Month: July 2026

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to welcome Cook Medical, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of medical devices, as a new member. Cook Medical specializes in minimally invasive technologies across various specialties, including interventional radiology, peripheral intervention, gastroenterology, and urology, among others.

“Cook Medical has demonstrated their commitment to sustainability through a number of initiatives, including focuses on minimizing waste, conserving energy, and promoting the use of recyclable and renewable materials,” shared Tracy Taszarek, Executive Director of HPRC. “We welcome their technical expertise and extensive experience in the medical device industry and look forward to collaborating with their team to achieve our shared goals.”

Cook Medical brings a wealth of knowledge in medical device development, advanced manufacturing techniques, and global healthcare market needs that will complement HPRC’s project work. Their commitment to sustainability combined with their expertise in areas including materials science, environmental engineering, and healthcare compliance, make them a valuable addition to HPRC’s membership.

“We are excited to engage with other members to address common challenges and develop innovative solutions that benefit the entire healthcare plastics value chain,” shared Barry Slowey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cook Medical. “We look forward to contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices within the healthcare plastics industry.”

HPRC is currently engaged in multiple initiatives aimed at enabling the recycling and circularity of healthcare plastics, including an assessment of recycling infrastructure, opportunities for labelling standardization, and developing a scalable playbook for implementing regional hospital recycling programs.

 

About Cook Medical

At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living.

Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments.

We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.

 

About HPRC

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. Made up of more than 30 brand-leading and globally recognized members, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling in support of a circular plastics economy. HPRC is active across the United States and Europe working with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org and follow HPRC on LinkedIn.

HPRC is facilitated by Antea Group.

NEW YORK and LONDON, July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – WeWork, a leading global real estate platform, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing health in buildings, organizations and communities, and The Instant Group, the world’s largest marketplace for flexible workspace, today announced that WeWork has committed to pursuing the WELL Coworking Rating globally, an evidence-based roadmap for advancing health, well-being and workplace experience across the flexible office market. The initiative will include over 300 WeWork locations across five continents, comprising roughly half of the company’s global portfolio of 600-plus locations.

Representing the largest commitment to workspace health-focused experience ever made by a coworking operator, the initiative will bring the WELL Coworking Rating to companies and professionals who rely on WeWork flexible workspaces around the world, creating healthier, more engaging workplaces. By pursuing the WELL Coworking Rating across its global portfolio, WeWork is demonstrating unprecedented leadership in advancing well-being throughout the continuously growing sector.

Launched by IWBI in collaboration with The Instant Group, the WELL Coworking Rating provides a roadmap for coworking operators to advance health, well-being and performance through evidence-based strategies spanning operational policies, occupant experience and workplace design. Derived from the health strategies in the WELL Building Standard, the rating includes more than 50 features across all 10 WELL concepts, including air and water quality, light, thermal comfort, movement and nourishment. The rating was specifically developed to help flexible workspace providers deliver healthier, higher-performing environments for members while creating greater consistency and transparency across the sector.

Within the next three years, WeWork will implement WELL Coworking Rating strategies across its global portfolio, working toward achieving the WELL Coworking Rating in hundreds of workspaces. The effort is expected to positively impact the 550,000+ members who use WeWork spaces each year. In addition to coworking access, WeWork offers private offices, full-floor workspaces, and managed solutions that include spaces sourced outside of WeWork’s existing portfolio. These offerings are supported by a composable suite of services and technology designed to meet businesses’ needs today while adapting to how they work tomorrow.

“Today’s workers want an exceptional workplace environment, and well-being is a key part of that experience,” shared Ebbie Wisecarver, Chief Design and Product Officer at WeWork. “Pursuing the WELL Coworking Rating across our portfolio underscores that commitment to our members, embedding health and wellness into the spaces they use every day. We are showcasing to the entire commercial real estate sector that workplace well-being is a fundamental priority.”

“As flexible work continues to evolve, coworking spaces play an increasingly important role in supporting the health, well-being, productivity and connection of workers around the world,” said Rachel Hodgdon, IWBI President and CEO. “By enrolling many of its global locations in pursuit of the WELL Coworking Rating, WeWork is helping redefine what excellence looks like in the coworking sector. This commitment sends a powerful signal to the market that people deserve spaces designed not only for flexibility and convenience, but also for human health and performance. WeWork’s leadership is elevating expectations across the industry and positively impacting the experience of people using flexible workspaces at a global scale.”

