Month: September 2024

Benton Harbor, Mich. area teens are getting an opportunity to explore careers through the Summer Youth Golf Careers & Development Program, a collaboration between the Whirlpool Foundation, Harbor Shores Golf Course and Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club. The program introduces students to the diverse types of careers that can unfold through the sport of golf, including event planning, retail, hospitality, turf management, and culinary arts.

In its second year, teens participating in the 12-week program receive on-the-job experience, with the intention that it may spark future career pursuits.

“Students in the program are working with a team and experiencing golf culture,” said Josh Doxtator, general manager of Harbor Shores Golf Course. “Whether it’s in golf or a related field, we’re hoping their experience and learnings in the program help inform their next steps in building their career.”

Tyler Valentine, a resident of Benton Harbor and a recent graduate of St. Joseph High School, participated in the program this year and gained invaluable culinary experience working in the kitchen at The Grille at Harbor Shores. He is taking that experience to the Culinary Institute of America in New York this fall to continue his dream of becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant.

“This program is incredibly valuable to youth in our headquarters community. It gives them an inside look at potential career opportunities in the golfing industry right in their backyard that they may not have otherwise realized existed,” said Deb O’Connor, managing director of the Whirlpool Foundation.

Twenty-seven students have taken part in the program during its first two years. For more information and to request an application for the 2025 program, please email Stefanie Harvey-Vandenberg at stefanie_r_harvey-vandenberg@whirlpool.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

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Eaton highlights Arecibo project and sustainable infrastructure strategies at Reuters Industrial Decarbonization North America 2024 event 

PITTSBURGH, September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management Eaton today announced it received the 2024 “International Energy Project of the Year” award from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The company was recognized for helping develop Puerto Rico’s largest clean energy microgrid at its manufacturing plant in Arecibo, substantially reducing the facility’s carbon footprint, boosting energy resilience and bolstering community infrastructure.

Eaton senior global energy manager Richard Gorzé will also be named an AEE Fellow Member. The recognition highlights his outstanding contributions to the association and the energy industry. Gorzé will accept the “International Energy Project of the Year” award and the AEE Fellow honor at the 2024 AEE World Energy Conference & Expo on September 25. 

“The ability to generate sustainable, resilient and affordable power is essential to ensure a stronger future for communities and businesses around the world,” said Gorzé. “I’m honored to be recognized for our pioneering project, marking a substantial advancement in energy resilience and sustainability.” 

Built in collaboration with Enel North America, the clean energy project at Eaton’s Arecibo manufacturing facility is expected to generate over 9,000 megawatts of renewable power annually. It incorporates five megawatts (MWac) of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, approximately 1.1 MW of battery storage and existing onsite generators. The project enables the facility, which produces circuit breakers used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, to operate utilizing  55% of consumption as renewable energy and a yearly decrease in emissions by approximately 7,100 metric tons. 

Eaton’s Arecibo microgrid is also designed to withstand Category 5 strength hurricane-force winds and provides added value in normal grid-connected operations by generating renewable energy that can be consumed, stored and delivered back to the local grid. Following the success of the project, Eaton and Enel North America are developing a second microgrid at Eaton’s Las Piedras manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico.

Igor Stamenkovic, senior vice president and general manager of Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services and Systems team will deliver a keynote focused on sustainable infrastructure strategies during the Reuters Industrial Decarbonization North America 2024 event in Pittsburgh on October 1. 

Learn more about Eaton’s microgrid capabilities and focus on sustainability.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come. 

Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit Eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik 
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
Regina@cobblecreative.com 

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NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 – The Global Heat Reduction (GHR) Registry, a new registry focused on driving climate finance into mitigation projects that support near-term heat reduction, announced the release of three methodologies during Climate Week:

Methodology for Assessing Emissions Reductions via Collection and Destruction of HFCsMethodology for Assessing Methane Recovery from Landfill GasMethodology for Assessing Methane Recovery from Anaerobic Digestion of Manure to Produce Biogas.

Project evaluation conducted under the methodologies will provide a unique window into the heat reduction benefits of mitigating these pollutants over climate-critical timeframes including 2030, 2040 and 2050, as well as over longer-term time horizons.

Effective immediately, the GHR Registry is ready to begin accepting mitigation projects that will be independently verified against these methodologies. Funded by GHR’s “Heat Reduction Credits” (HRCs), these projects will be able make their mark in near-term heat reduction.

