Month: May 2023

Nurture everything around you — from your loved ones to what’s beneath your feet. That’s at the heart of the success on Kalb Farms, at least.

In the breezy hills of southeastern Indiana lies a farm teeming with life, both within the soil and between the among the family. Cover crops and worms mingle in anticipation of the planting season, and Kevin and Shawn prepare for warmer days with hopes for even better yields than seasons before.

The Kalbs, as well as their children, are known for their award-winning corn yields and healthy soil practices. Kevin himself boasts double-digit national awards from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) yield contest, just to name one competition. But the family would never keep the methods behind their successes a secret. It’s quite the opposite — for what’s good for one farmer now can be beneficial for another, with impacts that last generations.

Watch above to meet the Kalb family and learn more about how they prioritize soil health in their operation.

Healthy soil is the heartbeat of our farm. 
– Kevin Kalb, 5th Generation Farmer, Kalb Farms

The foundation of a farm must be nurtured to produce at its best. It all starts in the soil.

When it’s done right (and the weather, machinery and etc. cooperate), prioritizing soil health can be easily seen in better yields and bottom lines. But it’s also evident in the scent of the soil, and the life that thrives within the roots. Those factors are further proof of a healthy farm now, but also a healthy future of farming.

We’re learning as we go that we can do a lot more with less. You want the earthworms in there. You want that biology. 
– Shawn Kalb, Farmer and Manager, Kalb Farms

But it’s a challenge to try new things in agriculture — that’s why the Kalbs started Midwest Advanced Crop Consulting (MACC), to consult with farmers around the world. With it they’re helping farmers find new solutions that produce results in the near future, and for the next generation.

At Bayer, we’re also striving to find new solutions for farmers, so together we can cultivate a healthy planet for generations to come.

Inspiration comes from farmers, like the Kalbs, as we keep innovating for better.

We’re focused on helping growers do more with less on their operations, this season and beyond. While they help feed the world, we’re right alongside them, driving toward a carbon-zero future for agriculture that benefits farmers and tackles climate change.

These positive changes happen from within the soil. Three major healthy soil practices can propel this forward: conservation tillage, carbon farming and biologicals.

Conservation tillage

With an integrated weed management system in place, many farmers use no-till or reduced-till methods, which can help restore balance to the land and let nature do its work.

More on conservation tillage:

Glyphosate enables farmers to reduce or eliminate tillage, keeping soil undisturbed. No-till practices allow organic material, nutrients and beneficial insects to build up in the soil, and can also help reduce erosion and run-off — keeping moisture in the ground and available to crops. No-till and low-till practices have been found to have a greater percentage of organic matter and water intake than conventional tillage methods.Our Bayer Carbon programs further encourage these efforts by working with farmers to accelerate the adoption of cover crops and reduced tillage practices. The programs also encourage collaboration throughout the value chain.

Carbon farming

While growers’ plants naturally pull carbon from the atmosphere and into the soil, carbon-smart agricultural practices keep this invisible, yet highly important element from escaping in the first place.

More on carbon farming:

Carbon-smart practices include several techniques,  including no-till and low-till farming, and cover cropping.With the platform ForGround by Bayer, farmers can benefit from expanding regenerative agricultural practices on their operations, opening potential new revenue streams and helping them capture more carbon in the soil.Bayer’s plant breeding methods produce innovative crop genetics that require fewer inputs like fertilizer and crop protection agents, allowing growers to pursue no- and low-till farming.

Biologicals

Biologicals are beneficial crop production and protection tools that are largely created from living organisms, derived from natural materials, contain them, or use naturally occurring processes. They help put nature’s own defense systems to use, complementing traditional crop protection tools.

More on biologicals:

Bayer’s collection of more than 125,000 microbial strains allows us to use genetic diversity to develop new and beneficial products for farmers all over the world.Biologicals can complement farm technologies — such as traditional crop protection, seeds, traits and digital tools — in an integrated crop management system to help growers achieve the best results in their fields.

