AI, with care.
I help people and organizations put AI to work for what they care about.
30+ years leading communications and social impact at The New York Times · Christie’s · American Express · UK Government · Razorfish
Three ways we can work together
Practical and human, never hype. Each starts with what you care about, then finds where AI can genuinely help.
Teach
AI literacy courses and workshops for professionals, teams and nonprofit leaders who want to start using AI with confidence.
Advise
Strategic counsel on communications, CSR and philanthropy through Philanthropic Impact (π), now with a clear plan for using AI responsibly.
Convene
Keynotes, panels and moderated conversations that bring leaders together on purpose, giving and AI.
The Caring Economy with Toby Usnik
Conversations with leaders from every sector who are putting AI and purpose to work for people. What does it take to lead, give and build with care in the age of AI?
5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts. Listed by Feedspot among the best corporate social responsibility podcasts.
Hazel Ann Felder
Gen Z storyteller and strategist
Why she’s paying attention to the messy middle, where fashion, business and social impact meet.
Laura Turner
VP and Head of Community Impact, TIAA
Financial security, first-gen students, and the pressure points showing up in 2026.
AI 101: start here
A friendly, plain-language introduction to AI for people who want to understand it before they use it. No technical background needed. [CONFIRM: format, length, next date]
Books
The Caring Economy
How to Win with Corporate Social Responsibility
A primer for leaders of small and growing businesses on managing people, profit and planet, told through years of brand stewardship at global companies.
Connecting the Dots
Building Your Network and Legacy, with Samir Kanuga
A practical guide to building meaningful relationships and a lasting legacy in the modern era.
About Toby
I’ve spent my career helping organizations communicate what they stand for and give back in ways that matter.
I led corporate communications at The New York Times Company, built Christie’s first corporate social responsibility function as its Chief CSR Officer, and served in communications leadership roles at American Express, Razorfish and the UK Government in New York. I founded Philanthropic Impact (π) to advise philanthropists and companies, and co-lead ArtsCom, a network of communications leaders at New York’s top cultural institutions.
Today I bring that experience to AI, helping people use it with the same care. I live in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley, and I’m a private pilot.
Let's talk
Courses, consulting, speaking or a podcast idea. Send a note and I’ll get back to you.
Email: tobyusnik@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tobyusnik
Business Consultant
LIFE IS SHORT
My life’s purpose is deeply rooted in a steadfast commitment to unlocking the boundless potential within every individual and catalyzing substantial positive change in the world.
Life is Short
My life’s purpose is deeply rooted in a steadfast commitment to unlocking the boundless potential within every individual and catalyzing substantial positive change in the world.
See in a New Way
Is What Makes This Life A Powerful Adventure. My Willingness Has Led Me To Continually Ask Myself And The People I Work With This One Key Question:
What Will Your Legacy Be?
I Believe A Legacy Can Not Exist Without Empowering Others Along The Way.
To Build A Great Legacy, Collaboration Is The Way Forward.
Let’s build your legacy
Services
Books & Thought Leadership
Connecting The Dots
The Caring Economy
Courses
⦿ Contact me to Enroll
⦿ 1 - 50 students
Flexible based on demand
Sign up by contacting me via
LinkedIn or tobyusnik@gmail.com
Podcast
Available on
Darlene Goins, on Funding Decisions That Don’t Make Headlines
In this episode of The Caring Economy, Toby Usnik sits down with Darlene Goins, President of the Wells Fargo Foundation. The conversation focuses on housing affordability, access to banking, and how philanthropy operates inside a large financial institution. Darlene talks about her background in engineering and data, the realities of financial inclusion, and why stable housing plays such a central role in community outcomes.
What If Cancer Survivors Were Organized as Power, Not Just Stories?Conversation with Matthew Zachary
What if cancer survivors were organized as power, not just stories? In this episode of The Caring Economy, host Toby Usnik talks with Matthew Zachary, a 30-year brain cancer survivor, founder of Stupid Cancer, and outspoken advocate reshaping how we think about patients, healthcare, and influence.
#Food, Care, and the Rebellion Against a Broken System with Laura Pensiero
Food isn’t just fuel. It’s infrastructure. In this episode of The Caring Economy, registered dietitian and chef Laura Pensiero joins the conversation to explore how nutrition sits at the intersection of healthcare, culture, and care.
Endorsement
Public Relations Endorsement
Corporate Communications Endorsement
Social Media Endorsement
Media Relations Endorsement
Press Releases Endorsement
Strategic Communications Endorsement
Meet Toby Usnik at Canvasrebel
Scan The QR Code to Find Toby in Blinq
What Our Clients Say About Me?
Real stories from real clients who’ve experienced the difference
I had the pleasure of attending Toby’s AI 101 class, and it was an eye-opening experience. I walked away with five immediate, actionable ways to incorporate AI into my daily business activities, and they were all easy to implement.
Lisa Kaith
Toby emerged early on as a leading expert in generative AI for PR and corporate communications. I had the pleasure of inviting him to speak at my NYU class, where he shared invaluable insights on how AI is transforming the PR landscape.
Natan Edelsburg
I am extremely grateful to Toby Usnik for hosting me on the “Caring Economy” podcast. He is truly one of the most inspiring people I have ever spoken with, leading by example in every aspect of his work.
Vladimer Botsvadze
Our Corporate Citizenship Councils of The Conference Board had an engaging exploration into the transformative power of artificial intelligence in creating positive change.
Jeff Hoffman, NACD.DC
