sHq_LoGiNz – Page 69

Entergy Named As Finalist in the Inaugural Louisiana Energy Awards

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

BATON ROUGE, La., September 4, 2025 /3BL/ – In an effort to recognize Louisiana’s top leaders, companies and projects driving the state’s energy supply chain future, Entergy Louisiana has been named as a finalist in three categories in the inaugural fall Business Report’s 10/12 Industry Report Louisiana Energy Awards.

The three selected categories include:

Deal of the Year Award, Meta Data Center
Energy Executive of the Year Award, Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO
Energy Company of the Year, Entergy Louisiana

The Louisiana Energy Awards will celebrate leadership, innovation and company impact across Louisiana’s vibrant energy sector. In a state where chemical plants, oil refineries and energy terminals define the skyline, this recognition will not only shine a spotlight on the people and projects driving the industry forward but highlight emerging frontiers of the future.

“For more than 100 years, Entergy Louisiana has been deeply rooted in the revitalization of Louisiana from supporting community projects to attracting new industries to the state,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “These exemplary recognitions are not only a testament to who we are as a company but also serves as a commitment to continue to be a leading innovator within the energy sector.”

With growing investments in renewable energy and carbon capture technology, Entergy continues to be a top player in the energy transition not only in Louisiana, but also in the global sector, setting the tone for emerging leadership in sustainable energy solutions.

All honorees will be announced early November at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel in Baton Rouge at a formal dinner and awards ceremony, uniting top energy and oil executives, innovators, and policymakers from across the state.

About Entergy Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana provides electricity to more than 1.1 million customers in 58 parishes. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR). Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergylouisiana.com and connect with @EntergyLA on social media.

About the Louisiana 100 Plan

The Louisiana 100 Plan is Entergy Louisiana’s bold, decade-long commitment to power progress across the state in honor of a century of service. Entergy has outlined six strategic goals focused on affordability, grid resilience, economic growth, job creation, community investment and volunteerism. Through this plan, Entergy aims to help keep residential electric rates low, strengthen infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, attract new industry and jobs and invest $100 million in Louisiana communities. The Louisiana 100 Plan is a clear roadmap for building a stronger, more resilient Louisiana learn more at entergylouisiana.com/100-plan.

Media inquiries:

Phoebe James
Pjames1@entergy.com

View original content here.

EnviroSpark Energizes 2,500th EV Charger, Marking Major Milestone in U.S. Charging Network Expansion

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EnviroSpark, one of the nation’s largest charging providers and charge point operators, has officially brought its 2,500th charger online on its own network with another 1,000 network plugs contracted and coming online soon—cementing its role as a key player in expanding access to reliable EV infrastructure across North America. While competitors often tout ambitious deployment targets that remain largely aspirational, EnviroSpark’s milestone underscores a commitment to tangible results: fully installed, operational chargers actively powering drivers today. With over 8,000 plugs deployed for other networks since 2014 and over 1,000 plugs deployed this year alone, the company continues to deliver both speed and substance in meeting the growing demand for EV infrastructure.

“This milestone reflects the relentless dedication and talent of our incredible team,” said Frank Woodling, CEO of EnviroSpark. “Month after month, we’re breaking our own installation records, not for headlines, but because our loyal customers count on us to deliver. This is what follow-through looks like, and we’re just getting started.”

As the U.S. continues to accelerate EV adoption, the availability of accessible charging stations remains a top concern among drivers. EnviroSpark’s milestone reflects years of strategic investment, innovation, and public-private collaboration aimed at addressing this infrastructure gap.

Frank Blake, former Chairman and CEO of Home Depot and an early EnviroSpark investor, said “Reaching 2,500 chargers is a meaningful achievement. It shows what can happen when a team stays focused on doing the right things the right way. EnviroSpark isn’t just adding infrastructure—they’re quietly building what the future of transportation will depend on. That kind of steady, mission-driven execution is exactly what makes them stand out.”

EnviroSpark’s 2,500 installed chargers span multifamily communities, hospitality properties, retail centers, and public access points. With a mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, the company supports a diverse array of drivers and site hosts—many through fully funded models that eliminate cost barriers to deployment.

EnviroSpark helps site hosts deploy EV charging infrastructure quickly and cost-effectively by navigating federal and state incentives, securing utility partnerships, and offering flexible or fully funded models. This full-service approach removes complexity and lowers barriers—enabling faster deployments and long-term reliability without burdening the property owner.

