In addition to improving lives through pioneering products, Kenvue drives positive change through everyday care in action. Utilizing the Volunteer Leave benefit*, team members around the world are empowered to give back to causes close to their hearts. These three Kenvuers are making a difference in their communities while gaining renewed insight into their work along the way.
Making sure kids feel ‘safe and taken care of’ at a special camp
Hannah O’Connell, Global Brand Design Lead, Baby Care
For the past two summers, Hannah O’Connell has volunteered with Experience Camps, an award-winning national nonprofit in the U.S. that transforms the lives of children who have lost a caregiver or an immediate family member through summer camp programs.
Serving as a counselor at the girls’ camp in Maine, this year Hannah used four days of Volunteer Leave to fully immerse herself in the camp’s programming, helping create a supportive, fun and emotionally safe environment.
“As a cabin counselor at Experience Camps, I make sure everyone feels safe and taken care of,” Hannah explained, “and I really just try to be there for these kids as a friend. It can be really intense, but the kids are so insightful. They say things that just knock you back. And these kids get a chance to bond with one another, which is a really beautiful part of the experience. You start to see how grief and joy can exist at the same time.”
I know it’s corny but experiences like this really help you put everything else in perspective. You come to realize the power of community, and that was something I really wanted to bring back to work.
Unlocking the power of dance and thank you cards for nurses
Michelle Lo, Associate Director, Marketing and Commercial Analytics Lead
This year, Michelle Lo began dedicating one day per month to give back—either on weekdays using Volunteer Leave, or on weekends with her own time. She participated in not one but two powerful programs: an inclusive dance outreach for people with disabilities, and a thank you card writing session for Singapore’s annual Nurses Day observance.
“The YMCA dance outreach program pairs volunteers with adults and teens with disabilities through movement and friendship,” Michelle said. “Before the session, I asked the instructors how I could contribute. Their reply was simple: ‘Just be there. Be a friend.’ I didn’t fully grasp what that meant until I saw it in action.”
What struck Michelle most about the program was the fact that instructors didn’t simplify the choreography. “They taught the exact same routines you’d find in any cardio or dance class and the participants met the challenge with joy and energy.”
Michelle was equally moved when, through an organization called The Achievers, she wrote nearly 30 handwritten notes of gratitude to nurses across Singapore. “As someone working in consumer healthcare, I deeply understand the weight our healthcare professionals carry. These cards were a small token of immense gratitude.”
Whether in dance, at work or in life, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up. Not to lead, not to fix—but to stand beside someone, in quiet solidarity.
Pitching in at school to help students thrive and prepare for the future
Joanne Yeung, People Business Partner
Based outside of London, Joanne Yeung focuses daily on growth, performance and potential as a People Business Partner at Kenvue. Her volunteer role as a school governor—which came about after seeing a posting for the position at her son’s secondary school, St. Crispin’s—put those same skills to work. Using one day of Volunteer Leave, Joanne joined an in-school day that offered a peek into how the school operates, and then went to meetings at night on her own time to continue contributing.
She worked closely with school leadership to review performance and shape strategic goals; she also offered guidance to students in preparing for the future, coaching them on the skills that are most valued by employers.
“It’s a role that allowed me to give back to the community while deepening my understanding of how people develop and thrive,” she noted. “This experience has strengthened my ability to see the potential in people, think strategically about development and create an environment where students can reach their full potential.”
Volunteering as a whole has reminded me that the principles of support, guidance and opportunity are universal, and that the impact we make on people’s lives often extends far beyond our day-to-day job titles. It’s so meaningful and rewarding.
The Volunteer Leave benefit truly reflects a core Kenvue value—We put people first—and highlights the company’s culture of service and giving back. The policy (available in select markets) allows Kenvuers to show up in their communities, lend a helping hand and drive meaningful change for healthier people and a healthier planet.