Month: January 2024

When you’ve spent your entire working life in the military, transitioning to civilian employment will always be difficult. But when Katy Newby unexpectedly found herself medically discharged from the Royal Air Force Police after 12 years of service, the sudden need to reinvent herself presented one of the most challenging experiences of her professional life.

“It was a massive shock, but rather than focusing on what went wrong, I just threw myself into being a mum to my fifteen-month-old daughter,” explains the Leidos Project Security Officer. “They say every cloud has a silver lining, and this meant that I was able to be her biggest influence through the early years of her life.”

While being a mother provided a new sense of purpose in those early years, as Newby’s daughter grew older and began school, she began to realise how much she had been giving up in terms of her professional life.

What I struggled with most in that period was losing my identity. When I left the armed forces, Corporal Newby was half of who I was. Being a mum is this huge, important purpose, but I still felt like I’d thrown myself into it so much that I’d put the other half of my life on the back burner.

Katy Newby

Project Security Officer, Leidos UK

After a couple of years of taking on various part-time jobs, Newby joined the MOD Guard Service, which reminded her how much she’d enjoyed working in security. Yet she also increasingly felt the need for a career that would provide more opportunities to progress professionally. So, in 2019, she headed to university to pursue a degree in organisational capability development, followed by a master’s degree in critical infrastructure security.

“I hadn’t been in education since I left school at 16, and I never even dreamt I’d get a degree, let alone a master’s,” says Newby. “But it turned out that I absolutely loved researching. I always want to know the whys and wherefores of how things happen, so it suits me right down to the ground. I remember crying when I found out that I’d been awarded a first, and that was really my wake-up call that I’d found something that I’m good at.”

The combination of her academic qualifications, on top of a decade plus worth of military service, made Newby an ideal candidate to join Leidos as a project security officer in July 2023. But what stood out to Newby was how much Leidos presented the perfect fit for her in turn.

“My interview gave me such a positive sense about working the team that I turned down other interviews because this just felt like it was meant to be,” she describes. “Five months in, I still absolutely love it. The fact that I can work from home is great for my family but I also don’t feel isolated from work at all because there’s an amazing sense of community. People see you as a whole person and trust you to do what needs to be done the way you think is best rather than dictating exactly what you should do. “

From sending out her first 40 post-military job applications and getting only three responses to the challenges of balancing her studies against part-time employment and childcare responsibilities, the past nine years may not have been easy for Newby. But as she first learnt back in her days as a military cadet, anything worth having is worth working for.

“I still struggle with the fact that I had no control over when I left the military,” she says. “But when I think about how I’ve gone to university and how I’ve found my own path back into security, I’m able to look back on that unexpected challenge as a positive opportunity to mastermind my own destiny.”

For more information on our Operation Military Veteran Programme visit: www.leidos.com/operation-mvp

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Today Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) released its 2023 ESG Report, an annual report on the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, approach and performance across four key pillars: Healthy Communities, Healthy and Inclusive Workplace, Healthy Planet and Sustainable Marketplace. 

Healthcare is at the center of WBA’s ESG framework, reflecting its operations and corporate vision to be the leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all. 

Visit the report to learn more about the integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader’s achievements over the course of its Fiscal Year 2023 (Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023). Highlights include:

Healthy Communities: $373M1 donated over the past eight years, to support the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves. Achieved a major milestone celebrating 10 years of partnership with Vitamin Angels and reaching over 400 million women and children with life-changing vitamins; Addressed health disparities for underserved communities in the US with the distribution of more than $1.8M in vouchers for flu shots at Walgreens during fiscal year 2023; more than $26 million raised with Macmillan Cancer Support through its 14-year partnership with Boots.Healthy Planet: Further reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across its operations by 5%, achieving 25% since its 2019 baseline and is well on track to achieve 30% by 2030.Sustainable Marketplace: Walgreens spent over $700 million with diverse Tier 1 suppliers in the US; Boots eradicated wet wipes made with plastic fibers.Healthy & Inclusive Workplace: Delivered on its commitment to increase workforce representation of people with disabilities and was the first company in the S&P 500 to include disability representation as a separate, standalone metric within a disclosed incentive plan. The company achieved a nearly 3 percentage point increase in people with disabilities at all levels.

Tim Wentworth, Chief Executive Officer, WBA said, “As we take a moment to reflect on the progress we have made, we are focused on our legacy for the future and addressing the most urgent needs for our people, patients, and consumers today. We look forward to working with our valued partners over this next year, as we continue to build on our progress, and ongoing collaboration.” 

“At a moment when we face significant challenges across the globe, we have never been more confident that our commitment to people and the planet will help us show up to meet, and exceed, the needs of our customers, patients, team members and communities for the future.” 

