There is a unique power in giving. Offer your time, your voice, or your expertise, and you gain something equally meaningful: perspective, gratitude, connection, hope. It’s a quiet but profound exchange that happens every day across RELX, as colleagues choose to support the causes and organisations they care about. Their efforts create brighter futures for others while renewing their own sense of purpose in the process.
That is the essence of RELX Cares and this year’s International Women’s Day theme, 'Give to Gain'. Here we shine a light on eight women whose volunteer leadership shows that giving is not only an act of service but also a pathway to growth - proving that when we lift others, we gain something immeasurable in return.
Dee Cafe
HR Employee Engagement, RELX Philippines
For Dee Cafe, the pathway into service began with a culture that made room for it. “The culture of work-life balance in our company inspired me to be passionate about volunteering and leading RELX Cares.” She brings that balance to bold action, supporting families and mobilising colleagues. “Leading and sustaining the community projects that support over 150 Indigenous families has always been my pride and joy. I spearhead initiatives like the iBleed orange blood donation and Chemo Kit drive. While the awards are appreciated, the true reward is the personal happiness and sense of purpose I find in serving our community and helping other people.”
“For me, ‘Give to Gain’ is a reminder that selfless service is an investment in our collective growth and it's about the trust built in the community and projects we serve.” Volunteering, she says, builds humility and confidence. “Most importantly, it has taught me that kindness is inherent in everyone; we just have to learn how to express it.”
Her pride runs through the culture she represents. “RELX’s commitment to community service and work-life balance is one of the reasons I’m proud to work here. We aren't just employees; we represent a culture that values service.” For anyone wondering where to start, her advice is simple and practical. “Start within your own community, take note of where you can offer support and reach out to your leaders or RELX Cares officers so we can provide the necessary guidance.”
Alexis Steadman
Community Manager, RELX - UK
After two decades building bridges between companies and charities, Alexis Steadman joined the RELX Corporate Responsibility (CR) team and found a vantage point on global giving. “I was lucky enough to join the RELX CR sustainability team on a short term contract in September 2019 and I have been here ever since. My role allows me the fortunate position to see the breadth of volunteering across the whole of RELX. Every year I see inspiring examples of the many different ways that our people support their local communities. In 2025, 38% of RELX employees volunteered in their communities.”
“Personally, ‘Give to Gain’ means that when you give something, it’s not about getting something back straight away. I learn new things, meet different people and feel like I’m doing something meaningful.” Supporting women, she notes, multiplies impact. “When women are supported - through mentoring, education, health support or help with building careers - it doesn’t just help them in that moment. It helps them support their families, become role models, and make a positive difference in their communities.”
Alexis also speaks to the organisational case. “We know that there is a strong business case for being a company that 'gives back' through charity donations and paid time off for volunteering.” RELX Cares makes it easy to act. “You can volunteer with your RELX Cares hours, get your personal fundraising matched, apply for donations for charities you choose and get involved with RELX Cares month activities. We reward our best volunteers and fundraisers each year during the Recognising Those Who Care awards."
Christina Chua
Senior Executive Assistant, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, APAC
“I’ve always believed small acts of kindness can create real change,” says Christina Chua. That belief found a home when she took on the APAC Cares Champion role. “The shared purpose resonated with me - giving back feels accessible, collective and deeply human. It reflects the spirit of International Women’s Day: lifting one another and growing stronger together.” What she values most is connection. “What stands out most for me isn’t the activity itself, but the connection it creates: with colleagues, with the community and with the bigger purpose behind what we do.”
Her list of activities proves that contribution can be as varied as our skills. “Some recent experiences include fundraising for the Kapatid Kita Mahal Kita Foundation’s Christmas party for over 500 children, creating virtual flashcards on waste segregation, building lanterns with seniors during a Mid‑Autumn celebration and hand‑making pouches for Singapore Cancer Society volunteers.
“To me, 'Give to Gain' is about the quiet exchange that happens when you give without expectation - and still walk away enriched. RELX creates space for people to bring their whole selves to work - not just their skills, but their values too.”
Nicolien van der Linden
Vice President, Research Analytics, Elsevier -Netherlands
Nicolien van der Linden’s first steps with RELX Cares were urgent and close to home. “I first became involved with the Cares days when a center for Syrian refugees opened near where I live.” The needs were immediate and colleagues responded. “The response from Elsevier was overwhelming, both in terms of donations and in the support offered to help with the effort.” From there, her efforts expanded. “I have been involved in many different initiatives over the years. In the end, what is achieved is what counts.”
“The two initiatives that meant the most to me - because of their direct and immediate impact - were the ideation and creation of the COVID-19 Hub, and the work carried out together with an extraordinary global network of over 240 volunteers to support the families of Elsevier colleagues in Ukraine.” The experiences forged connection and purpose. "Through volunteering, I got to know colleagues I would never otherwise have met and felt the energy that is unleashed when people come together with a shared goal."
