New 3BL Report Reveals Sustainability Silence Is Eroding Consumer Trust

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., July 30, 2025 /3BL/ – As political and legal scrutiny mounts in the U.S., many companies are scaling back public communication around their sustainability efforts. But according to new research from 3BL, the real risk isn’t saying too much, it’s saying nothing at all.

Our report, “Say Less, Risk More: Sustainability Silence is Undermining Trust,” draws on media analysis and original polling to expose a growing crisis of confidence in corporate sustainability claims. The findings signal a clear warning: greenhushing may feel safe, but it’s undermining public trust and putting market share on the line.

Download here.

This new analysis paints a complicated picture. While public dialogue around sustainability is declining, consumer expectations have not. Americans across the political spectrum say they want businesses to maintain their efforts, regardless of changing political winds. Silence (even if motivated by legal caution or perceived risk) increasingly reads as inaction to the public.

A Few Key Findings From the Report: 

  • A Decline in Corporate Voice: Media mentions of top U.S. companies tied to sustainability topics dropped nearly 10% in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
     
  • Consumers Still Expect Business to Lead: Even in a shifting political landscape, most Americans expect the role of business in sustainability to grow or remain the same.
     
  • Trust Is Slipping: Nearly a quarter (23%) of consumers now say they “rarely” or “almost never” trust what companies say about their sustainability goals, up from just 15% in December 2023.

A Wake-Up Call for Communicators

The findings suggest that companies that pause their communications risk eroding hard-earned trust, alienating values-driven consumers, and falling behind competitors that continue to show up. What matters most isn’t perfection, it’s progress, transparency, and consistency.

The full report, including sector-specific insights and communications recommendations, is now available.

Click here to download the report. 

About 3BL 
3BL is the leading sustainability and social impact communications partner, connecting organizations’ stories of purpose and progress with the audiences who matter most.

3BL partners with over 1,500 companies – from global corporations and mid-sized enterprises to NGOs and nonprofits – to elevate their reputations as players in the world of responsible business. We do this through unrivaled news and content distribution, bespoke storytelling support, and our digital media division, TriplePundit.

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Toyota and Kids In Need Foundation Launch Fourth Annual Big Summer Giveback, Surpassing $5.6M in Donations

Nationwide effort to support educational equity reaches 200,000+ students, with local dealership engagement driving impact in underserved communities

LITTLE CANADA, Minn., July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) and Toyota (NYSE:TM) are proud to announce the launch of their fourth annual Big Summer Giveback, a nationwide initiative dedicated to leveling the educational playing field by equipping students in under-resourced schools with essential school supplies in time for back-to-school.

Since its launch in 2022, the Big Summer Giveback has continued to grow, carried by the collective commitment of Toyota and its nationwide dealership network. Over the past four years, the initiative has generated more than $5.6M in donations and supported over 200,000 students through KINF’s Supply A Student program.

Supply A Student, one of KINF’s flagship programs, delivers backpacks filled with essential school supplies directly to students in schools where 70% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). By removing barriers to learning, the program fosters equal access to quality education and directs support where it’s needed most.

The 2025 Big Summer Giveback is set to reach over 77,000 students, providing them with brand-new backpacks, ensuring they return to school prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

“We’re proud to partner with Toyota for a fourth consecutive year,” said Corey Gordon, CEO of Kids In Need Foundation. “This continuing collaboration makes a meaningful difference for students and teachers in underserved communities. By ensuring students have the supplies they need to start the school year prepared, we’re helping to both ease the burden on teachers, as well as supporting equal access to the tools and resources necessary for a quality education.”

This year also marks a new milestone: over 57 Toyota dealerships are going beyond national efforts by individually pledging $10,000 in direct support to their local communities. This underscores the program’s goal of being national in scale and local in impact.

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 2, 2025, Toyota will also donate $3.00 to KINF for every eligible oil change with a tire rotation purchased at participating Toyota Service Centers. Customers will also have the opportunity to further support students through online donations at www.kinf.org/toyota.

“Joining forces with KINF for the fourth annual Big Summer Giveback is a testament to Toyota’s dedication to community support,” said Mark Nazario, Vice President of Integrated Customer Experience at Toyota Motor North America. “Toyota is excited to see a substantial increase in dealer participation and contributions to KINF this year, setting a new record since the program began in 2022. This initiative not only underscores our commitment to education but also demonstrates how collective efforts can transform lives and create lasting change in the communities we serve”.

To learn more about the Big Summer Giveback and how this partnership is driving positive change in local communities, visit www.kinf.org/toyota.

For more information about how you can support KINF and its programs, please visit www.kinf.org

About Kids In Need Foundation:
Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) works to create equitable learning spaces by distributing supplies and resources to teachers and students in underserved schools, where 70% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). By investing in teachers and students, our programs deliver focused, practical solutions that advance educational equity. For more information, visit kinf.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter: @KidsInNeed.