If you’re going to do the job, do the job right. The work you put into it shows. 
– Shawn Kalb, Kalb Farms

Listening to farmers is key to helping them operate more efficiently, now and into the future.

As evidenced by the Kalbs, healthy soil practices can help farmers produce more with less. That’s why we work with farmers to accelerate the adoption of more regenerative agriculture practices and digital technology, developing new solutions for what many different farmers need today, and for their seasons beyond.

For Kevin, it’s also about the next generation. “I want the farm to be better than what it was when I received it,” he says. “Everything around our farm depends on how healthy our soil is. I know if it’s going to be in that kind of shape, then I know that it’s going to make it past the sixth generation. They’ll be able to pass it down.”

Special thanks to the Kalb family for sharing their story with us.

View original content here

May 31, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Inogen Alliance, a global network of Environment, Health & Safety, Sustainability and ESG consulting firms participates in “Vision 2045” led by TBD Media Group in support of the United Nations and published on The Economist. The documentary series aims to inspire businesses and people to take collective action to ensure a better future for all. Inogen Alliance was selected as a representative of EHS, Sustainability and ESG consulting services globally emphasizing the importance of reducing environmental footprint and protecting the earth for the future generations through collaborative approaches to help businesses lead the way.

VISION 2045 is a ground-breaking series of documentary films produced in collaboration with The Economist. This campaign is a collection of interviews and documentaries that aim to support the UN and its objectives by inspiring businesses and people to take collective action to ensure a better future for all. It brings together experts, business leaders and government officials to address the core challenges facing our society and planet and how we can collectively work to overcome them. The campaign is a comprehensive program that focuses on several key areas, including renewable energy, circular economy, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

“We believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but also an opportunity for businesses to create value and drive innovation,” said Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group. “Through the VISION 2045 campaign, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and inspire others to join us in this journey towards a better future.”

The mission of Inogen Alliance is to provide superior environmental, health, safety, and sustainability consulting expertise to global organizations. Making your global commitments a local reality showcases the ability of the Alliance to really understand the cultural nuances and regulatory environments at a local level for global clients. Collaboration is a theme across the film interviews highlighting the importance of collectively working towards this sustainable future.

As Angelique Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance states “At Inogen Alliance we believe that collaboration is fundamental to achieving the goals and ambitions that we feel are most important to creating a safer, cleaner, more sustainable world. Without collaboration and long term partnerships you don’t have trust or shared outcomes but when those goals become aligned it’s amazing what we can do.” 

Main contents of the film include interviews with the below participants focusing on collaboration for a more sustainable future and how we are guiding our multinational clients with a focus on the APAC region.

Check out the film, bios of the interviewees and more behind-the-scenes on our website here. 

About Inogen Alliance: 
Inogen Alliance is a global network of environment, health, safety and sustainability consulting companies working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. With offices located on every continent, more than 5,000 associates worldwide, and projects completed in more than 150 countries, Inogen Alliance provides unparalleled local consulting expertise, global consistency and 20+ years of experience building a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future. Global Thinking. Local Delivery. www.inogenalliance.com

About TBD Media Group: 
TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven media developer that helps businesses, organisations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ 

Interviews in the film include: 
Angelique Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance; Richard Hancy, Executive Leader Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand; Lida Tan President of Anew Consulting China; Annika Taylor Sustainability Consultant Peter J. Ramsay & Associates Australia; Meehee Suk Partner IA Partners South Korea; Subba Rao CEO Chola MS Risk India; and Andrew Young Managing Director EnviroSolutions & Consulting Singapore.

Sponsoring Associates: 
From the 75+ independent Associate companies that make up Inogen Alliance, this campaign was co-sponsored by Anew Global Consulting, Brown & Green Environmental Services, Chola MS Risk Services, ESD Group, EnviroSolutions & Consulting, IA Partners, Pacific Risk Advisors, Peter J. Ramsay & Associates, Propharm Japan, and Tonkin + Taylor all in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Media contact: 
Kate Asleson 
Marketing Director, Inogen Alliance 
Kate.asleson@inogenalliance.com

Earlier this month Leidos hosted a panel discussion at its global headquarters in Reston, Va. to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage.

