Month: April 2025

MADRID, April 14, 2025 /3BL/ – The Food Changemakers Awards, held in Madrid, were created by the Spanish organization KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub to recognize international figures with the greatest impact on the future of food.

Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, won the 2025 Social Impact Award for his initiative that promotes food as an educational tool among young people, while Californian entrepreneur Julia Collins received the Climate Impact Award for her leadership in the decarbonization of the food sector.

The first edition of the Food Changemakers Awards also honored Spanish Chef, Ferran Adrià, for his academic and mentoring work at the Madrid Culinary Campus (MACC), the gastronomic training center mentored by the president of el Bulli Foundation and Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz.

Beatriz Jacoste, CEO of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, highlighted that “The Food Changemakers Awards recognize the impact of exceptional professionals, brilliant minds whose work and vision bring us closer to a future with good food for everyone. These role models are a cornerstone of our community, which aims to connect people with the greatest capacity and willingness to drive positive impact in the agri-food sector. We’ve spent seven years creating opportunities among these leaders to accelerate the transformation of the food system.”

Stephen Ritz and Julia Collins, Social Impact and Climate Impact Awards

Alongside the Spanish chef, the awards also recognized New Yorker, Stephen Ritz, with the Food Changemaker Prize in the Social Impact category for his work promoting sustainable and healthy eating among vulnerable youth through his platform Green Bronx Machine. Ritz received the award from the General Director of the NGO Acción Contra el Hambre, Manuel Sánchez-Montero.

Says Ritz: “From our humble corner of the globe, we are determined to change the world, one child at a time, one classroom at a time, one school & one community at a time. I am humbled that Action Against Hunger recognizes our impact locally and globally. Be it our acclaimed Green Bronx Machine Classroom Curriculum, Green Bronx Machine KIDS! on YouTube, our award-winning documentary, Generation Growth, or our work with Babylon Micro Farms and Tower Garden, this recognition serves to remind all of us that the greatest natural resource in the world is the untapped potential residing in low-status and marginalized communities – we are the heroes we are waiting for – and we are and will continue to be the change we wish to see and be in the world. Children first always!”, said Stephen Ritz.

“At Acción Contra el Hambre, we are proud to recognize the work of people like Stephen Ritz and to share with him the conviction that a world without hunger is possible. Thank you for reminding us that change begins with an idea, but multiplies when we work together,” explained Manuel Sánchez-Montero, General Director of Acción Contra el Hambre.

Meanwhile, Californian Julia Collins was awarded the Food Changemaker Prize in the Climate Impact category. The organization valued her innovative vision in leading the decarbonization of the food industry through her platform Planet FWD, which specializes in accessible, rigorous, and transparent environmental impact analysis and measurement processes for the food and hospitality industries. Additionally, Collins has held leadership roles in various food businesses and continues to support women entrepreneurs and other groups through her role as an investor in triple-impact initiatives.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the KM ZERO Food Changemakers Award for Climate Impact. This recognition celebrates our work at Planet FWD to decarbonize the food industry and move toward a more regenerative future. Thank you to KM ZERO for amplifying this mission and connecting us with a European community committed to transforming the food system”, Collins emphasized.

Sustainability was a hallmark of the entire gala, with the trophies awarded to winners made from bioplastic derived from coffee grounds, designed by the pioneering Spanish company in 3D printing and sustainable materials development, Lowpoly.

An initiative born from Europe’s largest food think tank

This first edition of the Food Changemakers Awards was held in Madrid, at the gastronomic venue Tramo, following the first 2025 working sessions of Europe’s largest food think tank, The Food Changemakers. This group, composed on this occasion of over 100 experts, executives, and leading voices connected to the agri-food sector, was founded by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub. It worked throughout the day before the awards ceremony with the goal of establishing the foundations for real and long-term change in the current food system, influencing both private sector activity and public policies.

The inauguration of this new think tank session featured the participation of the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), through its director Mónica Martínez; Ángel Niño, Councilor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Madrid City Council; and Felipe Turell, CEO of Proyectos Conscientes.

