What It's Like to Work at Cleo

Describe how Cleo gives back to its communities. What impact do these efforts have on both those in need and employees themselves?

Cleo Cares, the philanthropic arm of Cleo, strives to stay engaged and give back to the community in multiple ways. You can find us on a quarterly basis doing volunteer work at a local food pantry, participating in clothing drives, raising money for a charitable 5K and so much more. With Chicago being such a large city, the idea that you can truly make a difference can seem unrealistic and daunting at times. Cleo Cares shows employees up close that they can make a positive impact within the community and in all the different ways possible. 

How do these community outreach efforts bolster Cleo’s mission and/or culture?

Cleo’s number one goal is to never stop appreciating our customers while making their businesses successful. Our appreciation also lends itself to the city of Chicago and its people. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day where you are only thinking about yourself and personal expectations — the need for your bus to be on time, the need for lunch at the local food hall to be made quickly, the need for sidewalks to be plowed and salted, etc. Cleo Cares aims to shift the mindset of constant consumption to contribution. Through regular service activities, we can make the community a better place for our neighbors and, ultimately, a better city. 

What advice would you offer to leaders at other organizations interested in implementing more volunteer opportunities? Which efforts have had the biggest impact at Cleo?

My first piece of advice is simple — start right now! Don’t get lost in the different volunteer options or nonprofits to partner with. Pick one and go; I promise the internal excitement from the rest of your organization will follow once they can see the potential impact up close. From there, stay regimented in your opportunities. Cleo Cares pushes itself to offer a certain amount of volunteer opportunities per quarter, and we hold people accountable to ensure we execute. Cleo Cares has gotten to the point where it’s never a shortage of volunteers but rather the opposite where we don’t have enough openings per volunteer activity.