Volunteering could be your company's secret weapon in an AI-driven, purpose-hungry world.
Karlijn L’Ortye shares why smart companies are investing in people, community, and inclusion. Starting with MO time.
Karlijn breaks it down: corporate volunteering boosts employee satisfaction, improves retention, and builds a strong employer brand. It also sparks unexpected wins, like turning a volunteer project into a new paid client.
The idea that started MO The Movement is simple but powerful: companies win, employees grow, and communities thrive.
Key Takeaways from Episode 107
In this episode, Karlijn L’Ortye shows that corporate volunteering is more than a feel-good initiative. It’s a strategic tool for business growth.
When done right, corporate volunteering can:
✅ Boost employee satisfaction and improve retention
✅ Strengthen your employer brand and attract purpose-driven talent
✅ Lead to unexpected business opportunities and new client leads
With the right structure and leadership, companies, employees, and communities all benefit.
🎧 Ready to dive in? Hit play above, or find the episode on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
3 Magical Moments from the Episode
Karlijn's journey starts with a magical fail, building her own candy business. But it does not stop there. Here are three more moments that make this episode stand out:
📉 What a debt collection agency taught her about risk
Before launching her first company, Karlijn worked at a debt collection agency where she saw firsthand how businesses fail. That experience shaped her views on risk, optimism, and the hard truth that knowing when to stop can be more valuable than knowing how to start.
🪄 MO time, not me time
Her company rebrands volunteering as MO time, “time for another.” It’s a cultural shift. Instead of squeezing giving into weekends, employees get support and structure to give back during work hours.
🤝 Why volunteering creates better leaders
When managers step into volunteer roles, they start at the bottom. They need to earn trust in unfamiliar environments without relying on their title. This experience builds empathy, sharpens soft skills, and shifts how they lead back at work.
What was your favorite moment from the episode? Feel free to share it in the comments.
“Philantropy is not soft at all. It can be a really good business case” - Karlijn L’Ortye
3 Practical Takeaways for Female Founders Who Want to Build a Better Business Through Volunteering
Volunteering isn't just nice for your brand. It is essential for your business.
That is, if you do it right.
During our conversation, Karlijn shares these three important takeaways for female founders.
✅ Volunteering is part of a sound strategy
MO the Movement is built on the premise that you should treat volunteering like any other strategic initiative. To help you do this, it uses a five-part maturity model: Leadership, Culture, Programs, Resources, and Communication.
✅ Prioritise inclusion
Thanks to the input of Karlijn's largely Gen Z team, the platform hides names and profile photos during the application phase. This breaks bias and opens doors for a broader group of volunteers. And richer collaboration.
✅ Now is the best time to start doing good
Even when budgets tighten, now is the time to invest in community and purpose. As Karlijn says, “If you want to leave a legacy, it starts today.”
Volunteering is not a distraction from business; it’s a way to build a better one. Listen to Karlijn’s story on Women Disrupting Tech and discover how giving can transform your culture, your team, and your future.
🎧 Episode 107 is available now on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Amazon.
And check out the links in the show notes to connect with Karlijn.
Coming up on Women Disrupting Tech
Coming up, we'll dive into the world of women's health and wellbeing. Jo Sarah Smolders shares how she is building Umaversity, the place where women (and men) can go to learn more about women's health and wellbeing.
He’s a clip to warm you up.
So stay tuned for more.
And until the next episode, stay curious and Keep Being Awesome!
Dirkjan
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