Adobe Named Team4Tech Corporate Partner of the Year

We’re honored to share that Adobe has been recognized by Team4Tech as its 2019 Corporate Partner of the Year. Our partnership with Team4Tech has taken over 40 employees on life changing pro bono abroad trips to developing countries where they’ve worked with local non-profit organizations to help advance the quality of education for young students.

In the short span of four years, employees have dedicated 5,640 hours of pro bono support to Team4Tech – spending several weeks leading up to their immersive in-country experience preparing lesson plans and curricula to support the needs of local schools and learning centers to create change.

Adobe Director of User Research, and Team4Tech participant, Darcey Merriam, and Director, Brand Purpose, Michelle Crozier accepted the award on behalf of Adobe at the non-profit’s annual gala event.

Darcey presenting at the Team4Tech awards night.

“It felt like I gained much more than I gave,” Darcey expressed at about her trip to Malawi while accepting the award.

“The four days of teacher training was dynamic, energizing, and exhausting.” Darcey explained.

“Trainings would evolve in real-time throughout the days. Evenings were spent revising plans, updating software, and discussing how to best approach the next day. The last two days, we went to back to the education centers. The teachers had already incorporated what they had learned into their lesson plans. We, volunteers, were impressed and inspired to see how quickly they had made the materials and learnings their own. It was such a satisfying experience.”

Unforgettable Experiences

In addition to Darcey, we spoke with employees who recently participated in Team4Tech trips – Engineer, Theo Christiansen, Product Manager, Aman Bhalia, and Marketing Manager, Lasharna Turner who shared key takeaways from their trips to Malawi and Cambodia, and how the experience has built and strengthened their leadership skills.

“Walking in the steps where these men, women, and children walk every day has permanently changed our definition of perseverance,” Theo observed about the living conditions in Cambodia.

Theo (in blue) pictured in Cambodia.

As for Aman’s experience in Malawi, it left him with strong lessons around the value of adaptability, diverse capabilities and teamwork.

“The scope and preparation of your work should always be up for change, as anything can happen. We also need to be consistent in encouraging the diversity of thought. You never know which team member will come up with an idea that would be quick to implement and equally effective. And finally, teamwork and collaboration are paramount to success. You can always contribute to the team effort; your work is not limited”

Aman (right) pictured in Malawi.

Lasharna’s Team4Tech experience took her to Cambodia where she was tasked with training teachers to use Photoshop and InDesign. She also encountered heartbreaking social and living conditions, but praised the resilience and optimism exuded by the teachers they trained.

“The [team’s] dedication and limitless ambition to meet their community at every point of need defined growth mindset for me. They have no jurisdiction, there is no problem surrounding their mission that they don’t boldly attack.”

Lasharna (left) teaching in Cambodia.

As our employees headed back home, it was clear that the experiences left a profound impact on them. We are honored that Team4Tech has recognized Adobe as their Corporate Partner of the Year, but just like our employees said about their trips abroad—we have certainly gained more than what we have been given.

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