Author: sHq_LoGiNz

PORTLAND, Ore., September 9, 2025 /3BL/ – The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) and the Global Electronics Council^® (GEC) today announced a new arrangement, effective immediately, where GEC will officially serve as the host organization for CEP, providing strategic guidance and operational support while preserving CEP’s independent, multi-stakeholder governance structure and global mission. This development reflects the two organizations’ strong alignment on sustainable electronics and a shared commitment to scaling actionable, impactful solutions across the global value chain.

CEP, the world’s foremost platform dedicated to advancing circularity in the electronics sector, brings together stakeholders and industry leaders from every part of the community: design, manufacturing, procurement, collection, recycling, and policy, to ensure that electronics maximize their environmental, economic, and social value. This global organization coordinates innovation from across this network of practitioners in order to accelerate the transition of the industry to a circular value chain, maximizing the use of products, minimizing environmental impacts of material sourcing and manufacturing, and reducing the amount of e-waste. Hosted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) since its founding in 2020, CEP is now taking the next step in its evolution.

“We are honored to welcome the Circular Electronics Partnership to the GEC portfolio as an independent initiative with tremendous history and potential.” said Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC. “Building on the stewardship WBCSD and CEP Partners, this collaboration strengthens our shared vision for a more responsible and circular electronics industry. Together with CEP’s global network, we’ll work to accelerate practical, scalable solutions for the sector.”

Daniel Reid, Head of Secretariat for CEP, emphasized the opportunity this hosting arrangement represents for the global community driving circular electronics innovation.

“GEC’s respected leadership in sustainable technology makes them an ideal host for CEP. This new chapter positions us to build on our momentum and expand opportunities for partnership as we work to make circular electronics the global practice.”

In the months ahead, CEP will announce new initiatives and engagement opportunities for stakeholders across the electronics ecosystem, continuing its mission to catalyze progress toward a circular future.

To learn more about the Circular Electronics Partnership and its work, visit cep2030.org.

About the Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) envisions a world with only sustainable electronic technology that enhances the well-being of people and the planet. Our mission is to accelerate the transformation of markets toward prioritizing the most sustainable electronic products and services.

As stewards of the EPEAT^® ecolabel, we set global standards for electronics that empower brands, their value chains and their buyers to achieve ambitious sustainability goals. Through our thought leadership, advocacy, and EPEAT ecolabel, GEC is helping to reshape the electronics industry into a driving force for environmental preservation and global well-being.

About the Circular Electronics Partnership

The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) is a global community leading the transition to a circular economy in the electronics industry. Since its inception in 2021, CEP has brought together six founding partners and over 35 leading tech companies, all working together to transform the sector.

CEP fosters cohesion and drives collective action for greater impact. Serving as a coordination platform, CEP facilitates effective collaboration across the entire electronics value chain. It leverages the strengths of each founding partner, connects existing initiatives, and aligns the sector around a shared vision and roadmap to overcome the barriers to a circular electronics industry by 2030.

Erik Fessler 

Senior Manager, Global Communications 
Global Electronics Council
+1 971-380-4088 
mailto:efessler@gec.org

Daniel Reid 

Head of Secretariat
Circular Electronics Partnership
dreid@gec.org

NEW YORK, September 9, 2025 /3BL/ – As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) grows and continues to reshape the workplace, companies are expressing optimism about building inclusive, AI-ready workforces. However, despite $30–40 billion in enterprise investment, a recent MIT study found 95% of corporate AI pilots deliver zero measurable business impact, meaning no discernible financial savings or uplift in profits. This is because the people who use the AI tools—the employees—are often not brought in during the development and implementation.

Which is why Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), Provoc, and Partnership on AI (PAI), with support from the Ford Foundation, launched a two-year initiative to integrate employee voices when designing and developing large language models to ensure efficiency, productivity, and growth. During the first year, senior corporate responsibility and sustainability leaders who were part of the Responsible AI Community of Practice participated in learning sessions, provided feedback, and integrated changes to their companies. For example, a major tech firm turned the listening sessions into five new employee training programs, and a manufacturing leader created a company-wide AI baseline assessment.

“The value of this Responsible AI Community of Practice was the ability to speak with and learn from our peers and their experiences,” said Ciara McMenamin, Assistant General Counsel, EXL. “Working with CECP, Provoc, and Partnership on AI ensured that we had an external sounding board and, in many instances, validation for the work we have done around our AI Governance framework. The one surprising output for us was that this was more than a learning opportunity, it was an additional change management tool to leverage in how we engage our employees on Responsible AI development.”

