MINNEAPOLIS, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PatientRightsAdvocate.org filed an amicus brief in the case of Secretary Julie A. Su, Acting Secretary of Labor v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Minnesota, arguing that their motion to dismiss the case should be denied on the basis that…
Month: April 2024
Frost & Sullivan celebrates companies for their outstanding achievements at awards gala SAN ANTONIO, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The best in business gathered in Nashville, TN at the 2024 Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards Gala held at the Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza….
Deployment removes barriers of entry to highest level of DoD security classification WILMINGTON, Del., April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Second Front Systems (2F), a public-benefit software company focused on facilitating the delivery of mission-critical software solutions, today announced…
EDUCATION
Emmaus High School
Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States (1996 – 1999)University of Maryland
Bachelor of Science, Marketing; Bachelor of Arts, Government & Politics College Park, Maryland, United States (1999 – 2003)University of Cambridge
Master of Business Administration Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (2012 – 2013)
If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?
On my third grade report card, my teacher said, “Nira is a self-confident, polite, analytical-thinking student. She has leadership ability and will be met with success”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
My favorite animal then and now is an orca, so I always wanted to be a marine biologist. I’ve always loved being by the ocean and thought it would be fun to study marine wildlife. I guess I ended up thinking about ocean health and biodiversity from a different angle!
WORK
First Job: To finance my travel habit, I worked at Old Navy when I was 16 years old. I started as a cashier and sales associate and then got promoted to “key holder,” which meant I got to do returns. The discounts were amazing!
UBS Investment Bank, London, United Kingdom
2003-2004: Derivatives AnalystJack Morton Worldwide, New York City, New York, United States
2004-2005: Account Coordinator
2005-2006: Account Executive
2007-2008: Strategic Planner & Account ManagerObama for America and Presidential Inaugural Committee, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., United States
2008-2009: Deputy Speakers Director and Talent LiaisonUnited States Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., United States
2009-2011: India Country Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense of Policy
2011-2012: Special Assistant, Asia-Pacific, Office of the Secretary of Defense of PolicyUnilever, London, United Kingdom
2013: Sustainability ConsultantWorld Cocoa Foundation, Washington, D.C., United States
2014-2015: Deputy Director, CocoaAction
2015-2016: Director, CocoaAction
2017-2019: Senior Director, Sustainability Strategy & LearningRich Products Corporation, Buffalo, New York, United States
2019-2020: Director, Sustainability
2020-2022: Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Sustainability
2022-2023: Vice President, Global Inclusion & SustainabilityKFC Global, Washington, D.C., United States
2023-present: Chief Sustainability Officer
What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?
Life of service
My great-grandfather was a freedom fighter who worked alongside Gandhi for India’s independence, so service is in my blood. My grandparents were very active in their community, and my parents are spending their retired lives volunteering. Over a decade ago, I realized I had the opportunity to drive impact through my professional work, so I pursued roles that aligned with my passion for social change. It’s incredible to have a job where you can give back each day.
Advice from a client
Early in my marketing career, I worked with a client who said, “I’ll never be mad if you come to me with a mistake or a problem. But make sure you also start to think about the remedy or what next steps you’ll take – don’t come empty-handed.” This advice helped me be a more strategic leader, to not stand still when something goes wrong and think a few steps ahead.
Do you believe in work/life balance?
I don’t like the word “balance.” It indicates that there is a trade-off between work and life. I’m a big fan of work/life integration, finding the best times to work, play and be a family member or friend. Work should be a fulfilling and joyful part of life.
I also embrace JOMO – joy of missing out. I’ve learned to say no to work things and personal things when they don’t give me space to focus or rest.
What do people think you do versus what you actually do?
Sustainability often gets mistaken as a moral imperative or a do-gooder project. People have also told me, “sustainability is new,” when it’s actually been around for decades. Sustainability at its best is deeply integrated into business strategy and helps us create value, attract employees and team members and reinforce to customers that KFC is a modern and trusted brand. My days are spent helping people see the value of the work and coaching my team and our functional partners on how best to deliver those results.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?
Follow the coach, not the job. The best coaches will open doors for you that you didn’t know were options. They will also be your sponsors and advocates to help you go where you want to go.
The other piece of advice I’ve valued is don’t worry about your title – my titles have jumped all over the place depending on sector (government vs. nonprofits vs. corporate). If you’re doing meaningful work and being compensated equitably, the rest will fall into place.
What makes you happy?
My husband. My family and friends. Baking. Brunch. Oregon pinot noir. Leaning into insatiable wanderlust. Curling up with a good fiction book. Driving impact for people and our planet.
How do you do it?
I live my life with no regrets. Remember that each day is a gift and make the most of it. I remind myself that I am human and doing the best I can.
Written by Amanda Davis Sr. Manager, CR and Environment
Earth Month 2024 is a special one. It not only reminds us of our shared responsibility to help protect the planet but also marks the two-year anniversary of our Sustainable Home Improvement Program (SHIP), which has become one of our most successful and beloved sustainability initiatives.
