Month: May 2023

Originally published in Webster Bank’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report

What were some of the biggest achievements in 2022? 

There is so much to be proud of as I think about our work this year. At the highest level, one of our most important accomplishments has been creating and supporting a culture where our mission and values guide our actions. That’s critical, because when your strategy and tactics are consistent with who you are as a company it’s much easier to embed that work into every area of your business.

The centerpiece this year was the launch of Webster’s $6.5 billion Community Investment Strategy. Our three-year strategy addresses affordable housing and community development lending, support for minority- and women-owned small business, and philanthropy. This is a major commitment for our company, and it’s been wholeheartedly embraced and championed by Webster’s leadership. We’re deeply invested in this strategy, enabling loans, investments, technical assistance and financial services to individuals and small businesses across our footprint.

“This is a major commitment for our company, and it’s been wholeheartedly embraced and championed by Webster leadership.”

How is Webster supporting communities?

Webster believes strongly in empowering people and strengthening communities by expanding access to capital. As part of our Community Investment Strategy, we’ve made several investments in programs that foster youth leadership and help build our future workforce. We are very proud of our Finance Lab collaborations in the Bronx, Yonkers, New York and most recently Bridgeport, Connecticut — furthering our commitment to provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about finance.

It’s important to take time and understand the varied needs of our communities. We talked with more than 100 community organizations in developing our $6.5 billion Community Investment Strategy. We’ve also established Community Advisory Councils in our New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island/Massachusetts markets. These collaborations with local nonprofit organizations help us to strengthen meaningful community connections, and to set impactful short- and long-term goals.

How does Webster approach corporate sustainability?

Our corporate sustainability approach at Webster is closely tied to our mission and values: a strategic program clearly focused on positive social and environmental impact within an effective governance framework based on ethics and risk management. Responsible governance is the cornerstone of everything we do at Webster. Our Board continues to oversee our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts, with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee having primary responsibility for coordination of that oversight. Our ESG Council is comprised of senior management across Webster, who meet quarterly.

The Office of Corporate Responsibility (OCR) manages all community-facing activities across the company, including Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair and Responsible Banking; Community Investment, Engagement and Philanthropy; Government Relations and Public Affairs; Supplier Diversity; and, of course, all environmental, social and governance efforts. Bringing all these together in one business unit allows us to plan more strategically, support the business goals more effectively and use our resources more efficiently.

Investors are also asking businesses for more consistent and relevant ESG information. This year, we have responded to stakeholder requests for expanded data-driven disclosures by performing a materiality assessment to inform our corporate responsibility reporting and strategy. The results of this assessment form the basis of our 2022 Report, including the decision to fully align with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards.

What are some new corporate responsibility initiatives for 2023? 

As we continue to execute on our Community Investment Strategy, we’ll launch additional Finance Labs across the footprint and expand our Supplier Diversity program. We’re also planning to introduce a new signature initiative. These and other projects will help to strengthen the systems and organizations that drive shared prosperity and help reshape local economic and social structures.

Internally, we’ll continue working to ensure we live our culture, mission and values. In the coming months, we’ll be onboarding software tools to help us track and manage our community service programs, diverse suppliers and energy usage more effectively.

I’m also really excited about the time we’ve been spending developing our new, company-wide environmental, social and governance strategies focused on the intersection of our four pillars: Economic Vitality, Valuing our People, Our Environment and Responsible Governance. We look forward to sharing more soon.

To learn more about Webster Bank’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our CR webpage. 

For details about Webster Bank’s 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit here.

Well dang, if it wasn’t great to be with my people again! Last week, I had the great joy of attending the Georgia Climate Conference, hosted by the Georgia Climate Project at the University of Georgia. It was an excellent few days, filled with learning, fellowship, and a reminder that Georgia’s climate community is remarkable. Now that I’ve had a few days to rest and reflect, I want to share a more philosophical post about what has stayed with me.

It Takes a Village

First and foremost is gratitude for all of the people who made the conference happen. There were so many students who volunteered their time, presenters whose sessions offered rich content, and staff at the conference center who took excellent care of us. It took a village to pull off, but there were two leaders of the village whom I want to lift up.

Dr. Tish Yager is the Director of the Georgia Climate Project, but she is also a Professor of Marine Science at the University of Georgia. In other words, she has two really big jobs! And in the last academic year, I know that planning for this conference has consumed an inordinate amount of her time. Tish, thank you so much for the long days (and sometimes nights) that you poured into this conference. You should be really proud of it, and I hope you enjoy getting back to your Antarctica research this summer!

Right by Tish’s side was McKenzie Beverage. In February, McKenzie took the role of Project Manager for the Georgia Climate Project. Often with new jobs, folks get a few weeks to ease into the role, but it has been the exact opposite of that for McKenzie. She jumped right in the river and shouldered the load of pulling this conference off. McKenzie, I was glad to meet you in person, and thank you for saying yes to this important work!

