Laurinda Pang, Global Crossing

Techistan and DIDXchange are on a mission to go where many have not gone before. One path is to find all IP communications-related companies who participate in nonprofit or philanthropic activities without monetary gain. Global Crossing is one of those companies. They provide each of their employees the opportunity to give back to their community in projects that are of interest to them. A great example is set by their CEO John J. Legere who raised more than 1/2 million dollars through the Dana Faber Marathon Challenge team. We interviewed Laurinda Pang, Senior Vice President of Human Resources to learn more. Listen to podcast and read on.

Suzanne Bowen: Today we are talking with Laurinda Pang, Senior Vice President of Human Resources with Global Crossing. She has held the position of Vice President of Customer Experience Re-Engineering, Vice President of Investor Relations and Vice President of Operations; definitely a varied background of great experience. We want a find out about, the cool things happening with Global Crossing, especially in relation to non-profit activities and Human Resources.

So, I was wondering, does Global Crossing participate in any kind of philanthropic programs?

Laurinda Pang: Hi Suzanne. I appreciate the opportunity to describe all of this.

At the employee level we donate thousands of hours of service to projects designed to improve local communities throughout the globe. At the corporate level we support a program locally called MathNext. This is a program which provides web-based training to educators in more than 20 New Jersey school districts through research-based state-of-the-art professional development, and a middle grade math teachers program. The goal is understand math content and to teach that math content in a more engaging way to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. So far, this program is going is really well. What we do is actually donate our collaboration services to professionally support this group. It is a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Education and the Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. So this use of technology represents a first for Teacher Training in New Jersey. Our technology removes transportation costs for the districts and lowers their carbon profile. It also increases program access to districts located too far for in-person training.

SB: That is an excellent pairing-up; actual collaboration among private and public industries. I was even noting that research is proving that college graduation and success in the work place is directly correlated to a strong foundation of mathematics, so MathNext sounds like a perfect place to start.

Why did Global crossing choose in-kind? Isn’t it easier to just give money?

LP: It probably is. We believe that giving of one’s time can be more meaningful to facilitating and having impact, rather than simply writing a check.

With regard to MathNext we bring world-class collaboration skills and services of product offering to a program that really is in need. The staff and the
support of Global Crossing, as well as in-kind contribution, goes a long way. It’s really more meaningful to the non-profit, and the educators benefit from it. They have given us feedback directly.

SB: That does make sense.

Does Global Crossing allow employees flexibility to pursue causes that are important to them, or does the company outline their specific need?

LP: We actually encourage employees to create and lead projects that are personally meaningful to them. It’s been very beneficial for us as an
organization. We also promote projects that groups of employees can do together; so for an employee who doesn’t really have a personal cause they are
interested in, they can engage in activity that will continue to help the community and it also build them around amongst the work force as well. When they do these things in a group or team environment we look at those individual or team oriented opportunities.

SB: I am sure it’s made your team and your employees around the world feel more excited about going to work; they have a choice in good efforts in
non-profit. What kinds of things do your employees do to give back?

LP: We have got employees around the globe, so they are engaged in various volunteer community activities. It ranges from building homes, supporting
education, assisting those affected by natural disasters, helping to raise funds for medical research, so many of our people are committed to specific areas; this allows them the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.

SB: Do employees at all levels of Global Crossing give back to the community?

LP: Our commitment to the community falls under our slogan of “Global Crossing, Global Caring.” It’s a part of employee culture at the company; giving
back is definitely something that is done at all levels within the business. In fact, our CEO is a world class runner and raised more than half a million
dollars as a member of the Dana Faber Marathon Challenge team. It helps to fight cancer and research funds to fight cancer.

This week I personally participated with other members of the senior leadership team, as well individual contributors within the business; we went to a
local market to wrap gifts for underprivileged families and men who are fighting their way back from other crises in their life. Again, this does happen at all levels.

SB: I heard that Global Crossing grants employees a paid day off to give back to the community. Why did you start such a program?

LP: Yes, we do. It’s called Global Crossing Community Day. What we recognize, year after year, we see how generous we are with our volunteer time. It’s the way to recognize, to encourage that spirit of service, we decided to grant to volunteers and make a difference in a charitable pursuit. Coming to the end of this year, I can say the response has been extraordinary.

SB: Awesome. It’s been really nice to meet you for the second time, Laurinda, and to talk with you. I want to thank you. Maybe you can give some way for others to get in touch with Global Crossing; obviously to do business on a wholesale level, but maybe also to get involved in some of the non-profit activity.

LP: Thanks. Anybody who is interested to find out more about the company should go to our website, www.globalcrossing.com . We have information, including products and service overviews, career opportunities, as well as very specific instructions dedicated to global caring and our efforts around social responsibility. I would appreciate if everybody would look at that.

SB: So that’s Global Crossing and Global Caring. Thanks a lot.

LP: Thanks so much. I appreciate it.

Transcript created by Omar Shaikh and edited by Michael Bowen.