Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Cisco’s FY25 Purpose Report: A Letter from Fran Katsoudas

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

If strategy sets direction, learning is what makes it last. Learning is one of the clearest places where Cisco’s Purpose and business intersect. Ensuring that people are prepared to take part in a digital and AI-enabled economy is essential to sustainable growth, long-term trust, and shared success. When people have the skills to adapt, organizations move faster — with greater resilience and stronger outcomes.

Within Cisco, we’ve been intentional about investing in our own capabilities. In fiscal 2025, more than 37,000 employees completed AI-focused learning — a 76% year-over-year increase — strengthening our ability to innovate, redesign work, and deliver value to our customers. As work continues to evolve, learning has become one of the most powerful ways leaders enable the future and drive momentum. For example, at Cisco, employees are twice as likely to use AI when their manager does, and consistent users are more productive and more engaged.

At the same time, our commitment to learning has never stopped at our own walls. Through Cisco Networking Academy, we’ve helped more than 28 million learners build the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. And, through Learn with Cisco, we’re supporting the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education with a commitment to train one million people across the United States.

In December, IDC MarketScape recognized Cisco as a Leader in IT Training Services in both Europe1 and North America2. We see that recognition not as a finish line, but as encouragement to move faster — extending the confidence and capability we’re building inside Cisco to our partners, customers, and communities around the world.

Learn more about our progress and goals in our FY25 Purpose Report.

Millions of Stories: The Impact of Learning

A recent conversation powerfully highlighted the importance and impact of education. During a discussion with Equity Bank in Kenya about their learning programs for underserved youth, we realized that one of our Cisco colleagues in the meeting was a graduate of this program. She shared how this bank-sponsored education profoundly changed her life. This personal testimony underscored the real-world impact of Equity Bank’s efforts. As I shared how Cisco Networking Academy builds digital skills at scale, a senior leader from the bank spoke up. He shared that he earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) through Cisco Networking Academy — an experience that launched his career and led him to the executive role he holds today.

In a company as far-reaching as Cisco, we don’t always get to hear the individual stories behind our work — but when we do, they bring our impact to life. In the last fiscal year alone, more than five million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, which means millions of stories like these are unfolding around the world. Each one is a reminder that what we do matters — creating pathways for people to participate more fully in the future.

Learning in Partnership

One important way that we continue to learn as an organization and stay connected to our industry is through our leadership of the AI Workforce Consortium. This collaboration brings together Cisco, Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Together, we’re mapping how AI is reshaping more than 50 critical technology and supporting roles across G7 countries — and, just as importantly, building practical pathways so people can prepare for what’s next.

The Consortium’s 2025 research shows that 78% of jobs already require AI skills. But it also makes clear that human skills — leadership, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication — will determine how impactful AI ultimately becomes.

That same research reinforces the need for continuous learning to unlock the full potential of the workforce. It’s telling that Learning & Development Specialist is now the most in-demand technology support role in the U.S. and Canada, underscoring how strongly organizations are prioritizing learning agility in an AI-driven economy. That signal is hard to ignore. At Cisco, we’re acting on it by investing in new learning roles and enterprise-wide efforts that help our people build the skills to leap ahead in an AI-driven future.

Permission to Rethink Everything

Moments like the one I experienced in Kenya stay with me because they clarify what’s truly at stake. They remind me that we are living in a rare time — one that gives us permission to rethink everything. How do we spend our resources? What breakthroughs do we pursue? And what kind of human experience do we want to enable?

At Cisco, we’re fortunate to be navigating this moment from a position of strength, grounded in leading technology, hard-earned trust, our people, and our Purpose.

But with that strength comes the responsibility to pause and ask the right questions about how we move forward together.

  • As industry leaders, how will we help shape markets that expand opportunity and set the standard for secure, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
  • As people leaders, how will we model learning in real time, using AI ourselves and building cultures where curiosity, courage, and compassion drive progress?
  • And as individuals, how will we adapt, unlearn, and retool, knowing that our collective success ultimately depends on our personal willingness to grow?

Those questions aren’t just theoretical for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered each with a real and measurable commitment:

  • 573,000 employee volunteer hours and the sixth consecutive year exceeding our 80% community impact target
  • 31 crisis response efforts and over 900 employee volunteers supporting communities in crisis
  • 100% renewable energy to match global annual electricity needs at Cisco owned and leased facilities3
  • 154 million lives positively impacted through the Cisco Foundation and Social Impact Investments

Behind each of these metrics are human stories of resilience and expanded possibility. Our responsibility is to ensure this progress continues — human, inclusive, and grounded in trust. That is how we will meet this moment: by learning, by leading, and by helping others do the same.

Learn more:

Purpose at Cisco
FY25 Purpose Report
Purpose Reporting Hub 

View original content here.

 

1. Source: “IDC MarketScape: European IT Training Services 2025 Vendor Assessment”, 1 December 2025, IDC # EUR153005625. 

2. Source: “IDC MarketScape: North America IT Training Services 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment”, 4 December 2025, IDC # US52991625. 

