Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Las Vegas Sands

Motivated by strong member interest in volunteering for Southern Nevada service organizations, the Uni+ed resource group for LGBTQ+ Team Members and allies ramped up community engagement efforts this year with volunteer activations for local nonprofit organizations as well as a new initiative at corporate headquarters.

In June, Uni+ed spearheaded creation of the Summer Barbecue and Community Involvement Fair at Sands’ corporate campus and worked with the EmpowHER Team Member resource group for women and Sands Cares committee to host 14 community organizations.

Participants included 100 Black Men Las Vegas, Aid for AIDS in Nevada, Dress for Success Southern Nevada, East Valley Family Services, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, Opportunity Village, Project 150, Shine A Light Foundation, Spread the Word Nevada, The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada, The Just One Project, Three Square, the Vitalant Las Vegas Blood Donation Center and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

A first for the corporate campus, the fair enabled corporate Team Members to learn about and connect with community organizations and attracted high attendance and strong interaction among participants.

“This year, we decided to put a lot of our energies toward community engagement, as that has been a consistent passion for Uni+ed members,” Christopher Melton, senior vice president of global premium account management and executive sponsor for Uni+ed, said. “I was so elated at the success of our community involvement fair. It felt like everyone in the building was there, and people were learning so much about the organizations and how they can give back.”

Christian Livingston, manager of corporate accounting and co-chair of Uni+ed, said response to the fair was impressive. “It was just very heart-warming to see the level of engagement from our Team Members and community organizations. We got a lot of positive feedback from the participants and great interaction from our Team Members.”

Nina Khatami, senior global information governance manager and co-chair of Uni+ed, said her biggest takeaway from the fair was gratitude. “I was so grateful that so many community organizations participated and for how many Team Members came to the event. Everyone is busy but they made time, and the nonprofit organizations told us that our Team Members asked such great questions about how they can contribute or to learn about their work.”

The community involvement fair capped Uni+ed’s volunteer calendar for the first half of 2025. Other activities included volunteering at The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada to distribute food for people in need and participating in Aid for AIDS in Nevada’s (AFAN) AIDS Walk Las Vegas.

“AFAN is a fantastic local nonprofit organization, and we join its AIDS Walk every year,” Livingston said. “This year, Sands also contributed $5,000 to coincide with our participation, and donations to the walk supported the living assistance AFAN provides for people with AIDS in Southern Nevada.”

Melton noted that Uni+ed’s community service priority delivers other positive impact, beyond the immediate assistance to local nonprofit organizations.

“While engaging with and volunteering for community organizations has been a tremendous success for Uni+ed this year, we also are simultaneously holding space for our LGBTQ+ Team Members who may be looking for a place of support,” Melton said. “In that sense, our community work has had another benefit as well.”

Khatami added that participating in the many offerings Uni+ed provides has immediate and lasting benefits.

“Dedicating your time to an education session or volunteer opportunity really does make a difference, because one voice may open someone’s eyes about something they didn’t know,” she said. “Just showing up creates a ripple effect – you may never know the positive impact you had on someone else by what seems to be a small action. This group represents who we are as a company – supporting each other, working for our community and connecting as people.”

The Uni+ed Team Member resource group for the LGBTQ+ community and allies is one of Sands’ many workforce development and Team Member engagement initiatives. To learn more about Team Member advancement, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

While the Bellevue HQ showcases features designed to support employee well-being and innovation, one of T-Mobile’s newest Customer Experience Centers — nearly 1,000 miles away in sun-drenched California — is making a different kind of impact.

At the CEC in Kingsburg, T-Mobile is harnessing the power of solar energy at an astounding scale. Solar panels supply around 75% of the impressive 86,729-square-foot facility’s electricity needs. As a result, the center is key to T-Mobile’s progress towards net-zero emissions.

“It’s just amazing to see how one facility can play such a crucial role in the company’s overall sustainability strategy,” says Maria Jimenez, the CEC’s Director.

Jimenez, who became Director in 2024, also felt a sense of alignment with the company’s environmental goals when she stepped into the CEC.

