The Net art pioneer has experimented with evolving technologies for over thirty years through her impactful and collaborative projects. The award is part of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year, multifaceted collaboration designed to research, honor, and promote…
Month: March 2024
DUBLIN, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The “Polished Concrete Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2030” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The future of the global polished concrete market looks promising with opportunities in the…
Closes affordability gap for qualified homebuyers while helping to meet demand DAYTON, Ohio, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VineBrook Homes (VineBrook) continues to make homeownership a reality for hundreds of hard-working residents across the United States who may have been previously…
On January 19, 2023 Lenovo announced its commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, in alignment to the Science Based Targets initiative’s Net-Zero Standard. As a global technology powerhouse, Lenovo is in the first group of companies to have its targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The process of validating the science-based emissions reduction targets began in 2018 when Lenovo submitted their near-term goals for review by SBTi – a collaboration of experts from CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and World Wide Fund for Nature. SBTi’s first of its kind Net-Zero Standard provides companies with a clear pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to prevent the worst effects of climate change and future-proof business growth.
One year later, Lenovo is on-track to meet its near-term 2030 emissions reduction goals, the first milestone in the journey to net-zero. “Aligning to climate science and supporting the transition to renewable energy continue to be our main priorities on this journey,” shared Mary Jacques, Executive Director of Lenovo’s Global ESG and Regulatory Programs. Lenovo has tripled its generation of solar energy since 2018, a result of its continued investments in renewable energy. “While supporting the transition to infrastructure powered by renewable energy is paramount, there’s no doubt that our ability to innovate will be critical to both our – and our customers’ journeys to a low carbon future.”
While Lenovo is leading the way in a collaborative and accountable journey to net-zero, it is also committed to meeting its customers wherever they are on their sustainability journey. The company launched its Sustainability Services in 2021, providing customers with tools to manage their environmental impact through solutions that allow customers to tailor their orders for the devices entire life cycle – from packaging and logistics to warranties and asset recovery services that can extend the life of a product.
“Sustainability can make or break our ability to even be part of the conversation with customers, as more and more enterprises embed it as a ‘must have’ rather than a ‘nice to have’,” commented Matt Zielinski, President of Lenovo’s International Markets. “Sustainability has to permeate every inch of our business; we really have to ‘walk the talk’ and our Net-Zero commitment is our north star that keeps us accountable and on track.”
In addition to customers, Lenovo is also bringing its channel partners along on its journey. In 2022 Lenovo launched the Lenovo 360 Circle, a community where partners can come together to align on ESG objectives and leverage new market trends driven by sustainability. By breaking down barriers and encouraging collaboration across our channel network, Lenovo hopes to foster an individual and collective learning approach to sustainability.
With the number of companies aligning their emissions reduction goals to the Science Based Targets initiative’s science-based methodology, Lenovo leaders hope that there can be even more learning, collaboration and acceleration toward low-carbon innovations to come – within the industry, across sectors, and all for a brighter future.
Originally published by Soo Today
As part of the ‘Hut to Heart’ initiative, employees at Pizza Hut on Great Northern Road have been collecting donations and making upwards of 15 pizzas every day for homeless and vulnerable members of the community.
Employees at Pizza Hut on Great Northern Road have lost count as to how many smiling faces they’ve seen walk out their door over the last few weeks.
Since late January, the chain restaurant has been providing free pizzas to homeless and vulnerable members of the community as part of their ‘Hut to Heart’ initiative.
The store’s new owners Hardik and Himanshu Soni are overseeing the fundraiser at all eight of their Pizza Hut locations in Ontario. The Sault location is their only one in northern Ontario.
U.S. Department of Commerce’s NIST forms AI Safety Consortium to enable development and responsible use of safe and trustworthy AINew measurement science is required to standardize interoperable techniques and metricsKeysight is using AI in solutions and enabling the industry to validate AI in their systems
SANTA ROSA, Calif., March 4, 2024 /3BL/ – Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has joined other industry leaders and key AI stakeholders in a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative to support the development and deployment of trustworthy and safe AI. Established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) will bring together AI creators and users, academics, government and industry researchers, and civil society organizations to meet this mission.