3. Cisco achieved this milestone using a variety of methods, including on-site renewables, contractual arrangements such as power purchase agreements, and energy attribute certificates. See the Purpose Reporting Hub for our renewable energy strategy

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

Cisco’s FY25 Purpose Report: A Letter from Fran Katsoudas

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

If strategy sets direction, learning is what makes it last. Learning is one of the clearest places where Cisco’s Purpose and business intersect. Ensuring that people are prepared to take part in a digital and AI-enabled economy is essential to sustainable growth, long-term trust, and shared success. When people have the skills to adapt, organizations move faster — with greater resilience and stronger outcomes.

Within Cisco, we’ve been intentional about investing in our own capabilities. In fiscal 2025, more than 37,000 employees completed AI-focused learning — a 76% year-over-year increase — strengthening our ability to innovate, redesign work, and deliver value to our customers. As work continues to evolve, learning has become one of the most powerful ways leaders enable the future and drive momentum. For example, at Cisco, employees are twice as likely to use AI when their manager does, and consistent users are more productive and more engaged.

At the same time, our commitment to learning has never stopped at our own walls. Through Cisco Networking Academy, we’ve helped more than 28 million learners build the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. And, through Learn with Cisco, we’re supporting the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education with a commitment to train one million people across the United States.

In December, IDC MarketScape recognized Cisco as a Leader in IT Training Services in both Europe1 and North America2. We see that recognition not as a finish line, but as encouragement to move faster — extending the confidence and capability we’re building inside Cisco to our partners, customers, and communities around the world.

Learn more about our progress and goals in our FY25 Purpose Report.

Millions of Stories: The Impact of Learning

A recent conversation powerfully highlighted the importance and impact of education. During a discussion with Equity Bank in Kenya about their learning programs for underserved youth, we realized that one of our Cisco colleagues in the meeting was a graduate of this program. She shared how this bank-sponsored education profoundly changed her life. This personal testimony underscored the real-world impact of Equity Bank’s efforts. As I shared how Cisco Networking Academy builds digital skills at scale, a senior leader from the bank spoke up. He shared that he earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) through Cisco Networking Academy — an experience that launched his career and led him to the executive role he holds today.

In a company as far-reaching as Cisco, we don’t always get to hear the individual stories behind our work — but when we do, they bring our impact to life. In the last fiscal year alone, more than five million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, which means millions of stories like these are unfolding around the world. Each one is a reminder that what we do matters — creating pathways for people to participate more fully in the future.

Learning in Partnership

One important way that we continue to learn as an organization and stay connected to our industry is through our leadership of the AI Workforce Consortium. This collaboration brings together Cisco, Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Together, we’re mapping how AI is reshaping more than 50 critical technology and supporting roles across G7 countries — and, just as importantly, building practical pathways so people can prepare for what’s next.

The Consortium’s 2025 research shows that 78% of jobs already require AI skills. But it also makes clear that human skills — leadership, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication — will determine how impactful AI ultimately becomes.

That same research reinforces the need for continuous learning to unlock the full potential of the workforce. It’s telling that Learning & Development Specialist is now the most in-demand technology support role in the U.S. and Canada, underscoring how strongly organizations are prioritizing learning agility in an AI-driven economy. That signal is hard to ignore. At Cisco, we’re acting on it by investing in new learning roles and enterprise-wide efforts that help our people build the skills to leap ahead in an AI-driven future.

Permission to Rethink Everything

Moments like the one I experienced in Kenya stay with me because they clarify what’s truly at stake. They remind me that we are living in a rare time — one that gives us permission to rethink everything. How do we spend our resources? What breakthroughs do we pursue? And what kind of human experience do we want to enable?

At Cisco, we’re fortunate to be navigating this moment from a position of strength, grounded in leading technology, hard-earned trust, our people, and our Purpose.

But with that strength comes the responsibility to pause and ask the right questions about how we move forward together.

  • As industry leaders, how will we help shape markets that expand opportunity and set the standard for secure, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
  • As people leaders, how will we model learning in real time, using AI ourselves and building cultures where curiosity, courage, and compassion drive progress?
  • And as individuals, how will we adapt, unlearn, and retool, knowing that our collective success ultimately depends on our personal willingness to grow?

Those questions aren’t just theoretical for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered each with a real and measurable commitment:

  • 573,000 employee volunteer hours and the sixth consecutive year exceeding our 80% community impact target
  • 31 crisis response efforts and over 900 employee volunteers supporting communities in crisis
  • 100% renewable energy to match global annual electricity needs at Cisco owned and leased facilities3
  • 154 million lives positively impacted through the Cisco Foundation and Social Impact Investments

Behind each of these metrics are human stories of resilience and expanded possibility. Our responsibility is to ensure this progress continues — human, inclusive, and grounded in trust. That is how we will meet this moment: by learning, by leading, and by helping others do the same.

Learn more:

Purpose at Cisco
FY25 Purpose Report
Purpose Reporting Hub 

View original content here.

 

1. Source: “IDC MarketScape: European IT Training Services 2025 Vendor Assessment”, 1 December 2025, IDC # EUR153005625. 

2. Source: “IDC MarketScape: North America IT Training Services 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment”, 4 December 2025, IDC # US52991625. 

