At a moment of inequality and division, who is advancing the vanguard of economic and social progress to bolster under-served communities? Whose work is fostering the inclusive growth that ensures every individual thrives? Who will set the ambitious standards that mobilize whole industries, challenging their peers to reach new altitudes of social impact? 

In 2025, Impact Next — an editorial flagship series from NationSwell — will spotlight the standard-bearing corporate social responsibility and impact leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, and philanthropists whose catalytic work has the potential to shape the landscape of progress amid urgent need for social and economic action.

For this installment, NationSwell interviewed Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer at Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Nick Cericola, VP of Insights, NationSwell: What brought you to the field that you’re in right now? Was there a moment, a relationship, or an experience that galvanized your commitment to driving bold action?

Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: I’m the youngest of seven Schwab boys — no sisters, but now six sisters-in-law. We were a tight-knit family growing up, and service was something that was always emphasized. One day my dad, who had spent 40 years working at Kodak, called a family meeting to announce through tears that he was retiring. He told us: “Do work that’s meaningful to you. I stayed too long and ended up doing something that I really didn’t enjoy, and in my next phase I’m going to do work that’s going to impact lives and make people and our country better.

I knew that I really wanted to translate that lesson from my father, so I studied political science in college with a focus on public service and advocacy for disadvantaged communities. This led to a career in civic, government, and especially nonprofit work — connecting the unconnected, leveling the playing field, and supporting our nation’s most vulnerable.

A pivotal moment came when I was invited to meet Bob and Elizabeth Dole. They were two of America’s most prolific public servants who were witnessing firsthand how unprepared our country was to support military and veteran families facing life-changing injuries. During our first meeting, I asked if they wanted to be the solution, to be the catalyst that could equalize the playing field for these families, and when they said yes, I was all in. Since then, I’ve been dedicated to connecting the most unconnected military families with the resources they need. It’s been an incredible journey.

Cericola, NationSwell: Of the socially motivated leaders you consider your peers, could you name 2-3 whose work inspired you and whom you hold in high esteem?

Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: First, Dr. Myechia Minter Jordan, the new CEO of AARP, is an Ivy League-trained physician who chose to focus her career on community health and leveling the playing field for disadvantaged groups. She now leads the world’s largest nonprofit membership organization, connecting millions of older Americans to vital resources, healthcare, and caregiver support. Her commitment to economic mobility and health equity is inspiring, and I’m excited to work with her.

Next is General Walter Piatt, CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project — the largest post-9/11 veteran-serving organization. After nearly 40 years in the military, he could have retired comfortably, but instead, he chose to lead an organization with a nearly $900 million annual budget. Remarkably, Wounded Warrior Project partners with groups like ours, funding specialized work for military kids and caregivers — an unusually collaborative approach in the nonprofit world that has greatly expanded our impact.

Finally, Sonya Medina Williams, CEO of the Reach Resilience Foundation, has a remarkable background, including service at the White House and leadership of the AT&T Corporate Foundation. Now, she’s leading a nearly half-billion dollar foundation investing in economic opportunity and resilience for vulnerable communities, including veterans and disaster survivors. She’s a truly dynamic leader.

Cericola, NationSwell: What is unique or differentiated about the approach that you’re taking at the Foundation? Can you walk us through what excites you most about the work that you’re leading?

Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: What excites me most about this work is realizing how caregiving touches nearly every American family. At conferences, I often ask how many people are caregivers — about a third raise their hands. When I ask who expects to be a caregiver someday, most of the rest do. Yet caregiving remains one of the most unrecognized, underprepared, and under-resourced issues in our country.

A recent study from The RAND Corporation found that 100 million Americans — one-third of the nation — are caregivers. The study highlights major gaps in mental and emotional health, economic mobility, and strained relationships, while our healthcare system is not equipped to support these families. Within this group, 14.5 million care for military or veteran service members and face even greater challenges. Many live at or below the poverty line, struggle with food insecurity and high stress, lack adequate medical coverage, and spend thousands out of pocket each year just to care for loved ones.

