Welcome back to Raise & Shine - Summer Edition!
Welcome to this edition of Raise & Shine! Get ready to dive into our inspiring theme: Embracing Stewardship and Volunteering at Raise.
CAP, RAP, WAAP Report:
Number of Successful Processes in the last quarter (April/May/June):
- RAP: 6
- CAP: 5
- WAAP: 3
To learn more about starting a RAP, CAP, or WAAP, please visit our Teal Site for additional information.
New Employees in the last quarter:
Mark Paul Balao joined DEL as a Recruiter
Albert Glenn Rodriguez Domingo joined DEL as a Recruiter
John Rey Alcantara Tayag joined DEL as a Recruiter
Mohammed Pravez joined Del as a Senior Technical Recruiter
Marissa Henderson joined SHF as an On-site Coordinator
Relene Penol joined DEL as a Recruiter
Kajetha Niranjan joined Admin as an Office Administrator
- Vishwa Pranay joined DEL as a Senior Recruiter
Giana Febus joined SHF as an HR Compliance Admin
Aileene Miranda joined SHF as a Bilingual Recruiter
Shannen Canindo Moquete joined COR Core Ops as a Payroll Administrator
Jia Alonzo joined SHF as an Onboarding Specialist
Angela D Rice joined SHF as an On-site Coordinator
Cerelyn Pilapil Soriano joined COR Core Ops as a Payroll Administrator
Raise Celebrates B Corp Day 2025:
As a certified B Corporation, Raise is committed to using business as a force for good—and B Corp Day is a powerful moment to live that value in action.
Throughout the month of May, our global teams came together to make tangible impacts in their communities, demonstrating what it means to work with purpose. From nature conservation to increasing food security and supporting youth, this year’s B Corp Day at Raise was filled with actions that reflect our stewardship commitment.
Spotlight on Regional Events
Houston, Texas:
In Houston, Raise team members volunteered at Manna House Third Ward Food Pantry supporting frontline food distribution efforts that serve individuals and families facing food insecurity. By jumping into the intake process, helping on the assembly line, and engaging directly with the community, the team contributed to a mission that brings dignity and support to those who need it most.
Calgary, Alberta:
Our Calgary team partnered with The Mustard Seed, a long-standing organization focused on housing, mental health, and emergency supports. Volunteers prepared and served meals for over 400 guests, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges surrounding poverty and homelessness in the region and the importance of responsive, community-based care.
Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
In the GTA, Raise employees took part in several volunteer projects with local nonprofit partners:
- At Safety Net Charities, volunteers sorted clothing and essentials for families experiencing financial hardship.
- With Oakville Green, teams helped restore local ecosystems by removing invasive plant species.
- At Furniture Bank, staff assembled and refurbished home goods for individuals transitioning out of crisis.
- In Blueberry Fields, volunteers supported spring planting and garden prep helping a community grow from the ground up.
These efforts reflect Raise’s broader commitment to supporting resilient, inclusive communities through hands-on action.
Accra, Ghana:
Raise Ghana led a coastal clean-up in the Jamestown fishing community, addressing ocean pollution while supporting local livelihoods. The team’s work advanced UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate and marine ecosystems, and a follow-up donation helped equip the community for future shoreline maintenance.
India:
In India, Raise employees took part in several volunteer projects:
- In Kolkata, Raise supported the Barasat Swimming Centre in improving safe access to facilities for women and children, while also donating learning materials for local schools.
- In Bangalore, a Raise-sponsored summer camp brought structured, joyful activities to students from Maruthi Vidyalaya, creating space for creativity and connection.
- In Mumbai, employees spent the day with residents at a senior living facility, serving meals and spending quality time with elders and their caregivers.
- In Vadodara, employees visited the Arpan Center for Children with Multiple Disabilities, spending a joyful day singing, dancing, and connecting through shared performances.
Virtual Participation with Zooniverse:
For team members unable to join in person, Raise provided a virtual volunteering option through Zooniverse. Dozens of participants contributed to real-time research projects across environmental science, biology, and history showing that meaningful impact doesn’t always require being on-site.
Why This Matters?
At Raise, B Corp certification is more than a label. It reflects how we hire, how we lead, and how we show up for our communities. B Corp Day 2025 wasn’t about checking a box, it was about doing the work. And thanks to our global teams, that work made a real difference.
B Corp Day may just be a few days across our business, but the work reflects Raise’s year-round focus on people, community, and performance. As outlined in our stewardship page, we believe businesses have a responsibility to support their communities through direct action.
Whether planting trees, serving meals, or cleaning shorelines, our teams exemplified the kind of leadership that B Corps are known for: practical, collaborative, and rooted in local impact.
Want to see our teams in action?
Follow Raise on LinkedIn for highlights and photos from B Corp Day and stay connected as we continue making a difference.
As we move forward, we carry this momentum with us into every partnership, every placement, and every local initiative. We’re proud to be a B Corp, and proud of our people for bringing our purpose to life.
-Bailey Brosseau
July - September holidays & events:
- July 1: Canada Day / Memorial Day (CANADA)
- July 4: Independence Day (USA, VAD)
- July 28: Peru Independence Day (PERU)
- August 4: Founders Day / Civic Holiday (GHANA, BC, AB, SK, ON, NB)
- August 15: Independence Day (VAD, BNG)
- August 25: National Heroes’ Day (PHL)
- August 26: Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata (BNG)
- September 1: Labour Day (USA, CANADA, VAD, PERU)
- September 22: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (GHANA)
- September 30: National Truth & Reconciliation (BC, PEI)
What Stewardship at Raise Taught Me About Leadership, Purpose, and Belonging
When I first stepped into stewardship at Raise back in 2021 as the Partnership Liaison, I expected it to be another meaningful but manageable project—just one more way to contribute to the great work already happening across the organization. I imagined it would involve some planning, coordination, and support behind the scenes. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply it would shape me—not just professionally, but personally. What began as a volunteer role quickly became a responsibility I felt in my heart. Over time, it transformed into something much more profound: a place where I discovered new dimensions of leadership, built lasting connections, and found a renewed sense of purpose. It grew into one of the most rewarding and transformative parts of my entire journey with Raise.
