It’s not about success, it’s about significance. That is how one Microsoft alumnae described his efforts to make the world a better place. Earlier this month on October 1, about 600 former Microsoft employees gathered on the Microsoft campus for the Microsoft Alumni Foundation’s fourth annual Celebration event. It was dubbed a “Reunion with a Purpose”. That purpose was to celebrate and honor fellow alums that who have made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of others through philanthropy and nonprofit work and to inspire other alums to use their intellect,
Earlier this month on October 1, about 600 former Microsoft employees gathered on the Microsoft campus for the Microsoft Alumni Foundation’s fourth annual Celebration event. It was dubbed a “Reunion with a Purpose”. That purpose was to celebrate and honor fellow alums that who have made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of others through philanthropy and nonprofit work and to inspire other alums to use their intellect, creativity, and resources to support charitable causes.
Bill Henningsgaard, Executive Director of Eastside Pathways was one of 15 alumnae to be nominated as a Microsoft Alumni Foundation Integral Fellow. Each year the foundation recognizes Microsoft alumni who dedicate their time, talent, and resources to help address local, national, or global challenges.
The award highlights the wide range of global impact that Microsoft alumni have in the nonprofit community around issues including conservation, clean-burning wood stoves, and hydrocephalus. “It’s an honor to recognize our alumni for their leadership in philanthropy, each actively dedicating their services to improve the lives of others around the world,” said Marylou Brannan, Executive Director of the Microsoft Alumni Foundation. According to Jeff Raikes, chairman of the board, “The 2012 Integral Fellows nominees epitomize the Microsoft tradition of giving back to our communities.”This year is Microsoft’s 30th Employee Giving Campaign and U.S. employees have raised $1 billion in cash for more than 31,000 nonprofit and community organizations since the start of the campaign. It is an amazing milestone! All nominees are reviewed and evaluated, recognizing achievements that embody the values of the Microsoft Alumni Foundation, including innovation, entrepreneurship, effectiveness, collaboration, and integrity. Additional criteria in selecting the winners will include the ability to create something extraordinary out of limited resources, selflessness, passion, need, and scalability.
Additional highlights from this year’s event included a panel discussion on ‘doing philanthropy’ by Mark Shriver, Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs for Save the Children, and actress Jennifer Garner, Artist Ambassador for Save the Children, and an announcement by Brad Smith, Microsoft General Counsel, about Microsoft’s launch of a new global Microsoft Citizenship initiative focused on youth, YouthSpark. Though he was not one of the five finalists, Bill was selected by fellow alumni to receive Member’s Choice Award and a $2000 grant for Eastside Pathways.
Written by Susan Sullivan, Eastside Pathways Board Member.