3. Cisco achieved this milestone using a variety of methods, including on-site renewables, contractual arrangements such as power purchase agreements, and energy attribute certificates. See the Purpose Reporting Hub for our renewable energy strategy

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Affordablehousing.com and Learning Collider Awarded Public Benefit Innovation Fund Grant to Improve Housing Assistance Delivery

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

AI Housing Navigator Grant Aims to Speed Access to Stable Homes

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As housing agencies nationwide face growing demand and mounting administrative pressure, AffordableHousing.com, in partnership with Learning Collider, has been selected as a grantee of the Public Benefit Innovation Fund (PBIF), a national initiative led by the Center for Civic Futures that is investing $8.5 million in artificial intelligence projects designed to improve how essential public benefit programs are delivered nationwide. 


AffordableHousing.com is the Largest Network for Affordable Housing in the Nation (PRNewsfoto/AffordableHousing.com)

With support from PBIF funders and partners, AffordableHousing.com and Learning Collider will build an AI Housing Navigator designed to help people more easily find and qualify for housing while enabling housing agencies and partners to deliver assistance faster and more clearly. The initiative aims to reduce administrative friction, improve program navigation, and accelerate access to stable housing for families who rely on critical housing support. 

The project is intended to shorten the time it takes families to secure housing while helping agencies process applications more efficiently and with fewer errors. 

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, AffordableHousing.com will lead development of the housing-focused initiative. 

The AffordableHousing.com AI Housing Navigator will support users across multiple stages of the housing process, helping translate complex requirements into clear, actionable guidance while giving agencies and partners tools to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve outcomes. 

“This work is about making the housing process easier to navigate for the people who need it most—and more efficient for the agencies and partners who support them,” said Richard Cupelli, CEO of AffordableHousing.com. “We’re proud to collaborate with Learning Collider and the PBIF cohort to responsibly test what’s possible and focus on what actually works.” 

As PBIF grantees, AffordableHousing.com and Learning Collider will participate in a shared learning cohort alongside states, practitioners, and fellow innovators, contributing insights and best practices to advance the responsible use of AI in housing assistance delivery. 

About AffordableHousing.com 
AffordableHousing.com is the nation’s largest dedicated online platform for affordable housing and a trusted technology partner to thousands of public housing agencies nationwide. For more than two decades, the company has delivered tools that help families secure safe, stable homes across naturally occurring affordable housing, Section 8, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. By connecting renters, property owners, and housing agencies through a single integrated platform, AffordableHousing.com supports more efficient housing programs and broader access nationwide. The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.  

About Learning Collider 
Learning Collider is a civic innovation organization that partners with governments, nonprofits, and technologists to design and test responsible, human-centered AI solutions that improve public systems and outcomes. 

About the Public Benefit Innovation Fund 
The Public Benefit Innovation Fund supports projects that responsibly apply AI to strengthen public benefit delivery, reduce administrative burden, and improve access to essential services. 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/affordablehousingcom-and-learning-collider-awarded-public-benefit-innovation-fund-grant-to-improve-housing-assistance-delivery-302661384.html

SOURCE AffordableHousing.com

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“It Started With an Eye Exam” Campaign from Prevent Blindness Rolls Out in its Second Year to Share Stories on the Positive Impact of Access to Eye Care

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

– This year’s Prevent Blindness “It Started With an Eye Exam” campaign shares patient testimonials on how eye exams saved sight and improved quality of life –

CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight, is embarking on its second “It Started With an Eye Exam” campaign, aiming to spread awareness and encourage the public to share their stories on the positive impact of eye exams and treatment on their life. The “It Started With an Eye Exam” program is supported by a grant from Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company.

 

Starting on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Prevent Blindness will begin sharing a new series of stories, including videos, on its various social media channels of those whose lives have been positively impacted through eye care and treatment. The public is invited to share their stories, using #ItStartedWithanEyeExam or submit their stories to Prevent Blindness for sharing at PreventBlindness.org/getting-professional-eye-care. 

Access to eye care may begin with a certified vision screening, such as those provided by Prevent Blindness and its network of affiliates. For individuals who do not pass a vision screening and are unable to afford care on their own, Prevent Blindness partners with leading companies, such as AEG Vision, EssilorLuxottica Foundation, VSP Vision, and Zenni, to provide vouchers for eye exams and prescription glasses.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, different types of eye exams include:

  • Routine/General exams: These are like a routine physical or checkup for your eyes. These happen regularly for people with no eye conditions or those who need corrective lenses.
     
  • Follow-up exams: This is a more specific type of exam, for example, follow up after a previous eye injury or procedure. People with certain chronic conditions, like diabetes, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, also need regular follow-up exams.
     
  • Medical/Emergency exams: These happen when there might be an issue affecting your vision — especially an urgent one. Examples include an eye injury, sudden vision loss, or a head injury.

In addition to eye exams for vision correction, including prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses, eye exams with dilation may detect eye diseases, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. And, a comprehensive eye exam may also detect other health issues, such as brain stroke, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Dilation is a critical part of an eye exam that temporarily widens the pupil to allow the eye care provider to check the health of the back of the eye. Drops are available to un-dilate the eye faster, if needed.