Climate Change is No Longer a Niche Issue

My second takeaway was just how interconnected so many issues are with climate work in Georgia. I’ve always had a general sense of that, but it was incredible to see them all condensed into one conference. There were sessions on critical climate challenges like sea-level rise and climate vulnerability assessments. So too were there sessions on climate solutions, ranging from mass timber buildings to effective planning for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

There were also sessions on intersectional climate issues. One looked at how human health is impacted by our changing climate. Another looked at how communities of faith in our state are answering the call to be stewards of the earth. Still another focused on best practices in journalism when covering climate solutions. Importantly, multiple sessions focused on how equity intersects with climate change, including a powerful closing keynote by Nathaniel Smith of the Partnership for Southern Equity.

All of that tells me we have reached an important milestone for climate work in our state. It is no longer siloed within the environmental movement. More and more, people in our state see how climate work is one of the most urgent social issues of our time. That’s good news, because it will take all of us to solve the climate crisis.

Why We Need to Focus on “The Why”

I’ll close with one final observation. Much of the conference was focused on what we need to work on in the climate space, where we need to do it, who is leading the way, and how we can all be most impactful. That is as you would expect, and every conference attendee learned a lot from each session as a result. For me though, one moment stood out, and it was focused on the why of climate work.

I briefly reconnected with a young woman at the conference (whose name I will keep anonymous, because I didn’t ask her if I could tell this story). I had met her years ago at a dinner we both attended when she was a college student, and I asked a question of the table that evening that has apparently stuck with her. I asked, “Why do each of you care about the environment? What’s your story?”

As she reminded me at the conference, her answer involved her grandfather. As longtime readers of this blog know, my reason for caring has a little something to do with my grandfather as well! She went on to tell me that our dinner together, and that question in particular, was a part of why she decided to pursue a higher degree in the environmental space and to start a career in climate. Until she sought me out at the climate conference, I had no idea that our time together years ago had been so important.

I assure you that I’m not trying to pat myself on the back. I give all credit to this young woman for charting her own path, and I’m glad that I can now consider her a colleague in this space. Instead, I share the story to emphasize how important the relational aspect of our work is. We need to spend time together, and to talk about why we stay engaged in the work of solving the climate crisis. More than anything, that is what I took away from three wonderful, hope-inspiring days. And it already has me looking forward to the 2025 Georgia Climate Conference, which will be here before we know it!

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 10 recipients of the inaugural 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network Alumni Grants Program. Launched in 2023, the program supports past participants and future scientists as part of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist).

As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for a mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” The new Alumni Network and Alumni Grants Program offers previous participants networking opportunities, resources, events, and funding for existing science projects. Former finalists must be registered members of the 3M Young Scientist Alumni Network to apply.

The Alumni Grants Program awarded a total of $25,000 in funding to ten 3M Young Scientist Challenge alumni. The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Grants Program recipients across three funding areas are as follows:

Braeden Benedict is a 26-year-old from Missouri and a 2011 finalist. Braeden received $1,000 for the project The Health Career Collaborative at Washington University in St. Louis that provides mentorship, engaging health curriculum, and exposure to health careers to high school students from low-income, underrepresented minority communities.Leanne Fan is a 15-year-old from California and 2022 America’s Top Young Scientist & Grand Prize winner. Leanne received $1,000 for the project Teaching Science to Kids Through Expos! that introduces young students to science.Reshma Kosaraju is a 17-year-old from California and a 2019 finalist & Improving Lives Award Winner. Reshma received $1,000 for the project Eco Quest: An environmental conservation board game that teaches students about climate change.Kathryn Lampo is a 20-year-old from Colorado and a 2017 finalist. Kathryn received $1,000 for the project NYC Model Rocketry Initiative that makes space science and engineering accessible to underserved middle schoolers across New York City through engaging STEM resources.Viraj Pandey is a 14-year-old from California and a 2021 finalist. Viraj received $2,500 for the project Enhancing Crop Yields and Minimizing Crop Diseases Using Graphene Quantum Dots to Combat Overpopulation and Adverse Climate Changes that will help sustainably increase crop yield.Sarah Park is a 15-year-old from Florida and a 2021 America’s Top Young Scientist & Grand Prize winner. Sarah received $5,000 for the project Spark Care+: Personalized Music Therapy App using a Mobile and AI that provides accessible and affordable music therapy for emotional wellbeing.Samvrit Rao is a 15-year-old from Virginia and a 2020 finalist. Samvrit received $1,000 for the project STEMForU Innovation Bootcamps that inspires underrepresented minorities to pursue STEM by providing innovative learning experiences and resources to help develop STEM critical thinking skills.Moitri Santra is a 13-year-old from Florida and a 2021 finalist. Harini received $2,500 for the project Novel Phyto-Nano Drug Delivery System that investigates the potential of medicinal phytochemicals at the nano-scale for reducing adverse drug reactions.Daniel Thomas is a 15-year-old from Texas and a 2022 finalist. Daniel received $5,000 for the project ClearWTR Portable: A Novel Water Disinfection and Purification Device that creates safe and clean drinking water.Harini Venkatesh is a 15-year-old from New Hampshire and a 2022 Improving Lives Award Winner & finalist. Harini received $5,000 for the project The Comptometrist: A Novel Method to Efficiently and Effectively Calculate Optical Power Current that calculates eye prescriptions.

