For three unforgettable days at the Junior Achievement (JA) Americas Company of the Year (COY) competition, the spirit of possibility took hold of Rio de Janeiro. In a city known for its vibrancy and resilience, a new generation of entrepreneurs stepped onto a global stage, not just to compete, but to discover how far their ideas could carry them.

At this annual competition, now in its 17^th year, , the top student-led businesses from twelve countries across the Americas gathered after months of rigorous national rounds, product fairs, and pitch competitions. By the time they arrived in Rio, they had already proven themselves at home. Here, they were challenged to perform at an international standard – pitching to global juries, defending their strategies, and showcasing their products in a public startup fair.

For many, it was their first time operating in such a high-stakes environment. It was also the moment they realized they belonged there.

This year’s top JA honor went to Sacky JA from Ecuador, a student-run company transforming recycled plastic bottles into sustainable lunch bags illustrated with Ecuadorian wildlife. Their product promotes healthy eating habits while raising environmental awareness, blending sustainability, culture, and purpose into something practical and scalable.

As a signature sponsor of the event, FedEx also presented the “FedEx Global Possibilities” award, which recognizes the company with the greatest potential to generate connections with international markets, to Lula Pak, from Ecuador. Lula Pak presented their Q’ipi reusable bag, named after the language of the Tsáchila indigenous people who live in Ecuador to highlight the company’s identity and connection to Amazonian cultures. The product is lightweight, waterproof and foldable, with a variety of colorful designs to support nonprofits with social, animal and sustainable engagement.

Rakesh Shalia, Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience for FedEx Latin America and the Caribbean, spoke about the importance of the competition and the award, “At FedEx, we see entrepreneurship as a force for good: it drives change, builds communities, and opens up the world. Through the FedEx Global Possibilities Award, we support bold young thinkers and equip them to take their ideas beyond borders. Backing up the next generation of business leaders is not just part of our purpose. It is how we help shape a smarter, more connected future.”

But beyond the awards, what stood out most was transformation.

Gabriel Guerrero of Sacky JA captured it best: “This program is almost hard to believe – sometimes, I still can’t. It’s the kind of experience you don’t live twice. It completely changed how I see the world – and how I see myself. I’m not the same person I was a year ago. And that’s thanks to this project.”

That shift, from student to confident entrepreneur, is the true impact of this experience.

The competition was part of a historic week for Junior Achievement, which also convened more than 530 leaders from 75 countries to explore the future of work and innovation. Together, students, educators, business mentors, and global executives shared one belief: when young people are given real-world platforms, they rise to the occasion.

As a company committed to empowering entrepreneurs, we are proud to support programs that move beyond theory and into action, where students build companies, test ideas in the marketplace, and develop the resilience and leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Regulatory frameworks for sustainability are shifting, shaped by geopolitical volatility, economic uncertainty and growing public demand for transparency. Jurisdictions are responding in kind with diverging approaches.

For business leaders, navigating this patchwork of ESG regulations can be challenging. The lack of harmonized standards across jurisdictions increases the risk of engaging in greenwashing — overstating your company’s sustainability efforts — even inadvertently. How can you help ensure your organization maintains credibility and compliance, no matter where it operates?

This year’s greenwashing report from KPMG surveys 28 jurisdictions around the world, comparing the latest jurisdictional developments on everything from targeted legislative measures to broader regulatory frameworks to notable enforcement cases. Featuring a mix of jurisdiction-specific detail, sector-focused insight and trend-driven commentary, the report is designed to give leaders greater confidence when planning their organizational policies around sustainability.

The challenge of greenwashing: an international regulatory overview
Stay up to date on ESG developments from around the world.
Download the report

As ESG regulations evolve unevenly across jurisdictions, the global framework has become increasingly fragmented, creating inconsistencies and grey areas … A lack of clear standards around ESG disclosures can often lead to confusion, inconsistent reporting or deliberate vagueness.

Pilar Galán, Partner, Head of Financial Services, KPMG Spain and Legal Lead, Global ESG, KPMG International

How are different jurisdictions approaching greenwashing?

European Union

By Janine Firpo Invest for Better and Sheconomy

What happens when women shape capital at scale? ​We are living through the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Over the next two decades, an estimated $84 trillion will change hands. A defining feature of this transition is that women are expected to control a majority of that capital through inheritance, earnings, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

At the same time, the global economy is confronting climate instability, widening health gaps, and technological disruption. The systems we depend on are under pressure. The question is not simply how much capital is moving, but what that capital will prioritize.

For most of modern financial history, women had limited influence over capital allocation, not because of a lack of capability or ambition, but because of structural exclusion. Representation in venture capital, corporate boards, asset management, and economic policy has improved, but remains uneven. Markets evolved largely without women’s full economic voice. That absence shaped outcomes.

