Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

HARTFORD, Conn., May 7, 2026 /3BL/ — MinuteClinic^®, the medical clinic inside select CVS Pharmacy^® locations, and Hartford HealthCare (HHC), one of New England’s most comprehensive health systems, are collaborating to offer in-network adult primary care at all Connecticut MinuteClinic locations for many insurance plans accepted by Hartford HealthCare.

This enhanced collaboration broadens convenient access to high‑quality primary care for residents across Connecticut. The care model also prioritizes affordability through a cost‑effective, patient‑centered approach focused on improving long‑term health outcomes. Research shows that individuals who maintain an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider experience significantly lower healthcare costs and better health management over time.^*

With 20 MinuteClinic locations across Connecticut, patients can take advantage of same-day or next-day access and evening and weekend hours. Care coordination is supported through an interoperable electronic health record, enabling seamless communication between MinuteClinic providers and Hartford HealthCare clinicians.

“I could not be more excited about what this integration truly means for consumers across Connecticut,” said Jeffrey A. Flaks, President and CEO, Hartford HealthCare. “This will greatly expand access statewide by allowing for more convenient entry points, more flexible hours, and a simpler way to connect to ongoing and coordinated care. These enhancements will transform how we deliver care. We are fully committed to creating a more consumer‑centric healthcare system. This partnership is an important step forward in helping us improve access, deliver better outcomes, and make care more affordable for communities.”

MinuteClinic primary care patients will have streamlined access to Hartford HealthCare’s network, including hospitals, specialists, diagnostic services, advanced imaging, and specialty labs, ensuring continuity across care settings.

“Connecticut, like much of the nation, is facing a shortage of primary care physicians,” said Padmanabhan Premkumar, MD, President of the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. “By expanding primary care access through MinuteClinic, we’re creating additional, convenient options for preventive and ongoing health needs within the communities we serve. This model aligns perfectly with Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to accessible, patient centered care.”

Expanding MinuteClinic’s Primary Care Model

“Today, more than 65 percent of MinuteClinic locations across the country offer adult primary care through affiliations with trusted health systems and payers,” said Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health at CVS Health. “Since we introduced this care model nearly two years ago, patients have responded positively—with strong enrollment, high satisfaction and real progress in closing gaps in care. We began offering primary care to eligible patients in Connecticut last summer. By working with Hartford HealthCare, we can now bring this proven model to more patients across the state and help more people focus on their long-term health.”

MinuteClinic is one of the nation’s largest employers of board-certified advanced practice providers. Highly trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants deliver whole person care, with a strong focus on prevention and ongoing health support.

From routine checkups, chronic condition management, and recommended screenings and vaccines, to walk-in care for minor illnesses and access to coordinated specialist referrals, MinuteClinic continues to bring affordable, convenient and high- quality care to neighborhoods across the country.

About Hartford HealthCare

With 48,000 dedicated colleagues and a bold vision for the future, Hartford HealthCare is transforming healthcare across Connecticut and beyond — enhancing access, affordability, health equity, and excellence. Spanning more than 500 locations across 185 towns and cities, our comprehensive care-delivery system is built to serve every community, every day.

From world-class hospitals — including two tertiary-level teaching hospitals, an acute-care community teaching hospital, an acute-care hospital and trauma center, and four community hospitals — to an expansive network of behavioral health services, multispecialty physician groups, urgent and virtual care, surgery centers, home care, senior care, rehabilitation, and mobile neighborhood health programs, Hartford HealthCare is there when and where it matters most.

Hartford HealthCare touches the lives of more than 28,000 people every single day, delivering unparalleled care through its unique Institute Model — bringing together leading experts in neuroscience, cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular care, orthopedics, and urology and kidney health to provide a unified, high standard of care at the most affordable cost.

Recognized nationally for patient safety and clinical excellence, Hartford HealthCare was the only health system in country awarded the prestigious Quest for Quality Prize from the American Hospital Association and boasts Leapfrog A-ratings across all its hospitals — making Hartford HealthCare one of the safest healthcare systems in the country.

Join us on our journey to redefine healthcare. Visit www.HartfordHealthCare.org and stay connected through our newsletters and social media.

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

To schedule a primary care appointment at MinuteClinic or learn more about available services, visit cvs.com/minuteclinic.

Media contacts

Shannon Dillon, CVS Health
Shannon.Dillon@CVSHealth.com
346.291.713

Tina Varona, Hartford HealthCare
Tina.Varona@hhchealth.org
860.310.7640

 

Introduction

By Patrick Smith, VP, EMEA Field CTO, Everpure

AI can do more and more. Think of any topic and an AI or genAI tool can effortlessly generate an image, video or text. Yet the environmental impact of, say, generating a video by AI is often forgotten. For example, generating one image by AI consumes about the same amount of power as charging your mobile phone. A relevant fact when you consider that more and more organizations are betting on AI.