“Sustainability goes far beyond just what’s happening here,” she says. “This facility can hold over 1,000 employees, and I think people always want to know how they’re contributing to a bigger cause. Professionally as a leader, and personally as a mother to two daughters, it’s about making conscious choices to help reduce impact on our planet.”

As of Dec. 31, 2023, T-Mobile is powering its operations with 100% renewable electricity — a milestone that reflects both environmental responsibility and the company’s strategy to support scalable, sustainable growth as it works toward net-zero emissions by 2040.

It’s a complex process to achieve this goal. It starts with purchasing electricity from the U.S. electric grid, which is powered by a variety of energy sources including solar, wind and other renewables. These renewables are tracked by so-called Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). T-Mobile has built a strong renewable energy base using these RECs by investing in a number of projects such as wind and solar-powered sites.

The company has been growing its investment in CEC solar projects across the country with the help of Redaptive, an organization that decarbonizes real estate by supplying data and resources to install energy generating and energy saving equipment including solar power upgrades at scale. The company helped install the solar panels not only in Kingsburg, but also at T-Mobile CECs in Rochester, New York; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Las Vegas.

After completion, Redaptive’s CEO Arvin Vohra says these locations will have a combined system size of 2,600 kWh, which will lead to a 4.3 million kWh of solar production annually. In other words, the electricity produced will avoid 18,132 metric tons of CO2 emissions over the next 15 years, which is the equivalent to emissions from 3,673 homes.

Redaptive has helped many of the Fortune 500 companies meet their sustainability goals, but Vohra says T-Mobile stood out with its upfront vetting and intentional goal setting the moment the two organizations met seven years ago.

“There’s an upper echelon of companies that have looked into this and that have done something about it,” says Vohra. “T-Mobile is certainly, from the renewable procurement side, at the cutting edge.”

He says the deliberate process of creating a roadmap towards cleaner energy production from a wide range of real estate across the country also set T-Mobile apart from other clients.

“Hearing some of T-Mobile’s already achieved goals, I’m undeniably impressed. It’s a very complicated process to actually procure 100% of renewable energy, particularly when you have a such a widely distributed footprint,” says Vohra. “What you’re really doing is you’re buying solar power and wind power from different places, and T-Mobile was able to successfully stitch that strategy together to craft its carbon neutrality objective.”

“The electricity produced by the solar panels on T-Mobile’s CECs will avoid 18,132 metric tons of CO2 emissions over the next 15 years, which is the equivalent to removing 43,899 barrels of oil or the emissions from 3,673 homes.”

Arvin Vohra, CEO of Redaptive

After announcing its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, T-Mobile has cut its total carbon emissions by 33% (using market-based Scope 2 emission figures and excluding Scope 3 indirect use-phase emissions). This comes largely in part by using more renewable sources and improving energy efficiencies.

Vohra says that while he’s heard all kinds of bold sustainability goals since his company was founded in 2015, T-Mobile’s success metrics are hard to ignore.

“It matters because we see companies that are pushing out those deadlines,” says Vohra. “Meanwhile, T-Mobile has already made major headway.”

At the Kingsburg facility, Vohra says Redaptive installed 1,385 540W panels that generate a power output of 693kW AC with an annual production of 1176MWh. For context, imagine that if there are approximately 1,000 employees on site, the energy created is the same as if every employee outfitted a single-family home with solar panels — times four.

“This facility can hold over 1,000 employees, and I think people always want to know how they’re contributing to a bigger cause.”

Maria Jimenez, T-Mobile Kingsburg CEC Director

It’s this kind of impact that Jimenez says empowers her and the Kingsburg CEC employees.

“When it comes to the efforts that we’re doing internally for our people and for our consumers,” she says, “it’s always front of mind to show transparency and ensure we’re doing things the right way.”

Stay tuned for part 3.

**33% Reduction in total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions since 2020 using market-based Scope 2 emission figures and excluding Scope 3 indirect use-phase emissions.100% Renewable Electricity: T-Mobile matches its own annual electrical usage with renewable energy from a portfolio of sources including: virtual power purchase agreements, a green direct program, renewable retail agreements, community solar agreements, and unbundled REC purchases.

This blog was posted by Action Against Hunger. 