Learn more about the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network Alumni Grants Program recipients here.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see how the 3M Young Scientist Challenge alumni have continued their scientific innovations,” said John P. Banovetz, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Environmental Responsibility at 3M. “Congratulations to each of the recipients of the inaugural alumni grants program! 3M is proud to support these inspiring students as they apply their passion for science to make the world a better place.”

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network brings together a growing community of former Challenge finalists and mentors to connect over shared experiences, celebrate, and promote innovations and STEM as a whole. America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more.

“The new Alumni program is designed to nurture growth and support ongoing science opportunities for prior participants as they tap into a network of innovators. These are innovative ideas that will change the world and we could not be prouder,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Social Impact at Discovery Education.

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education’s recently enhanced K-12 learning platform.

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About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Robert Brittain | 3M | rbrittain@mmm.com 
Grace Maliska | Discovery Education | gmaliska@discoveryed.com

International Olympic Committee news

Sport plays a crucial role in building safer communities and combatting youth violence and crime. This was highlighted during a high-level side event organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on 22 May in Vienna (Austria), as part of the 32nd UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).

The opening remarks were provided by IOC Member Kirsty Coventry, who was the IOC representative at the CCPCJ.

“Sport is not just physical activity, it’s a powerful means to bring people together and contribute to building more peaceful and safer communities. It is also a tool which fosters cognitive development; teaches social behaviour, and develops transferable skills that support education and livelihoods,” said Coventry.

“Research and best practices have proven across the world that sport-related policy and community-based approaches can play a critical role in empowering youth to become active agents of positive change in their communities.”

The theme of this year’s session was “Enhancing the Functioning of the Criminal Justice System to Ensure Access to Justice and to Realise a Safe and Secure Society”.

The event – “Team up against Crime: Strengthening the role and contribution of sport in the context of multisectoral partnerships for youth crime prevention” – was hosted with the support of Austria, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and Thailand.

Sharing new learnings and insights

A key focus of the side event was on discussing successful projects that have addressed youth violence and crime prevention through sport, and to share helpful learnings and insights that could help shape future initiatives and partnerships in this area around the world.

“Supporting sport-based crime prevention initiatives throughout communities, is the cornerstone of an inclusive, integrated, healthy and thriving society,” Coventry stated.

Coventry also highlighted SC:ORE – “Sport against Crime: Outreach, Resilience, Empowerment of At-Risk Youth” – as an example of a collaborative project that utilises the power of sport to help create peaceful and safe communities and empower young people to make rewarding life choices.

Launched in 2022, SC:ORE is a joint IOC-UNODC initiative helping to prevent and combat violence and crime through sports-based learning and skills training to build more peaceful and safe communities. It builds on the UNODC Youth Crime Prevention through Sport initiative as well as the IOC Olympic Education Values Programme (OVEP), a series of free and accessible teaching resources promoting the long-term impact of sport on health, enjoyment and social interaction.

It also contributes to the realisation of strategic priorities set by Olympism365, the IOC’s strategy to strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through partnerships between stakeholders with the aim of ensuring more people, from more diverse backgrounds, benefit from participating in sports-based programmes, every day, everywhere.

Coventry also emphasised the benefits of collaboration between different organisations, detailing how the IOC and UNODC have joined forces in working towards the shared goal of youth crime prevention through physical activity.

Coventry also addressed the UN Member States at the plenary session of the CCPCJ: “We call for cross-sectoral partnerships, rallying public authorities and civil society organisations in the criminal justice sector, development banks, businesses, and national and regional sports entities and major sports events organisers, to jointly invest in sports-based interventions and policies that can generate a much greater impact on criminal behaviour than enforcement alone, and can improve a broad range of health, education and social outcomes.”

IOC-UNODC partnership brings together stakeholders from across the globe

To strengthen the impact of the SC:ORE initiative ahead of a pilot test in two countries and regions, the IOC and UNODC will be organising policy workshops and capacity-building activities for implementing partners, including National Olympic Committees, civil society organisations, and national and local policymakers.

