Largest sponsor of the au pair cultural exchange program offers $1,000 discount to help educators access flexible, reliable childcare

BOSTON, May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to announce a new $1,000 discount for educators joining the au pair program as first-time host families. Available through September 30, 2026, the offer recognizes the unique childcare challenges that teachers and school staff face—and the ways in which the au pair program is a natural fit for their lives inside and outside of the classroom.

New host families where at least one parent or guardian is employed as an educator in a preschool, K-12, or higher education institution are eligible for the discount when they match with an au pair for a minimum of 26 weeks between April 16 and September 30, 2026. With school schedules that shift dramatically across the year, educators often find that traditional childcare options simply don’t work for them. The au pair program offers a flexible, live-in solution that adapts to the rhythms of an academic calendar, early mornings, after-school hours, and everything in between.

Cultural Care has long championed access to the au pair program for communities with distinct childcare needs. Building on the success of its military family discount, the company is now expanding that commitment to the millions of educators across the country who dedicate their careers to shaping future generations.

“The au pair program is an ideal match for educator families—it’s flexible, affordable, and rooted in the same spirit of curiosity and cultural exchange that educators bring to their classrooms every day,” said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care Au Pair. “We’re excited to connect more educator families with this incredible program.”

To be eligible for the Cultural Care educator discount, families must be new to Cultural Care, have at least one parent or guardian employed as an educator in a preschool, K-12, or higher education institution, and select “Education” as their occupation when creating their profile. Families must match with an au pair for a minimum of 26 weeks. The offer is not combinable with other discounts except the referral discount and cannot be applied retroactively.

An au pair is a young person from abroad who comes to America on a specially designated cultural exchange visa and lives with an American family for a maximum of two years, receiving a weekly stipend, room and board, and educational opportunities in return for providing limited childcare support to their host family. For nearly forty years, the au pair program has been an important form of “kitchen table diplomacy” — breaking down cultural barriers and helping young adults become better global citizens.

About Cultural Care
Cultural Care is the largest designated sponsor of the U.S. State Department-regulated au pair program. For over 35 years, we have placed more than 145,000 au pairs in the homes of American host families, creating memories and cross-cultural connections that last a lifetime.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cultural-care-au-pair-launches-educator-discount-for-new-host-families-302760428.html

SOURCE Cultural Care Au Pair

Key Points

  • In 2025, Marathon Petroleum teams helped deliver coats to more than 4,000 children in communities across the country.
  • Through its partnership with Operation Warm, Marathon employees volunteered at events that helped kids feel confident, supported and ready to succeed.
  • Since 2021, Marathon and Operation Warm have provided coats for more than 21,000 children, with expanded efforts and events already underway across the country this year.

2025 By the Numbers infographic

For thousands of kids across the country, a warm winter coat means more than just staying comfortable. It means showing up to school with confidence. It means feeling seen and knowing the community has their back, long after the season ends.

That’s exactly what continues to take shape through Marathon Petroleum’s growing partnership with Operation Warm. Together, Marathon and Operation Warm are helping provide new winter coats to children in communities where Marathon employees live and work.

“When companies like Marathon step in, it creates lasting impact,” said Jean Burnett, Volunteer Engagement Manager at Operation Warm. “You’re not just handing out jackets. You’re helping kids feel supported, valued and prepared for whatever lies ahead.”

From small towns to big cities, Marathon teams helped provide warm winter coats to children in need.

group photo

More than two dozen volunteers from Marathon’s Garyville refinery helped more than 100 children find and fit new coats at a local Operation Warm event.
“This partnership really reflects who we are,” said Ashley Goecke, Community Relations Representative at Marathon Petroleum. “It’s about showing up for our communities and making a real difference, especially for families who need it most.”

In 2025 alone, Marathon teams helped deliver coats to more than 4,000 children across the country, from Louisiana to Alaska, with employees volunteering their time to help kids select a brand-new coat of their own.

You see the smiles, you hear the thank-yous, and you recognize you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It’s incredibly rewarding.

