At ZS, our dedication to giving back is at the heart of who we are. We believe in using our skills to make a positive impact through volunteering and pro bono work. Guided by our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, we’re proud to support organizations that work to drive social change. One example is our collaboration with Compass Pro Bono, a nonprofit that facilitates connections between local nonprofits and business professionals to build resilient, equitable communities. By offering nonprofits our expertise in areas like technology, marketing and business strategy, we can help them increase funding, reach, efficiency and awareness. ZS contributes time and knowledge on a pro bono basis toward building stronger, more sustainable communities, reinforcing our commitment to improving lives.
Where passion changes lives
ZS has a longstanding relationship with Compass Pro Bono, who regularly collaborate with us to offer meaningful client projects that align with ZSers’ expertise and interests. Each year, Compass Pro Bono reviews project preferences, industry knowledge, past experience and availability of ZS volunteers to carefully curate teams well suited to drive meaningful change for nonprofits. Through this partnership, ZSers are emboldened to leverage their skills in project management, data analytics, sales effectiveness and more to support Compass Pro Bono’s mission of strengthening communities and advancing social well-being.
In 2024, 15 ZSers across three locations joined forces to support 12 different nonprofits. Their efforts spanned organizations like My Block My Hood My City, which supports underserved communities in Chicago through mentorship and educational opportunities, and the Cancer Wellness Center, dedicated to improving the emotional and physical well-being of people affected by cancer through supportive care and education. By volunteering their time and skills, ZSers help these nonprofits amplify their impact, creating sustainable, positive change and building stronger, more resilient communities.
“Pro bono work for nonprofits is essential to effective community organizing because it brings professional expertise to mission-driven organizations that may otherwise lack access to these critical resources,” says Melissa Rodriguez Lapica, managing director at Compass Pro Bono. “ZS’s contributions have been particularly valuable; their strategic insights and consulting skills help organizations like ours make a bigger impact and advance our missions more effectively.”
ZS not only encourages our people to give back but also actively enables them to incorporate pro bono work into their day-to-day roles, making it a seamless part of our culture. For Adriana Lawson, a strategy insights and planning associate consultant in Evanston, this support has been key. She first learned about Compass Pro Bono during a lunch-and-learn session at the office, and she’s been volunteering with the group since 2022. With ZS’s commitment to making volunteer work accessible, Adriana and others are motivated to use their skills to strengthen communities, all while balancing their professional responsibilities.
“As an undergraduate, I was introduced to consulting through volunteer work, which sparked my passion for using strategic skills to make a difference,” says Adriana. “ZS is my first job since graduating, and this partnership with Compass Pro Bono has allowed me to continue giving back to the Chicagoland area while growing my career. It’s incredibly fulfilling to apply what I do professionally to support the causes I care about.”
This year, Adriana volunteered with &Rise Women Inc., a nonprofit based in Chicago dedicated to empowering women survivors of trauma and abuse. Founded in 2018 by Jennifer Solarte, an abuse survivor, &Rise provides safe spaces for women to heal, learn and grow through a range of services, including counseling, support groups and educational resources. Working closely with Jennifer, who runs the organization primarily on her own, Adriana contributed to diversifying &Rise’s fundraising programs. Her efforts focused on enhancing revenue streams to bolster the organization’s mission, which helps ensure that &Rise can continue to offer critical support to women needing a path to recovery and self-actualization.
“As a woman in Chicago, it’s especially meaningful to give back to my community and support an organization like &Rise,” Adriana shares. “Being part of their mission to uplift and empower women survivors of trauma has been both impactful and inspiring. It’s rewarding to see firsthand how our work can help provide resources and healing opportunities for women in need, right here in my city.”
If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference through meaningful work, consider exploring opportunities at ZS. We’re dedicated to creating positive change not only for our clients but also for the communities around us, and we empower our people to give back as part of their professional journey. From important client projects to pro bono work with mission-driven nonprofits, ZS offers a unique environment for those passionate about making an impact.
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