“Across our global client portfolio, we are seeing a clear shift in occupier priorities, with health, wellbeing and workplace performance becoming increasingly important factors in workspace selection and portfolio decision-making,” said Sam Pickering, Managing Director at Incendium Consulting (Part of the Instant Group). “As organisations place greater emphasis on employee experience, talent attraction and productivity outcomes, there is growing demand for independently verified standards that demonstrate the quality and impact of workplace environments. The WELL Coworking Rating provides operators with a robust framework to meet these expectations, differentiate their offer and support the continued maturation of the flexible workspace sector.”

Since its launch, the WELL Coworking Rating has provided coworking operators with a scalable framework for implementing evidence-based strategies that support physical health, mental well-being, comfort, safety and community. By extending these strategies across one of the largest real estate portfolios in the world, WeWork is helping accelerate the adoption of healthier workplace practices and establishing a new benchmark for health and well-being across the global coworking industry.

About WeWork

WeWork is a leading global real estate platform, purpose-built to empower businesses of all sizes with flexible workplace solutions, hospitality-driven experiences, best-in-class services, and innovative technology. With a curated portfolio of over 600 thoughtfully designed locations, spanning 45M square feet worldwide, WeWork helps more than half a million members — from emerging startups to Fortune 100 companies – perform their best work, today and tomorrow.

To learn more, visit wework.com.

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.

WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, 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.

About The Instant Group

The Instant Group has been rethinking workspace since 1999 with over 500 experts working globally across more than 175 countries. Instant’s digital platforms constitute the world’s largest digital marketplace for flexible workspace listing meeting rooms, virtual offices, flexible office space and coworking memberships. Its global team advises on commercial real estate solutions from serviced offices to fully customised managed offices, and consulting services for portfolio and net zero strategies. Instant’s approach enables agility, hybrid working solutions and improved operational resilience for more than 250,000 businesses every year. Clients include Amex, Prudential, Booking.com, Shell, Jaguar Land Rover and Worldpay. Instant has global offices including London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney.

Media Contact:

WeWork: press@wework.com
IWBI: media@wellcertified.com
The Instant Group: Olivia Chatten, olivia.chatten@incendiumconsulting.com

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AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – International climate action advocate Sandrine Dixson-Declève will keynote Cascale’s 2026 Annual Meeting on September 15–17 in Athens. The anticipated program foregrounds hard truths, including the gap between sustainability and commercial decision-making and structural misalignments that slow progress, while highlighting solutions, such as financing and partnership models, that help organizations strategically align to scale impact.

Key Takeaways

• Sandrine Dixson-Declève will deliver the opening keynote at Cascale’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Athens (September 15–17), addressing systems transformation, resilience, and the future of sustainable business.
• H&M, EY, and HSBC will join a main stage discussion exploring how organizations are aligning capital allocation, financing, and business strategy to scale sustainability impact.
• The event will focus on practical solutions to overcome barriers slowing industry progress, including innovative financing models, cross-sector partnerships, and commercial alignment.
• The European Cotton Alliance will host an optional field trip showcasing Europe’s cotton value chain, regenerative farming, sustainable sourcing, and nearshoring in action.
• The event is proudly supported by lead sponsor, Worldly, alongside an outstanding group of industry partners, including TAL Apparel Limited, Inspectorio, GSCS International, TUV Rheinland, Better Cotton, and many more.

September 15 will offer a half-day of programming, beginning at 1 p.m. After an address by new Cascale CEO Ying McGuire, Sandrine Dixson-Declève will deliver the opening keynote, an internationally recognized sustainability and systems leader, Executive Chair of the Earth4All initiative and the Systems Transformation Hub, as well as Honorary President of the Club of Rome.

