Month: June 2025

In the spirit Coach Foundation’s Dream It Real mission, which aims to create opportunities and remove barriers for the next generation of young people who have the courage to dream it real, recognizes the importance of uplifting educators and the school communities who help make those dreams possible. For the third year in a row, we partnered with the nonprofit Soles4Souls during National Teacher Appreciation Week to surprise over 1,500 educators and school district staff members at under resourced school districts across 5 cities (Charlotte and Asheville, NC; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; and Newark, NJ), with a shopping experience, all at no cost to them. Across all cities, over 120 local team members came out and brought our Coach spirit!

In each city, our teams converted different school facilities to bring to life Coach “pop-up shops” where educators and staff could select from an assortment of donated product including handbags, backpacks, wallets, and accessories, and hats” As part of our Charlotte event, we also created 125 gift bags for educators from Ashville to thank them for supporting their community through the devastating storm Hurricane Helene this past September.

Beyond our product, it’s the passion, dedication, and heart of our Coach Cares field volunteers that make our Teacher Appreciation events so meaningful. Our 120 field team volunteers welcomed guests with special chants and cheers, provided personalized styling and functionality tips, and served on our checkout crews which added a personalized thank you note written by our teams in each shopping bag.

Following our Teacher Appreciation events, we’ve received hundreds of positive responses from educators and school district team. In addition to their gratitude, teachers say how much they appreciated feeling seen and valued for the significant work it takes to support students in reaching their dreams.

Here’s what we heard from our educators:

“I’m still in shock and it’s been 4 days. I have been telling friends, family, and strangers how amazing the Coach company is! Thank you all! I highly recommend Coach!” – Educator, Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Denver) | 29 Year Tenure in Education

“I felt so loved on! I felt seen and appreciated by my school district and the MCV department. The Coach employees were AMAZING and put the cherry on top of a beautiful event that I won’t forget. Thank you!” – Educator, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools | 8 Year Tenure in Education

“I was excited for teachers being appreciated by COACH!! It felt great to not only learn of the Coach Foundation, but to witness how they give back in ‘girl code’ fashion. Thank you so much for appreciating teachers and educators.” – School District Staff, Communities in Schools of SE Harris & Brazoria County (Houston) 1 Year Tenure in Education

“I’m so grateful for the Coach Educator Appreciation Program event. I truly felt seen and valued, which can sometimes feel rare in the work we do. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” – Educator, Newark Public Schools | 16 Year Tenure in Education

“Our teachers and staff were not only surprised, but overwhelmingly touched by the outpouring of support and appreciation. The excitement and joy in the room were undeniable, and your kindness made each person feel valued and cherished.”
Newark Public Schools – Office of Student Support Services

SAN DIEGO, June 2, 2025 /3BL/ – Qualcomm Incorporated has announced that its Board of Directors appointed Christopher Young to the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Young will serve on the HR and Compensation Committee.

“We welcome Chris to the Qualcomm Board of Directors and are confident that his strategic vision and deep industry expertise will be invaluable to Qualcomm as we continue to innovate with our technology and drive diversification of our business,” said Mark McLaughlin, Chair of the Board.

Most recently, Mr. Young served as Executive Vice President of Business Development, Strategy, and Ventures at Microsoft Corporation, a position he held since 2020. Prior to this role, Mr. Young was the CEO of McAfee, LLC from 2017 to 2020 and held senior leadership positions at Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, and VMware, Inc. His career also includes significant contributions to EMC Corporation, AOL, Inc. and other technology companies. 

Mr. Young currently serves on the board of directors of American Express and has previously served on the boards of Snap Inc and Rapid7. Mr. Young has also served on the President’s National Security and Telecommunications Advisory Committee and is a former Trustee of Princeton University.

Mr. Young holds an MBA from Harvard University and a BA in Public Policy from Princeton University. 

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Building on our 40 years of technology leadership in creating era-defining breakthroughs, we deliver a broad portfolio of solutions built with our leading-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Our Snapdragon^® platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to scale to new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress. 

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated. 

Originally published on 3M News Center

3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) announced the recipients in the 2025 Alumni Grants Program. As part of the Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, the Alumni Grants Program supports past participants of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist).

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network is comprised of former 3M Young Scientist Challenge participants, ranging from middle school to PhD candidates, and individuals pursuing full-time careers. Alumni collaborate in networking events, collaborate in a scientific community, and cheer on the next generation of young scientists.

