Month: September 2024

by Jonathan Abe and Martha Buckley of Sunwealth

The US EIA forecasts a 75% increase in solar generation from 2023 to 2025. As the solar industry races to address climate change and meet escalating demand from electrification and data centers, there lies a valuable opportunity to simultaneously address socioeconomic inequalities across the nation.

At Sunwealth, we challenge ourselves to ask: Who is benefiting from the growth of the solar economy? What other community needs could this opportunity meet? Who else can be included? How can we scale the solar economy while uncompromisingly pursuing justice? By persistently posing these questions and staying vigilant to potential gaps, we identified a critical financing void in the solar industry and founded Sunwealth to finance and manage small to medium-sized projects in the built environment, particularly in traditionally underserved areas.

By partnering with local solar installers and mission-aligned investors, we’re funding a variety of crucial projects and we’re pioneering a better energy future. Founded in 2014, Sunwealth has invested over $200 million in more than 650 operational solar installations across 18 states, reducing 1.2 million metric tons in carbon emissions and generating $125 million in lifetime energy savings for our customers. 57% of these projects directly benefit low-to-moderate income communities, ensuring that the advantages of clean energy reach those who need it most. Together, we’re empowering communities, boosting local economies, and leading the way toward a more sustainable and just energy landscape.

Read the informative article here – https://greenmoney.com/the-intersectional-opportunity-of-solar-addressing-climate-and-inequality

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DES MOINES, Iowa, September 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Principal Financial Group® and Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa (GSGI) announced a collaboration today unveiling two initiatives designed to empower young women and enhance community involvement: Girl Scout Takeover Day and the DataSetGold program.

Girl Scout Takeover Day at Principal

Principal will host a Takeover Day set to inspire and engage girls in grades 6-12 with a variety of enriching activities on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Principal world headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. This collaboration with GSGI is open to Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors as well as young women in grades 6-12. The event will feature:

Girl Scout Alumni Panel: Hear from former Girl Scouts who have achieved remarkable success in their careers.New York Children’s Film Festival Screening: Watch thought-provoking films that spark creativity and discussion.Community Action Session: Learn how you can make a positive impact in your community.Community Service Project: Engage in hands-on activities that can benefit local organizations.Career Panel: Discover diverse career opportunities and pathways from industry professionals.

Introducing DataSetGold

DataSetGold is a new program designed by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and Principal to provide high school aged Girl Scouts with crucial data science and financial literacy skills while pursuing their Gold Award. The Gold Award is the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, awarded to those who develop and carry out lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and beyond.

The Girl Scout DataSetGold program incorporates interactive digital curriculum from DataSetGo. This first-of-its-kind programming was developed by Principal® Foundation and EVERFI for high school students in the U.S. and is designed to empower youth with the knowledge of data science fundamentals and its value in the job market.

The DataSetGold program includes:

DataSetGo Digital Education Program: Two online courses—Data Science Foundations and Data Science Exploration: Financial Wellness—teach the essentials of data science and its application in the finance sector.Take Action Plan: Apply newly acquired skills to address a community issue, with the possibility of using the project for a Gold Award proposal.Rewards and Recognition: Participants will earn $200 in start-up funds for their Gold Award project, a custom patch, and additional incentives.

DataSetGold offers flexibility with online completion options and four in-person workshops, featuring networking opportunities and detailed Gold Award information.

A Shared Vision

“Principal is proud to support initiatives that helps prepare the next generation for success in an increasingly digital and data-driven world,” said Jo Christine Miles, director, Principal® Foundation and Community Relations. “We aim to provide young women with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in both their personal and professional lives.”

“Our collaboration with Principal reflects a shared commitment to empowering young women with the skills and confidence they need to succeed,” said Beth Shelton, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. “Girl Scout Takeover Day and DataSetGold are both designed to inspire and equip our members to become leaders in their communities and beyond.”

For more information about Girl Scout Takeover Day and DataSetGold, and to register, please visit Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa.

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About Principal Financial Group®    

Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 20,000 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 145 years, we’re helping more than 64 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies2, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com.  

Principal community relations supports the communities where affiliates of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392 operates. Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.

3816700-082024

1 As of June 30, 2024   
2 Ethisphere, 2024    
3 Pensions & Investments, 2023  

About Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

We are Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. We’re more than 13,000 girls and adults from Central/Western Iowa, NE Nebraska and SE South Dakota who believe every girl can change the world.

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsiowa.org. 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., September 3, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development now celebrating its 40th anniversary, is pleased to announce the promotion of three outstanding members of its staff to C-Suite positions.

Diana Kirsanova Phillips has been named Chief of Staff to the CEO and Chief Assurance Officer.Stowe Beam has been named Chief People Officer.Scott Harlow has been named Chief Information Officer.

“Each of these individuals has had an enormous impact on the health and growth of SCS over the past several years,” said Matthew Rudolf, President and Chief Executive Officer of SCS. “I am excited for them to serve on our newly formed Executive Leadership team.”

Kirsanova Phillips earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Intercultural Communications, followed up by a Master of Business Administration degree. Joining SCS in 2010, she designed and implemented the corporate Quality Management System across more than 100+ programs and services, and oversaw numerous accreditation activities, stimulating rapid growth across the board, from food and agriculture to natural resource extraction to consumer and commercial product manufacturing. As Vice President, Assurance and Enablement, she has overseen development of the company’s risk management mechanisms, providing strategic support for program development and implementation to ensure SCS’ credibility in the marketplace.

Beam, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on sustainability, worked as a field biology educator before joining SCS in 2006. Over the past two decades, he had a direct hand in building the company’s broad range of environmental certification services, and for the past six years, has served as Vice President of Human Resources, supporting of the growth of the company’s global team.

Harlow, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology and Assurance, is a seasoned IT professional with a track record of leadership over two decades. His broad background ranges from the founding and operation of a small start-up to heading up large global IT teams for publicly traded companies. Since joining SCS in 2022, he has spearheaded comprehensive, company-wide IT initiatives aimed at expanding capabilities, improving cybersecurity protocols, and better servicing company in-house teams and clients alike.

“Together with Scott Romito, who continues in his role as Chief Financial Officer, Diana, Stowe and Scott will play a pivotal role in the company’s next chapter,” said Rudolf.

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, energy production, 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.

Media Contact:

Tom Ehart

Sr. Director, Corporate Marketing

tehart@scsglobalservices.com