“Winter stays a long time here in Fairbanks, Alaska, so this generous donation means a great deal to our students and families,” said Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. “Our schools rely on community partners like Marathon and Operation Warm. You could say it doesn’t get much better or warmer than this.”

group photo of Marathon Employees

Marathon volunteers at an Operation Warm event in St. Paul Park, Minnesota, where they helped fit dozens of local students with new coats.
For many of these children and their families, everyday essentials like a new winter jacket can be hard to come by, making these moments about much more than the warmth a coat provides for both the kids and the volunteers.

“It’s honestly incredible to watch their faces light up,” said Danny Oubre, Marathon Pipe Line Area Manager in Garyville and St. James, Louisiana, and a volunteer at an Operation Warm event. “Seeing a child find the coat they love and try it on for the first time never gets old.”

That feeling was shared again and again by volunteers across Marathon’s footprint, including Chrissy Castle, a Senior Maintenance Planner at Marathon Petroleum’s Kenova Terminal in South Shore, Kentucky, who said the experience quickly puts things into perspective.

group photo of Marathon Employees

Marathon volunteers at an Operation Warm event in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2025.
“You realize pretty quickly it’s about so much more than a jacket,” Castle said. “It’s about helping them feel seen, valued and cared for. And it doesn’t get much better than that.”

These moments don’t end when the weather warms. The confidence and connection built at each event carry forward, well beyond a single day or season.

“You see the difference you’re making in real time,” said Jay Richert, Vice President of Refining at Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville refinery in Louisiana, where his team saw strong volunteer turnout at a local Operation Warm event. “You see the smiles, you hear the thank-yous, and you recognize you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Marathon employee volunteer

Marathon employee volunteer shares a moment with a student after she tries on a new coat at an Operation Warm event in North Pole, Alaska.

Marathon employee volunteers

Marathon volunteers at a 2025 Operation Warm event at a local school in North Pole, Alaska.

Since the partnership began in 2021, Marathon teams, alongside Operation Warm, have helped provide coats to more than 21,000 children across the country. The nonprofit has also expanded its reach in recent years to include shoes and athletic gear.

As 2026 continues, Marathon teams are already working closely with Operation Warm to plan and coordinate events in communities across the country. With growing momentum and continued collaboration, this partnership is only getting stronger, creating even more opportunities to show up, give and make a lasting difference.

Marathon employee volunteer

Marathon employee volunteer poses for a photo with a student he helped fit with a new coat at an Operation Warm event in South Shore, Kentucky.

child working on a thank you card

At each Operation Warm event, students signed a “Thank You” banner that was presented to Marathon volunteers.

Operation Warm Impact in 2025

by Lee Green, vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale

Most sustainability systems are designed with outputs in mind.

Scores, benchmarks, disclosures, reports.

But if you want to understand where things are actually working or breaking down, it’s often more useful to look one step earlier. Not at the data itself, but at the questions people ask when they’re trying to produce it.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been looking more closely at anonymized user questions submitted through a support feature within HowToHigg, designed to help users navigate Higg Index guidance more effectively.

HowToHigg supports users across the full suite of Higg Index tools, which are built on Cascale’s methodologies and framework, with the tools themselves being exclusively available via Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform.

From a communications and engagement perspective, these questions are particularly useful. They don’t necessarily reflect the issues users encounter once inside the tools, or the detailed feedback captured through formal channels. But they do highlight where guidance, interpretation, and understanding may need to be strengthened, often before or alongside direct tool use.

Across more than 400 user questions, a number of consistent themes started to emerge. Taken together, they offer a useful lens into where users are seeking clarity, and where interpretation may begin to diverge.

A large share of questions focused on Higg FEM verification procedures. How to select Verification Bodies, what deadlines apply, how verifier rotation works, and the difference between self-assessment and verified scores. These are not edge cases. They sit at the core of how data becomes credible and comparable.

We also saw frequent questions around data classification and reporting methodology. How to distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. How to classify water use. How energy sources align with GHG Protocol scopes. These are the kinds of decisions that seem small in isolation but have a direct impact on consistency when applied across thousands of facilities.

Another cluster of questions related to cadence, deadlines, and module access, including reporting timelines and purchasing requirements. Again, not complex in theory, but critical in practice when companies are managing reporting across multiple teams and regions.