Prevent Blindness provides a free directory of vision care financial assistance resources in English and Spanish at PreventBlindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information. For glaucoma, Prevent Blindness offers a listing of glaucoma financial assistance programs at https://preventblindness.org/glaucoma-help.

“I know from personal experience the tremendous impact that access to quality eyecare has on everything, from success in the classroom as a child, to being able to maintian independence as an adult,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our ‘It Started With an Eye Exam’ campaign is designed to spread the word about how healthy vision improves lives across the age span of children, adults, and seniors.”

For general vision and eye health information, please visit PreventBlindness.org. 
To share your story through the It Started With an Eye Exam program, visit https://preventblindness.org/getting-professional-eye-care.

About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at PreventBlindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.


Prevent Blindness kicks off the second year of its "It Started With an Eye Exam" campaign, asking the public to share their stories of how access to eye care had a positive impact on their lives.


Prevent Blindness asks the public to share stories of how access to eye care made a positive difference in their lives through its second annual "It Started With an Eye Exam" campaign.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/it-started-with-an-eye-exam-campaign-from-prevent-blindness-rolls-out-in-its-second-year-to-share-stories-on-the-positive-impact-of-access-to-eye-care-302660605.html

SOURCE Prevent Blindness

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

“It Started With an Eye Exam” Campaign from Prevent Blindness Rolls Out in its Second Year to Share Stories on the Positive Impact of Access to Eye Care

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

– This year’s Prevent Blindness “It Started With an Eye Exam” campaign shares patient testimonials on how eye exams saved sight and improved quality of life –

CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight, is embarking on its second “It Started With an Eye Exam” campaign, aiming to spread awareness and encourage the public to share their stories on the positive impact of eye exams and treatment on their life. The “It Started With an Eye Exam” program is supported by a grant from Viatris Inc., a global healthcare company.

 

Starting on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Prevent Blindness will begin sharing a new series of stories, including videos, on its various social media channels of those whose lives have been positively impacted through eye care and treatment. The public is invited to share their stories, using #ItStartedWithanEyeExam or submit their stories to Prevent Blindness for sharing at PreventBlindness.org/getting-professional-eye-care. 

Access to eye care may begin with a certified vision screening, such as those provided by Prevent Blindness and its network of affiliates. For individuals who do not pass a vision screening and are unable to afford care on their own, Prevent Blindness partners with leading companies, such as AEG Vision, EssilorLuxottica Foundation, VSP Vision, and Zenni, to provide vouchers for eye exams and prescription glasses.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, different types of eye exams include:

  • Routine/General exams: These are like a routine physical or checkup for your eyes. These happen regularly for people with no eye conditions or those who need corrective lenses.
     
  • Follow-up exams: This is a more specific type of exam, for example, follow up after a previous eye injury or procedure. People with certain chronic conditions, like diabetes, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, also need regular follow-up exams.
     
  • Medical/Emergency exams: These happen when there might be an issue affecting your vision — especially an urgent one. Examples include an eye injury, sudden vision loss, or a head injury.

In addition to eye exams for vision correction, including prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses, eye exams with dilation may detect eye diseases, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. And, a comprehensive eye exam may also detect other health issues, such as brain stroke, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Dilation is a critical part of an eye exam that temporarily widens the pupil to allow the eye care provider to check the health of the back of the eye. Drops are available to un-dilate the eye faster, if needed.

Prevent Blindness provides a free directory of vision care financial assistance resources in English and Spanish at PreventBlindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information. For glaucoma, Prevent Blindness offers a listing of glaucoma financial assistance programs at https://preventblindness.org/glaucoma-help.

“I know from personal experience the tremendous impact that access to quality eyecare has on everything, from success in the classroom as a child, to being able to maintian independence as an adult,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Our ‘It Started With an Eye Exam’ campaign is designed to spread the word about how healthy vision improves lives across the age span of children, adults, and seniors.”

For general vision and eye health information, please visit PreventBlindness.org. 
To share your story through the It Started With an Eye Exam program, visit https://preventblindness.org/getting-professional-eye-care.

About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at PreventBlindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.


Prevent Blindness kicks off the second year of its "It Started With an Eye Exam" campaign, asking the public to share their stories of how access to eye care had a positive impact on their lives.


Prevent Blindness asks the public to share stories of how access to eye care made a positive difference in their lives through its second annual "It Started With an Eye Exam" campaign.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/it-started-with-an-eye-exam-campaign-from-prevent-blindness-rolls-out-in-its-second-year-to-share-stories-on-the-positive-impact-of-access-to-eye-care-302660605.html

SOURCE Prevent Blindness

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LAUGH FACTORY HOLLWOOD TO HOST AMERICA’S GOT TALENT COMEDY SHOWCASE STARRING HOWIE MANDEL ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28th

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — World-famous Laugh Factory Hollywood will host an America’s Got Talent Comedy Showcase on Wednesday, January 28 at 9:45 PM, featuring promising young comedians from across America.


Howie Mandel will lead the America’s Got Talent Comedy Showcase at Laugh Factory Hollywood on January 28th.

