Community Impact Report 2024 by hkaglobal

Introduction

We recognise the transformative power of giving back to local communities and are committed to strengthening these connections. Our Community Impact Team (CIT) champions this commitment, driving strategic initiatives, setting goals, and launching programmes that create lasting change.

Our efforts can make a meaningful difference as they align closely with three of the UN’s SDGs: alleviating poverty, promoting well-being, and broadening access to education.

UNSDG 1 – No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Target 1.2 Indicator: 1.2.2 The proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

HOW WE ALIGN

We volunteer, fundraise and donate to many charities around the world to help alleviate poverty. Charities we frequently work with include: Othandweni Family Care Centre (Africa), the London Legal Trust (UK), Pass It On Clothing (Australia), The Hub Hong Kong, MANNA (US), and Soup Kitchen London (UK).

UNSDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Target 3.4. Indicator: 3.4.1

Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.

HOW WE ALIGN

From offering practical assistance to advocating for research and preventative healthcare, we support efforts to fight disease and promote health equity worldwide. We back many charities, including World Federation of Mental Health, March of Dimes, Cancer UK, Cancer Council Australia, MacMillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, and the American Heart Association.

UNSDG 4 – Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Target 4.2. Indicator: 4.2.2

Participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex

HOW WE ALIGN

Education is a catalyst for personal growth and societal progress, and a human right. We support a wide range of educational endeavours, from orphanages to career presentations in local schools promoting inclusivity. Over recent years, we have also volunteered as well as donated to Page Turners Make Great Learners, Inc. (Global), ACE Mentorship programme (US), Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs (UAE), Orkids (Malaysia) and New Jerusalem Children’s Home (Africa).

In 2025, our focus will be on increasing the total value of donations, volunteering hours, and our colleagues’ overall engagement in community projects. We are also intensifying our efforts on projects that address our four core priorities for supporting the most vulnerable in our local communities (see below).

Jonathan O’Neill Director Global Community Impact Team Lead

Over several years, as a HKA volunteer, I’ve carried out handson practical conservation and environmental work, made and delivered food at a Soup Kitchen, and participated in the London Legal Walk with colleagues. I cherished the connection with the community and support shared through the bond of kindness.

Hari Sunuwar Associate Technical Director, London

80 million steps around the world

UNSDGS 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Hundreds of colleagues across each of our regions tracked their steps as a part of our first global community impact initiative, 80 million steps around the world.

That target – for the six weeks leading up to World Giving Day on May 4 – is equivalent to 59,000km, For every kilometre covered, HKA donated US$0.50 to be shared between 11 charities:

• Papyrus UK

• Charity: Water

• Habitat for Humanity Asia

• Starlight Children’s Foundation

• Team AngelWolf

• Niaz Foundation

• March of Dimes

• ACE Mentor

• Page Turners Make Great Learners, Inc

• Together We Bake

• Othandweni Family Care Centre

By the end, colleagues accumulated 91,966,429 steps, raising over $30,000 for the charities –and promoting their own good health and wellbeing through cardiovascular exercise.

Participating in the 80 million steps challenge was an incredible journey, knowing that every step we took supports vital charities around the world. It’s inspiring to see our collective efforts making a real impact in our communities.”

Tom Vibert

Lead Consultant in our Advisory team from Brisbane

Prioritising our local communities

Our objectives for community impact focus on alleviating poverty, improving mental health, fighting disease, and supporting lifelong learning. We believe that these are critical areas where we can make the most meaningful and lasting difference in our communities.

• Alleviating Poverty : HKA is a global business with 45+ offices in 17 countries. We recognise that poverty is a pressing problem in the communities where we live and work, in both developed and developing economies. We can boost local action that brings positive change by empowering our colleagues to engage in community initiatives that help alleviate poverty and improve people’s lives.

• Fighting Disease : Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right. We understand the devastating impact of disease on individuals and communities. Our Global CIT collaborates with charities supporting those affected by illness and researching cures and better treatments. We are committed to promoting health equity and access to treatment worldwide.

• Improving Mental Health : Mental health is a cornerstone of well-being yet remains a neglected area of public health. We recognise the need to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues. We foster open conversations in our workplaces and support causes that promote mental wellness and resilience, helping individuals lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

• Lifelong Learning : Education is a catalyst for personal growth and societal progress. We believe in the transformative power of learning at every stage of life. Through our community initiatives, we support a wide range of educational endeavours in orphanages and schools, where CIT members get involved in talks and presentations designed to inspire fulfilling career choices and promote inclusivity. Our people also offer mentorship and other advice to help individuals unlock their full potential.

Our CIT strategy puts a strong emphasis on employee participation. HKA people are highly capable and resourceful. Their engagement with local projects and people can make a real difference in the communities where we live and work, while also reinforcing our collaborative culture and people’s sense of purpose. HKA believes that volunteering is rewarding for everyone involved.

In support of this, our company policy grants all employees paid time off to volunteer with local charities and other projects aligned with our social and community objectives. This demonstrates our commitment to giving back and empowers our employees to be agents of change in their own communities.