Questions around scoring logic and weighting came up repeatedly as well. Whether Level 2 and Level 3 questions are scored. How sub-questions contribute to final scores. What happens when zero-tolerance issues are identified. These are the mechanics behind the numbers, and understanding them is key to interpreting results correctly.

Some questions also pointed to platform access and functionality, reinforcing the importance of close coordination between Cascale’s methodologies and guidance, and Worldly’s platform delivery.

It’s important to be clear about what this is, and what it isn’t.

These insights are not a substitute for the detailed feedback gathered through formal channels such as Zendesk, direct user engagement, or module-specific support. Those remain critical for identifying and resolving specific issues within the tools themselves.

What this layer of questions offers is something slightly different. An earlier view into how users approach Higg Index guidance, and where additional clarity may be needed before or alongside engaging directly with the tools.

As the primary guidance platform for the Higg Index, HowToHigg plays a critical role in shaping how methodologies are understood and applied. And in that context, the questions users ask are often the first indication of where interpretation may begin to diverge.

If we want consistent, comparable data, that layer matters.

Because even the most robust methodologies rely on consistent understanding in practice. And every unclear definition, every misinterpretation, and every point of confusion has the potential to show up downstream.

So the takeaway is a simple one.

Pay attention to the questions.

They don’t just reflect what users don’t know. They point to where we can make the system clearer, more accessible, and ultimately more consistent in how it’s applied.

Lee Green is vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale.

by Lee Green, vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale

Most sustainability systems are designed with outputs in mind.

Scores, benchmarks, disclosures, reports.

But if you want to understand where things are actually working or breaking down, it’s often more useful to look one step earlier. Not at the data itself, but at the questions people ask when they’re trying to produce it.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been looking more closely at anonymized user questions submitted through a support feature within HowToHigg, designed to help users navigate Higg Index guidance more effectively.

HowToHigg supports users across the full suite of Higg Index tools, which are built on Cascale’s methodologies and framework, with the tools themselves being exclusively available via Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform.

From a communications and engagement perspective, these questions are particularly useful. They don’t necessarily reflect the issues users encounter once inside the tools, or the detailed feedback captured through formal channels. But they do highlight where guidance, interpretation, and understanding may need to be strengthened, often before or alongside direct tool use.

Across more than 400 user questions, a number of consistent themes started to emerge. Taken together, they offer a useful lens into where users are seeking clarity, and where interpretation may begin to diverge.

A large share of questions focused on Higg FEM verification procedures. How to select Verification Bodies, what deadlines apply, how verifier rotation works, and the difference between self-assessment and verified scores. These are not edge cases. They sit at the core of how data becomes credible and comparable.

We also saw frequent questions around data classification and reporting methodology. How to distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. How to classify water use. How energy sources align with GHG Protocol scopes. These are the kinds of decisions that seem small in isolation but have a direct impact on consistency when applied across thousands of facilities.

Another cluster of questions related to cadence, deadlines, and module access, including reporting timelines and purchasing requirements. Again, not complex in theory, but critical in practice when companies are managing reporting across multiple teams and regions.

Questions around scoring logic and weighting came up repeatedly as well. Whether Level 2 and Level 3 questions are scored. How sub-questions contribute to final scores. What happens when zero-tolerance issues are identified. These are the mechanics behind the numbers, and understanding them is key to interpreting results correctly.

Some questions also pointed to platform access and functionality, reinforcing the importance of close coordination between Cascale’s methodologies and guidance, and Worldly’s platform delivery.

It’s important to be clear about what this is, and what it isn’t.

These insights are not a substitute for the detailed feedback gathered through formal channels such as Zendesk, direct user engagement, or module-specific support. Those remain critical for identifying and resolving specific issues within the tools themselves.

What this layer of questions offers is something slightly different. An earlier view into how users approach Higg Index guidance, and where additional clarity may be needed before or alongside engaging directly with the tools.

As the primary guidance platform for the Higg Index, HowToHigg plays a critical role in shaping how methodologies are understood and applied. And in that context, the questions users ask are often the first indication of where interpretation may begin to diverge.

