As a core business function, corporate social impact has to do more than “do good.” And with Gen Z representing the largest consumer base and fastest-growing segment of employees in the U.S., their expectations are redefining how companies build trust, attract talent, strengthen brand loyalty and drive growth. Yet, according to DoSomething Something Strategic’s recent survey What Gen Z Wants: Brands & Social Impact, only 12.5 percent of young people feel meaningfully included in shaping how companies set out to do good. What are companies missing and what becomes possible when young people move from audience to architect? 

In this dynamic session, the team at DoSomething Strategic (DSS) will share insights on how their work placing youth co-creation and deep listening at the center of companies’ impact initiatives, created highly effective customer and employee engagement opportunities that drove lasting business outcomes. Participants will gain a practical framework for embedding youth voice into strategy, understand what authentic engagement looks like in practice, and explore how youth co-creation can become a competitive advantage. Whether you're looking to energize employee engagement, deepen customer connections, or future-proof your social impact strategy, this session will challenge assumptions and equip you with tools to turn youth voice into business value. 

Tsihai Hanson is a values-driven strategist dedicated to advancing social change and the optimal conditions in which young people thrive. Her work at DSS supports partners in developing effective tools, messaging and methods to engage youth as essential stakeholders. Most recently, she led the recruitment and outreach strategy for C&S’s year-long fellowship to create a diverse pipeline of civic changemakers from every state in the U.S. 

Prior to DSS, Tsihai supported leaders across organizations like the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Community Education Building in developing authentic advocacy and engagement strategies and customized learning experiences that were data-informed and youth-centered. Through her impactful work leading program design and evaluation, strategic projects and communications, Tsihai has helped organizations like the Posse Foundation, Teach For America, Rutgers University, the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and Prudential, to consistently move the needle on youth leadership development and success. 

As Vice President of DoSomething Strategic, Max Steinman has led successful engagements with Hinge, Thrivent, Repair the World, The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students, The National Women’s History Museum, American Red Cross, and The NYC Youth Civic Engagement Coalition. He is passionate about the insight and value that emerges from giving young people the agency to influence how leading organizations address the issues most impacting Gen Z. 

Throughout his career, Max has consulted with mission-driven clients in the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors, creating breakthrough social impact strategies that move people to action and help drive organizational success. Highlights from his work include supporting Airbnb in catalyzing community for those engaging in the sharing economy and partnering with Intel to combat online harassment. Prior to joining DoSomething, Max served as Director of Campaigns with Exposure Labs, where he led education campaigns and community organizing efforts for their slate of Emmy award-winning documentary films Chasing Ice, Chasing Coral and The Social Dilemma. 

From Audience to Architects: Youth Engagement as an Essential Tool for Impact