After all, training AI models requires huge amounts of data, and massive data centers are needed to store all this data. In fact, there are estimates that AI servers (in an average scenario) could consume in the range of 85 to 134Twh of power annually by 2027. This is equivalent to the total amount of energy consumed in the Netherlands in a year.

The message is clear: AI consumes a lot of energy and will, therefore, have a clear impact on the environment.

Does AI Have a Sustainability Problem?

To create a useful AI model, a number of things are needed. These include training data, sufficient storage space and GPUs. Each component consumes energy, but GPUs consume by far the largest amount of power. According to researchers at OpenAI, the amount of computing power used has been doubling every 3.4 months since 2012. This is a huge increase that is likely to continue into the future, given the popularity of various AI applications. This increase in computing power is having an increasing impact on the environment.

Organizations wishing to incorporate an AI approach should therefore carefully weigh the added value of AI against its environmental impact; while it’s unlikely a decision maker would put off a project or initiative, this is about having your cake and eating it. Looking at the bigger picture and picking technology which meets both AI and sustainability goals. In addition to this, the underlying infrastructure and the GPUs themselves need to become more energy-efficient. At its recent GTC user conference, NVIDIA highlighted exactly this, paving the way for more to be achieved with each GPU with greater efficiency.

Reducing the Impact of AI on the Environment

A number of industries are important during the process for training and deploying an AI model: The storage industry, data center industry, and semiconductor industry. To reduce AI’s impact on the environment, steps need to be taken in each of these sectors to improve sustainability.

The Storage Industry and the Role of Flash Storage

In the storage industry, concrete steps can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of AI. An example is all-flash storage solutions which are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional disk-based storage (HDD). In some cases, all-flash solutions can deliver a 69% reduction in energy consumption compared to HDD. Some vendors are even going beyond off-the-shelf SSDs and developing their own flash modules, allowing the array’s software to communicate directly with flash storage. This makes it possible to maximize the capabilities of the flash and achieve even better performance, energy usage and efficiency, that is, data centers require less power, space and cooling.

Data Centers Power Efficiency

Data centers can take a sustainability leap with better, more efficient cooling techniques, and making use of renewable energy. Many organizations, including the EU, are looking at Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) as a metric — how much power is going into a data center vs how much is used inside. While reducing the PUE is a good thing, it’s a blunt and basic tool which doesn’t account for, or reward, the efficiency of the tech installed within the data center.

Semiconductor Industry

The demand for energy is insatiable, not least because semiconductor manufacturers — ,especially of the GPUs that form the basis of many AI systems — are making their chips increasingly powerful. For instance, 25 years ago, a GPU contained one million transistors, was around 100mm² in size and did not use that much power. Today, GPUs just announced contain 208 billion transistors, and consume 1200W of power per GPU. The semiconductor industry needs to be more energy efficient. This is already happening, as highlighted at the recent NVIDIA GTC conference, with CEO Jensen Huang saying that due to the advancements in the chip manufacturing process, GPUs are actually doing more work and so are more efficient despite the increased power consumption.

Conclusion

It’s been clear for years that AI consumes huge amounts of energy and therefore can have a negative environmental impact. The demand for more and more AI generated programmes, projects, videos and more will keep growing in the coming years. Organizations embarking on an AI initiative need to carefully measure the impact of their activities. Especially with increased scrutiny on emissions and ESG reporting, it’s vital to understand the repercussions of energy consumption by AI in detail and mitigate wherever possible.

Initiatives such as moving to more energy efficient technology, including flash storage, or improving data center capabilities can reduce the impact. Every sector involved in AI can and should take concrete steps towards a more sustainable course. It is important to keep investing in the right areas to combat climate change!

Learn More About Sustainability at Everpure

Introduction

By Patrick Smith, VP, EMEA Field CTO, Everpure

AI can do more and more. Think of any topic and an AI or genAI tool can effortlessly generate an image, video or text. Yet the environmental impact of, say, generating a video by AI is often forgotten. For example, generating one image by AI consumes about the same amount of power as charging your mobile phone. A relevant fact when you consider that more and more organizations are betting on AI.

After all, training AI models requires huge amounts of data, and massive data centers are needed to store all this data. In fact, there are estimates that AI servers (in an average scenario) could consume in the range of 85 to 134Twh of power annually by 2027. This is equivalent to the total amount of energy consumed in the Netherlands in a year.

The message is clear: AI consumes a lot of energy and will, therefore, have a clear impact on the environment.

Does AI Have a Sustainability Problem?

To create a useful AI model, a number of things are needed. These include training data, sufficient storage space and GPUs. Each component consumes energy, but GPUs consume by far the largest amount of power. According to researchers at OpenAI, the amount of computing power used has been doubling every 3.4 months since 2012. This is a huge increase that is likely to continue into the future, given the popularity of various AI applications. This increase in computing power is having an increasing impact on the environment.

