Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Advancing Measurable Sustainability Performance Through the Higg Index

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Like many brands, EILEEN FISHER operates within a complex supply chain while also managing environmental and social impacts at the corporate level. As a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp, the company aims to hold itself accountable through clear goals, consistent measurement, and transparent reporting. To do that, EILEEN FISHER needs:

  • A consistent methodology for measuring ESG performance.
  • Comparable metrics across reporting cycles.
  • Comparable metrics between brand and supplier that support mutual sharing.
  • Alignment with industry standards.
  • Verified data to strengthen credibility.

To support these objectives, EILEEN FISHER uses standardized, industry-aligned measurement tools to evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across its business and supply chain. As a long-standing Cascale member, EILEEN FISHER relies on the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies – which are stewarded and governed by Cascale and implemented globally through the Worldly technology platform – to support consistent, credible sustainability measurement.

The company publicly discloses verified results from the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) in its annual Benefit Corporation Reports and aligns broader social and environmental oversight with shared industry tools such as the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) and the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM). For this case study, EILEEN FISHER provided Higg FSLM and Higg FEM insights.

Establishing Consistent Brand-Level Measurement

The Higg BRM provides a structured framework that enables EILEEN FISHER to evaluate governance systems, environmental management, supply chain insight, and social impact using standardized criteria aligned with industry peers. By completing the Higg BRM annually, EILEEN FISHER establishes a recurring benchmark that informs internal decision-making, supports strategic prioritization, and enables public reporting backed by verified data.

According to its 2024 Benefit Corporation Report, EILEEN FISHER reported its verified Higg BRM score increased from 45.2 percent in 2022 to 52.7 percent in 2023 and 56.6 percent in 2024, representing a cumulative 11.4 percent increase year over year. The company attributed this improvement to:

  • Expanded traceability across supply chain tiers.
  • Increased use of eco-preferred materials.
  • Sustained effort to involve cross-functional teams in work around Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPPs).

This year-over-year score increase demonstrates how standardized, data-driven frameworks guide measurable performance improvements. By disclosing verified Higg BRM results alongside its B Impact Assessment, EILEEN FISHER reinforces transparency and demonstrates alignment between industry-specific sustainability metrics and broader ESG governance standards.

Supporting Social & Labor Performance Through Higg FSLM

To complement brand-level governance measurement, EILEEN FISHER uses the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) to evaluate working conditions across its supplier facilities. The company has demonstrated significant progress in adopting and verifying Higg FSLM assessments across its supply chain by rapidly scaling adoption of Higg FSLM self-assessments from 2020-2022.

EILEEN FISHER now maintains an 80-90 percent adoption rate for verified T1 suppliers and 20 percent adoption rate for verified T2 suppliers, with plans to scale further. Their progress includes both the Higg FSLM and Better Work in Vietnam and Indonesia, which aligns with the Higg FSLM via the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP).

Approximately 80 percent of the assessments originate from five key countries – China, the United States, Peru, and Turkey – with China among the highest-adopted sourcing nations, and the apparel, accessories, and footwear sector remains at the forefront of the Higg FSLM adoption within the company’s supply chain.

These results reflect a structured approach to strengthen social and labor performance, expanding verified data across sourcing regions, and deepening supplier engagement over time. By embedding Higg FSLM assessments into supplier engagement, EILEEN FISHER enhances transparency, reduces duplicative audits, and supports measurable improvements in working conditions.

Advancing Environmental Performance Through Higg FEM

EILEEN FISHER also utilizes the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) to track environmental performance at the facility level. The tool plays an important role in informing the company’s Scope 3 inventory and broader decarbonization strategy. As of 2024, 88 percent of product (by volume) is made by Tier 1 facilities completing the Higg FEM and 55.5 percent of product (by volume) is made by Tier 2 facilities completing the Higg FEM.

These facilities provide verified environmental data that informs the company’s carbon footprint calculations and strengthens supplier engagement. By leveraging Higg FEM insights, EILEEN FISHER advances foundational environmental performance, supports science-aligned decarbonization efforts, and enhances data-driven decision-making across its value chain.

Why This Matters

EILEEN FISHER’s approach illustrates how standardized, industry-aligned tools enable sustainability to move from commitment to measurable action. By using the Higg Index:

  • Performance is measured consistently across reporting cycles.
  • Governance systems are strengthened.
  • Working conditions are assessed using structured, comparable criteria.
  • Verified data supports public transparency and stakeholder confidence.
  • Brand-supplier relationships are strengthened through mutual transparency.

