Month: July 2024

For more than 25 years, Leidos has partnered with many National Institutes of Health (NIH) centers and institutes, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and operates the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the only laboratory focused exclusively on biomedical research.

Our team of dedicated scientists, researchers, and technicians operate a unique national resource that is rapidly developing new technologies to address some of the most urgent and demanding problems in the biomedical sciences, including cancer, ongoing unmet challenges in HIV/AIDS, and threats of emerging infectious diseases.

But our team does more than groundbreaking work to eradicate disease and make the world healthier. We also invest in resources designed to help some of the most vulnerable targets of cancer: children. More than one-third of the approximately 1,500 active protocols at NIH include children. While the NIH takes care of each child’s medical needs at its Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, The Children’s Inn at NIH tends to the child’s heart, soul, and spirit.

For more than 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting this mission through volunteer work and financial sponsorships. This support ensures the children and families have a “place like home” and a wide range of activities that give them a chance to enjoy themselves and the people around them—and to feel a sense of belonging and have fun in a safe, caring environment.

We recently served as the platinum sponsor for the Inn’s 10th annual An Evening for Hope gala. The event raised over $1.8 million to support children, teens, and young adults with rare and serious diseases.

Each year we attend, we leave humbled by the power of this community. At Leidos, we’re deeply honored to support The Children’s Inn. But for me, this partnership is about more than sponsorship; it’s about connecting with the incredible children and families I’ve met along the way. Their resilience and courage inspire me every day.

With over 15,000 nights of accommodations provided to 730 families in 2023 alone, The Inn continues to be a beacon of hope for families worldwide. The Inn runs completely on donations from companies and individuals who believe in its mission.

In 2023, Leidos contributions provided 191 families the ability to participate in critical and potentially life-saving clinical research studies at the NIH from the comfort of The Inn for 59 nights at no cost. Our support also allowed 24 recreational, educational, and health and wellness activities for the families staying at the Inn, such as a field trip to the Air and Space Museum. This tangible impact on the lives of these families is a testament to the power of our collective efforts.

Join Us in Making a Difference

The work of The Children’s Inn at NIH is crucial for eradicating diseases, easing pain, and providing hope to pediatric patients and their caregivers. Together, we can continue to provide a nurturing “Place Like Home” to families while accelerating pediatric research at the NIH.

LEARN HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT THE INN’S FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Intelligent on-device AI takes photo editing, translation, customer service and more to powerful new levels with increased computing power and sensor data mixed with improved AI algorithms — Get the inside story on the pioneer of these exciting, new experiences to learn what fueled them and what is yet to come.

5 facts about Dr. Vinesh Sukumar

Title: AI/ML Product Leader and Innovator at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Alma Maters:

PhD, Electrical Engineering, Washington State University.MBA, Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst.

Years at Qualcomm: 4

Role: Productizing domain-specific AI models for various form factors and in the future, mapping this with personal knowledge databases; defining and executing AI and ML product strategy and vision across business units — from mobile to PC to automotive domains — to deliver innovative and impactful enterprise and consumer AI and ML solutions.

Impact: Many Qualcomm AI enabled brands like Samsung, Microsoft, Meta, BMW and more.

They say curiosity killed the cat, but did you know satisfaction brought it back? In the realm of technology, one inventor’s insatiable childhood curiosity is now trailblazing innovation and transformative change.

Affectionately known as “Curious George,” Dr. Vinesh Sukumar’s unwavering thirst for knowledge and unrelenting drive to push boundaries has resulted in innovative breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

Dr. Sukumar, who is a senior director of AI product management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and his team are revolutionizing through the power of on-device AI. Their groundbreaking work is transforming advancements in photo editing, language translation, Voice AI, enterprise-based customer service and plenty more.