“We are excited to bring these methodologies to market as part of our commitment to slow global warming in the crucial next decade,” said GHR Executive Director, Kiff Gallagher. “Our goal is to stimulate innovative projects that reduce the most potent climate pollutants, and build a bridge to longer term climate stabilization and restoration.”

The GHR Registry is part of a larger Global Heat Reduction Initiative announced last week by SCS Global Services, a pioneer and international leader in third-party certification and standards setting in the sustainability arena.

“The Initiative aims to support companies, governmental agencies, and other organizations in their efforts to gain a more complete understanding of their own climate impacts, and to identify and prioritize efforts that can lead to rapid, sustainable global heat reduction,” said Linda Brown, SCS Co-founder and Senior Vice President.

The GHR Registry takes advantage of groundbreaking climate accounting protocols addressing all drivers of climate change, including many that have been historically overlooked or undervalued, and delivering crucial heat reduction computation over any timeframe of interest.

This accounting approach is a direct application of the most recent consensus science summarized in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis and special reports of the past decade, especially the fifth and sixth Assessment Reports (AR5 and AR6). It was developed in consultation with international climate experts and peer-reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), convened by UNEP.

“Today’s announcements are only the beginning,” said Gallagher. “Several new methodologies are in the pipeline. We are looking forward to welcoming new projects and requests for additional methodologies through registry@heatreduction.com.”

To download copies of the methodologies, or learn more about the GHR Registry, please visit: https://www.heatreduction.com/documents

 

About the Global Heat Reduction Initiative 

The Global Heat Reduction Initiative (GHR) was launched in 2024 to bring new tools to market that will help slow global warming within the next decade and beyond. The Initiative delivers the most comprehensive climate accounting approach available today, including critical data to unlock financing for projects that can rapidly reduce excess atmospheric heat. GHR services include a climate registry, footprint calculation and verification, and advisory services. GHR is an initiative of SCS Global Services. Learn more at www.heatreduction.com.

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. 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, 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 California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.  SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media contact: Tom Vandyck, media@heatreduction.com

Pelotonia is almost here, and Team ScottsMiracle-Gro will be pedaling their bikes 20 to 190 miles through central Ohio. It’s all about associate teamwork for cancer research. We have been participating in Pelotonia since 2010, and there are a couple of frequently asked questions that we have gotten over the years…

The question: Are bike seats comfortable?The answer: No, they’re not!

Training

There is a lot of training involved in order to go the distance on Ride Weekend. Getting used to the bike seat is part of that training.

Pelotonia is not a race, though. It’s a community ride, and everyone goes at their own pace. For most of us, it’s the farthest distance we’ll ever ride.

We raise awareness about cancer research, and each person commits to raising $1,250 or more.

The question: Is that a lot of money for one person to raise?The answer: Yes, it is!

Commitment

It’s scary to commit to raising that amount of money, but the money doesn’t go to us. We raise funds for cancer research, and we have veteran Riders who do it year after year. One of our associates has raised over $50K for Pelotonia in the past 12 years.

Together, we have raised over $3 million since joining the ride in 2010, and our team greatly appreciates the support from the company and from our coworkers.

100% of the funds raised by participants directly supports cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC), known as The James.

The question: Do other states benefit from cancer research in Ohio?The answer: Yes, they do!

Impact

Cancer research at OSUCCC is shared and has a far-reaching impact.

In July 2023, Pelotonia announced: Five new studies underway at Ohio State with support from Pelotonia. Immunotherapy treatments for breast cancer, targeted therapy for the most aggressive form of brain tumor and addressing depression among lung cancer survivors are among the topics tackled in new studies supported with funds from Pelotonia.

If you’d like to help us save more lives, our fundraising deadline is in October, so there’s plenty of time!

Visit our team fundraising page and make a donation to our general fund. Thank you to all of our associates and family members who support the cause.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

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BOSTON, September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced having facilitated several new TCT deals by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of personal care and hygiene products and owner of household brands such as Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, and WypAll.

Since 2016, Schneider Electric has served as a strategic advisor to Kimberly-Clark in the manufacturer’s ambitious decarbonization goals. These include a commitment to reduce absolute GHG emissions by 50% (1) by 2030 and progressing towards 100% renewable electricity in North America by 2030.