About Toyota:
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 32 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, a quarter of the company’s 2021 U.S. sales were electrified. To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

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SOURCE Kids In Need Foundation

Confronted with Higher Living Costs, 72% of Young Adults Take Action to Improve their Financial Health, finds BofA Better Money Habits Study

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gen Z (ages 18-28) is finding adulthood more expensive than expected. Facing this, nearly three quarters of them are taking action to improve their financial health, according to Bank of America’s 2025 Better Money Habits® financial education study, published today.

“Gen Z is challenging the stereotype when it comes to young people and their finances,” said Holly O’Neill, president of Consumer, Retail and Preferred Banking at Bank of America. “Even though they’re facing economic barriers and high everyday costs, they are working hard to become financially independent and take control of their money.”

Key findings from the study include:

  • Over the last 12 months, 72% took steps to improve their financial health, such as putting money toward savings (51%) or paying down debt (24%).
  • Nearly two-thirds (64%) focused on reducing expenses – 41% cut back on dining out and 23% shopped at more affordable grocery stores.
  • And more are going it alone. While 39% receive financial support from parents and other family members, this is down from 46% a year ago. And they are getting less money – 22% receive $1,000 or more per month compared to 32% a year ago, and 54% receive less than $500 per month compared to 44% a year ago.
  • When it comes to their romantic lives, many Gen Z aren’t spending money on dates – with roughly half of men (53%) and women (54%) spending $0 a month, and 25% of men and 30% of women spending less than $100 per month. 

According to the study, about half (51%) of Gen Z surveyed say the high cost of living is a barrier to financial success. Total monthly spending is higher than they thought it would be for 35%, especially for everyday expenses including groceries (63%), rent and utilities (47%) and dining out (42%).

Budget Busting
The study found that Gen Z feel a lack of income is a problem as well, with over half (53%) not feeling they make enough money to live the life they want, and many are struggling to save consistently. In fact, 55% don’t have enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses.

While Gen Z knows that saving for the future is important, they struggle to do so, with close to half (43%) saying they are not on track to actively save for retirement in the next five years, though they’d like to be. Many see saving for retirement and investing as symbols of financial independence (42% and 35% respectively). However, only a quarter (25%) contributed to a retirement account in the last year and one-in-five (21%) invested in the stock market, up slightly from recent years.

Despite a lack of income, Gen Z finds ways to enjoy the little things, whether celebrating a win or trying to help turn around a bad day: 57% buy themselves a small “treat” at least once a week. Unfortunately for over half (59%), this leads to overspending, making little treats a slippery slope.

And, according to data from Bank of America Institute, while there are signs of some pressures on younger generations, the median deposit level of Gen Z and Millennials remains elevated compared to 2019 levels – showing that these generations do not appear to be running down their savings in the face of higher costs.

Acting on Money Worries
A third (33%) of Gen Z are stressed about their finances, and of those, 52% say economic instability is a root cause. When stressed about their finances, many (90%) are likely to take action, including checking their bank account balance (69%), making a budget (64%), getting ahead on paying bills (46%) or other smart money moves. But for some, stress leads to avoidance or splurges: 33% of Gen Z are likely to avoid thinking about or taking positive actions on their finances when they’re feeling stressed financially; 30% are likely to treat themselves to a purchase when worried about money.

Financial Green Flags
Gen Z understands the importance of financial health, and they value being transparent with friends about money. Consistent with findings in prior years, two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z don’t feel pressured by their friends to spend beyond their means, and 42% feel comfortable declining social activities and letting their friends know it’s because they can’t afford them.

Financial health also matters in romantic relationships for Gen Z – with nearly four out of five (78%) saying that financial responsibility is an important attribute when choosing a significant other.

Methodology
This survey was conducted online from April 4 – 25, 2025, by Ipsos. This study is based on national samples of 1,069 general population adults (age 18 or older), 915 general population Gen Z adults (age 18-28). The survey was conducted both in English and Spanish and utilized samples from both opt-in sources and the Ipsos KnowledgePanel®, the largest and most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult US population. The margin of sampling error for the general population sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points and for the general population Gen Z sample is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

Better Money Habits
At Bank of America, we’re committed to helping people lead better financial lives by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed. That’s why we created Better Money Habits, a financial education platform of tools and information that helps people make sense of their money and take action to improve. As a cornerstone of Better Money Habits, we offer free financial education content and tools, like our Gen Z Financial Guide that breaks down financial topics like budgeting, building credit, borrowing and investing in a way that’s approachable and easy to understand. We continually look for ways to expand the reach of Better Money Habits and also offer Spanish language resources on the site.

