Pro Bono for Economic Equity Archives | 51��News Center

Bringing Social Impact and Employee Development Together for Business Success

Megan Smith — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:15:00 +0000

Purpose is becoming an essential part of job satisfaction today. Almost of Gen Z and Millennials say this is the case. These generations are also likely to decline future career opportunities with employers that don’t align with their values.

As these cohorts collectively account for , it is imperative today that businesses integrate these insights into their retention strategies.

In 2021, 51��launched the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program, a collaborative effort with that supports historically under-resourced businesses and social enterprises across North America through employees participating as pro bono consultants, addressing systemic and critical strategic business challenges. Over these last three years, 51��employees have dedicated over 22,000 hours to providing pro bono consulting to more than 70 Black and Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada and the United States.

The Pro Bono for Economic Equity program is a testament to the value of integrating pro bono work into corporate development strategies. Ninety-five percent of participating business expressed confidence that the involvement in the program helped them feel more prepared to address future challenges for their organization. The exceptionally high Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 92 further underscores the program’s effectiveness and the participant satisfaction.

Anthony Wingham, co-founder of Nuez Acres, said that one of the most impressive aspects of the program was the openness and honesty from the beginning: “As an Indigenous person, I’m used to conversations about business that either come with a price tag or feel exploitative, where ideas might be taken without genuine support. However, from the start, the discussions were transparent and collaborative. We were able to share our unique strategies and delve into areas where we needed real support.” 

Marsha Guerrier, CEO and founder of HerSuiteSpot, shared about the impact of the participants and the work they did together on her business: “The people that are volunteering in these programs come with a level of expertise that when we’re so small we simply can’t afford. The team that 51��gave me to support my challenges and needs was dynamite. They really went all out for me. It felt good to meet with the team.”

The program doesn’t just benefit participant businesses, but also 51��employee participants.

Pro Bono as a Leadership Development Tool

“Pro bono work provides a platform to upskill employees and grow the company’s leaders,” said Katie Booth, head of North America Corporate Social Responsibility for SAP. “Employees report significant gains in critical areas like teamwork, intercultural sensitivity, and strategic planning, which are core competencies that drive business success in a globalized economy.” 

While this initiative forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, it also invests in employee development that pays dividends in human capital and business acumen. 

In fact, 98% of 51��employees involved in the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program have reported acquiring or refining essential skills.

Verena Lommatzsch, head of Technical Services for 51��Business Technology Platform at SAP, reflected that stepping out of her comfort zone and collaborating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds was incredibly enriching: “It sharpened my ability to navigate complex, multicultural business environments.” 

“On a personal level, the program prompted me to rethink my approach to new challenges, reminding me that success isn’t solely about maximizing profit,” she added. “Professionally, it was incredibly valuable as well. As a global leader, I am often distanced from day-to-day business activities. Being hands-on and working directly with two colleagues I hadn’t met before was a great opportunity to challenge myself and learn new skills. I also gained a new perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur, including using software to establish an online store and managing wholesale connections.” 

This intersection of personal growth and professional development is where the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program truly shines. Participants are not only building their own capabilities but are also contributing to the resilience and adaptability of the businesses they support.

51��employee Rahaf Assaleh shared that the program provided a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures and their unique business practices: “It taught me to think creatively and resourcefully with the limited resources that Indigenous business owners often have, helping me to explore innovative ways to achieve business goals and foster growth.” 

The program’s impact extends beyond individual development with 74% of participants reporting that their involvement has prompted them to engage more deeply with local, historically-marginalized communities. This increased engagement enriches employees’ lives and strengthens SAP’s commitment to breaking down unconscious bias and continuing support for the social justice movement, alongside its focus on social responsibility.

“At SAP, we believe in the power of shared growth,” Booth said. “The program exemplifies how pro bono initiatives can drive innovation, enhance employee satisfaction, and contribute to economic equity. It’s a win-win that benefits our employees, the businesses we support, and society at large.” 

Companies that prioritize aligning employee development with social impact initiatives are not only investing in the future of their workforce but are also positioning themselves, and the impact businesses they work with for long-term success.

The time is now to rethink corporate strategies and ensure that they reflect the values of today’s purpose-driven workforce.

Megan Smith is head of Human Resources for 51��North America.