“I’m looking forward to some great standup and discovering who is ready to take the next step to stardom.”—Howie Mandel

The showcase will be led by four-time Emmy winner and comedy legend Howie Mandel, whose distinguished career also includes serving as a judge on America’s Got Talent, and hosting Deal or No Deal. He most recently starred in a Laugh Factory production, the motion picture Toad, directed by Adam Rifkin.

Mandel will guide the showcase. Standout performers may be selected as contestants for America’s Got Talent.

Laugh Factory has always been recognized for discovering and nourishing young comics. It is also a place where many of the greatest stars of comedy—such as Richard Pryor, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Tim Allen, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock—have come to refine their new material.

“Laugh Factory Hollywood is a place where fresh faces of comedy come to hone their acts,” said Howie Mandel. “I’m looking forward to enjoying some great standup comedy sets and discovering who is ready to take the next step to stardom.”

“We’re excited to host this special America’s Got Talent showcase,” said Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada. “I’ve watched Howie perform for four decades, and in all those years, I’ve never seen him have a bad show. Every time I see him, I laugh at everything he does, and so does the rest of his audience. He is simply a master comedian.”

Additional information is available at https://www.agtauditions.com/howie 

About Laugh Factory:
For more than 45 years, Laugh Factory has conducted community outreach efforts to help those in need, such as its Comedy Camp (which has helped thousands of kids (including Tiffany Haddish, Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes) to increase their confidence and self-esteem. Laugh Factory also feeds thousands of people annually with its free Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts and comedy shows and has raised tens of millions of dollars for charitable organizations at its clubs around the nation. 

Laugh Factory • 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046 • www.laughfactory.com

Contact: Greg Waskul at gregwaskul@aol.com or (818) 926-0079
or Anne Edmond at pforpublicist@gmail.com or (917) 238-1229


Laugh Factory Logo (PRNewsfoto/LAUGH FACTORY)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laugh-factory-hollwood-to-host-americas-got-talent-comedy-showcase-starring-howie-mandel-on-wednesday-january-28th-302661024.html

SOURCE LAUGH FACTORY

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

LAUGH FACTORY HOLLWOOD TO HOST AMERICA’S GOT TALENT COMEDY SHOWCASE STARRING HOWIE MANDEL ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28th

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — World-famous Laugh Factory Hollywood will host an America’s Got Talent Comedy Showcase on Wednesday, January 28 at 9:45 PM, featuring promising young comedians from across America.


Howie Mandel will lead the America’s Got Talent Comedy Showcase at Laugh Factory Hollywood on January 28th.

“I’m looking forward to some great standup and discovering who is ready to take the next step to stardom.”—Howie Mandel

The showcase will be led by four-time Emmy winner and comedy legend Howie Mandel, whose distinguished career also includes serving as a judge on America’s Got Talent, and hosting Deal or No Deal. He most recently starred in a Laugh Factory production, the motion picture Toad, directed by Adam Rifkin.

Mandel will guide the showcase. Standout performers may be selected as contestants for America’s Got Talent.

Laugh Factory has always been recognized for discovering and nourishing young comics. It is also a place where many of the greatest stars of comedy—such as Richard Pryor, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Tim Allen, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock—have come to refine their new material.

“Laugh Factory Hollywood is a place where fresh faces of comedy come to hone their acts,” said Howie Mandel. “I’m looking forward to enjoying some great standup comedy sets and discovering who is ready to take the next step to stardom.”

“We’re excited to host this special America’s Got Talent showcase,” said Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada. “I’ve watched Howie perform for four decades, and in all those years, I’ve never seen him have a bad show. Every time I see him, I laugh at everything he does, and so does the rest of his audience. He is simply a master comedian.”

Additional information is available at https://www.agtauditions.com/howie 

About Laugh Factory:
For more than 45 years, Laugh Factory has conducted community outreach efforts to help those in need, such as its Comedy Camp (which has helped thousands of kids (including Tiffany Haddish, Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes) to increase their confidence and self-esteem. Laugh Factory also feeds thousands of people annually with its free Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts and comedy shows and has raised tens of millions of dollars for charitable organizations at its clubs around the nation. 

Laugh Factory • 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046 • www.laughfactory.com

Contact: Greg Waskul at gregwaskul@aol.com or (818) 926-0079
or Anne Edmond at pforpublicist@gmail.com or (917) 238-1229


Laugh Factory Logo (PRNewsfoto/LAUGH FACTORY)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laugh-factory-hollwood-to-host-americas-got-talent-comedy-showcase-starring-howie-mandel-on-wednesday-january-28th-302661024.html

SOURCE LAUGH FACTORY

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CO280 Recognized as a 2026 Global Cleantech 100 Company

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

CO280 CDR: A year defined by multi-megatonne contracts, project milestones, and global leadership

VANCOUVER, B.C., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CO280 Solutions Inc. (CO280), a leading developer of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., has been named on Cleantech Group’s 2026 Global Cleantech 100. This annual list recognizes companies poised to deliver market-ready climate solutions that advance a cleaner, more resilient global future.