Bank of America Institute
Bank of America Institute is dedicated to uncovering powerful insights that move business and society forward. Established in 2022, the Institute is a think tank that draws on data and analyses from across the bank and the world to provide timely and original perspectives on the economy, sustainability, and global transformation. The Institute leverages the depth and breadth of the bank’s proprietary data, from 69 million consumer and small business clients, 58 million verified digital users, $4.3T in total payments in 2024 and $1.2T in consumer and wealth management deposits. From this robust data set, the Institute provides a unique perspective on the health of the economy. It also elevates thought leadership from throughout the bank that addresses long-term trends and shares these findings with the general public.

Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact:
Susan Atran, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.743.0791
susan.atran@bofa.com 

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation

Catalyzing Change in Chemistry Education: Key Takeaways From the 2025 ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference

Paulo Freire, Brazilian educator and philosopher, once said, “Education does not change the world. Education changes people, and people change the world.”

This quote captures the spirit of key events at the 29th Annual American Chemical Society Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, held in June 2025 in Pittsburgh—where the message was clear: education lays the foundation, but it is collaboration and community that truly catalyzes lasting change.

As a Platinum Sponsor, MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, partnered with Beyond Benign to foster a green chemistry community that empowers educators to transform chemistry education for a sustainable future through key events that demonstrated the value of partnership to catalyze change in chemistry education.

Catalyzing Change in Chemistry Education

At the panel, “Catalyzing Change in Chemistry Education,” Jeffrey Whitford, Vice President of Sustainability & Social Business Innovation at MilliporeSigma, and Dr. Amy Cannon, Co-founder and Executive Director of Beyond Benign, led a dynamic discussion with:

  • Dr. Lloyd Bastin, Professor, Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Widener University
  • Dr. Glenn Hurst, Professor, Green Chemistry Education, University of York
  • Dr. Flavia Zacconi, Associate Professor, Department of Organic Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

They shared practical strategies for integrating green chemistry into higher education. Key takeaways and actionable insights included:

  • Sign Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC): Signing the GCC can spark department-wide change, serving as a catalyst to move green chemistry from individual efforts to institutional priorities. For the panelists, the GCC sets a clear framework for curriculum development, visibility and long-term sustainability goals.
  • Leverage Community Through the GCTLC: Joining Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) connects educators worldwide to a free platform for shared resources, mentorship and collective momentum—making change less isolating and more achievable.
  • Start Small, Scale Strategically: Change begins with one lecture, one lab or one policy. Small wins—like replacing a reagent or introducing green metrics—can snowball into broader departmental or institutional transformation.
  • Break Down Disciplinary Silos: The panelists shared success in integrating green chemistry across departments—from political science, engineering, environmental studies and beyond. Interdisciplinary collaboration creates new pathways for sustainability education.
  • Showcase Impact and Demonstrate Value: Quantify environmental and economic benefits—such as reduced CO2 emissions, water savings from new lab setups or decreased hazardous waste—to gain administrative buy-in and drive broader adoption.
  • Normalize Green Chemistry as a Core Learning Goal: Shift green chemistry from an optional add-on to an embedded learning objective. When it becomes part of departmental identity, it reshapes student expectations and institutional culture.
  • Commit to Continuous Improvement and Storytelling: Use the GCC’s annual reporting structure to reflect, improve and highlight success stories. The GCC program drives continuous improvement and accountability through regular reporting and engagement to encourage adoption of green chemistry in higher education.

One panelist summed it up succinctly: “Drop seeds in every conversation.” This simple act can help normalize green chemistry and showcase its potential for innovation, institutional transformation and competitive advantage.

Bridging Industry, Academia and Community

In the session, “Bringing Industry, Academia and Community into the Classroom: Promoting Experiential Green Chemistry Education for Environmental and Community Health,” Dr. Ettigounder Ponnusamy, Fellow & Global Manager of Green Chemistry at MilliporeSigma and on Beyond Benign’s Advisory Board, showcased case studies where students engaged in real-world green chemistry research. Insights included:

  • Experiential Learning Drives Engagement: Projects grounded in real-world challenges helped students connect theory to practice and deepen understanding.
  • Community Ties Strengthen Purpose: When student work contributed to local sustainability efforts, it fostered a deeper sense of motivation and social impact.

These insights aligned with recent research from the Royal Society of Chemistry, which found that 81% of young people believe schools and colleges should teach about climate change and sustainability.

Also featured in the session was a joint presentation by Areej Nitowski, Green Chemistry Education Manager, MilliporeSigma, Dr. Omar Villanueva and Dr. Amy Cannon from Beyond Benign, and Melissa Hackmeier, Global Head of Employee & Community Engagement, MilliporeSigma, titled, “Catalyzing Change in Chemistry Education: Transformative Partnerships to Amplify Impacts.” The presentation highlighted how cross-sector partnerships between industry, academia and non-profits can drive systemic change in green chemistry education—ensuring alignment with workforce needs while empowering students to innovate safer, more sustainable solutions.

