Month: May 2026

CAMDEN, N.J., May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced it has been named to two of Newsweek’s lists of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2026, Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level* and Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-Being, for the second year in a row. Collectively, these recognitions underscore the automaker’s ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive workplace environment for employees at every stage of their careers, with an emphasis on a strong and sustainable corporate culture.

The Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level award evaluates organizations across key areas, including belonging, sustainability, and awareness, highlighting employers that offer meaningful support and development opportunities for employees at the start of their careers. The Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-Being recognition honors organizations that prioritize employee mental health as an essential pillar of both individual wellness and overall organizational performance.

^{Subaru of America, Inc. has been named as one of Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level 2026. The award evaluates organizations across key areas, including belonging, sustainability, and awareness, highlighting employers that offer meaningful support and development opportunities for employees at the start of their careers.}

^{Subaru of America, Inc. has been named as one of Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-Being 2026. The recognition honors organizations that prioritize employee mental health as an essential pillar of both individual wellness and overall organizational performance.}

Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc.: “We’re honored that Subaru has been recognized by Newsweek for the second year in a row, and believe in supporting our employees, from those at the beginning of their careers to our most experienced colleagues. Through our strong culture, rooted in the Subaru Love Promise®, we empower our workforce to grow, contribute, and help shape the future of our organization while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”

Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group developed these rankings using a combination of methods, including an analysis of publicly available data, large-scale confidential employee surveys, independent research, and third-party data. Plant-A also partnered with Aniline.ai, a leading Human Resources analytics firm, to analyze more than 37 million data points across more than 120 key performance indicators (KPIs).

More information about the rankings and their methodologies can be found at the following links:

• https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-greatest-workplaces-for-entry-level-2026
• https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-greatest-workplaces-for-mental-well-being-2026

*Categorized as Greatest Workplaces for Gen Z in 2025.

About Subaru of America, Inc. 

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. 

###

Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Hundreds of students, educators, and community leaders gathered Friday at North High School for a future-focused 529 Celebration, a pep-assembly event recognizing the growing investment in students’ futures through 529 college savings accounts and a $750,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to help get those accounts started.

By Degrees Foundation, a Des Moines-based nonprofit, operates one of the only programs in the nation that pairs early and ongoing postsecondary and career exploration with real-dollar investments into student 529 savings accounts. In November 2025, the organization announced the expansion of its 529 savings program to all students at North High School. In the first six months of the initiative, By Degrees opened 193 student 529 savings accounts at North High and invested more than $38,000 in seed funding.

“Our work is about expanding opportunity and economic mobility for more families in central Iowa,” said Emily Westergaard, CEO of By Degrees Foundation. “By Degrees helps students explore college and career pathways while building real savings for their future. Together, those strategies help students graduate from high school ready for what comes next.”

The Wells Fargo grant investment is supporting milestone deposits for the ninth-grade classes of 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, and will continue supporting those same classes as they progress through high school.

“Wells Fargo is proud to support By Degrees Foundation and help invest in students at North High School through the expansion of 529 savings accounts,” said Laura Howe, Regional Branch Network Executive of Wells Fargo. “When students and families have the opportunity to build financial savings early, it can be a game-changer that opens up possibilities for the future and nurture a mindset of saving for their future.”

By Degrees partners with Des Moines Public Schools to support students and families in north Des Moines through long-term school partnerships. The organization embeds staff directly inside schools and delivers coordinated K-12 programming that helps students tour colleges, explore career opportunities, and build financial assets for the future. After seeing strong outcomes at Findley Elementary, By Degrees expanded its 529 savings program to all Harding Middle students in 2024-25 with support from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, and then to all North High students—offering the full program to every student at its partner schools. By combining education and asset-building in a single, coordinated approach, By Degrees aims to strengthen economic mobility and expand opportunity for students and families across central Iowa.

“At Des Moines Public Schools, we are committed to helping every student graduate ready for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Matt Smith, interim superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. “Our partnership with By Degrees helps make that possible, giving students the chance to explore options for postsecondary education while making a real financial investment in their future. Expanding 529 savings accounts to all North High students sends a powerful message that our community believes in their potential.”

About By Degrees Foundation 

By Degrees Foundation partners with Des Moines Public Schools to help students in north Des Moines graduate from high school with a clear plan for postsecondary education and career success. Through long-term school partnerships, By Degrees connects students and families to academic support, postsecondary exploration, career exposure, and postsecondary savings opportunities designed to expand economic mobility.

