Michael Polk, Implus CEO, Creates Ambitious Giveback Initiative

CEO of Implus Michael Polk has a reputation for thinking outside the box. It’s no surprise, given his upbringing as the son of first-generation Americans. He always saw his career as an opportunity to create the good life, not just for his family, but for his community. 

Grit and determination drove most of his leadership initiatives, which helped Polk transform companies like Kraft, Unilever, and Newell Brands — and his current company, Implus. Today, Implus is a thriving global entity with a portfolio of 15 brands across footwear accessories, home fitness, and more. “Our purpose is to inspire all people to live healthy, active lives,” Michael Polk says. “We do this through our leading portfolio of fitness and well-being brands, industry-leading new products, and our commitment to building our business in a way that serves all of our stakeholders.”

Implus’ new focus is on health and wellness, so it’s no wonder Michael Polk strongly supports community health. He details the company’s giveback initiative and its ripple effects in the community. 

Tackling Global Growth with a Purpose

Known for his innovative and disruptive approach, Michael Polk leverages his personal roots and commitment to underserved communities to create meaningful change. While growing Implus into an international powerhouse, Polk remained focused on supporting immigrant families and underserved populations, a value deeply tied to his own heritage.

However, he knew the brand could do more — even as it faced an ambitious turnaround plan that bolstered its growth. Realizing that Implus could do more to make a positive impact, Polk spearheaded the creation of the Implus Gives initiative in 2020 to strengthen the company’s focus on sustainability, diversity, and charitable giving.

A Vision for Giving Back: Michael Polk and Implus Gives

Implus Gives is an employee-driven initiative encompassing various giveback efforts. This arm of the business offers financial contributions, product donations, and volunteer work supporting the local community. 

With Michael Polk’s leadership, Implus Gives also emphasizes environmental, social, and governance activities. For example, the initiative’s sustainability program creatively repurposes waste materials and product samples, preventing this waste from ending up in landfills. By donating these materials to communities in need, Implus reduces environmental waste and provides essential resources to underserved populations throughout the United States.

Aside from financial contributions and sustainability, Polk leverages Implus Gives to promote healthy living. “We are particularly proud of our employee-led effort to build our newest brand, Implus Gives, a service and philanthropy platform focused on inspiring consumers in underserved communities to live healthy and active lives,” Implus CEO Michael Polk says. This commitment resonates deeply within the organization, with cross-functional teams regularly convening to identify new ways to expand their philanthropic impact.

Cultivating a Culture of Responsibility

Employee engagement and community support go hand in hand for Michael Polk’s latest venture, thanks to Implus Gives. By giving Implus Gives team members a voice in shaping the company’s efforts, the initiative has become more effective at reaching underrepresented organizations and minority-serving universities. The team’s efforts have made a tremendous impact in just four years, providing a great example of how corporate responsibility and community outreach can drive both social and business success. Through this initiative, Michael Polk and his team have shown that corporate responsibility, sustainability, and giving back can be integral to long-term success, creating a positive ripple effect for both businesses and the communities they serve.