The consortium includes more than 200 member companies and organizations that are on the frontlines of developing, validating, and using AI systems, as well as the civil society and academic teams that are building the foundational understanding of how AI can and will transform our society. These entities represent the nation’s largest companies and its innovative startups; creators of the world’s most advanced AI systems and hardware; key members of civil society and the academic community; and representatives of professions with deep engagement in AI’s use today. The consortium will develop science-based and empirically backed guidelines and standards for AI measurement and policy to lay the foundation of AI safety across the world.
As a leader in measurement science, Keysight uses AI as a powerful enabler of its advanced design, emulation, and test solutions. Keysight is also partnering with industry leaders to advance AI learning for wireless communications testing, optimize wireless performance with AI, and validate the data center hardware needed to support AI cloud architectures. In addition, Keysight is enabling the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor, and computing industries to drive higher performance and sustainability through the promise of AI. Keysight is engaged in multiple standards and research initiatives related to the nascent field of validation of AI systems.
Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary, said: “The U.S. government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence. President Biden directed us to pull every lever to accomplish two key goals: set safety standards and protect our innovation ecosystem. That’s precisely what the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium is set up to help us do. Through President Biden’s landmark Executive Order, we will ensure America is at the front of the pack – and by working with this group of leaders from industry, civil society, and academia, together we can confront these challenges to develop the measurements and standards we need to maintain America’s competitive edge and develop AI responsibly.”
Satish Dhanasekaran, Chief Executive Officer, Keysight, said: “AI is a critical driver for many advancements in communications, defense, transportation, energy, electronics and computing, which makes it a highly relevant technology for Keysight and its customers. Our membership in AISIC is one of several engagements we have with industry partners, research organizations, standards bodies, and government in this exciting field. As a leading design, emulation, and test solutions provider, we stand ready to work with our AISIC peers to develop the measurements and standards to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of AI. This is an essential part of the role we are playing in this technology revolution.”
Resources
Notice: Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute ConsortiumU.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI)AISIC MembersAISIC Member Perspectives
About Keysight Technologies
At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.
Keysight Contact:
Paul Erwin, Americas
+1 248 430–9075
paul.erwin@keysight.com
Fusako Dohi, Asia
+81 42 660–2162
fusako_dohi@keysight.com
Jenny Gallacher, Europe
+44 (0) 7800 737–982
jenny.gallacher@keysight.com
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role.
I have been with GoDaddy full-time for two and a half years. I started out as an intern in 2020. I currently live in Seattle and work from the Kirkland office. I work on the Network Automation Team as a Software Engineer. We manage, develop, and organize the tools and products that the networking organization uses to manage the network in an automatic way.
What project has been the most rewarding throughout your career journey?
The 100% IP Visibility effort was my first project at GoDaddy. The goal of the project was to find all network-owned IPs and put them in Netbox (which is an IP management database). It was a very visible effort and a lot of teams adjacent to my own were aware of it. It was a great way to learn about the network but also to hear from my teammates and the teams we work with that my work was noticed and contributing to organization-wide efforts.
How has GoDaddy helped you grow as an individual?
My team at GoDaddy has been really supportive of my growth as a Software Engineer. They encourage me to go and learn on my own, but are also very available to help teach me when I need it. This has allowed me to be more comfortable and confident at work, and to really enjoy the work I do and have fun with it.
What advice would you give to an individual who is interested in a career in Software Development Engineering?
Take the time to learn things that are fun or interesting to you and start to participate in system design and coding challenges. For me, participating in these challenges was great interview prep and also gave me an opportunity to see what problems I found most interesting and enjoyed solving. Now in my current role, I am able to ask for more system design tasks because I know I enjoy working on them!
What’s your motto or personal mantra?
“Have fun!” or “c’est la vie” meaning “that’s life” if something isn’t necessarily fun, but required.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities such as road biking, mountain biking, skiing, climbing, playing field hockey, tennis, and pickleball. During my free time, you can also find me drinking beers with friends.
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Like Me Project, La’Keisha Gray-Sewell is committed to empowering African American girls. Her mission is to help them critically examine social, cultural, and political ideologies in media, including negative stereotypes. Her organization equips them with the tools and strategies to become influential, independent digital storytellers who transform their communities and foster global sisterhood.
