Maven Mule
Zagreb, Croatia
Number of employees: #14
Maven Mule is a Salesforce ISV and Consultancy partner with 10+ years of expertise on the market. They have committed to pledging their profit, product, and time towards helping the community.
When the world is as unstable as it is, humanity helps us stand on our feet. We can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can always influence the community around us, and that’s what we choose at Maven Mule.
Last year we started our Pledge 1% journey and we have been feeling empowered since then. All the profit, time, and product donations we make are related to matters close to our hearts because we believe that’s how true change starts.
We have sent money to the UNICEF Milky Way fundraising event and Children’s home Laduč to help children with special needs because some of us are parents ourselves and we know how precious and fragile a child’s life can be. Needless to say, children are our future, but we can help build it here and now.
We have supported government budget and non-profit organizations helping the families whose homes have been destroyed by the earthquake in Croatia because it could have been our home too.
We are also sponsoring a football league at one of Zagreb’s colleges because we just love football and we can’t do anything about it Speaking of which, a football fans association NGO Naš Hajduk, regularly receives our services with a big discount and gets our product, Maven Documents, free of charge.
Generally, we provide discounts to NGOs for all the products we have, because good intentions have to be rewarded.
Apart from profit donations, we love giving back to the Salesforce community with what we are doing best – building great products that help people be productive at whatever they are doing. Thus, we created a free set of tools for all the Salesforce Trailblazers out there – Maven Tools. More than 3000 daily active users boost their productivity with a help of it and we can’t be more proud.
We also make sure our expertise is not solely invested in products and services we offer but gets transferred to further generations (because remember, children are our future). Every year we mentor students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb to help them professionally develop, most of them end up being our employees by the time they finish their studies.
Here is a word from our CEO, Dragan Vujnović:
“We are excited to hold a Pledge 1% badge as a multiple pledger, as we’re dedicated to giving away our time, our product, and our profits. By sharing this badge, we’re further spreading the idea of giving back as well as aligning Maven Mule with Pledge 1% values of making the world a better place.”
We hope to inspire other small companies to start locally since the impact we can build for our community is limitless – it just takes one step at a time.
Their #1 tip or advice for companies?
Just take one step at a time and start local. Help does not necessarily need to be “big” or “global”, some help is better than no help at all.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Emily Reed
CEO & Co-Founder at HeyAdvisor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
CEO & Co-Founder. My responsibilities include business strategy, building partnerships, finding opportunities to create brand awareness and connecting with potential users.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is seeing how our product helps advisors in the industry and their younger clients. Whenever I see a piece of our content on an advisor’s webpage or social media I feel such a sense of pride. I love that our content is out there simplifying and de-mystifying financial topics. I also get to work with my sister every day. We have a strong entrepreneurial mother, so it’s rewarding to keep the tradition going.
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges, especially during these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
My family is what keeps me going every day. Being an example of a woman in power for my three children has been a big motivator. Everything I do is for them and their future.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Life is too short to not love what you do so find something you love to do and make it your career.
What does generosity mean to you?
To me, generosity means always thinking of others and giving back whenever you can. It’s so important to give back in any way possible whether it’s time, product or money.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
HeyAdvisor creates financial literacy content, and the ultimate goal is to help advisors get this information out to as many people as possible. Education around financial literacy is so important for the next generation of investors. It helps empower them to make good financial decisions and not be overwhelmed by all the products and services out there. As our business grows we are excited to be looking at more opportunities to leverage our content and get it into the hands of the young adults that need it.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Determined – I am someone who will explore every avenue and never give up.
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am excited that we have started getting traction in the industry and I am looking forward to seeing how we will grow this year. We have some exciting partnerships coming up with some like-minded businesses that I am excited to work with.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Starting my own business has been one of the most challenging but exciting times in my life. Having a community and support is so important. I encourage anyone who would like to reach out, to get in touch.
Watch this video of our Chief Executive, Amy Lesnick, live on-stage at this year’s Web Summit! Amy is joined by David Cohen, Founder & Chairman of the Board of TechStars, to talk about how companies can use the Pledge 1% framework to turn equity into social impact.
Watch and share with your teams!
Originally posted on einnews.com
Qyral Partners with Pledge 1% to Empower Women
Qyral, the popular breakthrough skin care line, has partnered with Pledge 1%, giving 1% of profit from each sale to a charity that focuses on women’s issues. The partnership is an ideal fit as Qyral’s mission provides a pathway for women to change their skin, their incomes, and their lives for the better. Empowering women is a vital focus.
“Socioeconomic factors in the United States prevent women who lack resources from participating and progressing in the workforce,” says Hanieh Sigari, Qyral’s founder, a biochemist and anti-aging industry disruptor.