Why you should know: May is AAPI Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the profound contributions of the AAPI community to our history, culture and achievements.

During the discussion, five prominent AAPI business leaders within Leidos shared their insights on staying connected to their roots, embracing their culture and values in leadership roles, and the lessons they carry with them.

Overall, the panelists provided invaluable insights into the experiences and perspectives of AAPI business leaders.

Staying in touch with their roots

Raman Malhotra, Vice President, Talent Acquisition in the Leidos Defense Group, was born in India but moved to the U.S. at a young age. She shared her journey of initially wanting to assimilate and leave behind her family’s customs and traditions.

However, as she grew older and started a family of her own, she recognized the importance of embracing her heritage. She shared that living in a community with a significant AAPI population, celebrating cultural holidays and intentionally passing down language and traditions to her children helped her reconnect with her Indian identity.

Mike Tang, Senior Program Manager in the Leidos Intelligence Group, spoke about his parents’ deliberate decision to create a home removed from AAPI influence to help the family assimilate. A Chinese man born in Vietnam, Tang later in life rekindled his connection to Chinese culture by learning the language and participating in cultural festivities like Chinese New Year. His story highlights the significance of preserving culture across generations.

Embracing cultural values

Tang emphasized the values of hard work and humility that he learned from his parents. Growing up watching his parents work tirelessly to provide opportunities for their children, he adopted a strong work ethic and a willingness to invest time and effort to achieve success. He also stressed the importance of humility, acknowledging mistakes and seeking input from his team to make well-informed decisions.

Tina Cao, Business Operations Director in the Leidos Civil Group, reflected on the diversity she experienced in the Washington, D.C. area, where many different cultures intersect. She admitted candidly that as a first-generation Vietnamese American, she initially strived to be “as American as possible” but has since become more connected to her heritage by living through her children’s experiences.

She highlighted the lack of AAPI leaders in senior positions outside of the tech and medical fields and discussed the challenges she’s faced as an Asian woman, including the “model minority” stereotype. She emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with diversity and respecting different perspectives.

Grant Kim, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager in the Leidos Civil Group, shared a personal anecdote about how his upbringing led him to distance himself from his Korean culture. However, as his daughters have embraced their Korean heritage, Kim himself has developed a much greater appreciation.

He also reflected on challenges faced by Asian-Americans due to perceptions and stereotypes, and highlighted the need to understand how one is perceived and to make adjustments accordingly. He emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself and overcoming cultural tendencies to err on the side of humility.

Sanjay Parthasarathy, Vice President and Division Manager in the Leidos Defense Group, emphasized the role of streaming TV in exposing younger generations to different cultures and languages to broaden their perspectives. He also stressed the importance of treating others with respect, being assertive without being aggressive and actively listening to diverse ideas. He advocated for diverse representation in the hiring process to attract a wider range of candidates and encouraged listeners to avoid the temptation to put others in predefined boxes based on ethnicity.

Kaylin Tang, Program Finance Analyst in the Leidos Civil Group and member of the Leidos Diversity and Inclusion Entry Level Program, moderated the discussion. The event was supported by the Leidos Asian-Pacific Islander Network, an employee resource group designed to foster inclusion, innovation and understanding within the company.

Please contact the Leidos media relations team for more information.

Schneider Electric

The indoor environmental quality inspection and testing services will be available across the U.S., incorporated into the Schneider Electric Service Plan

Offers building owners an independent source of building performance verification from a respected safety science leader

BOSTON, May 31, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced a new relationship with UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, to offer its customers access to inspection and testing services that meet the scope requirements of the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark. This new relationship demonstrates Schneider Electric’s continued commitment to providing its customers with the tools and resources needed to reach their health, wellness and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

UL Solutions’ Verified Healthy Building program helps business and building owners communicate their commitment to maintaining healthier indoor environments and report their efforts to a growing contingent of stakeholders, including investors, tenants, government agencies and consumers. The Verified Healthy Building program features three tiers that examine different factors against applicable science criteria. The highest tier, Verified Healthy Building for Indoor Environment, assesses indoor air quality and water quality as well as building cleanliness, lighting and acoustics. The program also incorporates the criteria of other green building initiatives to provide a holistic view of sustainability progress.

