ACCP Staff
ACCP is proud to celebrate Danielle Nickerson, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Toyota Material Handling, as the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Purpose Award.
This award honors emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication, creativity, and impact in advancing corporate social responsibility within their organizations and communities.
Danielle’s journey embodies what it means to lead with purpose. From her early career as an educator and social worker to her current role shaping Toyota Material Handling’s CSR and DEI efforts across North America, she has built a career centered on connection, compassion, and meaningful community impact. Under her leadership, volunteerism and employee engagement have grown exponentially—transforming Toyota’s approach to service and strengthening its culture of purpose.
In this Q&A, Danielle shares her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and what fuels her continued commitment to creating lasting, people-centered impact.
Finding Purpose in Every Chapter
Tell us a little about your path to corporate social impact and your current position at Toyota Material Handling.
Like many in CSR, my path wasn’t a straight line. I began as an elementary school teacher, where I learned patience, empathy, and the power of connection—but I soon realized I wanted to make an even broader impact. That led me into social work, where I supported families involved with the Department of Child Services and worked with teens in juvenile probation. Those experiences taught me the importance of compassion, active listening, and meeting people where they are.
When I joined Toyota Material Handling, I started in Human Resources, where the company already offered paid community service time. With my nonprofit background, I saw an opportunity to expand our impact—not just through volunteering, but through deeper, more intentional partnerships. I began advocating for new opportunities, tracking participation, and collecting stories about our community work.
“Those early efforts created momentum. Associates, partners, and even job candidates began recognizing the impact of our programs, which helped make the case for a dedicated CSR role.”
In 2023, I was honored to step into that position as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.
Today, I lead our volunteerism, philanthropic giving, and DEI efforts across North America. Since 2018, our associates have gone from logging fewer than 800 volunteer hours per year to more than 12,500—representing over a million dollars in community impact. But the real success is in the stories, the relationships, and the shared sense of purpose that come from serving together.
Connecting People and Purpose
What strategy has helped you create an outsized impact in your role?
It all starts with relationships—inside and outside the organization. The most meaningful impact happens when we take time to listen. Whether it’s a nonprofit leader sharing their biggest challenge or an associate expressing what fuels their passion, I see my role as a connector—linking people’s skills and interests with causes that matter. That’s where purpose and impact meet.
Creativity plays a big role too. I’m fortunate to work with an executive leadership team that truly values CSR and sees its potential—for our associates, our communities, and even future talent. Their support gives us the freedom to think differently and innovate.
“At its core, my approach is simple: build relationships, listen deeply, and use creativity to connect people and purpose.”
We’ve integrated volunteerism into new-hire orientation, created company-wide service events, and partnered with nonprofits to remove barriers to their success. These initiatives strengthen both our culture and our communities—proving that when people are given meaningful ways to contribute, everyone benefits.
The Hard Work Behind Doing Good
What do you wish those outside the field understood about CSR?
I wish more people understood that while CSR work is deeply fulfilling, it’s not always easy. From the outside, it can look like planning fun volunteer events or celebrating community partnerships—and while those moments are wonderful, behind every success are hours of planning, coordination, and emotional investment.
There are days filled with logistics, competing priorities, and problem-solving on the fly. It can be tiring, and there are moments when the weight of the work feels heavy. People often say, “Your job must be so fun!”—and it is—but they don’t always see the complexity and dedication behind the scenes.
“CSR is about doing good, yes, but it’s also about doing the hard work behind the good. And that’s what makes it meaningful.”
Even so, I wouldn’t trade this work for anything. The joy of seeing associates light up while serving, watching community partners achieve something new, or knowing that a small act made a real difference—that’s what keeps me going.
Advice for Emerging CSR Professionals
What advice would you give someone new to CSR or considering entering the field?
Be in it for the right reasons. CSR is deeply meaningful, but it’s not about recognition or being in the spotlight—it’s about service. It requires humility, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others.
You have to be comfortable being behind the scenes, knowing your impact often shines through others. The “magic” of CSR—those inspiring stories and powerful outcomes—usually comes from long hours and quiet persistence.
“The greatest joy comes from connecting people, removing barriers, and creating opportunities for others to thrive.”
To succeed in this work, you need a servant mindset. When your motivation is rooted in service—not self—the impact you create becomes authentic, lasting, and far-reaching.
A Few Fun Reflections
What’s a favorite quote or saying?
One that I come back to often is attributed to John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
It’s a beautiful reminder that doing good doesn’t have to be grand or perfect—it just has to be consistent and wholehearted.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Empathetic, purposeful, and authentic. Empathy guides every chapter of my career, purpose keeps me grounded in the “why,” and authenticity allows me to lead with honesty and heart.
Share one person you admire and why.
While I deeply admire many historical leaders, the person who inspires me most is my 16-year-old daughter, Bella. She doesn’t just notice challenges—she looks for ways to be part of the solution.
Bella has become a voice for youth in our community, engaging her peers and leading with empathy. Watching her find her own path in community impact—because it’s who she is, not just what she’s seen—fills me with hope. She reminds me that leadership isn’t defined by age or experience, but by the willingness to act when you see a need.
Danielle Nickerson’s story is a powerful reminder that purpose-driven leadership begins with empathy, authenticity, and a willingness to take the first step. Her ability to translate compassion into action—connecting people, purpose, and community—captures the essence of what the Rising Star Purpose Award celebrates.
