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Author: Pinterest

Our 2024 ESG Impact Report

Learn more about our commitment to being a force for good across our industry, communities and the planet.

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Our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) work features a renewed focus on strengthening our communities within Braze and beyond. By engaging thoughtfully with our employees, the communities to which our employees belong, and our global community, we continue to drive meaningful material impact around the world.

We are building high-leverage and scalable initiatives that amplify employee passions, invest in our communities, and accelerate science-based climate solutions.

Original article here
Author: Maria Villalba Gomez

As a proud member of the Pledge 1% movement, Braze has committed to contribute 1% of its outstanding equity (as of 2021) over ten years to uplift charitable organizations through the Braze for Social Impact Fund at Tides Foundation. This commitment reflects our deep dedication to amplifying employee passions, investing in our communities, and driving science-based climate solutions. That’s why, for the second consecutive year, our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have played a pivotal role in guiding our philanthropic endeavors. These ERGs, formed by employees with shared experiences, interests, or backgrounds, have been instrumental in directing a significant portion of our Social Impact Fund. By harnessing the collective expertise and enthusiasm of our diverse workforce, we ensure that our charitable contributions directly serve and resonate with the communities our employees care about.

In the second year of the Braze ERG Grant Program, our ten ERGs have allocated $300,000 in unrestricted grants to over 36 impactful nonprofits and charities worldwide since August 2023. These organizations, chosen by each ERG to reflect their values, address a broad spectrum of needs, from providing immediate support and essential services to advocating for systemic change. By supporting organizations that empower underrepresented and marginalized communities, our ERGs honor their shared experiences and interests, driving tangible and positive change across the global communities they passionately support.

“Pride@ Braze chose to support the Ali Forney Center, Galop, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, and 56 Dean Street because of their unwavering commitment to advocating for and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. These organizations are at the forefront of providing essential services, legal assistance, and healthcare to those in need, both domestically and internationally. Our inclusive choice reflects Pride@Braze’s dedication to global equality and resilience, embodying our shared values. By supporting these organizations, we aim to make a tangible impact and contribute to the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and well-being worldwide. It’s an honor to be able to contribute to these remarkable organizations as they continue to make a difference and positive impact within our communities.”
—Hannah Collins, Pride@Braze President

For a comprehensive list of this year’s grant recipients, please see below:

2024 ERG Grants

Asians@Braze:

• 
  

  Asian Mental Health Collective works to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.

  
  


• 
  

  Chinatown Health aims to improve access to quality health care for underserved Asian Americans and other vulnerable populations by supporting community-based health care services.

  
  


• 
  

  Japanese American National Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.

  
  


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  Stand with Asian Americans supports Asian American communities through organizing and empowerment efforts.

  
  

Black@Braze:

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  Black Girl Ventures Foundation aims to provide underrepresented woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity-building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.

  
  


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  National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) supports Black individuals, families, and communities in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBTQ+/SGL equity.

  
  


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  The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a call to action for major retailers and corporations to join in creating sustainable and supportive ecosystems for Black-owned businesses to succeed. They work with companies to comprehensively re-evaluate their organizational structures, ways of working, funding, and resourcing in order to implement meaningful change and create greater equity for Black businesses.

  
  


• 
  

  PRINCESS Foundation provides mentoring and empowerment programs for high school females in New Jersey. Their primary purpose is to address the unmet challenges faced by young women, guiding them toward success and empowerment.

  
  

Brown@Braze:

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  IKWRO provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls living in the UK who have experienced or are at risk of all forms of “honor” based abuse, including: Forced marriage, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, or domestic abuse by offering free advice, advocacy, and counseling services.

  
  


• 
  

  Udavum Karangal (Helping Hands) has the sole objective to serve people in need. The center provides individualized services including treatment, care, rehabilitation, and education.

  
  


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  Sewa International specializes in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Their development programs focus on family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education.

  
  

Elle@Braze:

• 
  

  Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

  
  


• 
  

  Girls Who Code works to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does through coding clubs, summer programs, and college and career programs.

  
  


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  Ipas works globally to advance reproductive justice by expanding access to abortion and contraception.