This reflects Cascale’s mission to deliver credible tools built on strong frameworks and methodologies, as well as aligned standards and strong governance systems that enable collective progress across climate and decent work priorities.

By integrating brand-level and facility-level measurement into corporate oversight and supplier engagement, EILEEN FISHER demonstrates how social and environmental sustainability performance can be embedded into governance — advancing transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the value chain.

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PFAS and Financial Risk: What Lenders, Insurers, and Investors Need To Know

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Key Takeaways: PFAS and Financial Risk

  • Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing financial liability, not just an environmental issue, affecting asset values, loan security, insurance coverage, and Merger & Acquisition (M&A) transactions.
  • Regulatory risk is accelerating globally, with expanding state-level enforcement and specific PFAS-containing product bans in the U.S., Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) liability exposure, and international prohibitions such as Australia’s Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) framework.
  • Failure to screen for PFAS during underwriting or due diligence can result in Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) liability, litigation, borrower default, and multimillion-dollar remediation costs.
  • Financial institutions should integrate PFAS screening into Phase I/II ESAs, portfolio risk assessments, supply chain reviews, and M&A negotiations.
  • Proactive PFAS risk management reduces financial exposure, improves underwriting clarity, and protects long-term portfolio stability.

PFAS are not just an environmental problem. They are a rapidly escalating financial risk for lenders, insurers, and investors. This remains true despite the recent delays and rollbacks of some PFAS regulations under the current presidential administration.

From loan portfolios and M&A due diligence to insurance claims and investment decisions, PFAS contamination is reshaping the financial landscape. The risks associated with these “forever chemicals” are as real and persistent as the compounds themselves.

Proactively identifying, assessing, and managing PFAS-related financial exposures is critical for financial institutions to mitigate risk, protect assets, and ensure long-term stability.

Where PFAS Poses Financial Risks

The widespread use of PFAS in manufacturing, combined with the ability of these chemicals to filter into the environment, means that the financial risks associated with them are extremely far-reaching. These are just some of the segments that can feel surprisingly strong effects of PFAS implications:

  • Real Estate and Property Values: Properties affected by PFAS contamination can lose significant value, become unsellable, or require extensive remediation.
  • Loan Portfolios: Financial institutions face increased risk of loan defaults tied to contaminated properties or businesses burdened by cleanup costs, regulatory penalties, or litigation.
  • M&A Due Diligence: Unquantified PFAS liabilities can derail transactions or lead to unexpected post-acquisition losses.
  • Insurance Claims: As PFAS-related environmental claims continue to grow insurers are increasingly excluding PFAS from pollution coverage.
  • Investment Decisions: Transparency around PFAS management has become a differentiator for companies seeking capital.
  • Litigation and Reputational Risk: As regulatory enforcement increases, financial institutions and insured clients face litigation exposure, with the distinction between intentional and unintentional PFAS use emerging as a key factor.

Understanding PFAS Risks in Financial Contexts

To evaluate PFAS exposure effectively, financial institutions must understand two core drivers of risk: where contamination originates, and how regulatory frameworks assign liability. These factors directly influence asset valuation, underwriting decisions, and long-term portfolio stability.

Key Sources of Contamination

PFAS contamination often stems from industrial, municipal, and consumer product sources. This includes manufacturing and firefighting foam to wastewater discharge and everyday consumer goods. These chemicals are now found in most U.S. municipal water supplies, making PFAS nearly impossible to avoid in property and portfolio risk assessments.

Evolving PFAS Regulations

While certain federal PFAS rules in the United States have recently been delayed or narrowed, regulatory momentum has not slowed overall. Instead, it has shifted, with states and international jurisdictions accelerating their own enforcement frameworks.

States including California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and New Jersey continue advancing aggressive PFAS investigation, reporting, and cleanup requirements. Roughly half of U.S. states now have PFAS-related laws in place, particularly targeting consumer products such as food packaging, textiles, personal care items, and children’s products.

Globally, the regulatory landscape is tightening further. In Australia, the IChEMS) framework took effect nationwide on July 1, 2025, prohibiting the import, manufacture, export, and use of certain PFAS — including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoroocatne sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) — unless exempted. All states and territories have adopted the framework, and non-compliance may be treated as a pollution incident, exposing companies to enforcement and penalties.

At the international level, the Stockholm Convention continues expanding restrictions on long-chain PFAS production and trade, reinforcing a broader global phase-down of high-risk compounds.

