Giving Tuesday: Turning individual generosity Into global impact

Lyra SchrammChief People Officer

As Chief People Officer at F5, I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of talented F5ers—and one thing stands out: their generosity knows no bounds. They give their time and talent to serve customers, support one another, and contribute to their communities. This year, that spirit fueled incredible impact during our 7th annual Giving Tuesday initiative. Over nine days, 83% of employees participated, raising a record $555,721 for charitable causes. Combined with past campaigns, F5ers have donated more than $3.5 million globally during Giving Tuesday, an extraordinary achievement for a company of 6,500 people.

Giving Tuesday is more than a campaign—it’s a celebration of what makes F5 special. Every employee received a $50 donation credit to support any nonprofit of their choice, with many giving more and F5 matching those contributions. The initiative is fully employee-driven, reflecting the diversity of passions across our teams. From employee inclusion group-led fundraisers to team-hosted events, the energy and commitment were inspiring. Together, we proved that when F5ers unite, our impact is limitless.

This year, I chose to give to an organization that has special meaning for me, the Oakland Lacrosse Club. This nonprofit, youth-development organization uses lacrosse as a powerful platform to support middle-school and high-school students academically, socially, and emotionally. The organization focuses on building character, resilience, and confidence, ensuring the sport is a true vehicle for growth and opportunity. My daughter is a lacrosse player, and I have seen firsthand what a difference team sports make for young people.

Since 2019, we have a tradition of encouraging F5ers to share stories about the nonprofits that are closest to their hearts during Giving Tuesday. I’m honored to pass along a few of those stories here. Some choose to contribute to nonprofits in their local communities. Others find their passion supporting causes in faraway places. As you’ll see, each of them finds meaning in the act of giving.

Why we give

Jürgen Paul, Sr Global Services Manager, Germany

I’m supporting Anglberg (Germany) Volunteer Fire Department.

Why this cause is important to me: The Anglberg Volunteer Fire Department is a group of incredible people who dedicate their lives to protecting others. Their fire engine is over 25 years old and it’s beginning to fail when seconds matter. The local municipality can’t cover the cost of a new truck alone. As someone who has volunteered as a firefighter for over 20 years, I know what’s at stake. Reliable equipment isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between life and death.

What makes F5 Giving Tuesday so special: It isn’t just about donating—it’s about showing who we are as a community. It shows the power of coming together. When I told colleagues about the fire department’s needs, so many stepped in with their support. Some shared personal stories about loved ones who served, or about communities built on volunteer spirit. Every message showed the strength of our F5 family. F5 Giving Tuesday is about turning empathy into action, and to show that we care—not just about technology, but about people and communities everywhere.

Aki Fukuyama, Sr Renewal Sales Manager, APCJ-Japan

I’m supporting Yumeshokunin, a Japanese nonprofit that runs a program called Table for Kids.

Why this cause is important to me: Even in a wealthy country such as Japan, child poverty remains a pressing issue. Rising living costs and economic changes have placed many families in difficult situations. That’s why I’m supporting Table for Kids｜まちのみんな力で、子どもの食から支え, [MO1] which is working to end child hunger. Nutritious meals are more than just food—they represent love, hope, and a vital foundation for children’s growth.

What makes F5 Giving Tuesday special: As a child, I learned the importance of volunteering through the Girl Scouts. However, the reality is that volunteering and donating have not yet become deeply rooted in Japanese culture. I am truly grateful that F5 Giving Tuesday has given me an opportunity to reflect on the issues facing Japanese society and discuss them with my colleagues. I am committed to continuing to take small actions, knowing that each one can connect us to a brighter and more hopeful future.

Nabil Saez de Arnedillo, Principal Solutions Engineer, LATAM- Chile

I’m supporting UNICEF.

Why this cause is important to me: I’ve been supporting nonprofits that help children for quite a while now, including UNICEF in Argentina, my home country. This year, I chose UNICEF-Ireland, which is raising funds to help feed children in Gaza. Choosing this charity was simple. Just try to imagine what it’s like to be a child in Gaza right now, dealing with starvation.

What makes F5 Giving Tuesday special: It’s great to know that we can support meaningful communities and choose what we stand for.

Maddie Tabuzo, Sr Business Operations Analyst, Americas- US

I’m supporting two causes: Beacon Hill International School PTA and our Asian & Pacific Islander employee inclusion group (EIG) Giving Tuesday campaign.

Why these causes are important to me: This year I’m supporting two very different causes. One is the Beacon Hill International School PTA, an organization that’s very close to my heart because the curriculum promotes multilingualism, which is important to my family and many others. My child studies Spanish there. The PTA works tirelessly to fund the school’s wonderful programs, and I am so grateful for their efforts. I’m also donating to the Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) EIG campaign, which features a diverse array of organizations that reflects the diversity of the A&PI community. From art and history to education, social justice, and research, I appreciate its wide-ranging support for various causes.

What makes F5 Giving Tuesday so special: Giving Tuesday holds a special place in my heart as it allows me to reflect on the past year and consider the causes and incidents that have impacted me the most. It provides an opportunity to support these causes financially, even if they are far away.

Learn more about our Global Good program here .

About the Author

Lyra SchrammChief People Officer

Lyra Schramm leads F5’s people and culture function. She is an innovation-focused human capital strategist with a history of defining and fueling change in global organizations by aligning people strategies to business imperatives in high-tech, growth-centric, and philanthropic sectors. Lyra spent 9 years at Google in various leadership roles including Vice President, Strategy & Innovation where she spearheaded Google’s first enterprise-wide people strategy supporting the transformation to an AI-first company. In addition she led HR for the Global Advisory Functions, was the Chief of Staff to CHRO, and led the people strategy for a new business line, Google Technical Services. Previously, Lyra played a pivotal HR leadership role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she was instrumental in the Foundation’s global expansion. Her early career with Amazon set the stage for AWS’s growth, where she developed key recruitment strategies that significantly increased headcount and revenue. Lyra holds a BA in Marketing from Washington State University. She continues championing HR innovation and is passionate about empowering women and girls in tech.

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