Organizations wishing to incorporate an AI approach should therefore carefully weigh the added value of AI against its environmental impact; while it’s unlikely a decision maker would put off a project or initiative, this is about having your cake and eating it. Looking at the bigger picture and picking technology which meets both AI and sustainability goals. In addition to this, the underlying infrastructure and the GPUs themselves need to become more energy-efficient. At its recent GTC user conference, NVIDIA highlighted exactly this, paving the way for more to be achieved with each GPU with greater efficiency.

Reducing the Impact of AI on the Environment

A number of industries are important during the process for training and deploying an AI model: The storage industry, data center industry, and semiconductor industry. To reduce AI’s impact on the environment, steps need to be taken in each of these sectors to improve sustainability.

The Storage Industry and the Role of Flash Storage

In the storage industry, concrete steps can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of AI. An example is all-flash storage solutions which are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional disk-based storage (HDD). In some cases, all-flash solutions can deliver a 69% reduction in energy consumption compared to HDD. Some vendors are even going beyond off-the-shelf SSDs and developing their own flash modules, allowing the array’s software to communicate directly with flash storage. This makes it possible to maximize the capabilities of the flash and achieve even better performance, energy usage and efficiency, that is, data centers require less power, space and cooling.

Data Centers Power Efficiency

Data centers can take a sustainability leap with better, more efficient cooling techniques, and making use of renewable energy. Many organizations, including the EU, are looking at Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) as a metric — how much power is going into a data center vs how much is used inside. While reducing the PUE is a good thing, it’s a blunt and basic tool which doesn’t account for, or reward, the efficiency of the tech installed within the data center.

Semiconductor Industry

The demand for energy is insatiable, not least because semiconductor manufacturers — ,especially of the GPUs that form the basis of many AI systems — are making their chips increasingly powerful. For instance, 25 years ago, a GPU contained one million transistors, was around 100mm² in size and did not use that much power. Today, GPUs just announced contain 208 billion transistors, and consume 1200W of power per GPU. The semiconductor industry needs to be more energy efficient. This is already happening, as highlighted at the recent NVIDIA GTC conference, with CEO Jensen Huang saying that due to the advancements in the chip manufacturing process, GPUs are actually doing more work and so are more efficient despite the increased power consumption.

Conclusion

It’s been clear for years that AI consumes huge amounts of energy and therefore can have a negative environmental impact. The demand for more and more AI generated programmes, projects, videos and more will keep growing in the coming years. Organizations embarking on an AI initiative need to carefully measure the impact of their activities. Especially with increased scrutiny on emissions and ESG reporting, it’s vital to understand the repercussions of energy consumption by AI in detail and mitigate wherever possible.

Initiatives such as moving to more energy efficient technology, including flash storage, or improving data center capabilities can reduce the impact. Every sector involved in AI can and should take concrete steps towards a more sustainable course. It is important to keep investing in the right areas to combat climate change!

Learn More About Sustainability at Everpure

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Grassroots advocacy is often associated with large-scale campaigns – mass emails, petitions, and sweeping calls to action. But in practice, the most effective efforts are far more focused, grounded in real conversations, preparation, and trust.

That perspective was shared by Mary Kay’s Anne Crews, Vice President of Public Affairs, at the Public Affairs Council’s 2026 Advocacy Conference on March 17-19, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona. It reflects the company’s broader grassroots approach, shaped by Mary Kay’s Public Affairs team, including Michelle Erbeyi, Public Affairs Manager.

At Mary Kay, grassroots are informed by a network of independent beauty consultants whose firsthand experiences bring a human dimension to policy discussions. The approach prioritizes authenticity, preparation, and long-term relationships with policymakers—reflecting both the company’s culture and its community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and storytellers.

Rather than measuring success by how many people participate, Mary Kay focuses on ensuring the right voices are in the room and prepared to share meaningful experiences with lawmakers. The goal isn’t simply activity – it is trust.

Below are insights from Anne and Michelle on Mary Kay’s approach – a series of real-life learnings and true inspiration for public affairs professionals.

---

Q: Mary Kay has a unique business model. How does that shape your approach to advocacy?

Anne:

• To understand our advocacy, it helps to understand our company. Mary Kay was founded in Texas in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash with a mission to enrich women’s lives. That mission remains unchanged today. Our products are sold exclusively by our independent beauty consultants – entrepreneurs who build their own businesses and connect with customers in their communities.
• These consultants are not employees. They are independent small business owners who define success on their own terms while being supported by Mary Kay corporate and the broader Mary Kay community.
• Public policy often intersects with how independent entrepreneurs operate, making engagement important for ensuring their perspectives are understood. When our consultants speak with policymakers, they share firsthand experiences in entrepreneurship, small business ownership, and economic opportunity.
• Authentic stories often add a powerful human dimension to policy discussions.

Q: Culture plays a key role in your advocacy strategy. How does it influence your grassroots work?

