Month: January 2024

PHILADELPHIA, January 11, 2024 /3BL/ – Comcast announced a $500,000 grant to Elevate215 to accelerate student learning outcomes and build a diverse teacher workforce in Philadelphia.

The investment in Philadelphia education will provide support for a number of Elevate 215’s core initiatives, which aim to improve schools in Philadelphia that primarily serve Black and Hispanic/Latinx students and students from low-income backgrounds.

“Elevating teaching and learning across schools in our city is possible if we work together in pursuit of this collective goal,” said Dr. Stacy E. Holland, Executive Director of Elevate 215. “Our partnership with Comcast was made possible by our shared belief that accelerating student achievement and advancing solutions to recruit, retain, and develop effective teachers will lead to a brighter future for Philadelphia.”

Specifically, Comcast’s one-year, $500,000 investment will help fund Elevate 215’s Beat the Odds (BTO) K-8 School Investments strategy, the African American Charter School Coalition program that provides Black and Hispanic/Latinx middle school students access to advanced math courses, and support ongoing collaborative efforts with the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition.

“Our partnership with Elevate 215 furthers and underscores our support for Philadelphia students and families to have access to high-quality schools and teachers,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “Moving education forward in Philadelphia requires not only enhancing our schools, but ensuring they have the conditions for achieving success.”

We’re proud to invest in Elevate 215 as they seek to improve school practices and create the interconnected education system that is needed to positively impact student learning and propel economic mobility.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Comcast’s grant is a part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.

PHILADELPHIA, January 11, 2024 /3BL/ – Comcast announced a $500,000 grant to Elevate215 to accelerate student learning outcomes and build a diverse teacher workforce in Philadelphia.

The investment in Philadelphia education will provide support for a number of Elevate 215’s core initiatives, which aim to improve schools in Philadelphia that primarily serve Black and Hispanic/Latinx students and students from low-income backgrounds.

“Elevating teaching and learning across schools in our city is possible if we work together in pursuit of this collective goal,” said Dr. Stacy E. Holland, Executive Director of Elevate 215. “Our partnership with Comcast was made possible by our shared belief that accelerating student achievement and advancing solutions to recruit, retain, and develop effective teachers will lead to a brighter future for Philadelphia.”

Specifically, Comcast’s one-year, $500,000 investment will help fund Elevate 215’s Beat the Odds (BTO) K-8 School Investments strategy, the African American Charter School Coalition program that provides Black and Hispanic/Latinx middle school students access to advanced math courses, and support ongoing collaborative efforts with the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition.

“Our partnership with Elevate 215 furthers and underscores our support for Philadelphia students and families to have access to high-quality schools and teachers,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “Moving education forward in Philadelphia requires not only enhancing our schools, but ensuring they have the conditions for achieving success.”

We’re proud to invest in Elevate 215 as they seek to improve school practices and create the interconnected education system that is needed to positively impact student learning and propel economic mobility.

DALILA WILSON-SCOTT
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Comcast’s grant is a part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.

Technological innovation is increasingly focused on solving pressing, global challenges like climate change, disaster response, and accessible, preventative healthcare. Time is of the essence in finding solutions to these issues. On the global stage, the deadline for the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a framework of strategies to tackle climate change, improve health, education, and equity, and incite economic growth worldwide is rapidly approaching.

Technology is a core pillar and means of implementing the innovation, opportunities, and capabilities defined in the UN’s strategy. In the cutthroat technology space, companies who want to command and maintain strong market share must satisfy consumer demand for the latest features and these need to function flawlessly and available at competitive prices. Keeping pace in this climate means evolving the way technology providers approach challenges and finding ways to optimize all aspects of their operations.

You cannot maintain the status quo and realize any ambition, be that a business goal or solving the global climate crisis in a silo. In the post-Moore’s Law world we now inhabit, innovating something truly revolutionary is only possible through collaboration and co-innovation from across sectors and disciplines. The silos that industries have historically operated in are eroding and the result is accelerated leaps in sophisticated technologies that are transforming the way we move through daily life. Across sectors, innovators are disrupting the status quo by leveraging new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital twins and adopting best practices from other industries.

