Purpose 360 Podcast: Live from Engage for Good | Part 2

Listen to the episode here.

Episode 227 of Purpose 360, “Live from Engage for Good Part 2,” continues Carol Cone’s conversations from one of the social impact sector’s leading gatherings, where nonprofit leaders, corporate purpose practitioners, and partnership experts came together to discuss how organizations can navigate uncertainty while continuing to create meaningful impact. Host Carol Cone, founder of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE and one of the pioneers of the purpose movement, speaks with leaders from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross, The Trevor Project, Hasbro, and Impact Savvy about resilient leadership, authentic partnerships, employee engagement, evolving stakeholder expectations, and why purpose-driven organizations must increasingly operate as strategic business partners rather than transactional beneficiaries. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM.

Resilience, Relationships & the Future of Social Impact Partnerships

One theme emerges repeatedly in this episode: that impact-related work continues, even in moments of political, economic, and cultural uncertainty. The conversations describe a sector that may be communicating differently than it did several years ago, but it remains deeply committed to long-term impact, employee engagement, and values-driven leadership.

The episode explores how both nonprofits and corporate partners are evolving beyond traditional sponsorship models toward deeper, more strategic collaborations built around shared goals and measurable value creation. This episode’s guests emphasize that the strongest partnerships succeed when organizations understand each other’s business challenges, stakeholder priorities, and long-term objectives.

Several conversations also highlight the growing importance of employees as a driving force behind corporate purpose initiatives. Even as some organizations become more cautious externally, employees increasingly expect their employers to live their values internally through authentic partnerships, inclusive workplace cultures, and meaningful opportunities to engage with social impact work directly.

Guests discuss the growing need for resilience and adaptability across the sector. Leaders, regardless of sector, are navigating rapidly changing social conditions while continuing to focus on human connection, trust, and sustainable impact. Across the conversations, a common theme emerges: organizations that listen closely to stakeholders, remain grounded in their values, and adapt thoughtfully to change are often best positioned to create lasting impact.

Listen for insights about:

• How social impact teams can earn strategic influence inside organizations

• Why values-based leadership matters in moments of social and cultural change

• The growing demand for financially sustainable purpose-driven careers

• How relationship-building and humility strengthen long-term partnerships

• Why younger generations are reshaping expectations around leadership and work

• The connection between community engagement, innovation, and organizational culture

• What authentic collaboration looks like across sectors

Before You Listen

Q: How are corporate purpose partnerships evolving right now?

A: Guests throughout the episode describe a shift away from transactional sponsorships and toward longer-term, values-aligned partnerships that solve real business and community challenges simultaneously. Rather than viewing nonprofits solely as charitable recipients, many organizations are increasingly building partnerships around workforce development, employee engagement, mental health support, disaster response, and stakeholder trust.

The conversations suggest that the most successful partnerships are rooted in shared goals, authentic relationships, and ongoing collaboration rather than one-time campaigns or visibility-driven initiatives. Several guests also emphasize the importance of understanding corporate objectives early in the relationship-building process so that partnerships create value for both sides.

Q: Why are employees becoming such an important audience for corporate purpose work?

A: Multiple guests note that employees increasingly expect organizations to live their stated values internally, especially during periods of social or political tension. Even when brands become more cautious externally, employees are still paying close attention to how leadership engages with social issues, workplace culture, and community impact.

The episode also explores how employee engagement itself is evolving. Organizations are creating more hands-on experiences, such as through volunteer opportunities to wellness initiatives to allyship training, that allow employees to connect directly with mission-driven work in meaningful ways.

Q: How are organizations adapting to today’s rapidly changing environment?

A: The conversations reflect a sector learning how to operate with resilience and flexibility. Guests discuss balancing public visibility with stakeholder expectations, responding to increasing community needs, adapting to shifts in funding environments, and maintaining long-term focus despite uncertainty.

Several leaders also emphasize that adaptability increasingly requires listening to employees, communities, volunteers, and partners. Guests emphasize the significance of recognizing mental health and iterate the importance of understanding what people truly need before building programs or partnerships around those needs.

Q: What role does mentorship and human connection play in long-term impact?

A: Bryan Klopack of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America shares how mentorship changed the trajectory of his own life, while other guests discuss the importance of authentic human connection in everything from crisis response to employee engagement. Across the episode, guests emphasize that long-term trust, listening, and relationship-building often create more durable impact than transactional initiatives alone.

The guests make the point that organizations that prioritize empathy, mentorship, and authentic relationships will ultimately build stronger communities, cultures, and partnerships.

About the Guests

Bryan Klopack — Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Bryan Klopack is the Chief Development Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Nathan Measom — American Red Cross

Nathan Measom is the Director of National Cause Marketing at the American Red Cross.

Deborah Barge — The Trevor Project

Deborah Barge serves as Chief Advancement Officer at The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

Sarah Knott — Hasbro

Sarah Knott is the Director of Global Social Impact and Philanthropy at Hasbro.

Kari Hayden Pendoley — Impact Savvy

Kari Hayden Pendoley is the CEO and Founder of Impact Savvy.