In that same spirit of collaboration, MilliporeSigma and Beyond Benign co-hosted a Student-Faculty Social Event on Sunday evening of the conference, creating a relaxed space for community building and dialogue. With trivia, laughter and new introductions, the event brought together participants across roles and institutions, reinforcing the importance of relationships in catalyzing lasting change.

MilliporeSigma and Beyond Benign: A Model for Scalable Impact

Through their long-standing partnership, MilliporeSigma and Beyond Benign are breaking down barriers to green chemistry education by expanding access to the tools, training and support educators need to bring sustainability into the classroom—and into the lab.

Their shared goals are within reach:

  • They are now just eight signers away from achieving their goal of 250 GCC signers by the end of 2025.
  • To date, 1.6 million students have been exposed to green chemistry principles in their coursework, surpassing their 2025 goal of 1.4 million ahead of schedule and progressing towards their 2030 target of 15.5 million.

Educators ready to take the next step can find more information on how to sign the Green Chemistry Commitment by visiting Beyond Benign’s GCC webpage. Those interested in joining the GCTLC platform can register for an account on its website.

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From Organized to Optimized — How Smart Data Unlocks the Next Era of AI-Enhanced Design

Artificial intelligence is transforming electronic design workflows—but not evenly. While some teams are racing ahead with AI-powered optimization, others remain stuck in the trenches, struggling to find the right version of a file or understand how a reused IP block is behaving in a new context.

The difference isn’t talent. It isn’t budget. It’s data.

Many engineering teams are still battling fragmented design environments. Their data lives across multiple tools, formats, and directories. Version control is inconsistent. Metadata is unreliable. IP reuse is more trial-and-error than strategy. In this kind of chaos, AI-enhanced workflows can’t thrive. They stumble.

That’s why structured, contextualized, and accessible design data has become the new baseline. It’s not just about getting organized. It’s about unlocking the full potential of the semiconductor development process—from smarter reuse to predictive verification and generative layout.

This article explores what happens when you move beyond cleanup and into capability: how smart design data turns digital exhaust into design intelligence, and how it sets the stage for a new era of competitive advantage.

From Files to Intelligence: The Evolution of Design Data

At many semiconductor companies, “design data” is still treated like a digital filing cabinet. Files are stored, versioned (often manually), and eventually archived. But when data is structured—with contextual metadata, relationship tracking, dependency mapping, and naming standards—it becomes something more: a living, queryable model of your design ecosystem.

This evolution transforms data from a passive artifact into an active source of intelligence. It allows engineers, managers, and even AI models to navigate not just what was built, but how and why it evolved. It introduces history, intent, and trust into every downstream task.

Consider a few practical examples:

  • A digital designer looking for a PLL block isn’t browsing folders. They access a curated, filtered list of verified IPs, complete with usage history, test coverage, process compatibility, and performance metrics.
  • A layout engineer receives AI-generated constraint recommendations that reflect prior schematic-layout relationships—with embedded awareness of process rules, physical limitations, and historical design tradeoffs.
  • A verification engineer opens a failing test case and, with a few clicks, traces it back to the IP version, recent modifications, related regressions, and the teams currently reusing that block elsewhere.

In each case, the intelligence isn’t coming solely from a model. It’s coming from the data. Because the data is clean. Connected. Contextualized.

Five Capabilities Unlocked by Smart Design Data

  1. Intelligent IP Reuse
    The promise of IP reuse is often undermined by uncertainty. Is this IP current? Was it verified? Where else has it been used? Without answers, reuse becomes a liability.

Smart design data answers those questions. It links every IP block to its lineage, test history, project context, and usage footprint. Engineers gain confidence. Reviewers gain traceability. And organizations gain leverage—reducing redundant work, accelerating time-to-market, and embedding knowledge across generations of designs.

  1. AI-Guided Constraint and Layout Suggestions
    AI is only as smart as the examples it learns from. Poorly structured design data yields generic, low-value output. But when historical designs are captured with consistent structure, tagging, and hierarchy, AI can surface real, usable suggestions: constraint blocks, floorplan proposals, routing strategies, and even process-specific optimizations.

This capability transforms layout from a manual bottleneck into a collaborative dialog between engineer and AI. It reduces revision cycles. It preserves design intent. And it scales expertise across teams.

  1. Predictive Verification and Debug
    Verification consumes a massive share of the design timeline—and when it fails, it often fails late. But when test results, coverage metrics, and design changes are linked through structured data, AI can begin to see failure patterns before they fully manifest.

Suddenly, verification isn’t just a pass/fail gate. It’s a feedback loop. Engineers receive early signals. Root causes are identified faster. And post-silicon surprises become far less frequent.

  1. Faster, Context-Rich Design Reviews
    Today, many design reviews still rely on slide decks and screenshots. Discussions are driven by recollection and opinion, not data.

Structured design environments change that. Reviewers can instantly compare revisions, view change propagation across hierarchies, and audit compliance with design standards. Redlines are data-backed. Approvals are traceable. And review cycles become faster, fairer, and more focused.

