Susan McPherson

SHE / HER / HERS

Consultant
Speaker

An expert on social impact and women in leadership, Susan McPherson is a serial connector, founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies—a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is also the author of the new book, “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.”

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Businesses can (and should) be a force for good.

Authentic Leadership Business Leadership Business Leadership Speakers Collective Consciousness Conscious Leadership Female Empowerment Speakers Leadership Development Leadership Development Speakers Leadership Keynotes Leadership Speakers Negotiation and Self-Worth Purpose Consultants Social Impact Sustainability Consultants Women in Diversity Women in Leadership

Popular Talks

Making Connecting Your Life’s Work

Susan McPherson owes her success to one thing: the deep, authentic community of contacts she’s built over the years. How has she done it? Susan will share stories and practical tips that can help audiences understand the importance of making deep and meaningful connections and how to do it right (also the topic of her book!). Networking as we know it is over; we live in a world today where it’s the deep connections built on values and compassion that drive sustainable success.

Welcome To The New Era of Corporate Social Impact

In the last two decades, we’ve seen corporate responsibility shift from a nice-to-have to a critical strategic priority. Along the way, big business — once seen as the enemies of social activists — have become activists themselves. What does authentic corporate social impact look like today? How did we get here? And what does your company need to know to thrive in this era?

How To Bake Impact Into Your Brand/Company From The Start

Any company, no matter the size or structure, can integrate purpose into their business model and engage their employees and customers with important social causes and mission. This presentation, peppered with tips and real examples, helps entrepreneurs think about creating their own impact programs that align with their brand and business goals — and lead to meaningful change and increased revenues. How leading with “How can I help” drives meaningful relationships and propels your business career.

Speaking and Consulting

McPherson Strategies is a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. Together, our team brings more than sixty years of experience creating unforgettable social engagement movements, campaigns, events and partnerships that amplify organizations’ reach and social impact while strengthening the business. Our clients include corporations, social businesses, nonprofits, social entrepreneurs and foundations. We help them develop effective programs and communications frameworks, forge partnerships, increase visibility, inspire action and more.

“With a finger on the pulse of all things sustainability and social good, the McPherson team has seamlessly helped elevate the Foundation’s work, particularly on the digital and social media channels where the most important conversations in this space are happening. And for that we recommend McPherson Strategies.”
— Anisa Kamadoli Costa, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation

“It’s not often that you have the chance to work in PR partnership with a company that so genuinely gets and embodies your business’s commitment to positive social impact. Susan and her team not only have their fingers on the pulse of what’s moving and motivating decision makers today, they have a sharp eye for what’s new and next when it comes to opportunities.”
— Kim McCabe, G Adventures

“The McPherson team are truly masters of their craft. Their creative-thinking, diligent work style, and prolific rolodex proved a vital asset to our efforts in corporate social responsibility. Together, we achieved great things, and on top of it all, they are simply a delight to work with. I look forward to joining forces again in future.”
— Ilyse Hogue, NARAL Pro-Choice America

“The entire McPherson team played a vital role in helping to raise the profile of Participant Media’s social impact work in both the media and CSR space. The team was creative, strategic, and tireless in finding the right opportunities for us to plug into, whether in the pages of Fast Company, on stages at a key conferences, or in meeting rooms of the organizations we need as partners to create real change. As we build and define what it means to create impact through top-tier content, we could not have asked for better partners to build and spread our message.”
— Holly Gordon, Participant Media

“Susan and team are rigorous thinkers, helping us to define what success looks like in clear and measurable ways. They are generous with their network and consistently deliver at a high level of excellence. In less than a year, McPherson Strategies helped us define a narrative and brand position that has resulted in our organization becoming a leading voice among our peers in discussions around an equitable Future of Work. McPherson is more than a communications strategy firm; they are my partners in purpose.”
— DR. ANGELA JACKSON, New Profit

An expert on social impact and women in leadership, Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact, providing storytelling, partnership creation and visibility to corporations, NGOs and social enterprises. She is the author of “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.” Susan has 25+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Inspirefest/Dublin, BSR, Center for Corporate Citizenship’s Annual Summit, DLD and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Currently, Susan invests in, and advises women-led technology start-ups, including iFundWomen, Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical, Arlo Skye, Giapenta and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and the Lower Eastside Girls Club, and previously served on the board of Bpeace. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits, including Girls Who Code, Ocean Collective, She’s The First, and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and has received numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. She resides in Brooklyn.

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