Today marks one year since the escalation of hostilities erupted across Lebanon in September 2024, following almost a year of violence on the southern border that began on October 8th, 2023. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, the Israeli forces killed more than four thousand people – an average of over three children per day between October and November 2024 – and injured thousands. Lebanon experienced the largest wave of internal displacement in decades, with 1.2 million people forced from their homes, notably in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, and southern Beirut suburbs. Essential civilian infrastructure, such as homes, hospitals and schools, as well as agricultural lands were destroyed.

Continued military operations, prolonged displacement and protection risks

Despite the November 27th, 2024, ceasefire, the Israeli Forces carried out almost daily military activities, especially in southern Lebanon. Airstrikes, artillery shellings and drone attacks also targeting UNIFIL along with the ongoing occupation of five areas, continue to inflict significant harm on civilian populations, including health workers. Threats to civilians continue: as of July 2025, there have been at least 260 casualties confirmed in the country due to military attacks post-ceasefire, including at least 71 civilians.

While 970,000 individuals have been able to return to their homes, 82,000 (IOM, Mobility Snapshot) are still unable to do so because of destruction, ongoing occupation and violence. Protracted displacement has severely increased protection risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Women in shelters face increased risks of Gender-based Violence (GBV), children are being forced into child labour to support households that lost their livelihoods, and access to services for persons with disabilities is heavily limited, with many instances of psychosocial trauma.

Extensive destruction, with up to 25% of buildings in Southern Lebanon damaged or destroyed, has left some areas uninhabitable. Amnesty International has documented the deliberate destruction of over 10,000 civilian structures, including homes, schools, and water facilities between October 2024 and January 2025 in Lebanon – many of which were destroyed after the ceasefire agreement. The destruction or repurpose of over 60 schools means that children’s access to education is limited, heightening the risk of psychosocial distress, child labour, and child marriage. Repeated attacks on medical infrastructure, which international law prohibits, has hampered humanitarian efforts. Human Rights Watch notes that even if homes are still standing, the lack of essential services such as water, electricity, and healthcare infrastructure makes return unfeasible and increases the exposure to protection risks. The destruction of farmland and irrigation systems, as well as new checkpoints rendering some lands inaccessible in border areas have left many families without a means of income, leading to child labor and food insecurity. The World Bank has estimated the recovery and reconstruction needs to be at a cost of USD 11 billion.

Humanitarian and recovery challenges

One year on, civilians in Lebanon remain trapped in precarious conditions. Families are struggling to rebuild their lives, while surviving amid the threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO), potential chemical contamination, and severely damaged critical infrastructure in the south.

All this with little or no access to livelihoods, rendering recovery and stability nearly impossible, especially among the displaced and refugee populations. While humanitarian access has improved, assistance as well as recovery and reconstruction remain restricted in some areas due to continued attacks and occupation. At times, organizations have had to limit the delivery of essential services such as food, water, medical supplies, and education, increasing economic hardship.

The absence of decisive international action has emboldened repeated violations of the ceasefire, contributing to broader regional instability and breaches of international law. We, the undersigned humanitarian organizations, call upon the parties of the conflict to:

• End the ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement, with an immediate cessation of hostilities.
• Ensure the protection of civilians, including displaced persons and those living in frontline areas, in line with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) obligations.
• Ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations, and an end to all attacks on peacekeepers and humanitarian aid workers.

The international community to:

• Place civilian protection at the center of all diplomatic engagements, ensuring that humanitarian concerns are prioritized in engagements with the parties to the conflict.
• Support independent investigations into violations of IHL and IHRL, and activate accountability mechanisms to end impunity.
• Halt transfer of arms and military equipment to parties to the conflict where there is the risk they could be used to commit violations of IHL or exacerbate displacement.
• Actively support regional stability through sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict.

To donors and development actors:

• Provide sustained funding for the reconstruction of essential infrastructure and services such as schools, clinics, food production facilities and water systems, ensuring efforts are inclusive, community-driven, and rights-based to enable safe, voluntary, and dignified returns.
• Prioritize funding for sustainable agriculture, including land clearance and rehabilitation from UXO and potential chemical contamination, restoration of productive assets, and support for smallholder farmers to restart production.
• Ensure funding for protection services, including Gender-based Violence (GBV) case management, child protection, mental health support, and humanitarian mine action (HMA), including life-saving explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) in affected areas including frontline areas.
• Support the restoration of essential infrastructure such as schools, clinics, water systems to enable safe and dignified returns.

