Breaking Into Corporate Social Responsibility: An Insider’s Guide
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) roles are among the most coveted in the professional world—and for good reason. They promise meaningful impact, significant resources, and competitive perks. Yet, as someone who spent the last 10 years directing Google's largest philanthropy team, I can confirm these roles are notoriously elusive. Most CSR positions are never publicly posted, and turnover hovers in the single digits. It's no wonder my DMs light up weekly with the same question: "How can I break into CSR?"
Below, I'll share the five most common pathways I've observed. But first, let's cover three critical realities about the CSR landscape—truths that will shape your journey regardless of which path you choose.
CSR Is Not "Nonprofit 2.0"
CSR isn’t just nonprofit work with a corporate title—it’s the intersection of social impact and business strategy. At Google.org, I learned that even the most transformative programs need compelling brand stories and clear business rationale to thrive. If balancing profit and purpose feels too transactional, CSR might not be your path.
If the Door Is Locked—Look for the Window
Because CSR teams are small and often fill openings internally, the “front door” is usually bolted shut. Those already inside a company can sometimes unlock opportunities from the inside. For outsiders, success often means finding a window to climb through, or even starting in an adjacent inside role. Breaking into CSR isn't a straightforward climb.
Early-Career Pathways Exist—But Are Rare
CSR roles typically aren't entry-level, but occasionally determined professionals do break in early. Take Maab Ibrahim (Google.org Grantmaking) and Kavell Brown (LinkedIn Social Impact Partnerships), who leveraged CSR internships by combining strong business acumen with demonstrated social impact leadership. But this is rare enough that I don't consider it an established path.
Now that we understand these realities, let's explore the five proven pathways I've observed for breaking into CSR.
Inside Pathways (Unlocking the Door from the Inside)
1. The Side Hustle
What It Looks Like You excel in a core business role while building a parallel track record in social impact through volunteering and community leadership outside your day job, waiting for the right opportunity to open up internally.
Real Examples
Amanda Irizarry (Finance) combined strong performance as a Google Finance Analyst with leadership in HOLA (Google's Latinx ERG) and volunteer product inclusion initiatives, ultimately landing a role on Google.org's Strategy & Operations team.
Robert Barron-Pryce (Security, Legal Investigations) leveraged his work experience at Goodwill, internal DEI leadership, and years of youth mentorship to transition from Google's security and legal teams to managing Google.org's giving programs.
Key Takeaway Companies often find it preferable to train social impact than business acumen. Strong business performance plus genuine community commitment makes you a compelling internal candidate for CSR roles, particularly junior ones.
2. The Business Overhaul
What It Looks Like Instead of layering on a side project, you completely rework a business area—like procurement or product design—to be more equitable, sustainable, or community-focused.
Real Examples
Chris Genteel (Supply Chain) reimagined procurement at Google via Supplier Diversity, steering $1B+ in contracts to underrepresented entrepreneurs. Jason Trimiew achieved similar impact at Meta.
Candice Morgan (Inclusion) reshaped Pinterest’s hiring practices and products, integrating inclusivity into everything from recruitment to user experience.
Key Takeaway When you hardwire CSR principles into everyday workflows, leadership often sees you as the go-to person for broader impact initiatives.
3. The Greenfield Approach
What It Looks Like You spot an unmet need and build a program from scratch—often with minimal initial resources or support. Over time, you track success and rally resources, evolving a pilot into a formal CSR role.
Real Examples
Megan Wheeler (Employee Giving & Volunteering) scaled a grassroots volunteer effort into “GoogleServe,” eventually engaging 25,000+ employees per year.
Parisa Fatehi-Weeks (ESG) co-created “Unlocking the Connection” in Austin’s public housing, bringing gigabit internet and digital literacy to low-income communities.
Key Takeaway Piloting and measuring a program that aligns with business goals paves the way for a dedicated CSR unit—and you become its natural leader.
Outside Pathways (Climbing Through the Window)
4. The Outside Expert
What It Looks Like You bring specialized expertise from government, advocacy, foundations, or other social impact sectors. Companies hire you because of your deep domain knowledge, established relationships, and credibility in areas like policy, grantmaking, or community engagement.
Real Examples
Mistique Cano (Public Affairs) moved from leading policy communications for a major civil rights coalition to directing public affairs and policy at Google.
