Author: sHq_LoGiNz

By Kim Borges

Walking into a large room where you don’t know a soul can be intimidating.

Brianna Hintz has been pushing past those fears a lot lately.

“I’ve been working to get myself out of my comfort zone,” she said.

So, when Hintz uncovered a way to meet 150 women in less than three hours, she was all in.

The opportunity? Mentoring Monday, an annual speed networking event for female professionals. There are 40 Mentoring Monday events hosted nationwide by The Business Journals bringing women together to network, connect and inspire.

Hintz attended the Houston Business Journal’s twelfth annual Mentoring Monday in February which connected 115 mentees with 36 mentors.

Regions Commercial Banking executive and Greater Houston market executive Caroline Vérot Moore served as a mentor.

“This is the second time I’ve participated,” said Vérot Moore. “I’ve had a lot of mentors in my career, so for me, this event offers a chance to give back to the community.”

Hintz, who moved to the Bayou City in January after graduating from the University of Minnesota and accepting a Marketing and Communications specialist role with a national crane rental company, wasn’t exactly sure what Mentoring Monday would resemble.

“I initially didn’t have many expectations,” she said. “But when the bell started ringing, I got a little bit nervous.”

And then, reassurance when Hintz saw Vérot Moore.

“I scanned the room for smiling faces and went to her because she seemed very friendly and open,” she said.

For the next seven minutes, Hintz, a fellow mentee and Vérot Moore discussed the challenges of juggling professional and personal responsibilities.

My main takeaway was the realization balancing family and progressing in your career is doable.

Brianna Hintz

“My main takeaway was the realization balancing family and progressing in your career is doable,” Hintz said. “To see someone in a leadership role who has lived that was really inspiring for me. She’s awesome.”

Dr. Manahil Riaz, a licensed professional counselor and practice owner, had a better idea what to expect her second time as a mentee.

What drew her back for year two?

“Being a woman in business can very lonely,” she said. “This event really helped me understand I’m not alone. It’s important for us to have a community.”

Riaz, a Regions client, especially enjoyed connecting with Vérot Moore.

“My business partner and I have a business account with the bank and we’re so grateful for Regions,” Riaz said. “Caroline is so interesting, and her background growing up in France is fascinating. I moved here from Pakistan when I was seven, so we talked about changing languages.”

The two also covered additional ground during their whirlwind conversation.

“I asked Caroline, ‘Who are your mentors? Who did you look up to?’” said Riaz. “I like to know the people I admire also have people they admire. I want to know who their guiding lights are.”

“It fills my cup to know there are other successful women in the room and I get to be in the same room with them.”

Dr. Manahil Riaz

During her conversations, Vérot Moore shared the impact mentoring has made with her career. And she also shared another insight.

“I think sponsorship is equally important,” she said. “It’s having someone in your company who knows what you’ve done and can throw your hat into the ring when promotions are being discussed. Having a sponsor when you’re not in the room and those conversations happen matters. It’s our responsibility as women in leadership to help other women become leaders.”

Hintz left Mentoring Monday with a stack of business cards – plus something more.

“It reinstilled my confidence in stepping outside my comfort zone,” she said. “Everyone is human, everyone is excited to share about their experience. You can learn something from everyone and everything.”

Riaz also had valuable takeaways.

“It fills my cup to know there are other successful women in the room and I get to be in the same room with them,” she said. “I look to these mentors, and they tell me it’s going to get easier. They also said, ‘One day, you’ll be sharing your stories with others.’ Anything that can bring women together to talk about hardships is a wonderful thing.”

“You know you already have one thing in common because you want to give back.”

Caroline Vérot Moore, Regions Commercial Banking executive and Greater Houston market executive

And if you think those seeking advice were the only ones who benefitted from Mentoring Monday?

Vérot Moore would be the first to tell you that’s not the case.

“The mentors get as much out of it as the mentees,” she said. “I was able to make new connections in the community, which is always beneficial. We’re all there for the same purpose. You know you already have one thing in common because you want to give back.”