Media Contact: 

Laila Williams, By Degrees Foundation Growth & Development Coordinator

(515) 528-5796 (cell)

laila@bydegreesfoundation.org

By Alex Teper

About Globe
Globe Telecom is a Fortune Southeast Asia 500 company and the leading digital platform in the Philippines, serving over 62 million mobile customers and driving AI-powered innovation and sustainability. Globe manages an increasingly complex network due to the introduction of new technologies, new spectrum and multiple vendors, and centralized nationwide initiatives, such as coverage of its radio access network (RAN).

Use Case Spotlight
By deploying Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, Globe reduced nationwide RAN energy consumption by up to 5.5% in seven months, accelerating multi-vendor network modernization, delivering advanced, efficient connectivity for the Philippine market.

Qualcomm Innovation
Globe leverages the Qualcomm Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, an AI-driven solution that optimizes multi-vendor, multi-generation cellular networks, enabling rapid, near real-time network audits and seamless modernization.

A leading digital platform in the Philippines and a pioneering force in the telecommunications industry, Globe Telecom boasts more than 62 million mobile customers. Beyond being a major player in the country’s telecom sector, they are also a frontrunner in embracing AI-driven digital innovation and sustainability. For example, they have set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint, while continuing to drive technological advancements in the industry and better serving the growing Philippine economy.

Of course, serving more than 62 million mobile customers is not without challenges. With a network comprising multiple generations of cellular network technology (e.g., 4G and 5G) and multiple network equipment vendors, Globe faced an exponential rise in network configurations needed across their thousands of cell sites. To address this challenge and harness AI’s enormous potential to enhance RAN operations, Globe turned to Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. deepening a valuable collaboration that began in 2020. 

Working together with Qualcomm Technologies, Globe deployed the Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, an AI-driven solution that stands out for its ability to seamlessly synthesize and optimize cell sites spanning multiple vendors and technology generations. Leveraging the Suite’s AI-powered Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platform, tasks that once took months now run in days and near real-time, driving a new standard of efficiency and interoperability across Globe’s complex network landscape.

Further, Globe informed us that they have reduced their nationwide RAN energy consumption by up to 5.5% in just seven months of implementation of this AI-driven optimization program. This is a significant milestone which accelerates Globe’s journey toward net-zero emissions, while continuing to deliver advanced experiences for their customers.

In speaking about these results, Joel Agustin, SVP and Head of Service Planning and Engineering at Globe said, “AI is now embedded in every layer of our network — from intelligent power management to predictive network analytics. Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies lets us operate an intelligent and self-managing RAN that delights customers, while contributing toward our goal of creating a more energy-efficient network.”

Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe added, “This collaboration reaffirms our resolve to further improve our network and facilities by lessening our carbon footprint, reducing operational expenditure (OPEX) and collaborating with companies able to support our energy efficiency goals.”

To achieve these results, the Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite’s SMO utilizes real time KPIs and configuration data from multi-vendor equipment, applies AI and machine learning models to optimize parameters, and then executes changes via open OSS connectors — all on a flexible cloud architecture.

Globe’s bold adoption of AI demonstrates the opportunity for telcos to improve operational efficiency and energy consumption, while reducing OPEX. We are very honored to be the intelligence engine behind this transformative, AI-driven deployment.

And this is just the beginning of our AI-focused collaboration with Globe. We are working together to harness agentic AI capabilities for further enhancements, including forecasting traffic surges, self-healing network anomalies and enabling new enterprise services, such as carbon-aware connectivity tiers.

Learn more about Globe
Explore the Qualcomm Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite
Sunscribe to our newsletter for the latest networking insights
 

By Alex Teper

About Globe
Globe Telecom is a Fortune Southeast Asia 500 company and the leading digital platform in the Philippines, serving over 62 million mobile customers and driving AI-powered innovation and sustainability. Globe manages an increasingly complex network due to the introduction of new technologies, new spectrum and multiple vendors, and centralized nationwide initiatives, such as coverage of its radio access network (RAN).

Use Case Spotlight
By deploying Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, Globe reduced nationwide RAN energy consumption by up to 5.5% in seven months, accelerating multi-vendor network modernization, delivering advanced, efficient connectivity for the Philippine market.

Qualcomm Innovation
Globe leverages the Qualcomm Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, an AI-driven solution that optimizes multi-vendor, multi-generation cellular networks, enabling rapid, near real-time network audits and seamless modernization.