Today, the landscape is changing. Women are inheriting wealth, founding companies, leading institutions, and participating more actively in investment decisions. Yet global economic equality remains far from guaranteed. Economic equality will not arrive automatically. It must be built, and that is precisely why this moment matters.

Read Janine’s full article here – https://greenmoney.com/sheconomy-what-happens-when-womens-financial-power-shapes-the-economy

 

=======

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

We can all agree that no matter what industry you work in, trust is built long before a product ever reaches a customer’s hands. In the beauty industry especially, behind every lipstick, skincare formula, and fragrance is a complex system of quality checks, documentation, and manufacturing discipline designed to ensure product quality and consumer safety.

Two crucial initiatives are emerging to safeguard cosmetic excellence: the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) and the ISO 22716 certification. Building on existing safety standards and practices, MoCRA has taken cosmetics regulations to the next level in the U.S., by creating a comprehensive and cohesive national framework for cosmetics to provide the safety reassurances that consumers expect and deserve. ISO 22716 is the international standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Cosmetics, providing guidelines for the production, control, storage, and shipment of cosmetic products with a focus on safety and quality throughout the cosmetic production process.

Mary Kay is proud to celebrate its recent “ISO 22716 Certification” the gold standard for “Good Manufacturing Practices” recognizing the company’s long-standing commitment to product quality and safety.

Tim Parrent, Senior Manager of Corporate Quality Systems with Mary Kay Inc. (Image Courtesy: Tim Parrent)

We recently visited Mary Kay’s state-of-the-art Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center (R3) in Lewisville, Texas and chat with Mary Kay’s Tim Parrent, Senior Manager of Corporate Quality, to catch up on all things ISO 22716 and GMP. Tim is also an industry expert and ISO 22716 Technical Advisory Group member. The Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center features 21 product-packaging lines with the combined capability to produce up to 1 million units per day. Nearly 60% of products manufactured at R3 are exported to Mary Kay’s international markets.

Nichole Jones, Mary Kay’s Vice-President of Manufacturing for North America and Mike Triggs, Mary Kay’s Vice President of Product Quality. (Image Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)

Question: Tim tell us a bit about you. Why do you love your job?

Answer: I work in the Supply Chain Group at Mary Kay leading the Corporate Quality function responsible for global governance and compliance, supplier quality management, culture of quality and external engagement. I love that my job is different every day and I work with many talented Mary Kay colleagues at R3 and from around the world as well as industry Quality leaders and regulators via external engagement activities.

Q: In today’s beauty industry, product safety, and consumer trust matter more than ever. Mary Kay is often mentioned as a leader in quality. Let’s start with the big question. Why did Mary Kay pursue ISO 22716 certification?

A: At Mary Kay, product safety and quality are part of our culture and of how we operate. ISO 22716 is the internationally recognized Good Manufacturing Practices standard for cosmetics, and it gave us a globally respected way to demonstrate what we already do: manufacture quality products with care, consistency, and accountability from raw materials to finished goods.

Q: For readers who are not regulatory experts, what exactly is ISO 22716 in simple terms?

A: Think of ISO 22716 as a handbook for making cosmetics the right way. It covers how we manage our facilities, train our teams, control ingredients, document every batch, and ensure products are safe before they ever reach a customer. It’s not just about rules; it’s about building quality into every step of the process.

Q: The beauty industry is talking a lot about MoCRA right now. How does ISO 22716 connect to the new U.S. cosmetics regulations?

A: That’s a great question. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, or MoCRA, requires FDA to issue mandatory Good Manufacturing Practices to the U.S. cosmetics industry for the first time. ISO 22716 is indeed viewed as the global benchmark for cosmetic GMP, so being certified by an accredited certification body positions us very well. It means our systems, documentation, and controls are already compliant with where regulations are heading.

Q: How does ISO 22716 certification support Mary Kay’s manufacturing operations?

A: It strengthens discipline and transparency. Every batch is traceable. Every process is documented. Every employee understands their role in protecting product quality. If there’s ever a question about a product, we can quickly see where ingredients came from, how the product was made, and where it was shipped. That level of clarity benefits everyone, consumers, and regulators and of course product manufacturers are held accountable for business excellence when it comes to product quality and safety.

Q: Why should consumers care that Mary Kay is ISO 22716 certified?

A: Because it’s about confidence and trust. Today, Mary Kay is present in more than 40 markets worldwide and recognized as one of the world’s most beloved consumer brands. We have ranked as the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World for three consecutive years¹, and when our customers use a Mary Kay product, they trust us with their skin and their well-being. ISO 22716 certification is an endorsement of our quality practices, which are aligned with rigorous international expectations. It’s another way of saying, “We take product quality and safety very seriously.”