Originally published on April 10, 2025 on Sysco.com

HOUSTON, April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Sysco Corporation, the world’s largest food distributor, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, one of the country’s largest energy infrastructure developers, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Rumble Solar Energy Center in Oklahoma. Once operational, Rumble Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, will generate approximately $32 million in additional tax revenue over 30 years for the community.

The project represents a potential $334 million investment in the local community and will generate 250-megawatts of renewable energy, making it one of the largest solar sites serving the food service industry. The energy generated equals 75% of Sysco’s national power usage including 100% of Sysco Oklahoma’s total electric load. Rumble Solar will create approximately 300 jobs at the peak of construction, bringing increased activity and revenue to the local area, highlighting the project’s significant investment in Oklahoma’s energy infrastructure.

“This is another example of our commitment to operating in a manner that is responsive to the expectations of the communities and customers we serve while also fulfilling our own business goals,” said Sysco Chief Merchandising Officer and Senior Vice President Victoria Gutierrez. This project ticks several of our goals by decreasing our emissions each year by 16%, while also creating additional jobs and increasing tax revenue for a community we serve,” Gutierrez added.

Sysco’s climate goal aims to lower Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 27.5% by 2030. An important element of reaching this goal includes sourcing 100% renewable electricity for the company’s global operations by 2030. The company will reduce its Scope 2 emissions and decrease electricity costs for the company as we transform into both a seller and buyer of power.

“We’re excited to continue working alongside Sysco and helping them reach their sustainability goals,” said Anthony Pedroni, vice president of development at NextEra Energy Resources. “Once operational, Rumble Solar will deliver immense benefits not only to Sysco, but to Grady County, the surrounding community, and the state of Oklahoma.

The Rumble Solar Energy Center is NextEra Energy Resources’ second solar project to begin construction in Oklahoma and is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The company’s subsidiaries currently operate 19 wind energy facilities and three battery energy storage facilities in the state.

During the event, Sysco Corporation and Rumble Solar presented $10,000 donations to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Minco Schools, respectively. The funds to Minco Schools will support the Agricultural Education and Family Consumer Sciences departments. The funds to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma will be allocated to their Backpack Program Initiative, which provides meals to children in need during the summer.

More information on Sysco’s sustainability commitments can be found in Sysco’s 2024 Sustainability Report.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food and related products to customers who prepare meals away from home. This includes restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, entertainment venues, and more. Sysco operates 340 distribution centers, in over 10 countries, with 76,000 colleagues serving approximately 730,000 customer locations. The company generated sales of more than $78 billion in fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024.

As the world’s largest food-away-from-home distributor, Sysco offers customized supply chain solutions, bespoke specialty product offerings, and culinary support to drive customers to innovate and optimize their operations. We act as a trusted business partner to our customers, helping them grow through our industry-leading portfolio that includes fresh produce, premium proteins, specialty products, sustainably focused items, equipment and supplies, and innovative culinary solutions.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com. For important news and key information for Sysco investors, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at investors.sysco.com.

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For more information contact:

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Kevin Kim
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Pizza Hut

Did you know that nearly 75% of people in the U.S. have access to recycling used pizza boxes in their local community? However, a large part of the population isn’t aware of this very simple opportunity to reduce waste. We’ve been working with pizza box supplier Smurfit Westrock to find ways to educate and raise awareness about pizza box recycling in the communities we serve. Want to be part of the solution? Start by learning about your city’s recycling guidelines here: https://recycling.pizzahut.com/

Meet Becky Skinner, our very own Principal Scientists who is innovating with ThermaFiber® Mineral Wool to help provide sound control, energy conservation and more.

Thermafiber® has been innovating fire safety and building solutions for over 90 years. Our technical expertise has helped us develop safety systems like Owens Corning® Thermafiber® Perimeter Fire Containment Systems, which keep fire contained to the room of origin — allowing the people inside more time to get out, and firefighters more time to get in.

Hear about Becky’s experience in this week’s Innovation Spotlight, and tune in every week to hear from more of our talented Owens Corning innovators. 

