Month: April 2023

Originally published on Devex

By Sara Jerving

On a recent afternoon in Nairobi, Kenya, about two dozen scientists gathered, peering at a screen that to the untrained eye looked like gibberish — rows of letters but no coherent words.

The scientists were attending a training to advance skills in the analysis of genomic sequences — a process where the genetic code of an organism is turned into data which reveals information about its characteristics. It’s an important technique in public health to determine what pathogen is inflicting a community and whether it’s mutating.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only seven African countries had national laboratories equipped to do this. But the need to identify new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 forced laboratories to ramp up this expertise in an unprecedented way.

During the first year of the pandemic, the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative was launched as a partnership to close gaps in genomics capacity. As part of that partnership, over the past two years, American biotechnology company Illumina donated over $9 million in sequencing systems, reagents, and training to the continent.

Continue reading the full article here

Originally published in Tapestry’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report Report

Tapestry Gives is Tapestry’s global employee engagement program. It provides our employees with the tools and resources they need to give back to their communities and empowers them to volunteer with the causes that align with their passions.

VOLUNTEERING AT TAPESTRY

Volunteering is core to who we are as a purpose-led company with employees who Stretch What’s Possible with the generosity of their time, talent and resources.

The credit for achieving our 2025 volunteer goal early goes to the thousands of employees across our brands and regions, who even through unprecedented times, prioritized making a difference in their local communities. All global employees, including part- and full-time corporate, field and fulfillment center, receive up to one paid day a year of Volunteer Time Off to support causes they are most passionate about.

Our employees take pride in supporting their local communities individually and as a team, and Tapestry Gives allows them to give back in the ways that work best for them through virtual volunteering options, flexible scheduling and a localized approach. This localized approach is spearheaded by our +250 Employee Volunteer Ambassadors around the world who champion our culture of service and bring Tapestry Gives to life.

FY2022 marked the most volunteer hours completed by our employees since we set our 2025 goal in 2018. Our employees served as mentors for first-generation college students from underrepresented backgrounds, participated in letter-writing campaigns to bring comfort and joy to those in need and served at local soup kitchens and food pantries to combat food insecurity.

MATCHING GIFTS

To encourage employee involvement and recognize their contributions to their communities, The Tapestry Foundation matches the personal charitable giving of eligible employees in North America up to $10,000 each year, with up to $1,000 matched 2:1.

Since the program’s inception in 2010, we have donated over $4.8 million, including almost $400K in FY2022. This is in tandem with Tapestry’s Dollars for Doers program, which provides micro-grants to eligible non-profits based on employee volunteer hours.

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Generation Change (GenChange) is an audience-inspired, audience-led initiative at Paramount designed to elevate and empower young people who are driving change around the world. Generation Change creates tailored programming in collaboration with our brands and markets by young agents of change who are passionate about improving their communities.

In direct response to some of the overt transgressive and oppressive acts endured by women in recent times, GenChange is producing a new digital campaign focusing in on the ways society polices the bodies of women for Women’s History Month. The campaign titled, “Hands Off [my body, my rights, my future, my choice] includes a video series, PSAs, and a short documentary profiling gender equality change-makers based in the UK.

Watch the featured video for a showcase of Hands Off! The video series aims to give women a spotlight for sharing personal stories of how they have had to navigate societal pressures. Writer and presenter Megan Jayne Crabb shares her views on how the fashion and beauty industries perpetuate problematic notions of what ‘beauty’ is for women while making billions, and the impact that has on indivduals and society.

As part of GenChange’s commitment to provide resources and platforms, the campaign encouraged conversation amongst audiences using the IWD #EmbraceEquity hashtag and signposted people to helplines for information. Additionally, in partnership with our change makers, this campaign will promote local (to the U.K.) organizations for those seeking resources for themselves or others. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, please visit mtv.co.uk/helpline

Whether a first-time buyer or experienced homeowner, many potential homebuyers are anxious about the home lending process— and understandably so. Over the past five years, homebuyers have experienced a turbulent economy, inflation, extreme competitiveness, and uncertainty, making it difficult for many to take the next step from renting to owning. With the chaos and confusion that can come with the purchasing process, buyers might overlook financial opportunities and be unaware of all a bank can do to assist in the homebuying journey. This Fair Housing Month, KeyBank wants to shed light on the importance of bank offerings that make the home lending and buying process more affordable.

According to a KeyBank poll of 1,000 homeowners in households earning less than $75,000 annually, nearly one third (31%) of respondents did not seek out any information or resources on homebuyer assistance programs. This highlights that many individuals, particularly those with lower incomes, could be unaware of the existence of affordable housing offers that could help them access and navigate the home lending process. It also highlights the important role banks can play in helping those individuals and providing those offers to them.

