James Zimkus, CPA (Questrom’01 Pardee’10) is Assistant Vice President, Business Risk Management at State Street, as well as the Community Chair for the State Street – BU Alumni Network. James joined us to discuss his role as State Street’s Global Days of Service lead volunteer.
What inspired you to volunteer for the BU alumni network at State Street?
I was inspired to join the BU alumni network at State Street because it is a great way to network with BU alumni outside of your immediate business area. State Street has an excellent program of alumni networks and interest groups that allow you to interact with leaders and colleagues outside of your day-to-day responsibilities.
How did you end up leading the GDS effort on behalf of the State Street team?
I was selected as the Community Chair on the BU alumni network steering committee. As the Community Chair I am always looking to find ways for the BU alumni network at State Street to volunteer.
What service do you plan to do?
I plan to volunteer through the FreeRice (United Nations World Food Program) and include my family on the trivia app.
FreeRice is an online game available for free through your web browser, the App Store, and the Google Play Store. For every question answered correctly, FreeRice will donate 10 grains of rice. Categories include English vocabulary, geography, math, science, and more!
What do you hope your State Street and BU alumni colleagues will get out of the experience?
I hope that State Street and BU alumni colleagues will take advantage of the diverse selection of organizations provided through the Global Days of Service. The ability to volunteer remotely at a time when so many organizations are in need of help is a great opportunity.
Throughout the month of April, alumni and friends around the world come together and give their time and energy to support hundreds of non-profits. Global Days of Service provides an opportunity for the BU community to come together and make an impact in local communities by driving change locally and globally. Over the past 11 years, volunteers like you have helped serve over 162,000 hours.