Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Blog reposted with permission from Hiring Our Heroes

Business leaders and community advocates came together for the 2026 Small Business Grant Program Awards ceremony on April 29 in Washington, D.C. From a pool of more than 1,240 applicants, five veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses were recognized — a testament to the depth of entrepreneurial talent in the military-connected community and the growing case for investing in it.

The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program, powered by the FedEx Founder’s Fund, provides one-time grants to help veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses sustain and grow their impact in local communities. The 2026 awards ceremony was supported by the FedEx Founder’s Fund, Visa, and USAA Small Business Insurance.

This year, four recipients were awarded $10,000 grants, and one standout business received the $25,000 grand prize.

Meet the 2026 Small Business Grant Awardees

Rail Haus – Dover, DE (Grand Prize Recipient)  

U.S. Air Force veterans Donny and Kim Legans brought their vision for a welcoming community gathering space to life with Rail Haus, a vibrant restaurant and beer garden designed to bring people together through craft drinks, local partnerships, and events for all ages. The Legans plan to use their grant to expand their outdoor space, grow the business, and welcome even more neighbors into their community.

Organized Q – Alexandria, VA

Founded by military spouse Gabriela “Gabi” Q. Bell, Organized Q is a virtual executive assistant firm with a mission dedicated to creating remote career opportunities for military spouses, veterans, and underemployed professionals, while supporting nonprofits, small businesses, and enterprises worldwide. Gabi plans to use the grant to reinvest in her team and create paid internships for military-connected young professionals at the start of their careers. 

Balanced Wellness – Ridgeland, SC

Military spouse Dr. Theresa Roman founded Balanced Wellness, a mental healthcare clinic providing in-person and virtual therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She built the practice on the resilience and adaptability that come with 22 years as a military spouse, keeping service to others at the center of her work. Dr. Roman plans to use the grant to grow her business, expand staff training and specialization, and continue offering low or no-cost therapy to members of her community. 

The Laundry Basket – Hyattsville, MD

With a mission rooted in dignity, confidence, and opportunity, U.S. Army veteran Hyacinth Tucker founded The Laundry Basket, a tech-enabled laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service that combines convenience with workforce development. The business also gives back through its Loads of Love initiative, supporting families in need. Hyacinth plans to use the grant to invest in veteran and military spouse hiring and training, including paid stipends, onboarding tools, and community outreach events. 

Langhorne Electrical & Contracting – Leesville, LA

U.S. Air Force veteran Elijah Langhorne founded Langhorne Electrical & Contracting to do more than complete projects. He built a veteran-led company that creates jobs, trains skilled workers, strengthens storm resilience, and reinvests in a community often overlooked, turning every contract into a ripple of opportunity, pride, and economic stability. Elijah plans to use the grant to scale his business through investing in systems, tools, and team development.

Recognizing Military-Connected Entrepreneurship

Now in its third year, the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program has awarded more than $160,000 in grants to 15 military-connected businesses. With thousands of applicants across three cycles, the program has made one thing clear: the military-connected entrepreneurial community is deep, growing, and ready for investment — and every dollar behind these businesses pays dividends in stronger local economies and communities.

The event also reinforced the vital role of corporate support in empowering these entrepreneurs. Representatives from the FedEx Founder’s Fund, Visa, and USAA shared their organizations’ continued commitment to supporting veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses.

“Supporting veterans and veteran-owned businesses matters for a simple reason: investing in those who have served is an investment in our nation’s future,” said Samantha Smith Atkinson, Staff Director of Global Public Policy at FedEx. “Veteran-owned businesses create jobs, strengthen local economies, and reflect the values that define our country — perseverance, innovation, and service.”

During the ceremony, the Honorable Patrick Murphy, a Hiring Our Heroes Ambassador, emphasized the economic impact of military-connected entrepreneurs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy,” Patrick explained. “Veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue, employ millions, and are force multipliers in our nation. They are patriots who are called to continue to serve our nation even after they put away their uniform.”

Eric Eversole, President of Hiring Our Heroes, concluded the ceremony by applauding this year’s recipients for their perseverance, innovation, and continued service, while encouraging sustained investment in military-connected entrepreneurship.

“Thank you for joining us to support and celebrate these amazing veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses,” Eric said. “We see the difference that they are making in their communities each and every day. We are honored to help recognize them and play a small role in celebrating their success, and we look forward to seeing that continued growth for years to come.”

