Q3 T2Bmeet @ SF 2026

How Exelixis Grew Employee Volunteering 41% and Made the Business Case for Giving

Employee giving and volunteering can support several priorities at once: employee engagement, internal communications, social storytelling, and a company’s relationship and reputation with its local community and beyond. At Exelixis, these priorities come together in a Public Affairs-led program that grew employee volunteering 41% from 2024 to 2025.

In this case study, Kathleen Brennan and Lindsay Treadway will share how Exelixis creates a steady pipeline of engagement opportunities, uses a strategic year-round communications plan and channels to sustain participation, and partners across many internal departments to drive engagement among the Company’s employees. They will also discuss how external organizations and technology help a lean team expand its capacity, manage giving and volunteer activities, and capture meaningful data.

Attendees will gain a practical look at the operating model, communications approach, and measures of success that have helped Exelixis grow participation while strengthening employee sentiment, corporate storytelling, and its presence in the local community.

Key Takeaways:

• ​Structure a giving and volunteer program that can grow with clear ownership and limited staff.
• Sustain participation through a consistent communications cadence, accessible opportunities and employee recognition.
• Partner across HR, Employee Experience and external organizations to expand reach and execution capacity.
• Use technology to simplify giving, matching, volunteer tracking and reporting.
• Connect program metrics to employee engagement, communications value and community impact.

Program:

• 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Check-in and networking
• 5:30-6 p.m. – How Exelixis Grew Employee Volunteering 41% and Made the Business Case for Giving
• 6-7 p.m. – Reception and networking