In the words of Ángel Niño, Councilor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Madrid City Council: “In Madrid, we support industries of the future, and there is no doubt that the food industry is one of the most important in an economy like Spain’s. The world will reach around 10 billion people by 2050, and we need our industries to be competitive. Investing in innovation in this area means ensuring efficiency and sustainability in production systems.”

The 2025 Food Changemakers Awards, as well as the meeting of the global leaders’ group in food system transformation, is an initiative by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, with institutional sponsorship from Madrid Emprende, Madrid Food Innovation Hub, IMIDRA, ICEX, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Embassy of the Netherlands. It also has the support of Familia Martínez, Unilever, Helados Estiu, Vicky Foods, CAPSA FOOD, Huevos Guillén, CEYLAN, Profand, and Grupo Arancia, with collaboration from Proyectos Conscientes and Acción Contra el Hambre, among other entities.

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About KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub:

Our Foundation is dedicated to the transformation of the food system through a global community of industry leaders and change agents. Together they are working on innovations that have a positive impact and promote a more sustainable food model that benefits both people and the planet. For more information, please visit: https://www.kmzerohub.com/en

About Green Bronx Machine:

Green Bronx Machine is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed non-profit that builds healthy, equitable, and resilient communities through inspired education, local food systems, and 21st Century workforce development. Dedicated to cultivating minds and harvesting hope, their school-based model incorporates urban agriculture and Tower Garden supported by their whole-school curriculum aligned to key school performance indicators to grow high performing schools and happy, healthy children. Reaching over 1,000 schools nationally and serving over 325,000 students daily, Green Bronx Machine was named a 2024 Fast Company Most Innovative Company and also offers an online educational platform, complete with instructional videos, free lesson plans, and downloadable teacher resources: Green Bronx Machine KIDS! The organization is presently featured in an award-winning documentary, Generation Growth, which highlights their expansion and success in communities across the nation. Individuals or groups interested in hosting a “Generation Growth” in-person or virtual screening or learning about additional ways to partner with Green Bronx Machine’s mission can contact Stephen Ritz at Stephen.Ritz@greenbronxmachine.org or 917.873.6449.

DP World has been named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work in Ecuador, according to the prestigious ranking by Great Place to Work®, a global authority on workplace culture. This marks the first time the company has earned a place among the top 10 in the country, making it the only port terminal in Ecuador to receive this distinction.

The recognition was announced at an awards ceremony held in Quito, where DP World was ranked #9 in the “More than 500 employees” category, alongside leading companies from various industries. This milestone underscores the company’s continued commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do,” said Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. “This achievement reflects the workplace culture we’ve cultivated over the past five years—one built on collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect. We will continue to prioritize our employees’ well-being and empower them to thrive.”

The recognition highlights DP World’s holistic approach to talent development, which includes initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion, empowering women, professional growth, and local hiring. The company also integrates sustainability into its business strategy, supporting high-impact programs in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

DP World’s flagship operation, its deepwater port in Posorja, is widely recognized as Ecuador’s leading port terminal, distinguished by its cutting-edge infrastructure, operational efficiency, and world-class safety standards. In 2023, the terminal became the first port in Ecuador to earn the Great Place to Work® certification, based on direct feedback from employees.

Globally, DP World has been recognized as a Great Place to Work in 31 countries, including Ecuador—affirming the company’s focus on building a strong corporate culture across all its locations.

Additionally, DP World was recently named the #1 Employer Brand in the port industry for the fifth consecutive year by Ferias 360, following an evaluation of more than 2,000 companies in areas such as brand reputation, organizational culture, and employee conditions.

These recognitions reflect DP World Ecuador’s dedication to creating a workplace that champions excellence, fueled by its people, advanced technology, and a long-term vision that drives value for communities, the environment, and the nation.

Today, Covia is pleased to recognize two individuals who have demonstrated their core values by going Above and Beyond. In the middle of challenging circumstances, each demonstrated the values that drive Covia’s success.

