Meet The Youth Changing The World Through Samsung’s Solve For Tomorrow Programme
Sustainability has become more important than ever. These days, the younger generations of today are more motivated to find real solutions to tackle climate change, and are actively taking steps to create a cleaner, brighter future.
In order to support the younger generations and their goals, Samsung Electronics launched its Solve for Tomorrow programme in 2010, a programme helping young people utilize STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related skills to solve societal problems. The programme began in the United States and has since expanded to 50 countries, with a total of 2 million students having participated.
Solve for Tomorrow programme manager at Samsung Electronics America, Deniz Hatiboglu paid a visit to Princeton High School in New Jersey, to commemorate the programme’s 13th anniversary. As one of the winning teams in the 2021-2022 contest for their innovative food waste disposal project using insects, the team has continued to refine their ideas a year later.
5 Questions About DE&I with Renzo Villavicencio
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Three significant words often strung together with the power to shape a stronger company culture and workplace environment for all.
Samsung is continuing to make progress on our journey towards driving meaningful change. And we’re spotlighting the DE&I champions within our organization that are instrumental in enabling us to make an impact.
“In light of the difficult sociopolitical climate, I believe it is my duty to pay-it-forward by committing to help Samsung Electronics America create a better workplace for everyone.” – Renzo Villavicencio
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Three significant words often strung together with the power to shape a stronger company culture and workplace environment for all.
At Samsung, it’s part of our company’s heritage to push boundaries and defy barriers to achieve meaningful progress and power bold innovation. But innovation doesn’t just happen — it is designed by humans for humans. And a critical ingredient is our inclusive culture and diverse workforce. Our company is made up of nearly 270,000 people around the world of different ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, religious beliefs, and abilities. But together, we’re ONE global team united by Samsung’s purpose and values.
Action is another noteworthy word. Samsung is continuing to make progress on our journey towards driving meaningful change. And we want to spotlight the DE&I champions within our organization that have been and continue to be instrumental in enabling us to make an impact and helping to create a rich sense of belonging where everyone can thrive.
1. What does diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) mean to you, both personally and professionally?
To me, DE&I is more than policies, programmes, or headcounts. It’s about respecting the unique needs, perspectives, and potential of all our team members. Diverse and inclusive workplaces create more committed and productive employees.
For Samsung Electronics America to continue its leadership role in the technology industry it is vital to create and maintain a successful workplace environment; one founded on the principle that all people can thrive personally and professionally.
Finally, it has also been proven that diverse and inclusive workplaces can drive better business results, including higher revenue growth, greater readiness to innovate, increased ability to recruit a diverse talent pool, and higher employee retention.
2. What has been your greatest learning or most exciting experience in your career journey as it relates to DE&I?
Being one of the founders and an executive sponsor of Unidos, the company’s Hispanic and Latino Employee Resource Group (ERG), has been a unique and rewarding experience. Prior to this, I didn’t fully understand and appreciate DE&I and its potential impact on organizations. Working closely with a group of very passionate Hispanic and Latino employees to bring this ERG to life, discussing our challenges and future plans, has taught me so much about the positive effect our actions can make on our community.
I am a believer that inclusivity matters and look forward to bringing some of that experience and the perspective I have gained to the DE&I Council, a diverse group of leaders from across Samsung Electronics America who are spearheading efforts to create an organizational culture that promotes inclusion and belonging, to help drive significant change.
3. How have you seen diversity efforts progress in the workplace during your career?
I am a long-time Samsung employee. When I joined back in 2006, our company looked (and felt) very different and the concept of DE&I was not yet embedded into our framework.
It has been amazing to see the progress our organization has made in the last few years through the incredible efforts of employees throughout the organization and the strong commitment and the active support from our leadership to create and grow multiple Samsung ERGs (WISE+, Galaxy of Black Professionals, LGBTQIA+ Equality Alliance, Veterans Community, Next Generation Leaders, and Unidos). Seeing the creation of the ERGs and the Diversity Team, the appointment of our CDO, and now the formation of the DE&I Council gives me confidence that there is a new company vision on DE&I and I am excited to see what’s coming in the near future.
