Month: April 2025

Albertsons Companies has received the prestigious CIO 100 2025 Award for Sincerely Health; an all-in-one wellness hub integrated with our banner apps. Sincerely Health encourages shoppers to eat well, live better and in turn, feel great, while rewarding healthy choices with grocery coupons and discounts.

The CIO 100 2025 Award recognizes organizations and IT teams that use technology in innovative ways to deliver business value, enable growth or enhance customer relationships. Congratulations to the leaders and teams whose hard work and dedication to the well-being of our communities made this achievement possible.

Learn more about the CIO 100 here.

Learn more about Sincerely Health here.

See the original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

NORTHWEST, Ind., April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Tandem Global and bp International announce a 4-year Biodiversity Restoration project with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Nature Preserves and the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department (LCP) to restore and conserve the critically rare Southern Lake Michigan Dune and Swale ecosystem. The project is funded by a $1.5M grant from bp, which aims to support biodiversity where we operate including collaborating with others to support selected biodiversity restoration projects.

“Our job is to be a responsible and safe refinery operator,” said Chris DellaFranco, the VP of Refining of bp’s Whiting Refinery in Northwest Indiana. “That responsibility starts with respecting the area and communities where we operate. bp is proud to be part of the northwest Indiana community and is committed to being a good partner.”

This four-year project will focus on the restoration of the Great Lakes Dune and Swale ecosystem, designated as Indiana State Nature Preserves, within the cities of Hammond, East Chicago, and Gary, Indiana. This Northwestern Indiana Coastal Lake Michigan watershed area encompasses more than 700 species of native plants and 200 bird species, including globally rare habitats and several endangered and threatened species of plants, insects, and birds. Over the past century, the Dune and Swale ecosystem, which originally covered the entire south end of Lake Michigan, has been reduced to approximately 900 acres (364 hectares) of isolated and fragmented parcels. These parcels range in size from 170 acres (69 hectares) to as little as 5 acres (2 hectares) and support a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Key efforts funded by the grant include ecological restoration, habitat restoration and invasive species control across fragments owned and managed by the IDNR and LCP containing black oak savannas, sand prairies, sedge meadows and Grand Calumet River wetlands will include flora and fauna monitoring stations. These and other ecological and community actions will increase native plant diversity and improve climate resilience.

Community engagement is a major component of the project. It will bring together biodiversity stakeholders and allies from various sectors to create a positive impact on biodiversity on both the ecosystem and the community. This includes involvement with local schools, scouts, and other groups, as well as consultations and planning for the sustainability of our efforts.

“This bp funded Biodiversity project brings together community, conservation, and industry to restore rare habitats in Northwest Indiana,” said Daniel Goldfarb, Director of Social Impact/Ecosystem Restoration at Tandem Global. “It’s an important investment by bp that Tandem Global is proud to lead, preserving biodiversity near the bp Whiting Refinery and other local industries.”

Added Craig Zandstra, Superintendent of Planning & Natural Resources at the Lake County Parks and Recreation “The Dune and Swale ecosystem is one of the most ecologically interesting landscapes in our region, and this project is a major step in ensuring its long-term health and restoration. Through this partnership, we are not only revitalizing these critical areas but also deepening our Indiana community’s connection to the natural spaces that make our urban-industrial neighborhoods so unique.”

About Tandem Global 

Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center), provides the know-how and the network to move business and the environment forward, together. Across sectors and at all levels of its member organizations, Tandem Global works to facilitate long-term and lasting impact on all aspects of our natural world. Tandem Global connects leading thinking with practical solutions that positively impact climate, nature, and water. From field operations to boardrooms and beyond, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impact strategies and resilient solutions that can support a better future. Tandem Global is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, USA, with locations across the U.S., in Latin America and Munich, Germany. For more information visit tandemglobal.org.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education Experience has been honored with an EdTech Award 2025 in the product category. Now in their 15th year, the EdTech Awards from EdTech Digest are the world’s largest recognition program for education technology, recognizing the biggest names in edtech.