About EnviroSpark
Founded in 2014, EnviroSpark is an industry leader in the turnkey design, installation and operation of EV charging solutions. The company was founded with two missions: to raise awareness around the benefits of electric vehicles and to make EV charging more accessible across the United States and Canada. EnviroSpark is a charge point operator with over 2,500 plugs energized on its own network with an additional 1,000 contracted and coming online shortly, serving partners including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Asset Living, Associa, RangeWater, and First Service Residential. The company also deploys at scale for other charge point operators like Tesla, ChargePoint, and Mercedes-Benz. Responsible for the installation of more than 10,000 charging ports to date in over 40 US states and 4 Canadian provinces, EnviroSpark addresses the pain points of North American property owners and drivers by enhancing EV accessibility in customer-friendly ways. For more information, please visit www.envirosparkenergy.com

Media Contact:
Anna Addcox
Marketing Manager
anna.addcox@envirosparkenergy.com
(352) 275-6688

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envirospark-energizes-2-500th-ev-charger-marking-major-milestone-in-us-charging-network-expansion-302547095.html

SOURCE EnviroSpark Energy

BGL Advises Green Infrastructure Partners on $4.25 Billion Recapitalization

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

CLEVELAND, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the completion of the recapitalization of Green Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”) at an enterprise value of $4.25 billion with an investment by Energy Capital Partners. GIP is a leading vertically integrated infrastructure company established in 2022 by GFL Environmental Inc., with funds managed by HPS Investment Partners Inc. (“HPS Investment Partners” or “HPS”) and Patrick Dovigi. BGL’s Infrastructure Services investment banking team served as GIP’s financial advisor in the transaction.

BGL’s Infrastructure Services investment banking team served as GIP’s financial advisor in the transaction.

BGL’s Infrastructure Services team focuses on businesses that perform essential maintenance, repair, inspection, and construction services for critical infrastructure assets. Our sector-focused bankers offer industry expertise and deep relationships, including a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers impacting service providers to critical transportation, water, power and utility, telecom, and energy markets. To learn more about our experience and capabilities, visit our website here.

All financial information is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago and Cleveland. The firm is also a founding member of REACH Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.

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SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Quarterly Giving Series: Q2 2025

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Today we’re bringing you the latest quarterly giving series from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation to highlight the great work being done in support of our mission to help inspire and enable youth sports participation.

In our second quarter of 2025, we:

Launched our Sports Matter Impact League to support youth sports in nine cities across the country.
Hosted our inaugural Sports Matter Day of Play for hundreds of kids at House of Sport locations across the country.
Raised over $4 million to support youth sports with our first-ever Sports Matter Night.

Read on to learn more.

Sports Matter Impact League

CITY	ORGANIZATION
Atlanta	L.E.A.D. Center for Youth
Boston	Shooting Touch
Chicago	Beat the Streets
Durham	Bridge II Sports
Houston	Houston reVision
Los Angeles	Sloane Stephens Foundation
Miami	Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade
New York	Play Rugby USA
Pittsburgh	Steel City Squash

Sports Matter Day of Play

Twenty House of Sport (HOS) locations across the country hosted the inaugural Sports Matter Day of Play, held in celebration of International Day of Play on June 11. Youth organizations experienced a day filled with unforgettable firsts: riding bikes, swinging golf clubs, climbing rock walls and more! Each organization also received a Sports Matter Grant to continue giving kids the chance to play, grow and belong.

In partnership with Gatorade, NFL star Tua Tagovailoa surprised kids at the Miami HOS. Gatorade also supported all House of Sport events by keeping the youth athletes refreshed throughout the day.

Read more about our first Sports Matter Day of Play here.

Sports Matter Night: A Celebration of the Power of Sports to Change Lives

On June 10, we hosted our first-ever Sports Matter Night at our Corporate Headquarters in Pittsburgh to celebrate the power of sports and the people who make it possible for kids to play.

The evening was full of meaningful moments. We honored coaches and mentors who shape young lives and heard powerful stories from past grant recipients that reminded us why access to sports is so important.

Together we raised over $4 million to support youth sports by getting more kids in the game, building confidence and continuing to change lives through sport.

Take a look back at our first Sports Matter Night here.

Gatorade Back-to-School Donation

It’s back-to-school season and to mark the occasion, Gatorade committed $220,500 to Sports Matter. The donation will cover more than 1,000 youth sport registration fees through Every Kid Sports this fall.