For more information about this initiative, partnership opportunities, or resources for your business, visit Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program. 

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Blog reposted with permission from Hiring Our Heroes

Business leaders and community advocates came together for the 2026 Small Business Grant Program Awards ceremony on April 29 in Washington, D.C. From a pool of more than 1,240 applicants, five veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses were recognized — a testament to the depth of entrepreneurial talent in the military-connected community and the growing case for investing in it.

The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program, powered by the FedEx Founder’s Fund, provides one-time grants to help veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses sustain and grow their impact in local communities. The 2026 awards ceremony was supported by the FedEx Founder’s Fund, Visa, and USAA Small Business Insurance.

This year, four recipients were awarded $10,000 grants, and one standout business received the $25,000 grand prize.

Meet the 2026 Small Business Grant Awardees

Rail Haus – Dover, DE (Grand Prize Recipient)  

U.S. Air Force veterans Donny and Kim Legans brought their vision for a welcoming community gathering space to life with Rail Haus, a vibrant restaurant and beer garden designed to bring people together through craft drinks, local partnerships, and events for all ages. The Legans plan to use their grant to expand their outdoor space, grow the business, and welcome even more neighbors into their community.

Organized Q – Alexandria, VA

Founded by military spouse Gabriela “Gabi” Q. Bell, Organized Q is a virtual executive assistant firm with a mission dedicated to creating remote career opportunities for military spouses, veterans, and underemployed professionals, while supporting nonprofits, small businesses, and enterprises worldwide. Gabi plans to use the grant to reinvest in her team and create paid internships for military-connected young professionals at the start of their careers. 

Balanced Wellness – Ridgeland, SC

Military spouse Dr. Theresa Roman founded Balanced Wellness, a mental healthcare clinic providing in-person and virtual therapy for individuals, couples, and families. She built the practice on the resilience and adaptability that come with 22 years as a military spouse, keeping service to others at the center of her work. Dr. Roman plans to use the grant to grow her business, expand staff training and specialization, and continue offering low or no-cost therapy to members of her community. 

The Laundry Basket – Hyattsville, MD

With a mission rooted in dignity, confidence, and opportunity, U.S. Army veteran Hyacinth Tucker founded The Laundry Basket, a tech-enabled laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service that combines convenience with workforce development. The business also gives back through its Loads of Love initiative, supporting families in need. Hyacinth plans to use the grant to invest in veteran and military spouse hiring and training, including paid stipends, onboarding tools, and community outreach events. 

Langhorne Electrical & Contracting – Leesville, LA

U.S. Air Force veteran Elijah Langhorne founded Langhorne Electrical & Contracting to do more than complete projects. He built a veteran-led company that creates jobs, trains skilled workers, strengthens storm resilience, and reinvests in a community often overlooked, turning every contract into a ripple of opportunity, pride, and economic stability. Elijah plans to use the grant to scale his business through investing in systems, tools, and team development.

Recognizing Military-Connected Entrepreneurship

Now in its third year, the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program has awarded more than $160,000 in grants to 15 military-connected businesses. With thousands of applicants across three cycles, the program has made one thing clear: the military-connected entrepreneurial community is deep, growing, and ready for investment — and every dollar behind these businesses pays dividends in stronger local economies and communities.

The event also reinforced the vital role of corporate support in empowering these entrepreneurs. Representatives from the FedEx Founder’s Fund, Visa, and USAA shared their organizations’ continued commitment to supporting veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses.

“Supporting veterans and veteran-owned businesses matters for a simple reason: investing in those who have served is an investment in our nation’s future,” said Samantha Smith Atkinson, Staff Director of Global Public Policy at FedEx. “Veteran-owned businesses create jobs, strengthen local economies, and reflect the values that define our country — perseverance, innovation, and service.”

During the ceremony, the Honorable Patrick Murphy, a Hiring Our Heroes Ambassador, emphasized the economic impact of military-connected entrepreneurs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy,” Patrick explained. “Veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue, employ millions, and are force multipliers in our nation. They are patriots who are called to continue to serve our nation even after they put away their uniform.”

Eric Eversole, President of Hiring Our Heroes, concluded the ceremony by applauding this year’s recipients for their perseverance, innovation, and continued service, while encouraging sustained investment in military-connected entrepreneurship.