“Business is operating in a world defined by converging environmental, economic, and geopolitical challenges. Resilience will not come from optimizing the status quo, but from rethinking the systems that shape how value is created and shared. We need to move beyond short-term decision-making and embrace long-term collaboration, innovation, and investment that enables businesses and society to thrive within planetary boundaries. I’m looking forward to exploring how leaders can turn today’s disruptions into catalysts for lasting transformation.” – Sandrine Dixson-Declève, international climate action advocate

On September 16 and 17, Main Stage panels will also be viewable virtually, showcasing keynotes and discussions such as the “From Commitment to Capital Allocation: How Organizations Are Prioritizing Sustainability Investments Under Pressure” panel, which will include representatives from EY (formerly Ernst & Young), H&M, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

“The challenge our industry is facing is no longer a lack of ambition; it is creating the conditions to deliver at scale. Many of the solutions needed already exist but progress is often slowed by fragmented approaches, misaligned incentives, and limited access to capital. As sustainability moves from ambition to implementation, we need financing models and partnerships that connect resilience, business value, and climate action. The next step is to translate shared ambition into shared investment, shared accountability, and measurable progress.” – Hampus Starre Friberg, Head of Sustainability Strategy & Controlling, H&M

“Organizations are under increasing pressure to balance financial performance with long-term resilience. The conversation has shifted from whether sustainability creates value to how leaders integrate it into capital allocation, risk management, and business strategy. The companies making the greatest progress are those that embed sustainability into core decision-making rather than treating it as a separate initiative. I’m looking forward to discussing how collaboration, data, and financing can help organizations make investment decisions that deliver both commercial and sustainability outcomes.” – Anna Ryott, EY Partner & Nordic Chief Impact Officer 

European Cotton Alliance Field Trip

An optional field trip, hosted by the European Cotton Alliance and open to media, will offer a firsthand look at the cotton value chain, connecting production with manufacturing and revealing insights into sustainable sourcing, regenerative farming, and more.

“The future of cotton depends on stronger connections across the value chain – from the farm to the finished product. This field trip offers participants the opportunity to see firsthand how farmers, manufacturers, brands, and policymakers are working together to advance more resilient and sustainable cotton production. Europe has its own cotton and by bringing industry leaders directly into the field, we can move beyond discussion to a deeper understanding of the importance of nearshoring and transparency. This is where it all begins: farmers’ expertise and land management secure soil health and biodiversity. Then, scaling is possible with innovation, partnerships, and investments. We look forward to welcoming participants and sharing the work taking place across Europe’s cotton sector.” – Dimitris Polychronos, president, European Cotton Alliance (ECA)

Sponsorship

The event is proudly supported by lead sponsor, Worldly, alongside an outstanding group of industry partners, including TAL Apparel Limited, Inspectorio, GSCS International, TUV Rheinland, Better Cotton, and many more.

Learn more and register for the Cascale Annual Meeting 2026!

Organizations interested in elevating their presence and engaging directly with industry leaders can explore sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about sponsorship packages or to express interest, please contact Cascale’s events team through this page.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance driving systemic transformation to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale unites a diverse, worldwide ecosystem of over 300 retailer, brand, manufacturer, supplier, service provider, government, academic, and nonprofit members.

Our alliance catalyzes pre-competitive collaboration for maximum impact, anchored by our stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks — implemented through the Worldly technology platform — and recent acquisition of the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. While these methodologies are central to our work, they are part of a broader strategy to mobilize collective action, challenge industry norms, and build an industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

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By GoDaddy 

Getting fired might feel like the end of the road, but sometimes it can be the start of an even better journey. Angie K. is joined by Laura Brown, co-author of “All The Cool Girls Get Fired” to discuss how career changes can be the perfect opportunity to pursue the idea you’ve always dreamed of. Laura opens up about her own experience being let go from InStyle, the lessons she learned along the way and practical advice for navigating today’s ever-changing career landscape. Plus, hear insights from GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab and a founder spotlight with Ryn Scull of Scull House Sweets.

Follow @GoDaddyNews on Instagram for exclusive podcast content.

About GoDaddy School of Hustle with Angie K.

GoDaddy’s School of Hustle hosted by Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Angie Katsanevas examines the “reality” facing today’s entrepreneurs and secrets behind navigating the plot twists along the way to success. Each episode is a totally candid conversation with newsmakers and GoDaddy customers led by fan-favorite Angie K who was a hustler long before the Bravo cameras started rolling.

About GoDaddy 

GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 14, 2026 /3BL/ –  PATRÓN Tequila and longtime partner Becky G—the global superstar and proud Mexican-American artist—today unveiled their most personal collaboration yet: Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver. This highly-limited collectible release is anchored by an exclusive drop of a custom PATRÓN Silver bottle designed by Becky G herself. Inspired by the power and importance of water, the collection brings attention to the reality that reliable water access isn’t always within reach for households across Jalisco, Mexico. 