The essential companion for engaged classrooms, Discovery Education Experience is a supplemental cross-curricular digital resource that inspires teachers and motivates students. Designed expressly for K-12 schools, Experience delivers all-in-one, ready-to-teach lessons and strategies, exciting career exploration resources, standards-aligned content, and flexible tools for differentiation and assessment.

In addition, the following Discovery Education services were named finalists: Mystery Writing by Discovery Education as a literacy solution, DreamBox Math by Discovery Education as a math solution, and STEM Careers Coalition as a STEM solution.

“Congratulations to The EdTech Awards 2025 finalists and winners! The future of learning is being shaped right now, and those we honor here are leading the way. If there’s one field ready to embrace and lead through change, it’s this one,” said Victor Rivero, Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest.

EdTech Digest is a leading source of cool tools, interviews, and trends showcasing the future of learning. The EdTech Awards recognize outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. The 2025 finalists and winners were judged based on various criteria, including pedagogical workability, efficacy and results, support, clarity, value, and potential.

“Discovery Education thanks each of the judges for their thoughtful consideration of the EdTech Awards 2025 submissions. This recognition will motivate our team to continue creating inspiring and engaging edtech resources that help every school district accelerate student growth, scale teacher impact, and motivate learning every day,” said Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Education.

Learn more about the 2025 EdTech Awards and the other winners 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

ST PAUL, Minn., April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group is pleased to announce that, through Inogen Alliance, we will sponsor the 10th annual Global Water Stewardship Forum with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)—marking our third consecutive year as a sponsor. This year’s forum will take place June 24-25, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

We are co-sponsoring alongside three of our sister companies, Antea Group Brasil, Antea Group UK, and Antea Group France, as well as nine of our Inogen Alliance associates including Baden Consulting in Switzerland, Chola MS Risk Services Limited (CMSRS) in India, HPC France, HPC Italy, HPC Germany, Hydrophil in Austria, Mediterra in Spain, Peter J. Ramsay & Associates in Australia, and Tonkin + Taylor in New Zealand.

Since its inception in 2016, the AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum has become a premier gathering for the AWS community and industry leaders. The event, held annually in Edinburgh, Scotland, fosters knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strategic discussions on advancing global water stewardship practices.

“Water stewardship plays a critical role in climate risk mitigation and is a necessary component of demonstrating sustainable business operations,” shares Natalya Holm, Consultant at Antea Group USA. “Attending the AWS Global Water Stewardship Forum year after year has been invaluable for staying at the forefront of best practices and collaborating with global peers. Our Inogen Alliance Water Working Group includes over 30 professionals from 16 countries, all part of the AWS Professional Credentialing System, which supports the implementation of the AWS Standard—a globally recognized framework for achieving meaningful water stewardship.”

We are to be sponsors among brands including Diageo, Nutrien, and WWF.

To learn more about the AWS Forum 2025, visit their website.

About Inogen Alliance

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of 70+ local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.   

About Antea Group

Antea®Group is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at us.anteagroup.com.

by Darren R. Jones, Morgan DiSanto-Ranney and Stephen Eng

The role of the life sciences industry in corporate social responsibility

The life sciences industry consistently demonstrates leadership in corporate social responsibility through various stewardship activities within the global healthcare economy. However, these efforts can often be perceived as attempts to influence therapeutic choices within the industry. This unfair characterization stems from poor public perception and trust, combined with aggressive enforcement actions against unethical business practices from a few bad players. As a result, many organizations have adopted broad life sciences risk management strategies to mitigate the highly subjective risk of misperception.

This aversion to risk has led to inefficient programs for engaging and supporting the needs of the industry. Today, as academic research institutions face potential reductions in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, their need to solicit stewardship initiatives from life sciences innovators will increase dramatically. As demands rise, the industry’s inefficient and risk averse practices now stand in the way of progress.

