Month: May 2026

NEW YORK, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – This week, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose© (CECP) is bringing together more than 250 senior social impact, corporate responsibility, and sustainability leaders from the world’s leading global companies for the 23rd annual CECP Summit: Purpose Reignited.

At the event, an influential community of corporate leaders are exploring the forces reshaping responsible business — from new tax changes to AI adoption to the art of building strategic alliances. Sessions cover the range of corporate purpose topics including employee volunteering, the ROI of corporate foundations, championing veteran communities, place-based partnerships, turning purpose into measurable business performance, and more. Across every conversation, one throughline emerged: purpose is not just a principle, it’s a performance driver.

“As we navigate a landscape transformed by AI and other tremendous shifts in the world, it is clear that purpose has moved from the periphery to the center of business resilience,” said Sara Adams, Chief Communications Officer, CECP. “The leaders at this year’s Summit are proving that ‘Purpose Reignited’ is more than a theme, it is a competitive necessity. By leveraging CECP’s deep data benchmarking and peer community, these companies are not just adapting to a complex world; they are actively shaping a future where social investment is a primary driver of long-term sustainable value.”

The Summit includes the presentation of the Charles H. Moore Award for Leadership in Corporate Community Engagement. The 2026 “Charlie Award” was presented to Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation. The award is named in honor of CECP’s founding Executive Director and is presented to senior leaders who exemplify perseverance in the pursuit of societal advancement, the trait for which Charlie Moore was best known.

“I’m honored to receive the Charlie Award, a powerful reminder that businesses thrive by showing up for the communities they serve,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation. “At Citi, our mission is to enable growth and economic progress, and we do so by bringing together the full weight of our firm—our business, our philanthropy, our people and expertise—to catalyze more resilient communities. CECP has been an invaluable partner in this work, and to be recognized by them is incredibly meaningful.”

Brandee McHale leads Citi’s efforts to advance economic opportunity through impact investing, community-based financial access and education programs, fulfilment of U.S. Community Reinvestment Act regulatory obligations, employee volunteerism and the philanthropy of the Citi Foundation. With more than three decades of experience in financial services and philanthropy, Brandee has dedicated her career to developing forward-thinking solutions that connect low-income communities to jobs, housing and a more economically secure future.

The Summit convening also bestowed a new award, The Goldies Award, which honors a team or initiative that exemplifies the gold standard in corporate social investment, demonstrating how business can be a force for good in local communities. The 2026 “Goldies Award” was presented to Amgen for the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE).The program, funded by the Amgen Foundation, is designed to close the gap between classroom learning and real-world biotechnology and has reached more than 1.1 million students and 5,200 teachers to date. At no cost to schools, ABE equips teachers with professional development and research-grade lab equipment to support students’ performing authentic experiments such as DNA ligation, bacterial transformation, protein purification, PCR, and gene sequence analysis. The Amgen Foundation is proud to have committed more than $75 million to date to make this program possible.

At the CECP Summit, attendees will also hear about two decades of Giving in Numbers® trend data to reveal how corporate purpose has evolved—what’s grown, what’s shifted, and what’s disappeared along the way. CECP, in partnership with companies, has created the largest and most historical data set on trends in the industry, shared by more than 650 multi-billion-dollar companies, representing more than $519 billion in corporate social investments over that time span. This session will unpack major trends in corporate community investment, noncash giving, volunteerism, program focus areas, and the changing role of corporate responsibility teams inside companies.

The CECP Summit offers an unparalleled line up of speakers from CECP companies including:

• Dale Strange, President, Corporate Impact, YourCause from Blackbaud
• Scott Heimlich, President of the Amgen Foundation and Executive Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Amgen
• Katie Ferrick, Managing Director, Applied Purpose, Applied Materials
• Olivia Khalili, Head of Foundation & Social Impact, Atlassian
• Abigail Hollingsworth, Director, Bank of America
• Soraya Alexander, CEO, Benevity
• Dionn Schaffner, SVP of Social Impact and Chief Diversity Officer, Bonterra
• Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President, the Citi Foundation
• Kristen Scheyder, Director of Programs, the Citi Foundation
• Robert Goodfellow, Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications & CSR, Colgate-Palmolive
• Carol Cone, CEO, Cone on Purpose
• Carrie Stockwell, Director, Philanthropy, Constellation
• Taryn Edgin, President, John Deere Foundation and Director, Community Relations, Deere & Company
• Dana O’Donovan, U.S. Purpose Leader, Deloitte
• Christine Sybert, Senior Director, Corporate Education Partnerships, Discovery Education
• Theresa Peterson, SVP of Thought Leadership Research, Edelman
• Jennifer Leitsch, Americas Corporate Sustainability Leader, EY
• Rachel Strong, America’s Sustainability Tax Policy Leader, EY
• Alvin Abraham, President, Exxon Mobil Foundation
• Maeve Miccio, Head of Philanthropic Consulting, Fidelity Investments
• Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee
• Vivian Greentree, SVP, Head of Global Corporate Citizenship; President, Fiserv Cares Foundation, Fiserv
• Billy Cyr, CEO, Freshpet
• Deb Silverman, Director of Philanthropy, GE Aerospace and GE Aerospace Foundation
• Veronica Sandolval, Director, Cross-Portfolio Philanthropy, Genentech
• Alissa May, Vice President of Impact, Goodera
• Utaukwa Allen, Global Head of Economic & Community Development, Data Centers, Google
• Sara Link, Global Head of Employee Impact, IBM
• Erin Moos. Head of Strategic Philanthropy, Employee Giving and Volunteering, Intuit
• Shaolee Sen, Head of Small Business, Global Philanthropy, Corporate Social Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Meghan Wright, Vice President, Community Impact & Charitable Giving; Executive Director, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Lincoln Financial
• Tia Hodges, Vice President for Corporate Giving, Employee Engagement & Volunteerism, Metlife
• Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO, McPherson Strategies
• Dave Best, President and CEO at Newman’s Own, Inc.
• Kristin Giantris, Managing Director, Nonprofit Finance Fund
• Matthew Forti, Managing Director, One Acre Fund
• Barb Short, Senior Director, CSR & Sustainability, Global Specialty Care & US, Sanofi
• Christy Kiely, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
• Stacy Rotner, Corporate Responsibility Director, Sidley Austin LLP
• Clea Newman, Ambassador, SeriousFun Children’s Network
• Courtney Failer, Senior Program Coordinator, Impact, Steelcase
• Lynette Bell, Executive Vice President, President, Truist Foundation
• David Evetts, Head of Philanthropy and Advocacy, USAA
• Aaron Hurst, Founder and CEO, U.S Chamber of Connection
• Molly Porter, Chief Administrative Officer, Wells Fargo Foundation
• Diana Fischer, Senior Director, Workday Foundation

