Month: March 2023

Alison Lewis, Kimberly-Clark’s chief growth officer, and Lori Shaffer, the company’s vice president of global nonwovens, are committed to driving positive change for women and girls around the world. In honor of International Women’s Day, we spoke with Alison and Lori about the power of embracing equity, steps that organizations can take to better support women in the workplace and at home, the women who inspire them, and what they hope for moving forward. 

This is part 1 of a 2-part series – part 2 runs on March 7 
 

Q: Why is International Women’s Day important to you? 

AL: I grew up in a Canadian household where my parents and grandparents both believed I could achieve anything I wanted. As a child, I played with race car toys and hockey sticks. No one thought I should only play with dolls and pom-poms, and that was over 50 years ago!

Throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded by men who understood that women are just as important and as capable as them. I’m also a mother of three boys, and I know they’ve seen (and fully support) women’s equity and equality because it’s their norm.

I am where I am today in my career because of my former male managers who believed in me, lifted me up and gave me opportunities to grow. Some of my career choices have also been possible because my husband stayed home to care for our boys. Shared accountability between men and women is critical, whether it’s related to parenting, juggling dual careers, etc.

LS: I have three kids, including two daughters ages 12 and 5 – because of them, I’m driven to continuously work to break down barriers and make situations more equitable for women so they’ll have less of a battle in front of them when they grow up. It’s important to bring to light the challenges facing women, and that’s something I talk about often with my daughters.

Q: This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity. What comes to mind when you hear this? What’s the difference between equity and equality? 

AL: Embracing equity is about valuing differences and understanding how those differences create a society that functions at its best. Countless studies show that societies that embrace equity have a greater chance of higher gross domestic product (GDP), productivity and general well-being. Equality implies similar treatment of all people, but equity recognizes each person’s different circumstances and provides them with what’s needed to succeed.

LS: Embracing equity means being willing to take the extra step to understand how needs may vary from one person to another to truly provide them with a level playing field in achieving their goals. For example, it may be that a stepping-stone for career success might involve taking on a role at some stage that requires travel.

While this role may be open to all, implying equality, it may present unique personal challenges for a single mom with small children. Understanding this and being willing to provide support – such as creative childcare solutions – takes more effort on behalf of the employer, but it creates equity by recognizing that each person may need something different to succeed.

Q: Can you tell us more about the social programs through which Kimberly-Clark is partnering with local nonprofits and global NGOs to advance gender equality around the world?

LS: Millions of women and girls are stigmatized and discriminated against simply because they menstruate, and many women and girls miss work and school when they’re on their periods. Kimberly-Clark’s Kotex® She Can Initiative works to ensure a woman’s period never stands in the way of her progress by fighting the barriers caused by period stigmas, promoting access to education, and helping open doors so women gain equal opportunity.

We’re partnering with NGOs around the world, including Plan International and Girl Up, to eliminate period stigma, deliver critical menstrual hygiene education, and uplift women and girls, and these efforts ultimately connect to our purpose of Better Care for a Better World. In partnership with Plan International, we reached 1.8 million individuals across eight countries in 2022 with our menstrual hygiene management programs. These programs, which took place in Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Vietnam, India, Peru and Guatemala, educated girls, boys, teachers, parents and community members.

Last year, our Kotex® Peru team partnered with Plan International to develop the ‘Normalicemos lo Normal’ (Let’s Normalize Normal) campaign, which aimed to normalize menstruation and combat misconceptions. This successful campaign included digital actions (social networks), billboards, radio and television interviews, press releases, videos, and a social experiment with a television spotlight, ultimately reaching thousands of people across the country with critical information about menstruation.

In 2022, we also launched a partnership with Girl Up in Chile and Argentina. Together, Girl Up and the Kimberly-Clark Foundation are providing leadership training and tools for girls to become gender equality advocates and activists for education around period poverty and period stigma. As part of this, we are actively engaged with the Girl Up Alumni Mentorship Program, where mentors (including several Kimberly-Clark employees) spend six months helping mentees advance their leadership skills along with their educational, career and personal goals – all while building a supportive and long-lasting connection.

In addition to the She Can Initiative, I love our partnership with HATCH NextGen where we sponsor girls in underprivileged areas of the U.S. so they can participate in a guided science, technology and math (STEM) program focused on addressing challenges in their respective communities. This year-long program includes monetary support as well as mentoring to ensure these girls have the resources required to be successful, giving them an opportunity to experience the possibilities of a career in STEM.

Q: How is Kimberly-Clark harnessing the power of data and technology to drive positive change for women and girls? 

AL: The reach of many menstrual education programs is often limited due to cost or stigma. To help lower the barrier to access and reach more people, our Kotex® brand is leading the category in reinventing menstrual health education through a new educational gaming experience that I am so excited about!

Period Planet is a free, immersive adventure game where players demystify the menstrual cycle. The game helps users understand all things related to periods and learn about menstrual cycle misconceptions. Period Planet is an example of self-learning at its best and targets both boys and girls since boys have a key role to play in fighting the stigma. The gamified experience is designed to be engaging for teens today by leveraging popular game formats and incentives.

The game is digital, so users are able to play on their own time, relieving the burden of shame or embarrassment. In addition, the technology is low bandwidth, so the platform is widely accessible to users and doesn’t require a gaming system.

The program is also aligned to school curriculum content, and based on the initial soft launch in Australia, the response has been very positive. Period Planet is officially launching in Australia in March, and our Kotex® brand has plans for future launches in other regions as well.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 6, 2023 /3BL Media/ – With many of the world’s quick service restaurants pledging to be green by 2025 with improved packaging and recycling practices, Liquibox (now part of Sealed Air) met the need to develop a recycle-ready version of its well-known patented urn-liner product line.