PATRÓN is funding the installation of 200 rainwater harvesting systems with the pioneering Mexican non-profit Isla Urbana for households across the state of Jalisco, Mexico, with the initiative amplified through the limited-edition collection. The rainwater harvesting systems will help households collect and store rainfall for everyday use—like washing, bathing, cleaning, and watering plants—creating a more reliable source of water for the communities they serve. Rooted in a shared commitment to Jalisco, the initiative underscores a simple but powerful belief: every drop counts.

“To have partners like PATRÓN and Becky G stand alongside us means so much — they’re using their voices and their platforms to bring attention to a cause that matters deeply and helping even more households across Jalisco gain access to reliable water,” said Jennifer White, Co-Founder and General Director of Isla Urbana. “Every system we install is designed to last, giving households a reliable source of clean water  they can depend on and pass down for years to come.“

Born from that shared purpose, Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver honors the vital role of water through two limited-edition offerings. The first is an exclusive drop of a PATRÓN Silver bottle designed by Becky G, available in limited quantities, each finished with a custom cork and wearable scarf. The bottle’s blue and green tones reflect both the importance of water and the longstanding relationship between Becky G and PATRÓN. The second is a collectible tin that was inspired by the exclusive bottle designed by Becky with similar waves of blue and green, and includes a standard bottle of our iconic PATRÓN Silver. Together, the collection encourages a deeper appreciation for one of life’s most essential resources.

“Jalisco has shaped both PATRÓN and me,” said Becky G. “It’s where PATRÓN is made and where all four of my abuelitos are from. Working with PATRÓN on Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver gave us an opportunity to celebrate that connection, while helping shine a light on something incredibly important. Clean water isn’t a given for everyone in Jalisco — for many households, it isn’t something that just flows from the tap, but something you carry, store, and ration. If you have a platform, you use it to lift others up, and I’m proud to do that alongside PATRÓN and Isla Urbana. I hope it inspires people to not take something as essential as water for granted.”

The collection marks the latest chapter in a longtime partnership between PATRÓN and Becky G. Over the years, the two have celebrated milestone moments together — from the launch of PATRÓN Cristalino, which Becky G headlined, to toasting the releases of her albums and her documentary — all built on a shared pride in their Mexican roots and a mutual belief that true greatness is earned through dedication and relentless hard work, never given.

“At PATRÓN, we’ve always believed that how you make something matters — from the way we craft our tequila with precision and care, to the partnerships we choose,” said Roberto Ramirez-Laverde, Global Senior Vice President, PATRÓN Tequila. “Becky G has been part of the PATRÓN familia for years, and she shares that same dedication to doing things the right way. Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver brings that shared ethos to life — celebrating where we both come from while giving back to the communities of Jalisco that continue to shape us.”

Launching alongside the collection is a documentary-style piece featuring Becky G that captures the stories of households across Jalisco and the impact rainwater harvesting systems from Isla Urbana can have in their communities. Through personal experiences and firsthand moments, the film offers a closer look at the people behind this initiative and the shared commitment that inspired our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver.

Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver collectible tin featuring our iconic PATRÓN Silver is available at spirits retailers nationwide for an SRP of $42.99, while supplies last. The exclusive run of 350 Becky G-designed bottles, complete with a custom cork and wearable scarf, will be available for pre-order exclusively on ReserveBar beginning July 24, 2026 for $60—just in time for National Tequila Day.

Learn more about the Our Rainwater Project Limited-Edition PATRÓN Silver by visiting patrontequila.com/becky-g. 

About PATRÓN Tequila
From hand-harvesting the highest-quality 100% Weber Blue Agave, to the traditional, time-honored distillation process and individual labeling, numbering, and inspection of each bottle, PATRÓN Tequila is crafted with meticulous precision and care. Though PATRÓN has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected luxury spirits brands in the world, it is still exclusively produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, in the same small batches and with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. For more information about PATRÓN Tequilas and Liqueurs, please visit www.patrontequila.com. The perfect way to enjoy PATRÓN is responsibly.

PATRÓN is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRÓN IS RESPONSIBLY.

©2026. PATRÓN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND THE BEE LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS. HANDCRAFTED IN MEXICO.