  
  


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  Seeds of Fortune is a scholars program and ed tech platform creating the next generation of financially empowered young women of color. They help them apply for college scholarships and teach career, financial, and management skills.

  
  


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  World Central Kitchen is first on the frontlines, providing meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and during prolonged humanitarian crises, such as the war in Ukraine.

  
  

Healthy Minds@Braze:

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  Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention movement that provides free and confidential helpline and webchat for those who need to talk, among many other community and campaign services.

  
  


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  Jaya Mental Health aims to equip healthcare professionals and local people with the resources needed to cope with mental illness in South Asia.

  
  


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  The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

  
  


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  To Write Love On Her Arms is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

  
  

Jews@Braze:

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  The Holocaust Educational Trust works to ensure that people from every background are educated about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today.

  
  


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  UJA-Federation of New York cares for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, responding to crises both close to home and far away, strengthening the local Jewish community, and building coalitions that promote inclusion.

  
  

Muslims@Braze:

• 
  

  Baitulmaal USA provides life-saving, life-sustaining, and life-enriching humanitarian aid to underserved populations around the world.

  
  


• 
  

  Global Deaf Muslim USA works to address the rights and needs of Deaf Muslims across the global ummah, increasing the access to Islamic information available in sign language.

  
  


• 
  

  Helping Hand for Relief and Development is a global humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human suffering in emergency and disaster situations around the world. In addition to emergency relief efforts in natural or man-made disasters, they also work on long-term relief and development programs.

  
  


• 
  

  Nisa Homes offers transitional homes for immigrant, refugee, non-status, and Muslim women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Nisa Homes envision a flourishing Muslim community in which help is available, shelter is attainable, and healing is possible.

  
  

Parents@Braze:

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  Children International seeks to ensure children around the world have access to healthcare, food, and shelter, as well as learning and child protection services when children need it most.

  
  


• 
  

  Hello Nurze is a platform where medically complex families can find in-home nursing care and nurses can find opportunities to work with families in need.

  
  


• 
  

  We All Code’s mission is to introduce a diverse group of children to the fun of coding by providing free educational resources and hands-on classes.

  
  


• 
  

  Every Mother Counts aims to achieve quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care for all by giving grants and working with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action.

  
  

Pride@Braze:

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  Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people in the UK who have experienced abuse and violence every year. They specialize in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honor-based abuse, forced marriage, so-called conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse.

  
  


• 
  

  The Ali Forney Center is committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people by protecting them from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently.

  
  


• 
  

  The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.

  
  


• 
  

  56 Dean Street is an expert sexual health clinic in London that focuses on the needs of the LGBTQI+ community.

  
  

SOMOS:

• 
  

  GreenLatinos is an active community of Latino leaders confronting national and local environmental issues in the Latino community.

  
  


• 
  

  Forever Changed International is dedicated to providing holistic care for vulnerable children. Through Dorie’s Promise Orphan Care Home in Guatemala City, they offer a nurturing environment where children receive comprehensive support from trained professionals in pediatrics, education, social work, and child care.

  
  


• 
  

  The Colibrí Center for Human Rights works to create a safe, humane, and effective process for families of missing migrants to find answers.

  
  

Philanthropic giving is just one facet of our comprehensive social impact strategy. Through the Braze for Social Impact Fund, we are deeply committed to driving meaningful change and creating a lasting positive impact on underrepresented and underserved communities. We take immense pride in the difference these grants will make in the lives of individuals and the broader communities we strive to uplift.

To learn more about Braze and our social impact efforts, check out our 2024 ESG Report coming soon in July 2024. Check out last year’s report here.

Abigail Matchett

VP, Data Strategy, Bounteous

Philadelphia, PA

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?

Empowering. Success in my role requires me to empower our clients through data and digital strategy and also to empower the people that I lead within a client and management context. For example, I know that I am successful when the teams I lead feel empowered to solve for challenges and obstacles within their reach, but that they also feel empowered to escalate when they need support.

When I lead with the intent to empower others, I find that people are more likely to stay engaged and work more creatively, thus also enjoying their roles and growing their influence within the company.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?

Absolutely. Social impact missions and plans are essential to transform our communities, meet consumer expectations, and retain best in class talent.