Fatima Angeles, MPH (Foundation) parlayed 20+ years at The California Wellness Foundation into an Executive Director role at the Levi Strauss Foundation.
Hannah Peter (Education) leveraged her experience as a Head Start teacher and DonorsChoose.org corporate partnerships director into a role managing Google.org's philanthropic partnerships.
Nonprofit Transition Tip If you’ve been working at a nonprofit, consider bridging the gap by taking on a corporate partnerships role or pursuing a business credential or degree. Unless you’re being hired specifically for deep issue area expertise, companies often assume it’s easier to teach general social impact knowledge than the business acumen needed to excel within a profit-driven enterprise.
Key Takeaway Deep policy or philanthropic experience plus business acumen sets you apart when companies need specialized social-impact leadership.
5. The Trusted Advisor
What It Looks Like You earn your stripes as a consultant, often in social impact or nonprofit strategy, before moving in-house. Companies frequently hire outside strategists to measure impact, craft philanthropic initiatives, or manage complex partnerships.
Real Examples
Amy Tang (Social Impact Strategy) was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey, focusing on the Social Sector, before joining Google.org’s philanthropy strategy team.
Andrew Dunckelman (Impact & Partnerships) leveraged Bridgespan consulting experience to move to Google.org and later the Gates Foundation (special shout out to Andrew with whom I drafted an early CSR guide for aspiring leaders).
Key Takeaway Consulting experience in social impact or philanthropy makes you an appealing “trusted advisor” for in-house CSR teams.
Develop Essential Skills
Regardless of which pathway you pursue—inside or out—the following skills are essential:
These aren’t just boilerplate skills—they’re tests of your ability to rise above the noise, navigate complexity, and drive impact in a world where attention is fleeting and the stakes are high.
Network Purposefully
Most CSR jobs never go public; they're filled by referral or internal picks. Here's the reality: CSR leaders often have a dozen back-to-back meetings daily and can meaningfully engage with only a fraction of networking requests. Here's what actually works:
Pick Your Targets: Research deeply and select just 3-5 leaders whose work truly resonates with your expertise. Generic outreach rarely works—you need to show you understand their unique challenges and initiatives.
Start Light: Skip asking for coffee chats upfront. The most successful connections often start with the briefest interactions—a thoughtful question about a specific initiative or a unique insight about their current challenges.
Find the Right Moment: CSR leaders frequent events like UN General Assembly Week, Aspen Ideas Festival, and regional gatherings like Northern California Grantmakers Corporate Philanthropy Institute. While these can be exclusive, in-person connections are powerful—just skip the post-presentation rush and find quieter moments between sessions. Online, watch for active posting periods that create natural opening points for engagement.
CSR leaders often have a heart for service—we want to help others succeed, but we need you to make it easy to say yes. The best networkers play the long game, contributing thoughtful insights and building genuine connections over time. Remember: you're not just networking—you're auditioning your ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
Stay Patient and Proactive
Success requires both patience and proactive effort—after all, this field is all about skillfully managing tensions. (For a deeper dive, see my article "What I Wish I'd Known: 5 Hidden Tensions in Corporate Philanthropy")
When I transitioned to Google.org, I drew on my business foundation from Bain and my MBA, social impact expertise from Bridgespan and nonprofit leadership, and my engineering background (a bonus in tech). Yet credentials alone weren't enough—I had to actively cultivate relationships while patiently waiting for the right timing (and yes, a healthy dose of luck) to jump from my role at Year Up United into CSR.
If you're energized by this balancing act, if you see corporate resources as levers for change (rather than compromises of conscience), and if you're willing to be both patient and proactive in pursuit of impact—this path might be yours. Whether you find a way to unlock the door from the inside or climb through the window from the outside, you may discover not just a job, but a calling.
Chart Your Course
More Questions?
Send me a note—I’m always happy to share quick insights via DM or email. If you’re seeking deeper conversations or strategic guidance, I offer advisory and fractional leadership through my practice, True Steele LLC. Let’s talk about aligning your social impact goals with measurable outcomes or tackling complex challenges.
Good luck on your journey—may the next “window” you find lead to the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
A Note on Perspective
My insights come primarily from Big Tech CSR, management consulting, and philanthropy. If you’re in a different industry or outside major tech hubs, I’d love to hear your story—drop it in the comments. Diverse voices and experiences are critical to growing this field.