CECP thanks its sponsors for their generous support of the CECP Summit: Platinum Level: YourCause from Blackbaud; Gold Level: PwC, Citi, Exxon Mobil; Silver Level: Benevity, Exelon, Fidelity, Goodera, Sanofi, Wells Fargo; Partner Service Providers: Bonterra, E4E Relief, Groundswell.

CECP also congratulates the 2025-2026 Company Spotlight honorees: Best Buy,
Boehringer Ingelheim, Cisco, ConEdison, Covista, Discovery Education, Equinix, KPMG, Mastercard, Merck Foundation, Otsuka, PSEG, Regeneron, Wells Fargo, and Zoetis. On a quarterly basis, CECP selects companies for the Company Spotlight through a thoughtful information-sharing and communications-support process. Company Spotlights are shared with over 2,000 affiliated corporate leaders, posted on the CECP website as case studies for other affiliated companies, and recognized at the CECP Summit.

Following the conclusion of the 2026 CECP Summit, CECP will be posting on its website photos, videos, guest blogs, and an Executive Summary.

The application process for the 2027 Charlie Award and 2027 Goldies Award is now open. Nominate a peer senior leader in corporate responsibility today. The deadline is August 30. The application for the 2027 Charlie Award can be accessed here, the application for the 2027 Goldies Award can be accessed here, or by emailing CECP.

CECP Media Contact

Katie Leasor
kleasor@cecp.co

###

About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in research and insights, strategy and benchmarking, and convening and communications. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit http://cecp.co.

2026 Veterans and Nature Grant

With support from Leidos, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is pleased to offer grant funding to expand access to nature-based experiences that support the health, well-being, and community connection of America’s veterans through the 2026 Veterans and Nature Grant.

Applicants can request up to $10,000 for programs to be completed in 12 months. Eligible applicants must describe how the requested funds will support projects on America’s public lands that connect veterans to nature-based health and wellness experiences, including any of the following:

• Outdoor recreation programming designed for veteran communities
• Partnerships with public lands agencies to expand veteran access
• Nature-based physical and mental wellness initiatives
• Community-building activities on America’s public lands

This initiative is also made possible through the generous support of the American Medical Association, an organization committed to improving physical and mental health in veteran communities.

For more details about this grant, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit NEEF’s grant application page.

Contact

Please contact grants@NEEFusa.org for all questions regarding this grant or the grant portal. 

When disaster strikes, first responders don’t have time to think about connectivity. It’s either there or it’s not. From dedicated network capabilities like T-Priority to on-the-ground emergency response teams and community support efforts, T-Mobile helps first responders and the communities they serve stay connected when it matters most.

Whether responding to hurricanes, wildfires or other large-scale emergencies, staying connected can mean the difference between coordination and chaos. Moments like National Police Week, EMS Week and International Firefighters’ Day honor the work and sacrifice of first responders, while T-Mobile’s year-round commitment helps deliver the network, technology and support they depend on in critical situations — especially when and where traditional coverage is limited.

“T-Mobile is committed to advancing the infrastructure, technology and partnerships that first responders need to save lives every single day,” said André Almeida, Chief Broadband, Enterprise & Emerging Business Officer, T-Mobile. “From T-Priority, which ensures priority access for first responders during extreme congestion, to rapid disaster response and longstanding community partnerships, we support and connect America’s emergency personnel before, during and after the moments that matter most. That’s how we show up.”

BEFORE: Preparing First Responders and Communities for What’s Ahead

Preparation is the foundation for an effective response, especially as emergencies grow more complex.

“When emergencies happen, people need to reach help, check on loved ones and stay informed,” said Jon Freier, Chief Operating Officer, T-Mobile. “That’s why our teams prepare year-round — investing in technology, readiness and rapid-response capabilities so we can show up when communities need us most and help keep people connected in critical moments. This is more than a commitment. It’s a responsibility.”

T-Mobile is pioneering capabilities that help first responders stay ahead of rapidly changing conditions, including real-time data and video sharing, Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, enabled by T-Mobile’s 5G network and T-Priority and AI-driven network monitoring. These innovations are designed to give first responders faster access to information and enhance situational awareness for critical moments and decisions where every second counts.