We live in a world where corporate leaders must consider the communities that they serve, identifying causes where time, talent, or funding can make an impact. Consumers have high expectations of the brands that they bring into their homes. We see more and more that consumers are choosing to shop and spend their time with companies that share in a positive mission, meaning that social impact is not just important for society but for brand equity.

Moreover, employees are also seeking to positively change their communities, and are choosing roles within companies that stand behind a meaningful social impact plan for a higher sense of purpose.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?

I feel that it is important to personally and professionally give back to the community. Bounteous translates to “generously given or giving; bountiful”, and we take this seriously.

Sometimes giving back means donating financially to causes we support (and, our company matches donations!) but other times it means being supporting employees to get out in the community with our time and skills (during work hours!). One such example near and dear to my heart is 412 Food rescue, a local to Pittsburgh food rescue service that solves for the disconnect of food waste and gives a surplus to those who need it. Our team engages regularly in food rescues through the app, which deliver fresh food to nonprofits who serve our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. And, we also contributed our time and expertise to enhance the app itself, donating our skills to help implement analytics and data tracking. We continue to partner with 412 Food Rescue and other companies that positively impact our communities.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I have a mentor who has always encouraged me to “be the leader of my own life”. This perspective has enabled me to strategically cultivate my path forward and work towards goals that matter to me.

Its been great advice because when you own your own choices, you shift away from a victim mindset (or feeling helpless) towards accountability and ultimately leadership. I highly encourage anyone who feels like their career has slipped out of their hands to consider crafting a thoughtful plan forward for how they can begin to lead their life, what they can control, and how they can start to shift their decision making towards leadership and accountability.

“Be the leader of my own life.”

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?

First and foremost, senior executives and leaders must align and agree that work equity is important. This culture shift has to start at the top and be led through example. But, more tactically, workplaces can provide wage transparency, establish flexible work arrangements, and provide more active training to managers and leaders for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For wage transparency, women still often are paid less than their male counterparts of equal education and qualification. Providing ranges for positions empowers all applicants and employees to self advocate, starting from the same footing. Additionally, women often bear the responsibility for childcare and other commitments that make a flexible work arrangement so important. And its important that they feel safe in taking these benefits, whether its work from home or flexible work hours, and that participating in flexible work arrangements won’t negatively impact their performance or earning potential.

And lastly, when managers are trained on diversity, equity, and inclusion appropriately, they can often more effectively support of women within the workplace.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Build your network. It takes time, but just like any investment, it pays off. The majority of my former colleagues and friends have found new career opportunities through their network, with recommendations or interviews scheduled outside of a typical application process.

But building a network doesn’t have to be all about new positions or roles outside of a company. Sometimes this may look like reaching out to someone you think highly of for mentorship or a weekly coffee, or staying in touch with a former colleague who you admired. But it may also be executing great work and ensuring that people remember your name so that when interesting projects are discussed, you become a top choice for participation or leadership.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?

I’m most looking forward to creating new consumer experiences and collaborating with our clients who see 2024 as the year to re-invent their digital footprint. I am always energized by working through strategies for transformation, really doubling down on the why behind the work and rolling up our sleeves to ensure we are working towards the most impactful and valuable outcomes. Lets go!

Original article here

Author: Patrick Goffin

At Airteam, we strive to make a positive impact, not just through the software products we create, but also through the partnerships we foster and the values we have committed ourselves to. Our decision to support the Environmental Defenders Office and join the Pledge 1% initiative is another way we are trying to uphold our vision of bringing about positive change.

Who are the Environmental Defenders Office?

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is an accredited community legal service dedicated to defending Australia’s wildlife, people, and places through the power of the law. 

EDO has a solid track record of taking landmark environmental cases to court and winning. 

One of their notable achievements is their work in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by ensuring that development projects comply with strict environmental regulations. They also provide vital legal support to Indigenous communities, helping to preserve their land and cultural heritage.

Who are Pledge 1%?

Pledge 1% is a global movement encouraging companies to pledge 1% of equity, profit, product, or employee time to a charity of their choice. Over 8,500 companies have joined the movement, contributing to various social and environmental causes.

