In today’s corporate landscape, employees and companies alike are searching for meaningful ways to make a difference beyond the bottom line. That search was at the heart of Play Like a Girl’s Social Impact Summit, where nearly 70 leaders from 29 companies across industries gathered to explore how employee engagement and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can drive social impact, especially in advancing gender equity in STEM and sports.

This event, held in Nashville, convened thought leaders, HR professionals, and champions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from some of the city’s top women’s networks and ERGs. The goal? To create lasting change in communities by empowering employees to engage in impactful social initiatives.

In this blog, we’ll recap the summit, spotlight key insights from experts, and provide actionable steps for organizations to harness the power of employee engagement and ERGs to make a difference.

Driving Social Impact Through Employee Engagement

Employee engagement has evolved beyond traditional productivity metrics. Today, it’s about connecting employees to a deeper sense of purpose—one that aligns with corporate values while impacting the broader community. Research shows that companies that foster employee engagement in social initiatives see higher retention rates, improved job satisfaction, and a stronger corporate culture.

At the Social Impact Summit, speakers emphasized that engaged employees are not only more loyal but also better advocates for the company’s mission. Wade Mundy, Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact at Bridgestone Americas, shared how his company empowers employees to support causes they care about. “When employees feel they have a role in shaping the company’s impact on the world, they’re more likely to be committed and enthusiastic about their work,” he said.

The Power of ERGs in Advancing Social Change

ERGs play a crucial role in driving social change within organizations. These employee-led groups often focus on underrepresented communities, serving as platforms to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Social Impact Summit highlighted how ERGs can lead impactful initiatives that foster inclusivity and create real-world change.

At the summit, Sarah Daley, Director of Information Security Risk & Compliance and President of Bridgestone Women’s Initiative Network (BWIN), shared insights on how ERGs can contribute to social impact. “ERGs are a safe space for employees to share ideas and push for initiatives that benefit both the company and society. When leveraged effectively, they can mobilize an entire workforce around social impact,” Daley explained.

One of the standout moments from the summit was when Bridgestone’s team shared their journey in developing year-round programs like Power Hour (a extension of Meet + Mentor) and the Girls Flag Football Field Days in partnership with Play Like a Girl. By empowering women in the company to mentor young girls, they’re helping bridge the gap in STEM education for underrepresented communities while strengthening internal collaboration.

Why DEI is Critical to Creating Impact

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are not just buzzwords—they are foundational to creating impactful social change. DEI initiatives ensure that all voices are heard and that every individual has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to social impact strategies. At Play Like a Girl’s Social Impact Summit, DEI was a core theme that echoed throughout the discussions.

Event facilitator Dr. Kimberly Clay, Founder and CEO of Play Like a Girl, emphasized how DEI directly ties to the organization’s mission to empower girls to break into male-dominated fields like STEM and sports. “Without DEI, we limit the potential for real change. By focusing on inclusivity, we’re not only ensuring representation but also creating opportunities for those who have been historically excluded,” she noted.

Clay challenged the audience to think about how their companies can expand DEI efforts, particularly through employee engagement. For instance, companies with robust DEI strategies often see their employees take greater ownership in driving social change, whether through volunteering, mentorship, or involvement in ERGs.

Benefits of Engaged Employees

The benefits of employee engagement in social impact go beyond community service hours. Engaged employees become champions for the company’s mission, leading to numerous advantages:

  • Improved Employee Retention: Employees who feel connected to a higher purpose are more likely to stay with the company long-term.
  • Enhanced Corporate Reputation: Companies with active social impact initiatives are viewed positively by consumers, potential employees, and stakeholders.
  • Greater Innovation: Diverse and engaged teams bring fresh ideas to the table, often leading to creative solutions for both business and social challenges.

At the summit, HR, philanthropy, marketing and communications leaders from companies like General Motors, U.S. Bank, and Amazon discussed how embedding social impact into their employee engagement strategy has significantly boosted both morale and output. These organizations understand that when employees feel that their work matters, they are more motivated and productive.

Expert Tips for Boosting Engagement

During the Social Impact Summit, attendees had the opportunity to hear from experts who have successfully integrated employee engagement into their corporate culture. Here are a few expert tips on building a robust employee engagement strategy around social impact:

  1. Align Social Impact Initiatives with Employee Values: Conduct surveys or focus groups to understand what social causes matter most to your employees. This ensures that your social impact efforts will resonate and foster greater participation.
  2. Leverage ERGs for Grassroots Movement: Empower ERGs to take ownership of social impact programs. ERGs are more attuned to the needs of their communities and can drive initiatives with authenticity.
  3. Create Opportunities for Episodic Volunteering: Many employees want to contribute but may not have the time for long-term commitments. Offer flexible, short-term volunteering opportunities that fit into various schedules.
  4. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing the small successes in your employee engagement efforts keeps momentum high. Highlighting these wins in internal newsletters or company-wide meetings reinforces the value of the initiatives.
  5. Measure Impact and Share Results: Regularly track and report on the success of your social impact programs. Employees want to know that their contributions are making a difference, and sharing data helps to sustain engagement.

What’s Next for Social Impact?

Although the 2024 Social Impact Summit has concluded, the conversation on employee engagement, ERGs, and social impact is far from over. The collective energy and ideas generated during the summit underscored the immense potential businesses have to lead societal change.

To sustain this momentum, organizations should prioritize ongoing conversations and actions that support DEI and employee-driven social impact. Companies can engage employees year-round by tying key initiatives to moments like National STEM Day, Giving Tuesday, and International Women’s Day—tentpole events that can drive awareness and participation.

At Play Like a Girl, we believe in the power of community and collective action. That’s why we are committed to partnering with businesses, ERGs, and individuals to make an even bigger impact in the years to come. We invite all summit participants—and those who couldn’t attend—to get involved in our mission to inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders in STEM and sports.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Want to take your employee engagement and social impact efforts to the next level? Partner with Play Like a Girl to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for your employees, sponsor a school, or start a mentorship program connecting girls in our programs with members of your women’s network or technology ERG. Together, we can continue to drive positive change.

Get Involved Today:

  • Learn more about our corporate partnership opportunities here.
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