If we want consistent, comparable data, that layer matters.

Because even the most robust methodologies rely on consistent understanding in practice. And every unclear definition, every misinterpretation, and every point of confusion has the potential to show up downstream.

So the takeaway is a simple one.

Pay attention to the questions.

They don’t just reflect what users don’t know. They point to where we can make the system clearer, more accessible, and ultimately more consistent in how it’s applied.

Lee Green is vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale.

by Lee Green, vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale

Most sustainability systems are designed with outputs in mind.

Scores, benchmarks, disclosures, reports.

But if you want to understand where things are actually working or breaking down, it’s often more useful to look one step earlier. Not at the data itself, but at the questions people ask when they’re trying to produce it.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been looking more closely at anonymized user questions submitted through a support feature within HowToHigg, designed to help users navigate Higg Index guidance more effectively.

HowToHigg supports users across the full suite of Higg Index tools, which are built on Cascale’s methodologies and framework, with the tools themselves being exclusively available via Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform.

From a communications and engagement perspective, these questions are particularly useful. They don’t necessarily reflect the issues users encounter once inside the tools, or the detailed feedback captured through formal channels. But they do highlight where guidance, interpretation, and understanding may need to be strengthened, often before or alongside direct tool use.

Across more than 400 user questions, a number of consistent themes started to emerge. Taken together, they offer a useful lens into where users are seeking clarity, and where interpretation may begin to diverge.

A large share of questions focused on Higg FEM verification procedures. How to select Verification Bodies, what deadlines apply, how verifier rotation works, and the difference between self-assessment and verified scores. These are not edge cases. They sit at the core of how data becomes credible and comparable.

We also saw frequent questions around data classification and reporting methodology. How to distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. How to classify water use. How energy sources align with GHG Protocol scopes. These are the kinds of decisions that seem small in isolation but have a direct impact on consistency when applied across thousands of facilities.

Another cluster of questions related to cadence, deadlines, and module access, including reporting timelines and purchasing requirements. Again, not complex in theory, but critical in practice when companies are managing reporting across multiple teams and regions.

Questions around scoring logic and weighting came up repeatedly as well. Whether Level 2 and Level 3 questions are scored. How sub-questions contribute to final scores. What happens when zero-tolerance issues are identified. These are the mechanics behind the numbers, and understanding them is key to interpreting results correctly.

Some questions also pointed to platform access and functionality, reinforcing the importance of close coordination between Cascale’s methodologies and guidance, and Worldly’s platform delivery.

It’s important to be clear about what this is, and what it isn’t.

These insights are not a substitute for the detailed feedback gathered through formal channels such as Zendesk, direct user engagement, or module-specific support. Those remain critical for identifying and resolving specific issues within the tools themselves.

What this layer of questions offers is something slightly different. An earlier view into how users approach Higg Index guidance, and where additional clarity may be needed before or alongside engaging directly with the tools.

As the primary guidance platform for the Higg Index, HowToHigg plays a critical role in shaping how methodologies are understood and applied. And in that context, the questions users ask are often the first indication of where interpretation may begin to diverge.

If we want consistent, comparable data, that layer matters.

Because even the most robust methodologies rely on consistent understanding in practice. And every unclear definition, every misinterpretation, and every point of confusion has the potential to show up downstream.

So the takeaway is a simple one.

Pay attention to the questions.

They don’t just reflect what users don’t know. They point to where we can make the system clearer, more accessible, and ultimately more consistent in how it’s applied.

Lee Green is vice president of communications and marketing at Cascale.

At Tapestry, innovation is woven into how we think, work, and challenge ourselves to do better.

During the last few years, we’ve used that spirit to advance sustainability across our organization — not through one big idea or single initiative, but in thousands of decisions made every day by teams across brands, functions, and regions.

What follows is a look at how we’re harnessing innovation to advance sustainability across our business.

A Strategy For Reduction

When it comes to climate change, our overall strategy is to focus on reducing emissions.

This includes looking at materials, agriculture, and manufacturing, plus investing in carbon removals and advancing traceable data.