Why we chose to support EDO

Supporting EDO aligns with our mission to drive positive change, as well as our core values as a business and a team:

• Do the right thing


• Build a strong team


• Focus on outcomes


• Strive for better

By supporting EDO, we feel we’re not only upholding our values but also contributing to the protection of Australia’s unique environment.

What does this mean for our clients?

We take pride in sharing this with our clients, because their decision to work with us is having a direct and meaningful impact on our environment. 

Choosing to partner with companies who are making a positive impact demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, is something we all strive for. 

Want to learn more?‍

We’d encourage everyone to learn more about EDO’s critical work and consider supporting their initiatives. You can make a donation here and join us in making a positive impact. Additionally, we encourage other businesses to join the Pledge 1% movement and commit to giving back.

Boladale Olagoke

Founder, Dalewears and Head Of Marketing, Shoptreo

Lagos Nigeria

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?

I will choose creativity. From a young age, I was drawn to the art of shoemaking. With a natural flair for design and a meticulous attention to detail, I poured my heart and soul into every pair of shoes I have ever crafted.

But my creativity didn’t stop there. By day, I served as the Head of Marketing at Shoptreo, a renowned B2B fashion marketplace. I infused their campaigns with innovative ideas and bold concepts, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

At some point, faced with the challenge of launching a new line of shoes, I knew I had to do something extraordinary. Drawing inspiration from my passion for shoemaking and love for art, I devised a campaign that went on to captivate my audience.

From the humble beginnings of tinkering with shoe designs to leading groundbreaking marketing campaigns, my creativity has been the driving force behind my success. With endless zeal and a relentless pursuit of innovation, I knew I would continue to leave my mark on the world of shoemaking, one creative step at a time.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?

Yes, it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact. Prioritizing social impact is not only the right thing to do ethically but also makes good business sense by fostering long-term sustainability, attracting talent, mitigating risks, driving innovation, and enhancing reputation and brand value.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?

For me, giving back to the community is not just a gesture; it’s a core value that drives everything I do. Together with my team at Shoptreo, we’ve embarked on various initiatives aimed at making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

One of our proudest endeavors has been our shoe donation program to local orphanages. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they receive a new pair of shoes fills us with immense joy and reinforces our commitment to serving those in need.

Additionally, I spearheaded a “One Shoe Per Time” campaign, inspired by the belief that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference. Through this campaign, we encourage our customers to donate a pair of shoes with every purchase, amplifying the reach of our efforts and fostering a culture of giving within our community.

Beyond shoe donations, we’ve also allocated funds to support child foundations dedicated to nurturing the talents and aspirations of underprivileged children. Whether it’s providing access to education, mentorship programs, or extracurricular activities, we believe in empowering young minds to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.

For me, giving back to the community isn’t just about writing a check or ticking a box; it’s about actively engaging with those around us, leveraging our resources and influence to create positive change, and leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and empathy. It’s an integral part of who I am, both personally and professionally, and I’m grateful to have a team at Shoptreo who shares this commitment to making the world a better place, one step at a time.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve received on my journey is to always be resilient and intentional about my goals. Resilience has been my guiding principle, enabling me to weather storms and emerge stronger than before.

Remaining steadfast in the face of adversity, setbacks, and unexpected obstacles has taught me the importance of perseverance and determination. By staying focused on my goals and refusing to be deterred by temporary setbacks, I’ve been able to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and learning.

Moreover, being intentional about my goals has been instrumental in shaping my path forward. Rather than drifting aimlessly, I’ve learned to define clear objectives, develop actionable plans, and consistently take steps towards their realization. This deliberate approach has helped me stay aligned with my values, priorities, and aspirations, ensuring that every decision I make contributes to my overall vision for success.

“The best piece of advice I’ve received on my journey is to always be resilient and intentional about my goals.”

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?

To foster a workplace environment that is truly equitable and inclusive for women, we need to take proactive steps and implement meaningful initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some of the strategies we can adopt are:

1. Equal Pay and Benefits: Employers should ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work and have access to the same benefits and opportunities as their male counterparts. Conduct regular pay audits to identify and address any disparities this women might have.

