Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

Dr. Joanne Armstrong, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Women’s Health and Genomics, CVS Health

Melinda French Gates is exactly right and her call for a #menopauserevolution is long overdue.

Approximately 1.3 million women enter menopause each year and most will experience symptoms that can last for years, yet our health care system isn’t built to support them through it. Clinician training remains limited, and care delivery falls short, leaving women to navigate symptoms that affect cardiovascular, bone, and mental health at a time when their health risks are increasing.

Melinda is also right to highlight how deeply underfunded women’s health remains. Despite affecting half the population, women’s health issues receive a fraction of funding—just a small share of total research investment—leaving critical life stages like menopause underserved and misunderstood. That lack of prioritization has real consequences for how women experience care. Too often, women leave clinical visits feeling unheard and without answers, without treatment, and without a plan.

As a practicing OB-GYN and Chief Medical Officer of Women’s Health at CVS Health, I’ve spent years working to ensure women have access to meaningful menopause support and benefits. But the reality is, the broader system still hasn’t caught up to what women need at this life stage. 

But this is solvable—and it requires exactly the kind of urgency and investment Melinda is calling for.

We need to make menopause care a standard part of clinical training and practice, so every provider knows how to recognize symptoms, assess cardiometabolic risk, and offer evidence-based treatment. We need to integrate midlife care into primary care settings, not silo it. And we need to make access easier through virtual care, community-based models, and benefit designs that meet women where they are.

Most importantly, we need to shift the societal mindset. Menopause is not a niche issue. It is a clinically significant life stage with measurable impacts on heart health, bone health and mental wellbeing. It deserves the same clinical rigor, investment, and dignity as any other major phase of health that we routinely diagnose, treat, and prioritize. Half the population depends on it. 

Women deserve better. And now is the moment to deliver it. 

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Transformation is often framed as a clean break – a bold leap from past to future. But in reality, the most powerful transformations do not come from departing from your heritage. They come from learning to embrace the tension between legacy and innovation, between what grounds us and what propels us forward.

Few brands embody this balance as clearly as Mary Kay, the iconic beauty and entrepreneurship global brand. Born from Mary Kay Ash’s vision to empower women, the company has spent more than six decades building a global community rooted in purpose. Today, as consumer expectations evolve and technology reshapes how people engage with brands, Mary Kay is evolving while keeping its purpose strong.

Late spring, Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Brand and Scientific Officer at Mary Kay was a keynote speaker at the Direct Selling University (DSU) conference in Dallas, where she reframed brand transformation as the art of holding tension and turning it into momentum through six leadership lessons.

In Conversation with Dr. Lucy Gildea 

Q: Your perspective on transformation is rooted in “holding the tension.” What does that really mean?

Dr. Gildea: Tension is often misunderstood as something negative, something to resolve or eliminate. But in reality, tension is where growth happens. It’s the space between where you’ve been and where you’re going.

In transformation, you’re constantly balancing opposing forces: preserving what works while challenging what doesn’t, moving fast without overwhelming people, and making bold decisions while maintaining trust. The mistake leaders make is thinking they must choose one side. You don’t. The real breakthroughs happen in the space between.

Q: How has your background shaped the way you lead through transformation?

Dr. Gildea: I’m a scientist by training, and that fundamentally shapes how I think. Science teaches you to question assumptions, test hypotheses, and stay open to new evidence.

When I joined Mary Kay, I realized I had found a place where science, storytelling, and purpose intersect. That’s rare. It also reinforced something important: leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying curious, being willing to challenge your own thinking, and navigating complexity with clarity.

Q: Mary Kay has a powerful legacy. How do you evolve without being held back by it?

Dr. Gildea: Legacy becomes a strength when we choose to understand it, not simply preserve it. It’s about protecting the heart of your brand while allowing the expression to evolve. This is the meaningful way we choose in honoring our legacy.

In the process, we have had to ask ourselves tough questions: What truly defines us? What still serves us? What doesn’t? Culture evolves, but traditions must earn their place.

We’re not trying to become something new. We’re becoming more of who we truly are. That’s not disruption, it’s reconciliation.

Q: Transformation often creates uncertainty. How do you bring people along?

Dr. Gildea: Uncertainty isn’t the enemy, silence is. When people don’t have clarity, they fill the gaps with their own stories, and those stories can quickly derail progress.

