Corporate Social Responsibility

Live It Up

In April 2021, I was on a ski trip with two of my closest girlfriends. One of them happens to be a founder of a non-profit organization for young adults with Down syndrome, LiveUp Programs. The two of us would wake up each morning and do our work together, quietly before the rest of our ski house rose to start the day. As we sat there, I looked at her and thought “I really want us to partner on an exhibition at the gallery.” Later that night after dinner, I told her my idea. Naturally, our ski pals thought it was brilliant and that was all the confidence I really needed at the time. I returned to work, threw all my ideas into a pitch, and presented to senior exec. (My presentation skills are still very much a work in progress! Pretty sure I blacked out for part of that pitch. But here we are.) I knew I didn’t have approval, but I could tell there was interest. And so, I persisted. I didn’t stop nudging.

I am now writing this on December 1st, 2021, and the exhibition opens in two days. 8 months from that initial meeting!

My takeaways:

Always go for it.

When you work on a project you are truly passionate about, you will never need to be pushed.

There is nothing but gratitude. Never would I have imagined I’d lead an exhibition, from conception. I have a much more sincere understanding of the expression “it takes a village.” And I am so thankful for our CSR team.

To view the exhibition online: click here.