Most recently, Schneider Electric acted as a strategic advisor to Kimberly-Clark to help fund multiple battery energy storage projects as part of the rapid energy transition to green America’s grid. These TCT deals represent one of the many approaches Kimberly-Clark is taking to advance sustainable solutions. The projects also serve as leading examples of how the voluntary market can support developers fostering key projects using the IRA’s new tax credit transferability mechanism.

The work on these collective projects supports the advancement of battery energy storage in the Texas, USA, region, aligned with Kimberly-Clark’s support of the green transition in renewable energy storage and generation. Kimberly-Clark’s current vPPAs produce clean power from wind in Texas, which makes up 40% of its total electricity use by U.S. operations in renewable energy that Schneider Electric has advised on.

Details of the new Investment Tax Credit Transfer agreements include:

A $82.5M TCT agreement, a 180 MW battery energy storage facilityA $68M TCT agreement, a 100 MW battery energy storage facilityA $55M TCT agreement, a 100 MW battery energy storage projectA $32M TCT agreement, a 100MW battery energy storage facility

“Today’s announcement is one of many examples of Kimberly-Clark’s dedication to decarbonization and advancement of renewable energy solutions, and we hope that these types of innovative collaborations will continue to advance the green transition,” said Lisa Morden, Kimberly-Clark’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

“Kimberly-Clark’s dedication to supporting the renewable energy landscape is evident in its contribution to the advancement of battery storage technology through tax credit transferability. Working together with Schneider, the company is paving the way for future investments from the voluntary market to support developers fostering innovative projects,” said Steve Wilhite, President, Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business.

“Furthermore, Kimberly-Clark’s commitment to funding the clean energy transition in response to the IRA underscores the company’s dedication to sustainability. Tax credit transfers enable corporations to provide substantial financial support to developers; fostering projects crucial for accelerating America’s energy transition, which Schneider Electric is proud to support,” continued Wilhite.

Related resources:

Tax Credit Transferability & Corporate Buyers : Schneider Electric on-demand webinar(1) Footnote reference: https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en-us/esg/downloads

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.

We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers.

We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.

www.se.com

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.

HOUSTON, September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – The Baker Hughes Foundation announced Tuesday a total of $129,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations that promote an array of initiatives such as STEM and wellbeing support. The recipient NPOs were nominated by Baker Hughes’ employee Communities of Interest (COIs), groups based on shared interests that enable employees to share information and ideas, find opportunities to participate in philanthropy and volunteerism, and learn best practices by engaging with like-minded colleagues on a specific topic or area of interest.

Baker Hughes believes all employees should feel valued, involved and respected for the viewpoints, ideas, perspectives and experiences they bring. COIs provide a sense of connection with members being active volunteers in their communities. These groups have built strong partnerships with many nonprofits across the globe to drive social change for some of the world’s toughest challenges including education, opportunity and equality.

Below are some of the charities awarded grants to drive impact in their communities:

Companies For Good – to support rebuilding a school for low-income families in Dubai, following flooding in April 2024 that caused severe damages to the school.The EDT (Engineering Development Trust) and Industrial Cadets – to support connecting young people in developing skills, knowledge and experience needed to use STEM as a powerful tool for taking control of their futures.Mental Health Aberdeen – to support delivering counseling services and promoting mental wellbeing to people affected by challenges related to mental health within the North East of Scotland.The Archie Foundation – to support the Baird Family Hospital project, by purchasing vital neonatal specialist equipment, helping save the lives of babies born with health problems or too soon.Young Professionals in Energy – to support the mission to facilitate the advancement of young professionals in the global energy industry providing networking and career development opportunities through social, educational and civil service activities.

“Baker Hughes COIs enable our employees to collaborate with like-minded colleagues around the world, to support collaboration and inclusion, and it is always inspiring to see which charities they nominate to champion. The Foundation is honored to support the impactful work done by these charities, helping to drive positive social changes in areas where we have employees living and working,” said Deanna Jones, president of the Baker Hughes Foundation.

These grants also support Baker Hughes’ commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To learn more about Baker Hughes’ work in supporting its communities, visit our Corporate Responsibility website.