Michelle:

• Mary Kay’s culture has been consistent since our founding, and it truly shapes how we engage in public policy discussions.
• Three values are especially important:
  1. Authenticity: Our consultants build genuine relationships in their communities. When they share their stories with lawmakers, those experiences are real and personal. That level of authenticity is powerful.
  2. Respectful Engagement: Mary Kay has always emphasized the Golden Rule – treating others the way you’d want to be treated. That philosophy carries into our policy conversations. Our advocates approach discussions with civility and a focus on solutions.
  3. Service mindset, which we call the “Go-Give spirit.” Our consultants show up wanting to contribute, not confront. They are deeply invested in issues affecting women, families, and small businesses.
• These cultural values create the foundation for advocacy that is thoughtful, respectful, and credible.

Q: Is more participation always better in grassroots advocacy?

Anne:

• We focus on ensuring participants feel prepared and confident to engage in an advocacy setting. When you have a smaller group of advocates, you can invest more time in preparation and alignment. That preparation shows immediately when they sit down with policymakers.
• And in advocacy, credibility matters. When policymakers consistently encounter thoughtful, well-prepared advocates, trust builds over time.

Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of grassroots engagement?

Michelle:

• Quantitative metrics are important, but they rarely tell the full story.
• What really matters is the quality of the interaction. Were advocates prepared? Did the conversation have substance? Did it lead to follow-up dialogue?
• We also pay close attention to tone. Are our advocates reflecting our values? Are discussions respectful and solutions-oriented?
• Those qualitative insights often tell us far more than raw numbers. In our experience, professionalism and authenticity consistently outperform volume.
• In many cases, the quality of a single conversation can have more lasting impact than a high volume of interactions.

Q: How do you communicate the value of grassroots advocacy to executives and corporate leadership?

Anne:

• Leadership teams don’t need more data – they need better signals.
• When we report on advocacy efforts, we focus on outcomes rather than activity. We ask: Did this engagement move an issue forward? Did it deepen a relationship? Did it help policymakers better understand our business model?
• We also connect advocacy directly to business priorities. That might mean protecting flexibility for independent entrepreneurs, strengthening Mary Kay’s reputation, or reducing long-term regulatory risk.
• And whenever possible, we involve leaders from other parts of the company. When colleagues from sales, marketing, or operations participate in advocacy engagements, the value becomes very tangible.
• It becomes more than a report – it’s an experience.

Q: Can you share examples of how this strategy works in real life?

Michelle:

• One example was our Mary Kay Day on the Hill, which marked our company’s 60th anniversary. Rather than inviting a large group, we prioritized participants who were prepared to share their experiences clearly and effectively. The result was a series of meaningful conversations with policymakers because the advocates were prepared and authentic.
• We also host smaller events that help policymakers understand our business model. For example, we’ve organized skincare and entrepreneurship sessions where legislators meet local consultants and hear firsthand how they run their businesses. Those gatherings are intentionally small, but they often lead to deeper conversations and long-term relationships.
• Another important aspect of our work is connecting policymakers with their constituents. We help policymakers understand the presence of entrepreneurs in their communities and the broader economic impact they represent. And sometimes the most effective advocacy happens through site visits, where policymakers visit Mary Kay facilities and meet the employees and entrepreneurs connected to our business. Each of these efforts reflects the same principle: meaningful engagement matters more than volume.

Q: What advice would you offer to other public affairs professionals building grassroots programs?

Anne:

• Start with purpose. If you’re clear about your objectives and grounded in your organization’s values, your advocacy efforts will naturally become more focused and effective.
• Invest in preparation. Advocates who feel confident and informed create stronger interactions with policymakers.
• And remember that advocacy is about relationships, not transactions. Trust develops over time through consistent, respectful engagement.
• When organizations focus on authenticity and preparation, the impact is far greater than any mass campaign.

The Bigger Lesson

While advocacy approaches vary across organizations, our experience has shown that thoughtful, well-prepared engagement consistently leads to more meaningful outcomes. For Mary Kay, grassroots advocacy isn’t simply a public affairs strategy; it’s an extension of Mary Kay’s mission and culture. By empowering women entrepreneurs to share their stories, focusing on thoughtful engagement, and prioritizing long-term relationships with policymakers, Mary Kay has built an advocacy model rooted in authenticity.

And in today’s policy environment, that authenticity may be the most powerful tool advocates have.

The Bigger Picture: Direct Selling’s Economic Impact

• Direct selling contributes an estimated annual $79.2 billion to the U.S. economy, supporting household spending, supply chains, and government revenue.^[1]
• More than 12.2 million independent contractors participate in direct selling in the U.S., earning supplemental income and/or building their own businesses (representing every U.S. state).^[2]
• 34.7 billion: retail sales generated directly through direct selling activities.^[3]
• Nationally, $1.00 in direct selling retail sales drives $2.34 of economic activity.^[4]

Learn more about Mary Kay’s advocacy efforts around the world in the 2025 Sustainability Report.

