Toby Usnik's CV
Toby Usnik
Consultant, Author of "The Caring Economy"
Education
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New York, NY
Master of Philosophy in Comparative Education (Fulbright Study in Belgium)
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia, PA
Master of Science in University Administration (Foreign study in Ecuador)
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
Hampden-Sydney, VA
Bachelor of Arts in History and French (Foreign Study in Austria and France)
SKILLS
- Languages: Conversational French and Spanish.
- Skills: Airplane Pilot, AI instructor, crisis communications, career coach, capacity building and development, podcast host, charity auctioneer (Over $5m raised for more than 25 NGOs since 2014).
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
- Century Association member since 2023; Union League Club of New York since 2019.
- Humane Society of the United States – Communications Council Co-Founder (2006-2020)
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) – Member since 1997
- US-China Business Alliance – Member since 2017
- Coro Foundation – Leadership New York (Class VII)
CONTACT DETAILS
Mobile: +1 (917) 751-7778
Address: 2109 Broadway, Apt. 9142, New York, NY 10023
Mail: tobyusnik@gmail.com
Toby Usnik
Consultant, Author of "The Caring Economy"
EXPERIENCE
BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL OF NEW YORK (BCGNY)
New York, NY
Head of Communications
January 2021-Present
- Led communications team for BCGNY, under the auspices of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (Policy & Political roles) of His Majesty’s Government.
- Oversee communications strategy and outreach in promoting the UK Government’s economic and prosperity agenda, and the UK’s viability as a top destination for business, arts, and culture. Prioritize presenting the UK government as a force for good. Regularly secure broadcast, print, and online coverage for visiting ministers, secretaries of state, royals, and diplomats, and UK signature events, including Wimbledon, Premier League, BAFTAs, and Coronation.
- Develop and maintain strong industry relationships with consumer and sector-specific media and influencers. Underscore the role of the UK as a force for good and partner of choice on matters as important as DEI, climate, trade, education, culture, COVID-19 recovery, artificial intelligence, green finance, and economic opportunity.
ARTSCOM
New York, NY
Co-Founder and Co-Head
January 2021-Present
- Co-lead ArtsCom, the chief communications & marketing officers association for 77 of New York City’s leading cultural institutions and foundations. Programming focuses on DEI, AI, and digital innovations, talent recruitment and development, capacity building, best practices in media relations, and brand stewardship.
- Members include the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, BAM, Brooklyn Museum, Studio Museum of Harlem, Apollo, Ford Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Google Arts & Culture.
PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT ( ∏ )
New York, NY
Partner
June 2016-April 2020
- Founded and led Philanthropic Impact (π), a global advisory firm that consulted HNWIs on philanthropic and social impact initiatives for high-impact results in areas such as climate change, education, social justice, and healthcare. As a behind-the-scenes conduit, created greater efficiencies in clients’ philanthropic work, networks, and impact, with a particular focus on Mainland China.
- Worked closely with brands that included Oceana, Rockefeller Family, Preston-Werner Family, J.P. Morgan Chase, Alliance Bernstein, Sailors For the Sea, Humane Society of the United States, Unleashed, The River Project, Pearl Humanitarian Rescue, NGGC Next Generation Collaborative China, Synergo’s Global Philanthropists Circle, The Tse Foundation, The Philanthropy Workshop, and NEXUS.
CHRISTIE’S
Chief Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer, Chairman’s Office
December 2013-April 2016
- Developed and implemented Art + Soul, the industry’s first-ever CSR function that demonstrated Christie’s commitment to the communities in which it operates. Drove engagement in sustainability, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
- As International Director managed 10 of the top 200 client relationships across collecting categories and geographies.
- Recognized by Mayors of London, Hong Kong, and the U.S. White House for Art + Soul contributions.
- Worked closely with Pope Francis’s Scholas Occurrentes charity to advocate for youth initiatives and culture.
CHRISTIE’S (Continued)
Senior Vice President and International Head of Corporate Communications
June 2006-December 2012
- Supervised a global team of 26 communications staff and counseled senior management on strategic communications objectives for the corporation and the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures that raised visibility and increased the influence of Christie’s with clients and media. Consistently delivered positive coverage of Christie’s auctions and sales results in global media, including BBC, WSJ, NYT, AP, Reuters, SCMP, and Xinhua.
- Oversaw corporate crisis management program and ensured a “one voice” communications policy and productive relationships with the news media, both domestically and internationally.
- Highlights included pioneering Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth, 2006 Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale – the largest art auction in history – and the Yves Saint Laurent Sale – the largest single-owner sale in history.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
New York, NY
Executive Director of Public Relations 2001-2006
- Developed and recommended to the senior management team the strategic external communications objectives for the corporation as well as the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures designed to further the primary objectives of the company and to provide the most effective communications to stakeholders including international/national/local news media.
- Advised senior officers of the company on all matters concerning media and public relations and executive communications, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Tasini case before the US Supreme Court.
- Ensured the corporation maintained a “one voice” communications policy and productive relationships with the news media, domestically and internationally.
- Regularly liaised with Newsroom, General Counsel, Human Resources, Marketing, and CFO on the above activities.
EARLY CAREER EXPERIENCE
Includes positions as Head of Communications with digital consultancy Razorfish, Director of International Public Affairs with American Express, and Administrator for Columbia University’s Reid Hall Program – Paris.