Our role as leaders is to create clarity where we can, and transparency where we can’t. That comes down to three things: consistency, visibility, and inclusion.

You can’t do transformation to people. You have to do it WITH them. When people understand the “why,” see their role, and feel included in the process, belief starts to build. And belief is what drives real transformation.

Q: In a complex global business, how do you balance perfection with impact?

Dr. Gildea: Perfection is not the goal – impact is. If you chase perfection, you stop experimenting. And without experimentation, there’s no innovation.

We operate across multiple markets, cultures, and consumer needs. There is no perfect answer. Every decision involves trade-offs. Take product innovation, for example. Too much complexity can dilute your brand and confuse customers. Global portfolio management requires discipline, clarity, and a deep understanding of what truly creates value.

Q: How do you see the balance between digital and human connection evolving?

Dr. Gildea: This is one of the most important tensions in our business today. Digital platforms offer incredible reach and flexibility, but human connection remains at the heart of what we do.

The future isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about blending both intentionally.

Technology should enhance relationships, not replace them. When you combine digital innovation with authentic human connection, you create something incredibly powerful, something that resonates with the next generation of entrepreneurs and consumers.

Q: Finally, what role does purpose play in transformation?

Dr. Gildea: Purpose is everything. People may buy products, but they believe in brands because of what those brands stand for.

Our purpose has always been to enrich women’s lives. That hasn’t changed – and it won’t. What’s changed is how we bring that purpose to life in a modern world.

Tension tests your purpose. It forces you to ask: Does this still hold true? Does it still matter? For us, the answer is yes. Our purpose is timeless, and that’s what gives us the drive to push forward with confidence. Not because the tension is gone, but because we’ve learned how to harness its power and lead through it.

And when you do that, you don’t just transform a brand, you shape the future.

***

About Mary Kay

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

Expectations have shifted. Performance alone is no longer enough. Regulators, partners, and consumers are looking more closely at how products are made and what can be substantiated. That puts a spotlight on independently verified data.

GORE‑TEX® Products are supported by third‑party certifications that assess specific aspects of materials and manufacturing. OEKO‑TEX® STANDARD 100 tests textiles against defined criteria for harmful substances – and in 2024, 100% of consumer fabrics met this standard. In parallel, the bluesign® system evaluates chemical management, resource use, and working conditions at the level of input materials and production processes – with 98% of shipped laminate meters bluesign® APPROVED in 2024. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) adds verification of recycled content through a chain‑of‑custody approach.

Each of these covers a defined scope. Together, they provide external verification of specific attributes – not a single, overarching certification of a finished product.

Beyond certification, this sits within a broader approach that includes supplier expectations, ongoing performance assessments, and collaboration across the industry.

As regulatory pressure increases, the quality of claims matters as much as the ambition behind them. Clear scope, verifiable data, and precise wording are becoming baseline.

Want to look at how this comes to life in practice? Read the full perspective on certified manufacturing and standards

About Gore’s Fabrics Business
Gore introduced GORE-TEX® Fabric to the outerwear industry more than 45 years ago and continues to develop performance apparel technologies. Gore’s Fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages.
https://www.gore-tex.com and https://www.goretexprofessional.com/

About Gore
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments – from outer space to the world’s highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 13,000 Associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $5 billion.
For more information, visit gore.com.

# # #

Products listed may not be available in all markets.
GORE, GORE-TEX, Together, improving life and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.
© 2026 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2026 /3BL/ – Five leading national organizations announced today they are joining forces to convene the Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit, a first-of-its-kind national gathering focused on advancing a health-first vision for America’s schools.

The summit – convened by the Healthy Schools Network (HSN), the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN), the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), and The Center for Environmental Policy at American University’s School of Public Affairs (CEP)– will bring together leaders from public health, education, research, policy, industry and philanthropy to address one of the most consequential challenges facing our schools: ensuring every child has access to a healthy school environment.

“Healthy schools are foundational to healthy children, thriving educators and strong communities,” said Jen Lemon, Acting Executive Director of Healthy Schools Network. “This summit will unite our diverse community of stakeholders to build a shared roadmap for making our schools healthy places to learn and grow.”

Millions of students attend schools struggling with aging infrastructure, inadequate ventilation, exposure to environmental hazards and growing vulnerability to extreme weather and climate-related events. The average school building in the United States is approaching 50 years old, and research shows that the nation’s school infrastructure faces a massive underinvestment of $90 billion every year.