From global to regional

Our Global CIT fosters the culture of social responsibility that inspires community engagement across our regions. Meeting at least monthly, the committee brings together all our regional CIT leads.

It is these colleagues who – along with fellow members of their regional committee – identify and organise local volunteering opportunities in line with our goals. Members manage the logistics of volunteer events, including scheduling, transportation, and resources. They also track participation rates and measure the impact on their communities.

Our Impact in 2024

In 2024, our global steering committee and regional CITs across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC spearheaded a variety of social and community initiatives.

All regions were involved in our global campaign emphasising the importance of exercise to the health and well-being of our people. Leading up to World Giving Day on May 4, we launched a step challenge. All colleagues were encouraged to record the number of steps taken each day in April.

Fundraisers become tutors for Orkids UNSDG 4 – Quality Education

Having raised funds for the school, staff from the Kuala Lumpur office went on to spend time at Orkids, which is dedicated to the education and positive development of children with special needs. Our team took part in learning and guidance sessions, as well as Zumba and exercise classes. And the children put on a dance performance at the end of the day.

The opportunity to spend time with the children was an incredibly rewarding and unforgettable experience for all of us. We spent the morning being tutors to these wonderful children. We also learnt about the challenges of managing a self-funded institution, and why volunteers are most welcome. Volunteering does not require a lot of effort, just a fraction of our time.”

Fionna Goh

Associate Director in our Construction, Claims and Expert services practice based in Kuala Lumpur

Global CIT committee

Jonathan O’Neill Director, CIT Global

John Paolin Partner, CIT Americas

Gemma Vickers Associate Director, CIT Middle East

Xiaojung Yip Managing Consultant, CIT APAC

Janine MacNeil Global People Systems, Processes and Information Manager, CIT Global

Kate Hall Client Support Manager, CIT Europe

Linda Bikitsha Managing Consultant, CIT Africa

A graphic showed their progress circumnavigating the globe, underscoring how individual efforts contribute to larger as well as personal goals, and fostering a sense of collective achievement.

Our volunteering programme also saw remarkable growth in 2024. All employees – full-time and parttime – are entitled to one paid half-day each year for community or environmental activities. From supporting centres for people with special needs to volunteering at orphanages and food kitchens, our colleagues dedicated themselves to a variety of meaningful causes.

A total of 66 community activities benefited from over 650 hours of volunteer work – a 9% increase from 2023. HKA also increased the financial support provided to charities and good causes worldwide, donating more than US$200,000.

These contributions not only generated social value, they have also strengthened our collective mission to make a lasting impact through targeted action and meaningful collaboration.

Tackling food insecurity around the Capital UNSDG 1 – No Poverty, 2 – No Hunger

The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) is dedicated to creating short-term and long-term solutions to food insecurity. Each year it donates more than 60 million meals to those in need in the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. The CAFB is also addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with a network of organisations to help people out of poverty. Five colleagues volunteered to pack 340 boxes of food to be distributed to local seniors experiencing food insecurity and give back to their local community.

We filled boxes with shelf-stable foods for CAFB’s Senior Program. It was a rewarding experience working with colleagues to serve a need within our community.”

Milton Detty Associate Director from

our Washington, DC, Government Contracts team

Our commitment in 2025

In 2025, HKA aims to build on the positive impacts we have been making in our local communities.

Our goals for 2025 include:

• Increasing the total volunteering time of our staff to over 700 hours.

• Raising our monetary contributions to charities and social projects by 10%.

• Encouraging at least 20% of our staff to participate in our volunteer programme.

• Organising a global volunteering week for World Giving Day on May 4.

In addition to ongoing initiatives throughout the year at local level, the Global CIT – supported by our regional committees – is planning a company-wide health and well-being initiative for the benefit of staff and our chosen charities.

Lawyers Have Heart UNSDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing

Colleagues and family members attended the 10k, 5k, and Fun Walk to raise money for the fight against heart disease and stroke. We are pleased to be a part of this mission, raising funds for scientific research, prevention, and awareness.

I am very excited to co-chair the Lawyers Have Heart executive leadership team this year and work with the American Heart Association for such a great cause! I look forward to a great event in May 2025 and HKA's continued support.”

Partner Laura Connor Smith, who has been named co-chair for the 2025 Lawyers Have Heart.

Once again, Team HKA supported the American Heart Association’s Lawyers Have Heart event in West Potomac Park in Washington DC.

Riding for a T1D Breakthrough in Canada

UNSDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing

HKA's offices in Toronto and Montréal both fielded teams as part of the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Ride to Defeat Diabetes.

First up, our Montréal team raised more than $1,200 at the event in Place du Canada on October 10, while challenging themselves, building camaraderie, and engaging in a little friendly competition.

A week later, the Toronto ‘Rock Star’ team raised more than $21,600 in a “Rock and Roll-themed Ride” at Nathan Phillips Square.