CONTACT: PATRÓN@mbooth.com

ABOUT ISLA URBANA
Isla Urbana is a Mexico-based organization dedicated to expanding access to rainwater harvesting as a practical and sustainable response to water inequality. Since 2009, Isla Urbana has designed and installed rainwater harvesting systems in homes and businesses, combining technical innovation with community training, education, and long-term support.

This participatory approach ensures that infrastructure is not only installed but also deeply adopted by the people who use it, creating decentralized water supply solutions that are dependable, locally managed, and designed to work over time. By capturing, treating, and storing rainwater at the point of use, these systems help transform an often-overlooked resource into high-quality water for daily life. This sustainable technology provides water autonomy to communities and contributes to reducing the overexploitation of aquifers.

To date, Isla Urbana has implemented more than 45,000 rainwater harvesting systems across Mexico and Latin America, capturing over 6.6 billion liters of rainwater annually. 

By helping communities manage and care for their water, Isla Urbana strengthens water autonomy, mitigates daily water stress, and builds more water resilient futures.

ABOUT BECKY G
Becky G is a multi-platinum global superstar who has spent the last decade shaping the sound and culture of contemporary pop across languages and borders. A singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and activist, the six-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee and Academy Award nominee, has amassed more than 28 billion career streams worldwide, building a catalog of era-defining hits while becoming one of the most recognizable voices of her generation. Her influence extends far beyond music, earning American Music Awards, Latin American Music Awards, E! People’s Choice Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, while her fearless advocacy for representation and community has made her a leading cultural voice on and off stage. In recognition of her growing global impact, Becky was named to the TIME100 Next list in 2025, honoring the rising leaders shaping the future across industries. In 2024, she delivered a powerful performance of her Oscar-nominated song “The Fire Inside” live at the Academy Awards.

Never one to stay in a single lane, Becky continues to evolve creatively while staying deeply connected to her roots. Her acclaimed album “ESQUINAS” celebrated her Mexican-American heritage through Regional Mexican sounds, earning over 987 million streams, debuting at #3 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart, and landing in the Top 10 of the Top Latin Albums chart. The project’s standout single “POR EL CONTRARIO” topped the Billboard Regional Mexican charts and earned a Latin GRAMMY® nomination. She followed with “ENCUENTROS,” a more intimate chapter exploring identity, love, and vulnerability while expanding her sonic universe. The album debuted at #7 on the Latin Albums chart and #25 across all genres on Apple Music, leading into her CASA GOMEZ: OTRO CAPÍTULO TOUR, which traveled across the U.S. and marked her first sold-out arena shows. She also delivered one of the standout moments at the American Music Awards, performing her single “Qué Haces” with Manuel Turizo, and took the Main Stage at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

July 15, 2026 /3BL/ – The WSLA Alumnae Group is proud to announce that entries are now open for the 13th annual Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards. The WSLA Awards advance, honor, and connect the most powerful women at the forefront of sustainability who are driving transformative change across sectors and communities.

Since its founding, WSLA has recognized more than 135 women whose leadership has created a positive and lasting impact on the planet. Together, this distinguished network of leaders not only advances sustainability initiatives worldwide but also uplifts the next generation of changemakers through mentorship — a cornerstone of the program’s mission.

Applications may be submitted here on the WSLA Alumnae Group website from July 15 to August 15, 2026. Awardees will be celebrated at the 13^th annual WSLA awards ceremony in February 2027, during the GreenBiz27 conference hosted by Trellis in San Diego, CA.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have:

• At least 15 years of professional work experience;
• At least seven years of sustainability leadership in a strategic function;
• At least seven years directly managing others.

In addition to the above, applicants will be evaluated on the significance of their contribution to the sustainability profession, the enduring impact of their efforts, and the significance of their accomplishments. Their history of mentorship of other female leaders is also an important consideration.

“By celebrating women whose work has made an enduring and positive impact in sustainability, awardees are encouraged to tackle bigger and more complex issues — which benefits all global citizens. This award is unique in that winners join a network of influential leaders, the WSLA Alumnae Group, a 501(c)(3) organization,” said Rochelle Routman, President of the Alumnae Group. “Eligible women are encouraged to apply and join this growing community of trailblazers.” 

