On Jan. 29, I had the opportunity to bring together three incredible social impact leaders — Alicia Procello of the Avery Dennison Foundation, Meg Counts of Pilot Company, and Amanda Ponzar of Kaptivate and The Social Impact Group — for a conversation on people-centered programs. Discussions like this reinvigorate my commitment to the work we do at Global Impact and highlight the profound influence CSR and social impact leaders have within their companies and communities.
What began as a conversation about how companies invest in and benefit from people-centered programs — such as employee assistance funds, scholarships, employee giving, and volunteerism — quickly became a broader reflection on the role these programs play in building community, empowering employees, addressing complex needs, and delivering business value.
Building Community
Meg shared that at Pilot Company, the mission of their Pilot Cares program is to “show people they matter at every turn.” This principle guides everything from philanthropic giving and volunteerism to how they show up in their communities and care for their employees.
Achieving this mission requires programs that recognize the diverse realities of Pilot’s workforce. Their newly launched Employee Assistance Fund reflects this commitment, offering flexible and accessible support tailored to different roles, locations, and lived experiences.
Empowering Employees
Avery Dennison’s Granting Wishes program is a powerful example of what it means to empower employees by asking them to identify the most pressing needs in their communities. Effective programs start with listening. When organizations invite employees to shape initiatives, they create support systems that feel authentic, relevant, and rooted in real needs.
At a time when resources are tight and societal challenges continue to grow, employee insight is not just helpful — it’s essential for designing programs that truly make an impact.
Meeting Complex Needs
Alicia Procello shared during the webinar that “relevance is the most daunting barrier. People-centered strategies must resonate with the people helping carry out the work, or the people the work will impact. And that is changing so fast.”
What mattered last year may not be what matters today. Amanda highlighted that employees are increasingly concerned about job security, restructuring, and the impacts of AI and technology. Seventy-seven percent of employees report being stressed about the current climate. People-centered programs offer a moment of relief — an opportunity for connection and support at a human level.
Delivering Business Value and Profit
As companies face mounting pressure to deliver strong financial results, it’s even more critical for social impact professionals to demonstrate the connection between engagement and cost savings. Metrics matter, but they don’t always tell the full story.
Amanda shared a humorous yet powerful example from a company within The Social Impact Group that used video storytelling to highlight opportunities to reduce food waste that support both the company’s bottom line and a local community’s need. Sometimes, the right story told through the right channel can drive more action than data alone. The key is knowing your audience.
People-First Programs in Action
The workforce today looks very different from even a year ago. Employees are navigating financial strain, family responsibilities, and widespread uncertainty on top of daily job demands. More organizations are adopting people-first engagement strategies to meet these evolving needs.
At Global Impact, I’m fortunate to partner with companies designing programs that meet employees where they are. I was proud to highlight two of them in this conversation:
Avery Dennison
Originally launched as a COVID-19 fund, Avery Dennison’s initiative provided monetary support to employees during the crisis. In 2023, the program transitioned into a year-round Employee Crisis Fund, reflecting a commitment to staying responsive to employees’ changing needs. The Avery Dennison Crisis Fund provides financial assistance to employees facing emergencies through an online portal available in over 100 languages. Global Impact facilitates grant distribution directly to employees, ensuring timely support when it’s needed most.
Pilot Company
With more than 900 travel centers across the U.S. and Canada and a workforce of over 30,000, Pilot needed a program that could reach employees across diverse roles and locations. In 2024, they partnered with Global Impact to launch Pilot Cares, a fully customized Employee Assistance Fund. To date, Pilot Cares has raised more than $1.5 million through corporate and employee contributions and has distributed over $1 million in relief grants.
A Final Thought
One sentiment from our conversation has stayed with me: these programs are transformative. When an employee volunteers in their community, when a colleague supports another through crisis, and when people are given space to connect and be heard, it changes lives.
That is the true power of people-centered programs.
If you would like to revisit the discussion, a recording of the webinar is available here. You can also explore additional program resources by visiting our Employee Giving Hub.
If you are exploring or expanding your own employee-centered program, we would love to partner with you! Please reach out at [email protected] to discuss how we can help you bring meaningful, employee-first programs to your workforce.