Types of stewardship activities

Stewardship activities in the life sciences industry take multiple forms, including educational grants (accredited and non-accredited), charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships and investigator sponsored research. These activities can either be unplanned or planned initiatives, and a thorough review of these engagements is needed to ensure life science companies adhere to applicable laws, regulations and industry guidelines. Let’s delve deeper into each type:

1. Educational grants: These grants are provided to support educational programs and initiatives without influencing the recipient’s agenda. They aim to enhance knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals which further supports innovation and improvements in patient care.
2. Charitable contributions: These contributions are made to various charitable organizations and causes, supporting their efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and address public health challenges. Most notably this includes supporting the activities of patient advocacy organizations and various healthcare foundations. These contributions must be provided without any expectation of return or influence on the recipient’s activities.
3. Corporate sponsorships: Sponsorships offer brand or corporate recognition, often with an opportunity to promote a company’s innovation. They can include funding for events, conferences, or other activities that align with the company’s values and goals.
4. Investigator sponsored research: This type of stewardship activity involves funding research initiatives sponsored by researchers, who are often affiliated with academic research hospitals or other leading institutions. The support is provided to advance scientific knowledge and innovation without directing the research agenda.

The importance of compliance and ethical engagement

When performed correctly and in full compliance with regulatory standards, stewardship activities play a crucial role in supporting the broader healthcare industry. These initiatives not only facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge but also strengthen research collaborations, accelerating the development of innovative treatments and medical advancements. By fostering partnerships between life sciences companies, healthcare providers and academic institutions, stewardship efforts can help address unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes and drive the evolution of therapeutic areas.

Moreover, life sciences companies have an inherent corporate social responsibility to engage in stewardship activities that align with their strategic goals and overarching objectives. This responsibility extends beyond financial contributions to include knowledge sharing, ethical engagement with healthcare professionals, investment in sustainable healthcare solutions and ensuring equitable access to medical innovations. Companies that prioritize responsible stewardship enhance their credibility, build trust with stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to public health initiatives.

In aggregate, the life sciences industry channels billions of dollars into the healthcare ecosystem through these efforts, making a substantial impact on research funding, healthcare accessibility and scientific advancement. However, despite these contributions, companies often refrain from actively promoting their stewardship initiatives due to concerns about how their intentions might be perceived. The fear of being accused of self-interest or undue influence can lead organizations to under communicate their positive contributions, ultimately limiting the recognition and awareness that could support their broader corporate strategies.

By proactively and transparently communicating the value of these stewardship efforts, life sciences companies have an opportunity to strengthen their corporate reputation, enhance stakeholder trust and demonstrate their commitment to ethical and impactful healthcare advancement. Recognizing these initiatives in a responsible manner can help shift perceptions, fostering greater appreciation for the industry’s role in driving medical innovation and improving global health outcomes.

Impact of large false claims and anti-kickback settlements

Over the past 25 years, the life sciences industry has faced significant challenges due to large-scale false claims and anti-kickback settlements, which have shaped its practices and reputation. Aggressive enforcement actions, particularly in the early 2000s, intensified the industry’s risk aversion.

The False Claims Act (FCA) and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) have been central to these efforts, with high profile settlements underscoring the need for compliance and ethical practices. Enforcement actions remain active, as evidenced by the 2024 Department of Justice (DOJ) resolutions involving improper marketing and kickbacks that inflated federal healthcare costs.

These settlements have reinforced the importance of compliance but also fueled a risk-averse culture that has led to inefficiencies — delayed decision making, increased administrative burdens and stifled innovation — ultimately hindering partnerships and slowing industry progress. As the industry continues to navigate these challenges, further complexities arise with the recent shift in federal policy under the Trump administration.

Impact of the Trump administration’s reduction of NIH funding

One significant development under the Trump administration is the proposed reduction in NIH funding, which is set to have a profound impact on both the life sciences industry and academic research institutions. The administration has suggested a $6 billion cut to the NIH budget, representing a 20% decrease. This has sparked widespread concern among researchers and industry experts about the long-term effects on scientific research and innovation.

Additionally, there is a new NIH policy that limits funding for “indirect” costs to just 15% of new federal grants, a substantial decrease from the typical rate provided. Indirect costs cover essential infrastructure needs, such as utilities and administrative salaries, that support research efforts. By imposing this cap, the NIH aims to save approximately $4 billion annually. However, this reduction in funding could delay or even prevent a range of research projects, as universities assess whether they can afford to move forward with new initiatives under tighter financial constraints.