In this blog, we explore the way cross-disciplinary innovation is redefining the metaverse, transforming the automotive industry, augmenting communication, and improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare.

The metaverse: Closer collaboration through technology

The metaverse of 2024 is not the one that Mark Zuckerberg announced when he rebranded his social media empire. The concept has outgrown its initial definition to include a growing number of use cases for mixed-reality technology. The experiential aspect of this cyber-physical reality promises to shatter silos created by physical distance, allowing more authentic human connection in virtual spaces. This will not only allow friends and family scattered across the world to feel more intricately connected, but also allow colleagues to collaborate in real time no matter where their offices may be located.

This vision of mixed-, augmented-, and virtual reality could not be defined without the powerful capabilities of 5G and 6G communications technologies and emerging innovations in extended reality and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Combined, these technologies promise to seamlessly blend the digital space with physical reality.

To achieve this, though, researchers and standards bodies are working together to overcome several challenges. They are working to find solutions that will ensure interoperability and build a wireless infrastructure that can handle the bandwidth and extremely low latency required to allow us to truly feel physically present in virtual spaces.

Software-defined vehicles: Co-innovation is transforming transportation

The automotive industry has gone from a strictly hardware-focused industry to one that is increasingly defined by software. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers have had to adopt new approaches to create and test designs and components to ensure that the highly complex software systems used in vehicles function well and consistently. These software systems become even more intricate when they need to accommodate the sensors and decision making necessary for autonomous driving capabilities. Partnerships are critical to developing highly automated vehicles.

Currently, collaboration between companies in developing advanced sensor fusion capabilities is limited and opinions are mixed about what mix of camera and radar sensor technology is optimal for the perception and prediction models needed to steer the decision-making of fully autonomous vehicles. Data sharing will help companies understand how different systems perform and define best practices across the industry. In order to put autonomous vehicles into consumer hands, close cooperation and co-innovation between companies, regulators, and standards bodies will be necessary. Together, they must define the guard-rails that will ensure self-driving cars are safe, reliable, and comply with international standards.

Space 3.0: The final frontier

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are making inroads into new areas of innovation. Historically, cellular networks leveraged strictly terrestrial network infrastructure which restricted cellular coverage to more populated areas. This had ramifications for disaster response and resulted in limited bandwidth availability at densely populated events. Advancements in satellite technology are allowing wireless communications providers to augment their service and enhance safety features, as well as provide stable coverage during travel and in remote areas. NTNs promise to eliminate these issues and establish truly global connectivity. There are a number of companies launching NTN constellations and successfully expanding coverage and bandwidth.

However, many of these companies are creating proprietary networks that are bound to one operator’s system and hardware. This limits the potential for truly universal service and interoperability. 2024 will see a growing push towards democratization of satellite connectivity and the scoping of open standards, particularly with the deployment of new 5G releases. Regulations and standards will be critical to ensuring that constellations do not overlap and encouraging companies to work together to minimize space debris and ensure public safety.

Digital healthcare: Providing personal, predictive, and preventive healthcare

The pandemic caused a crisis in the healthcare industry that resulted in practitioner burnout and left patients waiting longer to receive acute care. AI, sensor technology, and the growing wealth of available healthcare data are inciting a revolution in the healthcare industry that will lead to a system with better disease prediction, diagnostics, and treatment. Moreover, it will allow practitioners to diagnose and treat ailments more confidently and, in less time, thus easing their workloads. This will only be possible, though, when hospital systems fully embrace the capabilities that technology has to offer, and medical device manufacturers consider interoperability when designing devices.

Truly holistic medicine and diagnostics are only possible through data intersection across medical devices. Currently, companies are designing technology in silos, limiting the potential to exploit opportunities for how devices or the data they collect may be used for other applications. Moreover, there are ongoing debates between device manufacturers and regulatory bodies on how to protect sensitive patient data. HIPAA regulations silo patient data to prevent it from going beyond its intended location but does not consider the cybersecurity of wearable or implanted devices. By working together, device manufacturers, hospital networks, and regulators can address these challenges and enable a new era of preventative medicine that benefits both patients and the practitioners responsible for providing their care.