  1. Enterprise-Wide Design Intelligence
    The benefits of smart data don’t stop with engineering. Product managers want to understand reuse rates and risk exposure. Executives want to benchmark site-to-site performance. Quality teams want traceability for compliance.

When design data is structured and centralized, these questions are no longer painful. They’re answerable. Dashboards become real. Metrics become reliable. And the entire organization becomes more data-informed.

From Friction to Flow: The Human Impact

Engineers often accept daily friction as part of the job. Hunting for the right file. Asking Slack who last touched a design. Revalidating reused blocks. Manually syncing changes across branches. These tasks aren’t innovative. They’re exhausting.

Smart design data eliminates much of this friction. Version history is automatically tracked. Tool outputs are instantly linked to inputs. IP reuse doesn’t require trust—it provides it. The result is flow: engineers staying in focus, staying in tools, and spending more time on innovation and less on archaeology.

Flow doesn’t just improve productivity. It improves satisfaction. It turns reactive workflows into creative ones. And it makes engineering a better experience.

Redefining Integration: More Than APIs

Too often, “EDA integration” means another dropdown menu or export format. But the new generation of design data platforms—like Keysight SOS—redefines integration as embedded intelligence.

These platforms:

  • Connect directly with leading design and verification tools
  • Interpret data hierarchies, netlists, and metadata in ways software systems cannot
  • Synchronize changes across teams, projects, and workflows—in real time

This kind of integration is invisible. Engineers don’t log into it. They work inside it. And when integration works like this, data becomes part of the process—not an afterthought.

Smarter Inputs, Smarter AI

AI doesn’t replace engineers. It amplifies them. But only when it has good inputs. And in the world of chip design, those inputs aren’t just gigabytes—they’re context, history, and structure.

Structured data allows AI to:

  • Learn from validated patterns, not just raw files
  • Propose edits with awareness of dependencies and constraints
  • Deliver insights that are actionable, not abstract

Without structured data, AI becomes generic. With it, AI becomes transformative.

The future of design isn’t fully autonomous. It’s augmented. And smart data is the foundation that makes that augmentation intelligent.

Force-Fit or Purpose-Built? Why the Right Tool Matters

Many semiconductor companies are still trying to retrofit general-purpose software development tools into semiconductor design workflows. Traditional version control systems like Git or other general-purpose version control systems work well for code, but struggle to accommodate the hierarchy, scale, and metadata complexity of chip design. AI compounds this mismatch. Models trained on data designed for software outputs produce brittle or misleading results when applied to silicon.

Force-fitting a dev tool into a design flow creates more problems than it solves. Hierarchies get flattened. Dependencies go untracked. IP reuse becomes opaque. Engineers spend more time working around the tool than with it.

In contrast, purpose-built design data management platforms are optimized for the reality of semiconductor development. They understand IP-centric design. They respect hierarchy. They track relationships across projects and design stages. And, critically, they surface the kind of structured, validated, and contextual data that AI needs to operate reliably.

When you switch from a forced fit to a purpose-built solution, the benefits compound. You not only reduce friction and risk—you unlock new value. AI becomes more accurate, more relevant, and more trusted. Engineering cycles accelerate. Collaboration improves. And your organization moves from struggling to scaling.

Strategic Readiness: Not Just Cleanup—Advantage

It’s tempting to think of data structuring as a hygiene project—important, but invisible. But in reality, structured design data is a strategic differentiator.

It enables faster launches, fewer re-spins, smarter staffing, better collaboration, and ultimately, more innovative products. It empowers leadership with visibility. It empowers engineering with confidence. And it empowers AI with the one thing it truly needs: meaning.

In the era of AI-enhanced EDA, success will not be dictated by who has the flashiest model or the biggest compute cluster. It will be dictated by who has the smartest foundation.

That foundation is design data. Structured. Searchable. Secure. And ready for what’s next.

If your design environment is still fragmented, now is the time to change that. Structure isn’t just about control—it’s the unlock for AI, reuse, speed, and scale. Stop force-fitting yesterday’s tools into today’s challenges.

Build your foundation for tomorrow.

Start organizing. Start optimizing. Start with Keysight SOS.

Request a trial today

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Play It Forward: A Musical Mission

By Nestor Mato

Healing happens one note at a time.

That is why Guitarists for Good, a nonprofit that provides free instruments to homeless shelters and nonprofits serving people experiencing housing insecurity, continues to share the love of music.

“We’re not just giving away guitars—we’re giving people a lifeline, a creative outlet, a moment of peace, and a reminder that they matter,” said Sandy Green, president and CEO for Guitarists for Good. “Every donated instrument carries a message: you are not forgotten.”

Last year, Regions Bank shared her story. Green launched the nonprofit after experiencing firsthand how picking up a guitar helped her through a period of grief. What began with the hope of placing “one guitar in one shelter” has grown into a nationwide effort.

