THE NORTON STORY
Sue Norton,
Founder and President
When I was 16, my parents told me we were moving. Again. I had just settled into a good rhythm – new friends, right classes, made the gymnastics team, and I finally felt like I was on the inside. Ugh. The first day at the new school was brutal – I had to figure everything out all over again. But I connected with another student and that was the game changer. He was an insider – he knew how to get things done, where to go to get questions answered, and he became my indispensable guide. Years later in Sales roles, I found myself adopting that same practice of leveraging an insider’s view to create the right strategies to drive growth.
I spent nearly 20 years at PepsiCo leading strategic initiatives and running some of the company’s US businesses, while becoming increasingly involved in nonprofits as a strategic advisor, active Board member and Board Chair. And when I got the chance to lead PepsiCo’s global Foundation, I remember thinking it was my dream job. I didn’t have to choose between business leadership and social impact – I could do both.
For nine years, I led PepsiCo’s philanthropic efforts to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities around the world, working closely with nonprofits, governments, and our local business teams to create meaningful change – engaging our employees to sustain our efforts and enhancing our corporate reputation along the way. It was exhilarating to bring business and nonprofit leaders together to solve complex problems and I grew to appreciate how investing in social impact can drive business potential.
Running a global corporate Foundation, I began to notice how many corporations and nonprofits want to create a unique, purposeful identity – to stand for something more than just their products or services – and aren’t sure how to go about it. I saw businesses concerned about having to trade business focus for social impact and nonprofits worried about missions that didn’t resonate with corporate donors. I wanted to say “You don’t have to worry. You can do this. I can help you!” I thought about sharing the insights and experience I’ve gathered working inside purposeful organizations to help them on their journeys. And when a CEO mused “I’d love to hire you to help us do what you’ve done,” I decided it was a sign and launched Norton Impact Partners.
Whether you want to make more money or raise more money, Norton Impact Partners can help you create a meaningful social impact strategy by setting the right Priorities, establishing strategic Partnerships, and activating Purpose throughout your organization. It doesn’t have to feel like the first day at a new school. Our Insider Insights and Proven Practices will put you on a sure path to IMPACT.