The biotechnology sector, which heavily depends on NIH funded basic scientific research, is especially vulnerable to these cuts. Many groundbreaking discoveries made in academic labs lead to the formation of new drug startups backed by venture investors. Furthermore, therapeutic areas that have historically received significant NIH support — such as oncology, infectious diseases, neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) and cardiovascular diseases — are at risk of seeing reduced progress. Additionally, nearly 7,000 rare diseases affecting over 30 million Americans, which have long struggled to secure funding, are particularly dependent on NIH support.

Shifting industry landscape: A need for balancing compliance and stewardship

While the life sciences industry continues to play a crucial role in corporate social responsibility through various stewardship activities, the legacy of large false claims and anti-kickback settlements, coupled with the Trump administration’s reduction of NIH funding, is rapidly shifting the overall environment. Moving forward, it is essential for the industry to balance compliance with proactive engagement in stewardship initiatives to support the healthcare ecosystem effectively.

When taken in aggregate, stewardship programs should allocate resources to organizations and activities that reflect the company’s values and commitment to social responsibility. By participating in educational grants, charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships and investigator sponsored research, companies can demonstrate their dedication to improving healthcare outcomes and fostering innovation. These stewardship activities not only support critical healthcare initiatives but also enhance the company’s reputation by showcasing its ethical standards and commitment to the public good.

Effective stewardship practices, such as those facilitated by platforms like stewardshipNOW, ensure transparency, compliance and strategic impact, thereby strengthening the corporate brand and building trust with stakeholders. Through these efforts, companies can create a positive corporate image, attract socially conscious customers and investors and ultimately achieve long-term success.

For more information on this topic or to explore our stewardship and compliance solutions, connect with a Baker Tilly specialist.

April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Loyola Blakefield is proud to announce the 2025 Justice Summit, a transformative event, uniting students, faculty, community members, and distinguished guests to explore the critical intersection of environmental sustainability, social justice, and Catholic teachings. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for urgent care for our common home—the Earth—the Summit’s theme, “Caring for Our Common Home,” will encourage participants to reflect on their role as stewards of God’s creation.

This year’s keynote speaker is Stephen Ritz, an internationally acclaimed educator, social entrepreneur, and founder of Green Bronx Machine. Ritz has dedicated his career to empowering underserved communities through urban agriculture, nutrition education, service learning, and youth leadership.

Special Event: April 8 Film Screening and Panel Discussion

As a highlight of the Summit, Loyola invites members of the extended community and partner organizations to an exclusive event on Tuesday, April 8, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Fr. George Lounge (Wheeler Hall). The evening will feature a screening of Generation Growth, a compelling documentary showcasing Ritz’s journey as a Bronx educator tackling food insecurity, poor health, and educational challenges in marginalized communities. The film highlights his groundbreaking curriculum, which uses indoor academic gardening to grow vegetables, resulting in improved student performance, healthier diets, and pathways to opportunity.

Following the screening, attendees will enjoy a reception and engage in a panel discussion with Stephen Ritz, joined by notable experts Eric Dorsey, Seth Goldman, Danielle Nierenberg, Jeff Senne, and Larry Rivitz (bios on page 2). We will also welcome Maryland Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation, Paul Monteiro. This unique opportunity allows guests to connect directly with Ritz and explore his vision for a sustainable, equitable future. The event is open to all, and admission is simply a donation – cash or non-perishable food item – to the Loyola food pantry, supporting our commitment to community care.

Says Ritz: “Danielle, Jeff, and Seth have inspired me the entirety of my career, I’m proud to stand on their shoulders. To be able partner with them in their hometown, along with Eric Dorsey, a graduate of the very school that invited me, Larry Rivitz & Green Street Academy, to grow healthy schools and students is a dream come true. Further, combining a Justice Summit, 1,000 students, an abandoned greenhouse, and partnerships with an additional 26 Baltimore City and County Public Schools sponsored by Quest Diagnostics makes this the perfect recipe for “Impact, Service, Innovation, and Overall Awesome-Sauce.” Lizette and I have our work clothes packed, garden gloves on, and lap tops ready. HELLOOO Baltimore, join us starting April 8, come early, and don’t be late! I can’t wait to get there and get started.” Ritz goes on to say: “Special thanks Seth Goldman at Eat the Change and to all the staff at Just Ice Tea for their generous donation, helping me teach that being an activist and an entrepreneur can feel good, look good, taste good, and provide a more just, healthier way of life for our communities, our planet and ourselves – what lesson could be better than that? Let’s do this!”