Disaster Relief Update

In February, DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation pledged more than $10 million to support disaster relief and sports restoration efforts following the Los Angeles wildfires and flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. To date, 21 Sports Matter Grants have been awarded in those areas.

Included in these disaster relief grants, Sports Matter granted $250,000 to help restore the John B Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex in Asheville, which suffered extensive damage during the floods from Hurricane Helene. JBL Field is instrumental in serving over 6,700 youth soccer players in the community. The target completion date is October 2025.

Additionally, in Los Angeles, Sports Matter granted $25,000 to Southeast Ventura County YMCA and $60,000 to YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, who are either rebuilding from fire damage or helping families replace their sports equipment.

THESE MOMENTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPORTS MATTER FUND. IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE, VISIT WWW.SPORTSMATTER.ORG.

Written by Hilary Totin

Hope Emerges from the Ashes for the Altadena Community Garden Thanks to a Generous Grant from the California Community Foundation

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

ALTADENA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For 52 years, hundreds of gardeners faithfully worked the earth at the Altadena Community Garden to grow tomatoes, lettuce and basil. Now they tend its soil to regrow their community.

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena in January, it took more than 6,000 homes and at least 19 lives. It also destroyed many of the places where Altadenans came together to build friendships and share fellowship, like the Altadena Community Garden.

The fire consumed a shed, damaged tools and whipped through the garden’s 84 plots. Areas of the garden that managed to avoid fire were contaminated by toxic ash raining down from the homes and businesses that burned nearby. Pollutants penetrated the once-fertile earth.

Of the garden’s 120 members, 62 lost their homes in the fire. But gardening is part of who they are, and they’re not giving up. They’ll rebuild what they lost, and they intend to come back stronger.

“These people are my community,” said Mary McGilvray, vice president of the nonprofit that runs the Altadena Community Garden, as volunteers rolled wheelbarrows across the bare expanse during a recent Saturday community event at the site.

The event drew a visit from Toni Bailey-Raines, daughter of Al Bailey, one of the Altadena residents who founded the garden in the 1970s. Bailey-Raines, co-host of the Altadena Talks podcast, shared stories of the garden told to her by her father, a chemical and mechanical engineer with a green thumb. The garden represents the diversity and spirit of Altadena, she said, and watching volunteers restore it gives her hope.

“This is therapeutic for me,” she said.

Community volunteers have regularly joined forces with gardeners on the weekends. Their goal: to bring back healthy, toxin-free soil so they can nurture healthy crops from it. That healing process is well on its way thanks to a groundswell of support from neighbors, small businesses and philanthropy – including a generous grant from the California Community Foundation.

The gardeners are also getting help from some surprisingly powerful allies in sustainable gardening: mushrooms.

Mushrooms are a sort of clean-up crew for polluted environments. That’s the philosophy behind mycoremediation, the use of fungi to remove or neutralize environmental contaminants. Certain types of mushrooms and their root-like networks, known as mycelium, can break down or absorb harmful substances in soil, transforming toxic sites into healthier ecosystems. Mushrooms are the “fruit” of fungi that appear above the soil surface, while mycelium is the underground “body” of the mushroom organism. It’s a biochemical factory producing powerful enzymes and acids that break down complex molecules — like the chemicals in ash from the Eaton Fire.

The Altadena Community Garden’s leaders chose to use oyster mushrooms to “digest” contaminants in their soil and break them down into inert, harmless chemicals, much like mushrooms would decompose rotting wood.

“This is the largest mushroom remediation project I’ve ever been involved in,” said Joe Nagy, president of the Altadena Community Garden’s nonprofit. To transform the bare land, Nagy immersed himself in remediation techniques, reaching out to L.A. organizations like SoilWise and Metabolic Studio for their expertise in composting and ecological restoration.

The gardeners began remediation as soon as they could safely return to the site in April. But they couldn’t simply drop mushrooms into the area and let them do their work. The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first cleared debris and removed about 4 inches of contaminated topsoil to rid the land of the most pollutants. The gardeners then had the remaining soil tested for toxic chemicals.

Volunteers laid down new earth and 525 cubic yards of compost over the land — enough dirt to fill about 165 Volkswagen Beetles. Finally, they mixed in mycelium donated by a mushroom grower in Long Beach and covered the earth with straw to preserve moisture. Two months later, they would test the soil for toxins once again.