A leading digital platform in the Philippines and a pioneering force in the telecommunications industry, Globe Telecom boasts more than 62 million mobile customers. Beyond being a major player in the country’s telecom sector, they are also a frontrunner in embracing AI-driven digital innovation and sustainability. For example, they have set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint, while continuing to drive technological advancements in the industry and better serving the growing Philippine economy.

Of course, serving more than 62 million mobile customers is not without challenges. With a network comprising multiple generations of cellular network technology (e.g., 4G and 5G) and multiple network equipment vendors, Globe faced an exponential rise in network configurations needed across their thousands of cell sites. To address this challenge and harness AI’s enormous potential to enhance RAN operations, Globe turned to Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. deepening a valuable collaboration that began in 2020. 

Working together with Qualcomm Technologies, Globe deployed the Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite, an AI-driven solution that stands out for its ability to seamlessly synthesize and optimize cell sites spanning multiple vendors and technology generations. Leveraging the Suite’s AI-powered Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platform, tasks that once took months now run in days and near real-time, driving a new standard of efficiency and interoperability across Globe’s complex network landscape.

Further, Globe informed us that they have reduced their nationwide RAN energy consumption by up to 5.5% in just seven months of implementation of this AI-driven optimization program. This is a significant milestone which accelerates Globe’s journey toward net-zero emissions, while continuing to deliver advanced experiences for their customers.

In speaking about these results, Joel Agustin, SVP and Head of Service Planning and Engineering at Globe said, “AI is now embedded in every layer of our network — from intelligent power management to predictive network analytics. Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies lets us operate an intelligent and self-managing RAN that delights customers, while contributing toward our goal of creating a more energy-efficient network.”

Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe added, “This collaboration reaffirms our resolve to further improve our network and facilities by lessening our carbon footprint, reducing operational expenditure (OPEX) and collaborating with companies able to support our energy efficiency goals.”

To achieve these results, the Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite’s SMO utilizes real time KPIs and configuration data from multi-vendor equipment, applies AI and machine learning models to optimize parameters, and then executes changes via open OSS connectors — all on a flexible cloud architecture.

Globe’s bold adoption of AI demonstrates the opportunity for telcos to improve operational efficiency and energy consumption, while reducing OPEX. We are very honored to be the intelligence engine behind this transformative, AI-driven deployment.

And this is just the beginning of our AI-focused collaboration with Globe. We are working together to harness agentic AI capabilities for further enhancements, including forecasting traffic surges, self-healing network anomalies and enabling new enterprise services, such as carbon-aware connectivity tiers.

Learn more about Globe
Explore the Qualcomm Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite
Sunscribe to our newsletter for the latest networking insights
 

Las Vegas Sands

In March, 13 students from the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism at the University of North Texas visited Las Vegas for week-long study tour to learn about the hospitality industry. As with UNT’s previous trip in 2024, the visit was underwritten by Sands Cares as part of Sands’ focus on workforce development in the hospitality industry and cultivating its future leaders.

^{UNT hospitality students arrived in Las Vegas on Mar. 7 to embark on the week-long study tour.}
“Once again, Sands made possible a learning experience for our students in one of the world’s top hospitality centers,” Harold Lee, Ph.D., clinical associate professor at UNT’s College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism and vice president, West Federation Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, said. “The in-depth look they received from this trip, coupled with the interactions with leaders who generously gave their time, expertise and advice, made for incredible learning to help them plan their careers.”

^{Students visited Sands’ corporate offices to learn about professional service career tracks in the hospitality industry.}
In addition to underwriting the week, Sands hosted students at its headquarters on Mar. 10 for a career roundtable with company leaders, who shared insights about their responsibilities and experience to showcase the variety of non-operational career tracks in the industry.

Speakers included Ron Reese, senior vice president of corporate communications and global affairs; Ray Neal, executive director of corporate development, architecture and planning; Georgina Moreno, executive director of procurement; Melissa Grande, director of corporate sustainability; Mike Echols, vice president of global cyber security; Lauralee Antiporta, human resources specialist, and Danielle Buckner, human resources manager.

“My biggest takeaway from hearing from the Sands leaders was just how involved everything is,” Matthew Watry, a UNT senior, said. “We started off with the corporate development team and heard about how some of the projects start getting planned 10 years out and how much goes into that planning and development process, which was really interesting. We also learned how involved operations can be, such as with procurement and having to solve problems on the spot. I heard about creative solutions.”