AI-enabled Self-Organizing Network (SON) technology continuously adjusts network performance in real time to help keep customers and first responders connected when it matters most. During Winter Storm Fern, SON made tens of thousands of automated adjustments and helped keep sites running for more than 250,000 additional minutes, helping impacted communities reach loved ones, access critical resources and call for help.

T-Mobile is also expanding access to emergency services through next-generation 911 and Text to 911 capabilities, getting more Americans help when they need it—even in parts of the country where traditional coverage may be limited, such as remote and rural environments.

Beyond infrastructure, T-Mobile supports the people behind the badge, offering dedicated plans and benefits that help first responders and their families stay connected all year round.

DURING: Showing Up When Communities Need It Most

Every second matters in a disaster, and the role of connectivity as critical infrastructure becomes very clear.

In times of crisis, T-Mobile’s emergency response teams deploy rapidly to restore coverage, coordinate with emergency services and other teams on the ground and provide Wi-Fi, charging and essential supplies in the field so first responders can stay connected and communities can access critical services.

Built on T-Mobile’s 5G Standalone Core, the T-Priority network slice helps first responders stay connected with more consistent access to faster 5G speeds and lower latency for mission-critical communications. It also gives first responders the highest priority across every 5G band, even in times of extreme congestion.

T-Mobile also offers the only dedicated direct-to-cellular network for first responders with Starlink integration in the form of T-Satellite, which extends connectivity from the largest commercial array of satellites directly to compatible devices when traditional networks are unavailable. During Winter Storm Fern, T-Satellite supported more than 250,000 users and 1.5 million messages.

“In an emergency, communication is everything—and first responders don’t have time to troubleshoot connectivity,” said Brian Gould, Industry Segment Advisor, T-Mobile and Former Fire and Police Chief. “That’s where our dedicated emergency response teams come in. They’re prepared to tackle any challenge to ensure essential communications for safety and security are fully operational.”

T-Mobile Supporting First Responders with T-Priority

From hurricanes and wildfires to winter storms and other high-stakes events, the mission remains clear: help first responders do their jobs faster and help communities recover stronger.

AFTER: Supporting Heroes and Communities Nationwide

The work doesn’t stop when the weather clears. Throughout the year, T-Mobile supports first responders, their families and the communities they serve through ongoing partnerships, local engagement and community giving initiatives.

• Introducing Hometown Heroes: Through its partnership with Minor League Baseball, T-Mobile is celebrating “Hometown Heroes” at ballparks across the country throughout May and July. Dedicated theme nights at 28 stadiums will celebrate local first responders, service members and community champions with on-field recognition and in-game tributes, giving honorees the chance to share the moment with friends and family.
• Scholarships and Support for Families of Fallen Heroes: T-Mobile is honored to support the important work of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, including through a $2 million multi-year commitment to support initiatives like scholarships for children of fallen heroes, as well as providing free service to eligible families.
• Direct Support for First Responder Families: T-Mobile’s 2025 Giving Tuesday Campaign raised $200,000 for the First Responder Children’s Foundation (FRCF) to support programs that benefit first responder families, including programs like Toy Express.
• Community Giving: T-Mobile’s Giving Season raised over $100,000 for first responder organizations. Employees donated thousands of volunteer hours and more than 3,000 toys to first responder families, as well as nearly 500 units of blood to help save lives.
• Community Engagement: T-Mobile creates opportunities for first responders to connect with the communities they serve. This includes local “Coffee with a Cop” events, community spotlights and nonprofit partnerships like T-Mobile’s Little League Call Up Grant, which has supported more than 70,000 kids and provided over $8 million in funding to date.

Through initiatives like its National First Responders Day celebrations at retail stores, T-Mobile is also bringing that support directly into local communities— creating opportunities to engage with first responders and their families, increase awareness of available benefits and drive strong participation and engagement in communities across the country.

For first responder families, that impact is deeply felt, and deeply personal.

“After my father’s passing, this scholarship has meant so much to my family and me,” said Shea Roberts, daughter of Officer Charles Roberts. “It’s helped me continue my education and taken a weight off our shoulders during such a difficult time.”

“T-Mobile’s partnership has helped expand the support we provide to first responder families across the country,” said Eric Cortina, Executive Vice President, Development, Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “From scholarships for children of fallen heroes to ongoing assistance, this collaboration is making a meaningful difference for those who have given so much.”

A Commitment That Goes Beyond the Network

With more than 4.6 million first responders across America, the need for reliable connectivity continues to grow.

T-Mobile’s approach is simple: be ready before, show up during and support long after first responders are called into action—helping first responders do their jobs and communities recover stronger.

Learn more about T-Priority and first responder benefits by visiting https://www.t-mobile.com/business/t-priority. For more information on T-Mobile’s preparedness and response capabilities, visit the company’s Emergency Response hub and follow @TMobileNews on X and Instagram.

# # #

T-Priority for qualifying organizations on eligible rate plans. Some T-Priority features only available in areas of Ultra Capacity 5G coverage with capable device and 5G Standalone settings; see T-Mobile.com/5Glayers. Coverage not available in some areas. T-Satellite: Texting & select satellite-ready apps with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the U.S. where you can see the sky. Satellite service, including text to 911, may be delayed, limited, or unavailable. See T-Mobile Terms & Conditions for details.