The consequences of these challenges are significant and wide-ranging. Poor indoor air quality alone contributes to asthma-related illness and approximately 14 million missed school days each year, undermining student health, attendance and academic performance.

“If we are serious about improving children’s health, we need to recognize and prioritize our schools as the critical public health environments that they are,” said Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director of CEHN. “Every child deserves to learn in a school that supports their learning, health and ability to thrive. This summit is an opportunity to align leaders around practical, equitable and achievable solutions that put children’s well-being at the center of school policy and investment.”

The summit will bring together leading experts, advocates and policymakers to produce a forward-looking Health-First Agenda for America’s Schools, focused on school modernization, healthy materials, indoor air quality and ventilation, emergency preparedness and resilience, healthy lighting and acoustics, pollution prevention, remediation of legacy environmental hazards, technical assistance for schools and communities, and priority research needs. It will be a roadmap of actionable recommendations designed to align stakeholders around shared national priorities and accelerate progress toward healthier schools for every child in the country.

The Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit will be held on August 5, 2026, at the KFF Barbara Jordan Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The event is proudly supported by the National Education Association, EWG and IQAir, whose leadership and commitment are helping advance healthier schools across the country. FacilitiesNet.com is the official media partner for the Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit. To learn more and register, visit https://healthy-schools-summit.eventbrite.com.

What Leaders are Saying:

“For millions of children with asthma and allergies, school can be the difference between thriving and just getting by,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of AAFA. “A classroom with poor air quality isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a barrier to learning. This summit is about fixing that, building schools that work for these kids instead of against them.”

“Children spend over a thousand hours each year in school buildings,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO of IWBI. “The quality of those facilities has significant and far-reaching implications for millions of students, affecting their health, well-being and learning. By bringing together leaders from across sectors, this seminal gathering will help create the momentum needed to transform how we design, operate and invest in our schools and our children’s future.”

“Universities have a responsibility to help bridge research, policy and practice,” said Daniel Fiorino, founding Director of the Center for Environmental Policy and Distinguished Executive in Residence in the School of Public Affairs at American University. “We are proud to support a summit that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise to develop actionable recommendations that can improve the daily lives of the more than 50 million people who go to schools every day.”

Children and their parents shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their drinking water or the air they breathe while they’re at school,” said Alex Formuzis, Senior Vice President for Communications and Strategic Campaigns, Environmental Working Group. “Creating healthier schools means addressing the environmental exposures that can affect children’s health and learning—from drinking water and indoor air quality to hazardous chemicals in school environments. We’re proud to support this summit and help advance practical solutions that put children’s health first.

About HSN:
Healthy Schools Network is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children learn and work in environmentally healthy and safe school environments. Healthyschools.org

About CEHN:
The Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is a national multi-disciplinary organization that for nearly 35 years has been leading the movement to protect children from environmental hazards and promote a healthier environment. CEHN is the voice of children’s environmental health in the nation’s capital–one that is uniquely informed by, and rooted in, pediatric and environmental health science. www.cehn.org

About the CEP:
The Center for Environmental Policy’s mission is to improve environmental governance in the United States by informing and educating future environmental leaders, while promoting innovative technology and policies that protect the air, water, land, and other resources on which our economy and lives depend. https://www.american.edu/spa/cep

About AAFA :
Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and improving the quality of life for people affected by asthma and allergic diseases through support, advocacy, education, and research. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases. AAFA is the first asthma and allergy patient advocacy group certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org.

About IWBI:
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. Media contact: media@wellcertified.com
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.

View original content here.

LA Galaxy legend Cobi Jones was honored with the Sports Legacy Award at the NAACP Beverly Hills Hollywood Branch’s 31st Theatre Awards on June 29, an event celebrating the depth and transformative power of Black storytelling and leadership.

Jones was recognized for his excellence on and off the field, as well as his decades long commitment to community impact across Los Angeles. Through sustained advocacy for education, inclusion, and equitable access to resources, he has demonstrated how sport can serve as a powerful platform for social good.

This recognition reflects the broader commitment of the LA Galaxy, owned by AEG, to advancing community engagement and leveraging soccer as a catalyst for positive change. Together, they continue to champion initiatives that uplift underserved communities and support leaders who drive meaningful, lasting impact through service.