Learn more about the future of innovation

Technology has the potential to help shape a sustainable, equitable future for all, but only if existing silos are shattered and cross-disciplinary innovation is able to occur. We are more connected than ever, and technology has allowed us to expand our horizons and visit far-off locations and experience cultures that would never have been possible even 20 years ago. Achieving greater breakthroughs in technology will rely on the intersection of industries sharing their expertise and building the foundation for cooperative innovation.

Find out where innovation is headed by reading the Emerging Technologies 2024 Vision Report. This in-depth exploration of innovation includes discussions with visionaries and leaders from the wireless, automotive, space technology, and healthcare sectors. Within its pages, you will find their insights on the state of their industries, their challenges, and how emerging technologies are addressing them as well as insights and poll data from business leaders in these fields.

Technological innovation is increasingly focused on solving pressing, global challenges like climate change, disaster response, and accessible, preventative healthcare. Time is of the essence in finding solutions to these issues. On the global stage, the deadline for the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a framework of strategies to tackle climate change, improve health, education, and equity, and incite economic growth worldwide is rapidly approaching.

Technology is a core pillar and means of implementing the innovation, opportunities, and capabilities defined in the UN’s strategy. In the cutthroat technology space, companies who want to command and maintain strong market share must satisfy consumer demand for the latest features and these need to function flawlessly and available at competitive prices. Keeping pace in this climate means evolving the way technology providers approach challenges and finding ways to optimize all aspects of their operations.

You cannot maintain the status quo and realize any ambition, be that a business goal or solving the global climate crisis in a silo. In the post-Moore’s Law world we now inhabit, innovating something truly revolutionary is only possible through collaboration and co-innovation from across sectors and disciplines. The silos that industries have historically operated in are eroding and the result is accelerated leaps in sophisticated technologies that are transforming the way we move through daily life. Across sectors, innovators are disrupting the status quo by leveraging new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital twins and adopting best practices from other industries.

In this blog, we explore the way cross-disciplinary innovation is redefining the metaverse, transforming the automotive industry, augmenting communication, and improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare.

The metaverse: Closer collaboration through technology

The metaverse of 2024 is not the one that Mark Zuckerberg announced when he rebranded his social media empire. The concept has outgrown its initial definition to include a growing number of use cases for mixed-reality technology. The experiential aspect of this cyber-physical reality promises to shatter silos created by physical distance, allowing more authentic human connection in virtual spaces. This will not only allow friends and family scattered across the world to feel more intricately connected, but also allow colleagues to collaborate in real time no matter where their offices may be located.

This vision of mixed-, augmented-, and virtual reality could not be defined without the powerful capabilities of 5G and 6G communications technologies and emerging innovations in extended reality and computer-generated imagery (CGI). Combined, these technologies promise to seamlessly blend the digital space with physical reality.

To achieve this, though, researchers and standards bodies are working together to overcome several challenges. They are working to find solutions that will ensure interoperability and build a wireless infrastructure that can handle the bandwidth and extremely low latency required to allow us to truly feel physically present in virtual spaces.

Software-defined vehicles: Co-innovation is transforming transportation

The automotive industry has gone from a strictly hardware-focused industry to one that is increasingly defined by software. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers have had to adopt new approaches to create and test designs and components to ensure that the highly complex software systems used in vehicles function well and consistently. These software systems become even more intricate when they need to accommodate the sensors and decision making necessary for autonomous driving capabilities. Partnerships are critical to developing highly automated vehicles.

Currently, collaboration between companies in developing advanced sensor fusion capabilities is limited and opinions are mixed about what mix of camera and radar sensor technology is optimal for the perception and prediction models needed to steer the decision-making of fully autonomous vehicles. Data sharing will help companies understand how different systems perform and define best practices across the industry. In order to put autonomous vehicles into consumer hands, close cooperation and co-innovation between companies, regulators, and standards bodies will be necessary. Together, they must define the guard-rails that will ensure self-driving cars are safe, reliable, and comply with international standards.