For multinational lenders and investors, these global regulatory shifts introduce jurisdiction-specific liability exposure that can materially affect asset valuation, underwriting decisions, and long-term portfolio stability.

Because PFAS regulations are evolving rapidly and unevenly across jurisdictions, keeping up to date on all of them can feel like a full-time job. The Antea Group Global PFAS Regulatory Dashboard provides clear, real-time visibility into PFAS regulatory activity worldwide, helping companies stay ahead of compliance changes and avoid unexpected liabilities. If your organization is unsure where it stands or how new requirements may apply, reach out to our team for guidance.

Strategies for Assessing and Managing PFAS Financial Exposure

Once PFAS risk drivers are understood, financial institutions must translate that insight into structured mitigation strategies. The following approaches help lenders, insurers, and investors quantify exposure across assets, transactions, and value chains — and reduce the likelihood of unexpected financial loss.

1. Enhanced Environmental Due Diligence

Integrate PFAS screening into Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to identify potential contamination early.

2. Portfolio Screening and Risk Ranking

Perform PFAS portfolio risk assessments to identify high-risk assets or companies based on historical site use, industry sector, and proximity to known PFAS sources.

3. Supply Chain PFAS Screening and Transparency

Screen supply chains for intentional and unintentional PFAS use to anticipate regulatory, product liability, and valuation risks.

4. Underwriting and Policy Development

Insurers should revisit policy language, exclusions, and underwriting practices to better address PFAS-related risks.

5. Contractual Protections in M&A

Include PFAS-specific indemnities, representations, and warranties to allocate liability appropriately between buyers and sellers during M&A transactions.

6. Probabilistic Cost Modeling

Use PFAS cost modeling and scenario-based analysis to estimate potential remediation, compliance, and litigation expenses.

7. Strategic Communication

Engage transparently with stakeholders, such as investors, borrowers, and regulators, about PFAS risks and mitigation strategies to build trust and confidence.

Case Example: Structured Due Diligence Preserves Deal Value

A private equity firm acquiring a power generation facility in Wisconsin incorporated targeted PFAS screening into its environmental review. Consultants identified historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and evidence of prior discharge into surrounding soils.

Armed with this information, the buyer negotiated a reduced purchase price and required the seller to retain responsibility for ongoing remediation, including soil excavation and groundwater monitoring.

By integrating enhanced due diligence, contractual protections, and forward-looking cost modeling, the buyer preserved transaction value and avoided inheriting significant long-term liabilities.

PFAS Remediation Challenges and Cost Implications

PFAS remediation is technically demanding and expensive, with no universal solution. Current remediation approaches often involve removing PFAS from contaminated water or soil and then using specialized treatment methods to destroy or permanently manage the chemicals. While newer destruction technologies show promise, they remain costly, complex, and not yet widely available. This contributes to uncertainty in cleanup timelines and total project costs.

For financial stakeholders, that uncertainty translates directly into cost variability and long-term liability. Cleanup expenses can easily reach into the millions, depending on site conditions, regulatory requirements, and evolving treatment standards. This cost variability can materially affect property valuations, loan security, insurance coverage, and investment performance, making early risk identification and realistic cost modeling essential.

By contrast, a national lender that financed redevelopment of a former industrial property without PFAS screening during underwriting later faced significant consequences when contamination was discovered years after closing. Historical use of firefighting foam and surface coatings had resulted in elevated PFAS levels, and under updated CERCLA regulations, the lender was designated as a PRP. Litigation, regulatory scrutiny, and cleanup obligations followed.

As remediation costs escalated into the millions, the property’s value declined sharply, and the borrower ultimately defaulted — leaving the lender with a contaminated asset and long-term financial exposure that could have been mitigated through earlier screening and risk allocation.

Benefits of Proactive PFAS Risk Management

When addressed early and strategically, PFAS risk management delivers measurable financial and operational advantages for lenders, insurers, and investors. Key benefits include:

  • Reduced PFAS Financial Exposure: Early identification and mitigation minimize liability and cost.
  • Informed Lending and Investment Decisions: Better insight into PFAS risk profiles improves financial resilience.
  • Streamlined M&A Transactions: Reduced uncertainty supports smoother deal structuring, pricing, and negotiations.
  • Improved Insurance Underwriting and Claims Management: Greater risk clarity strengthens understanding of PFAS-related exposures.
  • Enhanced Reputation and Regulatory Standing: Demonstrated environmental stewardship supports compliance confidence and stakeholder trust.