Our heightened focus on emissions reduction affects all parts of our operations and value chain, from sourcing and product to finance and operations.

As outlined in our FY2025 Corporate Responsibility Report, Tapestry’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduced 81% compared to our FY2022 baseline. We continue to advance toward our 2030 science-based target, driven primarily by ongoing investments in renewable energy across our own operations.

On-Site Efficiency

Within our physical locations, we are rethinking waste, energy use, and efficiency.

Take, for instance, Tapestry’s Las Vegas Fulfillment Center (LVFC), an 880,000 square foot facility sitting on about 15 acres of land. Facilities teams at LVFC tested new systems, piloted waste diversion models, and integrated several automated zero waste practices.

As a result, LVFC had a landfill diversion rate of 96% in 2025, meaning our facility reused, recycled, composted, and/or recovered 96% of waste.

That level of waste diversion in a 12-month period (along with a series of other requirements) earned our facility a Platinum-Level TRUE Zero Waste Certification, the highest level available. Next on the list, our Jacksonville, Fla. facility is pending for the Gold-level certification.

A Lightbulb Moment

In FY2025, we proudly announced that Tapestry achieved its goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity in our stores, offices, and fulfillment centers globally.

How did we do it? By building a portfolio of solutions, including a Collective Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (CVPPA) with the Fashion Pact in Spain, as well as a 15-year partnership with Pivot Energy, a community solar company in the United States.

The Pivot Energy partnership adapts renewable energy sourcing to fit our business. For instance, Tapestry supports a group of small solar projects that generate clean electricity in the United States. This long-term agreement allows us to leverage renewable energy without needing to own or install infrastructure at each location. It’s a more practical and scalable way to reduce emissions across a distributed footprint.

Looking ahead, we’ve set a new target of achieving 40% renewable energy within our supply chain by 2030.

To make it happen, our ESG team developed Renewable Electricity Sourcing Minimum Requirements and Guidelines for Tapestry’s suppliers and our own operations. The hope is to source reliable, credible, and impactful renewable energy. We’ll also continue to financially support solar panel rooftop assessments for strategic suppliers.

Ciao, Carbon

Tapestry has made its first purchase of carbon removals, accessing Climeworks’ most diversified carbon removal portfolio to date. The portfolio combines five high-quality carbon removal pathways, both engineered and nature-based, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, risk diversification, and long-term climate impact.

As these solutions evolve, we’re proud to be an early industry participant in accelerating carbon removal development.

Rethinking Design for Sustainability

At our New York City Hudson Yards HQ, design teams are imagining how discarded and overlooked materials can become the latest fashion trend.

Coach’s Fall 2026 runway show brought this thinking to life, with the majority of denim pieces crafted with post-consumer garments, showing the possibilities of circular design.

After almost three years of experimentation, the Coach Repurposed Capsule from February 2026 (a partnership with second-hand wholesale supplier, Bank & Vogue) proved we could produce new garments from post-consumer materials at a large enough scale to support a full capsule collection.

At kate spade new york, the brand has introduced environmentally preferred materials to over 50 handbag styles. From the iconic Sam Bag mini tote to the ON PURPOSE tote bag, designers have traded up to use 100% recycled nylon and 100% recycled polyester on certain components. The Dash Taxi Canvas Tote, in addition to being made with a 100% regenerative cotton body, also features a recycled polyester lining.

Seeing Real Impact

In 2026, Tapestry was named on USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders, which highlights companies with strong progress in reducing emissions and advancing climate strategy.

We’re both proud of this recognition and motivated to go further.

Because if there’s one thing Tapestry is proving, it’s that with an innovation-led approach to sustainability, progress doesn’t come from one single breakthrough.

Instead it’s about leading with action and intentionality, and doing business in a way that’s better for people and the planet.

At Tapestry, innovation is woven into how we think, work, and challenge ourselves to do better.

During the last few years, we’ve used that spirit to advance sustainability across our organization — not through one big idea or single initiative, but in thousands of decisions made every day by teams across brands, functions, and regions.

What follows is a look at how we’re harnessing innovation to advance sustainability across our business.