Take Small Steps and Create Big Impact Through Volunteering

Atalanta Kyriazi — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 12:15:00 +0000

If the more than 105,000 51��employees all took just one step toward creating the change the world needs by taking action outside of their day-to-day work, imagine the impact that would result. 51��Corporate Social Responsibility () and its champions work together to bring opportunities to all employees who are looking to make a positive impact in ways that are meaningful to them.

51��CSR’s strategy utilizes two approaches to create sustainable impact: being an enabler and an exemplar. As an enabler, we provide products and services that help meet sustainability challenges and create opportunities for customers. As an exemplar, we lead by example in our own sustainable business operations and practices to bring our purpose of helping the world run better and improving people’s lives to life. It is no secret that SAP’s commitment to creating positive economic, environmental, and social impact is a draw for potential employees and customers.

There is no better example of that than the work employees do to bring that CSR mindset into the work they do every day. SAP’s impact is greater because of leaders who integrate the CSR mindset into the business culture, like Maggie Ramaiah.

Meet Maggie Ramaiah

Ramaiah’s social impact journey began much like so many of ours. She was involved in one-off events here and there, trying to prioritize doing something good while at work so she could show up more authentically and with more energy to give it her all. However, when she joined the 51��Academy faculty as vice president of the 51��Academy for Customer Success – Sales Program, she began to take her dedication to making an impact to the next level, not only for herself but for those around her as well.

Ramaiah is a passionate supporter of enabling others to pursue their passions through pro bono volunteering. She knows that with some organization, the impact we can make collectively is limitless. 51��has tremendous power to make an impact in a small amount of time. These beliefs are why she works to bring out the best in others by providing opportunities to contribute in a tangible way that is meaningful to them. This core value of investing in employees builds strong leadership competencies, which in turn leads to greater collaboration, innovation, and trust among each other and with customers.

“In the corporate environment, we are all driven by success, but the CSR mindset is about human beings. We can do something good for everybody that we come across. It doesn’t have to be big; small little steps make a difference, too.”
Maggie Ramaiah

Ramaiah has participated in pro bono volunteering programs and was inspired when she created change. During her time with Pro Bono for Economic Equity, a program 51��has partnered with that focuses on supporting Black- and Indigenous-owned businesses in North America, Ramaiah was assigned to a team of three pro bono consultants who had never worked together. Over the course of six weeks, Ramaiah and her team worked part-time with GoLogic Solutions, based in Chicago, Illinois, to propose an organizational structure for new business models. This was her aha moment. “At SAP, we have everything done for us from a process and resource perspective. We just have to look for it. However, for an organization that is run by one person, or maybe two or three people, everything is so constrained,” Ramaiah said.

“Every resource that we put out there from an 51��perspective, we might think is a few hours’ worth of work, but for [social enterprises] it’s a whole end-to-end project that they might not have been able to create,” she added. This is a unique way of appreciating the skills that employees bring to their company and a view that builds confidence, empathy, innovative thinking, and other leadership qualities. Ramaiah’s inspiration to increase her impact footprint came from her experience creating change for an entrepreneur as part of Pro Bono for Economic Equity.

Ramaiah saw the opportunity to integrate skills-based volunteering and pro bono consulting into the curriculum of 51��Academy, multiplying her impact and enabling others. She offered associates the chance to use what they already knew as well as skills they were developing for good by supporting social enterprise clients through the TRANSFORM Support Hub, a virtual pro bono consulting initiative between SAP, EY, MovingWorlds, TRANSFORM, and Unilever.

Ramaiah’s goal is to build future leaders who think with a CSR mindset. A CSR mindset is something they can carry with them throughout their career and can be transferred to any team, program, or even company. Specialized experience is not required for employees to build leadership qualities and evolve the way they think at work and about business. Many only need an example set, or the opportunity presented to them. Being a multiplier does not require special skills or knowledge. It can be planning a team volunteer activity, ensuring that each team member knows that volunteering their time is important for their professional growth and overall satisfaction at work. It can also be as simple as sharing stories and takeaways from your own impact experiences or asking your network for support on a social impact project.

There is not just one way to set an example and enable those around us to make an impact – what resonates with some might not resonate with others, and it is important to build in choice for meaningful and transformative experiences. At SAP, being a multiplier for good and investing in our employees, either as an enabler, an exemplar, or both like in Ramaiah’s case, leads to innovation through experiencing new ways of working, trust with our customers, quality leadership with values that the world needs, and a greater ability to achieve our goal of helping the world run better and improving people’s lives.