Ornella Barra, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, International and Chair of the ESG Committee, WBA added, “Our people make us who we are: The service we give, the products we make, the positive impact we have, and it is their desire to innovate and imagine the future that ensures we continue to move forward.” 

Footnote: 1 Cash and non-cash valuation of community contributions 

About Walgreens Boots Alliance 
Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader serving millions of customers and patients every day, with a 175-year heritage of caring for communities. 

A trusted, global innovator in retail pharmacy with more than 12,500 locations across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, WBA plays a critical role in the healthcare ecosystem. The company is reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all as part of its purpose – to create more joyful lives through better health. Through dispensing medicines, improving access to a wide range of health services, providing high quality health and beauty products and offering anytime, anywhere convenience across its digital platforms, WBA is shaping the future of healthcare. 

WBA employs approximately 330,000 people and has a presence in eight countries through its portfolio of consumer brands: Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, the No7 Beauty Company and Benavides in Mexico. Additionally, WBA has a portfolio of healthcare-focused investments located in several countries, including China and the U.S. 

The company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. WBA has been recognized for its commitment to being an inclusive workplace. In fiscal 2023, the Company received a score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, scored 100 percent on the Disability Equality Index for disability inclusion and was named Disability:IN’s 2023 Employer of the Year. In addition, WBA has been recognized for its commitment to operating sustainably as the company is an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). More company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com. 

(WBA-GEN) 

Media Contact Info: Media Relations, (847) 315-2935, media@wba.com

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Originally published on Principal.com

DES MOINES, Iowa, January 26, 2024 /3BL/ – The Principal® Charity Classic with support from Sammons Financial Group will work with the Greater Des Moines Partnership to evolve the Legacy Project, into a community-driven, work-based learning program (Program) to prepare youth for future employment, particularly those at risk of not graduating or easily securing work.

The primary objective of the Legacy Project, funded by Principal Charity Classic proceeds, is to introduce youth to a variety of professional and technical skills that will increase their knowledge of and confidence in financial planning, customer service, teamwork and collaboration, delegation, and communication.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will administer the Program and develop a standardized curriculum and work-based learning model that will be taught through existing summer youth internship programs throughout Iowa, starting in 2024 in the Des Moines metropolitan area. Funding will also be used to underwrite weekly learning, networking, and skill-building sessions with the summer interns.

“The Legacy Project supports the Principal Charity Classic’s mission of improving the lives of Iowa’s youth and will equip underrepresented or underprivileged students, with skills needed to meet challenges now and, in the future,” said Ken McCullum, board chair for the Principal Charity Classic.

As administrator of the Program, the Greater Des Moines Partnership will interact with participating community organizations, collect data, organize weekly learning sessions, train the organizations in the curriculum, and maintain and update the curriculum.

“We are thrilled to work with the Principal Charity Classic on this project as it marks a significant step towards empowering our youth,” said Jenae Sikkink, Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Inclusive Strategies for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “We are excited about the opportunity to help provide our youth with skills and confidence to prepare them for their futures.”

The Legacy Project first launched in 2020 with funding from Sammons Financial Group. In its inaugural year, $50,000 was donated to The Directors Council (TDC), a Des Moines-based not-for-profit committed to developing social service programs focused on addressing racial disparities and inequities in the areas of employment, education, financial inclusion, health, and housing.

About Principal Financial Group 
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 19,500 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for more than 140 years, we’re helping more than 61 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere2, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to building a better future at principal.com. 

1 As of September 30, 2023  
2 Ethisphere, 2023   
3 Pensions & Investments, 2023

About the Principal Charity Classic 
The Principal Charity Classic is an annual and award-winning PGA TOUR Champions event dedicated to investing in the future of Iowa kids. In 2023, the Principal Charity Classic raised $8 million for charity, bringing the tournament’s giving total to more than $53.7 million since 2007. Tournament funds benefit organizations that provide a broad level of support to Iowa kids in the areas of education and culture, financial security and stability, and health and wellness.

For more information, visit principalcharityclassic.com, or connect with the tournament on social media: Facebook facebook.com/principalcharityclassic, Twitter @PCCTourney, and Instagram @principalcharityclassic.

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The UN International Day of Education, commemorated each year on January 24th, serves as a crucial acknowledgment of education as a fundamental human right and a shared public responsibility. This recognition positions education as a key driver for sustainable development, contributing significantly to achieving all of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day highlights the pivotal role of inclusive and equitable education in building peaceful, just and sustainable societies. The UN also emphasizes the role and power of education to address some of the most pressing global challenges – such as climate change, discrimination, violence, and societal inequalities.