Published by Las Vegas Sands

On April 21, Sands hosted its annual Sands Cares Accelerator Virtual Global Celebration to showcase the work of nonprofit members in the company’s exclusive three-year capacity-building program. The event’s highlight was the celebration of the global initiative’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas (The Center).

Current members The Food Bank Singapore, the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) in Las Vegas and Sustaincia in Macao outlined their work in the Sands Cares Accelerator. The food bank detailed its first-year accomplishments in the program, while ACDC and Sustaincia presented their three-year focus area and goals as new members in 2026.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson, the Sands Cares Accelerator carries on his legacy of building successful businesses and giving back to communities by helping advance the capabilities of nonprofit organizations.

“Each year, we gather from around the world to highlight this program and the work of our members because we place a high priority on the Sands Cares Accelerator,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said at the celebration. “It’s one of only three global community engagement initiatives in which all of our regions participate, and we view this program much differently than our other corporate giving avenues – one, because community partner advancement is our global priority and, as importantly, because it honors Mr. Adelson’s impact on our company and communities.”

Since 2017, the Sands Cares Accelerator has empowered community service organizations in Las Vegas, Singapore and Macao to build their capacity by pursuing a strategic initiative so they can better serve their missions. During the three-year membership, nonprofits focus on building their capacity in a singular area or enhancing a program offering.

Sands serves as a catalyst and mentor for helping organizations achieve their goals via funding to support their identified focus area, facilitation to build and achieve plans, and guidance and consulting from Team Members. Over the past nine years, Sands has invested $2.1 million in nine Sands Cares Accelerator member organizations, and Team Members have contributed 822 hours of skills-based consulting and mentoring to support achievement of their goals.

The highlight of the annual event was the celebration of the Sands Cares Accelerator’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas. During its membership in the program, The Center’s goal was to expand its marketing and communications capabilities to drive visibility for its services, sustain funding and elevate its reputation as a leading advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

In year one, The Center focused on crystalizing and telling its story. In year two, the nonprofit leveraged the new marketing and communications platform to drive awareness of its medical center and health care services, while year three centered on communicating the organization’s overall impact.

“With the resources to build our marketing and communications capability, we have increasingly been recognized as a thought leader in community-based care,” John Waldron, CEO of The Center, said. “We’ve also increased our visibility nationally, and building on the momentum of our marketing efforts, we’re preparing to launch a capital campaign to support the next phase of our growth as we exit the program.”

Now in its second year in the Sands Cares Accelerator, The Food Bank Singapore highlighted work to expand and evolve its Bank Card Program, which helps beneficiaries, primarily students, receive food aid through smart wallets that are pre-loaded with monthly virtual credits.

In year one of its Sands Cares Accelerator membership, The Food Bank Singapore focused on establishing technology infrastructure for the digital transition and rebranding the Bank Card Program to crystallize its value proposition for donors and partners. The organization launched the rebranded program earlier this year and is initially supporting 150 tertiary students with plans to scale to 300 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and 600 beneficiaries in 2027.

New member ACDC outlined its goal with attendees. With its focus on providing a wide array of services such as voter education, health insurance enrollment assistance, citizenship application assistance, culturally-sensitive food distribution, vaccination clinics and health care services, the nonprofit has set its sights on laying the foundation to establish a permanent cultural and resource hub to deliver its services.

Over the three years in the program, ACDC will work on scoping needs and selecting a site for the new building, developing a capital campaign to fund building development and securing funding commitments to prepare for project construction.

In support of its mission to promote economic development, social responsibility and environmental betterment, Sustaincia’s goal in the Sands Cares Accelerator is to perfect the use of advanced technology in converting food waste from bakery items, rice and cooking oil into useful products, a process known as waste valorization.

Sustaincia also aims to establish its community lab as a hub for technology innovation and research in food waste valorization, as well as leverage this circular framework to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and scientists.

Over three years in the program, Sustaincia will establish a physical location, its core team and lab protocols, and initiate research projects. Once infrastructure is in place, the organization then aims to expand its facilities and obtain certifications for its programs, eventually scaling them for industrial and commercial use while creating a mentorship program.

As the flagship global initiative to advance community partners, the Sands Cares Accelerator is one of Sands’ core community engagement strategies to ensure its regions remain great places to live, work and visit. To learn more about the Sands Cares Accelerator, visit: https://www.sands.com/responsibility/communities/sands-cares-accelerator/

Published by Las Vegas Sands

On April 21, Sands hosted its annual Sands Cares Accelerator Virtual Global Celebration to showcase the work of nonprofit members in the company’s exclusive three-year capacity-building program. The event’s highlight was the celebration of the global initiative’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas (The Center).

Current members The Food Bank Singapore, the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) in Las Vegas and Sustaincia in Macao outlined their work in the Sands Cares Accelerator. The food bank detailed its first-year accomplishments in the program, while ACDC and Sustaincia presented their three-year focus area and goals as new members in 2026.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson, the Sands Cares Accelerator carries on his legacy of building successful businesses and giving back to communities by helping advance the capabilities of nonprofit organizations.

“Each year, we gather from around the world to highlight this program and the work of our members because we place a high priority on the Sands Cares Accelerator,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said at the celebration. “It’s one of only three global community engagement initiatives in which all of our regions participate, and we view this program much differently than our other corporate giving avenues – one, because community partner advancement is our global priority and, as importantly, because it honors Mr. Adelson’s impact on our company and communities.”