Sponsorship Opportunities

The WSLA Alumnae Group also invites organizations and companies to support the 13th Annual WSLA Awards through sponsorship. By sponsoring, partners will help elevate and celebrate women leading sustainability worldwide while aligning their brand with a network of influential changemakers. Sponsorship opportunities include recognition at the awards ceremony, year-round visibility, and engagement with the WSLA alumnae network. Interested organizations can learn more at https://www.wsla.global/sponsors or email amaclean@arbnco.com.

About WSLA Alumnae Group 
The WSLA Alumnae Group, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a community of past Women in Sustainability Leadership Award winners: more than 135 of the most influential women* trailblazers who have become a powerful force in the profession of creating a more sustainable world. The group’s annual awards program and mentorship opportunities continue to pave the way in sustainability and for future leaders in the field. For more information, visit https://www.wsla.global.

*WSLA welcomes a diversity of women to unite as a strong collective of unique lived experiences and perspectives committed to sustainability and impactful environmental stewardship. WSLA is a strong proponent, advocate, and practitioner of equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice, and as such is an organization open to all women. Our definition of women is expansive and includes those who may identify as non-binary, genderqueer, gender expansive, two-spirit, or otherwise do not fit within a traditional gender binary.

# # #

Press Contact:
Elaine Salewske
WSLA Alumnae Group
Email: elaine@salewske.com
Website: www.wsla.global

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MetLife

MetLife’s People Aspiration is to build a purpose-driven, inclusive culture that energizes our employees to make a difference. We continue to strengthen our culture by listening to our workforce and creating opportunities for employees to build skills, grow their careers and contribute to meaningful business outcomes. These investments reinforce a strong, forward‑thinking culture as a key driver of MetLife’s all‑weather performance.

Energizing Our People

MetLife prioritizes practices and programs that drive collaboration and support a future-ready organization. We believe that employees who are engaged, empowered to innovate and have a sense of belonging and connection will help drive stronger business results.

• MOMENTUM is MetLife’s global community of employee-driven networks focused on cultivating a great place to work everywhere we operate. Led by employee volunteers, the networks are voluntary, open to all employees and engage our people in career development and community outreach. Our networks sponsor events and learning opportunities. In 2025, a new MOMENTUM digital platform helped streamline the employee experience, enhancing communication and collaboration among different networks and office locations. In addition, MetLife’s community ambassadors¹ foster workplace vitality and strengthen collaboration.
• MetLife’s global Experimentation Fund enables our people to test innovative ideas that align with our New Frontier strategy. The fund provides employees with access to resources to test their ideas and drive efficiencies.

Listening to Our People

Gaining employees’ perspectives and recognizing them when they advance our strategy is essential to nurturing our purpose-driven, inclusive and high-performance culture. Employees provide feedback on our work practices through surveys, Let’s Talk, Live! forums (CEO-led global town halls) and virtual and in-person listening sessions with leaders.

The MyVoice survey is part of our Company-wide annual listening program which allows every employee’s voice to be heard and valued. Sharing and acting on results is a collaborative and inclusive effort—our CEO shares enterprise-wide results at Let’s Talk, Live!, leaders review feedback with their teams, and we engage MyVoice action committees throughout the organization to identify opportunities and implement solutions that elevate the employee experience. We use insights from these engagements to identify enterprise focus areas that help us build long-term growth through our culture.

The 2025 MyVoice survey was our eighth, and it received our highest participation rate ever, with 86 percent of employees responding. Scores improved across all the survey’s focus areas, and we again beat industry benchmarks where measured. Employees identified clear communication and transparency, engagement, customer focus, collaboration and inclusion, and learning and experimentation as MetLife’s strengths.

We also introduced a listening platform to gather candid input from employees on specific topics, helping leaders quickly understand what matters most. Unlike a traditional survey, participants share open-ended thoughts in their own words and review and respond to the perspectives of others, allowing shared themes to naturally emerge. Enabled by AI, the platform quickly summarizes results and generates potential actions for leaders, creating a rapid feedback loop with participants.

Recognizing Our People

Celebrating achievements, both big and small, strengthens our connections, fosters collaboration and inspires us to turn potential into long-term growth. The Global Recognition program at MetLife honors purpose-driven and performance-focused efforts.

We’ve introduced the New Frontier Game Changer program to encourage peer-topeer recognition of employees who demonstrate key New Frontier behaviors and mindsets, such as customer focus, innovation, collaboration and accountability. The program is designed to make recognition more accessible and reinforce behaviors that support our strategy and culture.