KeyBank is committed to helping our clients achieve their dream of home ownership while making the home lending process easier and more equitable. To further do our part, KeyBank offers Special Purpose Credit Programs* for qualifying properties in eligible communities, such as the new Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan and the expanded Home Buyer Credit, which now offers up to $5,000 for closing costs and certain other costs that may come with financing a new home.

Healthy and thriving communities are those within which all residents have equal access to homeownership, and KeyBank is honored to be a partner to homebuyers in their journey to homeownership.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back 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 $200 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. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. For the KeyBank Home Buyer Credit and the Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan, geographic restrictions apply. Ask us for details. 
NMLS #399797 CFMA #230411-2015936

**Special Purpose Credit Programs are, generally, programs that are established to meet special social needs or the needs of economically disadvantaged persons by extending credit to persons who would probably be denied credit or would receive it on less favorable terms, under certain conditions. See 15 U.S.C. § 1691(c)(1)-(3); 12 C.F.R. § 1002.8(a).

Copyright © 2023 KeyCorp®. All Rights Reserved

 

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

BOSTON, April 17, 2023 /3BL Media/ – DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced a multi-year partnership, making DICK’S the official retail sponsor of B.A.A. events, beginning with the 2023 Boston Marathon. DICK’S Sporting Goods will also become the presenting sponsor of the Boston Marathon Fan Fest, a three-day festival held in advance of the iconic race.

In celebration of the 127th running of the Marathon on April 17, DICK’S unveiled a building-length “Sports Change Lives” banner featuring the tagline “Running Boston Changes You” on Boylston Street at the future location of DICK’S House of Sport Boston. Located just a short distance from the Boston Marathon finish line, the store will open in the Prudential Center in Spring 2024. DICK’S House of Sport Boston will be a 100,000+ square foot store that provides athletes with the latest gear for team sports; a broad selection of the hottest footwear; preferred athletic apparel brands; tour-level equipment, apparel, and footwear for the golfer; gear for outdoor adventures; and in-store experiences including a climbing wall, HitTrax batting cages, and golf bays with TrackMan simulators.

“We are honored to join forces with the Boston Athletic Association to support race participants and spectators,” said Mark Rooks, Vice President, Category Marketing & Partnerships, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “We believe in the power of sports to change lives and know that running the Boston Marathon can do just that.”

“At the core of the B.A.A.’s mission and vision is promoting healthy lifestyles through sport, especially running,” said Jack Fleming, B.A.A. President and Chief Executive Officer. “In partnering with DICK’S Sporting Goods, we look forward to bringing to life that mission and vision to even more people, especially along the Boston Marathon finish stretch at the DICK’S House of Sport Boston, which can be truly inspirational to so many throughout the year.”

As part of the sponsorship agreement, DICK’S will be the retail sponsor of all B.A.A. events, including the Boston Marathon, B.A.A. 5K, B.A.A. 10K, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon. DICK’S and the B.A.A. will also work together to develop community engagement initiatives year-round.

Media Contact 
DICK’S Sporting Goods: press@dcsg.com 
Boston Athletic Association: Chris Lotsbom, Director, B.A.A. Race Communications & Media, clotsbom@baa.org

About DICK’S Sporting Goods 
DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Moosejaw, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile app for scheduling, communications, live scorekeeping and video streaming.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. manages the Boston Marathon, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round programming. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Beginning in 2024, Bank of America will serve as the Presenting Partner of the Boston Marathon. The 127th Boston Marathon is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 17, 2023. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

By Amber Burton, Paolo Confino

Originally published on Fortune

Think about the buzziest tech workplaces. What perks come to mind? Perhaps kombucha fountains and foosball tables. Now think about the corporate benefits of the past. What comes to mind? Perhaps an on-site fitness center or health care clinic. For Aflac, these traditional benefits have been most helpful in attracting, retaining, and engaging new hires who value perks that create ease over splashiness.

The insurance firm has also found that adding more benefits that require its 12,000-person workforce to come into the office to take advantage of them is, well, a great way to entice employees back to the office. It’s a strategy that CHRO Matthew Owenby admits might sound “old school” to some.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Fortune: There’s often a knowledge gap when it comes to benefits. How do you close that for employees?

