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Corporate Impact professionals continue to face the challenge of doing more with less. With ongoing global and economic uncertainty, CSR, ESG, and Sustainability leaders must stay creative, flexible, and innovative, often looking beyond traditional solutions to achieve their goals. New opportunities can help ease the pressure:
Despite the ESG backlash, impact leaders still must:
CSR Talent Group can help you meet these challenges. Our advisors are former corporate impact professionals who use AI tools daily and can guide your team in adopting them effectively. Our network of 450+ experts brings deep experience in grantmaking, employee engagement, and disaster relief platforms. We understand budget pressures. We’ll help you find the right solution, whether that means:
Get in touch for a free consultation to discover how we can support your impact goals. |
Author: sHq_LoGiNz
NEW YORK, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – This week, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose© (CECP) is bringing together more than 250 senior social impact, corporate responsibility, and sustainability leaders from the world’s leading global companies for the 23rd annual CECP Summit: Purpose Reignited.
At the event, an influential community of corporate leaders are exploring the forces reshaping responsible business — from new tax changes to AI adoption to the art of building strategic alliances. Sessions cover the range of corporate purpose topics including employee volunteering, the ROI of corporate foundations, championing veteran communities, place-based partnerships, turning purpose into measurable business performance, and more. Across every conversation, one throughline emerged: purpose is not just a principle, it’s a performance driver.
“As we navigate a landscape transformed by AI and other tremendous shifts in the world, it is clear that purpose has moved from the periphery to the center of business resilience,” said Sara Adams, Chief Communications Officer, CECP. “The leaders at this year’s Summit are proving that ‘Purpose Reignited’ is more than a theme, it is a competitive necessity. By leveraging CECP’s deep data benchmarking and peer community, these companies are not just adapting to a complex world; they are actively shaping a future where social investment is a primary driver of long-term sustainable value.”
The Summit includes the presentation of the Charles H. Moore Award for Leadership in Corporate Community Engagement. The 2026 “Charlie Award” was presented to Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation. The award is named in honor of CECP’s founding Executive Director and is presented to senior leaders who exemplify perseverance in the pursuit of societal advancement, the trait for which Charlie Moore was best known.
“I’m honored to receive the Charlie Award, a powerful reminder that businesses thrive by showing up for the communities they serve,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation. “At Citi, our mission is to enable growth and economic progress, and we do so by bringing together the full weight of our firm—our business, our philanthropy, our people and expertise—to catalyze more resilient communities. CECP has been an invaluable partner in this work, and to be recognized by them is incredibly meaningful.”
Brandee McHale leads Citi’s efforts to advance economic opportunity through impact investing, community-based financial access and education programs, fulfilment of U.S. Community Reinvestment Act regulatory obligations, employee volunteerism and the philanthropy of the Citi Foundation. With more than three decades of experience in financial services and philanthropy, Brandee has dedicated her career to developing forward-thinking solutions that connect low-income communities to jobs, housing and a more economically secure future.
The Summit convening also bestowed a new award, The Goldies Award, which honors a team or initiative that exemplifies the gold standard in corporate social investment, demonstrating how business can be a force for good in local communities. The 2026 “Goldies Award” was presented to Amgen for the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE).The program, funded by the Amgen Foundation, is designed to close the gap between classroom learning and real-world biotechnology and has reached more than 1.1 million students and 5,200 teachers to date. At no cost to schools, ABE equips teachers with professional development and research-grade lab equipment to support students’ performing authentic experiments such as DNA ligation, bacterial transformation, protein purification, PCR, and gene sequence analysis. The Amgen Foundation is proud to have committed more than $75 million to date to make this program possible.
At the CECP Summit, attendees will also hear about two decades of Giving in Numbers® trend data to reveal how corporate purpose has evolved—what’s grown, what’s shifted, and what’s disappeared along the way. CECP, in partnership with companies, has created the largest and most historical data set on trends in the industry, shared by more than 650 multi-billion-dollar companies, representing more than $519 billion in corporate social investments over that time span. This session will unpack major trends in corporate community investment, noncash giving, volunteerism, program focus areas, and the changing role of corporate responsibility teams inside companies.
