Celebrating Our 2024 “Braze for Impact” Winners and Their Community Contributions

There’s no time like the present to recognize the ongoing efforts of companies and employees in driving meaningful social impact. That’s why we launched the Braze for Impact Awards—a new recognition program celebrating Braze employees and teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in 2024. We proudly announced our inaugural winners at Braze Kickoff in February 2025, honoring their dedication to creating positive change in their communities.

Since its inception in December 2021, the Braze Social Impact team has worked to foster a strong culture of giving and community engagement. Through initiatives like Braze Cares, our employee volunteerism and giving program, Tech for an Equitable Future product grants, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Donation Dollars for Doers, and more, we’re empowering employees worldwide to support causes they care about. The Braze for Impact Awards build on this commitment, spotlighting the individuals and teams making a tangible difference.

All full-time employees were invited to submit nominations, highlighting the inspiring efforts of their peers—or themselves—across the four award categories below. As a testament to Braze’s commitments to giving back, each award winner or winning group received the opportunity to direct a $10,000 USD grant from the Braze for Impact Fund at Tides Foundation to a nonprofit of their choice. We’re inspired by the winners’ dedication and creativity and are committed to continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in social impact. Join us in celebrating their contributions and learn more about each winner’s selected grantee below.

1. ERG Inspiration Award: SOMOS

SOMOS is one of 10 employee resource groups (ERGs) at Braze, working to celebrate and amplify Latin American and Hispanic culture. Some of the group’s achievements include initiatives like hosting a Duolingo challenge, providing financial wellness education, a “Cook with SOMOS” event, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, hosting a first-generation/Person of Color immigration panel, and collaborating with several other ERGs.

“We’re proud to have inspired other ERGs and look forward to even more collaboration and opportunities to explore intersectionality in the future. Inclusion is at the heart of what we do at SOMOS, and we’re proud to foster representation, opportunity, and belonging for all,” said Niki Flores, Customer Success Manager I, Scale at Braze, who serves as the Global Networking and Partnerships Lead for SOMOS.

Melody Gonzalez, Senior Customer Operations Specialist at Braze, and the group’s Global Programming Lead added, “We're so honored to receive this award on behalf of our ERG. With our core pillars being Inclusion, Culture, and Community, receiving this recognition and award means so much to us!”

Nonprofit grantee: Latinas in Tech

Latinas in Tech is a nonprofit founded in 2014 that aims to connect, support, and empower Latina women working in the tech industry. The organization works hand-in-hand with top technology companies to create safe spaces for learning, mentorship, and recruitment. Members do more than just break glass ceilings; they build bridges, connect cultures, and amplify the impact of technology to create a more interconnected and inclusive world. SOMOS’ $10,000 grant, funded by the Braze for Social Impact Fund at Tides Foundation, will aid programming that includes their AI Academy, Professional Development, and Mentorship Program.

2. Social Impact Advocate(s) of the Year: Reshma Sanghvi Dilip Kumar, & Zak Rittenhouse

Reshma Sanghvi Dilip Kumar, Customer and Partner Trainer at Braze, and Zak Rittenhouse, Talent Development Operations Manager at Braze, were both awarded Social Impact Advocate of the year for their personal commitments toward social impact. Reshma started as the first Braze Cares Advocate in the Singapore office two years ago, organizing quarterly volunteer events with Waterways Watch Society and TOUCH Community Services, and onboarding new advocates to expand volunteerism in both the Singapore and Jakarta offices. “It’s been incredible to see these efforts foster community,” she said. “Outside of Braze Cares, I’m passionate about diverse ERG programming in APAC and have enjoyed serving as a local lead for HealthyMinds as well as Brown@Braze & Asians@Braze.” These ERGs host fun regional events like Sip & Paints, stress awareness workshops, and pickleball — all to the end of building community within Braze.

Nonprofit grantee: Krsnas Free Meals

Reshma’s $5,000 grant was directed to Krsna’s Free Meals, an organization helping to feed migrant workers in Singapore. Previously known as Krishna’s Kitchen, Krsnas Free Meals is a soup kitchen providing free breakfasts and lunches daily. Volunteers prep vegetables, clean the kitchen, and serve meals — more than 400,000 of which have been delivered to date.

Zak was part of the HRC CEI submission, earning Braze a perfect score of 100, two years running. “That’s not just a score; it’s a statement that says safety, belonging, and inclusion are more than words here,” he said. Zak also helps organize volunteer events in the Braze Minneapolis hub and supports the HealthyMinds and Pride@Braze ERGs. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how these efforts help us live our values — and make work work for everyone.”

Nonprofit grantee: To Write Love On Her Arms

Zak’s $5,000 grant was directed to To Write Love On Her Arms! This organization is dedicated to bringing hope, help, and support to individuals facing mental health challenges, depression, addiction, and contemplating self-injury. The organization exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into prevention, treatment, and recovery.

3. Social Impact Changemakers of the Year: the Braze San Francisco Office

The Braze San Francisco office has partnered with the Peninsula College Fund (PCF) over the past two years to support first-generation college students on their career journeys. As part of this ongoing partnership, the office launched the “Day in the Life” events in 2024, providing mentorship and hands-on learning experiences to help students navigate career opportunities in tech. The award was presented to Kevin Chaney, Account Executive, Emerging Enterprise,Melanie Scanell, Account Executive, Emerging Enterprise, and Audra Wingard, Senior UX Researcher– the office’s Braze Cares Advocates– on behalf of the office. “Thanks to the dedication of our San Francisco volunteer team, we’ve been able to make a real impact in our local community. We’re really proud of the way our office has rallied together to give back,” Melanie said. The office plans to continue work with both PCF and the grantee of their choice.

Nonprofit grantee: St. Anthony’s Foundation

St. Anthony’s Foundation received a $10,000 grant from the San Francisco office. Founded in 1950, St. Anthony’s is the most comprehensive safety net service center in the city. Each day, the organization provides essential services, health care, and gateways to stability for the families and individuals who most need them, with the goal to help create a future where all people flourish.

4. Social Impact Innovation Award: Caitlyn Grundy

Caitlyn Grundy, Senior Customer Success Manager, Enterprise at Braze, co-created the Tech for an Equitable Future Inspiration Guide with Zach Dorner, Senior Solutions Consultant at Braze. This resource illustrates how potential like-minded customers can leverage Braze to grow their business through the lens of existing customers and other aspirational brands, inspiring them to apply to the program. Caitlyn is part of the internal Tech for an Equitable Future council and co-leads two ERGs: SOMOS and Black@Braze.

“It’s no secret that I love Social Impact and I’m always looking for ways to embed purpose-driven work into my everyday job. I’m glad that Braze has allowed so many opportunities for me to tap into what I care about most,” she shared.

Nonprofit grantee: Friends of the Children — SF Bay Area

Caitlyn selected Friends of the Children — SF Bay Area to receive a $10,000 grant. This organization impacts generational change by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles by providing relationships with professional mentors. The goal is to select children who face multiple systemic obstacles and amplify their voices as they write their own stories of hope and resilience by pairing them with long-term mentors, sometimes for 12+ years.

You’re invited to opt in

This year’s “Braze for Impact Awards” shines a light on the dedicated efforts that our teams bring to their communities and the outcomes they can influence. In turn, we invite you to explore the nonprofits we support and consider how you might contribute to those around you. We recognize the power of community support and so, if you’re looking to make a tangible impact through your work life, please also consider applying to Braze to further extend our community.