Even neighboring organizations that suffered in the Eaton Fire are helping. After the Altadena campus of the Pasadena Waldorf School was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, the school gave its felled tree trunks to the garden. A neighbor brought a mobile mill to cut the wood into chunks. The gardeners placed the wooden logs on the soil to encourage mushroom growth along the northern edge of the 2.5-acre property, where chemicals from nearby charred homes have seeped into the garden.

McGilvray walked along that stretch of the garden and pointed out sunflowers and squash and potato seedlings that sprouted from the soil near a chain-link fence. The gardeners planted them, she said, because they’re potent tools in a technique called phytoremediation.

Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove, neutralize or stabilize contaminants, making it a perfect plant-based partner to mycoremediation. It works because plants naturally interact with the environment through their roots, stems and leaves, absorbing nutrients. And just as they absorb nutrients, they can absorb contaminants. Sunflowers are especially powerful: They can absorb heavy metals like arsenic. After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, sunflowers were planted to help remove radioactive cesium and strontium from contaminated soils and ponds.

At the Altadena Community Garden, the sunflowers also stand as a reminder of the lush plants that once grew from the land, a welcome sign of hope and progress. As mushrooms spurt across the property and squash seedlings shoot their thick leaves skyward, the gardeners prepare to lay down a new irrigation system. After that will come new planter boxes.

Just as Altadena slowly prepares to rebuild, with the hope of retaining the character that makes it unique, so do the farmers of the Altadena Community Garden.

“Our goal is to get our gardeners back to gardening in January,” McGilvray said. “We need it. We need this place back.”

CONTACT: Gilien Silsby, Director of Media Relations, California Community Foundation, 213-500-8673

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SOURCE California Community Foundation

Wesco Recognized as a 2025 Blackbaud Impact Awards Finalist

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Wesco International is proud to announce that its corporate philanthropic program, Wesco Cares, has been named a finalist in the 2025 Blackbaud Impact Awards. This recognition celebrates Wesco’s innovative use of Blackbaud’s platforms to strategically centralize, automate, and expand its philanthropic program.

The Blackbaud Impact Awards honor organizations who are pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and making a lasting difference in their communities and beyond. Wesco was selected as a finalist for The Changemaker Award, which recognizes agile organizations that embrace new tech capabilities to overcome challenges and deliver results.

“We are honored to be recognized among such an inspiring group of organizations,” said Chris Wolf, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Wesco Cares Executive Sponsor. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our employees and the strength of our partnerships. Wesco Cares is more than a program, it’s a movement to build stronger communities through volunteerism, corporate giving and employee support.”

About Wesco Cares
Wesco Cares empowers employees and communities through:

Corporate giving in support of organizations whose missions address affordable housing, humanitarian aid, and education with a STEM/STEAM focus.
Employee volunteering with all employees receiving eight hours of paid volunteer time off per year.
Employee Gift matching of donations up to $5,000 per employee per year.
Employee assistance providing one-time grants to employees suffering catastrophic loss to help them get back on their feet.

For more information about Wesco Cares, visit https://www.wesco.com.

The Central African Republic launches a large-scale program for the future

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Investments of USD 12.8 billion by 2028 in infrastructure, security, and education
Enormous potential in the heart of Africa: untapped mineral resources, unspoiled nature, and a young population eager to learn
Opportunities better than ever before: political stability combined with a comprehensive development plan for the country
International Investment Round Table in Casablanca with presentation of the national development plan and 24 specific investment projects

BANGUI, Central African Republic and CASABLANCA, Morocco, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The government of the Central African Republic is launching a billion-dollar investment program covering all sectors and regions of the country. Investments totaling USD 12.8 billion, combined with extensive government reforms and incentives for businesses, are set to trigger an upswing for the country in the heart of Africa. A total of 543 specific projects have been defined for the period up to 2028. The aim is to massively reduce the poverty rate, build 2,300 kilometers of paved national roads, lay 3,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, and increase the electrification rate from 4% to 38%. The basis for this future program is the “National Development Plan 2024-2028.” Next week, the plan will be presented to the international public for the first time at an International Investment Round Table in Casablanca, Morocco.

“We are determined to unlock our country’s largely untapped potential by accelerating economic growth, building resilient and sustainable infrastructure, improving basic public services, and providing incentives for investors,” emphasizes Prof. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. “The aim is, on the one hand, to set in motion a genuine dynamic of development and structural change in the country at the economic, social, and environmental levels and, on the other hand, to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of our population.”

