About Me
Toby Usnik is a renowned communications and social impact professional with over thirty years of expertise in strategic communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He has held leadership roles in multinational organizations, including the U.K. government, Christie’s, The New York Times, Razorfish, and American Express.
Since 2021, Usnik has served as the Head of Communications for the British Consul General – New York while also managing his social impact consultancy, Philanthropic Impact (π). A prolific public speaker and author, he has written “The Caring Economy: How to Win With CSR” and hosts a popular weekly podcast by the same name, available on all major podcast platforms as well as YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Additionally, Usnik is highly sought-after as a career coach and instructor on AI and Large Language Models for social impact.
Usnik’s latest book, Connecting the Dots: Building Your Network and Legacy, co-authored with Samir Kanuga, will be published in June 2024 by Blue Ocean Publications.
Before joining the U.K., government and establishing Philanthropic Impact (π), Usnik held the position of Chief Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer at Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, boasting $7.5 billion in annual sales. Notably, under his leadership, Christie’s launched global CSR initiatives under the “Art+Soul” umbrella, marking a pioneering move in the art market. Prior to this, Usnik served as the Senior Vice President and International Head of Corporate Communications for Christie’s, where he spearheaded a brand-building team of 30 professionals worldwide. His previous leadership roles include Executive Director of Public Relations for The New York Times Company, Director of Global Communications at Razorfish, and Director of International Public Affairs at American Express.
Usnik’s educational background includes a B.A. degree in history and French from Hampden-Sydney College in 1985, an M.S. degree in university administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988, and an M. Phil. degree in international and comparative education from Columbia University in 1992. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Belgium from 1990 to 1991 and is a graduate of the Coro Foundation’s Leadership New York program, class of 1997.
Dedicated to community involvement, Usnik served as a board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda civil rights organization for nearly two decades and as a director of The New York Foundation for Arts for five years. He co-led the Communications Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the United States for a decade and has raised over $5 million for nonprofit organizations as a charity auctioneer. Beyond his professional commitments, Usnik is also a private pilot and resides in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley.
Usnik’s educational background includes a B.A. degree in history and French from Hampden-Sydney College in 1985, an M.S. degree in university administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988, and an M. Phil. degree in international and comparative education from Columbia University in 1992. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Belgium from 1990 to 1991 and is a graduate of the Coro Foundation’s Leadership New York program, class of 1997.
Dedicated to community involvement, Usnik served as a board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda civil rights organization for nearly two decades and as a director of The New York Foundation for Arts for five years. He co-led the Communications Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the United States for a decade and has raised over $5 million for nonprofit organizations as a charity auctioneer. Beyond his professional commitments, Usnik is also a private pilot and resides in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley.
Life Philosophy
Curiosity, adventure, and impact are key. With a curious mind, a spirit of adventure, and a leapfrog approach to impact, I believe we can all live a life that makes a difference.
Present
Today I work with organizations and individuals to catalyze movement along the spectrum of caring and impact. I turn philanthropic investments into more nimble and powerful ones from the East to the West, working closely with corporations, philanthropists, impact investors, and social innovators. Lean philanthropy is my approach.
In parallel, I empower our next generation of leaders in philanthropy and strengthen the ecosystem by sharing my lessons learned from 3 decades of experience (more below). I do this through my published book, The Caring Economy: How to Win With Corporate Social Responsibility, my speaking tours, consulting, and coaching.
Past
My career adventure has had an impact always at the core.
For the past decade, I spent working with Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, serving numerous roles including Chief Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer International Director, and International Head of Corporate Communications.
From 2001 – to 2006, I served as the Executive Director of Public Relations for The New York Times Company. Before joining the Times Company, I was the Director of Global Communications at Razorfish, a firm specializing in digital technology consulting services, where I led media relations, industry analyst relations, and employee and crisis communications. From 1993 to 1999 I worked for American Express as Director of International Public Affairs.
Additionally, for nearly 2 decades I served as a board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda civil rights organization. For four years I was the director of The New York Foundation for Arts. I co-lead the Communications Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the United States and have raised more than $5 million for nonprofit organizations as a charity auctioneer. Here is a full bio of my work.
For the past decade, I spent working with Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, serving numerous roles including Chief Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer International Director, and International Head of Corporate Communications.
From 2001 – to 2006, I served as the Executive Director of Public Relations for The New York Times Company. Before joining the Times Company, I was the Director of Global Communications at Razorfish, a firm specializing in digital technology consulting services, where I led media relations, industry analyst relations, and employee and crisis communications. From 1993 to 1999 I worked for American Express as Director of International Public Affairs.
Additionally, for nearly 2 decades I served as a board member of the Empire State Pride Agenda civil rights organization. For four years I was the director of The New York Foundation for Arts. I co-lead the Communications Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the United States and have raised more than $5 million for nonprofit organizations as a charity auctioneer. Here is a full bio of my work.
Future
In the future, with you, I aim to:
- have played my part and unlocked human potential.
- empowered an ecosystem and economy to be at the higher end of the caring spectrum.
- supported philanthropy to have reached a greater level of impact.
- catalyzed the future youth to become empowered to lead with impact.
- and had some good laughs along the way!
Here is the into of the Latest Book by Toby Usnik
Philanthropic Impact (PI or π)
π is a boutique advisory firm that turns philanthropic investments into more nimble and powerful ones from the East to the West, working closely with corporations, philanthropists, and social innovators. “Lean” philanthropy is our approach. We amplify CSR and philanthropic efforts by building philanthropic strategies, convening and connecting a global network of leaders, and creating smart pilots.
The Caring Economy Book & Guest Speaking
Asking questions, sharing knowledge, and sparking meaningful dialogue is essential to reach the level of impact we envision in this world. To do that in my life, I have published my book titled: The Caring Economy: How to Win With Corporate Social Responsibility.
In this book, I look at CSR — where it began, where it is today, and where it is headed — told through my years of brand stewarding at celebrated multinational and start-up firms. This book is a primer for leaders in small and medium-sized businesses that are figuring out how to manage their triple bottom line (People, Profit, and Planet). With the book, I work with all-sized organizations to bring the book to life through guest speaking, panel discussions, and in-depth workshops.
In this book, I look at CSR — where it began, where it is today, and where it is headed — told through my years of brand stewarding at celebrated multinational and start-up firms. This book is a primer for leaders in small and medium-sized businesses that are figuring out how to manage their triple bottom line (People, Profit, and Planet). With the book, I work with all-sized organizations to bring the book to life through guest speaking, panel discussions, and in-depth workshops.
Impact Career Coaching
As a Futurist, I constantly ask: how will our future be and who will lead it? To help positively shape the answer to this question I dedicate time to empower the future generation of leaders by providing impact career coaching to university students and young professionals.
In this, I have worked with top universities in both East and West, impact associations, groups, and individuals providing mentorship, and in-depth workshops on where impact and careers have, can, and should intersect. In today’s world, the possibilities are truly limitless.
In this, I have worked with top universities in both East and West, impact associations, groups, and individuals providing mentorship, and in-depth workshops on where impact and careers have, can, and should intersect. In today’s world, the possibilities are truly limitless.