Recently, a major winter storm in Ontario knocked out power to both of Covia’s NSO plants and 400,000 homes in the surrounding area for several days. This outage crippled operations and prevented customers from picking up dozens of orders needed to keep their productions running.

NSO team members worked quickly and safely to restore some vital services and to support electrical contractors working to re-establish power. Their commitment to the team and doing the right thing helped expedite repairs. Many employees came to work once power was restored even though they had no power at their homes.

Covia is proud to see the way the team pulls together to respond to challenging events like this. Unfortunately, several natural disasters have affected Covia’s plants and communities in recent years, and teams have shown remarkable resilience and determination to help each other and their communities.

At NSO, Amy Cox, Customer Service Manager, and Jeremy Cox, Maintenance Manager, demonstrated Covia’s values in their actions.

Amy demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Covia’s customers. As soon as the power went out, Amy immediately began rerouting customer trucks, working with operations to assess product availability, and maintaining communication with customers and the sales team—all while managing these tasks from her home, which was without power, heat, internet, or water, and ensuring the safety of her family and beloved farm animals.

“Amy’s dedication to our customers made a huge difference,” said Mark Styers, SVP, Commercial. “Because of her quick action, we had virtually no impact to our customers despite the severity of the storm’s damage.”

Leveraging his extensive network within Hydro One (the provincial utility) and the contractor community, Jeremy ensured that a contractor was on site the very next day following the storm to begin repairs, while also being physically present to oversee ongoing activities. 

One of the plant’s residents, an owl that had nested in one of the power poles that had been damaged, required special care. There was concern that this would cause another delay in restoring power back to the facility, but the team “sistered” the pole to allow the owl to remain in place unaffected. 

Mark Oskam, SVP, Operations, said, “Given the extent of the storm, recovery efforts are still underway. Thanks to the team’s work to provide access for the utility company and Jeremy’s efforts to make sure a contractor was on site right away, we were up and running at Nephton the following day and Blue Mountain the day after.”

Thanks to Amy and Jeremy’s proactive measures, along with the efforts of the whole team at Covia’s NSO plant, they were able to work through the impacts of the storm without missing a beat.

Covia would like to extend a special thank you to Amy and Jeremy for going above and beyond. Their extra effort to do the right thing for Covia’s team, customers, community and the environment demonstrates how living by their core values is built into the Covia way.

Covia recognizes that the NSO team collectively going Above and Beyond to help through this severe weather event and are pleased to call out Amy and Jeremy as specific examples. 

Complimentary Webinar:

Understanding the EU CSRD: Deep Dive into the Omnibus Bill and Relations Between CSDDD & CSRD

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT)

Register Here

The EU Omnibus Bill is intended to streamline the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, amongst other components of the Green New Deal. In this webinar, we will take a comprehensive look into the proposed changes and offer insights into how the changes may impact companies that have begun their planning and implementation towards meeting the existing laws. We will cover how the CSDDD and CSRD are connected and how to incorporate both into your sustainability strategy and reporting efforts.

Join SCS Consulting Services’ CSRD Program Manager, Marie Blazy, and Managing Director, ESG Consulting, Bonnie Holman on Wednesday, April 30th at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT) for a 45-minute webinar that takes a deep dive into the EU Omnibus Bill and how the changes relate to the CSDDD and CSRD. We’ll discuss:

• Content of the Omnibus proposal and progress to date
• Next legislative steps at EU and national levels
• What should companies be doing in this period of uncertainty: Risks and opportunities

15 minutes will be allotted at the end of the presentation for Q&A.

Register Here

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

What’s your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey here at GoDaddy.

My career has always been driven by a love for technology, building relationships, and finding creative solutions to business challenges. With a background in business administration and over a decade of experience in sales, marketing, and customer engagement, I’ve naturally gravitated toward roles that help connect people with technology in meaningful ways.