We also recognize employees through our Purpose Award, MetLife’s highest honor for individuals or teams who made extraordinary efforts to bring MetLife’s purpose to life and deliver for our stakeholders.

Read more about how we are supporting our people in MetLife’s 2025 Sustainability Report.

 

^{1 MetLife community ambassadors are employee volunteers assigned to strengthen community at specific MetLife office locations or to serve virtual employee populations.}

MetLife

MetLife’s People Aspiration is to build a purpose-driven, inclusive culture that energizes our employees to make a difference. We continue to strengthen our culture by listening to our workforce and creating opportunities for employees to build skills, grow their careers and contribute to meaningful business outcomes. These investments reinforce a strong, forward‑thinking culture as a key driver of MetLife’s all‑weather performance.

Energizing Our People

MetLife prioritizes practices and programs that drive collaboration and support a future-ready organization. We believe that employees who are engaged, empowered to innovate and have a sense of belonging and connection will help drive stronger business results.

• MOMENTUM is MetLife’s global community of employee-driven networks focused on cultivating a great place to work everywhere we operate. Led by employee volunteers, the networks are voluntary, open to all employees and engage our people in career development and community outreach. Our networks sponsor events and learning opportunities. In 2025, a new MOMENTUM digital platform helped streamline the employee experience, enhancing communication and collaboration among different networks and office locations. In addition, MetLife’s community ambassadors¹ foster workplace vitality and strengthen collaboration.
• MetLife’s global Experimentation Fund enables our people to test innovative ideas that align with our New Frontier strategy. The fund provides employees with access to resources to test their ideas and drive efficiencies.

Listening to Our People

Gaining employees’ perspectives and recognizing them when they advance our strategy is essential to nurturing our purpose-driven, inclusive and high-performance culture. Employees provide feedback on our work practices through surveys, Let’s Talk, Live! forums (CEO-led global town halls) and virtual and in-person listening sessions with leaders.

The MyVoice survey is part of our Company-wide annual listening program which allows every employee’s voice to be heard and valued. Sharing and acting on results is a collaborative and inclusive effort—our CEO shares enterprise-wide results at Let’s Talk, Live!, leaders review feedback with their teams, and we engage MyVoice action committees throughout the organization to identify opportunities and implement solutions that elevate the employee experience. We use insights from these engagements to identify enterprise focus areas that help us build long-term growth through our culture.

The 2025 MyVoice survey was our eighth, and it received our highest participation rate ever, with 86 percent of employees responding. Scores improved across all the survey’s focus areas, and we again beat industry benchmarks where measured. Employees identified clear communication and transparency, engagement, customer focus, collaboration and inclusion, and learning and experimentation as MetLife’s strengths.

We also introduced a listening platform to gather candid input from employees on specific topics, helping leaders quickly understand what matters most. Unlike a traditional survey, participants share open-ended thoughts in their own words and review and respond to the perspectives of others, allowing shared themes to naturally emerge. Enabled by AI, the platform quickly summarizes results and generates potential actions for leaders, creating a rapid feedback loop with participants.

Recognizing Our People

Celebrating achievements, both big and small, strengthens our connections, fosters collaboration and inspires us to turn potential into long-term growth. The Global Recognition program at MetLife honors purpose-driven and performance-focused efforts.

We’ve introduced the New Frontier Game Changer program to encourage peer-topeer recognition of employees who demonstrate key New Frontier behaviors and mindsets, such as customer focus, innovation, collaboration and accountability. The program is designed to make recognition more accessible and reinforce behaviors that support our strategy and culture.

We also recognize employees through our Purpose Award, MetLife’s highest honor for individuals or teams who made extraordinary efforts to bring MetLife’s purpose to life and deliver for our stakeholders.

Read more about how we are supporting our people in MetLife’s 2025 Sustainability Report.

 

^{1 MetLife community ambassadors are employee volunteers assigned to strengthen community at specific MetLife office locations or to serve virtual employee populations.}

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

The familiar sounds of baseball — cracking bats, cheering crowds and the hum of summertime excitement — once again set the stage for something far more meaningful than a game. At Aflac’s 2026 Night at the Ballpark in Atlanta, patients, families and physicians from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta gathered for an evening of big-league baseball, that blended America’s favorite pastime with moments of joy, connection and healing.