We launched SHIP on Earth Day 2022, to help Gen team members bring sustainability into their daily lives. The award-winning program offers individual grants of up to $500 per year for home projects that benefit the environment, and the response from Gen team members has been extraordinary. To date, more than 1,800 SHIP projects, both big and small, have been funded, from upgrading home appliances to more energy-efficient models to planting trees and backyard gardens.
“I recently moved into a new house and needed to upgrade it to make it more heat efficient,” said Lisa Traynor, who works on the Global Supply Chain Team and is based in Dublin. “Although beautiful and green, Ireland can also be wet and damp! I used the SHIP grant towards attic spray foam insulation which reduced my energy use and my energy costs, making my home much more efficient in terms of heat retention. The SHIP grant was easy to access and easy to use.”
Gen team members interested in using the benefit submit an application that describes how they will use the funds. The Gen Environment team reviews each one then reimburses the applicant once they have completed the project.
“I chose to plant trees in my backyard,” said Alan Zhang, a Senior Network Security Engineer based in Ontario, Canada. “I believe it is a positive and meaningful way to celebrate and make a difference in the world. The trees can improve local air quality, provide habitat for wildlife and reduce erosion. I believe this program is a good approach to build a better world for future generations.”
The long-term benefits that the program offers were a major motivator for team members to take part. Katharina Polainer, a Sales & Marketing Specialist who lives in Tettnang, Germany, used SHIP to purchase solar panels and an accompanying battery for her home. Efforts like these also help us lower our overall Scope 3 emissions—GHG emissions from upstream and downstream activities.
“With PV panels, we can produce environmentally friendly power for our own house and the community in peak seasons,” Katharina explained. “I highly appreciate the incentive as PV panel prices and battery prices are still at a pretty high level, so anything that helps us financially is a huge plus.”
The SHIP initiative is one of many initiatives that helped empower employees to choose sustainability this Earth Month. The TERRA employee resource group, open to all team members who are interested in environmental topics, hosts events year-round to raise awareness of sustainability, biodiversity, green energy and more. Over the past several months, TERRA has hosted webinars on the impacts of climate change on the weather, major takeaways from the United Nations COP28 climate conference and tips on going green during the holiday season. The group has grown to more than 70 members globally.
The more we do to reduce our impacts, the more sustainable our world can become. Learn how you can take action today at https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024/.
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library
This year, our GoDaddy Small Business LinkedIn Group is proud to host a series of events to celebrate Small Business Week from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024.
We’ve assembled a stellar lineup of industry veterans and thought leaders from our community who will share valuable insights on diverse topics. Meet like-minded professionals, learn from your peers, and take your business to the next level.
Community Sessions & Speakers
From April 30th to May 3rd, join us for an unforgettable gathering of business gurus and innovators.
Building Your Social Media Presence
Monday, April 29th – 2pm CST
This presentation will cover the basics small business owners need to know when developing their social media strategies. Jonathan will share tips, tricks and tactics to help you learn how to turn followers into a community and how to make the most of your time online.
Jonathan Graziano, Marketing Manager, Content Creator & Writer
Jonathan Graziano is a communications professional with over 10 years of experience helping companies small and large thrive on social media. He has built out his own following on social media, amassing a follower base of 4.6 million across platforms. He is a #1 New York Times selling author and the 24 hour/day assistant to his 4-year-old pug, Milton.
Diversity in Business
Tuesday, April 30th – 9am CST
Our speaker, Johnny Romero, will enlighten us on the power of diversity in business.
Johnny Romero, CMI Spanish
Founder/Owner of InterSys, LLC and Co-Founder of The J3 Collaboration Project. Certified Medical Interpreter (CMI-Spanish), Licensed trainer of Bridging the Gap (BTG) Medical Interpreter Training. Host of “Tuned In” with InterSys Vlog series, podcaster, and blogger.
Generative AI for Small Businesses
Tuesday, April 30th – 2pm CST
Tech wizard Alycia Leno will unravel the mysteries of Generative AI for small businesses at 2 PM CST.
Alycia Leno, Director of Content Marketing
Alycia is the Director of Content & Education at GoDaddy. She specializes in SEO, website security, WordPress, and content marketing. She advocates for ethical marketing and enjoys learning about users though research and experimentation. Alycia is interested in new technology, privacy, and wellness.
From Scratch – Building a Business
Wednesday, May 1st – 9am CST
During this session, we will discuss taking your idea from concept to reality through community. Adam will share his story and the journey that led him from just an idea to creating a concept called CLARAfi and how community gave him the confidence to bring it to life.
Adam Griggs, CEO of CLARAfi
Co-Founder of CLARAfi.io a communication platform for small business owners to build and leverage trust PROACTIVELY with their advisors through simplified and powerful tools.
Proven Strategies for Better Business Outcomes
Wednesday, May 1st – 2pm CST
At 2 PM CST, growth strategist Patrick Kagan will share his proven strategies on how to create better business outcomes for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs.
