Pathways to Purpose: Nicole Osborne

Early Years: Constant Change, Constant Curiosity

Where did you grow up? What is your family background?

“I come from a military family, so we moved around a lot—every two years until I was in eighth grade,” Nicole begins. Her father and grandfather served in the Air Force, her maternal grandfather in the Army, and the value of structure, service, and adaptability shaped every phase of her early life.

The family lived across the U.S.—Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Arizona, and back to Virginia. “My parents always chose neighborhoods based on school quality, and when that wasn’t available, they enrolled me in private schools—Catholic, Episcopalian. Education was always the priority.”

What’s an early memory that shaped how you see yourself as a learner or professional today?

Rather than a single moment, Nicole reflects on a theme: exploration. “I tried everything—ice skating, horseback riding, handbell choir, violin, flute, piano. My parents gave me the space to explore, and I discovered how much I love learning just for the sake of learning.”

It’s a theme that continues in her work today. “In operations, I might spend a few weeks immersed in finance, then pivot to AI strategy or internal systems. That early exposure to trying new things gave me the tools to learn deeply. Today, I use my inherent curiosity and love of learning on the Strategy & Operations team – to create internal guidance, facilitate training, listen for what’s working well across teams to elevate practices, and ultimately support the organization’s learning and impact model.

How did your upbringing influence your outlook on success?

Education and faith were non-negotiables in Nicole’s household. “My dad has a DBA, my mom and sister have master’s degrees. My grandmothers were educators. It wasn’t a question of whether I’d go to college, just where.”

That upbringing also gave her empathy for others in transition. “When you’re constantly the new kid, you know what it feels like to be on the outside. That’s why I care so much about making our internal culture explicit, so it’s clear how everyone can join in and add to it.”

Work-Based Learning: Testing, Building, Learning Again

What shaped your early career goals?

Nicole initially dreamed of becoming a journalist. “I applied to the Newhouse School at Syracuse for journalism, but I didn’t get in. I was accepted into the business school instead.”

A chance encounter redirected her path. “My dad met Professor Bill Coplin on campus and told me, ‘Take his class.’ He was the director of the Public Policy program, and that class changed everything.”

Coplin’s approach was both practical and refreshing. “He told us that college is a business. If you’re here, you want a job. So here are the ten skills employers want—writing, presentation, data analysis, collaboration. Learn them. Use them. Make money. Do good.”

That perspective stuck. “He made it okay to say you wanted financial security and impact. That was big for me.”

Did you have access to dual enrollment, AP, or early college experiences?

Nicole took a few International Baccalaureate courses in high school and joined two pre-college summer programs—one in journalism at the University of Florida and one in medicine at Georgetown. “That’s when I realized I didn’t want to be a dentist,” she laughs. “But it was still a great experience.”

Later, she enrolled in Syracuse’s Summer Start bridge program. “I got a head start with calculus and writing credits. At the time, I didn’t realize it was a strategy. I just wanted to graduate early and avoid student debt.”

Nicole also found mentorship through work-based learning. “I did internships during the school year and over summers. I worked at Syracuse Community Health, the Georgia Justice Project, and Hiscock Legal Aid Society. That hands-on exposure helped me test different industries and shaped my understanding of what I wanted—and didn’t want.”

Turning Points: From Data to Strategy

What challenges shaped your educational path?

Getting rejected from the Newhouse School of Journalism was a pivotal moment. “It felt like a setback, but it opened the door to business and then public policy. That turned out to be a better fit.”

After graduating, Nicole worked for KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, supporting district-wide assessment strategy. “We moved from paper-based tests to an online platform that gave real-time results. That experience lit a spark—it shifted me from data analysis to thinking about how technology can drive change.”

From there, she joined a company that built websites and apps for schools, which exposed her to sales, product development, and customer implementation. “That role made me want to go deeper. I enrolled in a graduate program in information management and data science. It all started to click from there.”

How did you grow from those experiences?

Nicole learned to reframe rejection and redirection. “Just because something doesn’t work out the way you thought, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I always tell people—try it. Even learning what you don’t like is valuable.”

From Systems to Strategy: The Path to ESG

How did you come to ESG?

Nicole joined ESG in 2020, just as she was finishing her graduate degree.

“I was drawn to the consulting work, but also the fact that ESG was in a growth phase. I love building systems—processes, feedback loops, culture. I saw an opportunity to build something meaningful from the inside.”

Why ESG? Why now?

Nicole was especially excited about ESG’s balance of purpose and performance.

“Impact matters here. We’re a business, but the WHY of the work drives us. That dual focus was—and still is—really motivating to me.”

What lived experiences do you bring to this work?

“As someone who has always had to adapt, I think a lot about how to make systems more welcoming and navigable—especially for new people. I’ve been ‘the new kid’ before. Now I help create the kind of culture where people feel like they belong.”

Current Work: Building Better from Within

What are you most proud of in your ESG work?

Nicole played a key role in building ESG’s organizational strategy, including its internal and external feedback systems.

“We created consistent feedback loops for staff and clients—annual surveys, benchmarks, and space for honest input. When staff said they were overwhelmed by project logistics, we brought in dedicated project managers. That’s the kind of change that makes a difference.”

How does this connect back to your earlier experiences?

“All of it. From constantly adjusting as a kid, to helping build tech platforms, to my love of learning—this role lets me keep learning and building while making the workplace better for others.”

Looking Ahead: Purpose in Progress

What do you hope to do in the future?

Nicole isn’t tied to a specific title—she’s focused on purpose.

“I identify as a believer, and for me, that means following my calling—wherever it leads. Right now, that’s helping people thrive at work and making sure our systems reflect our values. I love what I do, and I’m open to what’s next.”