In collaboration with various engineering and research teams, he and his team most recently enabled Generative Edit, Chat Assist and Live Translate on devices like the Samsung Galaxy Ultra S24. Maybe you’ve heard of Microsoft Windows Studio Effects? Working along Microsoft, they’ve successfully implemented new AI experiences in PC compute devices as well. And he’s worked his AI magic on applications like AI Stickers and features like Assisted Scene Capture, taking the Meta Quest 3 experience to completely new heights .

Dr. Sukumar’s visionary approach and relentless pursuit of excellence has propelled the world into a new era of powerful on-device AI applications, making our daily interactions more seamless, efficient and enjoyable.

Join us, as we explore his insatiable curiosity and how it propelled him to new heights, now reshaping the fabric of technology today.

Lara Piu (LP): Did you always want to be an engineer?

Dr. Vinesh Sukumar (VS): Growing up in southern India, I was constantly tinkering with gadgets. And I especially loved to visit my grandparents in Tamil Nadu in the summers because they had old fans, radios and tube lights that I would tear apart. But I developed a reputation for breaking things… and setting them on fire, so my grandparents started to lock things up. That’s how I got my nickname Curious George, and it’s also triggered my passion in engineering.

LP: How did table tennis come into the picture?

VS: After a few “Curious George” incidents, my mother felt the need to push me outside to keep the house safe, so she encouraged me to try sports, and table tennis ended up being my choice. With few excellent coaches and mentors, I had the incredible opportunity to play at the national level and represent my country at the Olympics.

But after a while, as many dads do, mine said, “I think enough of playing, you should start to focus more on academics, to put some food on the table.”

So I transitioned my focus to academics and slowly got into college; but I still played on the weekends with friends and today, I coach kids in the Bay Area to pass on my passion for table tennis and hopefully create the next U.S. table tennis champion.

LP: Dad’s good advice eventually led you here. Tell us about life as a Qualcomm inventor.

VS: Working at Qualcomm Technologies has been an exceptional experience. The company provides enormous opportunities to explore and innovate in AI. I appreciate the dynamic tension within the larger team, which challenges me to think outside the box and brings out the best in me. Qualcomm Technologies’ focus on AI, alongside investments in hardware, systems, research, software and ecosystem relationships, makes it an exciting and supportive environment to work in.

LP: Enabling AI for real-word applications is an incredible feat. How does it feel to see your technology in the world?

VS: It’s truly exhilarating to witness my passion for AI technology making a difference in the world. And you know, sometimes it’s the small things that make a big impact in the day-to-day life of a person. For example, my 65-year-old mother recently started to use AI that removes wrinkles from her selfies, which made her look 20 years younger and I am happy that she was thrilled with the results. This is why I am a strong advocate of AI technology on the edge — because that is how we make AI accessible and consumer friendly. And seeing my work positively impact people’s lives, even within my own family, is the most incredible experience.

LP: If there ever was a big thinker, it’s you. What sci-fi tech do you want to become reality? 

VS: Personally, I would love to see teleportation become a reality, just like in Star Trek. Imagine being able to magically transport yourself to different places, eliminating the hassle of traffic congestion — a pain in the Bay Area — if that’s possible.

If that’s not possible, I’m eagerly awaiting the widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles. The idea of sitting in a car and being able to relax, read or even sleep while the vehicle takes me to my destination is incredibly appealing.

LP: What is your best advice for innovators? 

VS: Based on my experience, I have three key pieces of advice for innovators:

Think blue sky and challenge the status quo: Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas and push boundaries.Foster a team environment where the product comes first: Collaboration and putting the company’s goals ahead of individual achievements are crucial for success.Establish strong collaborations to drive innovation: Finding like-minded partners who share your vision can accelerate the development and impact of your innovations.

Editor’s Note: The above interview was transcribed and consolidated by AI, then edited manually by our editors for editorial clarity. 