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., June 30, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today released its 2025 Annual Report, detailing a year in which the organization expanded its industry influence while undergoing significant internal transition. Organized by chapters, the report highlights major advances in measurement, manufacturer engagement, policy leadership, and organizational growth, demonstrating how collective action can accelerate sustainability across consumer goods supply chains.

More than all, this year’s report tells a story of an organization that transformed amid transition – laying the foundation for an even brighter opportunity ahead under new leadership.

“2025 showed that an organization can transform while it transitions. Our role is to convene the industry around credible measurement, practical solutions, and collective action, and the progress reflected in this report belongs to our members, partners, and other stakeholders who continue to move the industry forward together. A special note of recognition goes to the Cascale and Worldly teams, whose collective efforts have been instrumental to equip the industry with the tools, insights, and pre-competitive collaboration necessary to navigate change, strengthen resilience, and deliver meaningful impact.” – Ying McGuire, chief executive officer, Cascale

Top Takeaways

• New manufacturer members increased 166 percent vs 2024, reflecting a strategic shift toward factory-level engagement
• 85 manufacturers across 19 countries participated in the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP)
• MCAP-validated targets establish a clear reduction pathway for over 1.6 million metric tons of CO2 across our supply chain network
• Cascale strengthened the Higg Index methodology, expanded environmental datasets, and completed more than 13,500 Higg FEM verifications across 70+ countries
• Better Buying’s ninth annual Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) cycle achieved an average 58.6 percent – an increase of nearly 13 percent over 2024
• Acquisition of Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) expanded impact across the wider consumer goods industry
• With Cascale serving as Technical Secretariat, the European Commission approved the Apparel & Footwear PEFCR after more than five years of industry collaboration
• The inaugural Cascale Forum attracted more than 650 stakeholders, with manufacturers representing half of attendees.
• Annual Meeting: Hong Kong was largest in history, featuring more than 100 speakers and 33 sponsors

Manufacturers Center of Industry Action

A defining theme of 2025 was Cascale’s increased investment in manufacturers as critical drivers of sustainability transformation. New manufacturer members grew 166 percent versus 2024, while the Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) expanded across 19 countries, engaging 85 manufacturers. Fifty-two participants successfully validated science-aligned climate targets representing more than 1.6 million metric tons of potential carbon dioxide equivalent reductions; the remaining targets are in the process of validation.

Cascale also convened manufacturer roundtables across Asia, trained manufacturing groups on climate risk assessment, and increased manufacturer participation at industry events to record levels: The inaugural Cascale Forum attracted more than 650 stakeholders, with manufacturers representing half of attendees.

A Framework for Change: Measurement & Verification

Throughout 2025, Cascale enhanced the methodologies underpinning the Higg Index, delivered through Worldly’s global technology platform. Key achievements included:

• Launch of Higg FEM 2025
• Completion of 13,500+ Higg FEM verifications across more than 70 countries
• Expanded Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) datasets for cotton, polyester, and nylon
• Publication of a report addressing Forest, Land & Agriculture (FLAG) emissions
• Advancement of the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) alignment with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards

The organization also led industry consultations involving approximately 80 stakeholders across 31 organizations to establish guiding principles for Foundational Environmental Performance.

A Powerful Voice: Policy, Communications & Convening

Cascale continued to expand its role from monitoring policy developments to actively shaping sustainability frameworks. A major milestone was the European Commission’s approval of the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Apparel & Footwear, concluding more than five years of collaborative work with Cascale serving as Technical Secretariat.

The organization also launched an updated Global Public Affairs Strategy, activated regional Member Expert Teams, and published policy resources to help members navigate evolving regulatory requirements.

Strategic Expansion Broadens Consumer Goods Impact

In 2025, Cascale strengthened its position across sectors through two significant developments. The integration of Better Buying incorporated supplier-informed purchasing practices into the organization’s Responsible Purchasing Practices strategy, while the acquisition of key assets from the Sustainable Furnishings Council expanded Cascale’s reach into the home furnishings sector. The organization increased its presence across adjacent industries including sporting goods and home textiles.

Convening the Industry at Greater Scale

Cascale launched its inaugural Cascale Forum in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting more than 650 participants, half of whom represented manufacturers. Its Annual Meeting in Hong Kong became the largest in the organization’s history, featuring more than 100 speakers and 33 sponsors.

