A Day in the Life of a Shopify Social Impact Manager

“Remote work makes the world feel like a digital village where we’re interconnected and have access to learning and networking opportunities across the globe.”

This week, we visited Toronto and spent the day with Shopify Social Impact Manager Johannes Valdes. During our visit, he showed us his workstation and took us on a tour of his Downtown Toronto neighborhood.

What do you do at Shopify?

After spending years working in the nonprofit sector, I couldn't have imagined shifting from youth work and International Development to the tech industry. I am constantly challenged to thrive on change and supported by a team with a growth mindset and a shared passion for creating impact! 

My team provides youth with opportunities to join our early talent programs such as Dev Degree, APM, and the Intern program and assigns them mentors to help them see themselves in tech through diverse representation.

In order for Shopify to be a 100-year company, it's critical that the next generation is equipped with the tools they need to thrive in an ambiguous world, address global challenges, and navigate careers that don't even exist yet. By supporting kids, we can play a key role in promoting diverse representation in the industry, reducing barriers to entry, and providing tangible pathways into our ecosystem. 

How do you work? 

I start my day by feeding my dog and checking the day’s to-do list from the night before. My partner and I then brew ourselves coffee and take the dog around the block. We both work remotely, so getting outside in the morning feels like our own commute to work and an excellent way to get fresh air before starting the day.

I spend the rest of my mornings reviewing community partner action items and preparing project updates from my workstation. As the day progresses, I  move from my desk to the kitchen, couch, or front patio, depending on the type of work I need to complete.

Each member of the Social Impact team champions different partnerships, so we often meet to discuss priorities and touch base on team collaborations. I champion 2 youth partnerships, STEMing UP and Techsploration. I help by managing volunteer opportunities, laptop donations, and program evaluation pieces in collaboration with these partners. We are currently building out a volunteer management strategy to better support Shopifolk from recruitment and planning stages to post-program evaluation and recognition. 

I am also leading our Indigenous Youth Outreach project, a strategic partnership exploration to collaboratively support Indigenous youth in STEM and entrepreneurship. With the guidance of Shopify’s Indigenous team, we are exploring ways to support Indigenous Youth already accessing culturally-relevant programs. Through platform demos and presence at career workshops, we’ve reached nearly 100 program participants who loved learning about Indigenous folks that use Shopify and new ways to sell their work.

Every week, I meet with hEr VOLUTION’s team to co-create STEMing UP – a program equipping young women and non-binary youth with the technical skills, confidence, and professional networks needed to pursue fulfiling careers in STEM. We’ve paired youth with women-led businesses and challenged them,  with the support of Shopifolk volunteers, to provide technical solutions for their stores. Supporting tech and entrepreneurship programs and connecting youth to work with real businesses is how we build career pathways for the next generation of changemakers. 

At the end of my work day, I like to go on city walks with my partner, look for furniture items to upcycle, check out neighborhoods for potential investment, and explore the diverse culinary experiences just outside our doorstep. In the evenings, I play board games with friends, play music, or watch YouTube videos before calling it a day.

What's your favorite part of remote work experience?

My absolute favorite part of remote work is collaborating with youth-serving partner organizations and connecting Shopifolk to meaningful volunteer opportunities from the comfort of my living room! The possibilities for connection and impact are endless.

I love the flexibility to work from anywhere and how I can carry out my work while visiting friends and family on the west coast. Remote work makes the world feel like a digital village where we’re interconnected and have access to learning and networking opportunities across the globe.