In line with the global commitment to education and human rights, GRI facilitates reporting on education-related impacts through its dedicated Topic Standard on Training and Education, which includes disclosures on organizational approach to training, upgrading employee skills, performance and career development reviews, and transition assistance programs. GRI has also been a pioneer in setting standards for reporting on human rights. In 2021, GRI published a revision of its Universal Standards, integrating human rights reporting as a core element rather than an optional, stand-alone Topic Standard. This groundbreaking update requires all organizations using GRI Standards to report on how they respect human rights. By incorporating human rights impacts into the definition of material topics, GRI ensures these critical aspects are not overlooked, providing robust support for organizations to report on their responsibility to respect human rights.

Recognizing the crucial role of education in fostering sustainable development, GRI collaborates extensively with educational institutions and has established the GRI Academy– the training platform that offers individuals an opportunity to stay informed and gain expertise through globally applicable and recognized professional development programs, including the GRI Professional Certification program. Through the GRI Academy, individuals help foster a positive change on both local and global scales by enhancing their knowledge of sustainability reporting and global standards.

The GRI Standards serve as a catalyst to that positive change, empowering organizations to be transparent about their impacts on the environment, economy, and people. Considering that knowledge is power, the GRI Standard continue to educate, empower and enable stakeholders to make more informed decisions, thereby contributing to a more just and sustainable world.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

By Tamara Jakes, director, Aflac Employee Experience and cancer survivor

In 2003, life was pretty crazy for me. Most of my days were spent trying to keep up with my then 3-year-old, which didn’t leave much time for anything else. When it came time for my annual wellness check, I honestly didn’t overthink it until my test results returned a couple of days later — abnormal.

For those of you who have heard the words “you have cancer” or been there with a loved one who has heard them, my heart goes out to you. Because I know. I know the fear, confusion, anger and, of course, uncertainty. After additional testing, my doctor confirmed it was cervical cancer. I was only 29 years old, but I was saved by a routine wellness visit that I recommend for everyone. In fact, some cancer insurance policies like the one offered at the company I work for, Aflac, pay a benefit for wellness exams.

My medical team removed the cancer, and we were blessed with how well it worked — no additional treatment was required. However, it came with other burdens like a struggle with infertility. After several years of not being able to conceive and multiple miscarriages, I was even more angry at cancer than I had been when I first got my diagnosis. Then, after 11 years, my husband and I were finally blessed with our daughter Joy, named for the joy she brought into our lives.

With all of the ups and downs, you never really learn how to exhale after a cancer diagnosis. Regular checkups always filled me with dread, but after so many years of normal results, I had started to calm a little.

Just as I started to feel like my life was back on track and I was living “worry free,” the rug was ripped from under me again. At my routine annual exam, my physician noticed a lump on my neck — thyroid cancer. I was devastated. Why now? Why again?

I made a promise to myself: I wasn’t going to let cancer win. I wasn’t going to let it interrupt my life and everything I wanted to achieve. I beat it once and I would beat it again.

My surgery took place in February 2022, and I kept the first promise I made to myself: The following month, I graduated with my master’s degree. The treatment process followed and, by the end of May, I fulfilled the second promise: I didn’t let cancer win!

My cancer journey was filled with curve balls, twists and turns. But I had two lights in that time of darkness: emotional support from my family — both at home and at work — and financial support from my supplemental insurance policies and organizations like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

My advice to anyone who will listen is to:

Be proactive. Go to your regular checkups, stay close to your health care providers, and pay careful attention to your well-being. Studies show that an early diagnosis helps improve chances for survival and, like in my case, some insurance policies will even pay you for those wellness checks.Get involved. Find organizations, like LLS, CancerCare.org or the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, that are actively working toward better treatment options for those with cancer. Whether you give time, talent or money, your contribution makes a big difference to those in need.Protect yourself. When you receive a cancer diagnosis, every bit of your energy needs to be focused on fighting the disease, not finances. Talk to your employer to learn more about benefits available to you, and research savings plans and insurance policies that can help protect you against the financial impact of serious illnesses like cancer.

Lastly, a piece of advice for anyone regardless of the role you play — whether it’s as a patient, caregiver, loved one, etc. — you have an opportunity to be someone’s light in what will likely be one of the darkest times of their life. Take it.

This article contains the opinions of an Aflac policyholder and is not intended to portray any specific benefits or details of Aflac cancer insurance (also known as specified-disease insurance in some states) policies. Coverage may not be available in all states and benefits may vary based on plan options. Limitations and exclusions may apply. In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK; B70200OK; B70300OK; B7010EPOK; B7020EPOK. In Virginia, Policies A75100VA–A75300VA. For more information about Aflac insurance policies, contact your Aflac agent or visit aflac.com. Aflac supplemental coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac supplemental coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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