“Thank you for joining us to support and celebrate these amazing veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses,” Eric said. “We see the difference that they are making in their communities each and every day. We are honored to help recognize them and play a small role in celebrating their success, and we look forward to seeing that continued growth for years to come.”

For more information about this initiative, partnership opportunities, or resources for your business, visit Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program. 

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Carbon pricing systems are now in effect in jurisdictions representing 63% of global GDP. Such systems comprise an important infrastructure for corporate sustainability. This week’s newsletter covers how companies are responding.

Across the G7 (the largest economies), companies are maintaining their climate commitments even as they change how they talk about them. And the methodologies underpinning sustainability strategy — like double materiality — are maturing from compliance checklists into genuine decision-support management tools.

As reported by Carbon Herald, an update from the International Carbon Action Partnership documents 41 active emissions trading systems (ETS) worldwide, covering 26% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and more than half the world’s population. Japan, India, and Vietnam are all launching national systems this year, moving carbon pricing well beyond its early-adopter origins in Europe and North America.

The world’s second-largest economy, China, is preparing to shift its national ETS toward an absolute emissions cap by 2027. The EU is expanding its system to include transport and buildings. The State of California, which represents the world’s fourth-largest economy, has locked in its program through 2045.

Far from its origins as a policy experiment, the ICAP Secretariat describes carbon pricing as becoming “the architecture of the global climate response.” For companies navigating its impacts on the climate/compliance landscape, G&A has published three new resources relevant to carbon markets: (1) an “Ask the Analyst” explainer on the EU’s CBAM; (2) a resource paper on carbon pricing in the EU, and (3) a guide to getting climate terminology right and avoiding greenwashing. All three are available in our listing of G&A blogs and research below.

Meanwhile, a survey of more than 7,000 business leaders in the G7, covered by ESG Today, confirms that companies are staying the course with climate action. A dominant 81% say they’re concerned about future costs if they don’t prepare for climate change. Three-quarters say the economic risks of not transitioning outweigh the costs of doing so. However, many are revisiting their outward-facing approach: 61% admit they’ve shifted how they communicate about net zero in response to political backlash and media skepticism. BSI calls this “climate coding”, or reframing sustainability in terms of resilience, risk management, and business continuity, rather than environmental impact.

As an example of the political backlash coloring the regulatory landscape, ESG Dive reports on a proposed U.S. federal bill that would ban cities and states from bringing climate-related lawsuits. This new effort challenges the potential for state and local litigation to deliver climate accountability. Over the past year we’ve tracked sustainability decentralizing from Washington to regional courtrooms and statehouses. This bill is an explicit attempt to close that channel. Whether it advances or not, it signals that the legal front remains as contested as the regulatory one.

Fortunately, companies continue with the work of protecting their businesses and the planet by incorporating sustainability into their risk and strategy assessments. Supply & Demand Chain Executive reports on a rise in the use of double materiality assessments (DMAs), not just as a reporting requirement but as a strategic decision-support tool — helping companies identify which sustainability issues pose genuine financial risk and where they can create the most value.

For professionals tracking the broader landscape, this issue also covers the ISSB’s move to formalize guidance on nature-related disclosures, the EU’s new Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition, a €20 billion sustainable infrastructure fund, and why the fall in fossil fuel generation in China and India marks a turning point for global renewables.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Carbon pricing systems are now in effect in jurisdictions representing 63% of global GDP. Such systems comprise an important infrastructure for corporate sustainability. This week’s newsletter covers how companies are responding.

Across the G7 (the largest economies), companies are maintaining their climate commitments even as they change how they talk about them. And the methodologies underpinning sustainability strategy — like double materiality — are maturing from compliance checklists into genuine decision-support management tools.

As reported by Carbon Herald, an update from the International Carbon Action Partnership documents 41 active emissions trading systems (ETS) worldwide, covering 26% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and more than half the world’s population. Japan, India, and Vietnam are all launching national systems this year, moving carbon pricing well beyond its early-adopter origins in Europe and North America.

The world’s second-largest economy, China, is preparing to shift its national ETS toward an absolute emissions cap by 2027. The EU is expanding its system to include transport and buildings. The State of California, which represents the world’s fourth-largest economy, has locked in its program through 2045.