Since 2017, the Sands Cares Accelerator has empowered community service organizations in Las Vegas, Singapore and Macao to build their capacity by pursuing a strategic initiative so they can better serve their missions. During the three-year membership, nonprofits focus on building their capacity in a singular area or enhancing a program offering.

Sands serves as a catalyst and mentor for helping organizations achieve their goals via funding to support their identified focus area, facilitation to build and achieve plans, and guidance and consulting from Team Members. Over the past nine years, Sands has invested $2.1 million in nine Sands Cares Accelerator member organizations, and Team Members have contributed 822 hours of skills-based consulting and mentoring to support achievement of their goals.

The highlight of the annual event was the celebration of the Sands Cares Accelerator’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas. During its membership in the program, The Center’s goal was to expand its marketing and communications capabilities to drive visibility for its services, sustain funding and elevate its reputation as a leading advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

In year one, The Center focused on crystalizing and telling its story. In year two, the nonprofit leveraged the new marketing and communications platform to drive awareness of its medical center and health care services, while year three centered on communicating the organization’s overall impact.

“With the resources to build our marketing and communications capability, we have increasingly been recognized as a thought leader in community-based care,” John Waldron, CEO of The Center, said. “We’ve also increased our visibility nationally, and building on the momentum of our marketing efforts, we’re preparing to launch a capital campaign to support the next phase of our growth as we exit the program.”

Now in its second year in the Sands Cares Accelerator, The Food Bank Singapore highlighted work to expand and evolve its Bank Card Program, which helps beneficiaries, primarily students, receive food aid through smart wallets that are pre-loaded with monthly virtual credits.

In year one of its Sands Cares Accelerator membership, The Food Bank Singapore focused on establishing technology infrastructure for the digital transition and rebranding the Bank Card Program to crystallize its value proposition for donors and partners. The organization launched the rebranded program earlier this year and is initially supporting 150 tertiary students with plans to scale to 300 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and 600 beneficiaries in 2027.

New member ACDC outlined its goal with attendees. With its focus on providing a wide array of services such as voter education, health insurance enrollment assistance, citizenship application assistance, culturally-sensitive food distribution, vaccination clinics and health care services, the nonprofit has set its sights on laying the foundation to establish a permanent cultural and resource hub to deliver its services.

Over the three years in the program, ACDC will work on scoping needs and selecting a site for the new building, developing a capital campaign to fund building development and securing funding commitments to prepare for project construction.

In support of its mission to promote economic development, social responsibility and environmental betterment, Sustaincia’s goal in the Sands Cares Accelerator is to perfect the use of advanced technology in converting food waste from bakery items, rice and cooking oil into useful products, a process known as waste valorization.

Sustaincia also aims to establish its community lab as a hub for technology innovation and research in food waste valorization, as well as leverage this circular framework to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and scientists.

Over three years in the program, Sustaincia will establish a physical location, its core team and lab protocols, and initiate research projects. Once infrastructure is in place, the organization then aims to expand its facilities and obtain certifications for its programs, eventually scaling them for industrial and commercial use while creating a mentorship program.

As the flagship global initiative to advance community partners, the Sands Cares Accelerator is one of Sands’ core community engagement strategies to ensure its regions remain great places to live, work and visit. To learn more about the Sands Cares Accelerator, visit: https://www.sands.com/responsibility/communities/sands-cares-accelerator/

Published by Las Vegas Sands

On April 21, Sands hosted its annual Sands Cares Accelerator Virtual Global Celebration to showcase the work of nonprofit members in the company’s exclusive three-year capacity-building program. The event’s highlight was the celebration of the global initiative’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas (The Center).

Current members The Food Bank Singapore, the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) in Las Vegas and Sustaincia in Macao outlined their work in the Sands Cares Accelerator. The food bank detailed its first-year accomplishments in the program, while ACDC and Sustaincia presented their three-year focus area and goals as new members in 2026.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson, the Sands Cares Accelerator carries on his legacy of building successful businesses and giving back to communities by helping advance the capabilities of nonprofit organizations.

“Each year, we gather from around the world to highlight this program and the work of our members because we place a high priority on the Sands Cares Accelerator,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said at the celebration. “It’s one of only three global community engagement initiatives in which all of our regions participate, and we view this program much differently than our other corporate giving avenues – one, because community partner advancement is our global priority and, as importantly, because it honors Mr. Adelson’s impact on our company and communities.”

Since 2017, the Sands Cares Accelerator has empowered community service organizations in Las Vegas, Singapore and Macao to build their capacity by pursuing a strategic initiative so they can better serve their missions. During the three-year membership, nonprofits focus on building their capacity in a singular area or enhancing a program offering.

Sands serves as a catalyst and mentor for helping organizations achieve their goals via funding to support their identified focus area, facilitation to build and achieve plans, and guidance and consulting from Team Members. Over the past nine years, Sands has invested $2.1 million in nine Sands Cares Accelerator member organizations, and Team Members have contributed 822 hours of skills-based consulting and mentoring to support achievement of their goals.

The highlight of the annual event was the celebration of the Sands Cares Accelerator’s sixth graduate, The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas. During its membership in the program, The Center’s goal was to expand its marketing and communications capabilities to drive visibility for its services, sustain funding and elevate its reputation as a leading advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

In year one, The Center focused on crystalizing and telling its story. In year two, the nonprofit leveraged the new marketing and communications platform to drive awareness of its medical center and health care services, while year three centered on communicating the organization’s overall impact.