This episode features interviews with experts Alizabeth Aramowicz Smith, Senior EHS Consultant at Antea Group USA; Bruno Zapata, Senior EHS Consultant at Tonkin + Taylor; and Sofiane Kessouar, Senior EHS Consultant at Baden Consulting, Switzerland. Together, they discuss the multifaceted landscape of occupational health, spanning regions and industries. They dive into global differences, the influence of local cultures on safety structures, and innovative solutions to mitigate workplace risks today. They emphasize the importance of fostering a strong safety culture, continuous learning, and proactive strategies to foster safer workplaces for all. Workplace safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a fundamental requirement. As occupational risks evolve, how can we ensure that our safety practices not only comply with regulatory requirements but also cultivate a safety culture across industries?
Listen Now: 

AppleSpotify

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Our global approach to ESG integration

Our approach

The consideration of ESG factors is integrated into our sustainable investing approach across all actively managed asset classes. The integration approach is determined by the specific investment process of the investment team within the underlying asset class.

Our Sustainable Investing Oversight Committee has worked with each investment team to categorize alignment with our internal sustainable investing continuum. The sustainable investing continuum outlines our various approaches to sustainable investing, which are classified as ESG IntegrationFoundational, ESG Integration Enhanced Features, Thematic, or Impact. We also have the ability to screen investments for sustainability-related characteristics by client request. ESG integration is our most widely used approach to implementing our sustainable investing strategy.

Read more about our approach: 

Principal Asset Management Sustainable Investing Policy; PAA Sustainable Investing Policy (PDF) Principal Equities Sustainability Overview (PDF)Principal Listed Infrastructure Sustainable Investing Policies (PDF)

Our actions and performance in 2023

While our Principles of Responsible Investing (PRI) signatory status since 2010 reflects the fact that Principal Asset Management has considered ESG factors for many years, the thematic and impact portion of the sustainable investing continuum is relatively new as this space continues to grow.

As of December 31, 2023

$240.2 billion ESG Integration 
—Foundational AUM$64.3 billion ESG Integration 
—Enhanced Features AUM$151.1 million Thematic AUM$2.7 million Impact AUM

In total, approximately $304.6 billion of AUM are internally classified as sustainable investment products, representing approximately 61% of assets managed by Principal® Global Investors.1

Additionally, in 2023, we screened $10.3 billion in client mandated products.

Growth of AUM classified as sustainable investment products1

2022: 55%2023: 61%

Investment team highlight: Principal Real Estate

While we consider many ESG factors in our integration analysis, climate risk is one of the material factors used in the evaluation of real estate assets. Principal Real Estate conducts climate risks scenario analyses for its discretionary open-end funds on a regular basis.

Thirteen Principal Real Estate investment strategies have completed physical and transitional climate risk analysis.2 The investment teams use this information in their annual investment strategy to identify high-risk assets for capital improvements or operational changes and to better understand their overall environmental risk and impact.

Principal Real Estate: Climate targets

We seek to invest in and lend on real estate that delivers positive financial, environmental, and social outcomes for all stakeholders while promoting health and well-being for tenants and residents, minimizing environmental impacts, and enhancing the communities where we invest. 

In support of global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, we have set an emissions target for select private equity investment vehicles.

Thirteen Principal Real Estate investment strategies have completed physical and transitional climate risk analysis.2 The investment teams use this information in their annual investment strategy to identify high-risk assets for capital improvements or operational changes and to better understand their overall environmental risk and impact.

We aim to reduce our GHG emissions by 40% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050 for select discretionary private equity investment vehicles from a 2019 baseline.

To date, we have achieved a 5.5% reduction in GHG emissions.3

Principal Real Estate defines net zero as the annual carbon emissions generated from a building’s use of fossil fuel, GHG-emitting energy being reduced to zero based on the adoption of energy efficiency, on- and off-site renewable energy sources, and carbon removal offsets, if needed.

Our strategy for achieving net zero starts by reducing building energy use through energy efficiency projects, low or no cost operational improvements, investment in capital expenditures, tenant engagement, and building electrification.

Once we have reduced energy use, we will focus on renewable energy generated on site or off site and potential renewable energy credits. For any GHG emissions remaining after reduce and renew projects, we will look at carbon removal offset options with a focus on authentic long-term carbon removal.

