In a world where you can be anything, be a volunteer!

As we start a new year, I am sure many of us have been thinking about what we will do differently this year. What can we do more — or less— of to get even more out of life? This year feels like it might be the year to take that big trip you’ve put off. Learn that new language you never got to. Turn that big dream into reality. As you finalize your list of new year’s resolutions, have you ever considered adding “volunteering” to that list?

Especially in a global workforce where 93% of employees believe that companies must lead with purpose, I feel very fortunate not only to work for Johnson & Johnson, where volunteering is fully and authentically embedded in our strategy, purpose, and DNA — but also to shape that very strategy. Those of you who know me may know that my job offers me the unique opportunity to design and implement a variety of global corporate employee volunteering programs. These programs are designed to support and strengthen our frontline health partners, helping them build organizational capacity and better serve their patients and communities through collaborating with J&J employees sharing their skills and expertise.

I have senior leaders at Johnson & Johnson to thank for empowering me to scale and innovate our global employee engagement strategy, enabling more of our employees each year to participate in a multitude of relevant, needs-driven and impactful programs. And I’m grateful to our partners for their trust, collaboration and partnership, whether it’s through short-term hackathons where our employees expedite solutions for our partners, or through long-term “Secondments” that embed our employees directly with our partners for up to six months.

But the heart of our volunteering programs are the J&J employees who sign up for these programs and invest their skills, time and passion into our work with our partners. For them, volunteering is not just one way to give back or to contribute to the world; it’s a way to become part of something bigger: a global community of change makers.

?As we dive into a new year, hear first-hand from four of my J&J regional colleagues what it means to be a change maker — and to participate in a change maker community:

“A change maker is a pioneer.” — Davina King, Director, National Accounts, CVS Health/Aetna Strategic Customer Group and J&J Nursing Alliance Enterprise Employee Resource Group Co-Chair

“The profession of nursing is in a crisis. Co-leading the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Employee Resource Group (ERG) of J&J nurses and nursing allies this past year was an exciting but daunting role. While most of our J&J nurses no longer serve on the front lines, their passion for the profession remains everlasting. We’ve engaged nurses to provide their insights to shape our oncology and vaccine strategies, staff vaccine and testing clinics, mentor students within local schools and churches and serve on boards and work with advocacy groups. It has been a powerful experience to lead our ERG and give our nurses meaningful opportunities to continue to nurture their life-long passions and engage in building a healthier community and world.”

“A change maker is a trailblazer.” — Steven Nilam, Regional Supply Planning, J&J Consumer, Asia-Pacific and Singapore Community Impact Co-Lead

“To me, being a change maker is about using our passion to collaborate with like-minded people in our community to bring about a change that will accelerate social impact and improve the lives of everyone around us. If you are interested in volunteering, I would recommend starting small and simple by looking at your surroundings and asking yourself (1) what can you do to make things better, (2) finding like-minded people who aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo, and (3) sharing your story to send ripples of change throughout the community.”

“A change maker is a (compassionate) leader.” — Marcela Perez Sosa, Value & Access Senior Manager, Latin America and WISTEM2D Ambassador

“Being an agent of change means the opportunity to genuinely serve society by pursuing a common purpose. This purpose must try to reduce social inequities, and open space to new ideas, new ways of seeing the world, and unite minds, hearts, and actions to transform our realities, especially in developing countries where there is much to be done. Being a changemaker is a lifelong journey to practice conscious empathy, collaborative teamwork, and inspiring leadership. I like to encourage others to be a change maker by drawing on their skills, talents, and passions to transforming society — and growing along the journey. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to be an agent of change for the health sector, the environment, vulnerable communities, among others. Because the world needs you to change it!”

“A change maker is an innovator.” — Emelie Dorlin, Senior Manager, Global Community Impact, J&J Switzerland and Cross-Sector Community Impact Lead

“A change maker is someone who actively strives to have a positive social impact and who seeks solutions to challenges and inequities in society. It’s someone who doesn’t sit and wait for others to act, but who decides to act for the greater good. Everyone can be part of driving positive change, big or small. One way can be by taking part in a volunteering program or by supporting an NGO that addresses a cause that you feel most passionate about and where you can contribute with your skills, passion and experience to solving a specific challenge. In Switzerland, we encourage our employees to take part in a variety of volunteering programs, ranging from one-day activities during our annual Community Week to more impactful engagements such as the 12-week skills-based program Talent for Healthy Communities or the global Secondment Program.”

Have their stories convinced you to add “volunteering” to your new year’s resolutions? If you’re ready to take the first step and join me in becoming part of a global change maker community, let me know in the comments!

Annet