The JDRF Ride to Defeat Diabetes is an annual corporate event across Canada to raise funds to cure, prevent, and treat Type-1 Diabetes. The enthusiastic support from HKA and our Canadian team has been tremendous. The funds raised will help improve the lives of over 300,000 Canadians affected by Type-1 Diabetes and hopefully one day find a cure.”

Praveen Perera Associate Director in our Toronto Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages team

An extra mile for London’s homeless

UNSDG 1 – No Poverty, UNSDG 2 – No Hunger

Hosting Hong Kong’s harbour walk

UNSDG 1 – No Poverty

HKA was delighted to host a fundraising walk by the harbour during ICCA Hong Kong 2024. Starting at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, the morning walk finished with a hearty dim sum breakfast at Ho Choi Seafood Restaurant at Sai Ying Pun.

This initiative brought together the international arbitration community to raise funds for The Hub Hong Kong , a remarkable local charity that transforms lives by empowering disadvantaged children and youth through education, social health, and well-being support.

It was uplifting to see nearly 40 people from around the world join our first HKA Charity Walk along Hong Kong’s harbourfront. We enjoyed a sunny morning, shared a delicious dim sum breakfast, and supported a great local cause together.”

Crystal Lim

Senior Marketing Manager based in Singapore

Thirteen colleagues from our London office volunteered at Soup Kitchen London, which preparing nutritious meals for the vulnerable people living on the streets. The volunteers walked over three miles through Central London, engaging with our homeless neighbours, handing out care packages, and providing a comforting presence.

Being part of this effort was truly fulfilling. From working with colleagues to put the food parcels together to walking around London distributing them to people in need, it was a humbling and eye-opening experience. We met some truly kind people, and were even gifted a beautiful drawing.”

Panos Logothetis

Associate Technical Director based in London

Part of the Othandweni Family

UNSDG 1 – No Poverty

Since 2021, HKA’s team in Johannesburg has supported the Othandweni Family Care Centre in various ways – upgrading its library, cleaning the children’s play area, and donating groceries, school uniforms, appliances, and financial support for its 90 children.

This year we facilitated a rugby kit donation from Dubai Hurricanes and hosted a Christmas party, transforming the centre’s hall for the festivities. The team selected gifts for the children, many of whom had never received any before. Our team also donated a month’s worth of groceries, baby milk formula, and other essentials like paint, mattresses, play mats, and a refrigerator.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s efforts and the meaningful impact we’ve made through our partnership with Othandweni. By helping provide basic essentials (and Christmas presents) for these underprivileged children, we hope we’ve helped make their lives a little easier over the years and brought some joy.”

Claudia O’Brien Partner, Head of Africa Operations based in Johannesburg

Dedication and determination at Senses UNSDG 4 – Quality Education

Colleagues from across our Middle East offices visited Senses in Dubai, a wonderful residential care facility that supports orphaned and abandoned children who it describes as ‘people of determination’.

Sixteen colleagues based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha spent a half-day with the residents, beginning with group athletic activities. Afterwards, our colleagues split into small groups and visited the classrooms for one-on-one sessions to support learning and development.

We were privileged to visit Senses. The dedication and compassion of the staff are truly inspiring, creating a nurturing environment where residents thrive. Our team had an incredibly rewarding experience engaging in the activities that brought smiles all around.

This visit reinforced the importance of giving back to our community, and we encourage others to consider volunteering at Senses.

It’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference and witness first-hand the incredible work being done there.”

Olivia Taylor

Senior Consultant in our Construction, Claims and Expert Services team based in Dubai

Inspiring the young on Mandela Day

UNSDG 4 – Quality Education

To honour Mandela Day, our team from Johannesburg held a Career Day at the New Jerusalem Children’s Home.

This year’s theme for the day encouraged us to impart knowledge and empower the next generation. Our Career Day was inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

New Jerusalem Children’s Home provides holistic and integrated quality care for vulnerable children. It has been championing children’s rights for over 21 years and currently accommodates 117 young people, from infants to 21-year-olds.

Dedicating time to provide career guidance and contribute to these young people’s future career paths gave me a great sense of satisfaction.”

Wisani Bila Director

in our Construction, Claims and Expert Services team in Johannesburg

Serving up MANNA in Philly

UNSDG 1 – No Poverty, 2 – No Hunger

Nine members of our Philadelphia team volunteered at MANNA, preparing meals for people with serious illnesses.

The charity provides medically tailored meals to underprivileged people in the metropolitan region in need of nourishment to improve their health and quality of life.

Volunteering at MANNA was an awesome experience. As someone who just recently started at HKA, it was great to work with colleagues outside of the office whom I wouldn’t normally interact with on a daily basis, to get to know them and help a great cause. While holding food drives and fundraisers are always a great thing, taking some time out of our schedules to provide first-hand support to those in our community generates gratitude and camaraderie in our community that is hard to replicate.”

Tim Pergolin

Senior

Associate Consultant in our Government Contracts group from Philadelphia