Listening to employee concerns is not just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic one. Employees know where the inefficiencies lie and where infusing AI will have the most significant impact in their outputs and the company’s productivity. And recent data underscores this urgency. A Workday study found that two out of three employees feel unheard at work. These findings highlight the critical need for corporate leaders to demonstrate authenticity and transparency in their efforts to create best-in-class workplaces, or further risk disengagement and increased attrition, at great cost to the company.

Based on the Listen, Act, Be Accountable framework developed by Provoc and the Guidelines for AI and Shared Prosperity developed by PAI, CECP is releasing a new diagnostic tool that will enable organizations to assess how they are incorporating employee voice while adopting AI and digital innovations. This tool will help companies take point-in-time snapshots of listening performance and track progress year-over-year and improve their bottom line. 

“Innovation should be an antidote for inequality, not an accelerant. We believe all workers should have a say in the technologies, policies and economic systems that impact their lives. This work cannot be done by one organization or company. We need collective action, evidence-based frameworks and case studies, as well as business leaders who are willing to lead the way with authentic action,” said Ritse Erumi, Program Officer, Ford Foundation’s Future of Work(ers) program. 

The scorecard includes five main areas for companies to score themselves on: employee inclusion, employee safety, feedback design and communication, authenticity and accountability, and transparency and operationalization. 

“AI adoption is not just a technological shift—it’s an opportunity for us to have agency and bring humanity into the process,” said Nandika Madgavkar, Chief Growth Officer and Principal Lead, CECP. “Companies that prioritize transparency and employee engagement will be the ones that thrive. This community of practice and tools like the scorecard gives leaders a practical way to ensure their workforce feels heard, valued, and prepared for the future.”

By aligning innovation with inclusion and listening, companies can build trust, retain top talent, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven world. CECP will be inviting a small group of senior corporate responsibility and sustainability leaders to the second year of the Responsible AI Community of Practice to learn how to use the framework and tool in the spring. Please reach out for more information at info@cecp.co. 

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About Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is the only nonpartisan business counsel and network dedicated to driving measurable returns on purpose. We promote responsible purpose-driven business as it increases customer loyalty, builds employee engagement, improves brand trust, attracts top talent, connects with strategic investors, and contributes to the bottom line.

More than 200 of the world’s leading companies seek to improve their return on purpose through access to CECP’s solutions in insights and benchmarking. With our companies, we harness the power of purpose for business, stakeholders, and society.

For more information, visit http://cecp.co.

CECP Media Contact 
Katie Leasor 
kleasor@cecp.co

August 7, 2025, marks the 106th anniversary of Griffith Foods and another year of blending care and creativity in the food industry. In 1919, Griffith Foods was founded with the intent to “bring science to the food industry”. By redefining the safety standards of Chicago’s meat packing industry, E.L. Griffith and his son C.L. laid the groundwork for what Griffith Foods has become today.

From humble beginnings to a global force for good, Griffith Foods remains driven by the same values that sparked our journey over a century ago. As we celebrate our 106th year of operation, we look forward to nourishing the world for many more.

At Griffith Foods, planting a tree is more than tradition—it’s a symbol of enduring values. Started by Dean Griffith and inspired by his grandfather Enoch’s love of nature, a tree is planted at the opening of new Griffith Foods facilities. This gesture now continues through Brian Griffith, marking facility openings across 30+ countries and six continents.

Over the past century, the Griffith Foods’ purpose has evolved into an international coalition: to “blend care and creativity to nourish the world”. Spanning across four generations, more than 30 countries, and six continents, the Griffith Foods family is committed to creating value for its people, partners, communities, and the planet.

Griffith Foods exists at the intersection of culinary arts, consumer insights, and food and sensory science. By creating delicious and nutritious product solutions, we are hard at work in supporting our customers and the world.

Built on the platform of People, Planet, and Performance, sustainability has become a core pillar of Griffith Foods. In recent years, we saw the introduction of the 2030 Aspirations, a sustainability initiative that solidifies Griffith Foods status as a vessel for the greater good.

The first Aspiration is focused on creating sustainable food networks. Griffith Foods is committed to sourcing their most frequently used spices and herbs from Rainforest Alliance certified suppliers. At the same time, the business is fostering farm-level partnerships to ensure sustainability, primarily through farmers practicing regenerative agriculture.