Click here to learn more about ThermaFiber® Mineral Wool: https://bit.ly/4haK48X

Originally published in Lenovo’s 2023/24 ESG Report

Innovating for manufacturing sustainability

In FY 2023/24, Lenovo finalized and put into use an ESG management system called Lenovo ESG Navigator that helps monitor key ESG metrics in manufacturing. The innovative system offers near real-time insights on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, replacing traditional manual management of ESG metrics with a flexible, transparent, and highly automated approach that captures data across the value chain from a single point of control, enabling more data-informed decisions in areas impacting sustainability performance.

Innovating to help customers meet sustainability goals

Lenovo is focused on providing products and services that help contribute to customers’ sustainability goals and a smarter future for all. Through focused initiatives at the product, packaging, and service level, Lenovo is innovating to improve the sustainability features of products and empower customers with options to consider sustainability through services.

Product and packaging innovations that focus on carbon impact

The latest generation of Lenovo Neptune™ liquid cooling technology is delivered in a broader range of ThinkSystem servers than prior generations, making its sustainability benefits available to more of Lenovo’s customers. Lenovo Neptune™ liquid cooling technology helps to optimize product performance by capturing up to 98 percent of the system heat and reducing power consumption by up to 40 percent.

In addition to product innovations in its servers, Lenovo takes a holistic look at customer experience and sustainability goals by improving packaging design across product offerings. The Infrastructure Solutions Group uses a rack integration method of shipping servers with pre-installed in racks, saving 105 pounds of cardboard per rack. Lenovo designs select PC packaging for it to be made from more sustainable materials like bamboo and sugar cane.

Empowering customers with more sustainable choices

Lenovo provides IT life cycle solutions such as Asset Recovery Services, CO2 offsetting capabilities, Reduced Carbon Transport options, and certified refurbished equipment. All of Lenovo’s products are offered as-a-service, a delivery model which can help optimize IT asset sustainability.

• TruScale Everything-as-a-Service: Circular Economy is all about designing out waste from the value chain. TruScale ‘as a Service’ offerings optimize the process by leaving each stage of a product’s cycle in the hands of qualified professionals so a customer can focus on their productivity priorities. TruScale inserts predictability into lifecycle management, enabling companies to plan and help maximize the reuse or recovery of their technology.
• Asset Recovery Service: This service helps mitigate the environmental and data security risks associated with end-of-life asset disposal while aiming to maximize the value potential of those assets, with the main goal to reutilize, recover, and in the end, recycle resources.
• Reduced Carbon Transport: This new solution empowers Lenovo’s customers with transportation alternatives for IT purchases that generate lower carbon emissions, such as those that allow the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel credits.

Innovative solutions for a circular economy

Lenovo’s vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All extends to its practices that include Smarter Circular Design, Smarter Circular Use, and Smarter Circular Return activities. In a circular economy, products are made, used, then returned, instead of being discarded and consigned to waste. In this model, value is extracted from a resource while in use. Then, at the end of its service life, the resource is recovered, refurbished, and redeployed. This drives greater resource productivity, aims to make businesses more competitive, and helps create new opportunities for growth. The demand for a more circular economy has given rise to the ‘as a service’ or usage models seen across many industries in which the users pay for only what they need when they need it, and return the assets or resources when they are finished.

Lenovo provides innovative solutions for its customers’ business needs that help reduce the volume of end-of-life electronic products that may otherwise, be discarded or consigned to waste. These solutions include:

• Services that help keep products operating longer;
• Services that help make infrastructure management easier;
• Solutions to manage its customers’ products at the end of life to help maximize value and reuse opportunities.

Lenovo’s introduction of TruScale Device as a Service (TruScale DaaS) to the PC industry has helped enable organizations to maximize value throughout a product’s lifecycle and minimize raw material use and waste generation. TruScale DaaS is a usage model in which the consumer pays to use the device of their choice as they need it and has the option of pausing or returning the device when it is not in use. Along with the device, Lenovo offers a variety of services that aim to protect and support the asset during its lifecycle. When the device reaches the end of its service life, Lenovo will collect the device, wipe it clean of the customer’s data, and strive to recycle and re-purpose the device. This means the device can either be refurbished and reintroduced into a new working environment, or the device’s parts can be used to repair other devices under warranty.

