The Estée Lauder Companies Announces the 2nd Annual Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients

Loading...
Loading...
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Estée Lauder Companies proudly announces the winners of the 2nd Annual Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards, unveiling two new categories: Volunteer Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Middle East and India. The awards recognize Estée Lauder Companies' employees who have demonstrated outstanding service to their communities in unique and impactful ways, consistent with the longstanding values of the Company.

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Award is given for outstanding commitment to service that has made a significant impact on the community within the U.S. and Canada. The 2012 recipient is Melissa Pandolfi, Assistant Manager, Corporate Archives for The Estée Lauder Companies, for her more than 12-year commitment and dedication to Camp Rising Sun.

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Award Middle East and India winner is Deepthi Binny, Finance Business Analyst at Estée Lauder Dubai/UAE, for her extensive volunteer work campaigning for children's education with Save the Globe, a nonprofit organization in India. This award was created as a pilot in anticipation of expanding the awards program to Estée Lauder Companies affiliates globally.

The newly unveiled Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer Leader of the Year Award celebrates an individual who has inspired and led fellow employees to make an impact through volunteerism within the U.S. and Canada. Jill Gould, former Director of Global Education for Origins, is receiving this recognition for her 7-year commitment to developing Origins Oasis, a branded volunteer program in partnership with Project Sunshine. Under Jill's leadership, Origins Oasis expanded its reach and evolved over time to offer new and more progressive massage techniques with Origins products in a hospital environment.

The primary non-profit partner supported by each of these dedicated individuals will receive a $2,500 donation in recognition of this honor.

Leonard Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies stated, “Congratulations to Melissa Pandolfi, Deepthi Binny and Jill Gould, each of whom have demonstrated a personal passion for transforming their communities and have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Giving back and helping others in the communities where we live and work is an integral part of The Estée Lauder Companies' heritage and I am pleased that this recognition program is now extending globally, honoring our colleagues who go above and beyond in exemplary ways.”

Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Estée Lauder Companies, stated, “The Estée Lauder Companies' dedication to philanthropy dates back to the early days of our Company and demonstrates our high-touch heritage. I highly commend our three colleagues who have each pursued their passion and demonstrated a personal commitment of time and energy to giving back in unique and individual ways. The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards personify excellence in leadership and Melissa Pandolfi, Deepthi Binny and Jill Gould could not be more deserving of this recognition.”

Melissa Pandolfi has been committed for 12 years to helping children diagnosed with cancer at Camp Rising Sun in Colebrook, Connecticut. At the age of 15, Melissa was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. She underwent extensive treatment, and as a sophomore in high school at the time, it was hard to find a friend or a mentor who could understand how she was feeling. Her doctor introduced her to Camp Rising Sun, where she enjoyed three years as a camper and has now been a counselor for nine years. She is so committed to Camp Rising Sun that she uses vacation time to volunteer each summer, along with coordinating camp week activities and fund raising events year round. She commented, “I couldn't ask for a better reason to be diagnosed with cancer. Camp Rising Sun has brought a new family to me, which makes me come back to camp every year. I love sharing my stories with other campers that were in the same situation. It's a great feeling to know you are not alone.”

Deepthi Binny is passionate about her volunteer work with Save the Globe, India's first leadership centered non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on youth development, ecological wellness and community development. Deepthi has supported Save the Globe since January 2010, volunteering her time with public relations efforts, and helping to organize charity and awareness events, as well as career planning events. Additionally, she has personally sponsored the education of impoverished children in India. Deepthi stated, “Service is important. Anyone can give monetary help and move on, but providing the children with love and encouragement is what makes the difference in their lives and ours!”

Jill Gould has been involved with Project Sunshine since 2005 when she was asked by the Origins president at the time to create a branded Origins volunteer program in collaboration with Project Sunshine, which had a spa program in hospitals to service parents of children with medical challenges. Jill transformed this program, now entitled Origins Oasis, to include massage techniques with Origins products using trained Origins employees as the volunteer base. Jill has been a driving force for this program that has transformed hospital conference rooms and playrooms into a "spa-like" experience, and helped sick children by providing much-needed support to their caregivers. Under Jill's leadership there are now 18 medical facilities in the tri-state area currently being serviced by a core team of volunteers. Jill will tell you that volunteering and helping others is a constant source of inspiration to her. By volunteering, Jill is able to put her own life's stresses in perspective, which in turn helps her to be a better leader. When someone compliments her efforts with Project Sunshine or other volunteer efforts, she says: "It gives me more than I could EVER give it."

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards recognize Estée Lauder Companies' employees for outstanding service with certified non-profit organizations and is not limited to those non-profits supported by The Estée Lauder Companies. The call for submissions went out in August 2011 to employees in the U.S. and Canada, and in November 2011 to employees of the Middle East and India affiliate. Subsequent rounds will be open to ELC employees worldwide in affiliates that elect to participate. The awards were introduced in 2010 under the auspices of the MVP Program, the Employee Volunteer Program of The Estée Lauder Companies headquartered in NYC, and all submissions were evaluated by committee.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company's products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under the following brand names: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M•A•C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, GoodSkin Labs, Grassroots Research Labs, Sean John, Missoni, Tom Ford, Coach, Ojon, Smashbox and Ermenegildo Zegna.

The Estée Lauder Companies
Bari Seiden, 212-572-4475

Loading...
Loading...
Posted In: Press Releases
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!

Loading...