Miriam Nelson is the president and CEO of the Newman’s Own Foundation. She has held leadership roles at academic institutions, contributed to public policy initiatives, is a best-selling author, and is regularly featured in the press. Today she joins Christine to talk about the origins of the Newman’s Own Foundation, how it pioneered the cause-driven Give Back Model, and donates 100% of their profits to charities worldwide. Actor, philanthropist, race car driver, and advocate, Paul Newman, created his salad dressing with a friend in 1982, and agreed to sell it on the condition that he would never compromise the quality of his product, and he would give away all his profits. Newman’s Own has remained true to this mission since day one, and has given away over $570 million to great causes all over the world.

Miriam shares her academic background, her work around nutrition and women’s health, and how she got involved with the Newman’s Own Foundation. She talks about the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which was founded by Paul Newman in 1988, and gives seriously ill children the opportunity to experience summer camp together. Christine asks Miriam how she decides which organizations Newman’s Own will work with, what makes their corporate culture unique, and why it’s important for Miriam to be heavily involved in the day-to-day operations as a leader. 

Miriam shares which organization she is most inspired by, her advice for girls and women who want to give back as an entrepreneur, and how to get our younger generation involved in giving back. Finally, Miriam discusses the important work that lies ahead in addressing food insecurity for children, and helping those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, and she encourages listeners to spread the word that Newman’s Own gives away 100% of their profits. To learn more about this incredible organization and support their mission to “give it all away,” visit NewmansOwn.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Newman's Own pioneered the Give Back Model
• They have given away over $570 million to great causes all over the world
• Miriam shares the history of this extraordinary organization
• Paul Newman, the actor, philanthropist, racecar driver and advocate created this salad dressing with his best friend in 1982
• Loved ones encouraged him to sell it, and he agreed on the condition that he would never compromise the quality of his product, and he would give away all the profits
• They have given away 100% of their profits since day one
• Founder Paul Newman was passionate about using the power of a company to do good in the world
• Miriam shares her academic background, work around nutrition, and how she got involved with Newman’s Own
• She began as a recipient of their funding during her time at Tufts University
• Hole in the Wall Gang Camp gives children who are seriously ill the chance to experience summer camp together
• SeriousFun Children’s Network also delivers unforgettable camp experiences that have a life-changing impact for sick children
• Newman’s Own works with thousands of organizations, but is beginning to narrow their focus on working with children who are facing adversity - specifically children who are ill or experiencing food insecurity
• Their core value is to take their work seriously, but not themselves 
• Miriam is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization
• She is deeply passionate about using the full power and resources of the foundation to have the greatest impact possible
• Miriam is inspired by Soul Fire Farm and Leah Penniman’s work around food sovereignty for Black and Indigenous farmers
• Her simple, but powerful advice for women and girls who want to give back as an entrepreneur: Show up!
• It’s important to model giving back for younger generations
• Running a food company during the pandemic has shown her the importance of providing good quality, reasonably priced, shelf-stable food
• Newman’s Own plans to do a better job of sharing their story through marketing, and making sure consumers are aware that 100% of profits are given away
• Miriam discusses their important work ahead in addressing food security for children and helping those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic
• She encourages listeners to get the word out that Newman’s Own gives away 100% of their profits

Quotes:

“Newman's Own is really an extraordinary organization. And it truly was the very first cause-driven give back organization.”

“Back in 1982, [founder Paul Newman] made the decision that all profits, 100% of the profits, would be given away to great causes. And that has happened since day one. And we've given over $570 million away to great causes all over the world, great individuals, social entrepreneurs.”

“The reason that we have this organization is to give it all away. We've remained true to that since the very, very beginning.”

“I'm the luckiest person in the world… My background is in public health and cause-based work, but starting as a grantee, and then as a board member, and then as the president and CEO, there's been a really interesting trajectory. So that was my sort of on-ramp into becoming the president and CEO of the foundation.

“We're beginning to narrow our focus and really...focus on children, really fighting for children, especially those who are facing adversity.”

“We're very careful about vetting and making sure they're very upstanding organizations, but it's really around betting on great people.”

“We take our work seriously, but not ourselves.”

“I think that really started with Paul Newman. He was very irreverent in the most wonderful way. He really showed up and he advocated for others. So you can have fun, enjoy each other's company, and be engaged and care about each other, and still have some fun, and raise a little hell, and be irreverent.”

“So that little dose of irreverence in the most respectful way is a good thing.”

“In my my life and my work through the last three and a half decades, I've always found that when you truly listen and understand the people that are at the front line, that are running the the local organizations and the other mid-sized organizations, if you know them, and you listen to them, you get the wisdom from them. And that informs the work.”

“I care deeply that we are using our full power and all of our resources wisely, and to the best use, and that we have the greatest impact possible.”

“How can we use the full power of the foundation to create the change in the world that we're working towards?”

“When there's an organization that's in need, or there's something in your community that needs some attention or a friend, you know, show up for them.”

“Show up! Literally show up.”

“Your whole life doesn't have to be about service. For some it is, but there are many ways to think about giving back.”

“Running a food company during the pandemic has been really, really an extraordinary time. But also, we felt the importance - there was a collective feeling of the importance of shelf-stable, reasonably priced, high quality food, and getting it out there.”

“I just know that we will continue to put out great quality food, great tasting food - and listen to our consumers and have the consumers help us decide also where to go. And making sure we give 100% of our profits away to great causes.”

“We will do even better with telling our story so that when you see that salad dressing, you know exactly, Oh my God, that's a brand that gives it all away! And that will make a bigger difference.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

Newman’s Own Foundation website NewmansOwn.com