Charles Aris team members compete in second annual basketball tournament

Charles Aris team members from around the country gathered in the firm’s headquarters city of Greensboro, North Carolina on Dec. 7 to compete in its second annual basketball tournament.

With two years of high participation, audience turnout and morale, senior leaders confirmed the event will officially be an annual tradition for the executive search firm.

“The first and second tournaments went off without a hitch, and the team truly enjoyed both playing in the tournament as well as cheering on their co-workers from the stands,” said Blaine Ayres, senior associate practice leader and Wellness Committee co-chair. “So, we decided to make it an annual event.”

The tournament, which is voluntary for Charles Aris employees, consists of six teams of five competing against one another in a bracketed competition. This year’s winning team was able to select a nonprofit to receive half of the funds raised through the Charles Aris Quarterly Cause Initiative, where employees donate funds via payroll deduction to a different, select charity each quarter.

This year’s winners chose to support Triad Health Project with their winnings, and the other half of the Quarterly Cause funds went to Partners Ending Homelessness, a select charity voted on by the Charles Aris Community Enrichment Committee.

“Our cause at Charles Aris is to change lives, transform businesses and enrich communities,” said Sydney Olszewski director of marketing and Community Enrichment / Wellness Committee member. “Leaning into enriching communities, Charles Aris team members graciously donated and were able to then give that money to Triad Health Project and Partners Ending Homelessness.”

Hosting this tournament quickly became an integral component to the Charles Aris Wellness Committee’s annual health and wellness initiatives, for both the physical and mental health benefits it provides the broader Charles Aris team. The event also occurs the day before the Charles Aris year-end conference and holiday party, coined “Chad’s Favorite Day” after CEO Chad Oakley.

As the Charles Aris basketball tournament continues to be a holiday tradition coinciding with the firm’s year-end celebration, team members are excited to bring more joy, spectators and donations to the Greensboro community each year.

To learn more about the Charles Aris basketball tournament, contact Sydney Olszewski at (336) 217-9157 or sydney.olszewski@charlesaris.com.