Most recently, from 3 to 5 May, the IOC and UNODC organised a three-day online Expert Group Meeting (EGM), bringing together more than 20 experts from diverse sectors including academia, government, civil society and the sports movement. Representing over 15 countries across various regions, experts shared good practices and insights that will inform the development of a policy guide focused on Preventing Youth Crime and Violence through Sport, as part of the SC:ORE programme. The EGM’s recommendations will also serve as a solid basis for the development of capacity-building resources as well as a global Learning Community focused on “Sport, Crime Prevention and Safer Communities”.

The side event in Vienna is the latest example of the partnership. An extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two organisations was signed in November 2021, with a particular focus on preventing youth crime, violence and drug use through sport.

WHAT: The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health, will be taking on Chicago at NeoCon 2023.

Connect live with our team of healthy building experts at Booth 7-2040, to learn about the WELL Standard and our new Works with WELL program.

Works with WELL recognizes products and solutions that can positively contribute to achieving specific WELL features or meeting certain WELL thresholds. The Works with WELL trademark indicates specific alignment between a product and a WELL feature or threshold, informing the market of solutions available to support organizations advancing people-first places.

Don’t miss IWBI’s Community Concept Lead, Dr. Angelita Scott’s panel discussion, Diversity in Design: The Time for Change is Now, about the role design plays in solving social justice issues, on Tuesday, June 13, at the NeoCon Presentation Studio.

WHO:

Stephen Brown, Senior Vice President, Global Market DevelopmentAngelita Scott, Ph.D., Community Concept Lead and NeoCon Featured PresenterDan Shuffleton, Market Development, Americas and IWBI’s Works with WELL LeadVictor Maningo, Market Development, APACOlesy Alekseev, Market Development, CanadaAngela Spangler, Market Development, Americas

WHEN: June 12-14, 2023

WHERE: 

Neocon 2023: The Mart, Chicago, USA

Booth 7-2040

For more information, to schedule interviews with IWBI representatives on Works with WELL, or to connect with other experts on latest findings and market implications from IWBI’s research review and 2023 State of Workforce Well-Being Poll, please contact media@wellcertified.com.

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About the International WELL Building Institute 
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and WELL ratings and certifications, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute pbc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delos Living LLC. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Portfolio, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Performance Rating, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact: media@wellcertified.com

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Each day, more than 300 million girls and women around the world have their periods, yet many face significant barriers to managing their periods safely and easily. That’s why three years ago, Plan International USA embarked on a partnership with Kimberly-Clark, its foundation and the company’s Kotex® brand to help people comfortably manage their periods.

“No girl should ever feel ashamed about being on her period,” Plan International USA President & CEO Shanna Marzilli said. “It’s a healthy, normal part of everyday life. We at Plan are incredibly proud to work with young leaders around the world, including here in the U.S., who are challenging stereotypes and breaking the silence around periods. They are leading the way to a better future for us all.”

Through the Kimberly-Clark partnership, we have reached more than 3.5 million individuals to date as part of menstrual health management and education programs in Brazil, China, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Nigeria, Peru and Vietnam. These programs take a comprehensive approach — meeting girls’ and women’s immediate needs for supplies, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to understand menstruation and creating a supportive environment that is free of period myths and stigmas.

“Millions of women and girls are stigmatized, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate. In many countries, even the term ‘period’ is cast in a negative light and associated with judgement, fear, anxiety and embarrassment,” said Juanita Pelaez, Vice President of Kimberly-Clark’s global adult and feminine care brands “Our Kotex brand exists to ensure that a period never stands in the way of any woman’s progress, and I am particularly passionate about our partnership with Plan International as we continue to champion and uplift women and girls by fighting period stigmas and the barriers they create.”

Since 2020, Plan has trained 8,466 young people in menstrual health education, in partnership with Kimberly-Clark, to act as advocates and lead trainings with their peers in the community.

“Before, boys would tease us and be awkward around the topic of menstruation,” Liset, a 14-year-old Plan advocate from Peru, said. “They would make jokes about how we would stain our bedsheets while sleeping. But thanks to the program, boys understand more about menstruation. We can talk about it without fear and we’re breaking down myths. Before they were confused, but now they are more tolerant and understanding.”

To join us in uplifting girls on Menstrual Hygiene Day, allies can take action by:

Learning more about the difference between menstrual health and menstrual hygiene. Read more.Following Plan on social media to hear more stories from girls like Liset on the importance of breaking down stigmas.Testing your knowledge on menstruation by leveraging the Kotex® filter on social media.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Maria Holsopple 
Director, Corporate Communications 
Email: maria.holsopple@planusa.org; Mobile: 401.829.2796

Brenna Clairr Moore, Kimberly-Clark, media.relations@kcc.com

About Plan International USA

Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young women and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.

For more information, and to learn about our commitment to safeguarding, please visit www.PlanUSA.org.

About Kimberly-Clark 
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere for the fifth year in a row. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.