Working Wardrobes 2023 Annual Gala Honoree Spotlight: The Boeing Company

“We [partner with Working Wardrobes] because we’re working together, one person at a time, to make our world a better place.”– Kristie Hernández (Senior Government & Community Relations Specialist at The Boeing Company)

The Working Wardrobes Annual Gala is our most impactful fundraiser of the year, a tribute to our mission, and a chance to honor those who make it possible. This year, we will honor The Boeing Company and Justin Frame (Managing Director – Market Executive | Pacific Desert at UBS) for their years of generosity and partnership with our organization. In preparation for the September 9th event, we asked our partners at Boeing why they choose to create ripple effects of impact through Working Wardrobes.

Over Working Wardrobes’ 16 years of partnership with The Boeing Company, seven passionate, dedicated employees have served on our Board of Directors. In 2021, Working Wardrobes launched the Rebuilding Careers Coalition, a community of monthly and annual donors dedicated to helping people overcome barriers to gainful employment. Our partners at The Boeing Company were among the first to answer the call, becoming influential, founding members of the Coalition. Today, Boeing helps Working Wardrobes forge connections with elected and government officials, shares employment opportunities for the clients we serve, engages in volunteerism, hosts clothing drives, and supports our organization financially.

Q: Why is Working Wardrobes’ mission so meaningful to The Boeing Company?

A: [At Boeing, we] say we help to connect, protect, and explore. Working Wardrobes’ commitment to connecting people to the right resources and support to achieve the dignity of work – connecting them with their future, aligns with what is important to us at Boeing. Like Working Wardrobes, Boeing is committed to ensuring military-connected communities have the opportunity to pursue meaningful, competitive and successful careers, including careers in aerospace. Boeing is proud of its commitment to hiring Veterans and investing in their families and local communities.

Q: How does it feel to be honored at Working Wardrobes’ gala, our most important fundraising event of the year?

A: We are honored and humbled. In our President/CEO David Calhoun’s last all-employee webcast, there was a question about giving/charitable contributions. David said we don’t act in our communities for the recognition or publicity – we do it because it’s the right thing to do for our communities, our teammates. Therefore, this type of recognition isn’t why we partner with Working Wardrobes. We do it because we’re working together, one person at a time, to make our world a better place. Hopefully our ‘why’ can inspire others to become more involved.

Q: What would you tell someone who has yet to become involved with Working Wardrobes?

A: Take a tour [to] better understand what Working Wardrobes is doing and how significant of an impact the organization makes – focused not only on the local community, but also having a ripple effect through each person whose lives they touch. Getting involved helps Working Wardrobes create a greater impact to provide guidance and support as individuals enter or integrate into the workforce.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A: The Boeing Company is committed to the communities in which we live and work. In 2022, Boeing contributed more than $13 million in charitable grants to 116 organizations in support of Veterans causes worldwide. Roughly 15% of Boeing’s U.S. based workforce self-identify as Veterans — and we aim to continue growing that number. In recognition of our commitment, Boeing ranked No. 1 for hiring Veterans on the 2021 Diversity Inc. “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list. In 2022, out of 157 companies, Boeing ranked #1 as top military-friendly company for Veterans.In 2022, Boeing ranked #3 in Top Companies for Veterans (Diversity Inc.) as well as #1 top military-friendly company.

Thank you to The Boeing Company, for being philanthropic champions in our community, leading by example as you help people overcome barriers to gainful employment. Join us in honoring The Boeing Company and create your own ripple effect of positive impact – purchase tickets to our Annual Gala today!

To sponsor or underwrite the event, email DevelopmentTeam@WorkingWardrobes.org.

The deadline to RSVP and sponsor is August 9th.