How giving starts progress and leadership scales it

Volatility and rising accountability are reshaping every industry. Philanthropy isn’t immune. In moments like this, leadership drives meaningful progress.

As chief philanthropy officer at UNICEF USA, I work with C-suite leaders and philanthropists to turn bold commitments into lasting impact. Carol J. Hamilton has spent four decades in the C-suite at L’Oréal USA and continues to serve across corporate and nonprofit boards. Between us, we’ve seen philanthropy evolve and adapt.

We came together to talk about what leadership requires in this moment.

Michele Walsh: You played a key role in shaping a global company’s philanthropic efforts. Since leaving L’Oréal USA, you seem busier than ever, serving on several boards and continuing to make a difference. As you think about this next chapter, what feels different for you in this moment? How has your career shaped it?

Carol J. Hamilton: What feels different is ownership. In my corporate career, I had the leadership platform of a global company to align business and purpose. Now, I had to pivot to something more personal.

I knew what mattered to me was continuing my passion for helping women and girls. The harder question was: How would I make a difference on my own?

I shifted gears and needed new advisors. Just as in business, I surrounded myself with people who could challenge my thinking and help shape a strategy. Philanthropy deserves the same discipline.

Walsh: You have always been an energizer, someone who makes things happen. What does mobilizing look like for you in practice now?

Hamilton: It starts with personal commitment.

Significant gifts matter. They fund proven solutions. Before I invited anyone else to join me, I pushed myself to give at a level that reflected how strongly I believed in the work.

From there, it’s about passion. I care deeply about the issues I support, and I let that show. When something matters to me, I share that openly.

If it sparks interest, I bring people closer. Sometimes that’s as simple as hosting a dinner and creating space for a conversation. There’s something powerful about being together.

When personal commitment meets shared passion, momentum builds. It’s the same in business. When you lead with shared values, you can turn purpose into collective action.

Hamilton: Michele, you work with C-suite leaders across sectors and generous philanthropists every day. With funding pressures and fluctuating markets, how do you see business leaders approaching philanthropy differently?

Walsh: I’m seeing both urgency and evolution.

Giving toward tangible solutions like vaccines, therapeutic food, and emergency supplies is compelling and critical. Increasingly, leaders are also asking how to deliver lasting change at scale.

That may mean investing in training, supply chains, financing mechanisms, or the infrastructure that allows organizations to respond faster and scale responsibly.

It’s less visible, more complex, and often where the strongest leverage lives.

Hamilton: That feels bigger than traditional philanthropy or even workplace giving. What’s behind that shift?

Walsh: In my work with business leaders, the conversation centers on alignment and durability: How do we ensure bold commitments endure?

Almost 90% of leaders now say their impact strategies are future-proofing their business, a clear sign that philanthropy is no longer a feel-good option, but strategic.

Capital unlocks possibility. Leadership sets direction at scale. Systems make impact scalable and sustainable.

Walsh: From the C-suite to the boardroom to personal giving, you’ve seen philanthropy from every angle. What should leaders do differently now?

Hamilton: Don’t wait.

The environment will always evolve. Expectations will shift. But the need doesn’t pause.

Be clear about what matters to you. Surround yourself with the right expertise and commit boldly. And if you can, bring others along.

Philanthropy has more tools than ever, even as needs continue to outpace resources. The question isn’t whether we can give. It’s how we lead.

Michele Walsh is the executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer at UNICEF USA.