Former Polycom CEO Andy Miller Urges Year-End Support for Smaller, Under-Recognized Charities

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Dec 14, 2017, 03:00 ET


SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) December 14, 2017 -- The year-end holiday season is traditionally a time of generosity and giving, but it’s also a time when the largest, best-known national organizations tend to command much of our attention and support. That’s why veteran technology-industry CEO Andy Miller is reminding donors not to forget the smaller, less recognized charitable and non-profit organizations that provide invaluable services to communities throughout the region.

Miller launched a new charitable organization – the Andrew Miller Foundation (AMF) – earlier this year to increase awareness and financial support for under-recognized charitable organizations serving children and youth across the San Francisco Bay area and beyond, including:

  • The Javistrong54 Foundation which is raising money for a former high school football player with spinal cord injuries.
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: http://www.lls.org/greater-bay-area, through its Greater Bay Area chapter.
  • The Moment by Moment Foundation: http://www.momentbymoment.org, whose professional photographers create free portraits of families with children battling life-limiting illnesses.
  • The Hidden Genius Project: hiddengeniusproject.org, which teaches underserved young men programming and other technology skills.
  • Teen Esteem: teenesteem.org, an education program that empowers young people to make well-informed life choices, based on respect for themselves and others.
  • Roots of Peace: rootsofpeace.org, an international development program that removes landmines as part of rebuilding sustainable post-conflict communities.
  • ChefsGiving Week: chefsgiving.wpengine.com, a volunteer initiative that united hundreds of chefs, restaurants and wineries in raising funds for those affected by recent Northern California fires.
  • Beyond Differences: beyonddifferences.org, works with middle and high school students to prevent bullying and promote social inclusivity.

“These Bay Area organizations, and others like them, are doing incredible work, yet they are often challenged to be noticed” says Miller. “We are simply trying to give other people a chance to get to know these amazing charities better. Once they do, we hope they will consider including them in their holiday giving plans.”

Andy Miller, who has served as CEO of Polycom and Tandberg, and in other senior positions for companies including Cisco, IPC Systems and Monster Worldwide, created the Andrew Miller Foundation after noticing throughout his career that corporate philanthropy tended to be directed toward larger charitable organizations. Besides Miller’s own initial funding, the foundation plans to raise awareness and additional financial support from other donors, with all funds going directly to selected charities or scholarships.

Miller has more than two decades of executive experience in industry leading technology and telecom companies. As a senior operating executive, he has excelled in focusing on strategic growth areas, leading global expansion, and driving improved profitability. As a director, he has collaborated on successful enterprise communications IPOs, including Gigamon (GIMO).

In addition to guest lecturing at UCLA, USC and Stanford, Andy has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos and has given keynote addresses at Microsoft’s Worldwide Mobile Congress and the Aspen Ideas Festival.

For more information about the Andrew Miller Foundation see http://andrewmillerfoundation.org/.

jeff loomis, onward agency, +1 4155094994, [email protected]