Customers only pay for what they use, avoiding the heavy capital outlays of the ownership model, as well as escaping the burden and cost of disposal. These services are addressing the industry’s transformation to as-a-service and providing lifecycle value to Lenovo’s customers.

To help scale circular economy solutions in the IT industry, Lenovo has established a target to enable the recycling and reuse of 800 million pounds of end-of-life products by FY 2025/26³. For more information see Section 9.0.

Read more

³ Cumulative total since 2005.

In support of Earth Month, employees from AEG’s LA Kings, the Anaheim Ducks, and Mercury Insurance, partnered with Ryan’s Recycling to help protect coastline communities in Long Beach, CA.

On April 8, 2025, 170 volunteers came together for the 4^th annual Freeway Faceoff Beach Cleanup and picked up 422 pounds of trash, including plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans, preventing harmful waste from polluting the ocean and endangering marine life. Through their hands-on conservation efforts, the LA Kings, continue to demonstrate their dedication to making a lasting positive impact in communities throughout Southern California.

“California is home to beautiful coastlines that support the local economies, protect marine life, and are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” said Gabe Gelbard, Manager, Community Relations, LA Kings. “Across the state, pollution is a major threat to our oceans and health. At the LA Kings, we believe that taking care of our environment is a responsibility we all share, and the Freeway Faceoff Beach Cleanup is a great example of how our employees, fans and partners can come together to ensure our state’s beaches are clean for future generations to enjoy.”

The Freeway Faceoff Beach Cleanup has become a meaningful tradition, uniting hockey fans and community members in support of a greener future. For the past few years, the LA Kings have partnered with Orange County, CA-based Ryan’s Recycling, which was founded in 2012 by fourteen-year-old Ryan Hickman, who started recycling at the age of three. Since then, Ryan has inspired thousands of kids to recycle in their own communities for a cleaner planet and today Ryan’s Recycling has collected over two million cans and bottles from beaches, protecting the ocean and keeping harmful pollution out of landfills.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Engage for Good, the leading company empowering corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial social impact partnerships, today announced that global entrepreneur, philanthropist, pop culture icon and CEO of 11:11 Media Impact Paris Hilton will receive the inaugural Courage Award at The 2025 Halo Awards. Additionally, content creator Janette Ok will be given the first-ever Creator for Change Halo Award sponsored by TikTok.

As the first and most prestigious honor for excellence in corporate social impact, The Halo Awards recognize the most innovative and effective partnerships between companies and nonprofits that drive business and social impact. The Courage Award, which debuts this year, honors a leader who has taken a powerful stand on an issue that matters, using their voice to spark awareness, action and change.

Hilton has long used her voice to spotlight critical social issues, transforming her lived experience and courageous journey as a survivor into a catalyst for change. Her advocacy to protect vulnerable youth in institutional settings led to the passage of the federal Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act bill and the enactment of 12 U.S. state laws that safeguard young people in residential treatment facilities. Through 11:11 Media Impact, the nonprofit she founded to drive meaningful and lasting change on a global scale, Hilton has also worked to destigmatize mental health challenges and champion greater support and understanding for the neurodivergent community. Showcasing this commitment, 11:11 Media Impact’s partnership with Understood.org has been named a finalist for Best Gender & LGBTQ Equality Initiative at The Halo Awards, an initiative focused on educating and empowering neurodivergent women.

“Courage is about speaking your truth and using your voice to help those who feel unheard or unseen, even when it feels scary, and I’m honored to receive such a meaningful award,” said Hilton. “This recognition is a testament to the power of using your voice to create meaningful change, and I hope it inspires others to embrace their own strength, share their stories and know they are not alone.”

“Watching Paris speak truth to power, and then work to change the system that harmed her, has been nothing short of inspiring. The Halo Awards were created to honor leadership that drives lasting impact, and with this new Courage Award, we’re proud to recognize Paris for turning pain into purpose in a way that is already changing lives,” said Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good.