Join Us

Ramaiah’s journey to being a CSR champion went from her pursing her own interests and passions to helping others find theirs by integrating the CSR mindset into the programs she leads. If you feel inspired to continue your journey as an exemplar and an enabler, we invite you to share this story and on the TRANSFORM Support Hub.

Heidi Pio is a non-profit in residence at SAP.
Atalanta Kyriazi is a non-profit in residence at SAP.

Expanding Pro Bono Volunteering to Support Indigenous-Owned Businesses

Agnes Garaba — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:15:26 +0000

There is a continuous need to learn and take ongoing, meaningful action to overcome racism in an effort to achieve social justice. 51��Canada has been committed to improving our relations with Indigenous colleagues and communities by taking the opportunity to reflect upon our history and the informed future we must carve out to better understand and embrace the rich culture of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We have been building and working on a strategy that is comprehensive, culturally informed, and effective.

As 51��doubles down on our commitment to serve those who are underrepresented in tech, including Indigenous communities, we see quality education and economic opportunity as central to this commitment.

Last year, 51��partnered with the to help strengthen Black-owned businesses and social enterprises by providing them with support and expertise from our employees. The result of the U.S. initiative showed that 95% of businesses felt the program met their expectations. Meanwhile, 92% said they felt more prepared to address future challenges for their organization.

The program was so successful in the U.S., 51��expanded it last year to Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. And this year, we will roll it out in Canada.

Over six weeks, 51��employees will spend one week working full-time with their assigned Indigenous-owned business and five weeks working at least eight hours per week. The program not only allows 51��employees to leverage their professional skills, but will contribute to fostering Canada’s Indigenous economy, worth over CAD$30 billion and expected to triple in size over the next five years. Given the growth projection of the Indigenous economy, Indigenous entrepreneurship is a significant driving force of Canada’s economic recovery and stability.

51��is committed to helping organizations run better and improving people’s lives. With this initiative, we will help provide Indigenous-owned businesses some of the tools they need to become the best run version of themselves. 51��Canada has begun the volunteer recruitment and training process and is looking for Canadian Indigenous-owned businesses to sign up and participate in the program.

But don’t take our word for it. Participants of the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program last year were quoted as saying, “I looked into how much it would cost to hire consultants, and to be able to get this for free as an early-stage startup was a huge, huge benefit.”

And our employees also found it incredibly rewarding: “We’re not just talking about making a difference, we’re doing something to directly address systemic inequity. My connection…continues to this day and created connections for me across 51��that push me to be a better person, personally and professionally.”

As co-executive sponsors of the 51��Canada Indigenous Inclusion Steering Committee, we are very proud of our team for focusing on volunteering their time and expertise and providing the gift of service as part of this program, furthering our social justice ambitions and impact.

Agnes Garaba is chief operating officer for 51��Labs Canada.
Brian Moore is chief operating officer for 51��Canada.

The Impact of SAP’s Pro Bono for Economic Equity Program

Chris Putvinski — Fri, 06 May 2022 12:15:02 +0000

SAP’s Pro Bono for Economic Equity program was founded in early 2021 as part of SAP’s response to the social justice movement. Putting to use its decade-long experience running social sabbatical pro bono consulting programs, 51��decided to develop a program to help strengthen Black-owned businesses and social enterprises by providing them with support and expertise from its employees.

The Pro Bono for Economic Equity program was launched as a six-week initiative supporting Black-owned businesses in four U.S. cities: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City. 51��employees spend one week working full time with their assigned business, and five weeks working at least eight hours per week. In many instances, given the businesses supported are typically newer and smaller scale, the arrival of 51��volunteers leads to the doubling of an organization’s staff.

The program kicked off in March of 2021, with 48 51��employees volunteering with 16 businesses. The initial results showed that 95% of businesses felt the program met their expectations and were satisfied with their experience. Meanwhile, 92% said they felt more prepared to address future challenges for their organization.

Given its success, a second phase was held in October, and the program was expanded internationally to Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. To date, employees from 27 different U.S. cities have participated. North America is also in the process of rolling out its third round.

Having just passed its first anniversary, we checked in with two businesses that participated in the first phase to see how they view the program’s benefits one year later.

SAP’s Pro Bono for Economic Equity: One Year Later

MedTrans Go is a technology platform working to solve the of medical appointment cancellations. They do this by providing healthcare facilities access to a customizable suite of services to address the root causes of their cancellations, including medical transportation, interpretation, and more.

