Our Culture of Giving Back

At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are driven by the desire to serve mankind by improving human and animal health. But this commitment doesn’t end when we walk out the door at the close of a day.

Our employees generously donate their time and skills to improve lives in our local communities. In doing so, they gain development and fuel their inner purpose. The following are their stories from across the U.S.

Igniting Excitement For Stem

“I want to show kids that learning about science can be fun, exciting and amazing. That’s why I volunteer.”

Imagine being an elementary school student and your first encounter with a complex science subject was through a fun and exciting science experiment –exploding gummy bears with liquid nitrogen and a flamethrower.  Now, wouldn’t that pique your fascination with science and eagerness to learn more? For Boehringer Ingelheim’s Director, Pharma Discovery Research Leader Sammy Bell in Duluth, GA, that’s exactly his intention and overall goal when volunteering in the metro Atlanta community with students – making science fun.

As a science coach with the American Chemical Society, Sammy partners with local elementary, middle and high schools to share his passion of chemistry with students through running science demonstrations, teaching and tutoring chemistry and mentoring.  “My greatest moment as a science coach is getting students to a point where they are learning chemistry at complex level without even knowing that they are learning,” explains Sammy. “To see that aha moment in a student’s face and sparking that student’s interest in science makes volunteering worthwhile.” Currently, Sammy spends his spare time volunteering at a local high school coaching students of the synthetic biology team as they strive for a gold medal in an upcoming national science competition. 

We recognize and thank Sammy for taking the initiative to match his passion for science with purpose to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists.

Six-Legged Exercise

“When they’re adopted, the dogs always know and are grateful to those who saved them – and they blossom. It’s the most rewarding experience knowing I played a part in this.”

When not busy forging partnerships for BI through her work in Global Sourcing, Pat VanBuren donates hours every week to build a different kind of partnership – one between homeless dogs and caring families. At the Danbury (CT) Animal Welfare Society – a no-kill shelter that places over 800 animals per year in happy homes – she walks the dogs, giving them care, exercise and fresh air. Through this essential training, she makes them better companions for families wanting to adopt. Pat’s wonder dog, Oliver, came from this shelter, which motivated her to volunteer there. “I’m scheduled to walk dogs for two hours each week, but I always run over because more dogs need to be walked.” Pat’s observation about what happens to the extended family over time? “It’s amazing to me how the people and their dogs develop the same personalities and even look alike!”

We recognize and thank Pat for her service that results in an incredible lifelong bond between people and the animals that become members of their family.

Experteering

“My volunteer work has strengthened my accountability as a professional. It’s important to remember that when you commit your time and service to a nonprofit, you can’t put it on the back burner. You have to be accountable for whatever it is that you’ve agreed to do, and they are dependent on that.”
 
For Yauhann Billimoria, both his work as a Human Resources Business Partner and his community service are focused on creating an effective workplace to improve patient lives. For the past year, he has volunteered his time and workplace skills at the nonprofit Ann’s Place in Danbury, CT, which provides comfort, support and resources to people living with cancer and their loved ones. There he serves on the Personnel Committee, a team of local human resources volunteers from local businesses that provides expertise and guidance to the nonprofit free of charge. The nonprofit is small in size but large in compassion, and does not have the resources to support a Human Resources department. The volunteer team’s service provides an essential need. “Currently I am working on an Employee Handbook for them, which gives me the opportunity to apply my professional skills and experience in a new environment. And the staff is so grateful for the service we provide so they can focus on what they’re there to do – support community members who need their help.”

We recognize and thank Yauhann for his service, which allows Ann’s Place to focus on the compassionate care they provide members of the local community.

Life Lessons

“I want to lead by example for my boys. I’ve taken them to a couple of volunteer events, which led my older son to volunteer for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for six months where he learned about caring for animals.”

Some individuals respond to learning of a community need by finding a way to help fill it. That’s the case of Stella Ng, a BI senior manager of Business Process Excellence in Fremont, CA. “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in my life and know not everyone is as lucky as I am. When I volunteer, I show what I believe -- we need to be appreciative, responsible and not wasteful.” Stella has rolled up her sleeves to sort donated medical supplies to redistribute them to needy hospitals in developing countries; organize a garage sale to help a Bay Area nursery school raise funds; demolish a house for Habitat for Humanity to make room for a new one; prepare and serve meals to the homeless and elderly; and clean a child care center in need of attention. “When we volunteer, we learn something about the community – and sometimes the world – that we did not realize.”

We recognize and thank Stella for her service that provides her a diversity of experience through which she finds personal growth and fulfillment.