“True empowerment requires funding, and the funding dedicated to addressing this problem does not match the need. Currently, only 1.2% of philanthropic giving goes to women’s issues. On top of that, government funding for women is variable and fails to address their most basic needs.”
It’s one reason why Qyral is walking-the-walk and doing their part to not just talk about it, but do something. Sigari says, “Investing in women benefits all humanity. Our idea is to give back to nonprofits that support women’s issues, enabling more of them to reach economic independence.
“We wanted to embed this mission into the core of Qyral, right from the beginning. That’s why we have partnered with Pledge 1%, where 1% of the profit from each sale will go towards women’s issues.”
She adds that Pledge 1%, is not an individual charity, but a global movement that aims to inspire, educate, and empower every entrepreneur, company, and employee, by providing companies the tools and framework necessary to be a force for good.
Sigari points out that “Pledge 1% member companies are in total control of their programs and decide the causes and nonprofits they want to support based on their company’s interests.”
Originally published on hellomagazine.com
Prince Harry has inspired the world with his kind acts this year – particularly in getting people to open up and talk about their mental health.
The Duke of Sussex has always followed in the kind footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana. His tireless campaigning to encourage people to get tested for HIV following on from his mother’s work to remove the stigma surrounding the virus has been inspiring to watch, and his decision to co-founded charity Sentebale with his friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children and adolescents struggling to come to terms with their HIV status is just one example of his commitment.
More recently the Prince has also been on a mission to help people seek the mental health support they need without fear of judgement. In his role as Chief Impact Officer for BetterUp, the inventor of virtual coaching, the Duke has talked bravely about his own experience with mental health and therapy, speaking to the hearts of many people across the globe. BetterUp is focused on coaching and what they call mental fitness.
Alexi Robichaux, BetterUp co-founder and CEO, told HELLO!: “Since joining BetterUp as Chief Impact Officer in 2021, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex has been an integral part of our mission to elevate the global conversation around mental fitness.
“He helped spearhead critical initiatives such as defining our commitments to social impact, the Pledge 1%, and the work we do with active duty service personnel, veterans and their families. His kindness, authenticity and leadership at BetterUp, as well as through other organisations, has inspired many to seek the support they need to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
“I’m grateful for the work he has done and feel energised by his vision and dedication to continuing to raise awareness for mental health.”
In a further act of kindness, the Prince will also donate some of the proceeds from the publication of his book Spare, due out in January, to children’s charity WellChild, of which he is a patron (a further donation will go to his charity Sentable). Recently, the Duke met with the young WellChild’s Award winners, surprising them with a wonderful zoom call after sadly having to miss their awards ceremony at the last minute, as it fell on the day his grandmother, the Queen, passed away.
WellChild’s chief executive Matt James told HELLO!: “We were delighted to hear the wonderful news of The Duke’s kind donation to WellChild. This will make a huge difference to the work that we do for seriously ill children and their families across the UK.
“The Duke has been Patron of WellChild since 2007 and has always taken great interest in our work. It is a particularly challenging time for the families we support, so this act of kindness has come just when we needed it most.”
Originally posted on Yahoo.com
Study.com’s Working Scholars® program has saved graduates $20m in tuition as student loan debt in the U.S. exceeds $1.7 trillion
Study.com, one of the most transformational companies in edtech, today announced the 2022 Working Scholars® graduating class. With over half of the graduates identifying as first-generation college students, this year’s graduation times with the National First-Generation College Celebration.
The Working Scholars program offers working adults the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree debt-free, at no-cost. With $20m saved collectively in tuition, the 2022 graduating class marks over 150 graduates since the program’s inception, underlining the importance of increasing opportunities and access for first-generation and underrepresented students in higher education. A recent Working Scholars graduate survey indicates that increased confidence and expanded career opportunities have been a significant impact of the program.
“Working Scholars has helped me tremendously. The program allowed me to balance work, school, and family life, all while avoiding financial hardship,” said Emeline Hernandez, a first-generation college student and member of the 2022 Working Scholars graduating class. “My business degree has given me the confidence to pursue career interests and advancement beyond what I thought was possible.”
Students in the Working Scholars program complete college credit-recommended courses on Study.com and then transfer the credits to complete their degree from Thomas Edison State University (TESU), a four-year accredited state university. Working Scholars students are supported with academic advisors, degree mapping, transfer assistance, and counseling from the program’s success coaches. The non-profit currently serves six communities throughout the Bay Area and Riverside County, focusing on underserved communities with low college degree attainment.
“Every year, I’m amazed by the accomplishments of the Working Scholars graduating class,” said Dana Bryson, SVP of Social Impact at Study.com. “The unique challenges and experiences each of these graduates faced to earn their degree is remarkable, and I am proud of every graduate who crossed the stage this week.”