Under her leadership, Girls Like Me Project has positively impacted the lives of over 700 girls through transformative programs and events, fostering global sisterhood in just 13 years. In addition to her advocacy work, La’Keisha is a published author, having released her memoir and empowerment book, Move Beyond the Block, in 2018. She also hosts Move Beyond The Block TV show and podcast, aiming to uplift unheard voices and stories.
We first connected with La’Keisha Gray-Sewell through our skills-based programming with The Allstate Foundation. When we learned about her exceptional work, we immediately knew we wanted to learn more about her mission and organization. We’re thrilled to share La’Keisha’s experience with skill-based volunteering and insights into her remarkable journey as a dedicated girls’ advocate.
Can you share the story behind founding Girls Like Me Project and your personal journey that led you to become a girls’ advocate?
When I was nine, my sister and I stayed with our father after our parents’ divorce. My father’s partner had a different parenting approach, and after an incident that put my sister’s well-being at risk, she and I walked eight miles through Chicago’s south side to our mother’s house. This experience instilled in me a sense of advocacy, particularly for girls, and a belief in speaking up for yourself rather than being a passive victim of circumstances.
The idea for Girls Like Me Project began when my son was in fourth grade. I observed concerning behavior among the girls in his class – behaviors reminiscent of reality TV shows like Bad Girls Club. These girls, aged 8 and 9, were engaging in mean-spirited behavior and mimicking the adult confrontations they saw on TV.
This troubled me so deeply that I decided to intervene. I organized a weekly lunch gathering for the girls in my son’s school, using the book The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake as a focal point. This book addresses various issues young girls face, including community violence, bullying, colorism, racism, and educational disparities. Through discussions, reflections, and positive reinforcement centered around this book, I witnessed a transformation in the girls. They developed a sense of sisterhood, holding themselves accountable to one another.
The success of this initiative was evident when the girls requested to continue beyond fourth grade. These girls remained engaged in the program through middle school. In 2012, inspired by this work’s impact, I decided to formalize my efforts into an organization. The Girls Like Me Project was born out of this desire to provide ongoing support and empowerment to young girls.
What is your organization’s biggest challenge, and how do you overcome it?
Running a nonprofit comes with unique challenges, particularly regarding funding and operational flexibility. Managing our capacity while keeping up with the high demand for our services is a balancing game. While we receive programmatic funding, it often restricts our ability to cover operating expenses such as hiring and evaluation tools. This limitation slows down our growth and hinders our operational capacity.
Diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional sources like foundations and grants has been crucial. Exploring corporate sponsorships and other avenues has helped us navigate this challenge. Our network of volunteers and donors has been instrumental in sustaining our operations. Building a strong reputation for our programs has also been essential in garnering support. Partnering with other organizations for pro bono work, like Common Impact and The Allstate Foundation, and leveraging corporate employee’s expertise has allowed us to serve more girls and provide comprehensive support to families. Emphasizing the importance of volunteerism and fostering partnerships is key to overcoming challenges and achieving our mission.
You recently participated in a skills-based volunteering program with The Allstate Foundation and Common Impact. Could you share details about the project and the outcomes that emerged from this collaboration that you find particularly exciting?
My organization has participated in two skills-based volunteering events with Common Impact and The Allstate Foundation. We focused on quantifying and communicating our impact effectively during the first project. We grappled with questions like: How do we measure our impact? and How do we articulate it? Our first volunteer team provided invaluable assistance by developing an impact report framework and template. A few months later, we produced an impactful video that distilled key insights and metrics into a visually engaging format. The volunteers brought many creative and inspiring ideas that made the video engaging and showcased the impact of our mission effectively.
The second project’s objective was to formalize a teacher training program to meet the increasing demand for our services across multiple schools in Chicago, Illinois. The aim was to generate revenue by offering licensed programs to schools, enabling them to implement our curriculum independently. The Allstate volunteer team played a pivotal role in shaping this initiative, assisting with strategic planning, financial modeling, and benchmarking against similar organizations. Their comprehensive support encompassed various facets, from marketing strategies to legal considerations and program development. It was a well-rounded collaboration that yielded tangible results. Their genuine interest and eagerness to understand our organization and work stood out.
