Title Global Practice Chair, Business + Social Purpose Company Edelman Bio Carol Cone is a passionate believer in the convergence of business objectives and societal needs to improve lives and positively impact our world. In a radically transparent, interconnected world, Edelman calls this Purpose: an organization’s reason for being beyond the bottom line. Internationally recognized for her work in the cause branding, corporate citizenship and strategic philanthropy arenas, Carol has been a pioneer in the area of Purpose for more than 25 years -- starting with her eponymous firm Cone. There she led a team that developed social initiatives for Avon, Reebok, ConAgra Foods, PNC , Western Union, P & G, Microsoft and the American Heart Association that generated high awareness, stakeholder engagement and more than $1.5 billion for prevalent social issues. In doing so, PR Week called her “arguably the most powerful and visible figure in the world of Cause Branding.” Carol was the Founder, CEO and Chairman of Cone, Inc., recognized as the nation’s leading cause branding consultancy. In addition to leading the development of a new field of public-private partnerships for social and environmental good, she also created groundbreaking research reports to advance the strategic practice of social issues engagement with consumers, employees, nonprofits and corporations. In 2010, Carol joined Edelman to continue her journey galvanizing companies and organizations to strengthen their impact on the environment and society. Now as Global Practice Chair of Edelman Business + Social Purpose, she has responsibility for Edelman’s CSR, sustainability and citizenship offering worldwide. She provides strategic counsel to clients including Microsoft, Adobe, American Lung Association, Southwest Airlines, PNC and Unilever. She also works with the firm’s leadership to apply insights from Edelman’s annual goodpurpose™ global consumer study and its Trust Barometer to client assignments, reports and proprietary methodologies. As a Net Impact Board Member, and founding member of Business for Social Responsibility, Carol exudes her passion for increasing positive societal impact of organizations. She is also the co-author of the 2010 book, “Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding.” Carol is a requested speaker around the globe on the topic of cause branding and corporate citizenship. Because of her expertise, she also provides media commentary to business and industry press. Her recognitions include: 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics, Ethisphere Magazine; 25 Most Powerful Professionals in the Communications Industry, PRWeek; Changing the Game Award, Advertising Women of New York; Lifetime Achievement Awards, The Holmes Report and PR News; 50 Most Powerful Women in Public Relations, PRWeek; and Entrepreneur of the Year, Arthur Young/Venture Magazine. She graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University with a B.S. in Fine Arts, and earned her Masters in Communications from Boston University. She also completed the Owner/President Management Program at the Harvard Business School.