Case Example: Proactive Due Diligence Protects Asset Value

A mid-sized regional bank evaluating a loan for the acquisition of a former manufacturing site identified potential PFAS exposure linked to historical fire suppression systems. Rather than proceeding with a standard Phase I ESA alone, the bank commissioned targeted soil and groundwater sampling.

Elevated PFAS levels were confirmed, prompting the bank to require site remediation and environmental insurance coverage prior to closing.

This proactive approach reduced liability exposure, protected collateral value, and ensured regulatory compliance. This demonstrated how structured PFAS risk management directly supports financial resilience.

PFAS Doesn’t Have To Be “Forever”

PFAS represents a multifaceted and growing financial risk that can affect property values, portfolios, insurance coverage, and corporate transactions. Identifying and managing your financial risks associated with PFAS may seem like an impossible task, but it’s important to remember that PFAS liabilities are not forever. With the right expert advice and early identification, the risks can be effectively managed and mitigated.

How Antea Group USA Supports the Financial Sector with PFAS

Antea Group provides specialized PFAS consulting services to help financial institutions understand and manage emerging environmental liabilities. Our offerings include:

  • PFAS due diligence for lending, M&A, and investment activities.
  • PFAS portfolio risk assessments and cost modeling.
  • Litigation and regulatory support for PFAS exposure.
  • Integration with EHS due diligence to streamline environmental reviews.

With expertise in both the regulatory and financial dimensions of PFAS, Antea Group helps clients stay ahead of evolving PFAS compliance requirements while protecting business value and reputation. Do you have questions? Reach out to our experts today!

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FLORIDA CRYSTALS COMMENDS STATE OF FLORIDA, ARMY CORPS FOR PUSHING EAA RESERVOIR TOWARD COMPLETION

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Florida Crystals Corporation is proud of its more than 30-year role in the immensely successful public-private partnership that has restored America’s Everglades and for its part in helping accelerate the EAA Reservoir project.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Florida Crystals Corporation congratulates the State of Florida and Army Corps of Engineers for finalizing all contracts to build the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.


Florida Crystals

“Florida Crystals has supported the EAA Reservoir since it was first authorized almost 30 years ago as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan,” said Pepe Fanjul, Jr., Co-President of Florida Crystals. “We advocated for the passage of CERP in 2000, and we’re extremely proud of the role we played to facilitate acceleration of the EAA Reservoir’s construction.”

In 2019, Florida Crystals voluntarily terminated leases early with the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District to make land available in the EAA Reservoir Project’s footprint to facilitate its expedited schedule, including terminating a lease early that had a term through 2045. Transitioning the farmland subject to those leases early to the government was pivotal to helping meet the reservoir’s 2029 completion goal.

“For decades, the EAA Reservoir has been hailed as the final and most important project to restore the southern Everglades, so this is a great moment for Everglades restoration,” said Gaston Cantens, Vice President of Florida Crystals. “We commend the Governor and the Army Corps for this milestone in finalizing Everglades restoration.”

The collaboration between EAA farmers, who have carried out the work on the ground, day-to-day for more than 30 years to supply clean water to the Everglades, and the government in the monumental task of restoring the Everglades is a model for the overwhelming success a public-private partnership can accomplish.

Florida Crystals is tremendously proud to be a part of the EAA farming community, a remarkable group of farmers who supply America with a secure, reliable, U.S.-grown source of sugar, rice, vegetables, fruits and more, while also preserving the Everglades. As part of the 1994 Everglades Forever Act, EAA farmers implemented a science-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) program to help restore the Everglades. EAA farmers have invested heavily in the on-farm BMPs and monitoring to ensure clean water flows south to the Everglades. Annual water data consistently show water leaving the EAA farming basin is cleaner than when EAA farms received it from Lake Okeechobee. EAA farmers – the largest private funders of Everglades restoration – also pay an Agricultural Privilege Tax, which has generated approximately $350 million to fund the construction of Everglades projects and contributes to ongoing operations and maintenance costs. EAA farmers, including Florida Crystals, have also given up more than 100,000 acres of the most productive farmland in the U.S. for restoration projects.

“We look forward to the EAA Reservoir coming online in a few short years, and we commend all the elected leaders, staff and the agricultural community over the past three decades who have worked together to make this goal a reality,” said Cantens.

