Curriculum vitae
Toby Usnik
AI literacy educator and adviser. Communications and social impact leader. Author and podcast host.
Communications and social impact leader with decades of experience at The New York Times Company, Christie's, American Express and the UK Government in New York. Now helping people and organizations put AI to work for what they care about.
Experience
January 2021 to present
New York, NY
Co-Founder and Co-Head
ArtsCom
- Co-lead the chief communications and marketing officers association for 77 of New York City's leading cultural institutions and foundations.
- Programming covers AI and digital innovation, DEI, talent development, capacity building, media relations and brand stewardship.
- Members include the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, BAM, Brooklyn Museum, the Apollo, Ford Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Google Arts & Culture.
January 2021 to June 2024]
New York, NY
Head of Communications
British Consulate General New York
- Led the communications team for the UK Government in New York, under the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- Directed strategy promoting the UK's economic and prosperity agenda and its appeal for business, arts and culture.
- Secured broadcast, print and online coverage for visiting ministers, royals and diplomats, and for signature events including Wimbledon, the Premier League, the BAFTAs and the Coronation.
- Built relationships with consumer and sector media on climate, trade, education, culture, artificial intelligence and green finance.
June 2016 to April 2020
New York, NY
Founder and Partner
Philanthropic Impact (π)
- Founded and led a global advisory firm guiding high-net-worth individuals on philanthropy and social impact in climate, education, social justice and health, with a focus on Mainland China.
- Clients and partners included Oceana, the Rockefeller Family, J.P. Morgan Chase, AllianceBernstein, the Humane Society of the United States, The Philanthropy Workshop and NEXUS.
December 2013 to April 2016
New York, NY
Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Chairman's Office
Christie’s
- Created Art + Soul, the art industry's first corporate social responsibility function, driving sustainability, volunteerism and philanthropy.
- As International Director, managed 10 of Christie's top 200 client relationships across categories and regions.
- Recognized by the Mayors of London and Hong Kong and the U.S. White House for Art + Soul.
- Partnered with Pope Francis's Scholas Occurrentes charity on youth and culture initiatives.
June 2006 to December 2012
New York, NY
Senior Vice President, International Head of Corporate Communications
Christie’s
- Led a global team of 26 communications staff and counseled senior management on strategy and policy.
- Delivered consistent global coverage across the BBC, WSJ, NYT, AP, Reuters, SCMP and Xinhua.
- Ran the corporate crisis management program and a one-voice communications policy worldwide.
- Highlights: the Green Auction, the 2006 Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale (then the largest art auction in history) and the Yves Saint Laurent collection sale (the largest single-owner sale in history).
2001 to 2006
New York, NY
Executive Director of Public Relations
The New York Times Company
- Set external communications strategy and policy with the senior management team.
- Advised senior officers on media, public relations and executive communications, including the 9/11 attacks and the Tasini case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Partnered with the newsroom, legal, HR, marketing and finance to keep one consistent company voice.
Earlier career
Communications leadership
Razorfish, American Express, Columbia University
- Head of Communications at digital consultancy Razorfish; Director of International Public Affairs at American Express; Administrator for Columbia University's Reid Hall program in Paris.
Education
Columbia UniversityMaster of Philosophy in Comparative Education. Fulbright study in Belgium. New York, NY
University of PennsylvaniaMaster of Science in University Administration. Foreign study in Ecuador. Philadelphia, PA
Hampden-Sydney CollegeBachelor of Arts in History and French. Foreign study in Austria and France. Hampden-Sydney, VA
Skills
AI instructionAI literacy courses and workshops for professionals
CommunicationsCrisis communications, media relations, brand stewardship
CoachingCareer coaching, capacity building and development
Podcast hostThe Caring Economy, 200+ episodes
Charity auctioneerOver $5 million raised for more than 25 nonprofits since 2014
PilotPrivate airplane pilot
LanguagesConversational French and Spanish
Boards and memberships
Century AssociationMember since 2023
Union League Club of New YorkMember since 2019
Humane Society of the United StatesCommunications Council co-founder, 2006 to 2020
Aircraft Owners and Pilots AssociationMember since 1997
US-China Business AllianceMember since 2017
Coro FoundationLeadership New York, Class VII
Books and media
The Caring Economy: How to Win with Corporate Social ResponsibilityAuthor. Audiobook narrated by Toby.
Connecting the Dots: Building Your Network and LegacyCo-author with Samir Kanuga. Blue Ocean Publications.
The Caring Economy with Toby UsnikPodcast host. Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Get in touch
Email tobyusnik@gmail.com or connect on LinkedIn.