The CECP Summit offers an unparalleled line up of speakers from CECP companies including:
- Dale Strange, President, Corporate Impact, YourCause from Blackbaud
- Scott Heimlich, President of the Amgen Foundation and Executive Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Amgen
- Katie Ferrick, Managing Director, Applied Purpose, Applied Materials
- Olivia Khalili, Head of Foundation & Social Impact, Atlassian
- Abigail Hollingsworth, Director, Bank of America
- Soraya Alexander, CEO, Benevity
- Dionn Schaffner, SVP of Social Impact and Chief Diversity Officer, Bonterra
- Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President, the Citi Foundation
- Kristen Scheyder, Director of Programs, the Citi Foundation
- Robert Goodfellow, Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications & CSR, Colgate-Palmolive
- Carol Cone, CEO, Cone on Purpose
- Carrie Stockwell, Director, Philanthropy, Constellation
- Taryn Edgin, President, John Deere Foundation and Director, Community Relations, Deere & Company
- Dana O’Donovan, U.S. Purpose Leader, Deloitte
- Christine Sybert, Senior Director, Corporate Education Partnerships, Discovery Education
- Theresa Peterson, SVP of Thought Leadership Research, Edelman
- Jennifer Leitsch, Americas Corporate Sustainability Leader, EY
- Rachel Strong, America’s Sustainability Tax Policy Leader, EY
- Alvin Abraham, President, Exxon Mobil Foundation
- Maeve Miccio, Head of Philanthropic Consulting, Fidelity Investments
- Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee
- Vivian Greentree, SVP, Head of Global Corporate Citizenship; President, Fiserv Cares Foundation, Fiserv
- Billy Cyr, CEO, Freshpet
- Deb Silverman, Director of Philanthropy, GE Aerospace and GE Aerospace Foundation
- Veronica Sandolval, Director, Cross-Portfolio Philanthropy, Genentech
- Alissa May, Vice President of Impact, Goodera
- Utaukwa Allen, Global Head of Economic & Community Development, Data Centers, Google
- Sara Link, Global Head of Employee Impact, IBM
- Erin Moos. Head of Strategic Philanthropy, Employee Giving and Volunteering, Intuit
- Shaolee Sen, Head of Small Business, Global Philanthropy, Corporate Social Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Meghan Wright, Vice President, Community Impact & Charitable Giving; Executive Director, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Lincoln Financial
- Tia Hodges, Vice President for Corporate Giving, Employee Engagement & Volunteerism, Metlife
- Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO, McPherson Strategies
- Dave Best, President and CEO at Newman’s Own, Inc.
- Kristin Giantris, Managing Director, Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Matthew Forti, Managing Director, One Acre Fund
- Barb Short, Senior Director, CSR & Sustainability, Global Specialty Care & US, Sanofi
- Christy Kiely, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Stacy Rotner, Corporate Responsibility Director, Sidley Austin LLP
- Clea Newman, Ambassador, SeriousFun Children’s Network
- Courtney Failer, Senior Program Coordinator, Impact, Steelcase
- Lynette Bell, Executive Vice President, President, Truist Foundation
- David Evetts, Head of Philanthropy and Advocacy, USAA
- Aaron Hurst, Founder and CEO, U.S Chamber of Connection
- Molly Porter, Chief Administrative Officer, Wells Fargo Foundation
- Diana Fischer, Senior Director, Workday Foundation
CECP thanks its sponsors for their generous support of the CECP Summit: Platinum Level: YourCause from Blackbaud; Gold Level: PwC, Citi, Exxon Mobil; Silver Level: Benevity, Exelon, Fidelity, Goodera, Sanofi, Wells Fargo; Partner Service Providers: Bonterra, E4E Relief, Groundswell.
CECP also congratulates the 2025-2026 Company Spotlight honorees: Best Buy,
Boehringer Ingelheim, Cisco, ConEdison, Covista, Discovery Education, Equinix, KPMG, Mastercard, Merck Foundation, Otsuka, PSEG, Regeneron, Wells Fargo, and Zoetis. On a quarterly basis, CECP selects companies for the Company Spotlight through a thoughtful information-sharing and communications-support process. Company Spotlights are shared with over 2,000 affiliated corporate leaders, posted on the CECP website as case studies for other affiliated companies, and recognized at the CECP Summit.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 CECP Summit, CECP will be posting on its website photos, videos, guest blogs, and an Executive Summary.