I started at GoDaddy seven years ago as a Senior Marketing Specialist, focusing on brand engagement and strengthening agency partner relationships. After three years, I wanted to take on new challenges and use more of my problem-solving skills, so I talked to my leadership team about potential opportunities. They encouraged me to explore a role within Commerce, and I was excited to land my current position as a Distribution Relationship Manager. Now, I get to focus on optimizing distribution strategies while working closely across teams and collaborating with partner distributors and resellers—something I’ve found incredibly rewarding.

What real-life problems does your team solve?

My team focuses on making sure GoDaddy’s commerce resellers get the support they need after the sale, from smooth product distribution to ongoing assistance. We tackle challenges like product availability, vendor coordination, and making operations run more efficiently. By improving processes, strengthening supplier relationships, and fine-tuning distribution strategies, we help small businesses and entrepreneurs get the right tools to succeed online.

But it’s not just about logistics—we also work to improve communication, making sure teams, vendors, and customers stay connected and aligned to keep everything running smoothly.

How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?

Seeing the direct impact of our work on small businesses and entrepreneurs keeps me motivated. Every day, we make technology more accessible, helping people scale their ventures with ease. That sense of purpose fuels my energy and commitment. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I’ve witnessed firsthand how GoDaddy products simplify business growth, and I take pride in being part of that success.

I also thrive on collaboration—working alongside talented colleagues, learning from their insights, and tackling challenges together. Additionally, I stay inspired by continuously setting personal and professional goals that align with my passion for problem-solving and innovation, opening doors to new opportunities.

What aspects of GoDaddy’s company culture do you appreciate the most?

GoDaddy cultivates an environment where innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork flourish.

I appreciate the company’s dedication to empowering employees to take initiative and drive meaningful change.

The emphasis on continuous learning—through mentorship, leadership development, and tuition reimbursement programs, which I actively utilize—creates endless growth opportunities.

Another aspect I value is the strong sense of collaboration within our teams. There’s a collective commitment to supporting one another and pushing boundaries to deliver the best possible experience for our customers. I truly feel fortunate to work alongside such an incredible group of people.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I love traveling with my son. With family spread across the United States, we take every opportunity to visit loved ones in different states whenever our schedules allow for it. I’m also a huge sports fan and enjoy attending Houston Dynamo matches with my son, as well as concerts with friends. I’m especially excited for the upcoming Kendrick Lamar tour—I’ll be flying to Inglewood, California, for the show!

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education has been named the Education Company of the Year by the Best in Education Awards 2024 from EdTech Chronicle. The Best in Education Awards recognize the top companies, leaders, and services in the education technology industry in 2024.

Discovery Education is the creator of essential K-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world. Serving approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. A few highlights from 2024 include:

• Stronger Career Connections: Career Connect launched in January to facilitate virtual classroom visits from industry professionals based on job types, industries, language preferences, and location. Educators can request that a professional from one of Discovery Education’s strategic partners visit their classroom to discuss their career paths and professions. Partners include organizations such as DuPont, Genentech, Norton, Nucor, Prologis, Trane Technologies, US Bank, and more. Career Connect is available to all users of Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged K-12 classrooms that inspires teachers and motivates students.
• Immersive Learning: In March, Sandbox AR surpassed the 1 million download milestone in the Apple iTunes store and is now available on Google Play. This free augmented reality “maker” app brings immersive technology and content into the classroom. Within Sandbox AR, users can create virtual worlds and populate them with hundreds of unique objects from history, the built world, science, nature, and more.
• ESSA Certifications: In June, DreamBox Math was certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based standards set forth by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for Tier I, II, III, and IV. Learn more about all of Discovery Education’s ESSA certifications and supporting research here.
• Mystery Writing Introduced to Educators: Also in June, Discovery Education launched Mystery Writing. Mystery Writing engages students in grades K-5 with “wow!” content that captivates young learners and builds their confidence in writing. Featuring no prep, open-and-go lessons, Mystery Writing helps multi-subject elementary educators quickly and easily provide students with differentiated lessons that explicitly teach the writing process. Mystery Writing’s innovative approach combines subjects of high interest to students with step-by-step written, visual, and auditory directions to ensure no young writer experiences the dreaded “fear of the blank page.”
• Research Insights: In October, the Education Insights Report by Discovery Education was released, revealing key areas of opportunity for addressing the most pressing issue facing educators today: student engagement. The report—which was based on survey data collected by The Harris Poll—found that curiosity is important to everyone, students want to learn more life skills, teachers see promise in adaptive learning resources, and much more. Read the full report here.
• Milestone Reached in STEM Education: Also in October, the STEM Careers Coalition surpassed its goal of reaching 10 million students by the end of 2025, a year ahead of schedule. Since 2019, the STEM Careers Coalition has reached over 11 million students, including 2.97 million in the 2023-2024 school year alone, 65% of which are from Title I schools. The Coalition works to prepare all students for future jobs in STEM, developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college and a career through high-quality classroom resources, career exploration tools, after school activities, digital content, and more. The STEM Careers Coalition features a range of industry partners including LyondellBassell, Nucor, Prologis, United Airlines, and many more.
• Otus Partnership: Discovery Education’s new strategic partnership with Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, was announced in November and is aimed at maximizing student achievement nationwide through the powerful combination of engaging content and state-of-the-art data analytics. Through this collaboration, Otus is now Discovery Education’s preferred platform for assessment, data, and learning insights.