2. Diverse Representation: We should also cultivate the habit to promote gender diversity at all levels of the organization, including leadership positions. Implement targeted recruitment and advancement programs to attract and retain talented women, and provide mentorship and sponsorship opportunities to support their career growth.

With this initiatives and more, I believe we can create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of gender, can thrive and succeed.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

For women embarking on their career journeys for the first time, it’s very important to equip them with the guidance and support they need to navigate the professional landscape with confidence and resilience. Women need to embrace authenticity, seek mentorship and sponsorship, never stop learning, speak up and advocate for themselves, build a strong support network, take risks and embrace failure, and champion diversity and inclusion.

With this tips, I believe women can embark on their career journeys with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose, and of course, paving the way for future success and fulfillment.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?

As I look forward to this year, I am incredibly excited about the opportunities to expand my shoe brand, Dalewears, and to further deepen my expertise in the fashion industry. My vision is to elevate Dalewears to become Africa’s biggest shoe brand, representing quality craftsmanship, innovative design, and a commitment to sustainability.

Expanding Dalewears presents a multifaceted journey that involves not only scaling production and distribution but also cultivating brand identity, fostering customer engagement, and forging strategic partnerships. I am eager to embark on this journey, fueled by a passion for shoemaking and a determination to make a meaningful impact in the fashion landscape.

In addition to growing Dalewears, I am also committed to deepening my expertise in the fashion industry. This entails immersing myself in the latest trends and technologies, honing my design skills, and expanding my knowledge of business strategies and market dynamics. I am excited about the prospect of pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation within the fashion industry and contributing to its vibrant evolution.

By pursuing these goals, I am not only investing in my own personal and professional growth but also contributing to the broader narrative of African entrepreneurship and creativity. I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and am committed to embracing them with enthusiasm, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Dr Polly McGee

Founder and Principal, Second Mountain

All over Tasmania

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?

All-purpose. Ok – its hyphenated and I am cheating as I describe myself as an all-purpose human being, which is a cheeky multi-dimensional concept. So often we credential to show our identity, expertise and capacity rather than showing our humanity.

I am strongly driven by purpose, as well as being an avid bread baker, so being an all-purpose human being can be broken down into someone who is being not doing, who is agile and adaptive, who is all purpose, and who is a common flour with great baking outcomes.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?

Absolutely. I have been part of Pledge 1% since the beginning as giving is one of the surest ways I know to feel connection and meaning. The act of giving is so powerful, and it is never a one way exchange, despite how transactional we are shaped to be in our working lives. There is material benefit to giving, but an equal or greater amount of intangible benefit in creating a culture that is steeped in caring, in sharing resources, in kindness and reciprocity.

This sends a powerful message about the priorities and values of a company which benefits the brand, its retention and the psychological safety and courage of its people.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?

100% hard yes. I do as much pro-bono work as I can. I prioritize working with leaders and organizations that have a large impact on their communities or sectors as this rippling of capacity then has significant multipliers that continue their reach far beyond me.

I largely donate my time for free, but I do also give actual cash where needed. My prop bono projects include leadership programs where I donate all my time per cohort, keynotes and workshops. I also have a little side hustle called Compassionate Grounds that sells coffee parachutes that are delicious and also 100% biodegradable packaging. The profits from this funds free trauma therapy for people who need clinical sessions with me but can’t afford it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Be a student first and a master second, the teachers job is not to lead you to them, but to lead you to yourself.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?

As a non-binary identifying person, inclusion is a daily lived experience for me, and I know how important it is for safety and belonging.

The people who hold the power need to move beyond simply knowing about inclusion, to really seeking to understand what it is to have to fight for a voice and identity in the smallest ways every day. Put in gender neutral toilets. Be a fierce ally and advocate to your people, understand that sometimes you really have to disrupt to change complacency and habit in cultures.

Get uncomfortable and ask all the questions then make the changes that are suggested, see if there is movement in your inclusion metrics, and keep evolving and innovating. The more diversity, the higher the innovation: when people are not locked in daily survival they are much more creative.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Resist the temptation to adapt strategies of compliance and misalignment with your values and authenticity to get ahead. Understand what your optimum life including work feels (not thinks) life and pursue that with purpose and determination.