Space 3.0: The final frontier

Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are making inroads into new areas of innovation. Historically, cellular networks leveraged strictly terrestrial network infrastructure which restricted cellular coverage to more populated areas. This had ramifications for disaster response and resulted in limited bandwidth availability at densely populated events. Advancements in satellite technology are allowing wireless communications providers to augment their service and enhance safety features, as well as provide stable coverage during travel and in remote areas. NTNs promise to eliminate these issues and establish truly global connectivity. There are a number of companies launching NTN constellations and successfully expanding coverage and bandwidth.

However, many of these companies are creating proprietary networks that are bound to one operator’s system and hardware. This limits the potential for truly universal service and interoperability. 2024 will see a growing push towards democratization of satellite connectivity and the scoping of open standards, particularly with the deployment of new 5G releases. Regulations and standards will be critical to ensuring that constellations do not overlap and encouraging companies to work together to minimize space debris and ensure public safety.

Digital healthcare: Providing personal, predictive, and preventive healthcare

The pandemic caused a crisis in the healthcare industry that resulted in practitioner burnout and left patients waiting longer to receive acute care. AI, sensor technology, and the growing wealth of available healthcare data are inciting a revolution in the healthcare industry that will lead to a system with better disease prediction, diagnostics, and treatment. Moreover, it will allow practitioners to diagnose and treat ailments more confidently and, in less time, thus easing their workloads. This will only be possible, though, when hospital systems fully embrace the capabilities that technology has to offer, and medical device manufacturers consider interoperability when designing devices.

Truly holistic medicine and diagnostics are only possible through data intersection across medical devices. Currently, companies are designing technology in silos, limiting the potential to exploit opportunities for how devices or the data they collect may be used for other applications. Moreover, there are ongoing debates between device manufacturers and regulatory bodies on how to protect sensitive patient data. HIPAA regulations silo patient data to prevent it from going beyond its intended location but does not consider the cybersecurity of wearable or implanted devices. By working together, device manufacturers, hospital networks, and regulators can address these challenges and enable a new era of preventative medicine that benefits both patients and the practitioners responsible for providing their care.

Learn more about the future of innovation

Technology has the potential to help shape a sustainable, equitable future for all, but only if existing silos are shattered and cross-disciplinary innovation is able to occur. We are more connected than ever, and technology has allowed us to expand our horizons and visit far-off locations and experience cultures that would never have been possible even 20 years ago. Achieving greater breakthroughs in technology will rely on the intersection of industries sharing their expertise and building the foundation for cooperative innovation.

Find out where innovation is headed by reading the Emerging Technologies 2024 Vision Report. This in-depth exploration of innovation includes discussions with visionaries and leaders from the wireless, automotive, space technology, and healthcare sectors. Within its pages, you will find their insights on the state of their industries, their challenges, and how emerging technologies are addressing them as well as insights and poll data from business leaders in these fields.

Ferdinand Morales joined Maximus in July 1999 after learning about the company through volunteering at a local nonprofit. After 24 years at Maximus, Ferdinand reflects on his time with the company and the impact giving back to his community has made in his life.

How did you first hear about the Foundation, and what drew you to get involved?

I was always aware of the Foundation. It launched around the time I joined Maximus. After becoming involved in Foundation work, I wanted to know how to expand my role and deepen the impact. When I joined the DE&I council, I came at a time of transition within the Foundation between Dr. John Boyer and Dr. Arvenita Washington Cherry. After connecting with Dr. Cherry, I learned of a few available board positions and joined the US Foundation board. Subsequently, I was later made aware of the UK Foundation and am now a member of their Board of Trustees.

With all your experiences with the Foundation and giving back, what’s been your favorite memory or moment of impact?

Oh wow, there have been so many. One of the moments that most impacted me was with our local partner and Foundation grantee partner, Junior Achievement (JA), in Albany, NY. JA invited our New York State of Health Project (NYSOH) team to a celebration to highlight our team’s impact on the organization over the years. They showed a video featuring various events we supported that genuinely moved me. This compilation of our work reminded me of how impactful the gift of time can be for a nonprofit or the community.