The report also notes substantial growth in thought leadership and member engagement, including increased executive participation, expanded podcast programming, and significantly higher digital engagement.

Looking Ahead

As the organization enters its next chapter under new leadership, the report emphasizes that collaboration, credible measurement, and practical implementation remain essential to building a more sustainable and equitable consumer goods industry.

Download the Report

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Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

By Art Martori

For those working in the artistic sphere, the .art domain name is one of the most powerful anchors for a brand. In fact, the .art TLD powers the online presences of notable individuals and organizations such as Dataland, Vortic, and XCOPY.

We recently had the chance to chat with the team behind .art for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from launching a new TLD to getting the most from a domain name.

The interview also comes as applications open for the .ART Award, which is for any creatives using the .art domain name (more deets in the interview). 

Applications open May 11, 2026 — the 10th anniversary of the .art TLD. The application window closes November 1, 2026. Winners will be announced during Art Basel Miami on or around December 3, 2026. You can apply for the .ART award at award.art.

With the right business sense, it seems like almost any venture would be possible. What led to the launch of the TLD .art?

The founder of .art, Ulvi Kasimov, has been active in the art world for many years as a collector and supporter of the arts. His oldest daughter, Medina, is an accomplished artist herself and adopted art at a very young age, which helped her overcome some physical challenges she had from birth — this was the inspiration behind our Healing Power of Art Initiative.

As an entrepreneur and engineer, Ulvi also had a very strong interest in the digitization of art and the importance of documenting and archiving art and cultural objects online. All of this led to Ulvi’s interest in applying for .art as a top-level domain, with the understanding that everyone is an artist. Everyone has creative ideas and creative interests, and thus the marketplace for .art as a top-level domain is potentially massive and a very good business.

For most people, it’s probably somewhat of a mystery where TLDs come from. Could you walk us through the process of getting a new TLD off the ground?

Back in 2012, ICANN opened up the opportunity for anyone to apply for a top-level domain. The application fee then was $185,000, plus there are additional legal and accounting costs involved with the application process. That window of opportunity closed at the end of January 2012, and then later that year it was revealed who had applied for what. Ulvi and his partners were one of ten applicants for the .art TLD. 

Since 2012, there hasn’t been another opportunity to apply for new top-level domains until this year. On  April 30, 2026, ICANN opened up another round that will close mid-August. There will be a new application window for individuals and entities to apply for new top-level domains that don’t exist already. The cost this time around is a bit higher than in 2012, with the application fee set at $227,000. 

While domain names are sold at ICANN-accredited registrars such as GoDaddy, the registry operator for each TLD is responsible for maintaining the underlying technical backend to ensure that a domain can only be registered once by one person at any of the registrars, and to manage abuse and determine and provide for a safe and secure domain zone. 

In addition, the registry operator serves as a sales and marketing arm, working with registrars and beyond to build awareness and demand for its top-level domain.

Let’s look back on your journey for a sec. What are some of the challenges you faced, and what advice would you give for overcoming them in growing .art?

Probably the biggest challenge for any new TLD is raising consumer awareness that the TLD exists as an option. For .art in particular, it was important for us to raise awareness among artists and key players in the art world. With that in mind, our pursuit of early adopters that were well-established gave us a great deal of early credibility. Museums such as the Louvre and Tate were early adopters of a .art domain, as well as global brands such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, and famous artists such as Marina Abramovic. 

These early adopters helped .art build trust, awareness, and legitimacy among the creative community. Shining a light on these early adopters, as well as on other artists and art-related businesses using a .art domain, is an important part of our marketing and promotion of the TLD and the brand. And since domains are sold at registrars, it was very important to establish strong partnerships with top registrars like GoDaddy to help get .art in front of their creative customers.

It’s hard to keep track of all the new TLDs hitting the market. What are some of the strategies you went with for raising awareness for .art?

High-profile early adopters of .art were instrumental in helping us stand out in the creative community. We have strived to provide content, tools, and other resources that help artists and others in the art world be successful in a digital-first world. We created platforms such as ID.art that make it easy for artists to organize and share their portfolio and create certificates of authenticity and other tools. We’ve sponsored awards like the Digital Innovation in Arts and Culture Award and our new .ART Award that we’re launching now. 