As part of the Alumni Network, former finalists are eligible to apply for continued support through the annual Grant Awards. The Grant Awards provide additional funding for current Alumni projects such as continuation of their original entry project, a new innovation that improves upon the world with STEM, or promoting science in their community and creating the next generation of young scientists.

The 2025 Alumni Grants Program recipients are listed below by category and including their 3M Young Scientist Challenge participation year:

Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project

• Sean Jiang, Baltimore, Maryland, Infosound – A Novel Navigation Device Powered by AI and Depth-Sensing Technology for the Blind, 2023
• Aakash Manaswi, Orlando, Florida, Evaluating the Efficacy of Novel Carbon Dioxide Spray and Pesticides Using a Convolutional Neural Network for Varroa Mite Treatment in Honeybee Colonies, 2024

This grant supports Alumni who are interested in continuing to progress or evolve the project they originally developed during the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Each winner in this funding category receives $5,000.

New Idea to Improve the World

• Viraj Pandey, San Jose, CA, A Novel Triad for Clean Energy: Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Using Graphene Quantum Dots, Titanium Dioxide, and Sunlight, 2020
• Moitri Santra, Oviedo, Florida, Development of a Microneedle Patch Sensor for Detecting Oxytetracycline in Citrus Root Tissues, 2021

Scientists are always exploring new ideas, and this category of funding is available to Alumni to support projects that are different from their original 3M Young Scientist Challenge innovation but have the goal of helping improve the world. Each winner in this funding category receives $2,500.

Science in Your Community

• Anish Kosaraju, Saratoga, California, VeriCare, 2023
• Veda Murthy, Fairfax, Virginia, Vishnu Murthy Foundation Science in Your Community, 2021
• Amritha Praveen, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Amethyst Changemakers- Bridging Abilities in STEM, 2023
• Daniel Thomas, Colleyville, Texas, Mwalimu (Swahili for Teacher), 2022
• Harini Venkatesh, Brentwood, New Hampshire, STEMpower!, 2022

3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni are wonderful advocates for STEM in their communities. Funding can be used to support Alumni initiatives, such as community enrichment opportunities, school events, or community activation projects that help support the next generation of young scientists. Each winner in this area of funding receives $2,000.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge showcases the power of middle school minds to change the world. The Alumni Grant Program offers past Young Scientist Challenge participants new opportunities to follow their curiosity,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “I’m proud of 3M’s support for this program. Congratulations to each of this year’s recipients!”

As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for a mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. All previous 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists who are part of the Alumni Network were eligible to apply for an Alumni Grant.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates what can happen when students apply what is learned in the classroom to the world around them,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of marketing and corporate partnerships at Discovery Education. “These alumni are exemplars of cultivating curiosity to make the world a better place and we are excited that they are able to continue their work. Congratulations!”

To learn more about the Alumni Grants Program, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and to find supporting resources, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

As a global fragrance leader, Bath & Body Works takes pride in crafting high quality products with ingredients that customers can trust. The brand also is committed to helping protect the environment, enhance livelihoods and build resilience of farmers and communities across its supply chain. A key part of how Bath & Body Works’ advances this commitment is through its partnership with Givaudan to support Madagascan vanilla farmers.

Vanilla is in many of Bath & Body Works’ most loved fragrances and is a priority ingredient for the brand when it comes to sustainable sourcing. Madagascar is the largest source of natural vanilla for Bath & Body Works and provides the majority of the world’s Vanilla Planifolia species. The country is rich in biodiversity, but the impacts of natural catastrophes, such as droughts, and economic conditions pose a risk to vanilla farmers.

In 2024, Bath & Body Works completed the first full year of its social impact partnership with the Givaudan Foundation. The two organizations came together to help improve living conditions of Madagascan vanilla farmers and contribute to the preservation of their natural resources with a goal of subsidizing 3,000 cookstoves over three years for farming households.

In the first full year of the partnership, with funding from the Bath & Body Works Foundation, 1,000 Madagascan-produced, energy-efficient cookstoves were distributed across 15 villages in the Sava region where most of the natural vanilla used in the brand’s products originates. The stoves save money and time spent collecting firewood while reducing smoke exposure from open cook fires.

“Since I started using the improved [wood-burning] stove, I feel like I’m using a charcoal stove because it produces much less smoke than the traditional wood stoves I’ve used before,” says Marinera Rasoa, Sava region resident, vanilla farmer and cookstove recipient. “Additionally, I no longer need to buy wood or cut down trees for cooking, as I can simply use small pieces of wood that have fallen to the ground.”