The Central African Republic is considered one of the least developed countries in the world. However, much has changed since President Faustin-Archange Touadéra took office in 2016: the pacification of the country was followed by political stabilization and the renewal of state institutions. Economic indicators have also developed well: the inflation rate was 1.5% in 2024, the currency is stable, and economic growth is increasing steadily (2024: +5.1%). In the Global Soft Power Index 2025, the Central African Republic ranks 18th among African countries and 2nd in the Central African region.

Untapped potential – mineral resources, forests, arable land

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country surrounded by six direct neighbors: Chad to the north, Sudan and South Sudan to the east, Cameroon to the west, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo to the south. Through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the CAR has access to 1.3 billion people.

The CAR has around 15 million hectares of arable land, of which only 5% is currently cultivated. The tropical climate with abundant rainfall, fertile soil, and large water resources is extremely favorable for the cultivation of cassava, corn, rice, peanuts, cotton, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, sesame, and oil palm. Cotton and industrial crops in particular have strong export potential.

A good third of the country’s territory is forested, which is about 23 million hectares of forest. Precious species such as mahogany, sipo, sapelli, and iroko are not uncommon. Local wood processing, ecotourism, the development of forests as carbon sinks, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification offer significant opportunities.

A World Bank analysis identified more than 470 mineral deposits, including diamonds, gold, uranium, lignite, iron, copper, limestone, columbite-tantalite, manganese, oil, nickel, and columbite-tantalite (coltan).

“The Central African Republic has considerable potential. To harness this potential, we must invest in human capital. This means bringing important infrastructure closer to the population – especially schools and health services. The National Development Plan is about laying the foundation for a forward-looking vision,” says Prime Minister Félix Moloua. “We are now creating the conditions for success – and inviting our partners to participate.”

‘Ambition28’ – investor conference kicks off future program

Under the title “Ambition 28,” the CAR government is inviting international investors to an Investment Round Table in Casablanca for the first time on September 14 and 15, 2025.

“The Round Table in Casablanca marks the start and sets an example for stronger international cooperation between the government of the Central African Republic and private and public partners,” said Prof. Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation.

During the two-day conference, President Touadéra and leading government officials will present the contents of the National Development Plan in detail. Representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Commission, the UN, the Arab Development Bank for Africa, the International Monetary Fund, the International Finance Corporation (ICF), and the host country, the Kingdom of Morocco, will emphasize in their keynotes the importance of international partnerships for the country’s economic transformation. Panels will highlight investment opportunities in energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, digitalization, and tourism. Twenty-four specific projects will be presented.

The National Development Plan 2024–2028

“The National Development Plan is a turning point in our country’s history. The conference is the necessary catalyst for this, bringing global players, financiers, and institutions together to work closely toward an economically strong future,” says Filakota. “We are not looking for handouts. We are looking for fair partners who recognize opportunities, want to do good business, and have the courage to write Africa’s next success story together with us.”

The National Development Plan is the Central African Republic’s holistic strategy for the long-term transformation of the country. It focuses on security and the rule of law, human capital, infrastructure, value creation in productive sectors, climate resilience, and ecological development.

Further information on the Round Table:

https://ambition28-rca.org/

Further information on the CAR’s National Development Plan:

https://ambition-journal.org

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2764764/Ambition28.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2764763/PND_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Ambition28 – Central African Republic

Canadian Innovator SRTX Names Retail Pioneer Sophie Boulanger Chief Executive Officer

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

MONTREAL, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – SRTX, the Canadian materials innovator behind Sheertex®, today announced the appointment of Sophie Boulanger as Chief Executive Officer. Boulanger, one of Canada’s most influential entrepreneurs in the retail sector, brings over two decades of leadership experience in strategy, operational performance, and value creation across retail and consumer goods.

Boulanger co-founded and led BonLook, a trailblazing direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that transformed the Canadian optical industry through a hybrid digital-physical model and modern frame collections celebrating diversity. Under her leadership from 2011 to 2022, BonLook scaled rapidly to a national presence, opening 40 stores in four years, employing more than 400 people, and ultimately achieving a successful strategic acquisition by FYidoctors in 2021.

With a proven track record of scaling brands and driving transformative growth, Boulanger is well-positioned to lead SRTX as it accelerates its strategy to expand globally, strengthen its wholesale and private-label partnerships, and deliver long-term value through sustainable innovation.