“Sustainability and healthy buildings go hand-in-hand,” said Tyler Haak, Vice President of Sustainability & Services, Digital Energy Division at Schneider Electric. “Our goal has always been to improve the overall quality of buildings and provide our customers access to the necessary tools that make healthy buildings a reality. This UL Verification from UL Solutions will advance our company mission by prompting more companies to reevaluate the health of their current buildings and prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency.”

The increasing demand for sustainable and healthy buildings is in part due to the impact net-zero carbon buildings can have across two key factors for business success: meeting the expectations of visitors and attracting and retaining talent. With 87% of real estate investors stating that demand for healthy buildings has recently increased, and 92% expecting demand to grow even further over the next three years, building owners are recognizing the need to implement an improvement plan centered on tenant wellness. This not only demonstrates their commitment to a global sustainability effort, but also increases rental value for building owners. In fact, research has proven that the rent value of a verified healthy building is 4-7% higher per square foot than non-verified buildings. For industries like healthcare, where success is even more reliant on wellness, business leaders can use the Verified Healthy Building program to distinguish hygiene and sanitary practices with science-based verification of their indoor air quality and environmental safety standards.

In line with this mentality, last year Schneider Electric’s Dallas office site achieved the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air. Following rigorous testing, on-site inspections, and compliance measurements, employees have peace of mind knowing their space provides exceptional IAQ.

“We’re excited to deliver Schneider Electric’s customers the same opportunity for healthy building recognition,” said Sean McCrady, global director of Asset and Sustainability Performance in the Real Estate Properties group at UL Solutions. “Not only will adding our indoor environmental quality services help improve a building’s overall value, but our services will also allow Schneider Electric’s customers to see additional value working with Schneider Electric in their journey to healthy buildings.”

To learn more about the Verified Healthy Building program, visit here.

About Schneider Electric
Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries. We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com

Originally published on Essity.com

Plastic

The production of fossil plastic has a negative impact on our planet as it releases carbon emissions into the atmosphere and thereby accelerates the existing climate crisis. Plastic waste and pollutants threaten human welfare as well as wildlife and biodiversity. Nations worldwide, with the European Union (EU) at the frontline, are placing bans on single-use plastics and transitioning toward a more circular economy that considers every stage of a product’s journey – before and after it reaches the customers and consumers. In parallel, plastic is required to ensure necessary levels of sanitation, safety and functionality for hygiene and health products. Our industry must change how we design, use, and reuse plastic by shifting from linear to circular business models. This calls for creative thinking, new business models and partnerships where we develop new solutions that lead to less waste.

Packaging

Essity has ambitious targets to reduce the total amount of primary plastic in the company’s packaging, to increase the use of renewable or recycled plastic and to make all plastic packaging recyclable. Our packaging strategy includes innovating for increased circularity while simultaneously reducing existing greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2022, Essity’s packaging for hygiene and health products contained on average 80% renewable or recycled material. By 2025, we aim to achieve 100% recyclability, 85% renewable or recycled materials in our packaging, of which 25% recycled content in plastic packaging. 
 We reduce our carbon footprint primarily by using recycled plastic packaging materials. To achieve more rapid results in the development of better packaging material, Essity is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Circular Plastic Alliance, among other organizations.

The UN began negotiations for an International legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution in November 2022. This global treaty will focus on all plastic products, including packaging. The multilateral negotiations on the treaty are expected to conclude in mid-2025. Essity joined the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. This new Coalition led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF endorses a common vision, by providing a clear voice in the treaty negotiations to amplify the call for an ambitious and effective global treaty.

