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Kyndryl, a global leader in IT infrastructure services, is dedicated to advancing vital systems that power human progress. I recently reconnected with Pam Hacker, VP of Social Impact, to explore how Kyndryl has refined its Social Impact strategy, focusing on future-forward education, climate action, and an inclusive economy. With increased employee engagement and support from the Kyndryl Foundation, the company continues to expand its global impact, driven by innovative partnerships and employee contributions, while collaborating with Deed, a full-service giving and volunteerism platform.
Since our last discussion, Kyndryl has adopted a more prescriptive and targeted approach in its programming, zeroing in on three clear Social Impact focus areas: future-forward education, climate action, and an inclusive economy. “We believe these are the areas where Kyndryl can make an impact in the communities where we operate,” said Pam Hacker.
Pam Hacker, VP of Social Impact at Kyndryl
Kyndryl
Enhancing employee engagement and participation in social impact activities is also a priority. The Social Impact Ambassador program, launched to empower local Kyndryls (Kyndryl employees), collaborates in-country with teams to select culturally relevant and meaningful programs, encouraging widespread participation.
Additionally, a new certification program with Deed celebrates Kyndryls who meet and exceed volunteer targets, supporting causes important to Kyndryl Inclusion Networks or KINS (employee resource groups).
“A big accomplishment for us in 2024 was also officially issuing our first set of grants through the Kyndryl Foundation, which was announced in September 2023. Moving forward, the Foundation will be a core part of our social impact program,” Hacker emphasized.
Reflecting on the outcomes and results, Hacker highlighted the progress in future-forward education and an inclusive economy. The Cyber Rakshak initiative in India, launched in January 2023 in collaboration with a Government of India organization, has trained over 28,000 women across 11 states and 60 districts in cybersecurity skills. The goal is to train 100,000 women over three years.
In Latin America, Kyndryl’s collaboration with the regional arm of the United Way has run the Aprendamos STEM program, impacting over 2,800 individuals, including teachers and young students. In Spain, Kyndryl volunteers dedicated over 90 hours to TECH4ALL workshops, fostering STEM skills and creativity among young students. “Skilling and empowerment of communities, especially those with limited access to resources and opportunities, have been one of our priorities,” she added.
Employee volunteering has seen a significant boost, with Kyndryl doubling its volunteering hours over the past year. The Social Impact Volunteer Certification program, launched in December 2023 with Deed, recognized over 6,000 Kyndryls within five months.
Kyndryl LATAM STEM program
Kyndryl
The Kyndryl Foundation’s inaugural grants program in March 2023 awarded grants to 11 nonprofits from seven countries, focusing on growing an inclusive cybersecurity workforce and enhancing nonprofit resilience against cyberattacks.
Deed has played an essential role in Kyndryl’s social impact journey, providing a platform for measuring employee contributions, both monetary and employee investment hours and supporting new program initiatives in innovative ways. Deed has facilitated global and local volunteering competitions and enabled Kyndryl’s employee resource groups to host various volunteering activities and run community engagement programs in areas including women empowerment, skilling, diversity, and inclusion.
The platform also underpins the employee volunteering certification program, highlighting the crucial role of technology and data in achieving social impact goals. Hacker highlighted, “We used the Deed platform to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of Kyndryl volunteers. Deed data have been the foundation of the employee volunteering certification program and we could not have accomplished this much without such an innovative partner.”
Deevee Kashi, CEO at Deed, praised Kyndryl’s initiatives, noting, “For Deed, employee engagement in social impact is everything. Supporting Kyndryl’s initiatives around future-forward education, climate action, and an inclusive economy has been nothing short of a masterclass in employee-driven impact.”What does that look like? For example, as Pam highlighted, we are watching volunteer certifications go viral both within Kyndryl and when shared on LinkedIn.”
This is inspiring them to find new ways to celebrate good deeds by creating new features that nudge people to support the causes that matter most to them alongside a community of their colleagues, KINs/employee resource groups, family, and friends.
“And it’s just one of many great new ideas we’re bringing to fruition. Our innovation-focused partnership with Kyndryl constantly produces smarter ways to use technology and data to make a difference. We are humbled and thrilled to stand by their side,” he added.
Kyndryl Japan Clean Up Activity
Kyndryl
Looking ahead, Kyndryl aims to expand its reach and make a meaningful impact on more individuals and communities globally. The company plans to scale successful initiatives like Cyber Rakshak and Aprendamos STEM, build strategic partnerships to enhance its programming, and continue engaging employees in impactful volunteer opportunities. “Their experience and expertise are a great asset and differentiator to our social impact efforts,” said Hacker, emphasizing the importance of leveraging employee skills to address workforce and knowledge gaps, particularly cybersecurity.
Since becoming an independent company, Kyndryl has swiftly established a robust social impact program, acting with urgency to identify and target areas where it can make the most significant impact. When discussing imminent milestones and projects for the upcoming years, one primary focus is on skilling initiatives, exemplified by the Cyber Rakshak program in India, which aims to train 100,000 women in cybersecurity over three years. Additionally, the Kyndryl Foundation invests in developing a resilient cybersecurity workforce and strengthening the capabilities of nonprofits to fend off cyberattacks.
Hacker emphasized that Kyndryl takes a long-term view in its efforts. “It’s deeply important that our actions and investments help empower individuals and communities to fully participate in the economy. We believe that equity, resiliency, and progress are critical,” she stated. Kyndryl is committed to deepening its focus on skills development and is carefully setting a responsible long-term strategy, even as a young three-year-old company.
The decision to launch the Kyndryl Foundation in less than two years stemmed from a unique opportunity. As a newly formed entity, Kyndryl could build an organization and culture centered around its purpose: to advance the vital systems that power human progress. This includes leveraging people and technology to grow the company, create stakeholder value, and drive social impact. “The launch of the Kyndryl Foundation is an extension of our commitment to improve the world around us,” Hacker explained. “We have the responsibility to enable more organizations and individuals to gain the resources and skills they need for economic advancement.”
The Foundation enhances Kyndryl’s global charitable giving capacity, allowing for expanded and deepened impact within communities. This strategic move ensures that Kyndryl’s social impact initiatives are not only broad-reaching but also sustainable and deeply integrated into the company’s long-term vision for community engagement and empowerment.
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