Q: ISO standards can sometimes sound technical or bureaucratic. Is there a human side to this certification? (Tell us about the importance of teamwork and quality culture in manufacturing?)

A: Absolutely. At its heart, ISO 22716 is about people doing things the right way, every day. It’s about training our teams, empowering them to speak up if something doesn’t look right, and creating a culture where quality is everyone’s responsibility. That human commitment to excellence is a vital factor in the standard.

Q: How does this certification support Mary Kay’s global presence?

A: We operate in over 40 markets around the world, and ISO 22716 is recognized across regions. That common standard helps ensure consistency, whether a product is made for North America, Europe, or elsewhere. It also helps our partners, regulators, and customers understand that our quality expectations don’t change from country to country. Mary Kay Ash built her company on the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and we carry her torch in everything we do – with care, love, and excellence.

Q: Finally, what message would you like people to take away from Mary Kay’s ISO 22716 certification?

A: I would love our readers and consumers to know that quality is not a checkbox for us – it is a promise. ISO 22716 certification is one more way we show our long-term commitment to safe, reliable, and responsibly made beauty products. As regulations evolve with a focus on protecting public health, we’re proud to lead with transparency, preparedness, and care.

Q: What inspires you when thinking about the future?

In the beauty industry, entering a new era of regulation and accountability, Mary Kay’s ISO 22716 certification highlights how global standards, strong culture of quality, and consumer trust can come together to shape the future of cosmetics. We are very excited about what lies ahead for our iconic brand!

Did You Know:

• MoCRA — the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 — is the first major U.S. cosmetic regulatory reform since 1938. It significantly expands FDA authority over cosmetic products sold in the United States. Before MoCRA, cosmetic GMP compliance in the U.S. was largely voluntary and based on guidance.
• ISO – Founded in 1946 as a non-governmental organization, the International Organization for Standardization brings global experts together from 175 countries to agree on the “best way of doing things, for anything from making a product to managing a process.”

ISO 22716 CERTIFICATION IN A NUTSHELL:

• Focuses on safety and quality throughout the entire lifecycle of the cosmetic manufacturing process.
• Requires documented instructions and procedures as well as records to promote consistent quality.
• Ensures products are manufactured in a safe, controlled, and well-documented manner allowing for easy traceability and quick response to issues.
• Shows commitment to global GMP expectations, not just U.S. regulatory compliance.

Learn more about Mary Kay and our products here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
newsroom.marykay.com
 

¹ “Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data”

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

We can all agree that no matter what industry you work in, trust is built long before a product ever reaches a customer’s hands. In the beauty industry especially, behind every lipstick, skincare formula, and fragrance is a complex system of quality checks, documentation, and manufacturing discipline designed to ensure product quality and consumer safety.

Two crucial initiatives are emerging to safeguard cosmetic excellence: the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) and the ISO 22716 certification. Building on existing safety standards and practices, MoCRA has taken cosmetics regulations to the next level in the U.S., by creating a comprehensive and cohesive national framework for cosmetics to provide the safety reassurances that consumers expect and deserve. ISO 22716 is the international standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Cosmetics, providing guidelines for the production, control, storage, and shipment of cosmetic products with a focus on safety and quality throughout the cosmetic production process.

Mary Kay is proud to celebrate its recent “ISO 22716 Certification” the gold standard for “Good Manufacturing Practices” recognizing the company’s long-standing commitment to product quality and safety.

Tim Parrent, Senior Manager of Corporate Quality Systems with Mary Kay Inc. (Image Courtesy: Tim Parrent)

We recently visited Mary Kay’s state-of-the-art Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center (R3) in Lewisville, Texas and chat with Mary Kay’s Tim Parrent, Senior Manager of Corporate Quality, to catch up on all things ISO 22716 and GMP. Tim is also an industry expert and ISO 22716 Technical Advisory Group member. The Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center features 21 product-packaging lines with the combined capability to produce up to 1 million units per day. Nearly 60% of products manufactured at R3 are exported to Mary Kay’s international markets.

Nichole Jones, Mary Kay’s Vice-President of Manufacturing for North America and Mike Triggs, Mary Kay’s Vice President of Product Quality. (Image Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)

Question: Tim tell us a bit about you. Why do you love your job?

Answer: I work in the Supply Chain Group at Mary Kay leading the Corporate Quality function responsible for global governance and compliance, supplier quality management, culture of quality and external engagement. I love that my job is different every day and I work with many talented Mary Kay colleagues at R3 and from around the world as well as industry Quality leaders and regulators via external engagement activities.