Plastic in our products

Essity aims to reduce and replace primary fossil-based plastics in our products and minimize the waste in our production and after use. By developing smarter designs, new services, and innovating to find alternative materials, we ensure less use of primary fossil plastic in general, less single-use plastic in particular, while also reducing the environmental impact through the product life cycle.

Essity constantly reviews product design to enable more sustainable consumption. One example is how we dispense our Tork tissue, which can reduce tissue consumption by more than 25%. In 2022, TENA Lights Sensitive were also launched, where the pads come in a renewable paper packaging contributing to less plastic waste and reducing the carbon footprint by using at least 50% plant-based materials in products and packaging.

We are broadening our collaboration with customers and consumers to better understand how we can support their sustainability strategies and targets, while helping them make more sustainable choices. Essity aims to create more value using less resources and innovate and design products that fit into a circular society. We strive to replace primary fossil-based plastics with renewable materials derived from plants such as corn or sugar cane.

Waste

To reduce waste arising from Essity’s production and waste after use, we are developing products and packaging containing less primary fossil-based plastic and more circular solutions.

Production waste

The target is that all production waste will be subject to material and energy recovery by 2030. Recycling or extracting energy from the waste instead of sending waste to landfill reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For example, recovered material from tissue manufacturing can be used as raw material for other industries, such as in the construction industry.

Waste after use

We can create less waste after use through the principles Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Essity strives to be more resource efficient, develop smarter designs and reduce materials in our products and packaging. Our services are constantly improving, and new designs are utilized to reduce waste, and thereby cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Most of our packaging is recyclable and we are working to optimize other packaging. We are reducing and replacing primary fossil-based plastic in our packaging and products with renewable or recycled materials. Essity is also working to develop smarter designs and innovative plastic materials to reduce environmental impact. We are cooperating with customers, consumers, suppliers, and other partners to identify more sustainable and circular solutions. A challenge in many markets is the lack of infrastructure for collecting used packaging or products. Essity therefore supports national initiatives for large-scale recycling of packaging.

Circularity

Essity has integrated circularity in the company’s business model, from responsible raw material procurement, more resource-efficient production with a smaller climate footprint, to circular solutions that enable customers and consumers to minimize waste.

We carry out circularity assessments as part of the innovation process to obtain a better understanding of how waste can be avoided during and after use. One example is TENA SmartCare, where product use is optimized and waste reduced through digital monitoring so the product is replaced at the right time and fewer and thinner products are used.

Water consumption

Water shortages and contaminated water have a negative impact on people, societies and the environment, and unsustainable water use could lead to the loss of biodiversity. This also affects Essity’s operations. Water risks differ around the world, and we assess risks and impacts individually for our tissue production facilities, both from a geographic and an operating perspective. Water is mainly needed for transporting fiber during the production process. We circulate water several times in production to help reduce energy use for heating and treatment of water. Most of the water is treated after use and is discharged.

Environmental permits for tissue plants also include limits for typical pollutants, such as chemical oxygen demand, phosphorus and nitrogen. Essity is investing in new wastewater treatment technology to meet the higher requirements on quality of discharged water. This is particularly important in locations where water is a resource shared with many different users, such as along major rivers, where the temperature of the water released must also be carefully monitored. For a number of years, we have actively worked to reduce the amount of water used and the levels of suspended solids and organic content (BOD), with a main focus on improving our water management.

Partnership to reduce environmental impact
Essity works together with various players such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on both environmental and social issues, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) such as the World Health Organization, European Union, and the OECD, as well as with trade and industry associations.

Essity has been a member of the UN Global Compact Action Platform on Climate Ambition since 2017. The platform provides an opportunity for collaboration between companies and important stakeholders to address the issues of limiting and adapting to climate change.

We take part in discussions throughout the value chain to promote the implementation of circular economy solutions designed to tackle waste, including the CGF, Edana, Ellen MacArthur Foundation and RecyClass. Through CGF’s Coalition of Action on Plastic Waste, Essity works together with customers, other companies, and organizations to jointly reduce plastic waste and strive to improve social systems, so that no plastic waste is disposed in nature.