CO280 (PRNewsfoto/CO280)

For the 17th edition, Cleantech Group collaborated with over 75 leading investors, corporates, and innovation experts to identify CO280 as one of the most promising companies in cleantech with 10+ projects in development and 4.3+ million tonnes of permanent CDR contracted to date.

2025 Year in Review: How CO280 accelerated the development of durable CDR at scale

CO280 retrofits pulp and paper mills with modular carbon capture units to capture and permanently store biogenic CO2, delivering a method of high-quality, affordable, and scalable CDR called bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Its partnership model boosts pulp and paper industry profitability by generating a new revenue stream, helping to protect forestry jobs in rural areas across North America.

Here is CO280’s 2025 Year in Review:

  • 4.3+ Million Tonnes of Total CDR Contracted: Over the past year, CO280 has accelerated pulp and paper BECCS at the multi-megatonne scale—contracting over 4 million tonnes with the market’s leading buyers. At over 4.3 million total tonnes contracted to date, CO280 is one of the top five global suppliers of carbon removal by tonnes sold according to cdr.fyi.
  • 10+ Projects in Development: The pulp and paper industry in North America produces over 100 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually. CO280 is developing more than 10 carbon capture and removal projects in partnership with North America’s leading pulp and paper companies. Altogether, these projects stand to deliver up to 7 million tonnes per annum of durable CDR.
  • 4 Projects in Pre-FEED and FEED: Four CO280 projects have reached the Pre-FEED and FEED stages with anticipated FID from 2026 to 2028. The projects are located at pulp and paper mills located in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Canada, and the resulting CDR credits will be sold to buyers in the voluntary carbon market.
  • 1 Successful CDR Field Pilot: Together with SLB Capturi, a leading provider of carbon capture technology, CO280 conducted a carbon capture field pilot in the U.S. Gulf Coast to test the real-world performance of liquid amine carbon capture on biogenic CO2 from pulp and paper mills. The pilot successfully met or exceeded all key performance indicators, from carbon capture rate efficiency to energy consumption, and validated that the technology is ready today for commercial-scale deployment at pulp and paper mills.
  • 2X Team Growth: To support the development and deployment of pulp and paper BECCS at scale, CO280 has doubled its team across projects, finance, commercial, and engineering—and is continuing to hire for new positions that will make the global mandate for permanent, high-quality CDR a reality.

Cleantech 100: Unlocking new value across climate and industry

Integration with existing industries and infrastructure is unlocking new, scalable revenue across the cleantech ecosystem. From domestic manufacturing to AI, decarbonization coupled with innovation is set to eliminate supply chain vulnerabilities, strengthen domestic capacity, and accelerate economic benefits.

“This year’s Global Cleantech 100 reflects a market in transition—one that is becoming more disciplined, more discerning, and ultimately more resilient,” said Richard Youngman, CEO at Cleantech Group. “While the adjustment phase has been painful for some parts of the ecosystem, we are also witnessing remarkable bursts of innovation responding to new sources of demand, from AI-driven power needs to critical materials security.”

Across industries like power, materials, paper, and water, cleantech solutions are expanding production capacity and mitigating risk—all while safeguarding jobs in manufacturing. In the U.S. alone, retrofitting pulp and paper mills to capture and sequester biogenic CO2 is a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity for the U.S. forest products industry, which represents approximately 5% of U.S. manufacturing GDP. The pulp and paper industry directly employs over 930,000 workers and supports millions of indirect jobs in rural communities.

“By retrofitting mills to capture and sequester biogenic CO2, we’re delivering millions of tonnes of durable CDR to our customers and transforming the economics of the pulp and paper industry,” said Jonathan Rhone, Co-Founder and CEO of CO280. “CO280 has the potential to invest billions of dollars in a critical North American industry—and help secure jobs for forestry workers for decades to come.”

Looking ahead, cleantech solutions like CO280 CDR will continue to advance systems integration, market development, and business innovation to create scalable, repeatable climate solutions for lasting impact.

“The 2026 Global Cleantech 100 arrives at a pivotal moment,” said Anthony DeOrsey, Research Manager at Cleantech Group. “Around the world, governments and industries are no longer innovating for efficiency alone—they are innovating for durability. This year’s honorees reflect that shift.”

To learn more about how CO280 is leading permanent CDR development in North America, join Co-Founders Jonathan Rhone and Natalie Khtikian at the 2026 Cleantech Forum North America.

About CO280
CO280 is a leading developer of projects that produce high-quality, permanent, and affordable carbon dioxide removal (CDR). In partnership with pulp and paper companies, CO280 is working to capture and store millions of tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually to bring the highest-integrity CDR credits to the market while revitalizing the forest products industry. To learn more, visit: www.co280.com. 

About Cleantech Group
Cleantech® Group is the human intelligence authority on global cleantech innovation. By blending our intelligence, proprietary data, and the global network we’ve cultivated for more than 20 years, we deliver insights you can trust and guidance you can act on.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/co280-recognized-as-a-2026-global-cleantech-100-company-302660304.html

SOURCE CO280

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CO280 Recognized as a 2026 Global Cleantech 100 Company

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

CO280 CDR: A year defined by multi-megatonne contracts, project milestones, and global leadership

VANCOUVER, B.C., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CO280 Solutions Inc. (CO280), a leading developer of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., has been named on Cleantech Group’s 2026 Global Cleantech 100. This annual list recognizes companies poised to deliver market-ready climate solutions that advance a cleaner, more resilient global future.


