“On paper it sounds very technical, but what it does to a community is extremely powerful”
Giovana Pérez Ayala
Head of Operations – Business Systems & Services & Business Agriculture
At Signify, I am Head of Operations for BU Agriculture and Line of Business Systems & Services. One of the things I appreciate most about the company is that employees are encouraged to support social projects through the Signify Foundation.
Signify Foundation
In our June 2026 issue of Generaties, Saskia van der Wolf and Maarten Pinxten also talk about their activities for the Signify Foundation.
Read GeneratiesTwo years ago, I initiated a project to improve the lighting at a public elementary school in rural Bolivia. The project was very special for me because it was the school my father attended as a child. After he passed away, I wanted to do something meaningful in his memory and give something back to the community that had shaped him. In many ways, it felt like coming full circle.
The project began with a simple goal: replacing old lighting with modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. At the time, electricity was expensive and the school often tried to save money by keeping the lights off. As a result, classrooms were not always well lit, which made learning more difficult for the children.
The new lighting made a big difference. Classrooms became brighter and more comfortable places to learn. There was also a theatre at the school that had not been used for years. Thanks to the new lighting, it could be used again. Today, it serves not only the school but also the wider community, hosting events and activities for the village.
What started as a lighting project soon became much more. Together with colleagues, family members, parents and local volunteers, we helped create a library for the children. Parents renovated the space themselves and books were donated to build the collection. We also purchased many children's books from a well-known Bolivian author, who joined me on a visit to the school. During her visit, she read her most famous book to the children and i told them the story of my father, making the experience even more special and inspiring for them. It became a project that brought many people together.
This experience changed the way I look at my work. Lighting may sound technical, but its impact goes far beyond technology. Good lighting can improve education, bring people together and create new opportunities for a community.
It has also influenced the way I think about my pension. Of course, financial returns are important. But I also think it matters how money is invested and what impact those investments have. My experience in this project showed me that investments can improve people's lives while also creating long-term value. That is something I find important when thinking about the future.