The second Aspiration heralds developing a product portfolio that is both nutritious and sustainable. Building on an already extensive portfolio, Griffith Foods has introduced products like Nutriamor, a sustainably sourced and nutrient dense powdered drink that has reached approximately 5,000 mothers and children in Columbia.

The final Aspiration targets creating new markets and serving the underserved. An estimated 2.8 billion people around the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. Especially in places like schools and care facilities for the elderly, prioritizing accessible nutrition is essential. By 2030, Griffith Foods hopes to provide 1 billion consumers with affordable and accessible products.

Griffith Foods is also committed to fostering the wellbeing and growth of our people and the communities we call home. With the establishment of belonging communities, diverse voices from all backgrounds are heard, valued, and have a place at the table. Locally, all business units donate one percent of their operating income to local charities and community initiatives.

From humble beginnings to a global force for good, Griffith Foods remains driven by the same values that sparked our journey over a century ago. As we celebrate 106 years of nourishing the world, our purpose continues to evolve—now guided by our 2030 Aspirations and deeply rooted in sustainability and growth. Like every tree we’ve planted, our commitment to nourishing the world continues to deepen, preparing us to impact the decades ahead.

View original content here.

International Paper CSO Sophie Beckham recently sat down with renowned entrepreneur and podcaster John Shegerian to talk about the value of embedding sustainability into business. In a 35-minute episode of “Impact Podcast with John Shegerian,” Beckham explores the topics of defining the role sustainability plays in corporations, the shift in focus on the circular economy, and managing sustainability strategies across countries and continents.  

 Listen to the podcast here.

The Impact Podcast with John Shegerian has featured over 2,000 guests who all share in common a passion for making our world a better place on a daily basis.

 Sophie Beckham is Chief Sustainability Officer at International Paper (IP), where she works across the enterprise to advance sustainability strategy development. She also serves as the company’s primary external spokesperson and thought leader on issues related to sustainability and stewardship. Her career has been dedicated to driving sustainable business outcomes through purposeful leadership in consumer goods and forest product manufacturing sectors.

About International Paper 
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com 

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2024 Sustainability Report

Our approach to sustainable asset ownership

As an asset owner through the general account of Principal Life Insurance Company®, sustainability considerations form an important cornerstone of our investments.

Our approach

We’ve incorporated sustainability factors into our investment process without a selection or rejection bias stemming purely from sustainability factors. Considerations of sustainability factors also feed into the analytical frameworks used by our investment teams.

Our fixed income analysts score investments on ESG metrics while our real estate analysts include climate change and emission considerations in their analysis when evaluating deals. We analyze metrics while underwriting new investments, and target continuous improvement in our portfolio’s sustainability metrics. Improved data quality will enable better measurement of sustainability metrics of our portfolio in coming years.

Our portfolio management teams engage with the companies we invest in to encourage responsible sustainability practices aligned with our investment thesis for the company. We also encourage companies to disclose relevant and material metrics through public reporting and describe how these considerations inform the company’s overall business activities. Sustainability factors are considered as an important risk factor in the investment decisions with approval from the Principal Life Insurance investment committee. This includes consideration and management of sustainability risks. These types of engagement, we believe, help encourage greater transparency, which allows us to evaluate paths toward more sustainable portfolios.

Our actions and performance in 2024

During 2023, we established specific sustainability guidelines that apply to our holdings in corporate bonds, commercial mortgage loans, and private real estate equity.

These guidelines lay out targets on a variety of metrics, including internal scoring and scores available from external sources. This reaffirms our belief that sustainable investing is an important component of our goals to optimize returns relative to risks.

We’re pleased to report that we met or exceeded the goals laid out in our sustainability guidelines during the year 2024.

We also report that 62% of the assets managed for the general account by investment managers utilized ESG integration at the end of 2024.

During the year, we invested about $250 million in assets that we believe meet the criteria for inclusion in our sustainable bond portfolio of collateral, based on our Sustainable Financing Framework. Investments made in 2024 included low income housing projects, construction of additional homeless shelters to serve those in need, solar energy projects and facilities to support the production and integration of energy storage, and battery technology. To date, we’ve invested $1.4 billion into assets that we believe meet the criteria.