The recycle-ready urn-liner is comprised of an all-polyethylene bag and adapter with a removable thermoplastic elastomer tube. The tube is easily separated from the bag’s adapter so the mono-material bag can be recycled. This innovation makes Liquibox urn-liners compatible with recycling streams and reduces its ecological footprint, while still ensuring reliable product protection.

The disposable urn-liners cover the inside of metal beverage urns and decanters. Each liner is equipped with a tube that feeds through the urn spigot keeping the liquid product from coming in contact with the urn or spigot, which provides a safe, better-tasting beverage for consumers and operational efficiencies for store operators. Liquibox urn-liners are the ideal solution to meet the heightened demand for sanitation standards by reducing bacteria in beverages such as iced tea, iced coffee, and other non-carbonated drinks by 99%.

“Liquibox has been helping restaurants improve food safety with its original patented urn-liners for over 20 years,” said Kevin Griffin, Liquibox Vice President of Sales North America. “With the new recycle-ready urn-liner, we aim to contribute to our company purpose of making our world better and to help customers get one step closer to reaching their sustainability goals.”

About Liquibox

Founded in 1961, Liquibox is a global leader in liquid packaging and dispensing—working in partnership with customers to create a safer and more sustainable future. Liquibox is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative flexible packaging solutions that offer reliable product protection. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company is inspiring change around the world, working as one across 17 global locations powered by a dedicated workforce of nearly 1,400 employees. In 2023, Liquibox was acquired by Sealed Air.

About Sealed Air

Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) is in business to protect, to solve critical packaging challenges, and to make our world better than we find it. Our automated packaging solutions promote a safer, more resilient, and less wasteful global food, fluids and liquids supply chain, enable e-commerce, and protect goods in transit from damage.

Our globally recognized solution brands include CRYOVAC® food packaging, LIQUIBOX® fluids and liquids systems, SEALED AIR® protective packaging, AUTOBAG® automated packaging systems, BUBBLE WRAP® packaging, SEE Automation™ and prismiq™ digital packaging and printing.

Our partnership with customers creates value through sustainable, automated, and digital packaging solutions, leveraging our industry-leading expertise in materials, automation systems, engineering and technology.

Our SEE Net Positive Circular Ecosystem is leading the packaging industry in creating a more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable future. We have pledged to design or advance 100% of our packaging materials to be recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a bolder goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions in our global operations by 2040. Our Global Impact Report highlights how we are shaping the future of the packaging industry. We are committed to a diverse workforce and a caring, inclusive culture through our 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge.

SEE generated $5.6 billion in sales in 2022 and has approximately 16,300 employees (not including Liquibox employees) who serve customers in 120 countries/territories. To learn more, visit sealedair.com.

Website Information

Sealed Air routinely posts important information for investors on our website, sealedair.com, in the Investors section. We use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “assume,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,” “may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expected future operating results, expectations regarding the results of restructuring and other programs, expectations regarding future impacts resulting from the Liquibox acquisition, anticipated levels of capital expenditures and expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings.

The following are important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements: global economic and political conditions, including recessionary and inflationary pressures, currency translation and devaluation effects, changes in raw material pricing and availability, competitive conditions, the success of new product offerings, failure to realize synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of Liquibox within the expected time frames, greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of Liquibox, consumer preferences, the effects of animal and food-related health issues, the effects of epidemics or pandemics, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019, negative impacts related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, export restrictions and other counteractions thereto, changes in energy costs, environmental matters, the success of our restructuring activities, the success of our merger, acquisition and equity investment strategies, the success of our financial growth, profitability, cash generation and manufacturing strategies and our cost reduction and productivity efforts, changes in our credit ratings, the tax benefit associated with the Settlement agreement (as defined in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K), regulatory actions and legal matters and the other information referenced in the “Risk Factors” section appearing in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement made by us is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation topublicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

View original news release here. 

Originally published by Hackaday

IBM — no stranger to anyone who works in the computing field — has launched a series of training modules on a site called skillsbuild.org. The site targets high school students, college students, and adult learners and offers tracks for jobs like cybersecurity analyst, IT support technician, Web developer, and data science. Several other companies are participating, such as Red Hat and Fortinet. The cost? The courses are free and you can earn digital credentials to show you’ve completed certain classes.

Continue reading here.

SEATTLE/TACOMA, March 6, 2023 /3BL Media/ — KeyBank is focusing on its commitment to improving financial wellness among the local Black community with March events related to job recruitment and home ownership. Details on the events are below, and all local residents are invited to attend:

Seattle Job Recruitment Event: Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
Tabernacle Baptist Church | Pastor Robert L. Manaway 
2801 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98144

Tacoma Job Recruitment Event: Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
Shiloh Baptist Church Tabernacle Baptist Church 
1211 S I St. Tacoma, WA 98405

This recruitment opportunity will include on-the-spot interviews for qualified candidates for positions that include teller, personal banker and mortgage loan officer.

Seattle Home Ownership Class: Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to noon 
Bethel Christian Church of the Apostolic | Bishop Thomas Davis 
200 24th Ave., South, Seattle, WA 98144

Tacoma Home Ownership Class: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to noon 
Church of the Living God 
1954 S M St., Tacoma, WA 98405

KeyBank will share information designed to put attendees in a position to rebuild credit and improve their credit score, while guiding them through the process of purchasing a home and/or understanding the benefits of refinancing their home.

“At KeyBank we know that helping our neighbors build wealth through stable jobs and home ownership is critical to their success and instrumental in building and maintaining a vibrant economy,” said I.V. Reeves, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank for the Pacific Northwest, adding that similar events will be held in Tacoma.

About KeyBank 
KeyCorp’s roots trace nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $190 billion at December 31, 2022. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications, and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com. KeyBank is Member FDIC.