 

***

About Mary Kay

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

---

^{[1] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[2] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[3] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[4] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Grassroots advocacy is often associated with large-scale campaigns – mass emails, petitions, and sweeping calls to action. But in practice, the most effective efforts are far more focused, grounded in real conversations, preparation, and trust.

That perspective was shared by Mary Kay’s Anne Crews, Vice President of Public Affairs, at the Public Affairs Council’s 2026 Advocacy Conference on March 17-19, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona. It reflects the company’s broader grassroots approach, shaped by Mary Kay’s Public Affairs team, including Michelle Erbeyi, Public Affairs Manager.

At Mary Kay, grassroots are informed by a network of independent beauty consultants whose firsthand experiences bring a human dimension to policy discussions. The approach prioritizes authenticity, preparation, and long-term relationships with policymakers—reflecting both the company’s culture and its community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and storytellers.

Rather than measuring success by how many people participate, Mary Kay focuses on ensuring the right voices are in the room and prepared to share meaningful experiences with lawmakers. The goal isn’t simply activity – it is trust.

Below are insights from Anne and Michelle on Mary Kay’s approach – a series of real-life learnings and true inspiration for public affairs professionals.

---

Q: Mary Kay has a unique business model. How does that shape your approach to advocacy?

Anne:

• To understand our advocacy, it helps to understand our company. Mary Kay was founded in Texas in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash with a mission to enrich women’s lives. That mission remains unchanged today. Our products are sold exclusively by our independent beauty consultants – entrepreneurs who build their own businesses and connect with customers in their communities.
• These consultants are not employees. They are independent small business owners who define success on their own terms while being supported by Mary Kay corporate and the broader Mary Kay community.
• Public policy often intersects with how independent entrepreneurs operate, making engagement important for ensuring their perspectives are understood. When our consultants speak with policymakers, they share firsthand experiences in entrepreneurship, small business ownership, and economic opportunity.
• Authentic stories often add a powerful human dimension to policy discussions.

Q: Culture plays a key role in your advocacy strategy. How does it influence your grassroots work?

Michelle:

• Mary Kay’s culture has been consistent since our founding, and it truly shapes how we engage in public policy discussions.
• Three values are especially important:
  1. Authenticity: Our consultants build genuine relationships in their communities. When they share their stories with lawmakers, those experiences are real and personal. That level of authenticity is powerful.
  2. Respectful Engagement: Mary Kay has always emphasized the Golden Rule – treating others the way you’d want to be treated. That philosophy carries into our policy conversations. Our advocates approach discussions with civility and a focus on solutions.
  3. Service mindset, which we call the “Go-Give spirit.” Our consultants show up wanting to contribute, not confront. They are deeply invested in issues affecting women, families, and small businesses.
• These cultural values create the foundation for advocacy that is thoughtful, respectful, and credible.

Q: Is more participation always better in grassroots advocacy?

Anne:

• We focus on ensuring participants feel prepared and confident to engage in an advocacy setting. When you have a smaller group of advocates, you can invest more time in preparation and alignment. That preparation shows immediately when they sit down with policymakers.
• And in advocacy, credibility matters. When policymakers consistently encounter thoughtful, well-prepared advocates, trust builds over time.

Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of grassroots engagement?

Michelle:

• Quantitative metrics are important, but they rarely tell the full story.
• What really matters is the quality of the interaction. Were advocates prepared? Did the conversation have substance? Did it lead to follow-up dialogue?
• We also pay close attention to tone. Are our advocates reflecting our values? Are discussions respectful and solutions-oriented?
• Those qualitative insights often tell us far more than raw numbers. In our experience, professionalism and authenticity consistently outperform volume.
• In many cases, the quality of a single conversation can have more lasting impact than a high volume of interactions.

Q: How do you communicate the value of grassroots advocacy to executives and corporate leadership?

Anne:

• Leadership teams don’t need more data – they need better signals.
• When we report on advocacy efforts, we focus on outcomes rather than activity. We ask: Did this engagement move an issue forward? Did it deepen a relationship? Did it help policymakers better understand our business model?
• We also connect advocacy directly to business priorities. That might mean protecting flexibility for independent entrepreneurs, strengthening Mary Kay’s reputation, or reducing long-term regulatory risk.
• And whenever possible, we involve leaders from other parts of the company. When colleagues from sales, marketing, or operations participate in advocacy engagements, the value becomes very tangible.
• It becomes more than a report – it’s an experience.

Q: Can you share examples of how this strategy works in real life?