Read more about our: Sustainability Bond and Sustainable Financing Framework

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2024 Sustainability Report.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

• Combined solution further automates cloud-based energy optimization and advances resilience, efficiency and operating costs for both new and existing microgrid deployments
• At RE+ 2025, Eaton to showcase microgrid capabilities with Xendee and both companies will have featured speaking engagements

PITTSBURGH and LAS VEGAS, September 9, 2025 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton is collaborating with Xendee Corporation, a provider of the leading design and operation platform for distributed energy and microgrid systems. Xendee’s cutting-edge microgrid modeling and operations platform combined with Eaton’s engineering expertise and proven power distribution technologies deliver a fully integrated microgrid solution. Eaton led a Series B financing round for Xendee Corporation to further accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools for distributed energy resources (DERs), and to help power the next phase of Xendee’s growth. Together, the companies will provide customers a streamlined path to design, deploy and operate highly efficient, resilient microgrids and DERs.

According to the International Energy Agency, adoption of AI across the buildings sector alone could save up to 300-terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually. Eaton and Xendee will help customers leverage AI for new and existing microgrids using onsite energy sources, to sustainably meet energy demands, strengthen energy resilience and drive substantial operating cost savings.

“Together with Xendee, we’re unlocking new ways to help customers maximize the functionality and value of their microgrid investments across North America and Europe,” said Angie McMillin, president of Energy Solutions and Services at Eaton. “We’re confident that uniting Eaton’s proven microgrid expertise, intelligent power management solutions and services with Xendee’s advanced digital optimization technology will better position microgrid operators to seize the opportunities created by the energy transition.”

“Our partnership with Eaton allows us to provide a full-suite solution for microgrids by combining Xendee’s design and Model Predictive Control software and distributed energy modeling expertise with Eaton’s control hardware and expertise, providing microgrid project owners and developers what they need to implement systems at scale and maximize their return on assets,” said Adib Nasle, Co-Founder and CEO of Xendee.

The collaboration couples Eaton microgrid hardware and engineering service capabilities with Xendee’s AI-powered Model Predictive Control software, which continually evaluates and optimizes microgrid systems with AI forecasted alternatives. Xendee’s solution is hardware agnostic, allowing DER operators to seamlessly manage over 27 different types of technologies, including solar, battery energy storage systems, nuclear, linear generators, and combined heat and power. The solution will unlock real-time operational adjustments for microgrid systems that help lead to significant cost savings, enhanced resilience, reduced emissions and extended equipment lifespans.

Eaton will showcase its microgrid capabilities and expertise in booth #V8071, and lead three microgrid-focused educational sessions, during RE+ 2025. Learn more about how the company’s Everything as a Grid approach is helping communities and businesses reduce the cost and environmental impact of energy.

Xendee will lead two sessions at RE+ 2025, focused on a standardized and phased approach to powering data centers with distributed energy, and why developers are transitioning from PV-based systems to microgrids. Learn more about how Xendee’s approach to powering data centers streamlines the creation of an optimal multi-year strategy for lower costs and maximum resilience.

About Xendee Corporation
Xendee is an award-winning software platform built to integrate the feasibility analysis and proposal building, portfolio assessment, detailed engineering, and operation of Distributed Energy Resources and EV fast-charging infrastructure. It is the only integrated provider of microgrid design and Artificial Intelligence-based microgrid operation optimization software. Xendee’s techno-economic algorithms can produce an ideal investment solution and operation schedule to meet organizational goals which can include reducing costs, cutting CO2 emissions, and increasing resilience. Explore how Xendee can empower your organization by setting up a call with us at xendee.com/demo.

About Eaton 
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Eaton

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik 
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
Regina@cobblecreative.com

Xendee
Trent Maw
Tmaw@Xendee.com

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“The BLUEWAVE™ facility embodies our dedication to creating a sustainable future. Its innovative technology not only minimizes environmental impact but also sets a benchmark for responsible manufacturing. We are proud that the Lauterbourg site in France will lead the way towards sustainability.”
– Aude Pertoldi, President, Dow France

We recently announced the inauguration of an advanced BLUEWAVE™ technology facility at Dow’s site in Lauterbourg, France. The combined capabilities of this facility is exemplary of our ongoing commitment towards sustainability, recycling and innovation.

This new production line supports a wide variety of paper packaging products to be designed for recyclability and less resource-intensive through innovative barrier coating applications.