About Florida Crystals Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation is a vertically integrated cane sugar company that rotates sugarcane, rice and vegetables on more than 190,000 acres in South Florida, where it also owns two sugar mills, a sugar refinery, a packaging and distribution center, Florida’s only rice mill, and one of the largest renewable power plants of its kind in the U.S., which uses sugarcane fiber to generate eco-friendly energy that powers its sugar operations. Florida Crystals is Florida’s largest organic farmer and the only producer of Regenerative Organic Certified® sugar that is grown and milled in the U.S. and sold through the Florida Crystals® brand. Its subsidiary, ASR Group International, Inc., is the world’s largest cane sugar refining and marketing company and sells sugar under the Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s®, Sidul® and Whitworths® brands. It also owns Tellus Products, which makes single-use, compostable tableware products from plant fibers sold under the Tellus® brand. Florida Crystals Corporation and ASR Group International, Inc. are holding companies that conduct business through their subsidiaries and are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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SOURCE Florida Crystals Corporation

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Case IH Launches Nutri-Tiller 1000 Series To Boost Long-Term Soil Health in North America

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Case IH, a CNH brand, is now offering farmers in North America a new strip-till solution built on the proven agronomic performance of Case IH tillage equipment, delivering enhanced soil conservation while maintaining strong yield potential. The Nutri-Tiller 1000 series strip-till tool offers farmers the best of no-till and conventional tillage benefits with fewer field passes needed, reduced costs and integrated precision technology.

tractor in a field

The Nutri-Tiller 1000 series strip-till tool helps farmers promote strong, early emergence and boost yield potential by creating a uniform strip with an ideal berm shape. The uniform soil environment provides earlier soil temperature warming and more consistent moisture at planting to promote fast, uniform emergence.

tractor in a field

“The Nutri-Tiller 1000 series is designed to deliver exceptional tillage results while championing long-term soil health and conservation,” said CJ Parker, soil management marketing manager at Case IH. “By minimizing compaction and leaving protective residue between the strips, it enhances the soil’s nutrient utilization— helping farmers protect their soil while supporting strong yield potential.”

tractor in a field

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Lautenbach Recycling to Celebrate Earth Day with Grand Opening of Bellingham Facility

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BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lautenbach Recycling will celebrate Earth Day Wednesday, April 22nd with a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. and a community open house from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at its new facility at 2885 E. Bakerview Road in Bellingham.

This event marks a major milestone for the company as it expands its operations to better serve Whatcom County. For years, many Bellingham residents and businesses have lacked a convenient local option for recycling construction and demolition materials and other valuable resources. The new facility directly addresses that need by accepting wood, metal, cardboard, and other commodities that might otherwise end up in landfills.

Developed in collaboration with local partners and organizations, Lautenbach’s Bakerview location makes recycling easier, more accessible, and more effective for the entire community.

Guests attending the event will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet members of the Lautenbach Recycling team, and learn more about the how the company’s advances landfill diversion and sustainable materials recovery across Northwest Washington.

“Our goal has always been to make recycling more accessible while reducing the amount of material that ends up in landfills,” said Troy Lautenbach, President of Lautenbach Recycling. “Opening the Bellingham facility allows us to better serve the community and increase our success recovering valuable materials that can be reused.”

“Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to bring people together to see firsthand how local businesses and residents are working together to responsibly manage our resources,” Lautenbach said.

Lautenbach Recycling operates facilities in San Juan, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham, providing construction and demolition recycling, organics management, container services, and specialized hauling throughout the region.

Light refreshments will be provided during the event, and local leaders, community partners, and businesses will attend as the company celebrates the opening of its newest location.

“Recycling is ultimately a community effort,” Lautenbach added. “The more people understand how it works and participate in it, the greater the impact we can have together.”

For more information, visit www.lautenbachrecycling.com or contact the team directly to learn how Tony and the Lautenbach team can support your recycling goals.

Lautenbach Recycling is the largest family-owned recycling company in Washington State, founded in 1991 by brothers Troy and Torrey Lautenbach. Committed to responsible waste management and environmental sustainability, Lautenbach Recycling provides comprehensive services to residential and commercial clients in the Pacific Northwest. Our residential and industrial services include transportation, sustainable demolition, self-haul recycling, roll-off boxes, food waste depackaging, and composting. Lautenbach Recycling contributes to a greener future by efficiently processing and reusing materials, thereby conserving valuable resources and protecting our environment. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in our deep-rooted community values and strive to make a positive impact on our region. https://www.lautenbachrecycling.com

Lautenbach’s Family of Recycling Businesses includes:

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SOURCE Lautenbach Recycling

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Sun Life U.S. and Kansas City Royals announce 5-year partnership renewal and launch “Every Single Smile” campaign

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sun Life U.S. has renewed its partnership with the Kansas City Royals for 5 years, through the 2030 baseball season. The partnership, which first began in 2017, allows Sun Life to continue building on previous community programming, including youth fitness and oral health programs and fundraising to support local non-profits in Kansas City.

