Debbie Wall, VP Sage Foundation tells us about the meaningful work being undertaken by the Foundation to support veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.
1. Having supported Invictus Games Orlando 2016 and Invictus Games Toronto 2017, Sage is now lending its support to the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Why is Sage proud to support the Invictus Games?
We are honoured to once again partner with the Invictus Games after our time in Orlando and Toronto. Our colleagues, customers and partners are looking forward to celebrating the unconquerable spirit of competitors and the friends and family who stand with them. Their passion inspires us to believe in possibilities, not limits.
We have seen that the heroes who serve our country share many of the same values as our ‘business builder’ customers – working hard every day to achieve their dreams – looking deeper, reaching higher, and striving harder.
We also know that our business builder community thrives on the valuable skills of service people and military veterans. In civilian life, military veterans contribute their unique experience, drive and talent to grow businesses and create jobs.
2. Tell us about Sage’s Serving Heroes program
One of the key pillars of Sage Foundation is a commitment to help military veterans transition into meaningful civilian employment, build professional skills, and start their own businesses after service. Just as these heroes have served us, we want to support them in harnessing their unique skills and experiences in life after service. We call this our Sage Serving Heroes program.
It is our global commitment to the Invictus Games which inspired us to launch the Sage Military Mentoring Program in the UK to help veterans around the world secure meaningful employment and futureproof their careers in the digital age. Tailored veteran skills training, workplace mentoring and meaningful work placements can unlock a better future; not just for our heroes, but for our economies and communities.
We’ve also recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant in the UK. The Covenant is a promise from Sage to those who serve or have served, and their families, that they will be treated fairly. The signing publicly reinforced Sage’s commitment to continue our current initiatives and grow the Sage Serving Heroes program; including the development of an internal community for Reservists and Veterans.
Lastly, we are unlocking even more possibilities thanks to our philanthropic contribution through Sage Foundation, by investing our time, money, expertise and technology in non-profit partners that are helping military veterans reach their true potential. For Sage, this is the right way to do business.
3. Sage believes in supporting the team behind the team, why should the community support the family and friends or our wounded, injured and ill defence personnel?
The experience of a veteran or serviceman or woman is of course such a unique and individual experience. But, behind them are friends, family, loved ones – all who share in that experience. Whether it’s the spouse waiting at home for them to return from service or the young sibling supporting them through their training, this complicated network of support matters so much.
From our experience to date with the Invictus Games movement, we have had our eyes opened to how important this community is. The family and friends share the burden, share the early starts, the long time away from home and sadly too often share the pain or rehabilitation that comes after service. That’s why we think it’s so important that they are not forgotten. We want to ensure that through the Invictus Games we can take a moment to celebrate, cherish and applaud the role these different types of heroes play.
4. What is one simple way the community can make their mark in support of Invictus Games Sydney 2018?
Of course buying a ticket, getting out there and celebrating the teams is so important. But, how about volunteering? There are so many great local non-profits who support military veterans and their families, it’s something we are really committed to at Sage Foundation and it would be great to see more people giving their time to support them. I would really encourage people to look up what they can do in their community, sign up and get going.
5. What about Invictus Games Sydney 2018 are you most looking forward to?
Oh wow, after being so privileged to be in Orlando and Toronto that is such a tough question! Well for me, it’s all about a really special thing that we at Sage bring to the Games.
For the third year, we’ll have Sage volunteers relaying messages of support and good wishes through Sage’s Wall of Inspiration where note cards signed with messages of luck from colleagues all over the world were posted. It’s such a wonderful thing and is so heart-warming to see. I can’t wait to see the reaction again this year and of course cheering all the teams on to great success!