Social Impact Financial Services

William (Toby) Usnik Jr.

Mobile: +1-917-***-****

**** ********, ***. ****, *** York, NY 10023

*********@*****.***

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobyusnik/

EXPERIENCE: A seasoned corporate communications and social impact executive experienced in managing teams and advancing brands globally, across sectors including financial services, technology, media, and fine arts and luxury. He is equally adept at supporting publicly traded companies as privately held ones. Podcast host and author of The Caring Economy: How to Win with Corporate Social Responsibility and Connecting the Dots: Building Your Network and Legacy. Advisor on AI and social impact.

BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL OF NEW YORK (BCGNY) New York, NY

Head of Communications January 2021- June 2024

Led communications team for BCGNY, under the auspices of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles) of His Majesty's Government.

Oversaw communications strategy and outreach in promoting the UK Government’s economic and prosperity agenda, and the UK’s viability as a top destination for business, arts, and culture. Prioritized presenting the UK government as a force for good. Regularly secured broadcast, print and online coverage for visiting ministers, secretaries of state, royals, and diplomats, and UK signature events, including Wimbledon, Premier League, BAFTAs, and Coronation.

Developed and maintained strong industry relationships with consumer and sector-specific media and influencers. Underscored the role of the UK as a force for good and partner of choice on matters as important as DEI, climate, trade, education, culture, Covid-19 recovery, artificial intelligence, green finance, and economic opportunity.

ARTSCOM New York, NY

Co-Founder and Co-Head September 2007-Present

Co-lead ArtsCom, the chief communications & marketing officers association for 77 of New York City’s leading cultural institutions and foundations. Programming focuses on DEI, AI and digital innovations, talent recruitment and development, capacity building, best practices in media relations, and brand stewardship.

Members include the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, BAM, Brooklyn Museum, Studio Museum of Harlem, Apollo, Ford Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Google Arts & Culture.

PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT New York, NY Partner June 2016-April 2020

Founded and led Philanthropic Impact (π), a global advisory firm that consulted HNWIs on philanthropic and social impact initiatives for high-impact results in areas such as climate change, education, social justice, and healthcare. As behind-the-scenes conduit, created greater efficiencies in clients’ philanthropic work, networks and impact, with particular focus on Mainland China.

Worked closely with brands that included Oceana, Rockefeller Family, Preston-Werner Family, J.P. Morgan Chase, Alliance Bernstein, Sailors For the Sea, Humane Society of the United States, Unleashed, The River Project, Pearl Humanitarian Rescue, NGGC Next Generation Collaborative China, Synergo’s Global Philanthropists Circle, The Tse Foundation, The Philanthropy Workshop and NEXUS.

CHRISTIE’S New York, NY

Chief Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer, Chairman’s Office December 2012-April 2016

Developed and implemented Art + Soul, the industry’s first ever CSR function that demonstrated Christie’s commitment to the communities in which it operates. Drove engagement in sustainability, volunteerism, and philanthropy.

As International Director, managed 10 of top 200 client relationships across collecting categories and geographies.

Recognized by Mayors of London, Hong Kong and U.S. White House for Art + Soul contributions.

Worked closely with Pope Francis’s Scholas Occurrentes charity to advocate for youth initiatives and culture.

CHRISTIE’S (Continued)

Senior Vice President and International Head of Corporate Communications June 2006-December 2012

Supervised global team of 26 communications staff and counseled senior management on strategic communications objectives for the corporation and the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures that raised visibility and increased influence of Christie’s with clients and media. Consistently delivered positive coverage or Christie’s auctions and sales results in global media, including BBC, WSJ, NYT, AP, Reuters, SCMP, and Xinhua.

Oversaw corporate crisis management program and ensured a “one voice” communications policy and productive relationships with the news media, both domestically and internationally.

Highlights included pioneering Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth, 2006 Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale – the largest art auction in history – and the Yves Saint Laurent Sale – the largest single owner sale in history.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY New York, NY

Executive Director of Public Relations 2001-2006

Developed and recommended to senior management team the strategic external communications objectives for the corporation as well as the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures designed to further the primary objectives of the company and to provide the most effective communications to stakeholders including international/national/local news media.

Advised senior officers of the company on all matters concerning media and public relations and executive communications, including 9/11 terrorist attacks and Tasini case before the US Supreme Court.

Ensured corporation maintained a “one voice” communications policy and productive relationships with the news media, domestically and internationally.

Regularly liaised with Newsroom, General Counsel, Human Resources, Marketing, and CFO on above.

EARLY CAREER EXPERIENCE

Includes positons as Head of Communications with digital consultancy Razorfish, Director of International Public Affairs with American Express, and Administrator for Columbia University’s Reid Hall Program – Paris.

SKILLS

Languages: Conversational French and Spanish.

Skills: Airplane Pilot, AI instructor, crisis communications, career coach, capacity building and development, podcast host, charity auctioneer (Over $5m raised for more than 25 NGOs since 2014).

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Century Association, Union League Club NYC, Royal Automobile Club, Penn Club NYC, Social Register, Conduit Club New York (Advisor), San Vicente Bungalows New York (Ambassador)

Humane Society of the United States – Communications Council Co-Founder (2006-2020)

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) – Member since 1997

US-China Business Alliance – Member since 2017

Coro Foundation – Leadership New York (Class VII)

EDUCATION:

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY New York, NY

Master of Philosophy in Comparative Education (Fulbright Study in Belgium)

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia, PA

Master of Science in University Administration (Foreign study in Ecuador)

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE Hampden-Sydney, VA

Bachelor of Arts in History and French (Foreign Study in Austria and France)

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