Research from RAND, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the American Medical Association shows that strong, supported caregivers are essential to the health and recovery of those they care for. Investing in caregiver support saves the healthcare system billions and improves lives. With new legislation like the Elizabeth Dole Act and growing support, we’re making progress, but there’s still much more to do.

Cericola, NationSwell: Is there a particular program, signature initiative, or some facet of the work that you would like to spotlight for us that is driving outcomes for the work?

Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: The first initiative I want to mention is our Hidden Helpers Coalition. Right now, 5.5 million children across the country — some as young as four — are serving as primary or secondary caregivers for parents or siblings. Their childhoods are shaped by caregiving responsibilities that take priority over typical activities like sleepovers, sports, or just being a kid. One eight-year-old told me she gauges her day by asking her dad how the “weather” is — if it’s “stormy,” she knows he’s struggling and needs extra support. When I was eight, my biggest concern was which playground to visit.

This is the new American reality, especially in military and veteran families. These kids are often from families with a strong tradition of service — the number one recruitment source for the military, which is facing declining numbers. The strain on these families is not just economic; it’s a national security issue. That’s why we’ve built a coalition of over 100 organizations to provide peer support, mental health resources, and educational interventions for these children. Connecting with others in similar situations is life-changing for them.

The second initiative I’ll mention is our economic mobility program, the Bob and Dolores Hope Fund for Critical Assistance. This program supports military and veteran families at or below the poverty line. We provide direct financial grants, then help families access training, education, credit counseling, and bank accounts — stabilizing them and setting them on a path toward financial independence. Thanks to this support, families are gaining the skills and resources they need to thrive, not just survive.

Cericola, NationSwell: What’s defining the current social and economic environment that we’re in — what are the trends that you’re currently seeing, and what’s giving you hope?

Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: What defines this moment is fusion — of complexity, misinformation, divisiveness, happiness, and uncertainty. It’s a lot. People are feeling anxious about the health and economic stability of the American family. Earlier, the focus was on jobs and opportunity; now, that concern has deepened.

What gives me hope is the resilience I see, especially among the military and veteran community. These are families often near the bottom of the economic ladder — many rely on social welfare while serving our country. That’s deeply troubling — it doesn’t feel American. And yet, these families remain focused on their duty to serve and support one another. Their commitment inspires my team and me to do everything we can to fill the gaps public programs miss.

We’re especially focused on mental health. Suicide among veterans is shockingly high — 19 to 21 lives lost daily. Through our Face to Fight initiative, we’re working with 250 partners to tackle this crisis.

Only 7% of philanthropy in the U.S. goes to military and veteran causes. That number should be much higher, given how much we owe them. These families are strong and resilient — but they are suffering. That duality gives me both pause and purpose.

Cericola, NationSwell: Are there any resources you’d recommend — books, podcasts, Ted talks — that have influenced your thinking that might influence others as well?

Schwab, Elizabeth Dole Foundation: One resource I’d love to lift up is a favorite book of mine, The Go-Giver by Bob Burg, which was actually introduced to me by David Rockefeller early in my career in New York. The book’s core lessons — the laws of value and authenticity — have always resonated with me. The law of value reminds us that our worth is measured by the value we provide to others, not what we receive, and the law of authenticity stresses that our genuine self is the most valuable gift we can offer. I think about these principles constantly, especially as authenticity feels increasingly rare in public life today. I see these qualities in the community I serve, and they drive my own leadership.

Another resource I love is the Chief Influencer podcast, which features leaders in the cause world. I was lucky to be a guest, but I’ve learned the most from the lesser-known guests who embody value and authenticity. I often recommend it to my nieces and nephews as a guide for applying meaningful values in their own lives.

Finally, a daily practice that’s changed my life is yoga. I do it 3-4 times a week in the mornings, and it’s part of a physical strength-building practice that also strengthens my heart and mental health.