The Opportunity
Credit Suisse wanted to expand how employees contribute to social impact while strengthening leadership development across the organization. Traditional learning programmes can build knowledge, but they do not always create the behavioural shifts required to lead in complex environments. Credit Suisse saw an opportunity to combine leadership development with meaningful contribution to its social impact partners.
The Global Citizens Program was designed to offer employees the opportunity to apply their professional expertise in new cultural and organizational contexts while supporting partner organizations working on financial inclusion, financial education and future skills. As the company’s flagship international skills-based volunteer initiative, it also sought to exemplify the bank’s values, deepen its societal contribution and strengthen the leadership culture needed for long-term success.
The Journey
Participants engaged in international placements and cross-cultural mentoring with social impact organizations across the globe, supported by the Credit Suisse Foundation.
Working in unfamiliar environments required participants to adapt quickly, collaborate across boundaries and rethink assumptions about leadership and problem solving. Structured reflection helped participants step back from the experience, question their assumptions and consider how they would apply what they had learned in their leadership roles.
For partner organizations, the programme provided access to specialised professional expertise that helped strengthen organizational capacity and progress key initiatives.
The Transformation
Participants returned with broader perspectives and greater confidence navigating complex environments. Teams reported stronger collaboration and a deeper connection to the organization’s corporate citizenship goals. Partner organizations benefited from targeted professional support and sustained engagement.
Over the course of the programme:
- Over 460 skills-based volunteer assignments were supported
- 98% of participants gained learning directly useful for their roles
- 88% of participants developed new ideas for business improvements