“We are pleased to renew our partnership with the Royals and find new ways to make a positive impact in Kansas City,” said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. “We have a large office here and believe strongly in supporting the communities where our employees live and work, particularly in ways that benefit those in need. We are hopeful that our work with the Royals and our focus on improving the oral health of all will resonate with the Kansas City community and create excitement among the great fan base.”

With this new agreement, Sun Life and the Royals will collaborate with TeamSmile, a national non-profit that leverages relationships with sports teams and universities to hold large-scale dental clinics for local kids from underserved communities. Sun Life supports TeamSmile events across the country and helped launch the Dental Home Project, which establishes relationships for underserved youth with local dentists.

Throughout the baseball season, Sun Life and the Royals will conduct the “Every Single Smile” campaign, which will generate a $50 donation from Sun Life to TeamSmile for each Royals single during the regular season. The Royals and Sun Life will also host an additional TeamSmile clinic this fall, increasing access to oral healthcare for local children in need.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Sun Life and build on the meaningful work we’ve accomplished together over the past several years,” said Alex Schulte, vice president of Corporate Partnerships, Kansas City Royals. “Their commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community aligns closely with our values, and we’re excited to keep working together to make a lasting impact across Kansas City.”

First signing on as a Royals sponsor in 2017 Sun Life and The Kansas City Royals Foundation have run annual health clinics for local youth, and the season-long #StrikeoutDiabetes fundraising campaign to support health programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. The agreement with the Royals also gives Sun Life top-tier game experience and hosting opportunities. Sun Life is also a sponsor and partner of the Boston Celtics and Maine Celtics.

Click here to learn more about Sun Life’s philanthropic partnerships and programming.

About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.60 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 48 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contacts

Devon Fernald
Sun Life U.S.
Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com
781-800-3609

Connect with Sun Life U.S.

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KC Royals


Sun Life Financial Logo (PRNewsfoto/Sun Life Financial)

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

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CHICKEN SALAD CHICK CONTINUES FLORIDA GROWTH WITH LAUNCH OF CAPE CORAL LOCATION

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Fast‑casual brand to celebrate the grand opening of its third restaurant in Lee County on April 29, featuring a year of free chicken salad for guests

ATLANTA, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of a brand-new restaurant in Lee County, Florida, located at 1206 Solaris Drive in Cape Coral. The new location features a convenient drive-thru, and the local community is invited to celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, April 29, when the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*. 


Chicken Salad Chick (PRNewsfoto/Chicken Salad Chick)

During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality Chicken Salad Chick is known for while taking advantage of various specials and giveaways. These include:

  • Wednesday, April 29 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the First 100 Guests – The first guest in line at 10am will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.*
  • Thursday, April 30 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Teal Chick Cooler!**
  • Friday, May 1 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Navy Canvas Tote Bag!**
  • Saturday, May 2 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Teal Stainless Steel Tumbler!**
  • Monday, May 4 – The first 50 guests to make a $12 purchase will win a FREE Scoop Bounceback Card!***

Chicken Salad Chick of Cape Coral is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners, Scott Pace and Kendal Potesta. The husband-and-wife duo opened their first Chicken Salad Chick back in 2022 in Fort Myers and have since opened up two more locations in Southwest Florida, including Estero and Port Charlotte. Cape Coral will mark their fourth location to open. Potesta grew up in the restaurant industry, while Pace brings a strong financial background from his years working on Wall Street. Together, their business experience and shared passion for “Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, and Serving Others” helps them deliver outstanding customer service at each of their restaurants.

“Our love for Chicken Salad Chick began during a special time in our lives – when Kendal was expecting our first child. Chicken salad was one of the only foods she craved, so Chicken Salad Chick quickly became part of our routine after her appointments,” said Scott Pace, co-owner of Chicken Salad Chick Cape Coral. “Before long, we were inspired to open locations of our own and are so grateful to everyone who has been part of our entrepreneurial journey. We can’t wait to serve fresh, flavorful food with a side of warm hospitality to the Cape Coral community soon.”

Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus variety of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh sides, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The new Cape Coral restaurant offers in-restaurant, drive-thru, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.

