for finding jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations. In this episode, Ami joins host Danielle Holly for a conversation on how COVID-19 has impacted the private and social sectors – and why not everything should go back to the way it was. From more flexible hiring processes and work environments to more inclusive conferences and less business travel and pollution, work culture is evolving, and it’s giving us hope for the future. Hear how Idealist has embraced change not only this year but throughout its 25-year history, plus insights on nonprofit hiring and volunteerism since March. Visit idealist.org for nonprofit job openings, volunteer opportunities, and more ways to do good in your community.

Host Danielle Holly is joined by Balaji Ganapathy, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Social Responsibility Officer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of the largest technology firms in the world. Balaji works at the intersection of technology and social impact with a special focus on impacting women and girls, minorities and other underrepresented groups. He and Danielle discuss the impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce, the future of CSR in the context of current economic downturn and how TCS's volunteering and mentoring programs are helping young people of all backgrounds build careers in technology. To learn more about Tata Consultancy Services, visit tcs.com/worldwide.

Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), joins host Danielle Holly to discuss the fundamental improvements that need to be made to how money is given and used in the social sector. NFF believes in the power of improved access to capital and credit to help overcome the systemic financial challenges nonprofits face, which disproportionately affect communities of color. Antony shares how NFF makes this a reality through loans and advocacy work, as well as how the organization is guiding nonprofits through the COVID-19 economic crisis. To learn more about social sector funding and the Nonprofit Finance Fund's work, visit nff.org.

Derrick Feldmann, Managing Director of Ad Council Edge and INFLUENCE|SG, has devoted his career to unpacking why and how young people choose to engage with social issues, as well as how the topics they care about influence companies’ CSR and marketing strategies. Listen as he and host Danielle Holly discuss what’s in store for brand engagement in social issues in the context of COVID-19 and how to tell when a company is authentically supporting a cause versus what’s just “good marketing.” To learn more about Derrick’s work, visit adcouncil.org/the-edge or causeandsocialinfluence.com where you’ll find data on youth activism, including a three-part research series on young Americans’ actions related to COVID-19. Look out for Derrick’s brand-new book, The Corporate Social Mind, out now!

Google.org Director of Global Employee Programs Lacy Caruthers joins Danielle Holly to share how her organization leverages funding, technology, products and expertise to support under-served communities and solve humanity's biggest challenges. In the wake of recent injustices against Black Americans and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Google.org has stepped up its already impressive philanthropy work, committing tens of millions of dollars in additional funding to racial justice and equity organizations and to COVID-19 aid. Google.org has also committed 50,000 pro bono hours to nonprofit and civic partners addressing issues across health and science, economic relief and recovery and the digital divide in education. Many of these pro bono hours will be completed via Google.org's fellowship program, which grants employees the opportunity to work full-time with nonprofit and civic partners for up to six months. To learn more about Lacy’s work using technology and employees' skills to affect social change, visit Google.org.

Points of Light President & CEO Natalye Paquin joins host Danielle Holly for a conversation on the importance of civic engagement and volunteerism in improving our communities, especially in crises like COVID-19. Natalye shares how this sentiment prompted her team to make this year’s Points of Light Conference fully complimentary so anyone can benefit from its teachings and opportunities for new connections. She also provides her insights on leadership, investing in your people and what it’s like to lead in this time of mass protests against racial injustice and systemic inequality. To learn more about Points of Light, including the conference, civic engagement and volunteering, visit pointsoflight.org.

Danielle Holly is joined by Jim Alvey, Director of Partnerships at Good360, for a conversation on disaster relief, COVID-19 and the importance of needs-based donations – giving the right product at the right time to serve people effectively. Good360 is a “matchmaker” of in-kind products that connects companies with unused or excess products to nonprofits that need them in order to respond to disasters in their communities. June is the unofficial start of storm season, a time when natural disasters create a high demand for in-kind donations. This season is expected to be especially difficult as we continue to cope with and recover from COVID-19 at the same time. Jim talks about this and other challenges COVID-19 has posed for Good360, as well as how the organization and its corporate and nonprofit partners have risen to the occasion, delivering PPE and other vital supplies to those in need. To learn more about Good360’s disaster relief work and COVID-19 response, visit good360.org

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Chris Ide, Vice President of Corporate & Community Partnerships at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, joins Danielle Holly for a candid conversation on mental health during COVID-19. CAMH is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centers in its field. The Foundation drives change for mental health by inspiring philanthropy that enables leading-edge care, research and education. COVID-19 has exacerbated the mental health crisis the world was already experiencing. Chris explains how CAMH has responded by stepping up its services, creating a free mental health resource hub and its “Apart, Not Alone” campaign to promote social interaction during isolation. CAMH has also partnered with Cisco to significantly increase its telehealth offerings so patients can continue to access mental health care during quarantine. To learn more about the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Foundation, including services, COVID-19 resources, research and education, visit camh.ca.

In early March, before COVID-19 transformed daily life here in the U.S., host Danielle Holly sat down with Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Flutie Foundation, to discuss autism, nonprofit leadership, cross-sector partnerships, talent retention and purpose, all of which are still very much relevant today. Nick recounts how a volunteer experience in his early twenties - one that he almost skipped - launched him on a career path in the nonprofit sector that would eventually lead him to his current role at the Flutie Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals and families affected by autism by providing a path for education or employment, opportunities for physical and social activity and the tools to be safe, supported and informed at all times. Nick and Danielle also discuss nonprofit leadership and talent retention in the age of purpose over profit. To learn more about the Flutie Foundation and autism, visit flutiefoundation.org.