Michelle:

• One example was our Mary Kay Day on the Hill, which marked our company’s 60th anniversary. Rather than inviting a large group, we prioritized participants who were prepared to share their experiences clearly and effectively. The result was a series of meaningful conversations with policymakers because the advocates were prepared and authentic.
• We also host smaller events that help policymakers understand our business model. For example, we’ve organized skincare and entrepreneurship sessions where legislators meet local consultants and hear firsthand how they run their businesses. Those gatherings are intentionally small, but they often lead to deeper conversations and long-term relationships.
• Another important aspect of our work is connecting policymakers with their constituents. We help policymakers understand the presence of entrepreneurs in their communities and the broader economic impact they represent. And sometimes the most effective advocacy happens through site visits, where policymakers visit Mary Kay facilities and meet the employees and entrepreneurs connected to our business. Each of these efforts reflects the same principle: meaningful engagement matters more than volume.

Q: What advice would you offer to other public affairs professionals building grassroots programs?

Anne:

• Start with purpose. If you’re clear about your objectives and grounded in your organization’s values, your advocacy efforts will naturally become more focused and effective.
• Invest in preparation. Advocates who feel confident and informed create stronger interactions with policymakers.
• And remember that advocacy is about relationships, not transactions. Trust develops over time through consistent, respectful engagement.
• When organizations focus on authenticity and preparation, the impact is far greater than any mass campaign.

The Bigger Lesson

While advocacy approaches vary across organizations, our experience has shown that thoughtful, well-prepared engagement consistently leads to more meaningful outcomes. For Mary Kay, grassroots advocacy isn’t simply a public affairs strategy; it’s an extension of Mary Kay’s mission and culture. By empowering women entrepreneurs to share their stories, focusing on thoughtful engagement, and prioritizing long-term relationships with policymakers, Mary Kay has built an advocacy model rooted in authenticity.

And in today’s policy environment, that authenticity may be the most powerful tool advocates have.

The Bigger Picture: Direct Selling’s Economic Impact

• Direct selling contributes an estimated annual $79.2 billion to the U.S. economy, supporting household spending, supply chains, and government revenue.^[1]
• More than 12.2 million independent contractors participate in direct selling in the U.S., earning supplemental income and/or building their own businesses (representing every U.S. state).^[2]
• 34.7 billion: retail sales generated directly through direct selling activities.^[3]
• Nationally, $1.00 in direct selling retail sales drives $2.34 of economic activity.^[4]

Learn more about Mary Kay’s advocacy efforts around the world in the 2025 Sustainability Report.

 

***

About Mary Kay

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

---

^{[1] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[2] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[3] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

^{[4] Direct Selling Education Foundation and Robert A. Peterson, Ph.D., (February 2026). The Economic Impact of Direct Selling Activity in the United States. DSEF 2026 US Economic Impact Report.}

Heart conditions can impact anyone, anywhere, and often without warning. Fifty-nine-year-old Ana Florencio experienced this first-hand when what began as an otherwise typical day quickly turned into one of the scariest moments of her life.

While walking down the streets of New York City a couple of years ago, Ana fainted twice without warning. She later learned she suffered a hypertensive crisis¹ — meaning she had an extreme and sudden spike in blood pressure. The experience marked a turning point in her heart health — one she shares with over 1 in 3 Hispanic women in the U.S. who live with high blood pressure.²

A threat among Hispanic communities

High blood pressure is a chronic condition often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can go undetected until a serious event occurs, as it did with Ana. When symptoms do appear, they may include headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath. If not controlled, high blood pressure can lead to significantly increased health risks including heart attack and stroke.^3,4

The condition affects 39% of Hispanic adults in the U.S.,⁵ and around 83% of Hispanic adults with high blood pressure don’t have it under control,⁵ making the condition even more dangerous.

Prior to her fainting episode, Ana was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition closely linked to high blood pressure.³ Realizing she was now managing multiple chronic conditions, she knew now was the time to take action.

When medication falls short

In the time that followed, Ana worked with her care team, Dr. Prakash Krishnan at The Mount Sinai Hospital,^* to manage her blood pressure with medication. While medication is effective for most, many do not maintain a routine to keep taking their medication; in fact, 50% of people with high blood pressure stop taking their medication within one year.⁶ Despite her best efforts, her blood pressure continued to rise. U.S. guidelines from AHA define high blood pressure as any value greater than 130/80 mmHg,³ but Ana’s remained higher than recommended guidelines and she still experienced spikes in her blood pressure. In addition, Ana experienced severe side effects from her medications ranging from chronic nausea to headaches. These symptoms made it difficult for Ana to do the things she once loved, like taking long walks, cooking, cleaning and turning family gatherings into memorable celebrations.

Finding hope through renal denervation

Determined to take control of her health, Ana began researching alternative treatment options with her doctors. After extensive consultations, she learned about a one-time procedure called the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure, a minimally invasive procedure for people with uncontrolled blood pressure despite lifestyle modifications and medications.⁷

The Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation system works by calming excessively active nerves near the kidneys that may be contributing to high blood pressure.⁸ The procedure doesn’t require any implant and once done, the effects keep working 24 hours a day.^9,10 

Seeing this as a chance to reclaim her physical and mental health, Ana decided to undergo the procedure. “The results were incredible,” she shared. “Now, I have readings in the normal range, and it has given me the energy to enjoy the little things in life, like going on long walks without the fear of fainting again.” In two clinical studies, over 50% of patients who received the blood pressure procedure saw a 10 millimeters of mercury drop in blood pressure regardless of if they were taking medications or not.^9-11 Medication is still part of Ana’s routine to control her blood pressure.

