Careers
Turning Corporate Philanthropy into Community Action
Veronica, a corporate responsibility manager, shares how she rallies employee engagement to activate corporate philanthropy into community impact.
July 14, 2022 3 Minute Read
We have some big goals, and while the shift won’t happen overnight, you will definitely see the progress we’re making. When I step back and consider how my work directly impacts communities where we do business, it is incredibly rewarding.
When Veronica joined CBRE in early 2021, she brought an optimistic mindset to her role overseeing the company’s philanthropy and volunteer initiatives. With 10 years of corporate philanthropy experience, she is passionate about connecting this work to employees. “Studies have shown that these types of programs lead to higher levels of employee engagement, which in turn lead to more productivity and better business outcomes,” says Veronica, manager of corporate responsibility.
She helped launch our Community Impact Initiative in 2021, an investment of more than $7 million in 14 nonprofit organizations by CBRE and the CBRE Foundation. She worked closely with leaders and employees to identify nonprofit organizations with effective programs focused on decarbonization of buildings and workforce development for underrepresented populations – two areas directly aligned to CBRE’s goals.
“I’m a Hispanic woman and know my experience, but I can’t speak for others,” Veronica shares. “It was really important for me to connect with our Employee Business Resource Group leaders for input.” After selecting the partners, she was excited to share the news and dig into collaboration. “It is important that we don’t just write a check, but that we form a true partnership. For a lot of these organizations, CBRE is the first in our industry to partner with them. Through our Community Impact Initiative, we hope to move the needle on these incredibly important issues.”
The initiative is the first of this scale at CBRE, and the response from our employees, leadership and clients has shown an appetite for more. Looking ahead, Veronica sees 2022 as the year of more— more giving, more volunteering, more stories and more ways for employees to be involved—as she builds a culture of volunteerism at CBRE.
“Employee engagement has a positive ripple effect, not only for the employee, but the community,” says Veronica. “When I step back and consider how my work directly impacts communities where we do business, it is incredibly rewarding.
To learn more about how we’re realizing a sustainable future, download our Corporate Responsibility Report here.
She helped launch our Community Impact Initiative in 2021, an investment of more than $7 million in 14 nonprofit organizations by CBRE and the CBRE Foundation. She worked closely with leaders and employees to identify nonprofit organizations with effective programs focused on decarbonization of buildings and workforce development for underrepresented populations – two areas directly aligned to CBRE’s goals.
“I’m a Hispanic woman and know my experience, but I can’t speak for others,” Veronica shares. “It was really important for me to connect with our Employee Business Resource Group leaders for input.” After selecting the partners, she was excited to share the news and dig into collaboration. “It is important that we don’t just write a check, but that we form a true partnership. For a lot of these organizations, CBRE is the first in our industry to partner with them. Through our Community Impact Initiative, we hope to move the needle on these incredibly important issues.”
The initiative is the first of this scale at CBRE, and the response from our employees, leadership and clients has shown an appetite for more. Looking ahead, Veronica sees 2022 as the year of more— more giving, more volunteering, more stories and more ways for employees to be involved—as she builds a culture of volunteerism at CBRE.
“Employee engagement has a positive ripple effect, not only for the employee, but the community,” says Veronica. “When I step back and consider how my work directly impacts communities where we do business, it is incredibly rewarding.
To learn more about how we’re realizing a sustainable future, download our Corporate Responsibility Report here.
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