We regularly host webinars featuring topics that provide genuine value to the art community while also helping raise awareness of the .art domain. For the past three years, we’ve also published a magazine, The .ART Odyssey, as well as a fantastic Artist Handbook, all of which are available on Amazon. We also take advantage of celebrating important dates such as World Art Day on April 15 every year and International Artist Day on October 25 every year, using those as launching pads for broader awareness.

Can you explain how the .ART Award works and what applicants need in order to participate?

In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we are launching the .ART Award this year with over $50,000 in prize value and a first prize of $15,000. This is a unique award in the art world in that it celebrates the journey of the artists and the story and inspiration behind their work, not just the end result. The requirement to apply for this award is very simple: just the .art domain and the content it points to.

Whether it’s a website, a platform profile, or a social media page, your .art domain should point to content that documents your journey as an artist and tells your story, as well as the story behind your artwork. We have assembled an impressive jury of luminaries from the art world, including critics, curators, operators of artist residencies, and more, who will be judging these submissions and choosing the winners of the various .ART award prizes.

The award focuses on documenting the creative process, not just the finished piece. Why is that such an important part of the .ART Award?

It’s been proven time and again that it’s the story behind art and cultural objects that creates the interest and the value, and not just the finished product itself. Why can a $5 harmonica be auctioned off for $5,000 by Christie’s? Because the harmonica once belonged to Jimi Hendrix, and it was given to him by Bob Dylan. 

The story is the key to creating a work of art. In the digital world, the tools exist to share your story, yet many artists do not take advantage of this. We wanted to use the .ART Award to highlight the importance and value of declaring and claiming your creative identity with the.art domain and then sharing your story by connecting it to a website.

What would you say to a creative professional who already has a portfolio or social presence, but hasn’t yet invested in their own website, branded email, or domain?

The good news is that once you register your .art domain, GoDaddy makes it very easy to redirect it to point to an existing portfolio or social presence if you choose not to create your own website. GoDaddy also offers the powerful and easy-to-use Website Builder so that you could create your own .art website and have links to your portfolio or social presences from there.

Glad you asked about email, because it’s also a very important use case, especially for .art, where your domain name represents your creative identity. Using a .art domain as your email, if you’re an artist, makes a much more powerful and professional statement than yourname@gmail.com or another generic email service.

How does the .ART Award create an additional incentive for artists to register a .art domain and actually build out their online presence?

Anyone with a .art domain pointing to the appropriate content is eligible to apply for the .ART Award. There’s a wide range of very exciting prizes, from the first prize of $15,000 to opportunities to spend a month at an artist’s residency at a spectacular European location, to a high-value premium .art domain, and many more prizes. 

Once you’ve established your creative identity with a .art domain, and documented your story and your creative process online, this is something that will be a lasting benefit to you long after the .ART Awards have been granted. Even if you don’t win one of the top prizes, you’ll win by setting yourself up for success online.

If someone is considering launching their first creative website, what are the first steps they should take to build a strong online presence with a .art domain?

Of course, the first step is to get a great .art domain and claim your creative identity. Many of our registrations are firstnamelastname.art, and if you’re an individual artist, your full name or perhaps your surname would make a great .art domain for you. If you’re an art-related business, there are also many great keyword domains or two- or three-word domains that could match your brand and also be very effective as a marketing tool because the .art extension will add authority, context, and recognition to your name.

We also have many very affordable premium domain names, so if there’s a keyword or phrase you’re looking for to really own a particular category in art, those names also are a great way to get started. GoDaddy offers a very good discount on our premium domains. Once you have your domain, you want to determine where to point it. If you don’t already have a website or online presence, you can create one using GoDaddy Website Builder. 

You can also easily redirect your new .art domain to an existing website if you already have one, or to a social media platform such as Instagram, or even to your artist profile or portfolio on another art platform. In all of these cases, it’s your .art domain that represents your identity and makes it easy for people to remember and find you. Lastly, don’t forget that email is still the killer app, and having a .art domain as your email address is a powerful way to present yourself to the world as someone who is serious about their creative pursuits.

What advice would you give artists on creating a compelling .art website that stands out?

Of course, your artwork speaks for itself, so you want to make sure that your .art website is very visual and presents your artwork or your creativity front and center. And of course, as indicated by the whole concept of our .ART award, your story, your journey, and the story and inspiration behind your creativity are an important part of what you should be sharing online. Having your own website is a fantastic way to present all of this information and let people get to know you, the artist, and not just your artwork. 