Service also redirected her professional growth. “As a result of the activities we undertook for Ukraine, I became interested in open-source intelligence. This led me to pursue professional training in that field.” The reflection is broader too. “As individuals, we all benefit from the systems, institutions and communities around us. Contributing time, expertise or resources is a way of strengthening the very fabric that enables us to thrive."
Trish McCall
Sr Director and ADAM Program Co‑Founder, LexisNexis Risk Solutions - US
For more than three decades at the company, Trish McCall has paired purpose with innovation. “The opportunity to help co-found the ADAM Program, a technology-for-good initiative aimed at helping find missing children and reunite families, has been profoundly fulfilling.” Her advocacy extends through partnership. “I have participated in and championed various volunteer and fundraising activities supporting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the non-profit which uses the ADAM Program in its mission to help bring missing children home safely.”
“The concept of 'Give to Gain' resonates deeply with me. Volunteering and giving back have been instrumental in both my personal and professional growth throughout my career. It has become a part of me, allowing opportunities to develop new skills, build stronger relationships with colleagues and business partners who all share the same passion to give back to the community and make society a safer place for our children."
Trish also sees giving back as core to our identity. “Giving back to communities and society is essential, both as individuals and as part of an organization like RELX. It defines who we are as a company which fosters a culture of empathy, collaboration and corporate responsibility.”
Deidre Collins
Executive Assistant to President, Nexis Solutions, LexisNexis - US
For Deidre Collins, service is a connecting theme across years and roles. Throughout my personal and professional life, I have always volunteered; and working at RELX has provided me with even greater opportunities to get involved with our volunteer community.” Her activities span generations and needs. “Working with organizations that provide quality food and companionship for the elderly, participating in reading programs for young children, activities with disadvantaged teens and volunteering to sort and distribute food to the needy are just some of the projects I have supported.”
What she gains is both personal and collective. “Helping organizations fulfill their mission has enriched my life by giving me a tremendous sense of accomplishment as I know I am making a difference in someone’s life. Not only do the charity organizations we work with benefit from our volunteer help and donations, but we also grow as individuals as we work together with our colleagues to help serve our community.” The office becomes a place of shared purpose. “There are many co-workers I do not work with but now know well through our volunteer work, and this has helped us have a special NYC office volunteer community bond of our own.”
Her conviction is simple. “I believe when you volunteer and provide whatever help you can, you are rewarded as you have accomplished a great goal – helping or providing for someone in much greater need than you.” She is proud of the platform that makes it possible. “RELX has proven in such a huge way that it cares about our communities globally; and there is no better commitment than by providing employees two days a year to participate in volunteer opportunities.”
Ana Paula Dias de Carvalho
Operational Manager, RX Brazil
For Ana Dias, volunteering is a return to something deeply meaningful. “I've been doing volunteer work since I was a teenager, but professional life and motherhood kept me away from it for a while. Having the opportunity to lead the RELX Cares committee has given me the chance to reconnect with what I love.” The reward, she says, arrives in small human moments. “I believe that we receive more than we give when we practice charity. Every smile, every grateful glance, fills our hearts with love.”
Her philosophy is grounded in responsibility and possibility. “If we have the means, we also have the responsibility. Not everyone has had the same opportunities, and recognizing this is the first step towards building a more just society. When we extend a hand, we share dignity, hope and possibility.” That conviction meets a practical framework that RX and RELX Cares provide. “Take advantage of the opportunity RX provides to have two days to do volunteer work and contact the RELX Cares leadership in your business to learn more about the initiatives in which they are involved. Make a difference in someone's life”
Gomathy Tamilselvan
Senior Learning and Development Manager, Elsevier - India
“Helping others has always been something I’ve felt deeply connected to, even if it’s in small, quiet ways,” says Gomathy Tamilselvan. For her, RELX Cares turned intention into impact. “Through RELX Cares, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in onboarding a charity partner, raising funds, organising volunteering events for multiple charity partners and coordinating other Cares initiatives. Each of these experiences has reinforced for me that leadership is about creating opportunities for others and enabling collective action.”
“To me, 'Give to Gain' is about the quiet but powerful exchange that happens when we give with genuine intent. When we offer our time, skills or empathy, we don’t lose anything - instead, we gain perspective, connection and a deeper sense of purpose. Through my volunteer and fundraising work with RELX Cares, I’ve seen this come to life time and again.”
At the organisational level, the message is clear. “As an organisation, giving back is a powerful expression of our values. RELX doesn’t just talk about valuing people and communities - it actively creates space, support and opportunities for employees to live those values.” Her advice removes any barrier to entry. “My advice would be to simply start by joining volunteering activities in your respective locations and choose activities that interest you. Once you take that first step, the experience has a way of pulling you in - there’s no looking back, only a growing desire to do more.”