“With the resources to build our marketing and communications capability, we have increasingly been recognized as a thought leader in community-based care,” John Waldron, CEO of The Center, said. “We’ve also increased our visibility nationally, and building on the momentum of our marketing efforts, we’re preparing to launch a capital campaign to support the next phase of our growth as we exit the program.”

Now in its second year in the Sands Cares Accelerator, The Food Bank Singapore highlighted work to expand and evolve its Bank Card Program, which helps beneficiaries, primarily students, receive food aid through smart wallets that are pre-loaded with monthly virtual credits.

In year one of its Sands Cares Accelerator membership, The Food Bank Singapore focused on establishing technology infrastructure for the digital transition and rebranding the Bank Card Program to crystallize its value proposition for donors and partners. The organization launched the rebranded program earlier this year and is initially supporting 150 tertiary students with plans to scale to 300 beneficiaries by the end of 2026 and 600 beneficiaries in 2027.

New member ACDC outlined its goal with attendees. With its focus on providing a wide array of services such as voter education, health insurance enrollment assistance, citizenship application assistance, culturally-sensitive food distribution, vaccination clinics and health care services, the nonprofit has set its sights on laying the foundation to establish a permanent cultural and resource hub to deliver its services.

Over the three years in the program, ACDC will work on scoping needs and selecting a site for the new building, developing a capital campaign to fund building development and securing funding commitments to prepare for project construction.

In support of its mission to promote economic development, social responsibility and environmental betterment, Sustaincia’s goal in the Sands Cares Accelerator is to perfect the use of advanced technology in converting food waste from bakery items, rice and cooking oil into useful products, a process known as waste valorization.

Sustaincia also aims to establish its community lab as a hub for technology innovation and research in food waste valorization, as well as leverage this circular framework to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and scientists.

Over three years in the program, Sustaincia will establish a physical location, its core team and lab protocols, and initiate research projects. Once infrastructure is in place, the organization then aims to expand its facilities and obtain certifications for its programs, eventually scaling them for industrial and commercial use while creating a mentorship program.

As the flagship global initiative to advance community partners, the Sands Cares Accelerator is one of Sands’ core community engagement strategies to ensure its regions remain great places to live, work and visit. To learn more about the Sands Cares Accelerator, visit: https://www.sands.com/responsibility/communities/sands-cares-accelerator/

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

David Pollack is best known as a former University of Georgia football star, NFL linebacker and longtime college football analyst. A three‑time All‑American at Georgia, he was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals before a neck injury ended his professional career early.

While widely recognized as a star athlete, David is defined by his commitment to faith and family. He and his wife, Lindsey, have been married since 2005 and in their 20^th year together, they were faced with the unexpected: Lindsey experienced sudden neurological symptoms that led her to get checked. Doctors later discovered a brain tumor that required urgent intervention. Her diagnosis was later identified as stage IV glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult‑to‑treat forms of brain cancer.

The road to cancer-free

The immediate treatment was surgery, which marked only the beginning of a long and uncertain path forward. Following surgery, Lindsey faced significant physical challenges, including partial paralysis on the left side of her body, limiting movement in her arm and hand, as well as extreme fatigue and low blood pressure.

Over the weeks and months that followed, Lindsey began an intensive rehabilitation process, having to relearn basic physical functions, including walking. David stayed by her side, cheering her on and celebrating every improvement along the way — from first steps to eventually the ability to do light daily activities again.

“Those early days were nothing short of frightening and emotionally overwhelming, but there was one moment, just a few hours after surgery, that showed me how resilient and determined Lindsey is,” David recalled. “She couldn’t speak or even open her eyes, but when we played her favorite worship song, she lifted her arms in praise — something that not only shocked those of us around her, but also became a symbol of faith in what would be a successful journey ahead.”

Exactly one year after Lindsey’s surgery, David announced that his wife was cancer‑free, a milestone that many physicians and families facing glioblastoma never reach.

A deepened commitment to service and advocacy

David and Lindsey were very open about the diagnosis and treatment journey, posting often on social media to share progress updates. Initially, it was about a call for prayers in the midst of a crisis. Then, in the months following, David reflected on the experience and noticed a theme: Cancer can often go undetected until it becomes a crisis. That realization prompted him to become a vocal advocate for being proactive with your health — knowing your body, staying on top of important screenings and never postponing doctor visits, especially when something feels “off.” This is why he has been named an Aflac Check for Cancer Champion.

“You only have one body, and you need to care for it,” David said. “Don’t wait until a convenient time to check for cancer, because that time may never come. Prioritize your health and get checked, because early detection is the best line of defense.”

Reflecting on Lindsey’s experiences and challenges he has faced throughout his life, David recently wrote and published a new book titled, “Every Day Counts,” a mantra he uses to remind himself and others to deal with life’s challengers by starting where you are, using what you have, and doing what you can, just for today.

David — alongside Lindsey and their two children — continues to reinforce the importance of preventive health, especially when it comes to early detection, and that’s what makes him a champion.

The Check for Cancer Champions program is part of Aflac’s Check for Cancer initiative, a bold, national movement to increase cancer screenings by 10% over 10 years. Learn more about the Check for Cancer movement by visiting Aflac.com/CheckForCancer.

