Event highlights Marc Chini, EVP, Human Resources Leader and company’s commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism
STAMFORD, Conn. (April 4, 2018) — United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) will honor Synchrony Human Resources Leader, Marc Chini, for his leadership commitment to corporate citizenship, volunteerism and philanthropy at its annual Heart of Gold Award Dinner. The event will take place on Thursday, May 17th at The Loading Dock (375 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford) from 6:00– 9:00 p.m. Cliff Benham, a Stamford resident and board member on several Stamford nonprofit boards, will emcee the event. United Way will also award the 2018 Roberta K. Eichler Heart of Gold Scholarship to two high school seniors at the event.
As the executive vice president and human resources Leader of Stamford-based Synchrony, Marc Chini leads the company efforts to promote the company’s extensive corporate citizenship activities. Synchrony is a company that embraces employee volunteerism at every level of the company, providing volunteer opportunities to employees throughout the year. Synchrony hosts a company-wide volunteer initiative every April called, Pay It Forward: A Month of Caring, which mobilizes thousands of its employees to volunteer at projects across Fairfield County, the U.S., Puerto Rico, India and the Philippines.
In 2017, nearly 5,000 Synchrony employees volunteered over 35,000 hours. As a testament to the company’s caring culture, each year participants in the organization’s two-year leadership development program (the Business Leadership Program) complete a one-month community service experience where they put their business and functional skills to use - supporting capacity building projects at nonprofits across the country – including the United Way of Western Connecticut.
“I am proud to accept this award on behalf of Synchrony and all our employees,” says Marc Chini, Synchrony EVP and Chief Human Resources Leader. “Synchrony’s Families That Work corporate citizenship program began in 2016, and since then we have committed hours of volunteerism to help working families in our own backyards and beyond. Our employees are our most valuable asset at Synchrony and we will continue to focus on working together to make a direct impact on our communities.”
Marc Chini is an enthusiastic supporter of giving back to the community and devotes his time to promoting philanthropy and volunteerism as a United Way champion at the company. He is also a board member of the West Virginia University Foundation and is actively involved on the Riegel & Emory Human Resources Center of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, setting an example for volunteer board engagement.
“We are so pleased to honor Marc and Synchrony at this year’s Heart of Gold event,” said Kimberly Morgan, CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut. “Our extensive nonprofit community in Stamford relies heavily on corporate partners like Synchrony that work alongside our efforts with volunteers and financial supports to strengthen safety net services in the community. Synchrony truly is one of Stamford’s great business assets and we are honored to recognize their leadership and contributions to our city.”
The Heart of Gold Award was established in 1995 to honor business leaders who distinguish themselves through philanthropy and build volunteerism into their strategic business plans. United Way of Western Connecticut celebrates the importance of business leadership through this symbiotic engagement to build healthy communities.
At the event, UWWC will award two $5,000 Roberta K. Eichler Heart of Gold Scholarships to two high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism throughout their high school career. This year’s selection process is currently underway and we will announce the awardees by mid-April.
Tickets for the Heart of Gold Award Dinner are currently on sale online at www.uwwesternct.org/heartofgoldtickets. Event sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, please contact Stacy Schulman, United Way’s Director of Corporate Relations and Special Events, at 203. 826-8479 or stacy.schulman@uwwesternct.org