About the Baker Hughes Foundation: 
For 30 years, the Baker Hughes Foundation has been a steward of charitable resources for meaningful community impact. The Foundation seeks to advance environmental quality, education, health, safety, and wellness around the world by supporting organizations with shared values, demonstrated leadership, evidence of impact, financial soundness, and the capacity to implement initiatives and evaluate their success. The Baker Hughes Foundation makes strategic philanthropic contributions, matches Baker Hughes employee contributions, and awards volunteer recognition grants for outstanding employee community service.

About Baker Hughes 
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Media Relations 

Adrienne M. Lynch 
+1 713-906-8407 
adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Truist Foundation announced the launch of its third Inspire Awards, a capacity-building grant program for nonprofit organizations, to help create career pathways to economic mobility for workers across the U.S. This year’s challenge aims to improve resources for adults seeking reskilling, upskilling and career transitions to uplift themselves and their families.

The Inspire Awards Challenge is hosted in collaboration with Solve—an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), whose mission is to find and scale innovative solutions to global problems. From now until Jan. 8, 2025, qualifying nonprofits can submit applications through MIT Solve that answer the question: How are nonprofits providing innovative solutions for reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation needs of adults who are in the middle or late stages of their careers?

“Workers who are later in their careers face unique challenges and lack the support that recent college graduates often receive—particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed,” said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “Through our ongoing collaboration with MIT Solve, we look forward to amplifying the deep expertise of the nonprofit community to help empower workers, ultimately, fostering economic mobility and inspiring personal growth.”

Truist Foundation and MIT Solve will conduct a six-month support and development program for a cohort of six nonprofit finalists to help transform their groundbreaking ideas into tangible solutions. The program includes a comprehensive needs assessment, learning and development modules to help refine business plans, access to a network of resource partners and coaches, and more leading up to a live finale event.

At the conclusion of the support program, the finalists will be invited to a live pitch event and ceremony where they will showcase their solutions. The first-place nonprofit will receive a $250,000 grant to help actualize their project, while a $150,000 grant goes to second place, a $25,000 grant is given to each of the runner-up teams, and the audience favorite award earns one finalist an additional $75,000—regardless of their status as a runner-up, first-place, or second-place award winner. Plus, finalists are invited to a two-day Truist Leadership Institute Retreat and the annual flagship Solve at MIT event, held in May each year.

“We are pleased to support the Inspire Awards for a third year alongside longtime Solve champion, Truist Foundation,” said Hala Hanna, executive director of MIT Solve. “Truist Foundation is a shining example of how organizations can take action and increase their commitment to solving pressing problems within their communities and the world.”

During the 2024 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards, more than 100 nonprofits submitted solutions addressing how innovative technology could support undercapitalized entrepreneurs. Centro Community Partners was named the top recipient of the second Inspire Awards. Their $250,000 grant is helping provide an AI-generated journey through a virtual hub of resources for low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs.

“We were honored to be named the 2024 Truist Foundation Inspire Award winner,” said Arturo Noriega, founder and chief executive officer of Centro Community Partners. “This recognition strengthens our ability to scale our mission and impact by building emerging technologies to deliver transformational resources for low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs in underserved communities. With Truist Foundation’s support, we are more committed than ever to turning the dreams of undercapitalized entrepreneurs into realities and uplifting entire communities.”

To learn more or apply, click here.

About Truist Foundation 
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

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Media Contact: 
Kristen Fraser, Truist 
media@truist.com

NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 /3BL/ – The most important Chief Sustainability Officers of the United States and Canada were announced at the Futur/io CSO Awards last night, during a gala dinner at One World Center in New York.

Michael Kobori, Chief Sustainability Officer from Starbucks received the CSO Award in Gold. Additional CSO Awards were presented to Suzanne Dibianca from Salesforce (Silver), and Sophie Beckham from International Paper (Bronze). The Grand Jury also awarded three Special Honors Awards to Emma Stewart from Netflix, Melanie Nakagawa from Microsoft, and Ann Tracy from Colgate-Palmolive.

Cassandra Garber from Dell Technologies was granted a special Sustainable Supply Chain Award presented by premium partner IntegrityNext. The Peer Award, chosen by the live audience of the CSO Awards gala ceremony, went to Victoria Emerick, of Bristol Myers Squibb, and was presented by Phil White, the supporting partner of Grounded World.

The CSO Awards North America is an initiative of the Futur/io Institute, a pioneering organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring leadership in sustainable innovation and building the most impactful network of Chief Sustainability Officers globally. The European version of the CSO Awards takes place every year during the World Economic Forum week in Davos.