Signatories

Action Against Hunger – Anera – Centre Libanais des Droits Humains (CLDH) – Danish Refugee Council (DRC) – Danmission – Humanity & Inclusion (HI) – International Rescue Committee (IRC) – INTERSOS – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) – Save the Children International – WeWorld

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Taco Bell

“I had always wanted to go to college. After graduating from high school, I did a semester of college but that didn’t end up working out, so I started working instead. When I came to Taco Bell and found out that they would help me get my degree, it was insane. Getting my degree has been my goal for 21 years. Now, at 39, I get to make that dream a reality.”

Last year, Taco Bell rolled out Tacos & Tuition, powered by InStride, for internal corporate employees. Jeff P, Restaurant General Manager for #024402 ended up seeing the program on our intranet site and decided to revive his aspiration of getting an education by re-enrolling into classes! Jeff had completed some courses through Taco Bell’s previous education program but opted for a bachelor’s degree in general studies with Tacos & Tuition.

“Even if it’s one class and you’re taking baby steps to get to your goal, it still matters.”

And, the best part is, Jeff recently found out that all of Taco Bell’s mandatory Management On-the-Job Training (OJT) he did will now count as credits towards his degree at *Indiana Tech!

“This was fantastic news, and I couldn’t wait to share with my team to let them know about this added benefit.”

So, how did Jeff even end up at Taco Bell? He came to Taco Bell eight years ago upon seeing a posting near his house! At first, he didn’t think of growing here long term, but as time went on, his peers and coaches encouraged him to continue developing his skills. Over the year, Jeff had dreamed of running a restaurant where people felt happy to come to work and learn new things while they were here. Now, as a Restaurant General Manager, Jeff gets to bring his ideas to life and positively impact the people around him.

“The influence a General Manager has on happiness and things like teaching others important skills is awesome. If I can empower someone else to do the same, that’s the dream. I never thought I would grow as much as I have already at Taco Bell, but the opportunities are there. I continue to translate that to my team, making them feel proud to work at Taco Bell.”

Between being a General Manager, going back to school and being a parent to his daughter, Jeff has continued to grow personally and professionally. This has also helped him understand and exemplify work-life balance.

“Now that I’m a father, my view of the world has changed. I see things so differently. But the one thing that stays the same is that I want my daughter to be more successful than me and her mom. I tell the same to my restaurant team, encouraging them to do better than what I’ve taught them. When it comes to balancing being a parent, having a full-time job and going back to school, I think about the goal I want. Being a college grad was something I always wanted to do, so I’ve made sure to make time for it. At the same time, my wife, daughter and Area Coach Kenneth have been so supportive throughout this journey which motivates me as well.”

For those who are scared to make that bold move, here is what Jeff believes in:

“Your past doesn’t matter. I didn’t grow up with the best life, but what I can do is change my mindset and take advantage of opportunities around me. Don’t wait for the chance to come but rather jump in because opportunities don’t always come by easily.”

*Please note that at the time of this story, Indiana Tech is the only school where on the job training may be eligible as credit towards the degree. Please check with your coach on eligibility for on the job training credits. Interested in working at Taco Bell? Learn more here.

September 23, 2025 /3BL/ – The WSLA Alumnae Group is proud to announce that entries are now open for the 12th 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 industries and communities.

Since its founding, WSLA has recognized 146 women whose leadership has created a positive and lasting impact on the planet. With the upcoming 2026 class, the WSLA Alumnae Group will grow to more than 150 women strong. 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 can be submitted here on the WSLA Alumnae Group website from September 15 to October 31, 2025. Awardees will be celebrated at the 12^th annual WSLA awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during the GreenBiz26 conference hosted by Trellis in Scottsdale, AZ, from February 17 to 19. (Exact timing and location to come).

Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must:

• Have at least 15 years of professional work experience
• Possess a minimum of seven years of sustainability leadership,
• Have at least seven years of experience managing others
• Make a significant contribution to the sustainability profession, creating a noteworthy, lasting, and positive impact on the planet
• Value mentorship and actively guide other female leaders

“As we continue to build a more sustainable future, we must empower the women who are leading the charge,” said Lisa Colicchio, Vice President of the WSLA Alumnae Group. “The WSLA Awards aren’t just about recognition; they’re about investing in the visionary women who are pioneering solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. We encourage all eligible women in sustainability to apply and join a growing network of changemakers.”

Sponsorship Opportunities

The WSLA Alumnae Group also invites organizations and companies to support the 12th 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: over 145 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, summits, 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, and otherwise do not exist within a gender binary.

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Press Contact:
Rochelle Routman
WSLA Alumnae Group
Website: www.wsla.global

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Multiple solutions by Discovery Education are winners in the 2025 Best for Back to School Awards from Tech & Learning. Discovery Education is the creator of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2025 help educators discover the most effective products and solutions for any learning environment. Tech & Learning judges evaluated products based on their versatility, value, and ability to solve specific problems and ability to support innovative, effective teaching and learning. 

“In an era where AI and new technologies are reshaping the classroom, and districts are focusing on sustainable, long-term investments, our readers rely on Tech & Learning to highlight the best products to support an equitable and effective learning environment,” says Tech & Learning Content Director, Christine Weiser. “The winning products met our rigorous evaluation criteria to qualify for this prestigious list.”

This year, the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2025 selected the following Discovery Education solutions as winners:

Discovery Education Experience

The essential companion for engaged classrooms, Discovery Education Experience is a supplemental cross-curricular digital resource that inspires teachers, motivates students, and supports instruction in science, social studies, and all other academic disciplines. Designed expressly for K-12 schools, Experience delivers all-in-one, ready-to-teach lessons and strategies, exciting career exploration resources, standards-aligned content, and flexible tools for differentiation and assessment. 

For back to school 2025, Discovery Education announced a host of new enhancements to Discovery Education Experience that include new tools and resources, AI technology, additional career explorations, and more such as:

• Ready-to-teach lessons that enhance curriculum with research-based strategies.
• Immersive learning resources that active participation, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge.
• New virtual field trips that take students to unique places with partners such as DC Comics, Warner Bros. Discovery, the National Science Foundation, the NBA and WNBA, and more.

DreamBox Math

DreamBox Math by Discovery Education is a K-8 online math program that supplements core instruction in the classroom or at home and is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and are standards-aligned.

Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills.

DreamBox Reading

DreamBox Reading by Discovery Education starts young readers off right with a highly engaging, systematic approach to literacy aligned to the Science of Reading. Built on the company’s patented Intelligent Adaptive Learning platform, DreamBox Reading captures data from student answers, strategies, and behaviors to personalize learning in real time. 

This adaptivity ensures that students are met where they are with just-right instruction and fun activities. Using DreamBox Reading, students develop proficiency over foundational skills through learning experiences built around their own progress, performance, productive struggle, and age-appropriate play.

The back to school improvements for 2025 broaden DreamBox Reading’s coverage to support all PreK-5 learners and expand educators’ abilities to develop students’ foundational skills and confidence in reading through personalized instruction. These updates include:

• Expanded access to adaptive and personalized Learning for older readers. New content includes more essential concepts and topics critical for learning to read, including foundational skills such as phonics, decoding, guided reading, and language skills such as vocabulary, spelling, word learning strategies, and more.
• Enhancements to the student experience including a new, motivating, age-appropriate learning environment has been created to engage upper elementary learners.
• Improved teaching and learning support with professional learning resources for PreK-5 educators that help to maximize classroom impact.

DreamBox Reading by Discovery Education is certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based ESSA Tier IV standards as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This research and more can be found here.  

“Thank you to the Tech & Learning judges for their thoughtful review of the submissions to the Best for Back to School Awards. Discovery Education works tirelessly to ensure educators have what they need, and want, to engage students in effective learning experience starting at the first bell,” said Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer at Discovery Education. “We are honored to receive this recognition, and I know these awards will inspire Discovery Education the team to continue innovating solutions that help all students achieve.”

Learn more about the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2025 here.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com