Nick Dallett, a Senior Software Engineering Manager based in Seattle, leads a six-person team responsible for cloud resiliency within reliability engineering and operations. Beyond work, Nick is passionate about giving back to the community. He consistently volunteers once a week throughout the year and logged an impressive 89 hours while maximizing our company’s volunteer match program last year. In fact, his dedication earned him Expedia Group’s Social Impact Volunteer of the Year award in 2023.

Learn more about Nick’s community involvement and how he makes a difference.

Tell us about your volunteer journey – what inspires you to volunteer,
and what organizations are you involved with?

At 13, I took my first step towards giving back to the community. A friend and I spent the afternoon picking up trash in Los Angeles, and it ignited a passion for community service that continues to this day.

I believe that those of us whose basic needs are being met through regular employment have a responsibility to support our community, particularly in areas where people are in need or where there is not sufficient community or government support. This is why I’ve volunteered with the Kirkland/Northshore Hopelink food bank since 2016. Following my wife’s lead, I joined their team and now dedicate three hours each week. My role involves receiving scheduled donations from local grocery stores, sorting and weighing the donations, and ensuring it reaches the sorting crew who prepares the food for client distribution.

One thing I love about this specific volunteer position is that it’s very physical and helps keep me active and in shape! I’m known at Hopelink as the guy who likes to carry empty pallets around the warehouse for exercise! 

I also participate in Expedia Group’s Month of Caring annually, and the last two years I’ve co-led volunteer projects for KidVantage and Habitat for Humanity. 

Along with volunteering, I regularly clean up roadsides wherever I am, and I used to write about my “one piece a day” philosophy on my “One Piece a Day” blog.

In what ways does Expedia Group encourage and support your volunteer work?

Expedia Group has been incredibly supportive of my community service. Right from the beginning, my manager readily approved my Thursday morning volunteering at the food bank. This positive attitude has continued throughout my time here – every manager I’ve had has encouraged me to pursue my volunteer commitments, and I do the same for my direct reports.

EG’s support goes beyond just flexible scheduling. Our company’s volunteer match program is especially impactful. It allows me to double down on causes I’m passionate about, specifically helping African Americans enter tech careers. Every year, after maximizing my volunteer hours, the matching funds get donated to organizations like the Technology Access Foundation, Black Girls Code, Black Coffee Northwest Grounded, or the National Society of Black Engineers.

What advice do you have for people looking to get involved in volunteering? 

There are volunteer opportunities for every interest and skill set, everything from office work to construction to working with animals, to working directly with people in underserved communities. It’s so worthwhile, easy to do, and in a lot of cases doesn’t involve a long-term commitment. If you’re having trouble finding an opportunity that fits you, don’t hesitate to reach out! Many community members, organizations and websites can help you find a perfect volunteer match for your interests and skills.

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