The Creator for Change Award, sponsored by Tiktok, will also debut at this year’s Halo Awards, celebrating a digital content creator who uses their platform to shine a light on important issues and build community around a shared sense of purpose.

Ok has intentionally partnered with and amplified brands and organizations whose missions align with social good, focusing on mental health awareness, diversity and inclusion, and women’s empowerment. In particular, Ok has used her social platforms to raise awareness and funds for unhoused communities in LA and relief efforts for marginalized women and children. She was also part of TikTok’s first Diversity Collective as a Korean American voice. Ok’s social impact goes beyond social media, from going on humanitarian trips to over 20 countries across South America, Africa and Asia to partnering with her church to serve lunch to the unhoused community in Downtown LA to speaking on panels about body positivity, mental health and challenging Korean beauty standards.

“Receiving the first-ever Creator for Change Award is deeply humbling. Championing social impact isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am. Whether it’s serving at my local church, supporting women’s ministries or using my platform to raise awareness and funds, I see helping others as a way to live out my faith and uplift the communities I care about most,” said Ok. “Behind the scenes or out in the open, I believe every act of service — big or small — has the power to create real change. This award affirms that change doesn’t come from perfection or external validation but the courage to keep showing up.”

The Halo Awards will take place during the annual Engage for Good Conference, which will be held April 22-24, 2025, at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA. During the conference — sponsored by premier partners TikTok and fintech platform Adyen and silver level sponsors Public Interest Registry, DIRECTV for BUSINESS and Goodstack — attendees will gain practical skills, hear inspiring keynotes on cutting-edge ideas, explore emerging trends in CSR, ESG, corporate philanthropy and connect with forward-thinking leaders across corporate and nonprofit sectors who are shaping the future of collaborative impact.

“For more than 20 years, The Halo Awards have honored the most effective social impact initiatives, but this year we’re recognizing game changing leaders using their massive platform for good. Janette has shown the power of making a difference — not just through words but through advocacy, amplification and actions,” said Panjwani. “Her creativity, authenticity and platform make her the perfect inaugural recipient of the Creator for Change Award.”

Hilton and Ok will be recognized during The Halo Awards on Thurs., April 24, 2025, at 6:00 pm PST.

For more information or to attend the Engage for Good Conference, please register at https://engageforgood.com/conference/.

About Engage for Good

Engage for Good is the leading community of corporate social impact professionals, equipping leaders with the connections, best practices, and support they need to build high-impact partnerships that drive both business and social value.

Our offerings include: (1) The Engage for Good Conference — the premier national event convening leaders from Fortune 100 companies and top nonprofits. (2) The Halo Awards — the first and most prestigious honor recognizing excellence in corporate social impact. (3) A thriving membership of 19,000+ professionals working across CSR, ESG, DEI, philanthropy, and purpose. (4) Consulting services for nonprofits seeking to build or grow successful corporate partnerships. (5) Partnerships to help you reach CSR decision makers with your products and services.

About 11:11 Media Impact

11:11 Media Impact, founded by Paris Hilton, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting change worldwide. Rooted in Paris’s lived experiences, the organization leverages strategic advocacy, socially-conscious storytelling, and philanthropic investments to address critical issues such as protecting children from institutional child abuse and fostering inclusion for individuals with learning and thinking differences.

Since its inception, 11:11 Media Impact has achieved significant milestones, including the passage of the federal Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, the enactment of 12 U.S. state laws safeguarding youth in residential treatment facilities, and the successful repatriation of American children from abusive facilities abroad. In addition to its child protection work, Paris has been a passionate advocate for ADHD awareness and a steadfast supporter of LGBTQIA+ direct service organizations.

With over 21.5 billion earned media impressions in 2024 alone, 11:11 Media Impact harnesses Paris’ global influence to drive systemic change, deliver justice for survivors, and protect vulnerable children around the world.

Media Contact
Brandy Patton-Miller
prforengageforgood@bospar.com