Charitable Works Award
This award is presented to women who devote considerable resources and energy to philanthropic causes.
Holly Mitchell, managing director, platforms group, ITG
Sometimes its the littlest things that mean the most-such as visiting a lonely hospitalized child, spending a few moments with a Beanie Baby and a bag lunch. Thats all it takes, said Holly Mitchell, managing director, platforms group, at ITG.
Being charitable doesnt require a lot of time, a lot of money or a lot of people. It doesnt require a massive organization or media blitz. It can just be one person quietly taking an hour out of their week to make the difference in someones life. Mitchell likes to serve quietly and just focus on the people, never forgetting its all about serving rather than being served.
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No one has ever guilt-tripped me into being charitable or getting involved, but theres always been a thread of not forgetting how lucky we were and our upbringing that has guided me, Mitchell said.
Mitchell is the youngest of four siblings who all serve charitably in one form or another, taking their cue from their mother, who was fortunate enough to be home for them while they were children. While their father, a doctor, was working in a hospital, mom was home but serving the greater communitys soul.
Mom decided she was going to stay home and save the world, Mitchell said. She was always involved in a number of causes, and I saw her give back a ton. Mitchells mother served charities dedicated to combating homelessness, promoting civil rights and protecting the environment.
Mitchell said that when she got on her career track, philanthropy was always on her mind. She started serving others back in Los Angeles, at a hospital and in a mentoring organization akin to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Back then I felt guilty as I didnt do anything real consistent, she said. I worried about how people would eulogize me and how I would be regarded!
And that marked the beginning of a turning point for her, and for employer ITG. After joining the firm in 1999, Mitchell explored ITGs internal philanthropic efforts and joined its charity committee in 2003. She recalled that back then, it was a loosely organized body and addressed philanthropy primarily with a checkbook. Not necessarily a bad thing, she felt, but it lacked the human touch that true charity requires and, in turn, fosters.
We felt that anyone could write a check, and we wanted to be known as more than a company that writes checks, Mitchell said.
Taking the initiative like her mother before her, Mitchell took over the chairmanship of the committee in 2012 and pushed for involvement at the managing director level. The idea was to get the directors thinking about charity and leading the charge, then get the rank-and-file employees on board.
The big initiative we set into motion was to use our managing director community to spark interest in volunteering across the employee base-tapping folks compassion and ideas and getting everybody involved, together, Mitchell said. The MDs have led by example, and the results have been remarkable.
The first charity ITG formally aligned itself to was the Ronald McDonald House-a cause near and dear to chief executive Bob Gassers heart. Mitchell and ITG host a monthly catered dinner for the charitys families and clients at the facility. Mitchell sits on the board of associates at Ronald McDonald House.
Mitchell and her team have been in the process of expanding ITGs charitable presence throughout the U.S. and globally. However, she never forgets that when it comes to charity, the smallest act can make the biggest impact.
One thing I tell people is that the little things count, Mitchell said. What gets in the way is when people think they have to give so much time or energy. People can embrace the smallest acts of kindness and still have profound impact.