Says Danielle Nierenberg: “I’ve seen the film, Generation Growth, and I love it. Across the country I have seen how inspired it has left folks, everywhere it shows. I am honored to lead a discussion about it with Stephen Ritz, Seth Goldman, Eric Dorsey, Jeff Senne, Larry Rivitz & Green Street Academy, students and staff from Loyola Blakefield and Maryland’s Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation, Paul Montiero, to inspire Maryland’s next generation of future farmers, healthy eaters, and sustainability champions at Loyola Blakefield and across the state. That these young scholars are coming together to grow something greater together and that Green Bronx Machine is partnering with Quest Diagnostics to sponsor an additional 26 schools in Baltimore, complete with Tower Gardens, whole-school curriculum, teacher training, and classroom cooking and serving supplies is all the more reason to come on out, join us, learn more, and celebrate this special moment. I’m thrilled to be a part of it and hope to see you there.”

Eric Dorsey states: “I met Stephen Ritz in 2023, and my first interaction with him included me saying, ‘We have to bring this to Baltimore!’ Today, seeing 26 schools in Baltimore City and County now embracing Green Bronx Machine programs is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Thank you, Loyola Blakefield, for providing a venue to celebrate this collaborative effort and bringing together so many passionate individuals driving this work. This event is the perfect kickoff for an amazing relationship, I am excited for the dialogue that will happen in the room. And best of all, you too can join! I hope to see you there.”

Larry Rivitz, beloved advocate and Maryland educator / advocate added: Green Street Academy is excited to join with Loyola Blakefield in converting the tremendous energy and expertise offered by Stephen and Lizette Ritz and their Green Bronx Machine into life-long learning outcomes for our students and produce for their families and our community. Sustainability is the central pillar of our mission, and GSA has lead the way for fifteen years in Baltimore City Schools applying STEM studies to sustainable practices focussed around career skills, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance in the classroom, in our schoolyard habitat, and through GSA Farms, our school-based enterprise. We see partnering with Stephen and Lizette as a major step forward in nurturing the next generation of environmentally focused citizens.

Also, joining Ritz and friends will be Bethesda native, Jeff Senne, who adds: “Stephen and Lizette at Green Bronx Machine are perfect examples of what smart, hardworking, and committed people can do to change the world. Their work to engage, inspire, and act has created leverage in making change far beyond their beloved Bronx community and April 8 will be a day to experience and celebrate. They arrive at Loyola Blakefield “in servium,” modeling their lives lived in service to others so that others may follow. I’m grateful to play a small role in helping them scale their impact and change more lives, and especially excited to support them here in my home state of Maryland. I know this event will encourage others to find ways to engage in efforts to give every child an opportunity to meet their potential, no matter where they begin. I urge everyone to join us for a night of celebration and possibilities. I look forward to seeing you there!”

Justice Summit: April 9

On Wednesday, April 9, the Justice Summit will take place during the school day across various campus locations. Open to students, faculty, staff, partner schools, and honored guests, the Summit will feature workshops, presentations, and panel discussions focused on environmental care, sustainability, and social justice. Ritz will deliver the keynote address, inspiring collective action, with the day concluding in a prayer service.

For more information or to RSVP for the April 8 screening, visit loyolablakefield.org/justicesummit.

Panelist Bios

Eric Dorsey is a Baltimore-based entrepreneur and a partner/owner at Third Win Group (TWG). His diverse background spans sports, finance, and event management. After playing collegiate soccer, he began to work in various roles at major sporting events as well as roles within Baltimore City government and Maryland-based nonprofits. A 2023 Recipient of Sports Business Journal’s Rising Business Leader Award, Eric’s expertise is in negotiation, event organization, and partnership campaign development. At TWG, he focuses on social impact sponsorship strategy, securing partnerships and other opportunities for athletes and entrepreneurs who strive to make a positive difference in their communities.