“So many patients like Ana who continue to struggle with uncontrolled hypertension, despite lifestyle changes and medication – renal denervation offers a meaningful adjunctive therapy,” said Dr. Prakash Krishnan. “Seeing her blood pressure stabilized is exactly why we perform this procedure. My team and I at Mount Sinai Fuster Hospital along with the entire Mount Sinai Health System are very excited to be offering this procedure to help patients.”

Forging your path

Ana’s story is a powerful reminder that treatment for high blood pressure, like most things, isn’t one-size-fits-all. While medications and lifestyle changes (like eating less salt and managing weight) are important tools, they aren’t always enough for every patient. In Ana’s case, a procedure like the Symplicity blood pressure procedure proved to be the missing piece she needed to regain control over her blood pressure numbers.

While public health experts continue to raise awareness about chronic conditions like high blood pressure,¹² Ana’s journey emphasizes the importance of understanding personal risks and demonstrates that, with the right care team and determination, it’s possible to reclaim your health.

This patient testimonial is an individual’s experience and opinion. Not every person will experience the same results.

The Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system is indicated to reduce blood pressure as an adjunctive treatment in patients with hypertension for whom lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure. People with higher blood pressure before the procedure may see greater reductions in blood pressure and a decrease in the need for blood pressure medication following the procedure.

The Symplicity procedure has known risks that should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure. Potential procedure-related adverse events including pain, vascular access site complications, and vasospasm are most common.

To learn more about renal denervation and view additional important safety and risk information, visit beyondHBP.com. 

 

*In the past, this physician has been paid for participation in speaking events by Medtronic.

 

¹ Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/hypertensive-crisis/faq-20058491. Accessed October 29, 2025.

² Martin SS, Aday AW, Allen NB, et al. 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2025 Feb 25;151(8):e41-e660.

³ Jones DW, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025 Nov 4;86(18):1567-1678.

⁴ High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/highblood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.

⁵ Health and Economic Benefits of High Blood Pressure Interventions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/high-blood-pressure.html. Accessed October 29, 2025.

⁶ Berra E, Azizi M, Capron A, et al. A. Evaluation of Adherence Should Become an Integral Part of Assessment of Patients With Apparently Treatment-Resistant Hypertension. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):297-306.

⁷ Medtronic Symplicity Spyral multi-electrode renal denervation catheter Instructions for Use.

⁸ Coates P, Tunev S, Trudel J, Hettrick DA. Time, Temperature, Power, and Impedance Considerations for Radiofrequency Catheter Renal Denervation. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. September 2022;42:171–177.

⁹ Kandzari DE, Townsend RR, Kario K, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Renal Denervation in Patients Taking Antihypertensive Medications. J Am Coll Cardiol. November 7, 2023;82(19):1809–1823.

¹⁰ Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Lancet. May 2, 2020;395(10234):1444-1451.

¹¹ Symplicity Spyral^TM Renal Denervation System. FDA Presentation. US FDA Circulatory Systems Devices Panel. Meeting date August 23, 2023.

¹² Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/call-to-action-to-control-hypertension.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2025.

US-SE-2500594 v 5.0

©2026 Medtronic. Medtronic, Medtronic logo, and Engineering the extraordinary are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company

Heart conditions can impact anyone, anywhere, and often without warning. Fifty-nine-year-old Ana Florencio experienced this first-hand when what began as an otherwise typical day quickly turned into one of the scariest moments of her life.

While walking down the streets of New York City a couple of years ago, Ana fainted twice without warning. She later learned she suffered a hypertensive crisis¹ — meaning she had an extreme and sudden spike in blood pressure. The experience marked a turning point in her heart health — one she shares with over 1 in 3 Hispanic women in the U.S. who live with high blood pressure.²

A threat among Hispanic communities

High blood pressure is a chronic condition often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can go undetected until a serious event occurs, as it did with Ana. When symptoms do appear, they may include headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath. If not controlled, high blood pressure can lead to significantly increased health risks including heart attack and stroke.^3,4

The condition affects 39% of Hispanic adults in the U.S.,⁵ and around 83% of Hispanic adults with high blood pressure don’t have it under control,⁵ making the condition even more dangerous.

Prior to her fainting episode, Ana was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition closely linked to high blood pressure.³ Realizing she was now managing multiple chronic conditions, she knew now was the time to take action.