What’s a community engagement tradition that came out of your team, and why is it meaningful to you and your colleagues?

In 2017, the NYSOH team created the Community Partnerships Program after asking “What else can we do to support our community?” The goal was to build goodwill within our NYSOH team and support our larger community by coordinating opportunities that make a positive impact. We not only volunteer where we have our clients and do business, but more importantly, we give back to anyone in our community who needs help.

It started as an informal group with only a few participating, growing into hundreds of NYSOH team members participating year after year. In 2022, more than 950 NYSOH staff participated in the program, supporting more than 40 community initiatives, and serving more than 20 nonprofit partners. While I’m incredibly proud of those numbers, the stories shared by the staff about the impact of giving back are what has truly impacted me.

For many employees, at one point in their lives, they had to utilize services from local nonprofits during a time of need. I would hear stories such as “At one time, I stayed at this Ronald McDonald house because I needed shelter” or “I brought my child to this nonprofit that supports children with autism as I was a parent who desperately needed help.” What’s beautiful is that the Community Partnerships Program continues to grow through our employees sharing their past experiences. I would call the Community Partnership program more of a movement than a program.

If you could leave us with one final thought to share with others, what would it be?

What drives me to do this work is to break down the barrier of difference and the gift of time. We’re not all in a place to give financially, but your time, whether painting a classroom or working with students, can provide so much for someone, and we get so much in return by helping.

I love that I get to work with people who look to break down the barriers of difference that exist to separate us as people. In my ideal world, we’re all working toward breaking down barriers to create equal opportunity for everyone to thrive.

Giving back to the communities we serve

The Maximus Foundation is one of the ways Maximus employees are doing something greater together. Established by the Maximus Board of Directors in 2000, the Maximus Foundation is an independent, employee-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Employee donors pool their charitable contributions together through the Foundation, double their impact on the grantmaking program through Maximus’ dollar-for-dollar matching pledge, and make their voices heard by nominating and voting for future grantee partners. Though the Foundation focuses its giving strategy on grantmaking, it also helps coordinate corporate-wide humanitarian efforts and empowers employees to donate their time and skills to nonprofits. Their inspired giving and volunteerism help accelerate the missions of nonprofits on the front lines of the communities we serve. Learn more at maximus.com/foundation.

Ferdinand Morales joined Maximus in July 1999 after learning about the company through volunteering at a local nonprofit. After 24 years at Maximus, Ferdinand reflects on his time with the company and the impact giving back to his community has made in his life.

How did you first hear about the Foundation, and what drew you to get involved?

I was always aware of the Foundation. It launched around the time I joined Maximus. After becoming involved in Foundation work, I wanted to know how to expand my role and deepen the impact. When I joined the DE&I council, I came at a time of transition within the Foundation between Dr. John Boyer and Dr. Arvenita Washington Cherry. After connecting with Dr. Cherry, I learned of a few available board positions and joined the US Foundation board. Subsequently, I was later made aware of the UK Foundation and am now a member of their Board of Trustees.

With all your experiences with the Foundation and giving back, what’s been your favorite memory or moment of impact?

Oh wow, there have been so many. One of the moments that most impacted me was with our local partner and Foundation grantee partner, Junior Achievement (JA), in Albany, NY. JA invited our New York State of Health Project (NYSOH) team to a celebration to highlight our team’s impact on the organization over the years. They showed a video featuring various events we supported that genuinely moved me. This compilation of our work reminded me of how impactful the gift of time can be for a nonprofit or the community.

What’s a community engagement tradition that came out of your team, and why is it meaningful to you and your colleagues?

In 2017, the NYSOH team created the Community Partnerships Program after asking “What else can we do to support our community?” The goal was to build goodwill within our NYSOH team and support our larger community by coordinating opportunities that make a positive impact. We not only volunteer where we have our clients and do business, but more importantly, we give back to anyone in our community who needs help.

It started as an informal group with only a few participating, growing into hundreds of NYSOH team members participating year after year. In 2022, more than 950 NYSOH staff participated in the program, supporting more than 40 community initiatives, and serving more than 20 nonprofit partners. While I’m incredibly proud of those numbers, the stories shared by the staff about the impact of giving back are what has truly impacted me.