Essity is a partner in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network, which provides a forum to share, learn and implement ideas to implement and scale circular economy solutions for products, packaging, and services, and to jointly promote societal change. We are part of the New Plastic Economy initiative, which is aligned with and impacts external prerequisites for Essity’s target to ensure that all packaging is 100% recyclable and to increase the use of recycled plastic by 2025.

Read more about Essity’s strategic priorities, earnings and leading sustainability work in the Annual and Sustainability Report 2022, which can be downloaded at www.essity.com.

To access the digital short version, please click here.

As published in Qualcomm’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

We believe that the United States patent system should reflect the diversity of this country, and if we can diversify who is inventing and patenting, we can create more jobs, boost the U.S. economy, close wage and wealth gaps and ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in innovation. We are actively working within our Company and externally to create more equitable opportunities for women and people of color in innovation.

We are a founding partner of Invent Together, a campaign supported by organizations, universities, companies and other stakeholders that are dedicated to understanding the gender, race, income and other diversity gaps in invention and patenting and supporting public policy and private efforts to close them. With Invent Together, we are advocating for greater study of historical exclusion from patenting and for policies and programs aimed at making patent-heavy STEM fields more inclusive. For example, we advocated for passage of the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act, which would direct the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to collect inventors’ demographic data on a voluntary basis and make this information available in the aggregate for research.

The story of engineering breakthroughs by our Company is a case study for how the U.S. patent system helps inventors get their ideas into the marketplace, while funding future risk-taking and innovation. This story helps explain why we have long championed support for strong IP rights as a foundation for future inventors of all backgrounds and why, in 2022, we partnered with Invent Together on the launch of TIPA.

TIPA, which formally launched during the summer, is an online learning platform aimed at guiding inventors through the benefits of patenting and the process of obtaining a patent — particularly potential inventors with backgrounds that provide them little or no exposure to the world of IP. The educational modules of TIPA are designed to show potential patentees what they can gain from patenting their invention and what the process looks like from the inventor’s point of view.

Most importantly, the free course aims to make patenting more accessible for groups historically underrepresented in the patent-heavy science and engineering fields, including women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people from lower-income communities and people with disabilities.

We have long championed strong patent rights because we know the personal, national and global transformative power they bring. In developing TIPA, we were motivated by the belief that everyone can invent, that every inventor can learn to patent and that strong patent rights empower individual inventors to transform the world in ways that benefit us all.

Learn more in Qualcomm’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

Meet Jaz Erenberg, an aspiring entrepreneur who turned her dreams into reality with the help of Empower by GoDaddy, a social impact program designed to help entrepreneurs in and from underserved communities succeed in the ever-evolving digital landscape. As an AfroLatina artist and young entrepreneur based in Baltimore, Jaz wasn’t surprised to learn from GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative that Black women are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurship. In fact, Jaz’s story embodies the spirit of determination, creativity and resilience that many women entrepreneurs share.

Jaz launched her business, Jaz Erenberg Art, during the pandemic, and while it was a time of uncertainty and struggle for many businesses, it was also when consumers began to emphasize the importance of and need to support more Black-owned and local businesses. This presented a unique opportunity for Jaz’s business to grow and succeed.

Prior to launching her business, which focused on community-centered public art, Jaz worked as a middle school art teacher with the goal of one day becoming a full-time artist. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, her day-to-day shifted and like so many other educators, Jaz found herself at a crossroad in her career. Because of the shift to remote schooling, Jaz was forced to reexamine her job security.

“I decided that if I was going to continue my career as an artist, I should do it on my own terms,” said Jaz. “I wanted to shift the power dynamic, become my own boss and have more control over my career trajectory.”

Determined to take control of her destiny, she launched Jaz Erenberg Art – but, this journey wasn’t going to be easy. While Jaz possessed a deep passion for her craft and entrepreneurial mindset, she lacked the resources and knowledge to turn her vision into a flourishing business.

