Month: April 2023

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the impact of women around the globe, and their work in accelerating the path toward equity.

At Lenovo, we put Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the heart of our work. It’s part of our corporate fabric and we are committed to our mission of developing products, services and solutions that benefit all.

That was the spark that led to our Work For Humankind initiative—a project that invited volunteers on a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a long-lasting difference on the remote island of Robinson Crusoe, while working from our tech-enabled Hub. As we come upon the one-year anniversary of the volunteers’ journey to the island, we reflect on the positive experiences of three of the incredible women participants.

Emily Ketchen, Lenovo’s Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, connected with several of the women volunteers who traveled to Robinson Crusoe as part of Work For Humankind: Carissa Cabrera, founder and CEO of the Conservationist Collective from the US; Cynthia Mayer, a product manager and communications specialist from France; and Vivian Garcia, an animal welfare lecturer from Mexico. Each look back at their time on the island and the women’s empowerment that inspired them then and now.

Nearly a year on, what’s your biggest takeaway from Lenovo’s Work For Humankind initiative on Robinson Crusoe Island?

Carissa: The biggest takeaway from my experience last year on Robinson Crusoe Island is the power of small-scale communities when it comes to leading in ocean conservation. The fishers, divers, and conservationists I met are committed to building a better blue planet for future generations. We have so much to learn from communities like this, and I know that access to reliable tech will only accelerate their impact.

Cynthia: I am used to working with engineers, so my volunteering experience was a big shift for me. I volunteered with three groups of local artists and through that, I was able to practice a different communication style—more people-oriented, more empathy-oriented, more personal—much different than engineering code, as art is a very personal thing. To work with an artist successfully, you need to be nearly as passionate as they are. I really cherish the connection we built. Art can be a web that unites people.

Vivian: My biggest takeaway is the friendships that we created with the people from the island and the other volunteers. I’m still in touch with some of the community members of the Island, because now they have better internet access thanks to Lenovo. Another big takeaway would be the professional partnership we created during the project; after Robinson Crusoe, I worked with Island Conservation on another project in Alaska.

Any key learnings from your time remote working on Robinson Crusoe Island?

Carissa: My key learning was that technology opens up endless possibilities in the new age of remote work. On an island of only 800 people, there is so much value in being able to work in a flexible way. My key learnings went far beyond the access to tech though, I left feeling like we all would be better to each other and the planet if we lived like the folks on Robinson Crusoe.

Vivian: That it was possible to be hands-on in conservation projects and volunteer while I was also teaching my students in Mexico remotely through technology!

Were you inspired by any women during your stay on Robinson Crusoe Island?

Carissa: Absolutely. In addition to the incredible volunteers from around the world that I shared this experience with, I had the privilege of developing friendships with multiple local conservationists working towards ocean solutions. Carolina was spearheading expanding the marine protected area in the Juan Fernandez Islands, Gloria was ensuring young kids on the island built a relationship to the ocean through diving, and so many others were doing everything they could to protect their land and communities for future generations.

Cynthia: Jaritza is quite the woman. She is the daughter of the eldest family on the island, actively working to increase the recognition of the Islanders as a Tribe internationally, which will ultimately help the island in protecting its natural resources and provide stronger autonomy to the local population. She is passionate about the island, the people, the story, the culture. I met with her several times and you can see in her eyes it’s not a job for her – it’s her life mission. How many people can say they’ve found their life’s mission? I continue to follow her stories and progress as she shares more insights about the island life.

Vivian: Several, but the women that inspired me the most were Jaritza and Myriam. They are both working to protect the island in different ways. Myriam did so through her work with tourists.

Since leaving Robinson Crusoe, how have you continued to use tech for the good of humankind?

Carissa: Yes. After watching and helping small groups come together to bring big ideas to life using tech, I left Robinson Crusoe with the confidence to think bigger in my conservation journey. I learned that a group of 15-25 fishers were the ones who developed the local sustainable fishing rules. When small groups of passionate people come together around the same shared values, and with access to modern tech and connectivity, anything is possible.

Cynthia: Through my volunteering, I’ve been able to understand the difficulty of artists to grasp technology and use it for their own good. So, I created my own online art gallery for fantasy artists, using all the latest tech to support them and provide them with a new source of income. If we want artists to focus on their art, we need to put better systems in place – including human networks of support.

Vivian: I continue to use tech to monitor wildlife species and educate students about the importance of wildlife and nature conservation.

