Corporate Champions for Education Are Bound for Colombia

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2019 /3BL Media/ – The Corporate Champions for Education are headed for Colombia. SAP, WE Communications, and Niagara Bottling have joined forces to send their employees into the field as pro bono consultants to strengthen organizations whose mission it is to improve educational outcomes and open opportunities for more sustainable livelihoods—and lives.  

With implementing partner PYXERA Global, the four-week assignment will find professionals from around the world—and from radically different industries—working together to address specific challenges within select nonprofit organizations that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competencies, job-readiness, and/or workforce re-development. The first of its kind, the Colombia cohort in September will precede a team departing for Vietnam in February 2020. The program is backed by SAP and modeled on their Social Sabbatical program. There are openings for interested participants to join the Vietnam team in February. 

“At SAP, we are all about inclusion, and especially about opening opportunities in the modern economy. With the technology available, good jobs are no longer dependent upon where you live, but rather what you know—and what you can do—which is why at SAP we are committed to ‘Learning for Life.’ We want to help people become and stay relevant in the digital world—and we do this across the company. Our Social Sabbatical pro bono programs are an important way that we contribute to that, by building the strength of innovative organizations and enabling them to maximize their social impact around the world. But to really drive systemic change in education and workforce readiness, we know we cannot do it alone, which is why we partner with other companies and open up opportunities to their employees as well as our own,” said Alex van der Ploeg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. Since 2012, SAP has contributed nearly 15 million dollars of pro bono consulting and touched one million lives.  

Learning is the common thread, and it is not limited to the people and nonprofits who benefit from the experience and knowledge of the pro bono consultants. For the corporate employee participants, it’s the equivalent of a global leadership ‘boot camp,’ accelerating the development of the most important leadership competencies to manage in the world’s fastest growing markets. 

“At WE Communications, we’re dedicated to using our gift of communications to move people to positive action. We’re excited to continue our partnership for the third year with PYXERA Global, especially with the Corporate Champions for Education. Education is a strong cause for our employees because of its role in building strong and resilient societies around the world, where citizens can thrive. We’re committed to investing in transformative programs that give our employees unique and diverse opportunities to learn, experience the world and contribute their talent in impactful ways,” said Kate Richmond, Chief Talent Officer, WE Communications. 

A leader in the practice of Global Pro Bono, PYXERA Global recently released the 8th Global Pro Bono State of the Practice report. While the program outcomes of leadership development and employee engagement continue to be important aspects for participating companies, for the first time, the motivation to generate sustainable social impact has surpassed these as the top reason to invest in Global Pro Bono. 

“In our most recent study, we have seen a real change in how companies are reporting their priorities, as the workforce, investors, customers, and communities hold companies to higher social standards,” said Deirdre White, CEO of PYXERA Global. “Society is increasingly concerned about corporate behavior, with 86 percent of millennials, who represent the biggest global generation, believing financial performance should not be the sole measure of business success. Global Pro Bono programs are one alignment strategy companies are using to this end. These programs enable employees to embody their company’s purpose while building the capacity of nonprofit organizations that provide solutions to the most pressing problems in their communities. And it’s still a powerful and proven way to increase retention of top talent and overall employee fulfillment.” 

The Corporate Champions for Education has openings for companies of all sizes to participate in the next cohort traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from February 14–March 14, 2020. Companies must commit by September 30, 2019. For more information, visit https://www.pyxeraglobal.org/corpchampion/ or contact CorpChampion@PYXERAglobal.org. Download the 8th Global Pro Bono State of the Practice.

About PYXERA Global (@PYXERAGlobal) 

For nearly 30 years, PYXERA Global has leveraged the unique strengths of corporations, governments, and social sector organizations to solve complex problems, on the ground, and attain mutually beneficial goals. Initiatives include a wide range of services, from short term, immersive, skills-based volunteering to long-term integrated supply chain and community development efforts that transform lives and livelihoods, including the Corporate Champions for Education, a collaborative multi-company approach to Global Pro Bono. The PYXERA Global team is passionate and dedicated to navigating challenges and pinpointing purposeful global engagement opportunities for its clients and partners. 

For questions, please contact: 

Morgan Singer
Thought Leadership, PYXERA Global
msinger@pyxeraglobal.org
+1.202.830.0501