Be open to the unknown and the unplanned, as long as you are authentic, compassionate and curious to the world, your path will find you.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?

I’m looking forward to challenging and disrupting myself, sitting deeper in discomfort to grow my inner life so I can keep pushing to the edge of how we see leaders and leadership, continuing to integrate self and neurobiology. I am looking forward to student my pizza dough projects to the next level, making lots of time to not work hard and not falling of my new motorbike.

“Be a student first and a master second, the teachers job is not to lead you to them, but to lead you to yourself.”

Original article here

Author: Simon Thomsen

The three billionaire cofounders of Canva donated $39 million to the foundation in their company’s name over 18 months, with most of that money already given away.

Husband and wife Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, set up the Canva Foundation with cofounder Cameron Adams in May 2020.

 A month later, the privately-owned design giant Canva doubled in value to $8.7 billion following an $87 million raise. The company is now worth $39 billion and Perkins and Obrecht are among Australia’s top 10 richest people with an estimated $11 billion to their joint names thanks to their 30% stake in the business. Adams has an estimated worth of $3.3 billion.

The duo pledged to give 80% of their fortune away to the Canva Foundation for charitable causes in 2021 and have been busy living up to their word.

Filings lodged with the government regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), this week revealed the trio poured $38.896 million in cash into the Canva Foundation between July 2022 and December 2023, topped up $607,416 in donations in kind.

That figure’s a substantial jump on $14.894 million donated in the 2022 financial year (the Foundation has moved to calendar year reporting with its latest filing).

What’s even more remarkable about that is that while Australia has around 150 billionaires, including the Atlassian and Afterpay cofounders, but Obrecht, 38, Perkins, 37, and Adams, 44, are the nation’s second most generous philanthropists behind Andrew Forrest and his former wife, Nicole, who gave away $224.9 million of their fortune via their own charitable fund, Minderoo.

Melbourne packaging billionaire Anthony Pratt and his family, were just behind the Canva trio in their generosity.

The Canva Foundation certainly provides bang for its bucks, costing $641,677 to run over the 18 months and giving away $31.639 million over that time.

The vast bulk of that funding, $31.266 went offshore, alongside grants and donations worth $372,478 made in Australia.

We continue to scale our support for local communities in the form of local projects and volunteering,” the Canva Foundation report says.

“During this reporting period, the Canva Foundation provided more than $164,000 to nonprofit partners to support their local goals and amplify their impact. As part of our local efforts, this year also marked the launch of a pilot Community Project in the form of a $110,000 donation to Orange Sky Laundry to create a safe, personalised, and welcoming environment for those experiencing homelessness across Sydney, Australia.”

Perkins laid out their philanthropic ambitions clearly three years ago as part of Canva’s elegantly simple  “Two-Step plan: Step 1: ‘Become one of the most valuable companies in the world’; and Step 2: ‘Do the most good we can’.”

“”It has never felt like our money, we’ve always felt that we’re purely custodians of it. As we’ve previously shared, it’s long been our intention to give the wealth away, and we’ve been thinking long and hard about the best way to start that journey,” Perkins wrote in 2021.

“We wanted to ensure that everyone who is contributing to Canva’s success in Step 1 is able to feel pride in their contribution to Step 2.”

Perkins said Step 1 should fuel Step 2, and in turn Step 2 should fuel Step 1.

“As Canva’s value grows, so too does our ability to have a positive impact on the world. And as we have a positive impact on the world, we believe that Canva will grow too by being able to attract and motivate the best team and our community who care about having a positive impact on the world too,” she said.

“We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill, and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems, and we want to spend our lifetime working towards that. We see the best way to do that is to continue to work towards both Step 1 and 2 Step of our plan: to scale Canva into one of the biggest companies in the world and build an organisation that at its core is focused on being a force for good.”

Paula Gómez Anaya

Global Data/AdTech Director, Making Science

Madrid, Spain

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?

Constant and entrepreneurial person. I love to set goals and not stop until I achieve them. I’m very insistent and I love to go beyond and create business.

Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?