Having said that, I believe there is still work to be done. This is just the beginning and we must quickly close the diversity gap within the organization.
Samsung Employees Serve Communities during Day of Service
Last week, Samsung employees served communities during the 12th annual Samsung Gives Day of Service, the company’s first in-person service event since 2019.
Participants had over 2,000 available opportunities for service aligned with Samsung’s commitments to education, sustainability or diversity, equity and inclusion.
“At Samsung, we are dedicated to empowering our employees and driving positive change in communities nationwide,” said Chief Marketing, Citizenship & Communications Officer, Michelle Crossan-Matos.
Last week, Samsung employees participated in the 12th annual Samsung Gives Day of Service. With over 2,000 available opportunities for service across North America, participants partnered with 38 different non-profit organizations to complete the company’s first in-person service event following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the last two years, employees continued to support their communities with a variety of virtual activities, some of which were also offered during this year’s event.
With Samsung’s core values of people and co-prosperity, the company seeks to empower individuals to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social change. Service opportunities were aligned with Samsung’s commitments to education, sustainability or diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), although many covered more than one cause.
The day included 18 events dedicated to Samsung’s commitment to the environment, including education on the effects of food growth, production and consumption on the sustainability of the world’s food system. From cleaning up parks, to renovating gardens, employees had various opportunities to immerse themselves in nature, while supporting local communities.
Following the launch of the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, employees participated in two events specifically aligned with programme and Samsung’s corporate citizenship mission of “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People.” In 2017, the John P. Holland Charter School in Woodland Park, NJ was a Solve for Tomorrow National Finalist for their app tracking student walks to and from school. For one of this year’s activities, employees visited the students to build on interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Middle school classes pitched their ideas to Samsung employees and learned more about careers in STEM.
Students were surprised with a special Donors Choose delivery drop off filled with STEM activities.
With the help of Samsung Electronics America’s six Employee Resource Groups, the company was able to partner with many organizations that supported its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In Texas, Samsung promoted reading and learning with preschoolers at Mi Escuelita Preschool, where students are taught English and prepared for academic success.
Samsung Electronics America sponsored a book fair for students to choose books to take home, while employees read books to the students.
This year’s Day of Service occurred during Hunger Action Month, dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on the hunger crisis. Samsung Gives participants had nine events to choose from aligned with improving food security, including packing and delivering meals and working with local farms to provide nutritious foods to communities.
At Samsung’s North American Headquarters in Ridgefield Park, NJ, employees made sandwiches and packed 500 meals for guests at The Hoboken Shelter.
Throughout the country, employees gathered together at their regional offices to pack and deliver thousands of healthy, delicious meals for community members in need. In Texas, participants had a unique experience, as they were able to complete the service chain from start to finish as they packed, transported and delivered meals in partnership with The Pack Shack and North Texas Food Bank.
Employees at Samsung’s Legacy Central office in Plano, TX partnered with The Pack Shack for a Feed the Funnel meal packing party. As a result, nearly 20,000 prepared meals were delivered to the North Texas Food Bank, where food was packed for distribution across North Texas.
Participants also helped sort and pack food at the North Texas Food Bank, which aims close the hunger gap in North Texas by providing access to nutritious food.
With over 50 unique activities to choose from, volunteers were able to form newfound friendships within Samsung and beyond through teaming up with Samsung’s partners. In North Carolina, Samsung and Lowe’s came together to build and assemble over 50 beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to be distributed locally to children and families in need.
Samsung and Lowe’s teamed up alongside Sleep in Heavenly Peace to assemble bunk beds to be delivered to families in need across Iredell County in North Carolina.
“At Samsung, we are dedicated to empowering our employees and driving positive change in communities nationwide,” said Chief Marketing, Citizenship & Communications Officer at Samsung Electronics America, Michelle Crossan-Matos. “Our employees have a passion for giving, and since Samsung Gives launched in 2014, over 144,000 employee hours have been donated to non-profit organizations across the country. It is so rewarding to witness the impact that is being made and the incredible ripple effect that volunteering has on these communities.”