CO280 (PRNewsfoto/CO280)

For the 17th edition, Cleantech Group collaborated with over 75 leading investors, corporates, and innovation experts to identify CO280 as one of the most promising companies in cleantech with 10+ projects in development and 4.3+ million tonnes of permanent CDR contracted to date.

2025 Year in Review: How CO280 accelerated the development of durable CDR at scale

CO280 retrofits pulp and paper mills with modular carbon capture units to capture and permanently store biogenic CO2, delivering a method of high-quality, affordable, and scalable CDR called bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Its partnership model boosts pulp and paper industry profitability by generating a new revenue stream, helping to protect forestry jobs in rural areas across North America.

Here is CO280’s 2025 Year in Review:

  • 4.3+ Million Tonnes of Total CDR Contracted: Over the past year, CO280 has accelerated pulp and paper BECCS at the multi-megatonne scale—contracting over 4 million tonnes with the market’s leading buyers. At over 4.3 million total tonnes contracted to date, CO280 is one of the top five global suppliers of carbon removal by tonnes sold according to cdr.fyi.
  • 10+ Projects in Development: The pulp and paper industry in North America produces over 100 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually. CO280 is developing more than 10 carbon capture and removal projects in partnership with North America’s leading pulp and paper companies. Altogether, these projects stand to deliver up to 7 million tonnes per annum of durable CDR.
  • 4 Projects in Pre-FEED and FEED: Four CO280 projects have reached the Pre-FEED and FEED stages with anticipated FID from 2026 to 2028. The projects are located at pulp and paper mills located in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Canada, and the resulting CDR credits will be sold to buyers in the voluntary carbon market.
  • 1 Successful CDR Field Pilot: Together with SLB Capturi, a leading provider of carbon capture technology, CO280 conducted a carbon capture field pilot in the U.S. Gulf Coast to test the real-world performance of liquid amine carbon capture on biogenic CO2 from pulp and paper mills. The pilot successfully met or exceeded all key performance indicators, from carbon capture rate efficiency to energy consumption, and validated that the technology is ready today for commercial-scale deployment at pulp and paper mills.
  • 2X Team Growth: To support the development and deployment of pulp and paper BECCS at scale, CO280 has doubled its team across projects, finance, commercial, and engineering—and is continuing to hire for new positions that will make the global mandate for permanent, high-quality CDR a reality.

Cleantech 100: Unlocking new value across climate and industry

Integration with existing industries and infrastructure is unlocking new, scalable revenue across the cleantech ecosystem. From domestic manufacturing to AI, decarbonization coupled with innovation is set to eliminate supply chain vulnerabilities, strengthen domestic capacity, and accelerate economic benefits.

“This year’s Global Cleantech 100 reflects a market in transition—one that is becoming more disciplined, more discerning, and ultimately more resilient,” said Richard Youngman, CEO at Cleantech Group. “While the adjustment phase has been painful for some parts of the ecosystem, we are also witnessing remarkable bursts of innovation responding to new sources of demand, from AI-driven power needs to critical materials security.”

Across industries like power, materials, paper, and water, cleantech solutions are expanding production capacity and mitigating risk—all while safeguarding jobs in manufacturing. In the U.S. alone, retrofitting pulp and paper mills to capture and sequester biogenic CO2 is a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity for the U.S. forest products industry, which represents approximately 5% of U.S. manufacturing GDP. The pulp and paper industry directly employs over 930,000 workers and supports millions of indirect jobs in rural communities.

“By retrofitting mills to capture and sequester biogenic CO2, we’re delivering millions of tonnes of durable CDR to our customers and transforming the economics of the pulp and paper industry,” said Jonathan Rhone, Co-Founder and CEO of CO280. “CO280 has the potential to invest billions of dollars in a critical North American industry—and help secure jobs for forestry workers for decades to come.”

Looking ahead, cleantech solutions like CO280 CDR will continue to advance systems integration, market development, and business innovation to create scalable, repeatable climate solutions for lasting impact.

“The 2026 Global Cleantech 100 arrives at a pivotal moment,” said Anthony DeOrsey, Research Manager at Cleantech Group. “Around the world, governments and industries are no longer innovating for efficiency alone—they are innovating for durability. This year’s honorees reflect that shift.”

To learn more about how CO280 is leading permanent CDR development in North America, join Co-Founders Jonathan Rhone and Natalie Khtikian at the 2026 Cleantech Forum North America.

About CO280
CO280 is a leading developer of projects that produce high-quality, permanent, and affordable carbon dioxide removal (CDR). In partnership with pulp and paper companies, CO280 is working to capture and store millions of tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually to bring the highest-integrity CDR credits to the market while revitalizing the forest products industry. To learn more, visit: www.co280.com. 