Guitarists for Good recently played it forward with their biggest gig yet at the New Orleans Mission.

“This was a record-breaking delivery of 39 instruments—guitars, ukuleles, and even a keyboard— in collaboration with The Guitar Center Foundation and Regions Bank,” said Green. “The support goes beyond funding. When Regions associates volunteer as local liaisons for our Guitar Delivery Team, shelters don’t just receive instruments—they receive a visit from a caring, neighbor who isn’t just dropping off guitars, but striking a chord of hope.”

The bank’s collaboration with Green first began when she met Terry Hoey, Raleigh market executive for Regions. They got to know each other during a pickin’ circle, where musicians get together to play. Now, Regions associates in Louisiana have also joined the band.

“It’s inspiring to see this mission grow and reach people here in New Orleans,” said Graham Ralston, New Orleans Market Executive for Regions Bank. “There are big hearts in the Big Easy, and this is a great example of people working in harmony to help provide joy.”

With this donation, Guitarists for Good has now reached 35 states and given over 750 instruments.

“It was heartening to see this donation enrich the lives of the recipients,” said Nicole Cosse Dupre, New Orleans mortgage production manager for Regions Bank. She took part in the latest delivery mission. “The experience was equally impactful on me. Hearing the testimonies of how some residents turned into staff members highlighted the importance of community outreach.”

Beyond providing music, the instruments offer a sense of dignity, identity, and normalcy.

“We are grateful to Regions Bank and Guitarists for Good for donating instruments, a gift that brings healing and hope to the lives of those we serve,” said Deonne Beard, New Orleans Mission Development Coordinator. “These are people overcoming homelessness, addiction, abuse, and more. Investing in the power of music sends a powerful message to our residents: you are seen; you are valued.”

Play it Again: Another GfG Donation

by Kim Borges

Two Regions leaders in Little Rock also recently shared the joy of music thanks to Guitarists for Good. This time, instruments were donated to Immerse Arkansas, a nonprofit providing programs, services and support to youth aging out of foster care.

Commercial Banking Leader and Little Rock Market Executive Rodney Abston and Mortgage Regional Production Manager Keith Smith delivered six guitars, a keyboard, a Cajon drum and ukeleles.

“Sandy is a true blessing,” said Jamie Middleton, community engagement manager with Immerse Arkansas. “We’re so grateful to her for gifting us the instruments and to Rodney and Keith for experiencing the heart of Immerse. We’re already looking forward to our first jam session!”

And Abston and Smith are looking forward to Regions becoming more involved following their visit.

“Immerse Arkansas is providing counseling, direction and, in some instances, a home for youth who have no other support system,” said Smith. “We enjoyed learning more about the much-needed work they do. You never know whose life will be forever impacted by being exposed to music because of Guitarists for Good’s generous gift.”

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The Szczerba Group: How a Wilmington Duo Turned Their Real Estate Vision into Reality

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

By Mark McCaffrey, Chief Financial Officer at GoDaddy

Throughout my time at GoDaddy, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some pretty remarkable entrepreneurs. I’ve heard stories of passion-driven leaps of faith, unexpected pivots, creative problem-solving and the kind of perseverance that turns ideas into something meaningful.

I recently chatted with Rachel and Andrew Szczerba, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Szczerba Group, a real estate team based in Wilmington, Delaware. As business owners, parents and partners, Rachel and Andrew’s story is one of balance and intention.

Rachel began her career teaching in New Jersey, while Andrew worked in sales after a stint in the NFL. They met at a real estate convention in New Orleans, bonded over their shared ambition and eventually decided to plant roots in Wilmington as both husband and wife and business partners. It was a move that made sense personally and professionally — according to GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab data, Wilmington is one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the U.S.

The pair launched The Szczerba Group in 2020, mere months before COVID-19 turned the housing market on its head. As people spent more time in their homes and interest rates dropped, the demand for housing skyrocketed. Weekday showings suddenly felt like busy Saturday open houses, and 20 offers per home became the new norm.

Yet the chaos revealed their complementary strengths as they navigated interest-rate swings, inventory shortages and historically tight timelines (all while welcoming two children, I must add!). As Andrew thrived in the field, Rachel doubled down on tech, testing five other website building platforms before landing on GoDaddy.

As an almost 100% referral-based business, first impressions are critical. Rachel built theszczerbagroup.com herself, incorporating clever additions like downloadable buyers’ guides and individual property pages with customized QR codes — turning yard signs into digital brochures. Their website, paired with 5-star reviews and a memorable brand, tells prospective clients they’re in capable hands right off the bat.

Rachel and Andrew have no plans to slow down. They hope to expand into higher-end property listings and thoughtfully build the systems and processes needed to support growth — all without sacrificing the personalized, white-glove service their clients have come to expect.