For many employees, at one point in their lives, they had to utilize services from local nonprofits during a time of need. I would hear stories such as “At one time, I stayed at this Ronald McDonald house because I needed shelter” or “I brought my child to this nonprofit that supports children with autism as I was a parent who desperately needed help.” What’s beautiful is that the Community Partnerships Program continues to grow through our employees sharing their past experiences. I would call the Community Partnership program more of a movement than a program.

If you could leave us with one final thought to share with others, what would it be?

What drives me to do this work is to break down the barrier of difference and the gift of time. We’re not all in a place to give financially, but your time, whether painting a classroom or working with students, can provide so much for someone, and we get so much in return by helping.

I love that I get to work with people who look to break down the barriers of difference that exist to separate us as people. In my ideal world, we’re all working toward breaking down barriers to create equal opportunity for everyone to thrive.

Giving back to the communities we serve

The Maximus Foundation is one of the ways Maximus employees are doing something greater together. Established by the Maximus Board of Directors in 2000, the Maximus Foundation is an independent, employee-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Employee donors pool their charitable contributions together through the Foundation, double their impact on the grantmaking program through Maximus’ dollar-for-dollar matching pledge, and make their voices heard by nominating and voting for future grantee partners. Though the Foundation focuses its giving strategy on grantmaking, it also helps coordinate corporate-wide humanitarian efforts and empowers employees to donate their time and skills to nonprofits. Their inspired giving and volunteerism help accelerate the missions of nonprofits on the front lines of the communities we serve. Learn more at maximus.com/foundation.

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact for the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open up new perspectives.

Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our new series, “Pioneers for Good”.

Trent Keel has been with Henkel for over two years and wears several hats as an Integrated Marketing Director for Pravana, a leading professional hair care brand known for its cutting-edge colors and products. As part of the Pravana team, Trent oversees marketing campaigns to increase awareness of the brand across the salon industry.

Trent says as a company, Henkel leaders provide employees a safe space to explore. “Leadership really gives the autonomy to each of our employees to really be a pioneer, to try or invent something new,” he says. By taking away the fear of failure, Trent has found flexibility and opportunities to follow creative avenues as part of his work.

Trent has always sought outlets to be creative. He started his career as a professional dancer and singer in Los Angeles, which ultimately brought him to the beauty industry. Between performance gigs, Trent worked as a hairdresser and eventually became a hair educator–tapping into a passion for helping others express themselves and mentoring those interested in getting into the industry.

A passion for creating safe spaces

As president of Henkel’s PRIDE ERG and member of the DEI Council, Trent is focused on supporting the company’s efforts to create safe spaces for people within the workplace–whether it’s in North America or globally.

“I’ve worked at other companies in the past that have had DEI councils, and nothing really gets done outside of the meetings,” he says. “Being part of both these groups at Henkel, I see a lot of movement; it helps us better connect to leadership and it allows me to develop meaningful relationships with colleagues around the world with similar interests.”

Trent’s passion for supporting and creating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community through new policies, programs, and events extends beyond Henkel. Since 2020, Trent has been a mentor for Out for Undergrad, a nonprofit focused on helping high-achieving LGBTQ+ undergraduates reach their full potential. Trent has spoken on panels and presented to groups but says being a mentor allows him to build a more personal connection and ask questions that get at the heart of their concerns about pursuing a career.

Being a mentor isn’t the only way Trent is filling his dance card these days. He also volunteers with OutLoud Sports, which uses team sports as another place where queer and trans youth can find community; ROMBA, where he speaks to LGBTQ+ business students; and The Trevor Project, where he is a suicide hotline volunteer.

“Being able to provide a small amount of support as people come into their own authentic selves is part of what keeps me going. It’s what being a pioneer for good is all about,” says Trent.

Related Reading

Pioneers for Good Series – Alice Cheung and Alexis Kriegl (henkel-northamerica.com)

Pioneers for Good Series – Gerhard Kummerow (henkel-northamerica.com)

Making an Impact on Tomorrow (henkel-northamerica.com)