92 Chief impact officers

Chief impact officers

A new C-suite position is rising in popularity: the chief impact officer.

Corporate C-suites are adding chief impact officers (CIOs) to their boardrooms, with the role designed to showcase a brand’s community and societal impact.

A former Taco Bell employee himself, Lil Nas X was appointed as the fast-food chain’s first CIO in August 2021. The honorary position coincided with the artist’s “Montero” record release and supports Taco Bell’s scholarship program for young creatives. Lil Nas X has appeared in ad campaigns for Taco Bell’s breakfast menu and is “leveraging his deep-rooted history to create an impactful experience for all Taco Bell team members,” the brand states.

The Duke of Sussex started a new position in March 2021 as the CIO of Silicon Valley startup BetterUp. The coaching and mental health platform says that its missions to “unlock the potential in people everywhere necessitates innovation, impact and integrity.” The role includes strategizing product decisions and charitable contributions, and the duke advocates publicly for mental health.

Why it’s interesting Consumers have demanded more from brands in recent years, enforcing executive engagement and integrity. CIOs serve as a company’s public-facing leader, embracing charitable causes and ensuring brands are impacting communities and consumers in positive ways.