The partnership is also supporting the recruitment and training of local community members to serve as resellers of the stoves, creating jobs and additional income sources throughout the region.

“2024 was a pivotal year for our company — defined by action and impact,” says Jeff King, Group Vice President, Head of ESG. “We are part of a larger ecosystem and to make the greatest difference, we seek to partner with others beyond our walls. Our work with Givaudan is imperative to boosting the local communities that play a role in the products we provide to our customers.”

To learn more about Bath & Body Works’ continued commitment to sustainability and social impact, read the 2024 Sustainability and Impact report on bbwinc.com.

As the world celebrates Global Day of Parents (June 1), Gildan honours those employees who play parental roles, juggling responsibilities towards their families while simultaneously bringing passion to their work. To support parents with this endeavour and ensure the well-being of both employees and their families, the Company invests in multiple initiatives, such as offering support to first-time mothers, providing free health check-ups for employees and families at some facilities, and offering hybrid work policies at certain locations.

See some of these initiatives in action by meeting a couple at Gildan – Diana Florentino, Manager of Fabric Innovation, and Carlos Caceres, Senior Manager of Quality Assurance Operations – who share their experience of balancing parenthood with their life at Gildan in Honduras.

Can you tell us more about your work and respective roles at Gildan?

Diana: As the Fabric Innovation Manager, I’m responsible for leading the development and implementation of new fabric technologies and materials that align with the Company’s design, sustainability, and performance goals. My role involves researching and identifying emerging textile trends, collaborating with suppliers, and working closely with design and production teams to ensure the successful integration of innovative fabrics into our products. Additionally, I support the Circularity area of focus as part of Gildan’s Next Generation ESG strategy.

Carlos: Continuous improvement is part of our DNA at Gildan, and that is exactly what my role stands for. As the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance Operations, I am responsible for leading Quality Assurance teams across several Company facilities to ensure that our products and processes meet the required standards and we deliver fabric with the expected quality performance. Moreover, my role challenges me to constantly assess our performance, implement best practices, and drive continuous improvements in our production systems.

What do you love most about being a parent?

Diana: For me, being a parent is all about the little things – I relish those moments when I’ve done something to bring happiness to my children.

Carlos: My favourite part about being a parent is to be there for my children through thick and thin, supporting them with their dreams and goals, and helping them become the best versions of themselves.

What has your experience been like balancing a full-time job at Gildan and being a parent?

Diana: There’s a famous saying – “it takes a village to raise a child” – and this is exactly what I have experienced. In addition to our close family and friends, Gildan too, has become a part of our village over time. Since the very beginning of my parenthood journey, my direct supervisors have always supported me in prioritizing my family, offering me flexibility in times of need and allowing me to be with my children during the most important moments.

Carlos: Balancing work and parenthood has never been a 50-50 endeavor – for me, it has always meant giving a hundred percent of my effort towards both responsibilities, and Gildan creates exactly the kind of environment which allows me to prioritize both. The Company supports parents in their parenting journeys through different means and activities, such as organizing health fairs, which offer free medical services from healthcare professionals in gynecology, pediatrics, urology, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and dentistry, and hosting the Gildan Family Day, where employees and their families come together to participate in recreational and educational activities. In fact, a lot of my children’s school supplies come from the Company’s Back-to-School kits, and my son specifically loves the lunchboxes!

What is your children’s general perception of your work and Gildan?

Diana: Recently, we had the opportunity to take our son to Gildan Family Day in Honduras, and he was thrilled to see his mom and dad’s workplace and meet all our colleagues. Even at such as young age, he understood the importance of our work and his pride in mom and dad was clearly visible on his face.

Carlos: Indeed, I see my children’s pride in our hard work even at home. On mornings when I don’t find my badge, I always know that I can find it pinned on my son’s clothes. He is also always enthusiastic to put on my headset and sit at my desk on the weekends, pretending to be in a meeting. I take immense comfort in these little acts of his, knowing that we are setting good examples of what it means to work hard and be present parents.

What’s your advice to other parents when it comes to balancing work and family?

Diana: My advice to parents is to bring your best self to work and home. Continue to empower yourself at work, while communicating openly with your supervisors and peers, because when you do so, you can attain the peace of mind necessary to spend quality time with your children.

Carlos: It also helps to work at a Company whose values I resonate with. For instance, the motto “quality and safety is always first,” something I live by at work, is also something I teach my children. So, my advice for parents is to stay true to your values in both your personal and professional life, because this is ultimately what your children learn.

 

To learn more about how Gildan prioritizes the well-being of its people, click here.