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^{This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.}

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News Summary

• LG Electronics has been named to the 2026 Forbes “Accessibility 200” list recognizing global innovators and impact-makers advancing accessibility.
• The company’s  accessibility initiatives span AI-enabled TV captioning, smart home innovations, LG Comfort Kit appliance accessories and accessible commercial technologies.
• LG’s “Design for All” initiatives reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to creating technology and experiences that improve life for people of all abilities.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 19, 2026 /3BL/ — Global home appliance and consumer electronics innovator LG Electronics has been named to the 2026 Forbes “Accessibility 200” list, which recognizes leading global organizations driving innovation and impact in accessibility-related fields.

The recognition reflects LG’s growing commitment to inclusive innovation through its global “Better Life for All” ESG vision and related “Design for All” initiatives, which focus on creating products, services and experiences that are intuitive, accessible and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.

“Accessibility is increasingly shaping how we innovate, design and deliver experiences that improve everyday life,” said Don Kwack, President and CEO of LG Electronics North America. “We are honored to be recognized by Forbes for our efforts to help create more inclusive environments through technology. Guided by our Better Life for All vision, LG is committed to developing solutions that empower independence, convenience and connection for all.”

In recent years, LG has expanded its accessibility-focused technologies and programs across both consumer and commercial categories. These initiatives include the LG Comfort Kit family of appliance accessories that embody LG’s Design for All approach by supporting a wide range of users, including seniors and individuals with varying mobility, dexterity and visual abilities. This year’s introduction of tactile stickers in North America further enhances accessibility by enabling blind or low vision users to more easily identify and operate appliances, while also improving usability for wheelchair users who previously faced challenges due to the height of control panels.

Other initiatives include AI-enabled TV capabilities with enhanced captioning features, smart-home accessibility innovations leveraging AI and IoT technologies, and accessible commercial kiosks designed for grocery and retail environments as well as quick-service restaurants.

Earlier this year at the 2026 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, LG showcased AI-enabled smart home technologies and accessible solutions designed to support people with visual, hearing and mobility disabilities. The company also introduced an accessibility-enhanced commercial kiosk integrating a refreshable braille interface, height-adjustable displays and sign-language video guidance.

“Accessibility innovation inspires new features, products and services that transform how people with disabilities – and often the wider world – communicate, travel, learn, work, play sports, and so much more,” said Forbes Assistant Managing Editor Alan Schwarz, who spearheaded the 2026 Accessibility 200 list. “Accessibility has evolved from a legal mandate to a bustling frontier of innovation, impact and profit. It’s now beyond ‘the right thing to do’ – it’s integral to a smart business.”

Presented alphabetically and expanded this year from 100 to 200 honorees, the just-published Forbes Accessibility 200 recognizes companies and organizations making meaningful contributions across areas including consumer products, software, communication, mobility, education, entertainment, travel, sports and recreation, robotics and the workplace. The 2026 list includes organizations representing 23 countries across six continents and was compiled with the assistance of a 12-member expert advisory board.

# # #

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60 billion. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com. 

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics North America

John I. Taylor
+1 847 941 8181 
john.taylor@lge.com 

Alex Oltmanns
alex.oltmanns@bursonglobal.com
+1 412 394 6678

DENVER, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – DaVita announced its 2030 Community Care commitments, a new set of long-term goals, focused on improving patient outcomes, supporting the expansion of economic opportunity for teammates, and strengthening community and environmental resilience. The announcement follows the company achieving or exceeding the majority of its prior five-year environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, reinforcing DaVita’s track record of turning ambition into measurable impact.

Guided by its Trilogy of Care — Caring for Our Patients, Caring for Each Other and Caring for Our World — the 2030 framework builds on more than 25 years of progress and reflects DaVita’s continued commitment to raising the standard for kidney care in the communities it serves.

“As we look toward 2030, we’re building on decades of progress and continuing to redefine what’s possible in kidney care,” said Javier Rodriguez, chief executive officer of DaVita. “Whether it’s expanding access to transplants, creating meaningful opportunities for teammates or advancing more sustainable operations, these commitments reflect the impact our teammates make every day in the communities we serve.”

The 2030 commitments build on strong momentum from the company’s previous five-year goals and focus on three areas central to DaVita’s mission.

Advancing Industry-Leading Care

In 2025, DaVita educated more than 40,000 people through its Kidney Smart® classes — bringing the total number of individuals reached to more than 300,000 — and supported more than 8,000 patients in receiving kidney transplants.

By 2030, DaVita aims to:

• Improve patient quality of life by reducing avoidable hospitalizations
• Empower 150,000 patients to make more informed modality choices through kidney education
• Narrow health disparities by increasing home dialysis and transplant access for underserved populations
• Support 40,000 DaVita patients in receiving a transplant

Driving Economic Mobility and Teammate Engagement

In 2025, DaVita achieved an 85% teammate engagement score, exceeded its five-year teammate volunteerism goal by logging more than 218,000 hours of community service, and supported more than 400 teammates in pursuing advanced nursing degrees.

By 2030, DaVita strives to:

• Sustain market-leading teammate engagement scores of 80% or higher each year
• Advance 2,000 new nurses through DaVita development and career programs
• Contribute 300,000 hours of community service through teammate volunteerism

Strengthening Communities and Environmental Resilience

DaVita has already achieved 100% renewable energy use across its current operations and surpassed prior environmental goals by conserving 468 million gallons of water.