“We are deeply honored to be named the Education Company of the Year by EdTech Chronicle. This recognition reflects the incredible work of our team and our unwavering commitment to supporting educators and students around the world,” said Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Education. “At Discovery Education, we believe in the power of technology to accelerate student growth, scale teacher impact, and motivate learning, and we are proud to be at the forefront of the mission to prepare all learners for success beyond graduation. Thank you to the EdTech Chronicle for this meaningful acknowledgment.”

Learn more about the Best in Education Awards 2024 here.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com

CLEVELAND, April 14, 2025 /3BL/ – As part of its bicentennial celebration, KeyBank is donating $200,000 to Cleveland Guardians Charities. KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Chris Gorman presented the donation from the KeyBank Foundation to Cleveland Guardians Owner, Chairman and CEO Paul Dolan during “KeyBank Bicentennial Night” on April 12^th at Progressive Field.

This donation was made the night of April 12^th, the actual date that KeyBank was founded 200 years ago in 1825 in Albany, New York. Since that time, Key has grown into one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies. Funds will support the Guardians’ Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities or, RBI, Program. This initiative, led by Major League Baseball, is designed to encourage academic achievement and youth sports participation, and increase the number of talented athletes to play in college and professionally.

“As we celebrate our bicentennial, we are excited and proud to partner with the Cleveland Guardians to support our youth and help them grow in the classroom and on the field,” said Gorman. “KeyBank is Cleveland’s hometown bank and this gift recognizes the pivotal role this city has in our history and that yesterday, today, and tomorrow, KeyBank will be here to help our clients, our colleagues, and our communities thrive.”

“We are extremely grateful for KeyBank’s support of Cleveland Guardians Charities and our RBI Program,” said Director, Community Impact Penny Forster. “We know the powerful life lessons and opportunities the Cleveland RBI program provides our participants, and we look forward to the positive impact these youth will have in our community and our game as young adults.”

Guardians RBI rosters are constructed with primarily Cleveland Metropolitan School District & Play Ball! CLE student athletes, who through the Say Yes to Education grant program have the ability to attend their choice of 100+ private colleges and universities in Ohio and across the country for free.

As part of “KeyBank Bicentennial Night” festivities, Gorman threw out the first pitch before the Guardians game against the Kansas City Royals. More than 1,000 KeyBank teammates also attended the game.

ABOUT KEYCORP

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

ABOUT CLEVELAND GUARDIANS CHARITIES

Cleveland Guardians Charities (CGC) is the private foundation of the Cleveland Guardians. CGC raises money though programs, events and player contributions to support many CGC beneficiaries, including the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the City of Cleveland Recreation Department youth baseball and softball programs, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and many other community organizations and nonprofits.

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