“In a week when New York feels like the center of the world, hosting Climate Week and the UN General Assembly, we are honored to celebrate the Chief Sustainability Officers of North America in this iconic location,” said Harald Neidhardt, CEO & Curator of the Futur/io Institute. “In this pivotal moment in history, we must keep our spirits high and collaborate to solve the challenges that lie ahead. Tonight, by celebrating the people who are role models in sustainability, we hope to inspire others to be optimistic and work on building the desirable futures we want to live in.”

Vandinika Shukla, Deputy Director of Global Programs at the Obama Foundation, gave an inspiring keynote speech on the importance of intergenerational decision-making. She also reminded companies that corporate responsibility is, ultimately, essential for survival.

Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, spoke about the need for a new economy, highlighting that there is no point talking about the environment if we forget that humanity is part of nature. She urged the audience to address wealth inequalities and other systemic problems.

“Let’s go get them!” said Michael Kobori, of Starbucks, when he received the Gold CSO Awards. “We’re all winners,” he added. “We’re all making it happen, and we have to make it happen faster as we’re running out of time!”

After the CSO Awards Announcement, the guests enjoyed live music by Donna Grantis, a Canadian activist and musician who presented “The humanNATURE Project”, her musical endeavour in which she credits “The Earth” as her co-writer. Grantis’ project is part of the Earth/Percent Initiative, through which artists donate part of their income to fund organizations fighting the climate crisis. The initiative was introduced by Cathy Runciman, executive director of Earth/Percent.

The awards celebration also featured speakers such as Jan Artem Henriksson, from the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), Massamba Thioye, from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Parneet Pal, from Systematically Well.

The Awards Criteria

The winners of the CSO Awards were chosen after a rigorous selection process developed by Futur/io and scientific partner Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College Business School, and supported by knowledge partners Denominator, specialized in human-centric data, and Rainforest Partnership, focused on biodiversity.

From an extensive database including all the major companies of the USA and Canada, the most relevant names were selected using a four-quadrant model criteria, taking into consideration the maturity of corporate behaviours, regulatory performance on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) criteria, environmental and human impact and also a self assessment survey.

The Top 20 ranking CSOs were then assessed by a Grand Jury, who selected the final winners. The CSO Awards North America Grand Jury is composed of stellar names such as John Elkington, known as “the Godfather of Sustainability”, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome, Vandinika Shukla, deputy director of Global Programs at the Obama Foundation, Livio Scalvini, co-founder and executive director of the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society at Imperial College London, and Niyanta Spelman, founder and CEO of Rainforest Partnership. Other members are Katja Iversen, CEO of the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, Larry Adams, founder of BLKFAM.tv and XStereotype, and Raj Joshi, Professor of Columbia University. The Chair of the Jury is Harald Neidhardt, CEO and Curator of the Futur/io Institute.

The CSO Awards North America is supported by premium partners IntegrityNext and Celonis.

Photos/videos by Tom Clark/Kirsten Potts

AWARD WINNERS

Gold Winner – Michael Kobori 

Chief Sustainability Officer – Starbucks

As Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, Michael leads the company’s efforts to become resource-positive, engaging 350,000 partners and millions of customers globally. He also serves as an independent Director of Bunge Ltd., a major agricultural company delivering more sustainable food, feed, and fuel worldwide.

Previously, Michael was Vice President at Levi Strauss & Co., where he helped establish the company as a sustainability leader in the apparel industry. He has been active in industry collaboration, serving on a number of boards and advisory commissions, including the U.S. Cotton Board, Better Cotton Initiative, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, ILO Better Work Programme, and Levi Strauss Foundation Board.

Before Levi’s, Michael worked at BSR and The Asia Foundation, supporting human rights and economic development in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. He has taught corporate sustainability at UC Berkeley’s Haas Business School and is the Executive Producer of Utopia Theatre Project, a social justice theater company.

Michael holds a Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley, where he also completed his undergraduate studies in Asian Studies and Psychology. He studied at International Christian University in Tokyo and sustainable finance at Oxford University.