You want to be sure to include links to all of your social media platforms and any other places where your work or you can be found online, so that your website is really a portal to your entire digital presence. Building a community around your art is also important, and your website can really help with that. Make it easy for people to contact you and engage with you. 

Have a sign-up for an email list so you can keep your followers and collectors updated about new works, exhibitions, activities, and maybe even send them a newsletter once in a while. Think of your website as your home online and share everything you would want your fans, collectors, friends, and associates to know about you.

BETHESDA, Md., June 30, 2026 /3BL/ – Tandem Global, a leading NGO working at the intersection of business, climate, water and nature, is pleased to announce the appointment of three distinguished sustainability leaders to its Board of Directors, bringing deep expertise from the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors to support the organization’s mission of advancing business leadership for nature.

Joining the Board are:

• Tim Hilgeman, Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability, Toyota North America
• Tracey Leung, Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety, Ontario Power Generation
• Scott Tew, Vice President and Global Head, Sustainability Strategy, Trane Technologies

These accomplished leaders bring decades of experience in environmental stewardship, corporate sustainability, operational excellence, and strategic leadership. Their insights and perspectives will help guide Tandem Global as it continues to expand its impact and support companies in delivering meaningful outcomes for nature, biodiversity, and sustainability.

“At a time when businesses face growing pressure to address climate and nature risk—and a unique opportunity to lead—Tim, Tracey, and Scott bring the operational and cross-sector experience needed to turn ambition into action,” said Emilio Tenuta, Tandem Global Board Chair and SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab. “Each brings a unique perspective and a strong track record of leadership in advancing sustainability within their organizations. Their expertise will enhance our ability to help businesses drive measurable impact for nature and communities around the world.”

“At the same time, Tandem Global extends its sincere gratitude to three outgoing Board members whose service and leadership have helped shape the organization’s growth and success:

• Laurie Davies Adams, retired executive (Pollinator Partnership)
• Bill Brady, retired executive (Exelon)
• Alan Kreisberg, retired executive (Lafarge)

Over their combined years of service, Laurie, Bill, and Alan provided thoughtful guidance, strategic counsel, and steadfast commitment to Tandem Global’s mission. Their contributions have strengthened the organization and helped position it for continued success.

“We are deeply grateful to Laurie, Bill, and Alan for their dedication and leadership,” said Margaret O’Gorman, Chief Executive Officer of Tandem Global. “Their wisdom, passion, and commitment to our mission have left a lasting impact on our organization. On behalf of our staff, members, and fellow Board members, we thank them for their service and wish them all the best.”

The appointments reflect Tandem Global’s continued commitment to bringing together leaders from across industries to advance practical, scalable solutions that benefit both business and nature.

For a full list of Board Members, visit Our People page.

At Henkel, our pioneers are driven by an unwavering spirit to explore, create, and transform possibilities into progress and improve life for generations to come. Learn their stories.

In this story, you will discover:

• Creating Space to Be Seen: Melissa’s volunteer journey and moments that show why the work matters.
• Small Changes, Meaningful Impact: How she helps others better understand visible and invisible disabilities.
• Building a More Inclusive Future: At the office and in the community, Melissa starts with helping others through empathy.

Introducing Melissa Jacobs

For Melissa Jacobs, inclusion starts with empathy and grows through action. As a senior litigation paralegal for Henkel North America, a longtime volunteer with Special Olympics CT and a leader of Henkel’s Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities (AVID) Employee Resource Group (ERG), Melissa helps create spaces where people feel valued and empowered to participate fully.

Melissa shares what inspires her to be a pioneer for good

Creating Space to Be Seen

The Special Olympics CT summer games in June 2026 marked the 15th year of Henkel’s support through employee volunteering and donations. Melissa is the lead organizer for the Henkel team – with a passion and connection for the games that began when she was younger, volunteering as a one-on-one escort for athletes at local events. Years later, her connection to the organization has taken on an even deeper meaning.

For Melissa, the most powerful moments are often the most personal.

As the parent of a son with a learning disability, Melissa saw volunteering as an opportunity to help build his confidence while showing him that people can face challenges, persevere, and achieve remarkable things. She has seen the growth in confidence for her son and the many athletes she meets at the games.

She also recalls when an athlete named Stephen, whom Melissa had never heard speak during the two years she had known him, stepped on stage during a karaoke event at the winter games in CT and confidently sang every word of a rock song.