A Strategy For Reduction

When it comes to climate change, our overall strategy is to focus on reducing emissions.

This includes looking at materials, agriculture, and manufacturing, plus investing in carbon removals and advancing traceable data.

Our heightened focus on emissions reduction affects all parts of our operations and value chain, from sourcing and product to finance and operations.

As outlined in our FY2025 Corporate Responsibility Report, Tapestry’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduced 81% compared to our FY2022 baseline. We continue to advance toward our 2030 science-based target, driven primarily by ongoing investments in renewable energy across our own operations.

On-Site Efficiency

Within our physical locations, we are rethinking waste, energy use, and efficiency.

Take, for instance, Tapestry’s Las Vegas Fulfillment Center (LVFC), an 880,000 square foot facility sitting on about 15 acres of land. Facilities teams at LVFC tested new systems, piloted waste diversion models, and integrated several automated zero waste practices.

As a result, LVFC had a landfill diversion rate of 96% in 2025, meaning our facility reused, recycled, composted, and/or recovered 96% of waste.

That level of waste diversion in a 12-month period (along with a series of other requirements) earned our facility a Platinum-Level TRUE Zero Waste Certification, the highest level available. Next on the list, our Jacksonville, Fla. facility is pending for the Gold-level certification.

A Lightbulb Moment

In FY2025, we proudly announced that Tapestry achieved its goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity in our stores, offices, and fulfillment centers globally.

How did we do it? By building a portfolio of solutions, including a Collective Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (CVPPA) with the Fashion Pact in Spain, as well as a 15-year partnership with Pivot Energy, a community solar company in the United States.

The Pivot Energy partnership adapts renewable energy sourcing to fit our business. For instance, Tapestry supports a group of small solar projects that generate clean electricity in the United States. This long-term agreement allows us to leverage renewable energy without needing to own or install infrastructure at each location. It’s a more practical and scalable way to reduce emissions across a distributed footprint.

Looking ahead, we’ve set a new target of achieving 40% renewable energy within our supply chain by 2030.

To make it happen, our ESG team developed Renewable Electricity Sourcing Minimum Requirements and Guidelines for Tapestry’s suppliers and our own operations. The hope is to source reliable, credible, and impactful renewable energy. We’ll also continue to financially support solar panel rooftop assessments for strategic suppliers.

Ciao, Carbon

Tapestry has made its first purchase of carbon removals, accessing Climeworks’ most diversified carbon removal portfolio to date. The portfolio combines five high-quality carbon removal pathways, both engineered and nature-based, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, risk diversification, and long-term climate impact.

As these solutions evolve, we’re proud to be an early industry participant in accelerating carbon removal development.

Rethinking Design for Sustainability

At our New York City Hudson Yards HQ, design teams are imagining how discarded and overlooked materials can become the latest fashion trend.

Coach’s Fall 2026 runway show brought this thinking to life, with the majority of denim pieces crafted with post-consumer garments, showing the possibilities of circular design.

After almost three years of experimentation, the Coach Repurposed Capsule from February 2026 (a partnership with second-hand wholesale supplier, Bank & Vogue) proved we could produce new garments from post-consumer materials at a large enough scale to support a full capsule collection.

At kate spade new york, the brand has introduced environmentally preferred materials to over 50 handbag styles. From the iconic Sam Bag mini tote to the ON PURPOSE tote bag, designers have traded up to use 100% recycled nylon and 100% recycled polyester on certain components. The Dash Taxi Canvas Tote, in addition to being made with a 100% regenerative cotton body, also features a recycled polyester lining.

Seeing Real Impact

In 2026, Tapestry was named on USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders, which highlights companies with strong progress in reducing emissions and advancing climate strategy.

We’re both proud of this recognition and motivated to go further.

Because if there’s one thing Tapestry is proving, it’s that with an innovation-led approach to sustainability, progress doesn’t come from one single breakthrough.

Instead it’s about leading with action and intentionality, and doing business in a way that’s better for people and the planet.

At Tapestry, innovation is woven into how we think, work, and challenge ourselves to do better.