“We’re excited to continue expanding Chicken Salad Chick’s presence in Florida alongside Scott and Kendal,” said Scott Deviney, president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. “Cape Coral is a vibrant, fast growing, and family-friendly city that’s well-suited for our brand. Scott and Kendal are also the perfect partners to lead our growth in Southwest Florida. We’re confident their strong leadership skills, deep business expertise, and genuine love for The Chick will soon make the Cape Coral restaurant a beloved part of the community.”

Giving back to the community is an important focus for the Cape Coral team and the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year. As part of pre-opening Friends & Family events in Cape Coral, the restaurant will be raising money for Barbara’s Friends at Golisano’s Children Hospital, which is the childhood cancer fund that provides aid for patients and their families in Southwest Florida.

Chicken Salad Chick of Cape Coral will be open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 8pm. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit the Cape Coral restaurant’s Facebook. Visit www.chickensaladchick.com, and follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.  

*Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Chicken Salad Chick app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of an entree with one side, or anything of equal/greater value and enter a code in the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day. Your reward will be valid for redemption for 30 days upon delivery. Guest must be 16 years or older. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

**Guest must be 16 years or older and purchase an entree with two sides. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers. In-restaurant only.

***Guest must be 16 years or older and make a $12 minimum purchase. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers. In-restaurant only.

About Chicken Salad Chick   
Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors plus fresh sides, soups, sandwiches, desserts and catering, there’s something for every guest and occasion. Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 330 restaurants across 22 states and continues its rapid expansion driven by a passionate network of franchise owners. The brand has earned consistent recognition from Entrepreneur, Franchise Times, Fast Casual, QSR, Southern Living and Technomic, among others. Visit chickensaladchick.com to learn more.

Contact:
Nayelis Bosa
Tidehouse
954-893-9150
nbosa@tidehouseagency.com

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SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

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Fifth Third Again Receives Outstanding Community Reinvestment Act Rating

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CINCINNATI, April 15, 2026 /3BL/ – Fifth Third Bank’s (Nasdaq: FITB) long-standing commitment to the communities it serves has again been recognized with an Outstanding rating – the highest possible – on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, reflecting excellent performance in community lending, investment and service from the evaluation period of Jan 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.

“Our ambition is to be the one bank people most value and trust, and that begins with how we serve our communities,” said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO and president of Fifth Third. “At Fifth Third, we believe that strong banks need strong communities. This Outstanding rating from the OCC reflects the dedication of our employees and partners who work every day to expand access to capital, create housing and community development, support small businesses, and strengthen communities across our expanding footprint.”

For much of the evaluation period, Fifth Third’s community reinvestment efforts focused on advancing place-based economic development through initiatives such as the Fifth Third Neighborhood Program, which since 2021 has invested nearly $410 million in urban communities across the U.S. and helped catalyze an additional $200 million of investment from partners. The program recently expanded to help facilitate place-based economic development in small and mid-sized cities.

“At Fifth Third, we believe everyone deserves equal access to the American dream. Our place-based, people-first approach to economic development focuses on expanding opportunity and removing barriers so that more individuals, families and communities can achieve economic mobility,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third.

Fifth Third’s place-based economic development approach combines the deployment of capital with a core solutions toolkit, including investments and financing for housing, small business support and technical assistance, financial access and mobility programs, philanthropy for workforce development, and actions to address climate resiliency and energy affordability for residents. This approach leverages innovative financing tools – including New Markets Tax Credits, program-related investments and assistance programs – to expand access to economic opportunity.

In its consumer lending practices, Fifth Third is recognized as an industry‑leading mortgage bank that treats every loan as unique, grounded in a deep understanding of each borrower’s individual needs rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all transaction. The Bank invests in first‑time homebuyer education for low‑ to moderate‑income borrowers and regularly hosts regional homeownership summits that convene real estate professionals, nonprofit partners, and housing developers. These events are intentionally designed to remove barriers to participation, offering free childcare and family‑friendly activities to ensure broader access and engagement.

The Bank also offers a range of affordable lending solutions designed to make homeownership more attainable for more families. From 2022 through 2024, Fifth Third provided meaningful financial support to homeowners. Fifth Third directly assisted more than 2,300 families by delivering $7.3 million in down payment and closing cost assistance, fee waivers, and support through its Equity Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program. Through partnerships and the layering of additional assistance programs, Fifth Third customers received an additional $2.4 million in benefits, bringing the total homeowner savings delivered to $9.7 million.