“SRTX has built one of the most innovative materials companies of our time, with Sheertex redefining durability in fashion and apparel,” said Sophie Boulanger, CEO of SRTX. “I am honoured to join the company at such a pivotal stage and look forward to working with our talented team and world-class investors to expand our reach, scale our operations, and continue shaping the future of sustainable textiles. I also want to recognize Katherine Homuth, whose vision and entrepreneurial drive built the foundation for SRTX’s success. I am excited to carry that legacy forward.”

SRTX Lead Investors BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, H&M Group, and Investissement Québec stated: “We are excited to welcome Sophie Boulanger as CEO. With her entrepreneurial mindset, operational expertise, and vision for consumer-centric growth, she is very well positioned to lead SRTX into its next chapter. Sophie Boulanger brings an excellent track record in scaling brands, creating shareholder value, and building strong teams. We are confident she will accelerate SRTX’s mission to transform the apparel industry.”

The SRTX Board and team thank Timothy Leyne, who has served as Interim CEO over the past months for his leadership and contributions during this pivotal stage of the company’s growth. This leadership change comes on the heels of SRTX’s recent US$40 million fundraising round, led by its largest shareholders: BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, H&M Group, and Investissement Québec. The funding will support the company’s strategy to scale its Montreal-based operations. In 2023, SRTX expanded into a 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Pointe-Claire (Montreal), a highly automated, vertically integrated plant. This facility is unique in the apparel industry and enables SRTX to continuously reduce unit costs while scaling production of its market-leading Sheertex tights.

About SRTX
SRTX, a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), is best known for its first technology, the patent-pending Sheertex® Rip-Resist knit, made from one of the world’s strongest polymers that has disrupted hosiery through impossibly strong tights. Named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2018, SRTX’s mission is to drive the durability and sustainability of apparel products by building new materials and software to enable better, more sustainable textiles.

sheertex.com @sheertex

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SOURCE SRTX Inc.

Traditional Medicinals® Achieves Fair for Life Certification, Advancing Ethical Sourcing Standards

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published on PR Newswire

Traditional Medicinals, the leading botanical wellness company and Certified B Corporation, announced it has achieved Fair for Life certification as a brandholder, joining one of the world’s most comprehensive and rigorous standards for social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical trade. This milestone will be reflected in upcoming product launches, including Rosy Mood™, Stress Ease Calm® debuting in September, and a reformulated Ginger Aid, each bearing third-party certifications that reflect the brand’s deep commitment to regenerative harmony.

Understanding Fair for Life: Beyond Basic Fair Trade
Fair for Life represents one of the most comprehensive fair trade certifications available, examining every step of the supply chain from cultivation and wild collection to processing, manufacturing, and distribution, to ensure fair working conditions, just compensation, and environmental responsibility. Unlike certifications that focus on a single point in production, Fair for Life requires transparency and accountability across all supply chain actors, including farmers, harvesters, cooperatives, processors, packers, and brandholders. For consumers, this means confidence that every step of the tea-making journey, from wild collection to the box on shelf, is held to the highest standards of fairness and care.

“Fair for Life is more than a label, it’s a commitment woven into every step of the journey,” said Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer at Traditional Medicinals. “From the farmers and wild collectors who harvest our herbs to the teams who carefully craft and package our teas, this certification helps ensure dignity, equity, and long-term support for communities and ecosystems. It’s one more way we’re turning our values into action, so every cup of tea does more good for people and the planet.”

At its core, Fair for Life emphasizes mutual responsibility and long-term partnerships rather than transactional relationships. As part of the certification, companies pay a premium fee alongside herb purchases. The full amount supports community development projects chosen and led by the community itself, from clean water access to women’s empowerment programs. For Traditional Medicinals, this means working hand in hand with wild collectors, smallholder farmers, and cooperatives, especially in remote or under-resourced regions, to ensure livelihood stability, biodiversity conservation, and community investment.

Triple Certification: A Model for Regenerative Harmony
Traditional Medicinals’ approach centers on regenerative harmony, where Organic, FairWild, and Fair for Life certifications work in tandem to support:

Soil health and pollinator protection (Organic)
Wild plant ecosystems and traditional knowledge (FairWild)
Fair wages, community resilience, and shared decision-making (Fair for Life)

Together, these certifications create a traceable, verified system of care for people, plants, and the planet that goes beyond marketing claims. This comprehensive approach addresses the growing consumer demand for transparency, according to a survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Traditional Medicinals showing that 40% of Americans research food products more today than they did five years ago, specifically seeking items that are sustainable (45%), purpose-driven (40%), and ethical (38%). These findings show that certifications like Fair for Life not only meet consumer expectations, they help simplify complex purchasing decisions.