Conversations with customers like the Szczerbas shape how we innovate at GoDaddy. Their experience underscores a truth I’ve seen many times: technology can’t replace entrepreneurial grit — it amplifies it. By making digital tools intuitive and support accessible, we empower entrepreneurs to build, grow and do what they love.

To Rachel and Andrew: thank you for trusting GoDaddy to support your business. We’re honored to be in your corner.

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Franklin Templeton Celebrates Global Volunteerism During 19th Annual Impact Days

Franklin Templeton once again demonstrated its commitment to community service through its 19th annual Impact Days, a global initiative that unites employees in volunteerism and philanthropy.

This year, more than 1,000 employees around the world showed their generous spirit completing 117 volunteer projects. From distributing school bags to children or preparing and serving meals to supporting organizations like Habitat for Humanity, volunteers made a visible impact while reaffirming their commitment to service.

June was exciting, and there are many great stories to share. This article covers global initiatives only. 

Missing Maps Project

Franklin Templeton employees participated in the ninth annual Missing Maps project, a virtual global volunteer opportunity to map areas missing from maps, which helps disaster relief efforts. Franklin Templeton donated to Save the Children for each participant who logged at least 60 minutes of mapping in June.

Global CAN Competition

The annual food drive and CANstruction competition brought creativity and generosity together, with employees from nine locations collecting over 4,000 cans and other dry food items. Teams built sculptures from the donations, with Short Hills, NJ office winning the photo contest for their “Ben’s Diner” sculpture and Mexico City winning the video contest with their rendition of the Angel of Independence. Each winning team received a donation to a local charitable organization of choice.

Andrew Kleinwaks from Short Hills shared, “Each year we try to raise the bar—not just to challenge other offices, but to challenge ourselves. The bigger our structure, the greater the benefit for the recipient of our CANstruction materials.”

The firm’s annual fitness charity challenge saw 305 employees from 79 teams log over 44 million steps to raise funds for a meaningful cause. Together we walked an incredible 44,487,794 steps—totaling approximately 21,064 miles (33,899 km). That is roughly the distance from New York City to Tokyo and back—twice! To honor the dedication of employees, Franklin Templeton donated to Save the Children in recognition of this achievement.

Freerice Challenge

Additionally, employees participated in the Freerice online trivia challenge, donating over 2.29 million grains of rice through the World Food Program.

Global Involved Day

Impact Days concluded on June 24 with Global Involved Day, where employees proudly wore their volunteer T-shirts to celebrate a month of meaningful service. From Poznan to Kuala Lumpur, the spirit of giving and community was evident across the globe.

About Franklin Templeton
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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Rosalind Franklin University Surpasses Scholarship Matching Gift Goal, Launches New Challenge to Expand Student Support and Community Health

Donors Boost $1 Million Scholl Matching Gift Challenge

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Rosalind Franklin University is proud to announce it has successfully met and exceeded its historic $1 Million Scholl Matching Gift Challenge months ahead of schedule, significantly boosting scholarships and resources for students preparing to heal, serve, and transform lives.

“We’ve seen the impact our work can have on the quality of life for our patients and how that extends to our community,”

Building on this momentum, RFU has launched a new matching gift initiative, the Richard M. Evans, DPM ’71, and Katherine Evans Challenge Match.

The couple behind both matches, the Evanses have stepped forward to publicly renew their investment in Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Their support reflects the collective generosity of dedicated alumni and community partners motivated by a dollar-for-dollar match to expand scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

“Working in podiatric medicine significantly changed our lives, and we’ve seen the impact our work can have on the quality of life for our patients and how that extends to our community,” Dr. Evans said. “When we established the first match, we wanted to ensure that more communities have access to podiatric physicians, just like we were able to accomplish through training. We were encouraged by how many people were moved to commit to this challenge, and yet we know the work is unfinished.”

An anticipated shortage of podiatric physicians, with demand projected to outpace supply by 2037, according to U.S. health workforce projections, poses a serious threat to preventive care. The gap means fewer people will receive early interventions, potentially leading to a rise in preventable complications like diabetic foot ulcers, which can impact mobility and quality of life.

The Evans’ vision and leadership serve as a powerful reminder that campaigns don’t end — they evolve. The new challenge creates an additional $1 million fundraising goal for both Scholl College and RFU’s pro bono Interprofessional Community Clinic, where students and faculty offer essential care for uninsured populations.

The challenge announcement also marks another major achievement for Rosalind Franklin University: surpassing a $20 million milestone in its Empowering Scholars campaign — also ahead of schedule. The ongoing campaign for student scholarships is more than just financial assistance — it’s a direct investment in the next generation of healthcare providers and patient advocates who entrust RFU with their educational journey, and who are committed to bringing compassionate, quality health care to their communities.

“Philanthropy fuels our progress and our resolve to support our resilient and bright students who are determined to make a difference in the world,” said Scholl College Dean Stephanie Wu, DPM, MSc, FACFAS. “Our success through our alumni and partners speaks to their deep commitment to an immersive education and ensuring the health of our communities.”