In recognition of World Malaria Day on April 25th, host Danielle Holly speaks with Margaret McDonnell, Executive Director of the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign, the world’s largest and most powerful community of supporters and advocates committed to saving lives and defeating malaria. Nothing But Nets has raised over $70 million to help deliver 13 million bed nets to families in need, along with other crucial malaria interventions that have drastically reduced fatalities since the early 2000's. Margaret also delves into the many connections between malaria and COVID-19, including lessons learned from the fight against malaria that can be applied to the current COVID-19 situation and how both diseases demonstrate the urgent need to better fund public health systems worldwide. To learn more about Nothing But Nets and the fight against malaria, visit nothingbutnets.net.

This special episode explores the impact COVID-19 has had on nonprofits, corporate social responsibility programming and volunteerism. Host Danielle Holly interviews social impact leaders across sectors for a comprehensive look at what nonprofits and companies are experiencing as they respond to the pandemic. Featured are Michelle Jackson, Acting Executive Director of the Human Services Council, whose nonprofit is providing resources and capacity-building support to the human services organizations that provide vital services during crises and every day; Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN, who walks us through the quick decisions she and her team had to make in March just days before they were to host their annual Nonprofit Technology Conference; and Lucy Darragh, Director of Citizenship for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, who speaks to the significant investment the insurance company has made in responding to COVID-19 and how it has lowered costs and barriers to healthcare services. To learn more about how your organization can respond to or seek support during COVID-19, visit commonimpact.org/initiatives/covid19.

Cheryl Timoney, Salesforce.org’s Senior Director of Tech for Social Impact, joins host Danielle Holly to discuss Salesforce.org’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including ongoing pro bono support for nonprofit and education partners. Cheryl reflects on how this moment in time has made clear the power of virtual volunteering, both as a disaster response tool and a democratic way to engage employees for good. Cheryl also talks about Salesforce.org’s new endeavor Impact Labs, how her cross-sector career led to her current role at the helm of Salesforce's social impact work, what the “new normal” is doing to shift perceptions of work-life balance and why it's more important than ever to appreciate everyday victories. To learn more about Salesforce.org and its pro bono program, visit salesforce.org/volunteers/probono.

Host Danielle Holly is joined by Janelle Woods-McNish, Director of Service and Giving at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and one of the newest members of Common Impact’s Board of Directors. Janelle leads Harvard Pilgrim’s employee giving and service initiatives across New England, the latter of which has an impressive volunteer participation rate of 96%. Janelle and Danielle reflect on skills-based volunteering events they’ve lead together, including Making Good Happen at Work, an employee service and giving event for small and medium-size businesses, and Skills for Cities Boston, a day of flash consulting targeted toward alleviating local social issues for which Harvard Pilgrim was an early participant. Janelle also shares about her work to raise awareness of and end human trafficking and how being unafraid to say “no” allows her to focus on the things she values most. To learn more about Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, visit harvardpilgrim.org/public/our-foundation.

Cecily Joseph is a CSR powerhouse with a rich career across the private and social sectors. Cecily is the Chair of the Board of Directors at Net Impact and was formerly Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Symantec and the head of its foundation. At Symantec, Cecily oversaw ESG program development and implemented initiatives focused on bringing underrepresented groups - including women and people of color - into the technology sector. Cecily is an ongoing champion for diversity and inclusion who has pioneered numerous programs to increase equity within Symantec and society at large. To learn more about Net Impact and Cecily’s service on the board, visit netimpact.org.

PwC has been recognized time and again for its responsible business practices and its organizational culture. Host Danielle Holly interviews PwC Responsible Business Leader Jeff Senne, a key leader in PwC’s shift from corporate responsibility to responsible business leadership. Jeff speaks to PwC’s business imperative to create a more equitable society, which he pursues through the lens of digital inclusion. To learn more about Responsible Business Leadership at PwC, visit pwc.com/us/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility.html.

Danielle Holly sits down with acclaimed radio personality and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rita Houston in celebration of National Radio Day on February 13th. Host of The Whole Wide World with Rita Houston and Program Director of public radio station WFUV in New York, Rita uses her platform and visibility to promote awareness of social and environmental causes and the local organizations doing great work to address them, connecting listeners with volunteer opportunities and ways to do good in their communities. To learn more about Rita and WFUV’s cause work, visit wfuv.org/strikeachord. Listen to recent episodes of Rita’s show The Whole Wide World at wfuv.org/content/whole-wide-world.

Danielle Holly interviews fellow social impact champion Bea Boccalandro, President & Founder of VeraWorks. Bea coined the term “job purposing,” the concept of unlocking opportunities for employees to do societal good through their everyday jobs. She shares powerful stories of individuals finding purpose in their careers and tips on how to bring greater meaning to your workplace. To learn more about job purposing, visit veraworks.com and beaboccalandro.com/blog. To receive job purposing tips and notifications on the release of Bea’s upcoming book, Do Good at Work, text “jobpurposing” to 555888.