Mercedes Ubeda portrays her life as a spirited anthem, in opulent heartwarming movements.
The Orange Spain employee enthusiastically describes her career path as, “a three-part score.” She now works as a travel cost supervisor at the support services department. Before Internet, mobile phones and corporate management, she was initially drawn to the legal field and worked to help impoverished women. When her third child turned out to be twins, she took a break from work. Then, as the new millennium came close, the magic of the Internet and the dawn of email connected her to service operators. She joined Retevision (since acquired by Orange) and earned a Master degree in e-commerce. She also dedicated time to her passion for journalism and is still a monthly contributor to an online media outlet.
"It’s an amazing, inspiring, enriching and rewarding experience."
Amid this whirlwind of activity, since 1998 she has been committed to philanthropy, sending monthly donations to Aldeas Infantiles NGO. In 2009, she got her start in employee volunteering through an internal program called Solidarios Orange. The Solidarios Orange platform encourages employees to submit projects to help disabled children; Mercedes was in charge of listing submissions. A year later, the Orange Foundation Spain made her heart beat to a new tune: choral music! The lively fifty-something signed up for the employee choir.
“It’s an amazing, inspiring, enriching and rewarding experience. We sing at company events in front of 1,000 co-workers, like at the 21st “Nuit de la Voix” Concert in Paris, but we also perform for isolated and underprivileged populations, in outdoor venues for people with autism, in retirement homes and other places. Each of these events is a challenge which rewards us hundredfold for what we give. The Monday rehearsals are the highlight of the week!”
It really must help recharge her batteries because she also finds the energy to dedicate time to an Indian foundation. “Making sure kids don’t slip through the cracks and giving them a future - it’s a no-brainer. I know that the Colours of Calcutta Foundation is a trusted organisation and I can promote its project through Solidarios Orange.” This energetic and plain-spoken woman is a self-proclaimed ‘Alice in Wonderland’ who knows how to get things done!
Portrait by Anne-Laure Murier.
