share on
Through its long-standing 'Make an Impact on Tomorrow' programme, Henkel has transformed volunteerism into a shared value that seeks to deepen engagement, strengthen community relationships, and bring its purpose to life.
Henkel’s journey towards building an award-winning volunteerism culture is rooted in a purpose that has guided the organisation for more than 149 years. Its commitment to being "pioneers at heart for the good of generations" forms the foundation of every initiative, including its global volunteerism programme, Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT). Since 1998, MIT has supported thousands of projects across countries, giving employees the space, tools, and encouragement they need to drive social impact in ways that matter to them.
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that meaningful change begins with people. Whether employees are leading projects with NGOs, donating Henkel products, or taking up to five paid days off each year for volunteer work, MIT has turned volunteerism into a shared value that reflects the organisation’s identity. The team knew they were on the right track when volunteering became more than an activity. It evolved into a part of Henkel’s culture that connects people to a deeper purpose.
The journey, however, was not without its challenges. One of the key hurdles was ensuring consistent engagement across regions. While MIT was widely recognised, participation varied at the local level. To bridge the gap, Henkel refreshed its regional CSR communication efforts through a revamped newsletter, a practical guidebook for first-time volunteers, and a more intuitive submission process. This collective effort from HR and passionate volunteers made a clear difference, strengthening participation, and impact.
At the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Singapore, Henkel brought home a gold win for 'Excellence in Employee Volunteerism'.
Speaking to HRO following the win, Yenny Herry, Head of HR South Asia, offers this simple reminder to HR leaders striving for excellence: "Empower your people to lead with purpose."
She adds that employees become the organisation’s most powerful changemakers when they are equipped with time, tools, and trust.
Q Tell us about your inspiring HR initiative – what sparked the idea, and how did you know it was the right path to take?
At Henkel, our purpose 'pioneers at heart for the good of generations' is the foundation of everything we do. It’s a legacy that began over 149 years ago and continues to guide our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Our global volunteerism initiative, Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT), has supported over 17,000 projects in more than 100 countries since 1998. It empowers employees to drive social impact, whether by leading community projects with NGOs, donating Henkel products, or using up to five paid days off annually for volunteer work. What makes MIT unique is how it enables employees to lead change and make a meaningful impact, turning volunteering into a shared value across our organization.
We knew we were on the right track when volunteering became a reflection of our company’s identity — embedded not just in our programmes, but a shared value deeply embedded in our culture.
Q Every journey has its ups and downs – can you share a challenge your team faced and how you worked through it together?
One of our key challenges was ensuring consistent engagement across regions. While our MIT initiative was globally recognised, local visibility and participation varied. We realised that to truly scale impact, we needed to rethink how we communicated and connected with our teams.
In response, we revamped our regional CSR communication strategy — introducing a refreshed newsletter, a practical guidebook for first-time volunteers, and a more intuitive submission process. These tools helped simplify the journey and empowered more employees to take initiative. It was a collaborative effort across HR, and our passionate volunteers, and it made a tangible difference in participation and impact.
Q What impact has this initiative had on your organisation so far, and what do you hope it inspires in the wider HR community?
The results speak volumes. In 2024 alone, we delivered 35 volunteering projects across APAC, reaching over 34,000 beneficiaries with the support of 1,300+ volunteers — a 60% increase compared to previous year. Our donations and efforts spanned across education, social inclusion, and ecological sustainability projects.
Beyond numbers, our empowering CSR strategy has strengthened employee engagement, deepened community trust, and enhanced our brand reputation. We hope it inspires the HR community to view volunteerism not just simply as a CSR activity, but as a strategic enabler of purpose, leadership, and culture. When people feel empowered to make a difference, they bring that energy back into the workplace.
Q Looking back, is there a moment, person, or value that kept you and your team motivated throughout the journey?
A key source of inspiration and driver of success has been KAWAN KAWAN, our employee-led social club in Singapore. Founded in 2022, its name means “friends” in Malay, perfectly capturing the spirit of camaraderie and compassion that drives its efforts. KAWAN KAWAN has become a cornerstone of our local engagement, creating meaningful opportunities for employees to support our local communities.
One standout moment was the KAWAN KAWAN food drive, where our team rallied to collect 148kg of food donations — symbolising each year of Henkel’s legacy. The campaign was brought to life through hands-on distribution to low-income households, and the joy and gratitude we witnessed reminded us why we do this.
The value that kept us going was care: for our communities, for each other, and for the future. It’s embedded in our DNA and reflected in every act of volunteerism across our teams.
Q If you could offer one golden nugget of wisdom to HR professionals aiming for excellence, what would it be?
Empower your people to lead with purpose. HR excellence goes beyond frameworks — it’s about creating space for employees to align their personal values with the company’s mission. When equipped with time, tools, and trust, they become your most powerful changemakers.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Images / Provided
share on
