Corporate social responsibility has evolved as companies rely more on a remote workforce. Kelli Ward, the director of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at Aventiv Technologies LLC, works on the front line of this transformation. With a 22-year career, Ward has blended internal communications with social impact initiatives. In this capacity, she enables employees to remain engaged while cultivating a culture of giving back.
A Proud Moment Ignites a Thriving Career
Ward’s career didn’t follow a traditional route. As a college dropout, she returned to school when her son was two months old. As a young mother, she juggled full-time work and academia to earn three degrees. This season in her personal life is one of her proudest moments.
Ward’s academic achievements include earning a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in nonprofit management, sociology, and art from the University of North Texas. In 2018, she graduated, magna cum laude, with a master’s degree in strategic communications from Purdue University.
Communication Keeps Remote Workers Engaged
Aventiv Technologies provides communication devices for incarcerated individuals. Since joining the firm in 2022, Ward has tackled one of the biggest challenges facing CSR leaders today: remote volunteerism. With nearly 90% of the company’s workforce operating remotely across the United States, cultivating community involvement requires innovation.
To keep employees connected, Ward has implemented internal communication strategies, including weekly newsletters and targeted email campaigns. Additionally, she has organized company-wide town halls geared toward keeping employees engaged. These efforts have led to a measurable increase in participation and company-sponsored charitable initiatives.
A Diverse Path Toward Lifelong Learning
For Ward, career progression has never been solely about titles or compensation. Instead, she has embraced every role as an opportunity to learn. “It’s always about becoming a lifelong learner that fascinates me,” she says.
Ward’s experience spans from developing corporate interests at Alcon Laboratories to managing internal digital communications. During her seven years in consulting, she played a critical role in major corporate transitions. This work included ghostwriting, rebranding initiatives, and handling Microsoft Office 365 migrations.
From consulting to nonprofit leadership, Ward has gained valuable insights. Specifically, she discovered how organizations function and how internal communications can shape workplace culture. “The area I’m most passionate about is how to make my coworkers and colleagues’ jobs easier,” she says.
A Culture of Giving at Work
One of Ward’s most significant career achievements is establishing corporate giving and volunteerism programs at multiple organizations. At Quisitive, she created an advisory fund where employees could contribute, with the company matching donations and distributing grants to various nonprofits. She also spearheaded hands-on volunteer initiatives, including building shelters and making toys for animals at the Dallas Animal Shelter.
Upon joining Aventiv Technologies, Ward adapted and expanded charitable initiatives to fit a remote work model. By creating structured volunteer opportunities and implementing an employee-driven engagement strategy, she has strengthened corporate philanthropy and reinforced the company’s mission to give back.
A Lasting Impact on Communities and Workplaces
“I want to be able to always give back to my community,” Ward says. As such, she participates in initiatives that support underserved communities. For instance, she works with the Televerde Foundation, which helps incarcerated women prepare for reintegration into society.
Ward plans to continue working with Aventiv Technologies LLC. One goal is to build a volunteer team to create events that enhance employees’ work lives. “What can I do to make them smile or feel happy to come to work?” is a question she always asks. Thus far, the answers have enabled Ward to transform workplaces for the better.