^{Reese spoke to students about facets of communications, reputation and corporate giving.}
Kara Williams, a UNT senior, also appreciated the wide variety of areas that were discussed during the Sands visit. “Seeing so many sides of what hospitality could be was really cool. What stuck out to me the most was the discussion about cybersecurity because it was never something I had considered being a part of hospitality, especially as the company is headquartered in Las Vegas and working for properties in Macao and Singapore. It really showed me how broad hospitality can be.”

The study tour also included visits to and tours of integrated resorts and hospitality venues, such as The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Park MGM and The Wynn Las Vegas, where students received additional on-site learning opportunities.

“This week definitely changed my perspective of hospitality,” Williams said. “There are just so many avenues and aspects that you can go into it. It’s about putting yourself out there and getting to know as many people as you can. Be a sponge, there’s so much you can learn from someone else. It opened a lot of opportunities with connections, including getting practice with networking. At school, you get practice with your professors or at career fairs, but this gave us an opportunity to talk to people who knew we were just starting out.”

^{Students got a behind-the-scenes look at integrated resort operations.}
The UNT group also visited the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality as well as its Konami Gaming Lab to experience its state-of-the-art casino simulation.

“I was eager to take this trip because I wanted to open up my perspective about what I want to do in my career,” Emily Gonzalez, a UNT junior, said. “After this experience, I realized there’s so much more than managing hotels.”

^{A highlight of the UNLV visit was delving into casino operations at the Konami Gaming Lab.}
“The study tour gave us connections and opportunities for networking,” Chinelo Ileje, a UNT junior, said. “It showed us many job opportunities in the hospitality field. There are so many stepping stones.”

Supporting the UNT Las Vegas Study Tour is one of Sands’ many workforce development initiatives to advance hospitality education and build a strong talent pool for the industry.

To learn more about Sands’ workforce development efforts in the hospitality industry, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/

Las Vegas Sands

In March, 13 students from the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism at the University of North Texas visited Las Vegas for week-long study tour to learn about the hospitality industry. As with UNT’s previous trip in 2024, the visit was underwritten by Sands Cares as part of Sands’ focus on workforce development in the hospitality industry and cultivating its future leaders.

^{UNT hospitality students arrived in Las Vegas on Mar. 7 to embark on the week-long study tour.}
“Once again, Sands made possible a learning experience for our students in one of the world’s top hospitality centers,” Harold Lee, Ph.D., clinical associate professor at UNT’s College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism and vice president, West Federation Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, said. “The in-depth look they received from this trip, coupled with the interactions with leaders who generously gave their time, expertise and advice, made for incredible learning to help them plan their careers.”

^{Students visited Sands’ corporate offices to learn about professional service career tracks in the hospitality industry.}
In addition to underwriting the week, Sands hosted students at its headquarters on Mar. 10 for a career roundtable with company leaders, who shared insights about their responsibilities and experience to showcase the variety of non-operational career tracks in the industry.

Speakers included Ron Reese, senior vice president of corporate communications and global affairs; Ray Neal, executive director of corporate development, architecture and planning; Georgina Moreno, executive director of procurement; Melissa Grande, director of corporate sustainability; Mike Echols, vice president of global cyber security; Lauralee Antiporta, human resources specialist, and Danielle Buckner, human resources manager.

“My biggest takeaway from hearing from the Sands leaders was just how involved everything is,” Matthew Watry, a UNT senior, said. “We started off with the corporate development team and heard about how some of the projects start getting planned 10 years out and how much goes into that planning and development process, which was really interesting. We also learned how involved operations can be, such as with procurement and having to solve problems on the spot. I heard about creative solutions.”

^{Reese spoke to students about facets of communications, reputation and corporate giving.}
Kara Williams, a UNT senior, also appreciated the wide variety of areas that were discussed during the Sands visit. “Seeing so many sides of what hospitality could be was really cool. What stuck out to me the most was the discussion about cybersecurity because it was never something I had considered being a part of hospitality, especially as the company is headquartered in Las Vegas and working for properties in Macao and Singapore. It really showed me how broad hospitality can be.”

The study tour also included visits to and tours of integrated resorts and hospitality venues, such as The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Park MGM and The Wynn Las Vegas, where students received additional on-site learning opportunities.

