At Schneider Electric, our purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, especially in critical moments. When disaster strikes, access to power is essential for restoring dignity, safety, and hope. We proudly to support organizations that provide cleaner, resilient energy to communities in crisis.
We’re proud to share the story of employee Margaret Mauch, whose passion for clean energy and environmental stewardship shines through her participation in the Boston Marathon. Running for the Footprint Project, her journey embodies personal growth, perseverance, and a commitment to ensuring people have the power they need when it matters most.
A passion for running, a passion for change
I didn’t set out to be a runner. When I laced up my shoes at the start of the pandemic, it was more about finding an outlet than chasing a passion. What started as a way to simply move my body became something much bigger. Running transformed from a physical challenge into a mental and emotional practice—a meditation in motion. Over time, I began to see running as a metaphor for life itself. You put one foot in front of the other, and eventually, you cross a finish line. But life isn’t just one race. It’s a series of finish lines, each one leading to another, each step building on the last. That shift in mindset—away from competition and toward community—led me to run for something bigger than myself.
Running for the Footprint Project
This year, I’m running the Boston Marathon and raising funds for the Footprint Project, an organization dedicated to providing cleaner energy for communities in crisis. When power grids fail after hurricanes, wildfires, or floods, people need energy to charge phones, refrigerate medicine, and run critical equipment. Emergency relief often depends on short-term and carbon-intensive solutions like diesel generators. But what happens after the storm? How do communities rebuild?
The Footprint Project tackles that challenge head-on, deploying solar microgrids and other clean energy solutions to support both disaster relief and long-term recovery. Sustainability isn’t just about protecting the planet—it’s about protecting people, ensuring that communities can rebuild with resilience and dignity. That’s what the Footprint Project is doing, and that’s why I’m proud to run in support of their work.
I’m also proud that Schneider Electric supports the Footprint Project. Over the past four years, we’ve donated $1.7 million in funding and electrical products – resources that directly help power critical services during emergencies. Some of this support has enabled the deployment of solar powered in areas of the United States affected by climate emergencies, giving people a cleaner, more reliable way to move forward. It’s truly inspiring to witness our solutions making a real difference for those in need.
Balancing marathon training with work
Training for the Boston Marathon while managing my role at Schneider has been a challenge, but an incredibly rewarding one. The encouragement from my colleagues—especially Carlos (who is spearheading SE’s involvement with the Boston Marathon) and the team—has made all the difference. Being surrounded by passionate, like-minded people who share my excitement for this race has been both inspiring and motivating.
I’m also grateful for Schneider’s flexible work policies in helping me balance my training with my professional responsibilities. Our company’s Flexibility at Work policy allows employees to work from home up to two days a week, offering the space to manage unique personal and professional demands. This hybrid model isn’t just about where we work, it’s about how we work. It reflects Schneider Electric’s broader vision for the future of work: one rooted in trust, empowerment, and a culture focused on results.
Race day aspirations
On marathon day, I have two main goals:
- Raise awareness for the Footprint Project—If even one person learns about their mission and spreads the word, that’s a win.
- Embrace the moment—The energy of Boston on race day is electric. I want to run with gratitude, to feel the collective power of thousands of runners moving forward together.
Running Boston isn’t just about individual goals; it’s about being part of something bigger. On race day, you’re running through a sea of humanity—each runner with their own reasons, all moving forward as one. Some run for personal milestones, others for loved ones, and many, like me, for a cause beyond themselves. But in that shared movement, you feel the power of community, the shared energy, the unspoken understanding that we’re all in this together.
Our #SEGreatPeople will be out in full force on race day, participating in a variety of roles to support the marathon and its mission. As the Official Sustainability Partner of the Boston Athletic Association, Schneider Electric is proud to play a role in making the Boston Marathon one of the most sustainable sporting events in the world.
But for us, it’s about more than the race—it’s about the people behind it. Whether you’re a runner, a volunteer, a supporter, or a member of the community, every action you take can have an impact. Together, we are making strides toward a more energy efficient future, one step at a time.
Finding my path to Schneider Electric
Sustainability has always been at the heart of my career aspirations. Even before I knew exactly where my path would lead, I wanted to work for a company committed to clean energy and measurable environmental impact. After completing my studies in environmental science, I found my way to Schneider Electric.
Six years later I’m still here, working alongside colleagues who are just as passionate about creating cleaner, more resilient solutions and systems. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a company that empowers employees to make an impact—whether in our daily work or on the pavement, running for a cause.
Impact Starts With Us
At Schneider Electric, we believe that “Impact Starts With Us.” Our employees truly live out our IMPACT values: Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, and Teamwork.
For me, Impact Starts With Us means recognizing that change starts with people—those who care, take action, and step forward instead of waiting for someone else to lead the way. Running, like sustainability, is about persistence, community, and impact. It’s about curiosity – curiosity drives change. It’s about asking what if? What if I challenge myself? What if I sign up for the Boston Marathon? What if we rethink how disaster relief is powered? And it’s about teamwork—knowing that real impact happens when we work together. In running, in sustainability, in life, we’re stronger when we support one another.
One foot in front of the other
Whether in running or sustainability, the approach is the same: one foot in front of the other. Keep moving forward, pushing boundaries, and striving for something bigger than yourself. Because every step—on the racecourse or in our work—creates ripples of impact far beyond what we can see.
You can help Margaret make an even greater impact by contributing to her Footprint Project fundraiser. Every donation helps provide cleaner energy for communities in crisis. (And for Schneider Electric employees, you can double your impact through our Matching Gift program on the North America Foundation tool!)
A message for future Schneider employees
To anyone considering a career at Schneider Electric, my message is simple: the future is now. We don’t have the luxury of thinking about sustainability as something for the next generation to tackle. It’s happening in real time, and we need people who are ready to take action. If you’re passionate about making a difference, don’t hesitate. Dive in. Surround yourself with people who are pushing for change. Be part of the shift toward a more efficient world—not as a bystander, but as an active force driving that change.
Join us in making an impact. Visit our careers website.
About the author
Margaret Mauch, Sustainability Program Manager
Margaret Mauch is a Sustainability Program Manager at Schneider Electric. Outside of work she finds joy in movement – whether running, doing CrossFit, or wandering through the woods. She is most at home playing with her dogs and staying connected to her community.
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