Returning to the community

By Al Mitchell, Vice President, Corporate Engagement, Bayer U.S.

One of my mentors once told me that a meaningful life is lived in thirds. The first third is about learning. The second third is about earning. And the last third should be about returning.

This resonated with me early in my career, and thanks to the opportunities and tools provided to me by Bayer, I am fortunate to be in a position to give back to our local communities and to help people live as good a life as I have had.

New Bayer Fund for a new year

As the head of Corporate Engagement at Bayer, I am pleased to announce the launch of a newly consolidated Bayer Fund. Starting in 2020, we have taken the very best in community engagement from Bayer and Monsanto, solidifying each company’s legacy of commitment to enhancing the quality of life in communities where employees live and work.

Bayer Fund prides itself on being an innovative philanthropic leader, continuing to provide millions of dollars annually, now in four priority areas:

· Food & Nutrition — Food security and reliable access to healthy, nutritious food are ongoing problems in our nation. From supplying food directly, to providing education and resources that help improve nutrition, reduce obesity and support families, Bayer Fund grantees are working to combat hunger and malnutrition.

· STEM Education — With science, technology and innovation driving the world economy, we believe it is critical to ensure there is equitable access to a quality STEM education for all students. We support strong programs that build student curiosity, understanding, fluency and skills across the spectrum of STEM disciplines for students in grades K-12.

· Health & Wellness — Education. Awareness. Support. These are three key tenets of Bayer Fund’s investments in health and wellness. We support services and programs focusing on helping patients and their families manage issues related to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

· Community Development — Bayer Fund supports a range of community organizations focused on youth development outside of school in the areas of STEM skills and performing arts.

Seeing yourself

I was born and raised in the city of St. Louis, and like most urban areas, it was very challenging. Growing up in that environment, I did not know many people who went to college. I graduated as the second-ranked student in my class (in an all African-American public high school), and did not receive a single scholarship.

My parents did not go to college, so as a family without that background, we could not imagine how to go about it. I didn’t have anyone to emulate or to say this is how you do it.

Thanks to my high school guidance counselor (as well as a strong love of numbers, analytics, and problem-solving!), I did attend college — at Michigan State University — where I received a degree in Accounting. My first job was with Monsanto Company (now Bayer), and there I learned the importance of having role models and building relationships with people who could help me navigate and see a path to succeed.

The priority areas of Bayer Fund really resonate with me, because there is a strong focus on kids — many of whom look like me, have a background similar to me, and could desperately use some assistance to level the playing field. Through Bayer Fund, I hope that young people are able to envision all they can be, seeing themselves through the example of our employees and our activities.

A community focus

Throughout my career, Bayer has afforded me the opportunity to be exposed to many diverse communities, and you truly get a sense of the disparities and inequities that exist. I have had the pleasure of living in Texas and California, and visiting 17 countries outside of the U.S. Twenty-seven of my 35 years working at Bayer have been in St. Louis, and through a development opportunity at work, I had the chance to participate in a program called Leadership St. Louis, where I learned more about the St. Louis metropolitan area and experienced firsthand how the community can come together to tackle critical issues. I have realized the capacity that each of us has to enhance our community.

That’s why I believe that one of the most exciting aspects our new mission for Bayer Fund is that we will target our efforts to the communities where our employees live and work, such as St. Louis; metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; northern New Jersey; and Berkeley, California.

Being more focused on community efforts that our employees can see, feel and engage in is so important. I believe this will drive ownership for employees to be more aware of and involved in what we are doing, and thus to personalize and multiply the impact of our programs.

Changing lives

At the end of 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for expansion of the local YMCA, which is located in an urban environment where the poverty rate is very high.

The expansion project will include the development of a STEM education center for kids, and a kitchen and garden where families will learn how to select healthy and nutritious food and then how to prepare it. In addition, an expanded fitness area and new fitness programs will allow more individuals to take part in the Y’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Diabetes Prevention and other chronic disease prevention programs to meet growing community needs.

Projects such as this one are the best part of my job. Whether I am handing out a check to fund programs that increase exposure to math and science, ensure everyone has access to a balanced meal, or improve the health of those in the community — to be a part of leaving something or creating something that’s going to change lives, that truly brings me joy.

I never thought, after 30 years in Finance roles at Bayer, that I would be fortunate enough to work in Corporate Engagement — where I have a front row seat to learn, earn, and most importantly, to return. In honor of the launch of our consolidated Bayer Fund, I wish each of you a happy and prosperous 2020, and hope you will have the opportunity to return to your communities in the new year.

Bayer Fund: As a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the United States, Bayer Fund develops programs and makes strategic investments to qualified non-profit organizations tackling big challenges — combatting malnutrition and food insecurity; enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education; providing support services for patients and families managing cardiovascular disease and cancer. More>>