“This week definitely changed my perspective of hospitality,” Williams said. “There are just so many avenues and aspects that you can go into it. It’s about putting yourself out there and getting to know as many people as you can. Be a sponge, there’s so much you can learn from someone else. It opened a lot of opportunities with connections, including getting practice with networking. At school, you get practice with your professors or at career fairs, but this gave us an opportunity to talk to people who knew we were just starting out.”

^{Students got a behind-the-scenes look at integrated resort operations.}
The UNT group also visited the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality as well as its Konami Gaming Lab to experience its state-of-the-art casino simulation.

“I was eager to take this trip because I wanted to open up my perspective about what I want to do in my career,” Emily Gonzalez, a UNT junior, said. “After this experience, I realized there’s so much more than managing hotels.”

^{A highlight of the UNLV visit was delving into casino operations at the Konami Gaming Lab.}
“The study tour gave us connections and opportunities for networking,” Chinelo Ileje, a UNT junior, said. “It showed us many job opportunities in the hospitality field. There are so many stepping stones.”

Supporting the UNT Las Vegas Study Tour is one of Sands’ many workforce development initiatives to advance hospitality education and build a strong talent pool for the industry.

To learn more about Sands’ workforce development efforts in the hospitality industry, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/

LINCOLN, Neb., May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation and Funga are expanding their strategic collaboration to broaden market access for Funga’s biodiversity-powered forest carbon project. This go-to-market partnership builds on the catalytic capital investment made by the Arbor Day Impact Fund in 2025, now evolving into a joint effort with the Foundation, with a shared goal of expanding market access for Funga’s soil restoration work across U.S. forests.

The partnership brings together Funga’s science-driven carbon removals and the Foundation’s corporate partner and buyer network to solve a persistent challenge in the voluntary carbon market: connecting high-integrity carbon removals with companies building credible climate strategies at scale.

“This partnership with Funga aims to demonstrate how reforestation projects can function as durable climate infrastructure—delivering trees planted, land restored, and economic benefits today, while building the financial foundations needed to sustain impact for decades to come,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund.

This partnership expands the Foundation’s portfolio with a scientifically rigorous, nature-based removal that meets what their partners are increasingly looking for. For Funga, it creates a meaningful path to scale, expanding native soil restoration across more forests, alongside partners who share that ambition.

“We are proud to expand our collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation. Their endorsement of Funga’s innovative tech and carbon program traction is a powerful signal to the market, helping us leverage the Foundation’s longstanding relationships to connect our projects with buyers looking to lead on climate and biodiversity,” Colin Averill, Founder and CEO of Funga.

Together, the Arbor Day Foundation and Funga are demonstrating how technical innovation and established market credibility can work in tandem to drive ecosystem restoration and climate impact at scale.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About Funga

Funga is restoring soil biodiversity to address the climate crisis. By reintroducing native, growth-promoting fungal communities to soils, they are working to accelerate one of the biggest carbon-storing mechanisms on the planet: forests. Trees inoculated with a healthy soil microbiome are reunited with critical symbiotic partners, allowing them to grow faster and stronger — sequestering significantly more carbon in the process.

Funga is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) that is dedicated to delivering measurable environmental outcomes and durable economic value through the power of the microbiome. To learn more, go to funga.earth.

###

LINCOLN, Neb., May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation and Funga are expanding their strategic collaboration to broaden market access for Funga’s biodiversity-powered forest carbon project. This go-to-market partnership builds on the catalytic capital investment made by the Arbor Day Impact Fund in 2025, now evolving into a joint effort with the Foundation, with a shared goal of expanding market access for Funga’s soil restoration work across U.S. forests.

The partnership brings together Funga’s science-driven carbon removals and the Foundation’s corporate partner and buyer network to solve a persistent challenge in the voluntary carbon market: connecting high-integrity carbon removals with companies building credible climate strategies at scale.

“This partnership with Funga aims to demonstrate how reforestation projects can function as durable climate infrastructure—delivering trees planted, land restored, and economic benefits today, while building the financial foundations needed to sustain impact for decades to come,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund.

This partnership expands the Foundation’s portfolio with a scientifically rigorous, nature-based removal that meets what their partners are increasingly looking for. For Funga, it creates a meaningful path to scale, expanding native soil restoration across more forests, alongside partners who share that ambition.

“We are proud to expand our collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation. Their endorsement of Funga’s innovative tech and carbon program traction is a powerful signal to the market, helping us leverage the Foundation’s longstanding relationships to connect our projects with buyers looking to lead on climate and biodiversity,” Colin Averill, Founder and CEO of Funga.