When medication falls short

In the time that followed, Ana worked with her care team, Dr. Prakash Krishnan at The Mount Sinai Hospital,^* to manage her blood pressure with medication. While medication is effective for most, many do not maintain a routine to keep taking their medication; in fact, 50% of people with high blood pressure stop taking their medication within one year.⁶ Despite her best efforts, her blood pressure continued to rise. U.S. guidelines from AHA define high blood pressure as any value greater than 130/80 mmHg,³ but Ana’s remained higher than recommended guidelines and she still experienced spikes in her blood pressure. In addition, Ana experienced severe side effects from her medications ranging from chronic nausea to headaches. These symptoms made it difficult for Ana to do the things she once loved, like taking long walks, cooking, cleaning and turning family gatherings into memorable celebrations.

Finding hope through renal denervation

Determined to take control of her health, Ana began researching alternative treatment options with her doctors. After extensive consultations, she learned about a one-time procedure called the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure, a minimally invasive procedure for people with uncontrolled blood pressure despite lifestyle modifications and medications.⁷

The Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation system works by calming excessively active nerves near the kidneys that may be contributing to high blood pressure.⁸ The procedure doesn’t require any implant and once done, the effects keep working 24 hours a day.^9,10 

Seeing this as a chance to reclaim her physical and mental health, Ana decided to undergo the procedure. “The results were incredible,” she shared. “Now, I have readings in the normal range, and it has given me the energy to enjoy the little things in life, like going on long walks without the fear of fainting again.” In two clinical studies, over 50% of patients who received the blood pressure procedure saw a 10 millimeters of mercury drop in blood pressure regardless of if they were taking medications or not.^9-11 Medication is still part of Ana’s routine to control her blood pressure.

“So many patients like Ana who continue to struggle with uncontrolled hypertension, despite lifestyle changes and medication – renal denervation offers a meaningful adjunctive therapy,” said Dr. Prakash Krishnan. “Seeing her blood pressure stabilized is exactly why we perform this procedure. My team and I at Mount Sinai Fuster Hospital along with the entire Mount Sinai Health System are very excited to be offering this procedure to help patients.”

Forging your path

Ana’s story is a powerful reminder that treatment for high blood pressure, like most things, isn’t one-size-fits-all. While medications and lifestyle changes (like eating less salt and managing weight) are important tools, they aren’t always enough for every patient. In Ana’s case, a procedure like the Symplicity blood pressure procedure proved to be the missing piece she needed to regain control over her blood pressure numbers.

While public health experts continue to raise awareness about chronic conditions like high blood pressure,¹² Ana’s journey emphasizes the importance of understanding personal risks and demonstrates that, with the right care team and determination, it’s possible to reclaim your health.

This patient testimonial is an individual’s experience and opinion. Not every person will experience the same results.

The Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system is indicated to reduce blood pressure as an adjunctive treatment in patients with hypertension for whom lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure. People with higher blood pressure before the procedure may see greater reductions in blood pressure and a decrease in the need for blood pressure medication following the procedure.

The Symplicity procedure has known risks that should be considered in relation to the potential benefits of the procedure. Potential procedure-related adverse events including pain, vascular access site complications, and vasospasm are most common.

To learn more about renal denervation and view additional important safety and risk information, visit beyondHBP.com. 

 

*In the past, this physician has been paid for participation in speaking events by Medtronic.

 

¹ Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/hypertensive-crisis/faq-20058491. Accessed October 29, 2025.

² Martin SS, Aday AW, Allen NB, et al. 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2025 Feb 25;151(8):e41-e660.

³ Jones DW, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025 Nov 4;86(18):1567-1678.

⁴ High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/highblood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.

⁵ Health and Economic Benefits of High Blood Pressure Interventions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/high-blood-pressure.html. Accessed October 29, 2025.

⁶ Berra E, Azizi M, Capron A, et al. A. Evaluation of Adherence Should Become an Integral Part of Assessment of Patients With Apparently Treatment-Resistant Hypertension. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):297-306.

⁷ Medtronic Symplicity Spyral multi-electrode renal denervation catheter Instructions for Use.

⁸ Coates P, Tunev S, Trudel J, Hettrick DA. Time, Temperature, Power, and Impedance Considerations for Radiofrequency Catheter Renal Denervation. Cardiovasc Revasc Med. September 2022;42:171–177.

⁹ Kandzari DE, Townsend RR, Kario K, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Renal Denervation in Patients Taking Antihypertensive Medications. J Am Coll Cardiol. November 7, 2023;82(19):1809–1823.

¹⁰ Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Lancet. May 2, 2020;395(10234):1444-1451.

¹¹ Symplicity Spyral^TM Renal Denervation System. FDA Presentation. US FDA Circulatory Systems Devices Panel. Meeting date August 23, 2023.

¹² Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/call-to-action-to-control-hypertension.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2025.

US-SE-2500594 v 5.0

©2026 Medtronic. Medtronic, Medtronic logo, and Engineering the extraordinary are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company