The organization’s beginnings trace back to when orthopedic surgeon Dr. Obi Ugwonali had two back-to-back patients cancel on him on the day of their surgeries. This was a moment of clarity for Dr. Ugwonali: Upon further research, he learned that a significant number of canceled appointments were due lack of transportation or interpretation, as was the case for his two canceled appointments.

He found this reality unacceptable, and after building a platform demo and an interested customer base, he partnered with Dana Weeks to found MedTrans Go in 2019. As Weeks put it, “The idea that these solvable issues are so widespread that they prevent millions of people each year from getting the care that they need gave us resolve to figure out the best way to improve access to care for these patients. Our solution does that.”

Fast forward to 2021, the health-tech startup was looking to strengthen its sales and marketing efforts and processes as they fought to continue growing during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had a great product, our customers loved it, but it became a question of how do we get more potential customers to see there is a solution to this problem and help them understand how we can help them,” said Alexis Mitchell, MedTrans Go’s Chief of Staff.

The organization came across SAP’s Pro Bono for Economic Equity program and decided to apply — admittedly unsure about what to expect.

What they got exceeded their expectations. “It’s a gift that keeps on giving,” said Weeks. “It really was a great infusion of resources that we needed. In a sense, we couldn’t consume everything immediately, but as we’ve been going through the year, it’s a built-up system that we can go back to and pull from.”

The resource Weeks is referencing is one of the deliverables from the 51��team: a more than 30-page guidebook on digital marketing specific to MedTrans Go’s business needs.

As Mitchell said, reflecting on the program, “It really was a great way to get us to this next level, and we really can see a real impact from these six weeks. If we were to do it again, I wouldn’t have changed anything. The structure works best to meet the needs of each organization. I would certainly recommend it. 51��has such a vast network of employees and resources, you will find what you need.”

Another added benefit was the cost, according to Weeks: “I looked into how much it would cost to hire consultants, and to be able to get this for free as an early-stage startup was a huge, huge benefit.”

“It’s not just capital people need”

This is something Dr. Christine Izuakor agrees with. “If someone had simply given me a check, I would not have been able to hire consultants at the level 51��provided. This opened my eyes: It’s not just capital that people need,” she said.

Dr. Izuakor is the founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, an organization offering cyber security experts on demand for small and midsize businesses. The idea was born out of Dr. Izuakor doing pro bono cyber security projects for nonprofit organizations where she realized it wasn’t just nonprofit organizations that were struggling with access to cyber security professionals — this problem spans organizations across industry and size. Her vision with Cyber Pop-up is to build a world where companies of all sizes have access to the most diverse and talented cyber security professionals on the planet.

Based out of Chicago, Cyber Pop-up was also a first-round participant of the program. With her attention focused on the “normal” challenges every solo entrepreneur deals with — raising capital, gathering resources, and balancing her schedule and time, among other things — Dr. Izuakor was hoping to utilize the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program to help develop a new minimum viable product (MVP).

Dr. Izuakor was able to accomplish her goal of leveraging the program in order to create an updated, more refined MVP that would allow Cyber Pop-up to better suit the needs of its future customers and clients.

As with MedTrans Go, the Pro Bono for Economic Equity program exceeded Dr. Izuakor’s expectations: “The 51��team helped me understand the best way to build the next generation of product, allowing us to get to the next level and stay affordable. They did a ton of research about Cyber Pop-up and our market advantage and helped us create a road map that set us up for organizational growth.” Additionally, “two days after the program began, I already had wireframe mockups. I had no idea I’d get the level of output from the program I received. I was blown away from day one!”

This “output” has helped Dr. Izuakor immensely. For instance, it’s helped tell the Cyber Pop-up story to investors. “Investors want to see what you’re building; to be able to show them something tangible has helped people better understand us and our product. It’s one thing to tell a story, it’s another to be able to say you already have the product wireframes and are ready to work with a developer. It boosted my confidence.”

Dr. Izuakor also credits the work of the 51��team with helping her to win hundreds of thousands of dollars in pitch competitions. “There are not many programs out there that produce tangible benefits like the program. This program is so unique and so different. It’s almost like an extension of your team,” she said. “It’s made a world of difference for us.”

The Pro Bono for Economic Equity program will launch two separate cohorts in North America in 2022. To learn more, visit .

Pro Bono for Economic Equity Archives | 51����News Center