Together, the Arbor Day Foundation and Funga are demonstrating how technical innovation and established market credibility can work in tandem to drive ecosystem restoration and climate impact at scale.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About Funga

Funga is restoring soil biodiversity to address the climate crisis. By reintroducing native, growth-promoting fungal communities to soils, they are working to accelerate one of the biggest carbon-storing mechanisms on the planet: forests. Trees inoculated with a healthy soil microbiome are reunited with critical symbiotic partners, allowing them to grow faster and stronger — sequestering significantly more carbon in the process.

Funga is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) that is dedicated to delivering measurable environmental outcomes and durable economic value through the power of the microbiome. To learn more, go to funga.earth.

###

By: Vicki Hyman
Director, Global Communications, Mastercard

Global development priorities, fast-advancing technologies and shifting consumer behavior are reshaping what financial health looks like and how digital innovations can reach small businesses and those traditionally left behind. At the 2026 Global Inclusive Growth Forum, hosted by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, leaders from across the public, private and social sectors dug into how digital economies can expand opportunity and deepen resilience. Here are six takeaways from the day.

“If AI is allowing us to rethink how everything works, that actually means there are no legacy limitations for us. We can design new systems that work for the future, that work for today, using 2026 tools. We do not have to use yesterday’s programs and tools and try to retrofit them into today’s system.”

Shamina Singh, the founder and president of the Center for Inclusive Growth, on AI as an opportunity to redesign how markets and institutions work, particularly for those left behind.

“At these events, we all talk about really big figures, but behind every figure is a life, and how they feel about their future. While we know a job on its own is not a guarantee for everything else we want to achieve, we do know that with the absence of that job we can’t make the progress we want to achieve.”

Paschal Donohoe, managing director and chief knowledge officer, World Bank Group, on how understanding personal experiences behind macroeconomic data helps achieve inclusive growth.

Global development priorities, fast-advancing technologies and shifting consumer behavior are reshaping what financial health looks like and how digital innovations can reach small businesses and those traditionally left behind. At the 2026 Global Inclusive Growth Forum, hosted by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, leaders from across the public, private and social sectors dug into how digital economies can expand opportunity and deepen resilience. Here are six takeaways from the day.

“If AI is allowing us to rethink how everything works, that actually means there are no legacy limitations for us. We can design new systems that work for the future, that work for today, using 2026 tools. We do not have to use yesterday’s programs and tools and try to retrofit them into today’s system.”

Shamina Singh, the founder and president of the Center for Inclusive Growth, on AI as an opportunity to redesign how markets and institutions work, particularly for those left behind.

“At these events, we all talk about really big figures, but behind every figure is a life, and how they feel about their future. While we know a job on its own is not a guarantee for everything else we want to achieve, we do know that with the absence of that job we can’t make the progress we want to achieve.”

Paschal Donohoe, managing director and chief knowledge officer, World Bank Group, on how understanding personal experiences behind macroeconomic data helps achieve inclusive growth.

“All too often, the rise of digital currencies and stablecoins and blockchains and alternative payment systems are treated as a substitute for cash. But if you want a fast, secure, resilient, 21st-century-ready payment system, you have to also include the preservation of cash and then support widespread payment systems optionality.”

Dante Disparte, chief strategy officer and head of Global Policy and Operations at the stablecoin giant Circle, on building better payment systems. 

“We want to support those people who are out there who are going to say, ‘I’m going to take the hit first. My personal financial stability is not as important as my business becoming more stable.’”

Tim Ogden, managing director of the Financial Access Initiative at NYU Wagner, on the findings of his Small Firm Diaries research, which shows most entrepreneurs aren’t chasing hypergrowth but are seeking resiliency.

“It’s about sustaining, but not necessarily taking over the world. I want to make sure that my uniquely American craft continues to thrive, and that comes through slow, intentional work.”

Morgan Buckert, a custom artisan bootmaker based in Idaho and Texas, about being deliberate about growing her small business.

“How do you take the friction down of the reuse moment? The reason we love disposability is it’s so easy to throw something away. So if we’re going to ask someone to bring it back and take that extra effort, we’ve got to take all the friction out of it, because that’s what we’re competing against.”

Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling, recycled content, and reuse, on one of the keys to scaling circular systems. 

Continue reading here

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.