Were there specific skills or expertise from the Allstate volunteers that stood out to you and proved particularly beneficial for the projects?
I distinctly recall the comprehensive approach they brought. My strength lies in visionary thinking, envisioning the possibilities for our mission. The team of volunteers complemented my big-picture perspective with their practical and logistical mindset, with a special emphasis on revenue strategy. They empowered me to recognize our work’s value, asserting that our cause deserves support and resources while debunking the notion that nonprofits should settle for less. Their ability to translate our vision into actionable steps aligned with our objectives was impressive.
Looking forward, what are your goals for Girls Like Me Project, and can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives that you’re excited about?
My goal is to establish a media production and research center where girls can learn storytelling, filmmaking, and production. They’ll also receive training in data science, contributing to research projects on media history and market research. The center will empower young girls with the tools and opportunities to control their stories and participate in research and media, where they are typically unrepresented and misrepresented.
I’m particularly excited about the upcoming 12th celebration of Chicago Day of the Girl, which coincides with the United Nations International Day of the Girl on October 11th each year. This day highlights issues affecting girls globally, from gender violence to educational equity and environmental concerns. Despite Chicago being a trafficking hub and faces alarming rates of gender violence against Black girls, these critical issues often go unnoticed within the local community. We pioneered the Chicago Day of the Girl initiative to ensure our girls are included in these crucial conversations. The immersive and interactive programming provides wellness education, art installations, short film screenings, and talent shows. Read about our 2023 program here. I’m hopeful that our efforts will lead to official recognition from the city.
Our girls are doing a lot! They are exploring new forms of storytelling, such as mural arts and DJing, enabling them to curate positive media playlists and express themselves creatively. They are also working on projects to honor missing and murdered girls in partnership with the Damon Reid Still Searching Project. A lot of exciting work is happening, and I’m thrilled about the opportunities ahead.
We at Common Impact are deeply moved by the meaningful impact La’Keisha’s work is having on the Chicago community. It’s an honor for us to play a part in supporting Girls Like Me Project. For more social impact content, follow us on LinkedIn and sign-up for our monthly newsletter. Ready to learn more about skills-based volunteering? Contact us.
Support the Girls Like Me Project by donating, volunteering, and getting involved.
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About Common Impact
Common Impact is a national nonprofit that fosters meaningful partnerships between purpose-driven Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits worldwide to propel social good. Since 2000, Common Impact has generated over 205,000 hours of skills-based volunteering and $40 million in resources. Common Impact is dedicated to helping nonprofits expand their capacity, improve efficiency, and deliver on their mission with customized and impactful projects through corporate partnerships. Learn more about Common Impact’s services, impact, and clients.
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Media Contact
Elizabeth Cross, Obviouslee Marketing
common-impact@obviouslee.com
CHICAGO, March 4, 2024 /3BL/ – Leading advisory CPA firm Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) today announced the launch of an end-to-end compliance solution to help clean energy projects earn enhanced credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by meeting Prevailing Wage & Apprenticeship (PW&A) requirements. The new solution provides organizations implementing clean energy projects with the technology, processes, and resources to establish, monitor and document all three pillars of compliance: prevailing wage, apprenticeship and penalties. Unlike traditional sampling methods, this tool offers complete data-set coverage, providing tax compliance professionals with an unparalleled level of care aimed at protecting and maximizing their tax credits.
The IRA stands as the largest energy incentive effort in U.S. history. Taxable and tax-exempt organizations can receive tax credit benefits for implementing clean energy solutions, and projects that comply with PW&A are eligible for a 5x enhanced credit through section 45 and 48 of the IRA. Baker Tilly’s new comprehensive solution offers support and oversight for eligible organizations seeking IRA tax credits.
“Managers of clean energy projects are either unaware of the IRA PW&A incentive or struggling to access and leverage the credits that could save them millions of dollars because of the complicated regulatory requirements. It’s a substantive, complex tax compliance process that can’t be written off as a ‘check the box’ formality,” said Tom Unke, Baker Tilly partner and practice leader for energy, industrial and consumer products. “Baker Tilly brings unmatched assurance of IRA PW&A incentives. We developed this end-to-end technology solution to make compliance as straightforward and effortless as possible.”