Far from its origins as a policy experiment, the ICAP Secretariat describes carbon pricing as becoming “the architecture of the global climate response.” For companies navigating its impacts on the climate/compliance landscape, G&A has published three new resources relevant to carbon markets: (1) an “Ask the Analyst” explainer on the EU’s CBAM; (2) a resource paper on carbon pricing in the EU, and (3) a guide to getting climate terminology right and avoiding greenwashing. All three are available in our listing of G&A blogs and research below.

Meanwhile, a survey of more than 7,000 business leaders in the G7, covered by ESG Today, confirms that companies are staying the course with climate action. A dominant 81% say they’re concerned about future costs if they don’t prepare for climate change. Three-quarters say the economic risks of not transitioning outweigh the costs of doing so. However, many are revisiting their outward-facing approach: 61% admit they’ve shifted how they communicate about net zero in response to political backlash and media skepticism. BSI calls this “climate coding”, or reframing sustainability in terms of resilience, risk management, and business continuity, rather than environmental impact.

As an example of the political backlash coloring the regulatory landscape, ESG Dive reports on a proposed U.S. federal bill that would ban cities and states from bringing climate-related lawsuits. This new effort challenges the potential for state and local litigation to deliver climate accountability. Over the past year we’ve tracked sustainability decentralizing from Washington to regional courtrooms and statehouses. This bill is an explicit attempt to close that channel. Whether it advances or not, it signals that the legal front remains as contested as the regulatory one.

Fortunately, companies continue with the work of protecting their businesses and the planet by incorporating sustainability into their risk and strategy assessments. Supply & Demand Chain Executive reports on a rise in the use of double materiality assessments (DMAs), not just as a reporting requirement but as a strategic decision-support tool — helping companies identify which sustainability issues pose genuine financial risk and where they can create the most value.

For professionals tracking the broader landscape, this issue also covers the ISSB’s move to formalize guidance on nature-related disclosures, the EU’s new Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition, a €20 billion sustainable infrastructure fund, and why the fall in fossil fuel generation in China and India marks a turning point for global renewables.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to welcome Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company specializing in orthopaedics, sports medicine, ear–nose–throat (ENT) surgical reconstruction, and advanced wound management, as a new member.

“We’re excited to add Smith+Nephew to our growing membership,” shared Tracy Taszarek, Executive Director of HPRC. “They bring significant expertise as a global medical technology manufacturer, with deep experience in medical device packaging engineering, sterilization methods, and regulatory and quality compliance—capabilities that are critical to overcoming barriers in healthcare plastics recycling.”

Anchored in “People, Planet, and Products,” Smith+Nephew’s sustainability strategy aligns with HPRC’s goals and initiatives. Their strategy incorporates several activities which will lend valuable insights to HPRC’s work including designing packaging with reusable, recyclable, and/or renewable resources, standardizing mono-material packaging, and collaborating with suppliers to increase post-consumer recycled content.

“As a global medical technology leader, our ESG efforts aim for packaging that supports product safety, quality and sustainability,” shared Katya Hantel, VP, ESG at Smith+Nephew. “We’re thrilled to be joining HPRC and contributing to transformative solutions for healthcare plastics sustainability.”

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

 

About HPRC

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

 

About Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 17,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.

Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in around 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $6.2 billion in 2025. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to welcome Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company specializing in orthopaedics, sports medicine, ear–nose–throat (ENT) surgical reconstruction, and advanced wound management, as a new member.

“We’re excited to add Smith+Nephew to our growing membership,” shared Tracy Taszarek, Executive Director of HPRC. “They bring significant expertise as a global medical technology manufacturer, with deep experience in medical device packaging engineering, sterilization methods, and regulatory and quality compliance—capabilities that are critical to overcoming barriers in healthcare plastics recycling.”

Anchored in “People, Planet, and Products,” Smith+Nephew’s sustainability strategy aligns with HPRC’s goals and initiatives. Their strategy incorporates several activities which will lend valuable insights to HPRC’s work including designing packaging with reusable, recyclable, and/or renewable resources, standardizing mono-material packaging, and collaborating with suppliers to increase post-consumer recycled content.

“As a global medical technology leader, our ESG efforts aim for packaging that supports product safety, quality and sustainability,” shared Katya Hantel, VP, ESG at Smith+Nephew. “We’re thrilled to be joining HPRC and contributing to transformative solutions for healthcare plastics sustainability.”

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

 

About HPRC

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

 

About Smith+Nephew

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 17,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.

Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in around 100 countries, and generated annual sales of $6.2 billion in 2025. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

For more information about Smith+Nephew, please visit www.smith-nephew.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Bob Herr| Director of Corporate Governance
John Huang, CFA| Director of Responsible Investments, Data and Technology—Responsibility
Ryan Oden| Co–Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst—US Growth Equities

Our research shows a link between governance and stock returns.

Investors have long suspected that companies with poor corporate governance may be more prone to mismanagement and weak returns. Our research suggests they’re right.

Specifically, our proxy voting study shows a connection between governance and return. We think proxy voting is one of the best tools investors can use to express a view on the quality of a firm’s governance, providing it’s based on careful analysis and accountability, not a rubber stamp.

We believe that proxy voting—alongside direct engagement*—may encourage companies to improve their governance practices, which may result in better long-term outcomes. Several studies, including our own findings, have made this connection much more apparent.

The Governance-Return Nexus

In one study, professors at Harvard Law School constructed an entrenchment index, or “E-index,” based on six key governance provisions. Their findings linked poorer E-index ratings with reductions in firm valuations and returns across US equities from 1990 to 2003. Since then, the predictive power of the E-index has waned, as investors learned to more accurately price these governance risks.

More recently, S&P Global found that, between 2000 and 2017, companies in the bottom quartile of S&P Dow Jones Indices’ governance scores underperformed those in the top quintile by about 2% on an annualized basis.

Inspired by these observations and our own experience, we designed an internal study to determine if a similar association exists between our proxy-voting record and returns. We found that, on average, companies where we voted against management (VAM) on any number of proposals later underperformed those with which we were aligned. 

Standing Up for Governance—One Company at a Time

Evaluating governance isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Our approach focuses on issues that are material to investors, backed by a willingness to vote independently of management and proxy advisors. We use a proprietary proxy-voting policy to vet each company’s alignment with our basic expectations, followed by a collaborative review process that leverages analyst expertise and engagement data. This approach enables us to incorporate company-specific insights to implement more constructive voting strategies.

When we surmise a company’s governance practices aren’t supporting our clients’ best interests, we may vote against management to signal our objection; when executive compensation is misaligned with performance, we vote against it.

Some governance issues may warrant a stance against the specific board member(s) responsible—also known as an “accountability vote.” For instance, seeing internal accounting problems, we may record our opposition to the chair of the audit committee.

Entered into Evidence, Thousands of AB Proxy Votes  

Within this backdrop, our study retraced approximately 12,000 shareholder meetings with MSCI AWCI firms between 2019 and 2025.

To help quantify a company’s degree of alignment with our governance expectations, we grouped the companies into equal-weighted baskets based on our number of VAMs. For example, zero VAMs may reflect stronger alignment based on what we believe is sound governance and oversight across the firm. One VAM indicates a single “no” vote on any of the proposed matters, from capitalization and audits to compensation and director elections. Two VAM reflects our disapproval on two such measures, and so forth.

VAMs occurred in approximately 55% of all shareholder meetings during the period, which means we pushed back—whether on minor issues or proposals of greater consequence—a majority of the time. This reflects our rigorous standards and desire to improve on the status quo. Multiple VAMs can be vital for voicing material concerns, especially if a firm’s governance has been a growing issue for several years.

We next linked our proxy votes to each company’s stock returns in the following calendar year. Companies with higher governance quality—as approximated by our proxy votes—delivered stronger absolute and risk-adjusted returns during the period studied (Display). We found that zero-VAM companies—those we fully supported—outperformed those in the other VAM baskets by 2.6% to 4.6% per year on average. We observed this trend among similarly sized peers and across most—but not all—sectors and regions. 

For the seven-year period, the zero-VAM basket delivered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% with a 0.72 Sharpe ratio, while the three+-VAM basket delivered a 6.5% CAGR with a 0.42 Sharpe ratio.

Governance Matters: We Vote Accordingly

Proxy voting should be more than a compliance exercise. It’s a fundamental tool in active management, empowering investors to sway companies from pitfalls that can impede long-term performance. In matters of governance especially, we’ve found that well-thought-out proxy votes can improve business decisions, from leadership and disclosures to compensation and capitalization.

Landon Shea, Investment Stewardship Associate and Research Lead, and Peter Højsteen-Ljungbeck, ESG Data Research Analyst at AB, were instrumental in the research that formed the basis for this blog.