The application process for the 2027 Charlie Award and 2027 Goldies Award is now open. Nominate a peer senior leader in corporate responsibility today. The deadline is August 30. The application for the 2027 Charlie Award can be accessed here, the application for the 2027 Goldies Award can be accessed here, or by emailing CECP.
CECP Media Contact
Katie Leasor
kleasor@cecp.co
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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)
Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.
More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in research and insights, strategy and benchmarking, and convening and communications. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.
For more information, visit http://cecp.co.
2026 Veterans and Nature Grant
With support from Leidos, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is pleased to offer grant funding to expand access to nature-based experiences that support the health, well-being, and community connection of America’s veterans through the 2026 Veterans and Nature Grant.
Applicants can request up to $10,000 for programs to be completed in 12 months. Eligible applicants must describe how the requested funds will support projects on America’s public lands that connect veterans to nature-based health and wellness experiences, including any of the following:
- Outdoor recreation programming designed for veteran communities
- Partnerships with public lands agencies to expand veteran access
- Nature-based physical and mental wellness initiatives
- Community-building activities on America’s public lands
This initiative is also made possible through the generous support of the American Medical Association, an organization committed to improving physical and mental health in veteran communities.
For more details about this grant, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit NEEF’s grant application page.
Contact
Please contact grants@NEEFusa.org for all questions regarding this grant or the grant portal.
When disaster strikes, first responders don’t have time to think about connectivity. It’s either there or it’s not. From dedicated network capabilities like T-Priority to on-the-ground emergency response teams and community support efforts, T-Mobile helps first responders and the communities they serve stay connected when it matters most.
Whether responding to hurricanes, wildfires or other large-scale emergencies, staying connected can mean the difference between coordination and chaos. Moments like National Police Week, EMS Week and International Firefighters’ Day honor the work and sacrifice of first responders, while T-Mobile’s year-round commitment helps deliver the network, technology and support they depend on in critical situations — especially when and where traditional coverage is limited.
“T-Mobile is committed to advancing the infrastructure, technology and partnerships that first responders need to save lives every single day,” said André Almeida, Chief Broadband, Enterprise & Emerging Business Officer, T-Mobile. “From T-Priority, which ensures priority access for first responders during extreme congestion, to rapid disaster response and longstanding community partnerships, we support and connect America’s emergency personnel before, during and after the moments that matter most. That’s how we show up.”
BEFORE: Preparing First Responders and Communities for What’s Ahead
Preparation is the foundation for an effective response, especially as emergencies grow more complex.
“When emergencies happen, people need to reach help, check on loved ones and stay informed,” said Jon Freier, Chief Operating Officer, T-Mobile. “That’s why our teams prepare year-round — investing in technology, readiness and rapid-response capabilities so we can show up when communities need us most and help keep people connected in critical moments. This is more than a commitment. It’s a responsibility.”
T-Mobile is pioneering capabilities that help first responders stay ahead of rapidly changing conditions, including real-time data and video sharing, Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, enabled by T-Mobile’s 5G network and T-Priority and AI-driven network monitoring. These innovations are designed to give first responders faster access to information and enhance situational awareness for critical moments and decisions where every second counts.
AI-enabled Self-Organizing Network (SON) technology continuously adjusts network performance in real time to help keep customers and first responders connected when it matters most. During Winter Storm Fern, SON made tens of thousands of automated adjustments and helped keep sites running for more than 250,000 additional minutes, helping impacted communities reach loved ones, access critical resources and call for help.
T-Mobile is also expanding access to emergency services through next-generation 911 and Text to 911 capabilities, getting more Americans help when they need it—even in parts of the country where traditional coverage may be limited, such as remote and rural environments.
Beyond infrastructure, T-Mobile supports the people behind the badge, offering dedicated plans and benefits that help first responders and their families stay connected all year round.
DURING: Showing Up When Communities Need It Most
Every second matters in a disaster, and the role of connectivity as critical infrastructure becomes very clear.
In times of crisis, T-Mobile’s emergency response teams deploy rapidly to restore coverage, coordinate with emergency services and other teams on the ground and provide Wi-Fi, charging and essential supplies in the field so first responders can stay connected and communities can access critical services.
