Social Impact & Volunteering

Sanofi In Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity

Oct 26, 2015 3:55 PM ET
Campaign: Sanofi Foundation for North America
Pictured left to right are: Jez Moulding, President of North America Pharmaceuticals at Sanofi; Jennifer Passerini (Camp Nejeda); Anne Gorman (Sanofi US); Linda Laustsen (Sanofi US); John Spinnato, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sanofi North America, and President, The Sanofi Foundation for North America; and Bill Vierbuchen (Camp Nejeda). Camp Nejada is a Stillwater, NJ-based summer camp for children and teens with type one diabetes. In addition to the planned $10,000 donation, an additional $10,000 was provided to the Camp as their organization’s name was randomly selected from among the names of the other non-profit recipients. This element provided an added surprise for the evening, as did various crafts — made by Sanofi US employees — which were also donated to the non-profits.

This post was authored by John Spinnato, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sanofi North America, and President, The Sanofi Foundation for North America. John shares perspective on a holistic approach to diverse, local Corporate Social Responsibility.

Stephen R. Covey, author of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, once wrote that “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” Here at Sanofi, diversity is a key element — center to strengthening our business, workforce and culture, as well as the environments in which our employees work and live. It is also essential to our philanthropic platform, interwoven in areas such as employee volunteerism and philanthropic donations.

This week, we held the first ever Sanofi in Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity (SOCCD) event at our Bridgewater, NJ headquarters. Led by the collaborative efforts of the Sanofi Foundation for North America, North America CSR, and Sanofi’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, SOCCD provided each of our nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) an opportunity to fund up-to-two non-profits. Each ERG selected a local organization, based upon their own unique initiative and demographic that their group of colleagues supports.

One example — our CancerConnect ERG – a group focused on helping employees cope with cancer and make informed decisions for themselves and loved ones – nominated the New Jersey chapter of the American Cancer Society. SOCCD contributed a total of $100,000 to fund 11 selected non-profits.

The first-time program was a memorable evening for all involved. For more about the event, and a full list of all ERGs and Somerset County organizations, click here: http://3blmedia.com/News/Sanofi-Drives-Diversity-While-Donating-100000-Critical-New-Jersey-Non-Profit-Organizations