Value every person and every experience. As 2021 continues to be one of the toughest years for humanity, this value statement at Medallia means more to us than ever.
Every year, we have a tradition at Medallia called Global Week of Giving, which is an entire week dedicated to giving back across our growing global footprint. As our teams grow all around the world, it’s empowering and gratifying to give back to the communities in which we live and work together — connecting with colleagues near and far, deepening our empathy muscles, and channeling our emotions into collective action.
For this year’s Global Week of Giving, our champions across the globe hosted 20+ events by partnering with 16 nonprofits impacting 20 countries. Over 620 Medallians engaged during GWG — through skill-based volunteering, donating, fundraising, and purpose challenges (day-to-day actions to promote sustainability and wellbeing). Their impact was vast — from providing feedback on resumes for LatinX tech professionals, to helping redesign donor surveys for a homeless shelter in the Bay Area, to doing mock interviews with high school students from minority ethnic backgrounds in East London.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our global champions. They exude what it means to live our values, and it’s my true pleasure to spotlight three leaders at Medallia who made Global Week of Giving so special.
Sophie Hossein, Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Communications and Brand Lead (United States)
Why is Global Week of Giving close to your heart?
The years 2020 & 2021 will undoubtedly go down in history as the worst years ever — at least to those of us living in it. Specifically, as an Afghan-American, the past couple months have been incredibly heavy for members of my community and Afghans across the globe experiencing collective grief. I remember a recent conversation I had with my boss, Lauren Jackman, where she shared that #GlobalWeekofGiving gave her a channel for her energy and emotions to cope with something personal she was experiencing. That’s EXACTLY what this week felt like helping with USAHello’s rapid response efforts and mobile app to support Afghan refugees. I’m grateful for the ability to bring my whole self to work.
How can people get further involved?
There are many ways people can get involved to support refugees from Afghanistan and resettling in the U.S. Please consider these options:
Raise Awareness:
Donate:
Vicky Ciabattini, Workplace Services Specialist (Argentina)
Why is Global Week of Giving close to your heart?
One of the things that I value most about Global Week of Giving is that we’re able to take action and support communities in many different ways. For some people, this means doing field volunteering, for others donating funds or goods, and for me, this means joining digital skill-based projects from anywhere in the world!
Skill-based projects give us the opportunity to help others by sharing our knowledge and abilities in specific areas that organizations may need in order to scale. For example, during this week I’ve shared my skills in graphic designing and video editing.
How can people get further involved?
There are tons of possibilities to get involved! I encourage people to reach out to any organization that they’re interested in and if you don’t have one in mind yet, you can start by thinking about which causes you feel most passionate about.
It is also important that you acknowledge what are the ways you’d be willing to contribute: Is it time? Is it pro bono work? Is it donations? Would you prefer a local nonprofit or are you open to remote opportunities? Would you prefer to do individual contributions or work inside a group of volunteers? These are all equally important ways of helping out and organizations need them all in order to build stronger foundations.
If you’re still unsure about where to start, you can also use nonprofit searchers. For those in Latin America, I recommend using Quiero Ayudar. Don’t be shy! Organizations are waiting for you.
Adeline Koh, Head of Marketing, APAC (Singapore)
Why is Global Week of Giving close to your heart?
My passion for kids led me to start sponsoring kids in Southeast Asia 14 years ago. In 2019, I had an unexpected opportunity to give back during a business trip several years ago with Giving it Back to Kids (GIBTK). During a five-day mission trip with the GIBTK team, I met passionate individuals who relentlessly supported a cause to impact the larger community and inspiring people who volunteered to ensure kids get education. It was a roller coaster of emotions, but uncovered a realisation that every chance is an opportunity, every small impact leads to a great cause, and everyone can make a difference — whenever, wherever.
2020 was a tough year for the world, and it made me realize that giving back has no boundaries and restrictions. Last year, I channelled my efforts with my former colleagues by teaching life skills and doing virtual world tours to the GIBTK community — so they can continue to be enriched when schools were closed. This year, I am thankful for Medallia’s Global Week of Giving, gathering Medallians globally to do good, create a social impact, and build community.
How can people get further involved?
Giving does not stop at Global Week of Giving — there are many wonderful things that the GIBTK team does, and here are some of their accomplishments in Danang, Vietnam:
- Funded 1,358 heart surgeries
- Funded 768 orthopedic surgeries
- Supported 92 teenage moms through university education and childcare
- Educated 4,000+ children with school education and life skills
- Distributed 175,908 wheelchairs to rural villages
GIBTK looks at the expertise of all volunteers to ensure the right skills at the right place.
Learn more about Medallia’s commitment to giving back and our social impact arm, Medallia.org.