*AB engages issuers where it believes the engagement is in the best interest of its clients.

MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations, and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed or produced by MSCI.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.
 

Originally published by GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY), the world’s largest domain registrar, launched Airo for WordPress, an AI-powered experience that transforms how small businesses and web professionals build, manage and grow their WordPress websites.

Today, customers can create and launch a fully functional WordPress site in minutes with Airo for WordPress. Within the native WordPress dashboard, Airo for WordPress combines AI creation and ongoing editing with full ecosystem support, managed infrastructure, agency-friendly workflows and more.

“Small businesses and agencies have long faced a tradeoff where website builders are easy but limiting, while WordPress is powerful but complex,” said Bhala Dalvi, vice president of engineering at GoDaddy. “Airo for WordPress eliminates that by bringing the speed and simplicity of AI together with the flexibility and ownership of WordPress.”

Launch Fast. Improve Continuously.

Airo for WordPress goes beyond traditional AI website builders by supporting the entire lifecycle of a website, not just creation.

Key capabilities include:

• AI-powered site creation in minutes using a conversational chat interface
• Lightning-fast page-load times, up to 2x faster performance than the competition*
• Single-prompt AI companion functionality to create blogs, update products, refresh webpages and more in minutes
• Continuous AI-driven improvements, allowing users to update and evolve their site over time
• Seamless editing inside WordPress with no need for a separate builder UI or parallel plugin interface
• Automatic plugin installation and configuration based on business needs
• Dual editing paths, enabling users to switch between AI assistance and the native WordPress editor

Unlike many AI tools that focus only on initial setup, Airo continues working long after launch, helping businesses keep their websites fresh, optimized and aligned with their goals.

Simplicity Meets Flexibility for Small Businesses and Agencies

Designed for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and agencies that need more than a basic website, Airo for WordPress delivers AI-powered ease without sacrificing the depth and control that professionals expect from WordPress.

Whether launching a new brand or managing multiple client sites, users have access to more than 60,000 plugins, full ownership of their site and data with no platform lock-in, and a WordPress foundation that scales with their business. Airo for WordPress also treats commerce as a first-class capability, generating a complete WooCommerce storefront from a single conversation, with no manual configuration required.

By embedding AI directly into the tools users already know, GoDaddy is delivering an end-to-end platform for creating, managing and growing an online presence.

To experience Airo for WordPress free for seven days, visit news.godaddy/airoforwordpress.

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

*With optimized server hardware and GoDaddy Website Security Suite, including a CDN and WAF, you’ll get faster page load times. GoDaddy does not claim best page load performance in industry. Actual results vary by region. See terms for uptime guarantee.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At just 33 years old, Adamari López was thriving in her career and had quickly become a household name. She was successful, happy, healthy and felt unstoppable. It was then that an ordinary moment changed her life. During a regular self-exam, she discovered a lump that she couldn’t ignore.

Like many women, she initially wondered if it was nothing — a hormonal change, stress, something temporary. A doctor suggested the same. But when the lump didn’t go away and pain followed, Adamari listened to her instincts and returned for further testing.

Several doctor visits and tests later, she was faced with the unexpected, but unfortunately it happens more often than one might think, even at her age: a breast cancer diagnosis. Adamari’s world quickly shifted from television studios and bright lights to doctor appointments and treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy and steps that would help preserve her fertility — choices that not only helped save her life, but helped give her the best chance at the future she knew she wanted beyond cancer. All were successful: Adamari is now a mom, cancer-free, back hard at work and mission-driven — milestones that once felt uncertain but now proudly define who Adamari is.

Survival with purpose: From patient to champion

Today, more than two decades after diagnosis, Adamari’s life is full — as a writer, television personality, mother and survivor. Her journey inspired her and shaped her purpose to help empower people to take charge of their wellness, driving the importance of being proactive and persistent when it comes to routine health care.

“My main reason for speaking openly has always been to emphasize the importance of prioritizing your health — because you never know what life may bring,” said Adamari. “By having these regular, open conversations about our health, we can have a positive impact on our families and communities to create a healthier, brighter future for everyone.”

Adamari lives by example, instilling these same principles for her daughter, Alaïa, who speaks out herself about her mom’s story. And it’s because of this unwavering commitment to helping others understand the importance of proactive health that Adamari was honored as one of Aflac’s inaugural Check for Cancer Champions — an exclusive group comprised of people who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to turning negatives into positives.