When individuals feel included, it gives them a sense of belonging. When people feel like they belong, they start to advocate for themselves and take chances because they have that confidence.

Melissa Jacobs, Senior litigation paralegal for Henkel North America

Melissa’s commitment has earned significant recognition, including selection as one of 60 Henkel volunteers for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany, and receiving Special Olympics CT’s Unsung Hero Award.

Small Changes, Meaningful Impact

Melissa hopes more Henkel employees can experience how volunteering can foster a deeper appreciation for Special Olympics athletes and others in need while offering meaningful lessons in resilience, confidence and inclusion.

That commitment carries into Melissa’s work with Henkel’s Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities (AVID) Employee Resource Group (ERG). As one of the ERG’s leaders, she helps raise awareness around visible, invisible, permanent and temporary disabilities while encouraging employees to better support and understand one another’s experiences.

Melissa and her AVID colleagues are continuously identifying meaningful opportunities to raise awareness, including:

• Hosting a table of education materials and sign language resources at Henkel’s Match and Mixer soccer event for employees and their families where one match featured the German and U.S. Men’s Deaf National Teams.
• Organizing an empathy-building VR experience to give Henkel colleagues an opportunity to better understand experiences related to autism, dementia, low vision and hearing impairment.
• Co-hosting a series of accessibility learning sessions with Henkel’s IT team to help colleagues better understand the digital tools on their Henkel computers to support different audio/visual needs.

For Melissa, progress does not require a large-scale solution. Sometimes it starts simply with active listening, recognizing needs that may not be immediately visible and making small adjustments that help people feel comfortable and seen.

If we can make an impact and improve just one person’s day-to-day experience at Henkel, then we’re making progress.

Melissa Jacobs, Senior litigation paralegal for Henkel North America

Building a More Inclusive Future

As Henkel celebrates its 150th anniversary under the motto “Future? Ready!”, Melissa believes building a more inclusive future starts with the actions people take every day through their interactions with colleagues at work or volunteering in the community. It is about consistently choosing empathy, listening to understand and helping others feel they belong.

By championing trust, advocacy and awareness, Melissa is helping build a more inclusive future, one colleague, one athlete and one community at a time.

Ten extraordinary Chicagoland high school seniors recently gathered at Motorola Solutions’ global headquarters in Chicago, joined by family members, mentors and community leaders to celebrate their academic careers and Bright Minds, Bold Futures scholarships. Each student was recognized for their academic achievements as they took this significant step toward shaping the next generation of engineering.

A Shared Commitment to Opportunity

Now in its fourth annual cohort, Bright Minds, Bold Futures grew out of a clear goal: to remove the barriers that keep talented students out of engineering. The program reflects an ongoing partnership between the Motorola Solutions Foundation and Calculated Genius. This year’s recipients, along with the 50 students who came before them, earned their place through determination and persistence in the face of real challenges. Several of these scholars are headed to institutions including the University of Southern California, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Hampton University.

To date, the Motorola Solutions Foundation has awarded more than $425,000 to support scholarships for over 60 students through the Bright Minds, Bold Futures program.

More than Financial Support

Funding opens the doors, but the heart of the program is the community that surrounds each student. Scholars connect with one another and gain access to a professional network that stays with them through college and into the early years of their careers. This structure means students have guidance and encouragement at every stage, not just at the start.

During the event, Calculated Genius Founder Kimberly Moore made clear that diversifying engineering isn’t a side goal — it’s the foundation of her organization’s work. She emphasized that the field must reflect the full range of people who stand to shape it. Motorola Solutions Foundation Executive Director Wesley Barden Touhy reinforced that message, speaking to the Foundation’s long-term investment in removing financial obstacles and building the kind of institutional support that moves students from potential to achievement.

Passing the Torch

A highlight of the ceremony came as each new scholar stepped forward for the certificate presentation, with their achievements and college plans read aloud. The recognition of returning scholars followed, a reminder of the long-term community taking shape around the program. Surrounded by proud families and supporters, the moment captured the connection forming between generations of engineers.

“As you start this journey, remember that nobody builds alone. Bet on yourself, out loud, and stay curious. And when you reach your goals, look back and be that same support for someone else coming up behind you,” Kimberly Moore said during her congratulation speech to the new scholars.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, and continued best wishes to our current scholars.