This year’s IWD celebrates equity. In your own words, what does it mean to #EmbraceEquity?

Carissa: Equity is about ensuring that everyone is given access to the same tools like tech, education, and pathways to success. Systemic and intentional inequities plague different demographics globally. It is up to those of us with privilege, whatever kind it may be, to ensure that everyone is at the table contributing to solutions. Iʻve found that embracing equity means ensuring the programs are diverse, hearing different perspectives, and speaking up for those who may not be heard otherwise.

Cynthia: “Embrace Equity” is to adapt to an individual’s specific challenges or inherent characteristics. It is valid as much for women as it is for any other person in society: elderly, people with or without a disability, people with or without a family, people with or without a religion, etc. You can adapt the work environment you want to give them: the tasks, the working style, the schedule. On the other end, you can also adapt the services and the products you sell to serve them the best. We all deserve respect and a place where we can thrive.

Vivian: Taking action to promote equity, harmony, and union in our communities to ensure that all women get what they need to succeed.

Visit Lenovo StoryHub for more on International Women’s Day and discover more about Lenovo’s Work For Humankind initiative.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 13, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Today Bath & Body Works announces its inclusion on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees.

In collaboration with data firm partner Plant-A Insights Group, the publication identified companies based on a sample of more than 57,000 employees who identify as LGBTQ+. Companies included on this list ranked highest on criteria like corporate culture, working environment, work-life balance, training and career progression, compensation and benefits, sustainability awareness and proactive management of the diverse workforce.

“We’re honored to be recognized as one of the greatest workplaces in America for LGBTQ+ individuals,” says Kelie Charles, Bath & Body Works Chief Diversity Officer. “At Bath & Body Works, we believe everyone deserves a place where they feel valued for who they are, as they are. Diversity, equity and inclusion make us stronger, and we strive every day to infuse this core value into our inclusive culture, equitable business processes and support of diverse communities.”

In addition to making Newsweek’s list of the America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, Bath & Body Works recently has been recognized in several other ways including:

America’s Best Workplaces for Women by NewsweekMost Trustworthy Companies in America by NewsweekDiversity in Business Award by Columbus Business FirstForbes List of America’s Best Large EmployersA Diversity First Top 50 Company by the Diversity Research Institute

For more information about Bath & Body Works’ DEI efforts, visit bbwinc.com.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS 
Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including the top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,800 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 425 international franchised locations to an online storefront at BathandBodyWorks.com.

For more information, please contact:

Bath & Body Works, Inc.: 
Media Relations 
Emmy Beach 
Communications@bbw.com

April 13, 2023 /3BL Media/ – As sustainability reporting becomes more widespread, GRI – provider of the world’s most widely used impact standards – has seen rapid growth in it’s software licensing program.

In 2022, GRI Licensing consolidated its offer by expanding its methodology, increasing the relevance for providers of ESG reporting software and tools. As a result, the number of GRI Licensed Software partners doubled, from 24 to 52 organizations.

GRI licensing recognizes that sustainability and ESG technology can be an enabler for increased transparency by companies, helping them with improve data management, meet regulatory and reporting obligations, and build trust with stakeholders.Through this program, GRI ensures corporate software and tools accurately incorporate the GRI Standards, all the while preserving the integrity of GRI’s intellectual property.

John Knights, GRI Head of Services, said:

“At GRI, we recognize the pivotal role that technology plays in the progression of impact reporting, and we remain committed to leveraging its power for a sustainable future. Our software licensing program has rapidly increased, and reflects the emerging role of software solutions in supporting improved sustainability performance, reducing reputational risks, and driving long-term value creation for business and stakeholders.”

Registration is now open for free webinars on April 26 (one at 9 AM CEST and one at 5 PM CEST), where anyone can attend to discover more about GRI licensing and the benefits of becoming a Licensed Software partner.

Through GRI Licensing, the organization aims to strengthen the position of sustainability reporting on an equal footing with financial disclosure. This reflects the aims of GRI’s collaboration with the International Sustainability Standards Board, and its support for the development of EU Sustainability Reporting Standards.

Revenue generated by the Licensing Program plays an important role in sustaining the continued development of the GRI Standards, ensuring they remain the world’s most widely used and trusted standards for sustainability impacts, provided as a free and public good. Access the full list of GRI Certified Software Partners.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent, international organization that helps businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their impacts, by providing the global common language to report those impacts. The GRI Standards are the leading global standards for sustainability reporting.