Silver Winner – Suzanne Dibianca

EVP ESG/ Sustainability and Chief Impact Officer – Salesforce

Suzanne DiBianca leads Salesforce’s stakeholder capitalism strategy, including the company’s global corporate relations, sustainability, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, with a depth of focus on climate action programs on the global journey to net zero emissions. Suzanne also oversees Salesforce’s corporate philanthropy initiatives, which include supporting nonprofits focused on climate resilience, education, and workforce development.

With over 20 years at Salesforce, Suzanne was Co-Founder and President of the Salesforce Foundation and Salesforce.org. Under her leadership, the 1-1-1 model of corporate philanthropy was adopted by tens of thousands of companies across 130 countries. She also led Salesforce’s Ventures Impact Fund, which invests in cloud companies driving social change, and managed the Salesforce military program, aimed at upskilling veterans.

Suzanne serves on multiple UN and World Economic Forum councils and is a board director at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and South Pole. She also advises Pledge 1%, the Jane Goodall Institute, and Lightrock. Recognized by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders in Business for 2023, she holds a degree in economics from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Bronze Winner – Sophie Beckham 

VP & Chief Sustainability Officer – International Paper

Sophie Beckham is VP and Chief Sustainability Officer at International Paper (IP), where she works across the enterprise to advance sustainability strategy development and Vision 2030 goal achievement. She also serves as the company’s primary external spokesperson and thought leader on issues related to sustainability and stewardship.

Her career has been dedicated to driving sustainable business outcomes through purposeful leadership in consumer goods and forest product manufacturing sectors. Sophie has been advancing IP’s planet stewardship initiatives since 2013, serving in various roles throughout her time with the company.

She holds a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, now known as the Yale School of the Environment.

SPECIAL HONORS 

Special Honor – Emma Stewart

Sustainability Officer – Netflix

Emma Stewart, Ph.D., is Netflix’s first Sustainability Officer, where she works to achieve net zero carbon emissions, raise environmental awareness through film and television series, and drive climate action among Netflix’s global audience. She previously led urban energy and climate initiatives at the World Resources Institute, served on the U.S. Green Building Council Board, and taught at UC Berkeley and Stanford business schools.

She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford and a B.A. with Honors from Oxford University. Throughout her career, she helped many Fortune500 companies in developing sustainability strategies, advised start-ups, led research at top NGOs and think tanks, and served on Boards of Directors. She also pioneered the “Intrapreneurship for Sustainability” courses at Stanford and UC Berkeley and developed the first global methodology for “science-based targets,” a concept now adopted by over 10,000 companies.

Selected as an Aspen Institute Fellow, her work appeared in top publications like The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. She has been named a “Badass Woman in Sustainability” by GreenBiz, a “top 3 speaker” by The Economist Summits, one of FORTUNE’s “most powerful women under 45,” and one of the “Top 10 Women in Sustainability” by American Builders.

Special Honor – Melanie Nakagawa

Corporate Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer – Microsoft

As Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Melanie Nakagawa leads the company’s commitments to become carbon-negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. She brings nearly two decades of experience at the nexus of policy, business, and technology, most recently serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate and Energy on the National Security Council at the White House.

Prior to the White House, Melanie helped launch Princeville Capital’s inaugural global growth equity climate technology fund, investing in companies delivering transformative solutions to climate change. She also served as a strategic advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry on climate change and environmental issues and held roles in the U.S. Senate and with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Melanie has a JD and MA from American University and an AB from Brown University.

Special Honor – Ann Tracy

Chief Sustainability Officer – Colgate-Palmolive

As Colgate-Palmolive’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Ann is a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team and leads its Global Sustainability strategy and key initiatives. She integrates a strong technical foundation across Colgate’s Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, focusing on its Core Ambition pillars: Driving Social Impact, Helping Millions of Homes, and Preserving Our Environment.

Ann holds a BA degree in Applied Science, a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master’s of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Systems. Most recently Ann has completed a Certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the UNGC Network USA.

Sustainable Supply Chain Award – Cassandra Garber

Chief Sustainability Officer – Dell Technologies

Cassandra Garber has more than 20 years of experience building and leading global, enterprise-wide sustainability, ESG, marketing and communications programs and teams across a variety of industries. She is responsible for driving global ESG strategy and integration across the organization – from products and services to operations and stakeholder engagement.

She oversees the teams and activities leading sustainability, ESG reporting and operations, giving and volunteerism and Dell’s signature social innovation programs. Cassandra and her team are responsible for helping the company deliver on aggressive 2030 goals and targets – as well as creating outsized impact in priority areas including climate action, circular economy and digital inclusion.

