Q&A: Alejandra Ceja Talks Moving Forward by Giving Back

For more than a century, deep-rooted management philosophies have guided Panasonic employees in giving back. Established nearly 40 years ago, the Panasonic Foundation has helped realize our unwavering commitment of making positive contributions to society through a variety of community outreach initiatives. 

Today, with 13 nonprofit partnerships across 8 key communities, the Panasonic Foundation has helped drive change for over 55,000 individuals to date. Devoted to increasing educational equity, its mission is to address the significant disparity between the availability of future tech jobs and STEAM education for disadvantaged students.

To learn more, we caught up with Alejandra Ceja, Vice President in the Office of Social Impact and Inclusion at Panasonic Corporation of North America, and Executive Director of the Panasonic Foundation who oversees our giving and community efforts and with her purpose-driven team, ensuring we are strengthening and diversifying the next generation of tech leaders.

Did aspects of your upbringing and background shape you for the work you're doing today?  
Absolutely. I grew up in an immigrant community where I experienced firsthand the challenges that individuals from different backgrounds face. It gave me a deep understanding of the importance of equity, fostering my commitment to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all, regardless of their background or circumstances. Having worked in public service for several years, it has made me aware that I have an important seat at the funders table and that our investments could put students on a path to achieving their goals. 

What inspired you to dedicate your career to helping create greater equity in education?    
The transformative power of education and belief that every individual deserves a chance to reach their full potential. Far too many students, especially in underserved communities, lack access to a quality education, safe environments and affordable higher education. Yet education remains a critical key to achieving economic growth and prosperity in our country. The harsh fact is that students of color lack adequate exposure to STEM subjects during their K-12 education and I believe we have a responsibility to bridge these gaps.       

What appealed to you about leading the Panasonic Foundation?  
The organization's unwavering dedication to educational equity. Our commitment to supporting students, educators, and communities to close opportunity gaps deeply resonates with me. Being able to drive meaningful change on a national scale and work towards ensuring that every student has an equal chance to succeed drew me to this impactful role.  I am looking forward to celebrating the Foundation’s 40-year anniversary next year and highlighting our partners and reach.

What moves you to continue pursuing this passion for creating level playing fields for young people?  
The knowledge that each young person's potential is boundless, regardless of their background. Every step forward in closing opportunity gaps in education and workforce readiness as well as fostering inclusivity propels me to persist in this journey, knowing that the work I do contributes to a brighter, fairer future for students.  

How is the Foundation team making a difference for marginalized groups or underserved communities?  
Through targeted outreach, carefully curated grants like the newly-announced Panasonic Grant Challenge, and collaborative efforts we're supporting students, non-profit organizations, and educators to implement innovative strategies specifically targeted to increasing STEAM access and engagement.  Our team's collaborative efforts, alongside community partners, ensure these grants are effectively utilized and tailored to address education and community needs.  Additionally, we have exciting new partnerships with orgs such as Teach for America and Gateway U that will focus on preparing more teachers in the STEM fields.  

What excites you about the future?  
The prospect of witnessing the positive impact of our collective efforts to increase opportunities for students in the STEM fields.  With advancements in technology, increasing access to STEM proficiency will be instrumental to prepare the next generation for the global 21st century workforce.  From groundbreaking discoveries to innovative technologies, the students of today hold the promise of shaping the world in unimaginable ways.  The potential to drive meaningful change, particularly in areas like education and equity, is a source of immense hope and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead. 

What else should employees know about the Panasonic Foundation and Office of Social Impact?  
Employees can actively contribute to supporting the mission of the Panasonic Foundation and the Office of Social Impact & Inclusion by using their volunteer time off to build on our founder’s vision of “Contribution to Society”.  We have a shared responsibility to make a difference and I am inspired by the many employees across North America who uplift communities with their actions.

Stay connected with the Panasonic Foundation’s amazing work by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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