After finishing my term as chair last year, I can look back and see how deeply this experience reshaped my understanding of what it means to lead, to serve, and to belong. Through stewardship, I rediscovered what truly matters to me—being of service, being part of something larger than myself, and supporting organizations doing critical work in communities that need it most. It reminded me that meaningful impact isn’t about visibility or titles. It’s about the quiet, purposeful effort to uplift others and help something good grow. And in that effort, I found real joy and meaning—not just in what I was doing, but in who I was becoming.
The Strength in Quiet Leadership
One of the most valuable reminders I took from stewardship is that leadership doesn’t always mean being out in front. Often, it’s about making space for others to lead, listening deeply, and showing up with consistency and care.
As an introverted—and sometimes awkward—person, being fully comfortable in leadership roles hasn’t always come easily. But stewardship showed me that I didn’t have to perform leadership to practice it. I found power in a quieter kind of presence—rooted not in being the loudest voice in the room, but in being thoughtful, steady, and dependable.
That realization came into focus especially while working with our meaningful grant recipients. Supporting their work—often behind the scenes—taught me that even the smallest contributions can create lasting impact when they’re grounded in empathy and intention. It was an honor to walk alongside people doing such vital work in their communities. It deepened my belief in a kind of leadership that centers others and helps build something enduring.
The Quiet Joy of Meaningful Work
There’s a certain pride that comes from doing work that aligns with your values. It isn’t loud. It builds over time—a quiet joy that comes from knowing you’re contributing to something that matters.
Stewardship gave me that feeling. It reminded me why giving back—whether locally, nationally, or internationally—brings me such fulfillment. It reminded me what it means to serve with heart.
And just as importantly, it connected me with people across Raise who shared those values. There’s something uniquely meaningful about working alongside people who are equally committed to creating positive change. That shared purpose fostered a deep sense of community and belonging—something I’ll carry with me.
A Journey of Growth
Stewardship wasn’t just a responsibility—it was a path. One that stretched me, challenged me, and helped me grow in unexpected ways. I became more intentional in how I showed up. I became more attuned to the impact of small, consistent actions. And I began to trust that I could lead not by being someone else—but by being more fully myself.
Final Reflections
There’s a quote I often return to: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
That, to me, is what stewardship at Raise has been about—planting seeds of trust, equity, and care, knowing their impact may unfold long after our work is done.
It taught me to lead with humility, to serve with intention, and to believe in the power of unseen moments. It’s work I’ll carry with me—quietly, confidently, and with a heart more open than when I began.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to be part of something like this, I encourage you to reach out and consider joining stewardship. If you care, you belong. Your voice, your presence, and your care can make more of a difference than you think.
– Rustann Steele-Yeo
Understanding values, purpose, and impact with Kate Siklosi
Join a Committee or Group at Raise!
At Raise, we have a variety of committees and groups that contribute to our vibrant and inclusive workplace culture. Here’s a quick overview of the active committees you can be a part of:
- Peer Mentor (RAPS/WAAPS): Support colleagues through Role and Work Adjustment processes.
- CAP Peer Mentor: Assist in fair and transparent Compensation Advice Processes.
- Facilitators: Guide discussions and resolve conflicts between team members.
- Stewardship: Support initiatives like the Meaningful Work Foundation Grants, B-Corp day, and other community/social outreach activities.
- Affinity Group: Promote Indigenous inclusion and awareness.
- Social Committee: Organize events to foster team bonding and a positive culture.
We also have some inactive committees, such as 2SLGBTQQIA+ and the Black Belonging Network (BBN). People and culture are happy to support the restarting of these groups, or other potential employer resource groups. If you want to get involved in any way, reach out to People and Culture at HR@raiserecruiting.com to get started!
Dare Fundraising Challenge!
No discussion of stewardship would be complete without the Raise team coming together to make a difference, which is why we’re introducing the Raise Dare Challenge.
We’re setting a goal of $1000—as we get closer to our goal, one Raise team member will complete (and record or photograph!) their dare, sharing the results on Teams.
Today we are looking for volunteers. If you want to help raise money for some great causes (and have fun in the process), let Sanad and Richard know by Friday, August 1st. Maybe you have a dare in mind, or want some suggestions on what you can do to help. Either way just let us know and we’d be happy to help.
We’ll be coordinating details on teams in the coming weeks, so stay-tuned for more info on how you can participate, donate, and make a positive impact!
Help Us Create the Raise Playlist!
Hey Raise! What’s your favourite jam right now? Want to know what everyone else in the company is listening to?
We’re building the biggest, bestest, Raisest playlist ever and we need your songs!
Share your favourite song + artist using the survey here. We’ll take all the submissions and put them into Apple and Spotify playlists for everyone to listen to. We’ll also share a text list for folks not on those platforms.
It’s a great opportunity to listen to something new and learn more about your colleagues. Can’t wait to share the results!
Sudoku:
Answer:
The rules for sudoku are simple. A 9×9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically. To challenge you more, there are 3×3 squares marked out in the grid, and each of these squares can’t have any repeat numbers either. To solve this Sudoku puzzle, use your SnapTool to take a screenshot and then work through the solution.
Editors-in-chief of Raise & Shine: Richard Welch & Sanad Shahrour. Special thanks to Rustann steele-Yeo, Kate Siklosi & Bailey Brosseau for contributing to this edition.