About Cleantech Group
Cleantech® Group is the human intelligence authority on global cleantech innovation. By blending our intelligence, proprietary data, and the global network we’ve cultivated for more than 20 years, we deliver insights you can trust and guidance you can act on.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/co280-recognized-as-a-2026-global-cleantech-100-company-302660304.html

SOURCE CO280

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Sri Lanka To Host Global Forum on Building Fairer, More Resilient Supply Chains

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND, Calif., January 14, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today announced program details for Cascale Forum: Colombo, taking place March 30–April 1, 2026 in Sri Lanka. Building on the success of the 2025 Forum in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, this gathering will convene manufacturers, brands, retailers, NGOs, policymakers, and solution providers under the theme “Action by Design: Accelerating a Fairer, More Resilient Value Chain.”

“At Cascale Forum: Colombo, we are bringing the value chain together to work intentionally on the systems, relationships, and practices that accelerate measurable progress on climate and decent work,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO, Cascale. “This is a space for shared learning — and shared responsibility.”

Rotated annually across critical manufacturing regions, Cascale Forums are brought to the industry by the stewards of the Higg Index, exclusively available on Worldly, and center the experience and expertise of manufacturers and sourcing companies at the center of global production. The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), which represents Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel export sector, is the event’s Association Collaborator. Hosting the Forum in Sri Lanka reinforces Cascale’s commitment to ensuring regional priorities shape global strategies while emphasizing that intentional collaboration is essential to drive measurable improvement on climate and decent work.

“Sri Lanka has long played an important role in advancing responsible manufacturing,” said Saifuddin Jafferjee, chairman of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF). “Cascale Forum: Colombo provides a valuable platform to share regional experience, strengthen collaboration across the value chain, and contribute practical insights that support a fairer, more resilient industry.”

Across two days of plenaries, workshops, and training sessions, participants will explore what effective brand–manufacturer collaboration looks like in practice, engage in hands-on learning, and gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use Cascale’s tools, including those in the Higg Index and Better Buying. New this year, side meetings and factory tours will offer additional opportunities to learn from regional examples of operational and sustainability excellence.

Why Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka represents an important region in the global apparel supply chain and brings diverse perspectives to the table. Its manufacturers have earned a reputation for high environmental and social standards, energy-efficient operations, and early adoption of sustainability tools such as the Higg Index. The textile and apparel export sector accounts for nearly 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s exports and represents six percent of its GDP.

With a well-connected network of industry players who actively engage in shared initiatives, Sri Lanka offers real-world examples of responsible production – making it an ideal location for hands-on learning, cross-industry dialogue, and peer-to-peer capability building. Finally, local organizations provide valuable context through factory tours, coordinated through the Cascale Forum: Colombo program, which allow participants to experience sustainability innovations, workforce practices, and environmental performance improvements firsthand.

Member-Driven Program Advisory Group

Cascale’s expert Program Advisory Group members emphasized the importance of grounding global strategy in local realities while helping develop the program for Cascale Forum: Colombo.

“South Asia is known in the global apparel industry for combining innovation, quality, and responsible manufacturing,” said Nikhil Hirdaramani, director, Hirdaramani. “Cascale Forum: Colombo showcases how that leadership contributes meaningfully to global industry progress.”

“Manufacturers are navigating increasing complexity and at MAS we have always tried to be proactive and take the challenge head on,” said Dhanujie Jayapala, general manager of environmental sustainability, MAS Holdings. “Cascale Forum: Colombo gives us the opportunity to share regional insights and build capabilities that support long-term, aligned progress.”

“To build a resilient supply chain, we need strong alignment between brands and suppliers,” said Cesar Hasibuan, responsible supply chain director, South Asia, Nike Inc. “This Forum will create space to understand each other’s challenges and design solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.”

“We need practical, operational pathways to meet today’s climate and social expectations in the fashion industry,” said Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, chief sustainability officer at Komar. “Cascale Forum: Colombo plays a vital role by creating a space for hands-on learning and intentional, equitable collaboration that empowers our industry to move from commitment to real, measurable impact throughout the value chain.”

“Collaboration is essential to scaling credible environmental solutions,” said Maria Arroyo, Sector Partnership Lead, ZDHC. “Our work only succeeds when data, standards, and implementation are connected — and Cascale Forum: Colombo helps make that possible.”

Program Highlights

Lead sponsored by Worldly and sponsored by MAS Holdings, Komar, TÜV Rheinland, GSCS, among others, key highlights for Cascale Forum: Colombo include:

  • 500+ attendees from across the consumer goods value chain
  • Two days of impact across plenaries, workshops, and practical training
  • One unified mission to strengthen a fairer, more resilient industry
  • Field trips and side meetings on March 30
  • Intentional networking and social events
  • In-person participation only; no virtual access

“Cascale Forum: Colombo brings the industry together at the point where data, capability, and action intersect,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “By pairing Cascale’s standards and governance with accessible, innovative solutions, the Forum helps brands and manufacturers move beyond reporting and toward decisions that improve environmental and social performance across the value chain.”

In November, after over a million people were displaced by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency; Cascale is contributing to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to support emergency response and long-term rebuilding, and continues to stay in close contact with regional partners as needs evolve.

Media contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk 

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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