Built on T-Mobile’s 5G Standalone Core, the T-Priority network slice helps first responders stay connected with more consistent access to faster 5G speeds and lower latency for mission-critical communications. It also gives first responders the highest priority across every 5G band, even in times of extreme congestion.
T-Mobile also offers the only dedicated direct-to-cellular network for first responders with Starlink integration in the form of T-Satellite, which extends connectivity from the largest commercial array of satellites directly to compatible devices when traditional networks are unavailable. During Winter Storm Fern, T-Satellite supported more than 250,000 users and 1.5 million messages.
“In an emergency, communication is everything—and first responders don’t have time to troubleshoot connectivity,” said Brian Gould, Industry Segment Advisor, T-Mobile and Former Fire and Police Chief. “That’s where our dedicated emergency response teams come in. They’re prepared to tackle any challenge to ensure essential communications for safety and security are fully operational.”
T-Mobile Supporting First Responders with T-Priority
From hurricanes and wildfires to winter storms and other high-stakes events, the mission remains clear: help first responders do their jobs faster and help communities recover stronger.
AFTER: Supporting Heroes and Communities Nationwide
The work doesn’t stop when the weather clears. Throughout the year, T-Mobile supports first responders, their families and the communities they serve through ongoing partnerships, local engagement and community giving initiatives.
- Introducing Hometown Heroes: Through its partnership with Minor League Baseball, T-Mobile is celebrating “Hometown Heroes” at ballparks across the country throughout May and July. Dedicated theme nights at 28 stadiums will celebrate local first responders, service members and community champions with on-field recognition and in-game tributes, giving honorees the chance to share the moment with friends and family.
- Scholarships and Support for Families of Fallen Heroes: T-Mobile is honored to support the important work of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, including through a $2 million multi-year commitment to support initiatives like scholarships for children of fallen heroes, as well as providing free service to eligible families.
- Direct Support for First Responder Families: T-Mobile’s 2025 Giving Tuesday Campaign raised $200,000 for the First Responder Children’s Foundation (FRCF) to support programs that benefit first responder families, including programs like Toy Express.
- Community Giving: T-Mobile’s Giving Season raised over $100,000 for first responder organizations. Employees donated thousands of volunteer hours and more than 3,000 toys to first responder families, as well as nearly 500 units of blood to help save lives.
- Community Engagement: T-Mobile creates opportunities for first responders to connect with the communities they serve. This includes local “Coffee with a Cop” events, community spotlights and nonprofit partnerships like T-Mobile’s Little League Call Up Grant, which has supported more than 70,000 kids and provided over $8 million in funding to date.
Through initiatives like its National First Responders Day celebrations at retail stores, T-Mobile is also bringing that support directly into local communities— creating opportunities to engage with first responders and their families, increase awareness of available benefits and drive strong participation and engagement in communities across the country.
For first responder families, that impact is deeply felt, and deeply personal.
“After my father’s passing, this scholarship has meant so much to my family and me,” said Shea Roberts, daughter of Officer Charles Roberts. “It’s helped me continue my education and taken a weight off our shoulders during such a difficult time.”
“T-Mobile’s partnership has helped expand the support we provide to first responder families across the country,” said Eric Cortina, Executive Vice President, Development, Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “From scholarships for children of fallen heroes to ongoing assistance, this collaboration is making a meaningful difference for those who have given so much.”
A Commitment That Goes Beyond the Network
With more than 4.6 million first responders across America, the need for reliable connectivity continues to grow.
T-Mobile’s approach is simple: be ready before, show up during and support long after first responders are called into action—helping first responders do their jobs and communities recover stronger.
Learn more about T-Priority and first responder benefits by visiting https://www.t-mobile.com/business/t-priority. For more information on T-Mobile’s preparedness and response capabilities, visit the company’s Emergency Response hub and follow @TMobileNews on X and Instagram.
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T-Priority for qualifying organizations on eligible rate plans. Some T-Priority features only available in areas of Ultra Capacity 5G coverage with capable device and 5G Standalone settings; see T-Mobile.com/5Glayers. Coverage not available in some areas. T-Satellite: Texting & select satellite-ready apps with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the U.S. where you can see the sky. Satellite service, including text to 911, may be delayed, limited, or unavailable. See T-Mobile Terms & Conditions for details.