Her entire career has been spent in large organizations, most of which working specifically on impact strategy and actions. That experience has helped her develop an understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls businesses, and their stakeholders, face when tackling new, complex challenges within the boundaries of available resources, social dynamics and as part of a much broader system.

Peer Award – Victoria Emerick

Executive Director & Global Head, Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Operations – Bristol Myers Squibb

Victoria Emerick has a PhD in Biochemistry and certifications in Project & Change Management as well as Lean & Six Sigma. Over the last 25 years, she’s focused on strategic operations, continuous improvement, & enterprise-level project planning & management. As the Executive Director and Global Head of ESG-Sustainability Strategy and Operations, Victoria is responsible for developing innovative approaches to advance ESG-Sustainability awareness, commitments, efforts, and investments across the global Bristol-Myers Squibb enterprise.

She is the Chair-elect of the Sustainability I Council Executive Committee for The Conference Board, a member of the Biopharma Sustainability Roundtable, Sustainability Leadership Forum, IFPMA Working Group for ESG, and the CSR Board and has served as the BMS leader for engagements involving the UN Global Compact, including the Lead 2030 collaboration with One Young World and the UN Young SDG Innovators Program.

MUSICIAN 

Donna Grantis

Donna Grantis is an acclaimed Canadian artist and musician. From 2012-16, she performed and recorded with music icon Prince as the co-lead guitarist in his funk-rock trio 3RDEYEGIRL and supergroup New Power Generation. Grantis composed the title track to 3RDEYEGIRL’s 2014 release, PLECTRUMELECTRUM, which reached #1 on the Billboard Rock Chart. Notable performances include a history-making eight-minute segment on “Saturday Night Live;” three nights headlining the Montreux Jazz Festival; headlining the Essence Festival at a sold-out Superdome in New Orleans; and a historic performance at The White House for President Barack Obama and family.

Grantis is passionate about music as a force for social change. Her current creative endeavour – The humanNATURE Project – fuses art and activism, bringing world-renowned musicians together with environmental leaders and the sounds of Nature itself – whales, coral reefs, trees, glaciers, insects, wild spaces, birds and other species. In partnership with EarthPercent, Grantis gratefully credits “The Earth” as a co-writer of music she creates. Earlier this year, she participated in the launch of Sounds Right, a groundbreaking music initiative to establish Nature as an official artist on streaming platforms. Developed by The Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, in partnership with The Listening Planet, VozTerra and a broad coalition of creative and institutional partners, the initiative aims to spark a global conversation about the value of nature and support millions of music fans to take meaningful action to protect the planet.

About Futur/io Institute

We believe in co-creating desirable futures where ideas and innovation drive a regenerative economy that benefits people and the planet within the planetary boundaries.

The Futur/io Institute is a pioneering organization to serve the most impactful network of Chief Sustainability Officers dedicated to transforming businesses to drive positive impact for people, planet and prosperity. We do this through publications, podcasts and convening at inspiring locations like Davos, Basel, Lisbon, Venice and New York.

With a mission to inspire ambition, action and cross-pollination to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the institute provides a platform for thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to shape the futures of business and society.

Futur/io works with organizations like the UNFCCC or corporations in leadership training and curates Executive Programmes to inspire future leaders in sustainable innovation. Each year in Davos, the institute organizes executive receptions and recently debuted the annual CSO Awards to shine a light on the leadership role of Chief Sustainability Officers.

Futur/io is based in Hamburg and works as a think-tank with a selected international and diverse faculty of 100+ leaders in sustainability. The most recent book “Leadership for Sustainable Futures” was published in May 2024 with Murmann Publishers. CEO & curator Harald Neidhardt hosts the CSO Impact Podcast, which launched in June 2024.

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Additional Info

Website: https://www.csoawards.org/north-america

Grand Jury: https://www.csoawards.org/north-america/2024/grand-jury

Top 20 List: https://www.csoawards.org/north-america/2024/top-20-csos

Selection Criteria: https://www.csoawards.org/north-america/2024/criteria

For additional images, get in contact or access our Press Kit.

Media Contacts

Barbara Axt – Media Relations

barbara@futur.io

Luciana Prestes – Head of Marketing

luciana@futur.io