Building Consumer Awareness Through Collaboration
Traditional Medicinals recognizes the need for greater consumer education around comprehensive certifications. While the recent Talker survey found that 74% of consumers recognize organic certification and 53% are familiar with Fair Trade, only 37% are aware of Fair for Life certification. To address this awareness gap, Traditional Medicinals is partnering with Fair for Life certifier EcoCert to develop shared educational resources for consumers.

This collaborative initiative reflects a broader commitment to transparency and education in an industry where consumers increasingly seek products that align with their values. By working together to clarify what comprehensive certifications truly mean, these brands aim to transform how consumers make their purchasing decisions turning complex supply chain decisions into confident choices that support both personal wellness and global impact. To learn more, visit www.traditionalmedicinals.com/pages/certifications.

“Achieving Fair for Life certification represents decades of relationship-building coming full circle,” said Horst. “We are profoundly grateful to the farmers, wild collectors, producers, production partners, and our own team who have walked this journey with us. For us, true sustainability has never been just about sourcing herbs, it’s about people, and ensuring that everyone who touches our teas can thrive. This certification is both a celebration of the impact we’ve made together and a testament to the shared commitment that fills every cup with care and purpose.”

About Traditional Medicinals
Traditional Medicinals is the leader in botanical wellness with a purpose to inspire active connection to plant wisdom in service of people and planet. Founded in 1974, Traditional Medicinals is rooted in herbal medicine that includes ethical sourcing and production, and rigorous attention to purity, quality, and sustainability standards. With more than sixty teas, lozenges and capsules specially formulated by herbalists, Traditional Medicinals has a deep commitment to both cutting-edge botany and traditional plant knowledge. Certified as Fair for Life, Organic, B Corporation, California Benefit Corporation, and California Green Business, Traditional Medicinals commits to elevating communities across the globe, helping ecosystems thrive, and fortifying cultural connections. Traditional Medicinals products are available online, and in most grocery and natural foods retailers. For additional information, visit www.traditionalmedicinals.com.

Northwestern Mutual Recognizes Sept. 4 As National “goldeNMoments Day” To Shine a Light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

MILWAUKEE, September 4, 2025 /3BL/ – Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States, yet many standard treatments used today were approved more than 30 years ago.^[1]However, with newer technology and science, there is the potential for research advancement and increased survivorship, with proper funding.

Through annual investments, partnerships and fundraising by its local offices across the nation, Northwestern Mutual has funded over 810,000 research hours and contributed more than $65 million to childhood cancer. To shine a light on this cause and champion the research breakthrough moments seen to date, Northwestern Mutual declares Sept. 4, “goldeNMoments™ Day” – timed to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The date will signify a national moment of recognition for the stories of resilience, community impact and progress being made toward a future without childhood cancer.

“Northwestern Mutual is deeply committed to championing the need for life-saving research for childhood cancer,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “We are furthering our commitment through a pledge of up to 40,000 hours of research this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and inviting the community to get involved.”

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is pledging $100^[2] to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for each new financial plan delivered to prospective clients in September. Consumers filter by location to find a financial representative or advisor in their preferred location or take a brief quiz focused on short- and long-term goals to be matched with someone who best meets their needs. All proceeds will go to fund childhood cancer research, up to $2 million, which translates to 40,000 hours.

“Our partnership with Northwestern Mutual continues to fund research that opens new doors in advancing and modernizing cancer treatments,” said Liz Scott, co-executive director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “There have already been monumental breakthroughs, creating ‘goldeNMoments’ that will be celebrated for decades to come.”

To learn more about Northwestern Mutual’s investments in the community, including the childhood cancer research cause, visit https://northwesternmutual-foundation.com/childhood-cancer/focus-areas/.

^{[1] National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, World Health Organization}

^{[2] In the state of New York, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will pledge $25 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for each new financial plan delivered to prospective clients in September.}

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $550 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods, and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With nearly $700 billion of total assets^[1] being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $38 billion in revenues, and $2.4 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE^® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2025.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company^® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. By the time Alex passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a worldwide fundraising movement and the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S. ALSF is a leader in funding pediatric cancer research projects across the globe and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

^{[1] Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual.}