Baker Tilly Principal Cory Wendt added, “It is widely misunderstood that these new requirements are similar to other federal rules such as Davis-Bacon and related acts. IRA requirements have specific features that are not incorporated into Davis-Bacon prevailing wage projects.”
Baker Tilly’s new IRA PW&A compliance portal leverages trusted cloud-based prevailing wage management system LCPtracker to electronically capture and track payroll information. After a series of validation and mathematical checks to review the data, the system certifies the payroll. Baker Tilly then uses its proprietary application to conduct all compliance testing, recordkeeping, reviews, and communications through an analytic interface. “We are excited to collaborate with Baker Tilly in revolutionizing the compliance landscape for clean energy projects,” said Amanda Hesse, Chief Revenue Officer at LCPtracker. “Together, we’re empowering organizations to efficiently navigate the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements of IRA, while reducing risk.”
With this collaboration, Baker Tilly simplifies the complexity of validating payroll records for compliance on IRA projects. The solution provides transparency on PW&A adherence for contractors and tax owners, with the goal of preserving and maximizing credit value while minimizing potential incurred penalties. The platform includes project-specific dashboards, summarizing weekly contractor prevailing wage and apprenticeship performance, that update tax credit seekers on project compliance and projected penalties. Monthly reports on prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance are generated for each project and retained for reporting and filing purposes. Additionally, documentation is created when contractors cure noncompliance events, which serves as substantiation of the credit filing.
The solution includes:
Facilitating a compliance program with general contractors, contractors, and subcontractors.Monitoring the overall project compliance and supporting contractors through education and resources to adhere to requirements.Reviewing and curing contractor noncompliance, which can result in project penalties for the credit seeker at time of filing.Establishing and maintaining apprentice hours, overall budget, and contractor-specific targets.
Learn more about Baker Tilly’s prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance management solution: bakertilly.com/specialties/prevailing-wage-and-apprenticeship-bonus-credit-solutions.
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About Baker Tilly US, LLP (bakertilly.com)
Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) is a leading advisory CPA firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
About LCPtracker, Inc
LCPtracker is a leading software solutions provider that helps project owners and construction companies navigate the complexities of Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage compliance on publicly funded construction projects. Our cloud-based solutions allow for the electronic management and tracking of certified payroll, construction site compliance, and workforce demographics. We help government agencies, project owners, and contractors achieve their labor compliance goals, facilitate the enforcement of prevailing wages, and support workers in carving a path towards a brighter and more sustainable future. Headquartered in Orange, California, LCPtracker is a privately held company. Visit their website at https://lcptracker.com.
By Tomaneci Waller Day
Corporations need to invest in inclusion. Inclusion leads to innovation, opportunity, and impact.
This U.S. Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we recognize the impact women-owned businesses make on the global economy. According to the World Bank, one in three businesses globally have women among their principal owners, and in the U.S., women-owned businesses have grown 114% in the last two decades.
Here at T. Rowe Price, our supply chain can provide significant access to women-owned businesses—from the everyday actions of our associates to our long-term partnerships as a global asset management firm. For us to provide the best outcomes for our clients, we need the best products, services, and resources, and we are proud that women-owned businesses now make up nearly 25% of our supplier expenditures.
Our longstanding relationship and commitment to embracing diversity and collaboration means we intentionally seek to create opportunity and inspire inclusion in the way we do business. In fact, promoting an inclusive mindset that encourages a diverse set of suppliers is a business imperative for our firm.
We integrate supplier diversity in our business and sourcing practices to generate efficiency, develop sustainable partnerships, and increase opportunities for the diverse and small business community. We want to work with companies in communities where we operate. We want to be a catalyst for industry growth, community expansion, and job creation.
Corporations like ours need to invest in inclusion. We need to think strategically, think diverse, think women, think intersectionally. There’s so much untapped value in doing business this way. Inclusion leads to innovation, opportunity, and impact—it is the performance multiplier.
We invite businesses, especially diverse and small businesses, to learn more about supplier diversity and sustainable procurement and to register your business with us at troweprice.supplierone.co.
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