Month: March 2024

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on February 19, 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual is celebrating the outstanding volunteerism of its financial professionals through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. This year, 16 financial advisors and representatives were recognized for their transformational impact on the communities they serve, totaling $295,000 in grants to nonprofits nationwide. Local Louisville resident Mark Kull, founder of Capitalis Planning Partners, a member of the Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group, has been named a 2024 Most Exceptional Community Service Award winner, receiving a $25,000 grant for Healing the Children (HTC) – Kentucky.

“At Northwestern Mutual we believe in putting people first. This value is highlighted through our dedicated financial advisors who are not only building better tomorrows for their clients, but also for their communities,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Through their philanthropic work, our advisors are donating their time and talents to help local nonprofit organizations.”

HTC provides urgently needed quality medical care for underserved children around the world. Since 2020, Kull and his wife have fostered two children through HTC’s International Inbound program, which offers a home away from home for kids while they undergo medical treatment at Norton Children’s Hospital. In 2023, the Kull family fostered a 4-year-old boy, Nouri, who traveled from Burkina Faso to Lousville for four months. Upon Nouri’s arrival, the medical team discovered they needed to address his severe kidney stones and a massive abdominal hernia, in addition to heart surgery. In addition to providing a temporary home, guardianship and love for their foster children, the Kull family personally donated $20,000 to help fund HTC’s global mission.

“Through our work with HTC, we may not be solving all of the world’s problems, but we are solving these kid’s problems by opening our homes and providing loving support,” said Kull. “Thanks to this grant from Northwestern Mutual’s Community Service Awards program, additional funding will be allocated to HTC’s primary program areas, including its International Inbound program which allows even more children to have access to lifesaving medical care.”

Now in its 29th year, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation and Community Service Awards program, has donated nearly $7 million to nonprofits supported by financial professionals in their communities across the country.

Learn more about Mark Kull, Capitalis Planning Partners and his volunteer efforts with Healing the Children here.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation 
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $400 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual 
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $570 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory

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For further information, contact: 
Jennifer Erickson, 1-800-323-7033 
mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

CINCINNATI, March 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Carla Cobb, Fifth Third’s director of supplier diversity has been named one of Procurement magazine’s Top 10 Supplier Diversity Leaders influencing and shaping the procurement and supply chain industry. The list comprises supplier diversity leaders focused on increasing the presence of diverse businesses through a commitment of growth, collaboration, and development.

“I commend Carla and the other innovative supplier diversity trailblazers who are touching the lives of diverse business owners everywhere,” said Stephanie A. Smith, senior vice president and chief inclusion officer for Fifth Third Bank. “This recognition is a testament to Carla’s servant leadership and expertise in making a difference in the lives of small businesses and improving the well-being of our communities.”

With more than 30 years of expertise, Cobb is responsible for identifying ways to increase the Bank’s diverse spend and promoting a strong, diverse supplier base across its footprint. She leads Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity program which is exceeding its 10% spend goal with diverse suppliers as a part of its Six Bold Goals for inclusion and diversity through 2025. The Bank’s supplier diversity program was developed to encourage small diverse businesses certified as owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people to compete for contracting opportunities

“I’m honored and humbled by this global recognition, and to be listed alongside leaders at some of the largest companies in the world speaks volumes,” Cobb expressed.

The full list of Top Supplier Diversity Leaders is available online. For more information of Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity initiatives, click here.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

As technology continues to redefine industries and jobs, IBM is a beacon of progress, driven by a purpose to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. Through flagship initiatives like the SkillsBuild program, IBM is arming both internal and external workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s economy. By fostering opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, IBM not only bolsters individual employability but also empowers individuals to pursue career paths previously out of reach.

Justina Nixon-Saintil is one example of the transformative power of continuous learning. Initially an engineer and then an educator, Justina today serves as IBM’s Vice President and Chief Impact Officer — so she knows a thing or two about reskilling and adaptation. We invited Justina to share how IBM is setting a standard for corporate responsibility through employee volunteering, skills development, and the Sustainability Accelerator, which has been heralded as a blueprint for corporate responsibility.

Listen for insights on:

Activating employee volunteers through their skills and passionsAdvancing in or getting started with your sustainability careerCreating an infrastructure that evaluates the internal and external ethical use of AI

Listen to this and other episodes of Purpose 360 Podcast here.

Purpose 360 Podcast is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of purpose to ignite business and social impact. Hosted by Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, Purpose 360 illuminates the impact of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share.

Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP) is a pioneering social impact consultancy helping companies, brands, and nonprofits harness the power of purpose to advance their business and societal impact. CCOP’s proven approach, developed over decades and hundreds of purpose assignments, meets clients at any point on their purpose journey to unlock opportunities to build reputation, inspire and engage employees, ignite organizational culture for innovation and growth, while supporting the greater good.