Heartfelt impact
Cenovus Cares Ambassadors share their best moments in 2024.
Our Cenovus Cares ambassadors are making a difference in communities across our operating regions. From North America to Asia, these dedicated leaders engage colleagues and help organize a wide range of impactful volunteering and giving opportunities for our employees as part of our Cenovus Cares Program. In 2024, more than 80 ambassadors supported over 2,600 organizations addressing local issues important to them and Cenovus.
Driving positive change
Ambassadors collaborate with our Social Investment team to set goals and targets to drive staff participation in our program. They respond to questions from peers, provide support, brainstorm new and fun ways to give to our communities and help recruit new ambassadors.
"My journey to becoming an ambassador began at an early age growing up in a military household where community involvement was paramount,” says Amanda Paine, Planning and Operations Analyst, at our Upgrader Complex in Lloydminster. “However, in college, as I became busier, I found myself stepping back from volunteering. A life-altering accident in my late twenties, which resulted in the amputation of my right hand, led me back to volunteering. Volunteering then became a form of therapy for me, allowing me to channel my energy positively and connect with others. I’ve met incredible people while learning about deeper issues facing our communities through the ambassador program at Cenovus.”
Championing engagement
Ambassadors play a crucial role in inspiring others and raising awareness of Cenovus Cares. They participate in meetings and training sessions and stay informed through network resources.
"Being a part of the Cenovus Cares program has allowed me to connect with my community in meaningful ways,” says Kala Helms, Senior Capital Planning Engineer, at our Lima Refinery in Ohio. “We put on some great events last year – the highlight for me was volunteering with my family, including fixing up a group home for underserved youth in Wapakoneta with my husband, shopping for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program with my daughter and cutting pies with my mom for Heartbeat of Lima’s annual fundraising banquet. It's incredibly rewarding to support initiatives focused on building resilient communities and see the positive impact we make together."
Personal and professional growth
Volunteering as an ambassador offers numerous benefits, including the chance to make a positive difference in the community and workplace, strengthen empathy and better understand some of society's biggest challenges. It's also a unique professional development opportunity that provides networking, visibility and connection with colleagues.
"Joining the Cenovus Cares ambassador program has been a fulfilling experience in my career,” says Leo Liao, Manager of Information & Cyber Security, in Shekou, China. “As Spider-Man says, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ and I am blessed to have the ability to give back. Last fall, I visited two elementary schools in Guizhou to donate 80 computers, stationery supplies and sporting equipment from Cenovus and China National Offshore Oil Corporation. I was so impressed by the teachers and students who obviously work very hard every day with little resources and was happy to see our support for future-ready youth in action."
Cenovus capped off 2024 with its annual Cenovus Cares Season of Giving campaign, which rallies staff around giving and volunteering opportunities from November 12 to December 13. Our ambassadors play a big role in the campaign, supporting activities in their location. Thanks to their efforts, we had a successful campaign, with our employees donating over $3 million from their own wallets and resulting corporate matches, and logging more than 30,000 volunteer hours and 300 team volunteer events in support of causes across our operating communities.
As part of our appreciation for their unwavering commitment and passion for creating lasting positive change, each Cenovus Cares ambassador receives a $500 grant per year to donate to a community organization of their choice.
2024 Cenovus Cares highlights
- C$10M+ donated by the company and employees
- 72,300+ hours volunteered
- 65% employees participated
LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 2025