The Working Scholars graduates were honored in a virtual ceremony on November 10th. Graduation speakers included Katherine Archuleta, former Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management, and Dr. Cynthia Baum, VP of Academic Affairs and Provost from TESU.
Originally posted on digitaljournal.com.
Accentable Services Joins the Pledge 1% Movement, Commits to Donating More Than 1% of Profit to Organizations Providing Humanitarian Assistance
Accentable Services made its first donations to the organizations Feeding America and Doctors Without Borders.
According to the Global Humanitarian Overview 2022 from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 1 out of 29 people worldwide require humanitarian assistance.
“Accentable Services doesn’t just believe in helping people to communicate every day,” said Sarah Rogers, Operations. “People are what our business is about. Our team believes in doing what we can to help both here in the United States and around the world. That’s why it was so important for us to join this initiative and contribute to organizations that are making a real difference for people.”
Accentable Services has joined Pledge 1%, a global movement that galvanizes companies of all sizes and stages to create a positive social impact through their business. They have united with over 17,000 companies that have already committed to pledge 1% of their product, profit, equity and/or staff time to nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations and/or charities of their choosing. “We are excited to make this commitment,” said Ms. Rogers.
Accentable Services encourages other companies, no matter where they’re located or what industry they’re in, to take the pledge too and leverage their business as a force for good.
Sauter
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Number of employees: #70
Sauter is a digital transformation partner specializing in Data, DevOps and Cloud services. Our mission is to enable companies for agile, assertive and cost-efficient digital processes. They have committed to pledging their Profit, Product, and Time towards helping the community.
Sauter contributes to society in many pillars . Here are 2 of our current fronts:
1) Sorriso do Futuro
Sorriso do Futuro is an NGO that helps needy children in a community on the outskirts of São Paulo. Sauter supports monthly with cash donations and promotes specific actions throughout the year. In December 2021, for example, we promoted a campaign in which employees were invited to make a cash donation and Sauter doubled the donation amount. We also offer children a lunch with Christmas items.
2) Sauter University
Sauter’s educational pillar that contributes to society by promoting education in the area of technology, free and online, giving preference to the participation of black, women and/or low-income people. The idea of the program is to train people for the job market. In the last edition of the program, in addition to training, we hired some women to work on the Sauter staff.
Their #1 tip or advice for companies?
Provide opportunities: for the community to evolve, for children to have a better future, for people to gain access to quality training to have the opportunity for personal and professional development. These are small actions, but always consistent.
Pledge 1%’s #WomenWhoLead series celebrates female leaders who are paving the way for the next generation. While our featured leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and industries, they are united in their efforts to promote equality for all women in the workplace. We’ve asked them to share a bit about their journey to success, as well as lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Jessica Bussert
Founder/CEO, Wave Therapeutics
Nashville, IN
What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.
As the founder my role includes a bit of everything. I was the original innovator of our technology and personally developed our first eight prototypes. Now, as we grow, I’m more focused on management and fundraising.
What’s the best part of your job? What do you enjoy the most?
I’m an old school hacker/maker! I really love doing the innovation work for our company. That said, because I’m so passionate about what we are doing I also make a great evangelist for Wave. It’s a lot of fun to tell our exciting story!
We’ve all faced personal and professional challenges these past two years – what motivates you to keep going?
I know that our technology has the very real opportunity to save lives. At the end of the day what could be a better motivator?
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Find joy in the “now”. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t promised to us. The only thing we really have is this very moment.
What does generosity mean to you?
I was blessed with some wonderful gifts and opportunities but at the end of the day that is all they are; gifts. It’s my obligation (and joy) to try and share those with my community and the world at large.
How do you feel businesses can play a larger role in solving today’s biggest challenges? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?
We live in a capitalist society. In a real way business is the only way to make change. At Wave Therapeutics, we’re focused on creating a better technology to prevent bedsores and then offering it at an affordable price that anyone can afford. I think our world would be a much better place if more companies pursued a fair and reasonable profit instead of gouging the market for all it is worth. Avarice never benefited anyone in the long run.
If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why?
Kind. Because it matters so deeply on a human level to simply be seen, and witnessed. We can be going Persistent! If you curl up and die after the first hurdle or bit of bad news you’ll never get anything done. Pick yourself up, wipe off the dust, and try again!
If you could pick a song to guide you through 2022, which song would it be?
“Perfect” by Pink. That, or “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill. It’s a bit of a toss-up!
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
Wave Therapeutics is just about to launch our first product and raise our Seed round of funding. I’m so excited about what we’re doing!