“With the spotlight placed on supporting more diverse business owners, I was lucky to find funding opportunities for founders like myself,” said Jaz. “Yet, even while successfully gaining access to capital and resources, I still faced major obstacles in protecting my product and intellectual property, and developing business relationships.”

Enter Empower by GoDaddy – Jaz learned of Empower by GoDaddy while exploring various avenues to kickstart her entrepreneurial journey. She was immediately drawn to the initiative’s mission to empower individuals like herself, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“I found Empower by GoDaddy at just the right time in my life,” said Jaz. “It felt like the perfect fit for someone like me, who had the passion but needed the right resources to grow.”

The program offered her a wealth of educational tools, mentorship opportunities and access to a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

“At the program’s conclusion, I truly understood how to execute on my business’ goals and strategy,” said Jaz. “I felt as if I had learned what was needed to uplift not only myself through my business, but my community as well.”

Entrepreneurship can often be a lonely road, but not for Jaz. Through the Empower by GoDaddy program, she connected with a vibrant community of fellow entrepreneurs who shared their experiences, offered advice and celebrated each other’s victories. This network provided a sense of belonging and fostered a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs could uplift and learn from one another.

Jaz’s story is not an isolated one. According to GoDaddy Venture Forward’s Spring 2023 National Survey results, 83% of microbusinesses were started because of the opportunity to do so, rather than out of necessity. This means that more entrepreneurs are making a choice to leave behind their current employment, start a business and become their own boss.

GoDaddy proudly supports entrepreneurs like Jaz and so many others on their journey to success. By leveling the playing field through programs like Empower by GoDaddy, the company is helping to unlock the full potential of these talented individuals and contribute to a more inclusive economy. With the right tools and support, anything is possible.

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlight Series: By partnering with diverse local nonprofits and community organizations around the world, Empower by GoDaddy aims to reach those who haven’t otherwise had access by offering skills training, resources, and mentoring to help accelerate their business journeys. This article is part of the Empower by GoDaddy spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

Our Sustainability Ambassadors are a network of 60 dedicated employees from various groups across all of Sappi’s North American sites. They readily take on additional accountability to drive sustainability education and engagement through interactions with fellow employees and the communities in which we operate.

This year, our Lead Sustainability Ambassador clarified the mission and deliverables of the ambassador group, focusing on three areas: communication, training and community outreach. The ambassador leadership and site teams engage monthly to develop plans that meet our deliverables.

An important part of communication is access to information. To increase our employees’ access to sustainability material, two internal SharePoint sites were launched. The sustainability site is available to all Sappi employees and contains collections of sustainability articles and videos published by Sappi and industry partners, training materials, Sappi news mentions and sustainability group contacts for the North American team. A second SharePoint site—a sales tools site—is accessible by the Sappi field sales team. It is a collaborative workspace for sharing customer-directed presentations that showcase Sappi’s strong sustainability position in the marketplace, providing technical documents and product certifications, and offering additional training materials.

Training is an important focus for our employees, and Sustainability is no exception. The ambassador teams design several trainings throughout the year. Each team tailors training specific to their coworkers on a variety of topics, including progress toward Sappi’s sustainability goals and familiarity with our KPIs. Engagement with the annual sustainability report is a key focus. Details of Sappi North America’s goals, projects and people highlighted in the report are used to create game-show-style activities and emailed quizzes, and act as a springboard for group discussions with subject matter experts. In addition to Sappi-specific sustainability topics, the ambassador teams share information about important global trends, ways to reduce energy consumption at home and recycling tips.

Ambassadors also develop and coordinate volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Ambassador groups invite participation from all Sappi employees in these efforts. Highlights from 2022 include the ambassadors in Boston participating in an annual cleanup of the Charles River and the coordination of a crayon recycling drive for America Recycles Day to divert unwanted crayons from landfills. Southern Maine ambassadors, including participants from the South Portland office, the Westbrook Mill and the Technology Center, celebrated Earth Day with Girl Scouts at an event in which ambassadors shared Sappi’s responsible forestry practices and detailed the use of renewable energy, as well as the variety of career paths available at Sappi.