Cancer remains part of her story, not as a shadow, but as a catalyst. It reshaped how she measures success, deepened her empathy and clarified her mission. It’s a message forged in survival, delivered with urgency and hope — and one she continues to share so that others may never have to learn it on their own. At the same time, Alaïa has been recognized by Aflac as a junior Check for Cancer Champion.

Helping break down cultural barriers

For many Hispanic families, health decisions are rarely made in isolation. According to the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey®, Hispanic men (86%) and Hispanic women (83%) are among the most likely to be swayed by a loved one urging them to act on their personal health. The study also found that one-third of U.S. Hispanics cited their mothers as their top advocate, underscoring the powerful role family plays in shaping these types of decisions.

“I’m deeply aware of how culture, language and access can shape health outcomes,” said Adamari. “I don’t just want the Latina community to be aware of the potential impact of cancer, I want them to feel empowered to have regular, open conversations, ask questions and seek care early — even if they feel fine.”

For Adamari, fostering those conversations within families, across generations and in trusted spaces is essential to breaking down barriers and building a healthier future for the communities she has long represented — just another reason why Adamari is a champion.

The Check for Cancer Champions program is part of Aflac’s Check for Cancer initiative, a bold, national movement to increase cancer screenings by 10% over 10 years. Learn more about the Check for Cancer movement by visiting Aflac.com/CheckForCancer. 

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

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LINCOLN, Neb., May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Impact Fund, a mission-driven investment initiative of the Arbor Day Foundation, is working to accelerate large-scale reforestation in Brazil alongside its new partner, Working Trees.

The partnership combines catalytic capital from the Arbor Day Impact Fund with Working Trees’ on‑the‑ground reforestation capabilities in order to support tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and the development of high‑integrity forestry carbon removal projects. Together, the organizations aim to help promising projects move from early development to durable, investable climate solutions.

“High‑impact reforestation projects often face a critical gap between planting trees and securing long‑term financial sustainability. We want to close that gap by pairing low-cost capital with market access,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund. “This partnership will empower us to not only help Working Trees scale faster with greater confidence, but also turn climate ambition into durable, tangible impact —rooted in trees, trust, and long‑term stewardship.”

“One of the most critical barriers facing nature-based carbon projects is the early-stage capital required before a single credit can be sold. The Arbor Day Foundation has identified this gap and taken a meaningful step toward closing it – providing the catalytic financing that allows projects like ours to get trees in the ground today, before carbon revenues materialize. Beyond the capital itself, Arbor Day’s deep relationships on the buyer side will help unlock the further commercialization of our projects at the scale this moment demands,” said Leif Gonzales-Kramer, CEO of Working Trees. “Creating systems change requires long-term partnerships – not one-off transactions. We are proud to stand alongside one of the world’s most trusted organizations in tree planting, and excited about what we can build together.”

Working Trees has significant operational experience in reforestation and land‑based climate solutions, translating investment into trees planted, new income streams for farmers, landscapes restored, and carbon sequestered.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with more than 50 years of tree planting experience. The organization specializes in fostering strong connections with corporate buyers, investors, project developers, and on-the-ground planting partners.

In addition to providing capital, the Arbor Day Foundation will help Working Trees connect its forestry carbon removal project to corporate and institutional buyers seeking credible, nature‑based climate action earlier in the project lifecycle. This can help reduce market uncertainty and strengthen project bankability, by supporting offtake discussions, aligning projects with buyer expectations, and helping translate restoration outcomes into market‑ready opportunities.

This collaboration is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support forestry ventures that are ready to scale but underserved by traditional finance. Visit arborday.org/impact-fund to learn more.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

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

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

About the Working Trees

Working Trees is a nature-based carbon project developer on a mission to mobilize the next generation of cattle ranching – where nature and producers thrive together. We partner with cattle ranchers to deploy silvopasture at the million-hectare scale, integrating trees into active grazing systems to sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and improve farmer livelihoods.

Founded at Stanford University, to-date Working Trees has deployed over 2,000 hectares of silvopasture, planting approximately 400,000 trees and distributing over $1M directly to farming families.

Working Trees aims to deploy 50,000 hectares of silvopasture by 2030 and 100M hectares by 2050. Learn more at workingtrees.com.

 

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