Of course it’s important, how you communicate and what people receive is key for companies to do things properly.

Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?

I contribute to society through accessibility, education, research, creativity, and responsible development. As I learn and grow, I strive to further my positive impact through language.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

That consistency is the key to success. You can know a lot but if you are not persistent with things you are not going to get anywhere. That is the key to professional success.

This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?

Address the gender pay gap, offer family-friendly policies, and provide equal opportunities for development.

What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?

Pursue your dream and as I said before be consistent in everything you do because that is the key to success. Overcoming challenges and believing in one’s true potential is fundamental.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?

On a professional level, to grow the countries in the areas of data and tech and to continue overcoming new individual and team challenges.

“That consistency is the key to success.”

Original article here

Author: Zuora

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – June 17, 2024 – Zuora, Inc. (NYSE: ZUO), a leading monetization suite for modern business, today launched its fiscal year (FY) 2024 Global Impact Report.

The report emphasizes Zuora’s commitment to operating as a responsible, ethical, inclusive and sustainable company, with details on how it is progressing its global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals and programs.

Highlights from Zuora’s FY 2024 Global Impact Report include:

• Committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with both near- and long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, the first step to achieving a net-zero target


• Reached 100% renewable energy for Zuora’s global real estate footprint for the second consecutive year


• Increased diversity of Zuora leadership year-over-year


• Upheld Zuora’s pledge 1% commitment through $764,000 in corporate grants and employee donations


• Continued community involvement: 88% of Zuora employees gave back to their communities through volunteering and giving programs


• Established a Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Committee to review progress and address potential gaps in policy

“Modern business is rooted in recurring relationships, and that means putting people first instead of products,” said Tien Tzuo, Founder and CEO at Zuora. “Subscribing to this philosophy guides the business models Zuora powers and how we approach ESG to create a more equitable, accessible and sustainable world for our customers, employees, shareholders and the community around us.”

Zuora’s FY 2024 Global Impact Report is prepared in accordance with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework and is informed by the Global Reporting Initiative Standards (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

To access the full report, visit here.

About Zuora, Inc.
Zuora provides a leading monetization suite to build, run and grow a modern business through a dynamic mix of usage-based models, subscription bundles and everything in between. From pricing and packaging, to billing, payments and revenue accounting, Zuora’s flexible, modular software platform is designed to help companies evolve monetization strategies with customer demand. More than 1,000 customers around the world, including BMC Software, Box, Caterpillar, General Motors, Penske Media Corporation, Schneider Electric and Zoom use Zuora’s leading combination of technology and expertise to turn recurring relationships and recurring revenue into recurring growth. Zuora is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. To learn more, please visit zuora.com.

© 2024 Zuora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Third party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora, Inc. or any aspect of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements
The report does not cover all information about our business. References in the report to information should not be construed as a characterization regarding the materiality of such information to our financial results or for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws or any other laws or requirements. The information covered by the report and this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our ESG goals, commitments, and strategies and related business impacts. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and assumptions based on information available to management as of the date of the report, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, some which relate to matters beyond our control, including, among others, assumptions not being realized; failure to meet stated ESG goals or commitments and execute our strategies in the time frame expected or at all; socio-demographic and economic trends; evolving sustainability strategies; unexpected delays, difficulties and expenses in executing our ESG goals or commitments; the pace, cost and effectiveness of technological innovations; our ability to gather and verify data regarding impacts; the compliance of various third parties with our policies and procedures, or their commitments to us; our expansion into new products, services, technologies, and geographic regions; climate-related conditions and weather events; evolving state, federal or international legislative and regulatory changes or legal standards; and other unforeseen events or conditions.

More information on risks, uncertainties, and other potential factors that could affect our business and performance is included in our filings with the SEC, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates. Numbers and percentages used in the report are estimates or approximations and have not been assured or verified by an independent third party unless otherwise noted. Moreover, many of the assumptions, standards, metrics and measurements used in preparing the report continue to evolve and are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation but should not be considered guarantees. Given the inherent uncertainty of the estimates, assumptions and timelines contained in this report, we may not be able to anticipate whether or the degree to which we will be able to meet our plans, targets or goals in advance.