Patrick Kagan, PK Solutions Group
Patrick Kagan is an internationally renowned author, podcast host, blog author, and motivational speaker.
Patrick is known for his unique ability for making inspiration practical, and making strategy tactical.
From Idea to Reality: A Roadmap to Starting Your Own Business
Thursday, May 2nd – 9am CST
Web guru Yudu Gray Jr. will guide us on how to start a website at 9 AM CST.
Yudu Gray Jr., Co-CEO of 24/7Artists
Yudu Gray Jr. is an experienced entrepreneur who has built thousands of websites for artists and creatives. His agency 24/7 Artist has lead many workshops and courses for entrepreneurs. You can see a preview in the Building Your First Website course on our YouTube channel.
From Idea to Reality: The Path to Business Success
Thursday, May 2nd – 2pm CST
Branding expert Marsha Lynn-Hudson will reveal the secrets of from idea to reality at 2 PM CST.
Marsha Lynn-Hudson, Founder & CEO of Hudson Enterprises and Consulting
Marsha helps coaches, speakers and female entrepreneurs build a brand presence, lead with impact & grow their business online with digital marketing strategies. She has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, businesses with online marketing and their business goals since 2015.
How to Build a ‘Big’ Small Business
Friday, May 3rd – 9am CST
Tune in at 9 AM CST as Amy Benicewicz shares her experience how to build a big small business.
Amy Benicewicz – President, LBDigital
Amy started out as a mathematics and accounting geek, working for banks, CPA firms, and CPG companies. Over the years Amy has developed many business strategies and skills and is always learning and developing her personal growth.
We encourage you to join our community and engage with other members during small business week. Whether you’re looking for advice, or have tips to share of your own – we look forward to having you!
Throughout the month of April, AEG, the world’s largest sports and live entertainment company, celebrated Earth Month by educating employees about sustainable practices in sports and live events and empowering them to building a greener and more sustainable future through volunteerism.
On April 1, in partnership with Ryan’s Recycling, the Anaheim Ducks and Mercury Insurance, more than 200 volunteers from AEG’s LA Kings including President, Luc Robitaille and Chief Operating Officer, Kelly Cheeseman, volunteered to clean Granada Beach in Long Beach, CA, collecting more than 858 pounds of trash.
On April 4, AEG’s business resource groups, People for the Planet@AEG, and SOMOS@AEG partnered with Oceana, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to ocean conservation, on an educational event, “Conchas for Conches” where employees could learn more about marine conservation and protecting California’s ocean biodiversity. The event was held at Cafecita, a sustainably focused, women-owned coffee provider, Los Angelitos Bakery, specializing in Pan Dulce.
On April 10, AEG Sustainability hosted its Third Annual Sustainability Insights panel for employees, “Embracing Leadership & Inspiring Action in Entertainment,” which highlighted the intersectional challenges, trends and opportunities shaping the sustainability landscape in entertainment and the actionable strategies to drive positive change. The discussion was moderated by AEG’s VP of Sustainability, Erik Distler, and featured Mary Harvey, the Chief Executive for the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Roger McClendon, Executive Director, Green Sports Alliance and Jason Twill, LEED Fellow – Principal, Viridis Initiative.
On April 11, in partnership with Grades of Green, a leading nonprofit that educates and empowers students to lead environmental change, the LA Kings and People for the Planet@AEG hosted students from Grades of Green’s SOAR Eco-Innovation Academy for a pre-game sustainability mixer at Crypto.com Arena. The students had the opportunity to learn about corporate sustainability practices and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena’s sustainability operations led AEG’s Sustainability Program Manager Nelson Ventress.
Additionally, in partnership with Garden School Foundation, a Los Angeles based nonprofit that teaches kids to grow, cook, and compost at public schools, on April 17 and 18, more than 40 employees from AEG’s LA Galaxy including LA Galaxy Goalkeeper John McCarthy, volunteered to expand and refurbish the gardens at Annalee Elementary School in Carson.
Since 2008, AEG has worked hard to minimize its environmental impacts across the company’s music, sports, ticketing, and real estate portfolios, while harnessing its unique platforms to influence broader action in the community. To learn more about AEG’s sustainability initiatives, click here.
Trees donated by FirstEnergy will be planted by company’s employee volunteers AKRON, Ohio, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is all set to celebrate Arbor Day today by donating nearly 500 trees to two locations in Mahoning County – Mill Creek MetroParks and…
The Wyatt Foundation and The Conceive Fertility Foundation Partner to Help People Access Fertility Care HOUSTON, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Wyatt Foundation and The Conceive Fertility Foundation announce today a joint partnership that will award $15,000 grants to five…
New platform and surgery center investment adds advanced facility capabilities to specialty care network, strengthening in-person treatment and attracting leading orthopedic surgeons and physicians With Theater launch, value-based MSK care visionary continues spine & joint care…