Read more:

Pillars of Responsible Property Investing Sustainability Policy; Principal Real Estate 2023 Sustainability Report (PDF)

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

1AUM representative of Principal Global Investors investment teams as of December 31, 2023. AUM that are sustainable investment products are internally classified by Principal Asset ManagementSM and not by any third party or regulatory body. Principal Asset ManagementSM is the trade name of Principal Global Investors, LLC. See Important Information page for AUM description.

2As of August 2023.

3As of December 2023. Performance reflects available data from properties in select Principal Real Estate open-end discretionary private equity funds. Baselines are individually set for each property depending on data availability and property availability/property development date. The first 12 months of available data on or after calendar year 2019 is utilized as the baseline for each asset.

Integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is qualitative and subjective by nature. There is no guarantee that the criteria used, or judgment exercised, will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor. Investment teams have a high degree of investment process autonomy and lay consider or weight ESG criteria or factors differently (or strategies that are not explicitly ESG-oriented, those ESG factors are generally no more significant than other factors in the investment selection process, such that ESG factors may not be determinative in deciding to include or exclude any particular investment in the portfolio. Information regarding responsible practices or other ESG data differs by source and may not be accurate or complete. Integration of ESG factors may present additional advantages or risks, may not protect against market risk or volatility, and under certain circumstances may detract from investment performance. You should not make any investment assumptions based solely on the information contained herein. Information is provided as additional insight into the relevant investment processes and should not be viewed as a change in an investment team’s underlying investment objectives, strategies, risk parameters, or portfolio construction guidelines. There is no assurance that any strategy or integration of ESG factors will be successful or profitable.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

Principal Asset ManagementSM is a trade name of Principal Global Investors, LLC.

Principal Global Investors is the global investment management business for Principal Financial Group® and includes the asset management operations of Principal Real Estate Investors, LLC; Principal Real Estate Europe Limited and its affiliates.

3646640-062024

EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 23, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in sustainability standards setting and certification now celebrating its 40th year, is excited to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Matthew Rudolf to serve as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.  His appointment comes on the heels of an exhaustive international search of highly qualified candidates, both internal and external to SCS, resulting in a unanimous decision. 

Rudolf is a talented executive who has risen through the ranks of SCS since joining the company in 2016, building its dynamic Energy, Biomass and Circularity Division, serving as Vice President of International Business Development, and participating on the company’s Operations Council and Leadership Team. 

“As we pass the torch from company founder, Dr. Stanley Rhodes, who built the company from the ground up with a pioneering vision, singular talent, and dedication to protecting people and the planet, the Board is confident that Matt has what it takes to successfully lead SCS through the next chapter of its growth and service,” said Jim Knutzon, Chairman of the Board and outgoing Acting CEO.

Rudolf, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, launched his sustainability career as founding Executive Director of Piedmont Biofuels, a biofuels production and distribution cooperative. He moved on to become Director of Business Development and Director of the Americas for the multi-stakeholder Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, then subsequently took the lead on business development and commercialization for The Earth Partners. Rudolf has served on numerous advisory panels and initiatives, such as the DOE & USDA Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee.  He participated in the Sustainability Working Group to advise CARB on the adoption of sustainability provisions into the Low Carbon Fuels Standard program, served as a technical expert on Business for Social Responsibility’s Future of Fuels initiative, and was a member of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy Sector, Biofuels Industry Working Group.  

“I am deeply honored to have been selected by the Board to take the reins of SCS,” said Rudolf. “SCS has always stood out in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector as a sustainability champion, developing innovative standards, conducting the highest quality third-party certification assessments, and providing a roadmap for companies seeking to improve peoples’ lives and protect the environment. Our strength is in the expertise, experience and deep commitment of our team in service of our common vision. I look forward to expanding our services for even greater impact in the future.”

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information, visit http://www.scsglobalservices.com. 

###