NationSwell’s Strategic Advisor Network is a group of accomplished leaders who have steered global nonprofits, scaled purpose-driven companies, shaped policy, and catalyzed systems change. Together, they bring unparalleled experience and visionary leadership to strengthen our mission-driven community.

In our latest installment of Five Minutes With…, we sat down with one member of this network, Rose Kirk — a C-level executive in the telecommunications industry with more than 35 years experience leading sales, marketing, customer service, go-to-market strategies, and responsible innovation functions — to give our community a closer look at her leadership journey, what drives her work, and the impact she’s championing today.

Here’s what she had to say:

NationSwell: What is the “why” behind your impact work? What’s your personal north star?

Rose Kirk: The thing I come back to again and again is how best to develop and empower a team. People need leadership that is strategic and purposeful, that holds them accountable, and that expects them to deliver. My mission isn’t just to delegate, but to work alongside my team and give them the tools to meet their goals. The most successful leaders step up with excitement, embrace the challenge of finding new opportunities, move work forward in fresh ways, and measure real outcomes.

My path into ESG and corporate social responsibility was almost accidental. What began as a temporary assignment at Verizon became permanent when I realized the opportunity to use corporate assets to make a broader impact on society.

And really, who doesn’t want to go to work every day thinking about what a company owes its citizens, how it can leverage its assets, and how it can both drive revenue and deepen purpose? Looking back now, post-Verizon, at the legacy I left and the work still continuing, I feel affirmed that the vision was right, the execution strong, and the opportunities enduring.

NationSwell: What’s one insight or trend you think every impact leader should be paying more attention to right now?

Rose Kirk: I can speak to the trends we’re seeing both as someone who’s practiced this work day-to-day and now from the vantage point of a corporate board. Corporations, especially in the U.S. but also globally, are trying to navigate today’s systems and government engagement on a wide range of issues. One of the biggest opportunities I see is grounding this work directly in business strategy. That requires practitioners to truly understand how the company makes money, align with the broader strategy, and build relationships across P&L functions in ways they may not have before. They also need to help the CEO navigate the current environment. Those who succeed earn a seat at the table, where their perspectives are valued. That’s what will sustain this work and carry it through challenging times.

NationSwell: What role do you see NationSwell playing at this moment? Why did you choose to get involved?

Rose Kirk: What I love about NationSwell is that it’s not just about the network — it’s about the insights, perspectives, and willingness to tackle complex issues in ways that lead to real solutions. The thoughtfulness in how rooms are curated, and how members themselves are empowered to curate, creates a true give-and-take that sets NationSwell apart. Unlike other organizations where events feel one-directional, NationSwell is a genuine two-way street.

What also stands out is the culture of sincerity. When leadership asks, “How can I help?” it isn’t just talk — they take action. Too often organizations want more from their members than they’re willing to give back, but NationSwell operates differently. As a Strategic Advisor, I take that seriously and strive to represent the brand with the same spirit of generosity and authenticity that defines its leadership and community.

NationSwell: In your experience, what’s one underrated lever for advancing social or environmental progress from inside an organization?

Rose Kirk: One of the biggest levers many practitioners overlook is building relationships with the board of directors and the board’s committee chair for ESG.  Presenting to the board is valuable, but the real opportunity lies in connecting with those leaders directly. Board members are often senior executives at other corporations, serve on multiple boards, and bring a wealth of insight into where the company is headed and what it needs. Developing those relationships helps hard-code this work into the company in a more integrated way. Many ESG leaders don’t utilize this connection. 

At Verizon, I was fortunate to have the CEO’s support, the reputation, and the relationships that allowed me to engage meaningfully with the board and several of its members.

NationSwell: What’s one book, podcast, ritual, or person that’s fueling you lately?

Rose Kirk: I’m definitely a consumer of The Daily — I appreciate how they break down the news and give you a broader sense of the “why.” I also love Michelle Obama’s podcast, and how she shows up with such generosity — constantly sharing wisdom, being vulnerable, and giving back when she doesn’t have to. Her podcast with her brother is such a powerful example of sibling relationships and how to navigate grief. After losing their mom, the way they lean on each other — the only two people who shared that lifelong bond with her — is both moving and joyful. They manage to be insightful, vulnerable, and fun at the same time, which always makes me want to text my own siblings little love notes.

What I especially value is that it isn’t political — it’s just real conversations about life. And I think that matters: stepping away from politics to simply connect with the humanity and joy in someone else’s journey.