When you add value to someone else’s life, you enrich your own—often in ways you never expect.
In this heartfelt episode of #ThroughlineThursdays, Denise Lombard, Director of Responsible Procurement at Cisco, opens up about the emotional ROI of giving back to the community. From flashcards and FaceTime calls to chicken dances with a six-year-old, Denise shares how community service has transformed her life—far beyond any job title or corporate milestone.
This isn’t just a story about volunteering. It’s about human connection, personal growth, and how small moments of service can add up to a lifetime of meaning.
What you’ll discover:
• Why giving back is more than just altruism—it’s transformational
• How volunteering can positively impact your mental health and well-being
• Real data that shows people who give back actually live longer
• What ROI looks like when measured in joy, connection, and purpose
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Timestamps:
00:09 – Why giving back is more than charity
00:45 – The joy of weekly mentoring sessions
01:15 – The emotional returns of service
01:45 – Metrics that prove volunteering adds years to your life
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Have you experienced the ROI of giving back? Share your story in the comments below.
0:09
Interviewer:
“How do you look at the ROI of giving back, Denise? Why do you do it, and how do you justify it to yourself? What’s the payoff for you?”
Denise:
“Yeah, it’s interesting. When I look at some of the marketing materials that Child Advocates puts out, they talk about how you’ll make an impact on a child, how you’ll change their life. And I completely agree with that. But I also want to say, maybe this is selfish, but it’s really changed my life as well. It’s had such an amazing impact on me.”
0:35
“I mean, seriously, when I have my weekly session with my little six-year-old girl, it’s the highlight of my week. I can’t do in-person visits now, but we do FaceTime visits, which include things like flashcards for addition, sight words, and of course, my chicken dance routine with her. It’s the highlight of my week, and it not only makes a difference to these young children, but it’s also a great benefit for me as well.”
1:07
Interviewer:
“Yeah, it’s an emotional return on investment.”
Denise:
“Exactly.”
1:18
“Also, Neha, for those of you who are more metrics-focused, I’ve seen research that actually says those who volunteer live longer than those who don’t. So, there are statistics that show how great it is to give back and volunteer.”