Understanding BLUEWAVE™ technology

BLUEWAVE™ technology is a unique, proprietary and patented mechanical dispersion technology developed by R&D at Dow. It enables our research teams and production facilities to disperse almost any polymer into water, resulting in an aqueous dispersion that performs similarly to solvent-based polymers while being more cost effective.

Mechanical dispersion methods usually require polymers to be modified before they can be dispersed in water, leading to higher costs and altered resin attributes. The BLUEWAVE™ technology process produces a waterborne dispersion without changing the resin—preserving the performance of the polymer material.

BLUEWAVE™ technology enables bulk polymers to be dispersed in water and applied as a liquid solution. This innovation creates an ultra-thin and protective lining that offers exceptional food and flavor retention, adhesion, corrosion protection and flexibility. The unique waterborne dispersion allows food and beverage brand owners to use their existing large-scale packaging infrastructure to incorporate the benefits of BLUEWAVE™ technology.

What is mechanical dispersion?

Dispersion is a term used in chemistry to describe a mixture created by combining small particles of one substance into another to make a suspension. Mechanical dispersion does this though a mechanism like friction or collision.

How BLUEWAVE™ technology supports sustainability initiatives

Our barrier coatings for paper packaging are an example of how BLUEWAVE™ technology is designed to help improve the recycling rates of paper products for food contact.

We can look specifically at RHOBARR™ 320 Barrier Dispersion to appreciate the positive impact that innovation can have on the sustainability of consumer products. It is the first aqueous barrier coating designed specifically for paper applications and one of the materials we produce at the new Dow Lauterbourg BLUEWAVE™ technology facility.

RHOBARR™ 320 Barrier Dispersion provides an ultra-thin, water-based coating alternative that supports up to 99% fiber recovery when those paper products are recycled. It also enables up to a 70% reduction in waste and raw material usage compared to extrusion coated products. Less raw material in the production of paper packaging means up to 15% lighter final product weight. Since low coat weights are achievable, the percentage weight that a barrier film represents in a finished article can be greatly reduced. For example, an 8 g/m² coating direct to paper on 200 g/m² solid bleach board represents a barrier coat weight of just 3.8 wt. % of the total article—helping paper coaters with their goals of reduction of environmental impact and advance their sustainability initiatives. Lighter final products can also help our customers save on the cost to get their product from production facilities and into the hands of consumers.

Its environmentally-advanced contributions are so notable that RHOBARR™ 320 Barrier Dispersion won a Gold Edison Award for positively contributing to the recyclability of food service items and packaging.

RHOBARR™ 320 Barrier Dispersion also delivers in terms of performance. It can be used to provide both a hot and cold liquid barrier and water vapor resistance that is needed for cup stock applications. RHOBARR™ 320 also provides a barrier against oil and grease in food packaging applications with excellent heat seal-ability. These properties and flexibility of its formulation helped this product also earn a prestigious R&D 100 Award.

Learn more about the RHOBARR™ Barrier Coatings for paper portfolio in this quick reference guide.

Manufacturing in France

Our commercial presence in France started in 1963. More than six decades later, we operate three production sites and a business center within the country.

The inauguration of the BLUEWAVE™ technology facility at the Dow site in Lauterbourg reinforces our commitment to profitable growth by expanding production capacity while valuing the environment and maintaining a footprint respecting the communities where we operate manufacturing sites.

“The inauguration of the BLUEWAVE™ technology facility at the Dow site in Lauterbourg underscores our commitment to sustainability both for our customers and markets we serve, and in the communities where we operate. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances our production capabilities but also drives economic growth in the region while valuing our environment.”
– Jim Knaub, Senior Business Director, Dow Coatings & Performance Monomers

Between 2017 and 2024, we significantly invested in strategic improvements to the production capacity and environmental footprint of our production sites in France. With over 80% of what we produce in France exported across Europe, Dow France is positioned to deliver an extensive scope of solutions for booming sectors in the region like coatings, paint, packaging, mobility, infrastructure, and consumer goods.

The launch of the BLUEWAVE™ technology production line underscores our drive to meet consumer trends and the evolving demands of the market.

We are proud to support educators and students as they prepare for a successful school year. From hosting the fifth annual High School Economics Teachers’ Institute to championing the Alabama STEM Teacher Externship Program, we’re helping teachers bring real-world insights and innovation into the classroom. In McDonough, Georgia, our team led a back-to-school supply drive and will continue partnering with local elementary schools throughout the year, engaging young learners through reading, gardening and hands-on STEM activities. Together, we’re empowering the next generation and building a brighter future through education, stewardship and community engagement.