Q: In today’s beauty industry, product safety, and consumer trust matter more than ever. Mary Kay is often mentioned as a leader in quality. Let’s start with the big question. Why did Mary Kay pursue ISO 22716 certification?

A: At Mary Kay, product safety and quality are part of our culture and of how we operate. ISO 22716 is the internationally recognized Good Manufacturing Practices standard for cosmetics, and it gave us a globally respected way to demonstrate what we already do: manufacture quality products with care, consistency, and accountability from raw materials to finished goods.

Q: For readers who are not regulatory experts, what exactly is ISO 22716 in simple terms?

A: Think of ISO 22716 as a handbook for making cosmetics the right way. It covers how we manage our facilities, train our teams, control ingredients, document every batch, and ensure products are safe before they ever reach a customer. It’s not just about rules; it’s about building quality into every step of the process.

Q: The beauty industry is talking a lot about MoCRA right now. How does ISO 22716 connect to the new U.S. cosmetics regulations?

A: That’s a great question. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, or MoCRA, requires FDA to issue mandatory Good Manufacturing Practices to the U.S. cosmetics industry for the first time. ISO 22716 is indeed viewed as the global benchmark for cosmetic GMP, so being certified by an accredited certification body positions us very well. It means our systems, documentation, and controls are already compliant with where regulations are heading.

Q: How does ISO 22716 certification support Mary Kay’s manufacturing operations?

A: It strengthens discipline and transparency. Every batch is traceable. Every process is documented. Every employee understands their role in protecting product quality. If there’s ever a question about a product, we can quickly see where ingredients came from, how the product was made, and where it was shipped. That level of clarity benefits everyone, consumers, and regulators and of course product manufacturers are held accountable for business excellence when it comes to product quality and safety.

Q: Why should consumers care that Mary Kay is ISO 22716 certified?

A: Because it’s about confidence and trust. Today, Mary Kay is present in more than 40 markets worldwide and recognized as one of the world’s most beloved consumer brands. We have ranked as the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World for three consecutive years¹, and when our customers use a Mary Kay product, they trust us with their skin and their well-being. ISO 22716 certification is an endorsement of our quality practices, which are aligned with rigorous international expectations. It’s another way of saying, “We take product quality and safety very seriously.”

Q: ISO standards can sometimes sound technical or bureaucratic. Is there a human side to this certification? (Tell us about the importance of teamwork and quality culture in manufacturing?)

A: Absolutely. At its heart, ISO 22716 is about people doing things the right way, every day. It’s about training our teams, empowering them to speak up if something doesn’t look right, and creating a culture where quality is everyone’s responsibility. That human commitment to excellence is a vital factor in the standard.

Q: How does this certification support Mary Kay’s global presence?

A: We operate in over 40 markets around the world, and ISO 22716 is recognized across regions. That common standard helps ensure consistency, whether a product is made for North America, Europe, or elsewhere. It also helps our partners, regulators, and customers understand that our quality expectations don’t change from country to country. Mary Kay Ash built her company on the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and we carry her torch in everything we do – with care, love, and excellence.

Q: Finally, what message would you like people to take away from Mary Kay’s ISO 22716 certification?

A: I would love our readers and consumers to know that quality is not a checkbox for us – it is a promise. ISO 22716 certification is one more way we show our long-term commitment to safe, reliable, and responsibly made beauty products. As regulations evolve with a focus on protecting public health, we’re proud to lead with transparency, preparedness, and care.

Q: What inspires you when thinking about the future?

In the beauty industry, entering a new era of regulation and accountability, Mary Kay’s ISO 22716 certification highlights how global standards, strong culture of quality, and consumer trust can come together to shape the future of cosmetics. We are very excited about what lies ahead for our iconic brand!

Did You Know:

• MoCRA — the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 — is the first major U.S. cosmetic regulatory reform since 1938. It significantly expands FDA authority over cosmetic products sold in the United States. Before MoCRA, cosmetic GMP compliance in the U.S. was largely voluntary and based on guidance.
• ISO – Founded in 1946 as a non-governmental organization, the International Organization for Standardization brings global experts together from 175 countries to agree on the “best way of doing things, for anything from making a product to managing a process.”

ISO 22716 CERTIFICATION IN A NUTSHELL:

• Focuses on safety and quality throughout the entire lifecycle of the cosmetic manufacturing process.
• Requires documented instructions and procedures as well as records to promote consistent quality.
• Ensures products are manufactured in a safe, controlled, and well-documented manner allowing for easy traceability and quick response to issues.
• Shows commitment to global GMP expectations, not just U.S. regulatory compliance.

Learn more about Mary Kay and our products here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
newsroom.marykay.com
 

¹ “Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data”