During the last few years, we’ve used that spirit to advance sustainability across our organization — not through one big idea or single initiative, but in thousands of decisions made every day by teams across brands, functions, and regions.

What follows is a look at how we’re harnessing innovation to advance sustainability across our business.

A Strategy For Reduction

When it comes to climate change, our overall strategy is to focus on reducing emissions.

This includes looking at materials, agriculture, and manufacturing, plus investing in carbon removals and advancing traceable data.

Our heightened focus on emissions reduction affects all parts of our operations and value chain, from sourcing and product to finance and operations.

As outlined in our FY2025 Corporate Responsibility Report, Tapestry’s Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduced 81% compared to our FY2022 baseline. We continue to advance toward our 2030 science-based target, driven primarily by ongoing investments in renewable energy across our own operations.

On-Site Efficiency

Within our physical locations, we are rethinking waste, energy use, and efficiency.

Take, for instance, Tapestry’s Las Vegas Fulfillment Center (LVFC), an 880,000 square foot facility sitting on about 15 acres of land. Facilities teams at LVFC tested new systems, piloted waste diversion models, and integrated several automated zero waste practices.

As a result, LVFC had a landfill diversion rate of 96% in 2025, meaning our facility reused, recycled, composted, and/or recovered 96% of waste.

That level of waste diversion in a 12-month period (along with a series of other requirements) earned our facility a Platinum-Level TRUE Zero Waste Certification, the highest level available. Next on the list, our Jacksonville, Fla. facility is pending for the Gold-level certification.

A Lightbulb Moment

In FY2025, we proudly announced that Tapestry achieved its goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity in our stores, offices, and fulfillment centers globally.

How did we do it? By building a portfolio of solutions, including a Collective Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (CVPPA) with the Fashion Pact in Spain, as well as a 15-year partnership with Pivot Energy, a community solar company in the United States.

The Pivot Energy partnership adapts renewable energy sourcing to fit our business. For instance, Tapestry supports a group of small solar projects that generate clean electricity in the United States. This long-term agreement allows us to leverage renewable energy without needing to own or install infrastructure at each location. It’s a more practical and scalable way to reduce emissions across a distributed footprint.

Looking ahead, we’ve set a new target of achieving 40% renewable energy within our supply chain by 2030.

To make it happen, our ESG team developed Renewable Electricity Sourcing Minimum Requirements and Guidelines for Tapestry’s suppliers and our own operations. The hope is to source reliable, credible, and impactful renewable energy. We’ll also continue to financially support solar panel rooftop assessments for strategic suppliers.

Ciao, Carbon

Tapestry has made its first purchase of carbon removals, accessing Climeworks’ most diversified carbon removal portfolio to date. The portfolio combines five high-quality carbon removal pathways, both engineered and nature-based, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, risk diversification, and long-term climate impact.

As these solutions evolve, we’re proud to be an early industry participant in accelerating carbon removal development.

Rethinking Design for Sustainability

At our New York City Hudson Yards HQ, design teams are imagining how discarded and overlooked materials can become the latest fashion trend.

Coach’s Fall 2026 runway show brought this thinking to life, with the majority of denim pieces crafted with post-consumer garments, showing the possibilities of circular design.

After almost three years of experimentation, the Coach Repurposed Capsule from February 2026 (a partnership with second-hand wholesale supplier, Bank & Vogue) proved we could produce new garments from post-consumer materials at a large enough scale to support a full capsule collection.

At kate spade new york, the brand has introduced environmentally preferred materials to over 50 handbag styles. From the iconic Sam Bag mini tote to the ON PURPOSE tote bag, designers have traded up to use 100% recycled nylon and 100% recycled polyester on certain components. The Dash Taxi Canvas Tote, in addition to being made with a 100% regenerative cotton body, also features a recycled polyester lining.

Seeing Real Impact

In 2026, Tapestry was named on USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders, which highlights companies with strong progress in reducing emissions and advancing climate strategy.

We’re both proud of this recognition and motivated to go further.

Because if there’s one thing Tapestry is proving, it’s that with an innovation-led approach to sustainability, progress doesn’t come from one single breakthrough.