Matthew Owenby: HR people should do better. It’s one thing for me to say, ‘Hey, I’ve given you a benefits handbook, and I put it online, so my work is done here.’ Wrong. Most people in the workplace spend less than 30 minutes a year determining what their benefits are going to be. They spend far more time searching for a vacation than they do on something that not only affects their financial stability but, in a post-COVID world, can be a financial exposure. It’s the job of the HR organization to ensure that this is as important as getting your taxes right.

You’re missing the point if you’re waiting for annual enrollment in September to talk about benefits. And you’re also not allowing yourself as an employer to use the benefits as another reason to retain your employee base.

Continue reading the full article here.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 17, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) today published its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s enduring commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, corporate governance initiatives, and progress in meeting its sustainability and Inclusion and Diversity goals.

“Whirlpool Corporation has established a series of goals and commitments that shape our approach to environmental stewardship, employee and community support and product sustainability,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “The progress made against these commitments is a testament to the work of every single Whirlpool employee, because we all have a role to play in improving life at home for our consumers.”

The 2022 Whirlpool Corporation Sustainability Report highlights progress across the company’s commitments to sustainable products and operations, support for employees, communities, and corporate governance, including:

Sustainable Products and Operations 

Whirlpool Corp. reached its commitment to be Zero Waste to Landfill Gold or Platinum status (a greater than 95 percent diversion rate) at 29 of 29 large manufacturing sites worldwide1.The company activated two virtual power purchasing agreements (VPPAs) that are expected to yield renewable energy to match 100 percent of Whirlpool Corp.’s electricity consumption by its U.S. manufacturing plants.In 2022, the company achieved approximately 25 percent GHG emissions reduction in scopes 1 and 2 compared to the prior year.The company continued towards its goal to reduce emissions from its products in use (scope 3 category 11) by 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.Further enhanced efforts to thoughtfully design and deliver products for consumers that make the best use of materials, have a sustainable operating life, and that can be responsibly managed at the end of life.

Supporting Our Employees

As part of its ongoing commitment made in the company’s 2020 Pledge for Racial Equality and Fairness, Whirlpool Corp. engaged over 1,300 U.S.-based people leaders with Unconscious Bias and Empathy training.As a signatory on the Catalyst CEO Champions For Change Pledge, Whirlpool Corp. has delivered increased women’s representation at the director level by 18 percent in the last five years.Began the formal roll-out of its global and holistic well-being strategy, Be*well, with continued education and additional resources for employees.Reduced employee safety incident rates across the company’s global operations.

Supporting Our Communities

Committed to expanding its work with Habitat for Humanity to double the number of people impacted by 2025. Last year, the company donated $2 million with more than 3,200 home appliances donated to new Habitat homeowners.Through the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, the company committed to work with Habitat for Humanity to build at least 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes by 2024. At the end of 2022, 143 out of 250 builds were in progress.Whirlpool Corp. has committed to installing 500 Feel Good Fridges in the U.S. by 2025. At the end of 2022, more than 300 refrigerators had already been donated and stocked with easily accessible food in underserved communities.The 2022 United Way campaign raised $4.5 million from employee giving and a Whirlpool Foundation match for education, income, health and basic needs.

“Back in 1969, Whirlpool Corporation CEO Elisha Gray wrote a letter to shareholders, explaining the importance of environmental consciousness, as well as taking care of the communities where we work and live, ensuring they can thrive,” said Pam Klyn, Whirlpool Corporation’s senior vice president of corporate relations and sustainability. “We continue to operate with these same principles in mind while driving progress and making a positive impact across environmental, social and governance aspects of sustainability.”

Corporate Governance

As a result of these efforts, Whirlpool Corporation continues to be recognized for its accomplishments in environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance initiatives. In 2022, the company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI), as well as the Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list, Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, and Just Capital’s America’s Most JUST Companies.

To learn more about Whirlpool Corporation’s 2022 Sustainability Report and sustainability commitments, please visit here.

1 Zero Waste to Landfill goal reached for all large global manufacturing facilities owned by Whirlpool at December 31, 2022 with the exception of a new manufacturing facility in Argentina that opened Oct. 28, 2022 and the InSinkErator business which was acquired on Oct. 31, 2022.

About Whirlpool Corporation 
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit, Yummly and InSinkErator. In 2022, the company reported approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 61,000 employees and 56 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Whirlpool Corporation Additional Information 
This press release contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to: statements regarding Whirlpool Corporation’s external ESG commitments and goals, VPPA-related energy generation expectations, and community support efforts. Actual performance may differ materially from that expressed or implied in such statements. Reference should be made to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Whirlpool Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what are believed to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, Whirlpool Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Contact: Whirlpool Corporation 
Media: 269-923-7405 
Media@Whirlpool.com