Q: How does employee involvement in your company’s philanthropic activities impact their engagement at work?
Kamal Charef
General Manager
Avondale Toyota
Sector: Automobile Dealer
Avondale Toyota fosters a culture of community engagement, empowering employees to both recommend and participate in meaningful philanthropic initiatives. Since 2005, giving back has been a core value, strengthening connections within both the company and the community.
Employees play an active role in shaping outreach efforts, with many initiatives reflecting their passions and interests. Whether coaching youth sports, assisting seniors or volunteering at local events, team members take pride in making a tangible impact. This hands-on involvement enhances morale and reinforces the meaningfulness of their work.
By aligning philanthropy with employee values, Avondale Toyota creates an inclusive, purpose-driven workplace. Supporting the community strengthens team unity, fosters personal fulfillment and enhances job satisfaction. Through these efforts, Avondale Toyota remains committed to making a lasting difference for both its employees and the community.
Kamal Charef has been the general manager of Avondale Toyota for the last eight years. With his commitment to assisting the local community, Charef has led the dealership to dedicating both human and capital resources to support the community it serves, which impacts nearly 25 local organizations.
Kevin Rowe
Founder and Principal
Lerner and Rowe, PC
Sector: Law
At Lerner & Rowe, philanthropy is at our core. Our foundation, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, is ingrained in every aspect of our nationwide injury law practice.
I founded the Lerner & Rowe Gives Back program more than 15 years ago and it has grown ever since. Each year, we host a golf tournament — which raised $1.1 million in 2024 — benefiting local charities through grants and donations. Staffed entirely by employee volunteers, it fosters connections with partners and donors.
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back also sponsors nonprofit events weekly. Our staff volunteers for causes they care about, from event registration to renovations at homeless shelters.
Our Thanksgiving turkey and backpack giveaways unite staff, strengthening workplace relationships and communication across departments.
With 96 nonprofit partners annually, our internal charitable giving committee ensures employees have a voice in funding decisions, reinforcing that their contributions matter.
Kevin Rowe is the founder and principal of Lerner and Rowe, PC. He has secured more than $1 billion in settlements for injured victims. As managing partner, he oversees multiple offices while handling complex cases. His expertise includes auto accidents, malpractice and wrongful death claims, achieving multimillion-dollar settlements. He also engages in class-action litigation for broad consumer benefits and runs the company’s foundation, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back.
Elizabeth Woods
Director of Philanthropy
Plexus Worldwide
Sector: Health & Wellness
“One Plexus” is a common phrase here, which essentially means we work as a team toward the health and happiness goals of our staff, customers and community.
I’ve witnessed colleagues become energized after volunteering as a group with Plexus. They feel a greater sense of community and company pride and, therefore, become engaged knowing their work matters toward cause-driven efforts.
Volunteer events, such as our annual week of service with St. Mary’s Food Bank, also brings our colleagues together. We have a great time as an entire company and all walk away knowing we have the ability to make a difference. No community act is too small to make a big impact! Plus, any act of doing good can be contagious, and that’s certainly true with all our volunteer events.
Plexus also contributes meals through Nourish One, a partnership with Feeding America and Mary’s Meals, so any department from Research and Development, Product Marketing or in our warehouse is still giving back simply through the creation and distribution of these products.
It’s important to love what you do, and purpose-driven work is a great way to enjoy your profession and find deeper meaning.
Elizabeth Woods is the director of Philanthropy at Plexus Worldwide and the driving force behind its global philanthropic initiatives. Woods leads and plans numerous staff and customer volunteer events and giveback collaborations. She oversees Plexus’s global Nourish One® initiative and other cause-driven efforts like Hunger Action Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Woods is the current Valley Kids Foundation President of the Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club.