Looking ahead, the company plans to:

• Support philanthropic investments benefiting 400,000 people
• Power global operations with 100% renewable energy annually
• Assess climate-related risks and invest in more resilient operations to help protect continuity of patient care
• Expand water conservation best practices across every country where DaVita operates

External Recognition

DaVita’s approach to sustainability, workplace culture and corporate governance continues to earn external recognition, including recent honors from:

• Time magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies
• Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices
• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) “A-List” for climate change
• Fortune, USA Today and Newsweek recognitions as an employer of choice

To read more about DaVita’s 2025 achievements and review the report in its entirety, visit https://davita.com/communitycare/

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About DaVita Inc.
DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a healthcare provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 25 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey — from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping support transplantation. This includes ensuring they are supported at home, in dialysis centers, in the hospital and in skilled nursing facilities. As of March 31, 2026, DaVita served approximately 296,300 patients at 3,262 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,666 centers were located in the United States and 596 centers were located in 14 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, helped improve health access and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care community to adopt a higher quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Media Contact: newsroom@davita.com

NEW YORK and TOKYO, May 19, 2026 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (Panasonic EW) announced today new findings from a Panasonic EW-led study indicating that WELL Certified workplaces significantly outperform non-certified spaces—delivering substantial gains in employee well-being, engagement and workplace experience, and underscoring the powerful connection between healthy building strategies, human performance and organizational resilience. Drawing on more than 4,200 occupant surveys across 41 office projects in Japan, the study provides one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of how health-focused buildings translate into measurable outcomes.

“This study, conducted in collaboration between IWBI and Panasonic EW, provides a comprehensive analysis of WELL Certified offices across Japan,” said Dr. Yoshifumi Murakami, Manager of Well consultant & Service Promotion Dept. at Panasonic EW. “The findings show that WELL Certified workplaces achieved higher performance not only in environmental factors such as air, sound and lighting, but also in workplace experience and organizational environment, contributing to improved employee well-being and engagement. We believe these results reinforce the importance of designing workplaces with well-being.”

The findings demonstrate a clear and consistent performance advantage. Employees in WELL Certified projects reported a 19% increase in overall well-being and a 20% increase in perceived work engagement compared to non-certified buildings. Across the core indoor environmental quality factors examined, those most tied to human health and performance, WELL projects also showed significantly higher satisfaction, including access to nature (+36%), water quality (+26%), indoor air quality (+23%), sound environment (+21%), speech privacy (+21%), thermal comfort (+20%), natural light (+18%) and lighting environment (+13%). Importantly, this performance advantage held even against recently renovated workplaces. WELL Certified offices outperformed recently renovated non-certified offices by 10% in well-being and 8% in engagement, underscoring that renovations alone fail to deliver the same gains in engagement and well-being.

“This study adds to a rapidly expanding and well-substantiated body of evidence showing that WELL Certified buildings consistently outperform across the very factors that matter most for human health, well-being and performance,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “The findings also send a powerful message to organizations everywhere: investing in health is not a cost but a catalyst for stronger performance, deeper engagement and greater organizational resilience.”

Beyond the indoor environment, the study also underscores the broader impact of WELL on workplace experience. Employees in WELL Certified spaces reported higher satisfaction with key workplace culture and design elements, including privacy, psychological safety, social connection and opportunities to rest and recharge throughout the workday. Interior design factors, ranging from layout and furnishings to cleanliness and operational policies, also scored higher, pointing to a more comprehensive and supportive workplace ecosystem.

“While many organizations recognize the importance of well-being, one of the common challenges has been the difficulty in clearly demonstrating its impact and value. This study provides important evidence validating the performance and value of WELL Certified spaces, while also offering meaningful insights to support investment decisions related to workplace well-being.” said Hisashi Hara, Head of Well-Being Business Development Office at Panasonic EW. “Panasonic EW will continue leveraging these findings to support clients in creating healthier, more comfortable and higher-performing workplaces, while helping advance well-being across the Japanese market.”

Further analysis in the study helps dive deeper, explaining what is driving these outcomes. Regression modeling shows that key factors related to refreshing and recharging are a strong contributor to perceived well-being, accounting for 31%, followed by team culture at 16%, indoor environmental quality at 15% and design at 14%. A similar pattern emerges for work engagement, with refreshing and recharging accounting for 18%, team culture 14% and design 14%. The design factors also include the teamwork environment, highlighting the importance of workplace design in supporting collaboration and employee experience. Together, these findings highlight a holistic model of performance where physical conditions, social dynamics and workplace design operate in tandem to support both health and productivity.

As one of the largest post-occupancy datasets comparing WELL-certified and non-certified offices, the study provides a rigorous, evidence-based rationale for elevating health and well-being as a cornerstone of workplace investment strategies. Taken together, the results mark a fundamental shift toward prioritizing health and well-being as central to driving human performance and organizational resilience.

Download the study here.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contact:
media@wellcertified.com

About Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Head Office: Panasonic Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-5-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8301, Japan
Representative: Kiyoshi Otaki
Website: https://panasonic.co.jp/ew/

Guided by its purpose, “Brightening Today. Powering the Future, Panasonic EW is committed to creating new value through electrical infrastructure, with a focus on areas such as Well-Being and Energy Management, contributing to a sustainable and enriched society.

In the field of Well-Being, Panasonic EW promotes the concept of “Science for Well-Being” by providing WELL Certification consulting services in Japan, develops workplaces where people can experience Well-Being firsthand, and offers a variety of solutions designed to enhance health, comfort, and workplace experience. Through these initiatives, Panasonic EW continues to contribute to the creation of healthier and more human-centered spaces across Japan.

View original content here.