Instead it’s about leading with action and intentionality, and doing business in a way that’s better for people and the planet.

Entergy has reached an important milestone in our work to build a stronger electric grid. Our self-healing networks are now helping improve power reliability for more than 500,000 customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Self-healing networks use smart technology to detect problems on a power line and reroute electricity around the issue. This often happens in just seconds. When the electric system responds this quickly, fewer customers lose power and crews have more time to make safe repairs.

We began introducing this technology in early 2020. Since then, these self-healing networks have helped avoid thousands of customer interruptions and more than 50 million minutes of outages. These improvements are part of our long-term work to modernize the grid and reduce the number and length of outages our customers experience.

Today, we have nearly 400 self-healing networks in place. These networks include 1,483 reclosers and support 890 feeder circuits. Coverage continues to grow:

  • Arkansas: 101,900 customers
  • Louisiana: 256,223 customers
  • Mississippi: 86,217 customers
  • New Orleans: 42,507 customers
  • Texas: 32,591 customers

About 25% of our 3,600 circuits now include self-healing technology. Our teams are studying ways to add more networks in the coming years.

Self-healing networks improve reliability year-round but are especially helpful during major weather events.

  • During the January 2026 winter weather event, 19 automated transfers helped avoid more than 12,000 customer interruptions and 769,956 outage minutes.
  • In 2025, 293 events avoided 188,792 customer interruptions and 24.3 million outage minutes.
  • In 2024, 248 events avoided 167,569 customer interruptions and 13.4 million outage minutes.

These improvements reduce strain on our lineworker crews, improve restoration times and support a stronger, more resilient electric system for our customers.

The installation of self-healing networks is one part of our plan to build a smarter electric grid. We’re also strengthening poles and wires, upgrading substations, working closely with vegetation management and deploying tools that give operators better visibility into the electric system.

“Self-healing networks are helping us improve service for our customers and support our crews during storms,” said Taylor Edgens, director of grid technology. “This technology is an important part of our work to modernize the grid and increase reliability.”

This work requires seamless coordination across engineering, distribution operations, construction, vegetation management, grid technology, regulatory and many other teams. Their efforts help us deliver safer and more reliable service for the communities we serve.

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CLEVELAND, May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM), the nation’s number one retail mortgage lender for the third consecutive year, is proud to announce 182 loan officers were named to the 2026 Scotsman Guide Top Women Originators list — the most in company history and more than any other lender.

CCM announces record 182 loan officers named to Scotsman Guide’s Top Women List.

CCM has seen significant year-over-year growth in its presence on the list, increasing by 125% over the past three years — a trend that reflects the strength and momentum of women across the organization.

“We’re seeing more and more women across CCM perform at a high level and earn recognition for it,” said Ron Leonhardt, Founder and CEO, CrossCountry Mortgage. “That kind of consistency says a lot about this team and the role they play in what we’re building.”

In addition to its recognition on the Top Women Originators list, CCM had 661 loan officers named to Scotsman Guide’s 2026 Top Originators rankings — the most of any lender and the highest total in company history.

With more than 3,500 loan officers across over 800 branches nationwide, CCM continues to attract both borrowers and top mortgage professionals, driven by a culture built on innovation, opportunity and customer-focused solutions. That momentum translated into a record-setting 2025, with CCM financing 1 in 35 homes sold nationwide (by volume in Q4 2025), serving over 131,000 families and originating more than $51 billion in total volume.

About CrossCountry Mortgage
CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) is the nation’s number one distributed retail mortgage lender with more than 8,000 employees operating over 700 branches and servicing loans across all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Our company has been recognized ten times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private businesses and has received many awards for our standout culture. We offer more than 120 mortgage, refinance and home equity solutions — ranging from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs from FHA and programs for Veterans and rural homebuyers — and we are a direct lender and approved seller and servicer by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae NMLS #3029. Through our dedication to getting it done, we make every mortgage feel like a win.

Contact: Natalie Lonjak
Director, Corporate Communications
Natalie.Lonjak@ccm.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-182-ccm-originators-named-to-scotsman-guides-top-women-list-302760196.html

SOURCE CrossCountry Mortgage

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