Our annual Week of Giving is a dedicated time for our global Cloudera community to come together to live out our values, collaborate, and make a positive impact on the world. This year, our theme is “A Season of Thanks, A Week of Giving.” In essence, the week is about far more than just giving back. It’s a time for us all to reflect on the things we are thankful for while embracing opportunities for service through independent volunteering, company events, and donations to local community organizations.
It’s always fulfilling and impactful for Clouderans to get out and make a difference for causes that matter to them. As we wrap up this week, Clouderans have been participating in events around the world. This year, our teams got involved in a variety of efforts that included creating youth mental health toolkits, playing Bingo with seniors, donating coats through One Warm Coat, joining Christmas light workshops, and volunteering with the World Central Kitchen.
Our people are the heart of our Cloudera Cares program and Week of Giving. Their dedication, passion, and time are what make these events so special. With that, let’s hear from Clouderans about what they find special during this time of year.
What makes you most thankful to work at Cloudera?
“I'm thankful that Cloudera empowers its employees to take the lead on supporting causes we're passionate about. It is wonderful to have access to a platform like Benevity, where I can give to causes I believe in and the Company matches those funds, doubling my impact.” – TJ Sundar, Private Cloud Field Specialist (EMEA)
“I'm thankful for the opportunities to be in service to the community that I live in and where I grew up, alongside my fellow Clouderans. I've volunteered for many virtual and in-person Cloudera Cares events, and I always leave feeling more connected to my colleagues.” – Renee Castro, Learning & Enrichment Partner (AMER)
“For me, it’s the people and the culture. I’m constantly grateful to be surrounded by such a talented, smart, and driven group of individuals. There’s a genuine spirit of collaboration, and I feel like I learn something new from my colleagues every single day. The culture here truly encourages growth, curiosity, and supporting one another, which makes coming to work inspiring and rewarding.” – Laura Hughes, Director, R&D Operations & Programs (EMEA)
What makes giving back and volunteering important to you?
“Volunteering for Second Harvest, handing out food and essentials for people reminds me not to take things for granted. It is incredibly meaningful for me to see how thankful the recipients are.” – Westley Chan, Sr. Manager, Business Applications (AMER)
“Giving back is important to me as it reminds me that my actions, no matter how small, can create a meaningful change. Volunteering allows me to help others and impact people's lives. I find this extremely rewarding.” – Deepa Pednekar, Senior Practice Manager (EMEA)
“It’s important to me because I want to lead by example for my child. We take so much from the world, and volunteering gives me a chance to give something back.” – Asha Mohan Chandran, Learning & Enrichment Partner (APAC)
Why is Week of Giving such an important part of the employee experience at Cloudera?
“This is a time to strengthen our culture and remember that, together, we can achieve remarkable things.” – Marcus Fig, Cloud Sales Specialist (AMER)
“It’s one thing for a company to have values; it’s another to live them. Events like this are the 'living' part. They're a core part of our experience because they show that Cloudera Cares is more than just a program. It's an action. Week of Giving is a unique opportunity to bond with colleagues. It's a chance to collaborate with people in a different way than you normally would, whether you’re decorating smiley-face goodie bags or sharing Halloween-themed baked goods. These interactions build our culture and strengthen our relationships.” – TJ Sundar
“I've participated in volunteering events at previous companies that felt like we were just "checking the box." Week of Giving—in addition to all other volunteering events I've participated in at Cloudera—feels full of intention and attracts individuals who truly care about the communities served. From those who run the events to the volunteers themselves, we are doing more than just "checking the box" - we truly care about impact.” – Renee Castro
What have you learned from your time volunteering, both with colleagues and in your community?
“Teamwork and organization. Special thanks and shoutouts to the folks organizing these volunteer events to bring people together and help the community. Every little bit helps!” – Westley Chan
“Volunteering, both with colleagues and in the community, has taught me the power of collaboration and empathy. I’ve learned that even small actions can have a meaningful impact, and that working together toward a common goal strengthens connections and builds a sense of shared purpose. It’s inspiring to see the difference we can make when we combine our skills, time, and energy to help others.” – Laura Hughes
“I've learned the power of collaboration, empathy and giving back to society. I've found that these events help strengthen relationships beyond the workplace. It's taught me humility and just realizing that meaningful change starts small with consistent efforts. You never know - your little contributions can bring big smiles across many individuals and communities.” – Deepa Pednekar
Continuing Cloudera’s Commitment to Our Global Community
As we celebrate another Week of Giving, we want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s activities. It has been so rewarding to see Clouderans from across our global offices volunteer and give back to their communities.
Learn more about how Clouderans are helping shape the communities that we all call home.