Now a cherished annual tradition, the event welcomed patients, their siblings, parents and care teams for a respite from the challenges of treatment. For many in attendance, the night was not just about baseball; it was about reclaiming a sense of normalcy and celebrating time together outside hospital walls.

The ballpark transformed into an inclusive, uplifting environment where children could simply be kids. Activities ranged from creative coloring stations to interactive entertainment, while Aflac distributed signature goody bags filled with themed items, including its well-known plush duck supporting childhood cancer and sickle cell awareness initiatives. These ducks and other themed items are available at shop.aflacchildhoodcancer.org, and proceeds tied to these efforts benefit the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, reinforcing the broader mission behind the evening.

Beyond the games and giveaways, the significance of the event lies in its emotional impact. For families navigating complex medical journeys, experiences like this offer a much-needed break — one where the focus shifts from treatments and appointments to laughter, shared memories and community.

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center remains a national leader in pediatric care, supporting thousands of children each year across cancer and blood disorders, including the largest pediatric sickle cell programs in the United States. The partnership between Aflac and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has long aimed to support both cutting-edge care and the holistic well-being of patients and families.

“Events like this remind us that healing isn’t only clinical — it’s emotional, too,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aflac. “Seeing these families come together to make memories and find support in one another is a great reminder that there is a community that cares deeply about them and their journeys.”

As the sun set over the ballpark, the cheers carried a deeper meaning. For one night, the focus shifted from medical charts to memorable moments — proof that even amid life’s toughest challenges, joy can still take center field.

With each passing year, Night at the Park continues to underscore Aflac’s commitment to compassion, community and the belief that small moments of happiness can make a big difference. In fact, since 1995, Aflac employees, independent agents and The Aflac Foundation, Inc., have contributed nearly $200 million to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. These donations help advance groundbreaking research, fund innovative treatments and provide critical resources for children and families facing cancer and blood disorders. Beyond supporting care, it also helps create meaningful experiences that bring comfort to patients and their loved ones when they need it most.

---

^{Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999}

^{Z2600449  EXP 4/27}

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

The familiar sounds of baseball — cracking bats, cheering crowds and the hum of summertime excitement — once again set the stage for something far more meaningful than a game. At Aflac’s 2026 Night at the Ballpark in Atlanta, patients, families and physicians from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta gathered for an evening of big-league baseball, that blended America’s favorite pastime with moments of joy, connection and healing.

Now a cherished annual tradition, the event welcomed patients, their siblings, parents and care teams for a respite from the challenges of treatment. For many in attendance, the night was not just about baseball; it was about reclaiming a sense of normalcy and celebrating time together outside hospital walls.

The ballpark transformed into an inclusive, uplifting environment where children could simply be kids. Activities ranged from creative coloring stations to interactive entertainment, while Aflac distributed signature goody bags filled with themed items, including its well-known plush duck supporting childhood cancer and sickle cell awareness initiatives. These ducks and other themed items are available at shop.aflacchildhoodcancer.org, and proceeds tied to these efforts benefit the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, reinforcing the broader mission behind the evening.

Beyond the games and giveaways, the significance of the event lies in its emotional impact. For families navigating complex medical journeys, experiences like this offer a much-needed break — one where the focus shifts from treatments and appointments to laughter, shared memories and community.

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center remains a national leader in pediatric care, supporting thousands of children each year across cancer and blood disorders, including the largest pediatric sickle cell programs in the United States. The partnership between Aflac and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has long aimed to support both cutting-edge care and the holistic well-being of patients and families.

“Events like this remind us that healing isn’t only clinical — it’s emotional, too,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aflac. “Seeing these families come together to make memories and find support in one another is a great reminder that there is a community that cares deeply about them and their journeys.”

As the sun set over the ballpark, the cheers carried a deeper meaning. For one night, the focus shifted from medical charts to memorable moments — proof that even amid life’s toughest challenges, joy can still take center field.

With each passing year, Night at the Park continues to underscore Aflac’s commitment to compassion, community and the belief that small moments of happiness can make a big difference. In fact, since 1995, Aflac employees, independent agents and The Aflac Foundation, Inc., have contributed nearly $200 million to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. These donations help advance groundbreaking research, fund innovative treatments and provide critical resources for children and families facing cancer and blood disorders. Beyond supporting care, it also helps create meaningful experiences that bring comfort to patients and their loved ones when they need it most.

---

^{Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999}

^{Z2600449  EXP 4/27}