About Georgia-Pacific 
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose and building products.  Our familiar consumer brands include Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Quilted Northern®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates more than 80,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us. For news, visit: news.gp.com. Follow Georgia-Pacific on LinkedIn, Meta, Instagram, X and YouTube.

View original content here.

Originally published by Mastercard 

When Elana Boyd Pea arrived in New York City for Mastercard’s exclusive watch party of CNBC’s Small Business Playbook last week, she wasn’t just there to network. She was there to champion a mission that’s been in her DNA since childhood.

Boyd Pea was raised in a household where entrepreneurship was a family affair. Her mother owned and ran a day care center for three decades, her father owned a barber school and his own barbershop, and she and her twin sister, Miranda Grimmage, got their barbering licenses as teenagers and have offered natural hair care services and sales as a side hustle for years.  

As an adult, she recognizes the sacrifices her parents made — from going without salaries to make sure their employees got paid to prioritizing the utility bill for the day care instead of their home when money was tight. And as the founder of the nonprofit Black Charleston Professionals, which provides classes, networking, microgrants and other resources for about 250 solo Black entrepreneurs, Boyd Pea sees similar challenges firsthand every day and works to help business owners overcome them.

“It’s learning how to do things the right way — developing their business plan and structuring their business appropriately the first time, versus having to make all of these mistakes and learning from mistakes. That’s one of the reasons why our nonprofit was formed: to say we’re no longer as a community going to utilize the excuse of not knowing.”

Boyd Pea was one of dozens of entrepreneurs at the watch party and networking event hosted at Mastercard’s New York City Tech Hub, which sparked lively conversation and informal advice sharing about everything from cybersecurity tips to how technology can lighten workloads.

“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about individual success, but collective elevation,” says Ginger Siegel, Mastercard’s North America small business lead, who co-hosted the watch party alongside Jonathan Fantini-Porter, senior vice president of Social Impact for the Americas at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “When small businesses win, everyone wins. That’s why we’re committed to creating these networking opportunities, sharing knowledge, and providing tangible support to help uplift this community.”

The CNBC conference featured Mark Barnett, Mastercard’s global head of Small and Medium Enterprises, who outlined the three major challenges all entrepreneurs face, regardless of their business: greater access to capital, unlocking seamless digital experiences for themselves and their customers, and protecting their businesses from growing cyber threats.

Digital transformation is vital in a post-COVID world where most businesses have had to adapt to an omnichannel strategy, he said. In 2019, 29% of new U.S. card-accepting businesses were online only, but by 2024 that number had jumped to 44%. And building a digital presence not only builds sales, but builds trust with potential lenders, opening up new opportunities for capital.

But with the shift to digital comes new challenges, namely cybersecurity threats. Research by Mastercard last year showed that 46% of small businesses surveyed reported a cyberattack in the past year, risking severe financial repercussions, including closure.

There are reasons for optimism, Fantini-Porter says. The growth of the middle class, now four billion people globally, creates a significant opportunity for small and medium businesses to cater to higher levels of discretionary spending. That growing middle class, he said, increasingly favors “value for value,” or prioritizing products that promote sustainability, including upcycled and recycled goods, creating an opportunity for small and medium businesses to meet this demand.

To help small businesses make smarter decisions, avoid security threats before they emerge and bolster financial empowerment, Siegel pointed to resources such as Mastercard’s Small Business Navigator and its Digital Doors tools, focused squarely on safely establishing a digital presence, accepting online payments and managing their operations, as well as programs like Mastercard Strive to provide access to digital training, mentorship and knowledge sharing.

For entrepreneurs like Dawn Kelly, owner of the catering firm The Nourish Spot, these programs are making a big impact: “The online Digital Doors program gave me a place to learn at my own pace, giving me the technological tools I needed to build the digital frontier of my business,” she explained at the event.

Attendees came away from the Mastercard experience with new connections and a stronger understanding of the value of a community approach to entrepreneurial uplift. “What it means to me as a small business is knowing that I have the resource of collaboration,” said Troy Shaw, a fashion designer and celebrity stylist who owns Verve & Co. “I feel like we can do anything, and that’s what’s most powerful.”

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.