Seth Goldman is Co-Founder of JUST ICE TEA, an organic, Fair Trade bottled tea, and PLNT Burger, a plant-based quick-serve restaurant, alongside Chef Spike Mendelsohn. He also co-founded Honest Tea, chairs Beyond Meat’s board, and in 2023 became Chair of Mission Guardians for Tony’s Chocolonely, focusing on exploitation-free supply chains. Recognized with awards like the Washington DC Business Hall of Fame and EARTHDAY.ORG’s Climate Visionary of the Year, Seth holds degrees from Harvard College (1987) and Yale School of Management (1995). He co-authored the bestselling comic Mission in a Bottle about Honest Tea’s journey and sale to Coca-Cola.

Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank, is a renowned expert on sustainable agriculture and food systems. She co-founded Food Tank in 2013 with Bernard Pollack to foster a global community for healthy eaters, partnering with 250+ institutions like The Rockefeller Foundation and U.N. FAO. A 2020 Julia Child Award recipient, she has written extensively on factory farming, gender, and sustainable innovations. Food Tank promotes food system solutions through daily publications, podcasts, interviews, and global Summits. Previously, Danielle traveled to 35+ countries, meeting farmers, scientists, and policymakers to document strategies against hunger and environmental harm.

Stephen Ritz, an acclaimed educator and author of The Power of a Plant, founded Green Bronx Machine. Known as America’s favorite teacher and a 2015 Global Teacher Prize Top Ten Finalist, he created the world’s first edible classroom, growing over 350,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx. His initiatives, impacting 300,000+ students globally, have earned awards like NYC STEM Champions, seven Anthem Awards, and an Emmy for a PBS episode. Celebrated at the Obama White House and featured in Generation Growth, Ritz has trained 10,000+ teachers. A CNN COVID Food Hero and 2024 Food Waste Warrior, he serves as a Senior Fellow at Babson College and consults globally.

Lawrence “Larry” Rivitz is Co-Founder/Co-Chair of Green Street Academy in West Baltimore and a serial entrepreneur. He founded Marketing Initiative LLC, a national strategic marketing consultancy in 1993. The firm focused on brand strategy and business development for emerging businesses and non-profit organizations. He currently serves as Board Member on the Governor’s Department of Service and Civic Innovation and previously as Founder/Board Chair of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Bet on Baltimore/Dent Education as well as Board Member of the Center for Urban Families and Venture for America. Prior to founding his consulting firm, Larry served as a corporate retail executive and consultant to mall developers, big box retailers, and mass market chains. He holds a BA from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, MA from Ohio University, Athens, OH, and MBA from Loyola University, Baltimore, MD.

Jeff Senne is a sustainability and ESG expert with over 20 years of experience across private, public, and non-profit sectors. As Founder and CEO of Sandbar Solutions, LLC, he advises Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, and non-profits on driving value through strategy and execution. His career includes key roles at PwC, the United Nations Global Compact, the African Development Bank, and UNDP in Chile, where he led impactful sustainability and governance initiatives. A recognized thought leader, Jeff hosts the podcast “Making Waves on Purpose” and has worked in 40+ countries, speaking three languages. He holds an MA from the United Nations University for Peace and a BA from the University of Illinois.

About Loyola Blakefield:
Loyola Blakefield, a Catholic, college preparatory school, established by the Jesuits and imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola, forms men to serve with and for others. The Loyola student is preparing to graduate as a man of integrity, who, because he strives “to find God in all things,” is open to growth, intellectually ambitious, religious, loving, and committed to diversity and doing justice. Named Top Workplace for 13 consecutive years and Baltimore’s Best Private School, three years in a row, Loyola Blakefield students perform over 1,500 hours of community service per year, with 100% of graduates accepted into college. It’s a place where lessons are learned, passions are discovered, and friendships are forged. Learn more at https://www.loyolablakefield.org.

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.

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