The new $1 million Richard M. Evans, DPM ’71, and Katherine Evans Match started July 1, 2025, and continues through June 30, 2027, or until the match is achieved. To donate to the fund, visit rfu.ms/schollmatch.

About Rosalind Franklin University
RFU encompasses the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu.

Media Contact:
Office of Marketing and Communications
media@rosalindfranklin.edu

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SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Tork Achieves Milestone in Data-Driven Cleaning Technology Reaching More Than One Billion People Traveling Through Connected Buildings

Originally published on Tork Newscenter

Tork, an Essity brand, has achieved a significant milestone with an estimated 1.2 billion people in 2024 traveling through buildings that use the Tork Vision Cleaning data-driven cleaning technology. Tork Vision Cleaning utilizes real-time data to optimize restroom cleaning operations, while ensuring that hygiene and customer satisfaction are prioritized. Up to 40% of cleaning time in offices and large venues is spent on the restroom1.

This milestone is reached as Tork Vision Cleaning celebrates 10 years since launch. At that time, it was a true pioneer for the cleaning industry, leading the way in introducing such digital solutions. Using the Internet of Things sensors in restroom dispensers and people counters, notify cleaners when dispensers require refills and how many users have entered a restroom, signaling when it’s time to clean. Businesses using this technology report that dispensers are full 99% of the time. Currently, Tork has more than 100,000 connected devices that send more than 1.3 million messages a day to cleaners working with Tork Vision Cleaning.

Restrooms are often the busiest rooms in a building with 82% of people saying they visit the restroom at least 2-3 times per typical workday2. They are also a significant concern for facility managers, being the single biggest source of complaints in office buildings3. Maintaining good hygiene standards for employees is an important consideration for business success. Managers say they have reduced complaints by 75% as a result of using Tork Vision Cleaning, 68% say they improved efficiency and 97% report improvements in hygiene within their facilities4.

“Tork Vision Cleaning is a technology that meets today’s expectations for digital connectivity across facilities. With the number of ‘smart’ connected buildings increasing, this solution has the direct market experience to provide data that empowers cleaners, reduces restroom user complaints and increases cleaning efficiency,” said Pablo Fuentes, president of Essity’s global Professional Hygiene business. “That’s why we are seeing a growing demand for Tork Vision Cleaning, especially in high-traffic spaces like airports, stadiums and in large office buildings.”

For facility management companies, Tork Vision Cleaning can bring added value to their operations. The Facilities Management Director of a large corporate headquarters building in Paris managed by Sodexo, shares how they have successfully installed and operated the digital technology from Tork.

“Implementing Tork Vision Cleaning has transformed our operations for Sodexo at a big Parisian headquarters. Initially, at this site, we aimed to optimize our cleaning teams’ productivity in the high-traffic event areas. When Tork Vision Cleaning was installed in part of the site, we saw complaints continue to come from areas without Tork Vision Cleaning. Extending the solution across the entire site with 1,300 devices led to up to 90% fewer complaints, significant time savings for cleaning staff, and improved service quality. Our client is in the technology sector, always on the lookout for innovation, even in cleaning and facility management. The Tork solution, seen as the leader in connected cleaning, is ideal for this client. This technology reduces staff stress and enhances the overall user experience.

The Tork brand is the global leader in professional hygiene, offering dispensing systems, refills for hand towels, toilet paper, soap and sanitizers, napkins and wipers for use in commercial environments like office buildings, restaurants, passenger terminals, stadiums, healthcare facilities and manufacturing sites.

Five of the world’s busiest airports now use the data-driven cleaning technology from Tork6. One in three people who avoid using airport restrooms also limit how much they spend to eat and drink in the airport – an important revenue source for airports5. Airport operators are also reporting a rise in cleaning staff vacancies and one in four anticipate recruitment challenges for cleaning staff. Tork Vision Cleaning provides data to airports that enables them to direct cleaning staff to the restrooms that are most used and in need of cleaning, and to divert staff from less visited restrooms, ensuring the places people use the most are clean and fully stocked with hygiene products.

To learn more about Tork Vision Cleaning, visit torkglobal.com/us/en/visioncleaning

1BCG IoT discussion, 2024 

2Data from the 2024 Tork Insights Survey of 6,000 individuals 18-65+ and 900 respondents representing businesses in the United States, Mexico, UK, Germany and France.
3Statista: North America; Average across 2017 to 2021; 185 respondents; Building service contractors/commercial cleaning providers.
4Based on survey results conducted in November/December 2023 of 69 managers using Tork Vision Cleaning in 18 countries globally.
5IPSOS survey of 3,000 people who had recently visited a high-traffic venue in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Poland or Sweden, conducted in 2016.
6Based on Airports Council International (ACI) July 2024 total passenger data.

For additional information please contact: FHTork@fleishman.com

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity
Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

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