Fifth Third also reinvests in its communities by expanding financial access and inclusion. The Bank focuses on creating opportunity for individuals, families and small businesses, especially those historically excluded from the financial system, through inclusive banking solutions, community partnerships and targeted investments. These efforts include financial education delivered through schools, nonprofits and community partners, as well as the Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile, or eBus, which brings financial services, education and critical social resources directly to underserved communities in partnership with SpringFour, a leading social impact financial wellness fintech that uses technology to provide access to more than 24,000 free local, statewide and national financial wellness resources from nonprofit and government agencies.

Fifth Third last received an Outstanding CRA rating from the OCC dated July 2022, and previously received an Outstanding CRA rating from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in 2018.

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About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

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Walmart’s “Road to Open Call” Returns to Orlando Offering Big Opportunities for Small Businesses

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Selected small businesses pitch U.S.-made products to Walmart during the Road to Open Call event for a chance to advance to Open Call

ORLANDO, Fla., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart and the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21, 2026, in Orlando, giving selected small businesses the opportunity to present their American-made, shelf-ready products directly to Walmart. The Orlando stop is the only Road to Open Call event in Florida in 2026 and is part of a nationwide series designed to support small business growth, expand supplier assortment, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.

Walmart’s Open Call is one of the company’s largest sourcing events for products made, grown, or assembled in the United States. The Road to Open Call series connects entrepreneurs with Walmart’s sourcing team and provides resources to support supplier growth ahead of the annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Applications are open through May 1, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. EST at www.Walmart.com/RoadToOpenCall. Each selected entrepreneur will receive personalized feedback and mentorship from Walmart, and may also receive a Fast Pass to Walmart’s Open Call for the opportunity to pitch their products directly to Walmart merchants.

“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to gain valuable resources to help scale their businesses,” said Mark Espinoza, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”

“We are proud to partner with Walmart for the second consecutive year and to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative not only supports entrepreneurs but also strengthens our local economy by helping small businesses access national retail opportunities.”

Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped hundreds of small businesses become Walmart suppliers, fueling local economies and driving innovation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mercedes S. | publicrelations@hispanicchamber.com

Photo available HERE. More assets available upon request.

For more information, visit www.hispanicchamber.com or https://corporate.walmart.com.

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SOURCE Walmart and the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando

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IWBI Launches WELL–GRI Social Topic Standards Alignment Tool To Translate Health, Well-Being and Social Impact Into the Language of Global Sustainability Disclosures

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NEW YORK and SINGAPORE, April 15, 2026 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing healthy buildings, organizations and communities, announced the launch of its WELL–GRI Social Topic Standards Alignment Tool, a resource that maps strategies in the WELL Standard to GRI Social Topic Standards disclosures. The tool is designed to bridge the gap between asset-level performance and corporate-level sustainability reporting, translating health, well-being and social impact into the language of one of the world’s most widely adopted frameworks.

Based on IWBI’s analysis, WELL strategies may contribute to 52% of GRI Social Topic Standards (GRI 400 series) disclosures, with particularly strong alignment across disclosures on employment, non-discrimination, child and forced labor, rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and supplier social assessment.

“Social sustainability is gaining momentum worldwide, reshaping how organizations invest, measure performance and make decisions,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “This new tool helps translate asset and portfolio performance into clear, corporate-level sustainability reporting, accelerating adoption of strategies that strengthen health, well-being and social impact.”

Guided by a people-first approach, the WELL Standard serves as a comprehensive roadmap for organizations to promote human health while aligning with broader sustainability goals. This alignment tool was developed in response to the growing emphasis on sustainability regulations, frameworks and disclosure standards with a social focus — reflecting a key driver in the evolving global sustainability landscape, corporate strategy and best practices.

Global Reporting Initiative’s GRI Standards remain the most widely used sustainability reporting standards globally. GRI is also the most widely adopted sustainability reporting standard among IWBI’s WELL at scale participants based on its Goals Module.

The alignment tool provides detailed alignment rationales, aiming to enable WELL leaders to more effectively articulate how people-first strategies drive measurable impact across organizations, value chains and communities—while supporting sustainability reporting, strategy development and broader sustainable finance conversations.

“This transformative, yet practical tool is designed to elevate the essential roles of health, well-being and social sustainability, positioning them as central drivers within broader ESG reporting and sustainable finance conversations,” said Minjia Yang, IWBI’s Vice President and Head of Sustainable Finance.

Yang added: “We welcome organizations to leverage this tool to strengthen advisory services, enhance corporate disclosures, and further embed social sustainability into capital markets and governance structures.”

To access the WELL–GRI Social Topic Standards Alignment Tool and learn more about its benefits, please visit the resource page.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

Media contact:
media@wellcertified.com

View original content here.

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