Author: sHq_LoGiNz

TOLEDO, Ore., September 2, 2025 /3BL/ – Employees that are closest to the work are usually the first to identify areas of improvement. The reliability team at Georgia-Pacific’s Toledo containerboard mill, tasked with ensuring the machines operate optimally, planned and executed a project that brought value to the facility. The initiative, which required them to seek knowledge on new concepts and systems, collaborate, and adopt new efficiencies, earned the team industry recognition for excellence and best practices.

The reliability team at Georgia-Pacific’s Toledo facility was recently recognized by Noria, an organization that helps companies enable reliability through better lubrication processes, with the 2025 Lube Room Challenge award.

In a manufacturing plant a lubricant room stores, handles, and dispenses oils, lubricants and other fluids used for machinery maintenance. A clean, safe space that allows easy access to these materials is crucial to ensuring equipment performance, a necessity for manufacturing operations like ours that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Toledo’s reliability team is responsible for maintaining this room.

“Toledo’s lubricant storage room wasn’t in the best condition; it was cramped, cluttered, and inefficient,” said Billy Abbott, reliability supervisor. “I wanted to take on improving this space, and I was given the opportunity to do so.”

The reliability team developed and executed an improvement plan for the lubricant room using Principle Based ManagementTM (PBM), our business philosophy that helps our organization and its employees create value. PBM encourages a bottom-up approach, allowing employees the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to improve procedures and processes in their roles. The Toledo employees learned best practices on lubricant room layouts, material consolidation while avoiding cross contamination, and equipment to help with organization, efficiency, cleanliness, while earning industry certifications from the International Council for Machinery Lubrication. The team also traveled to other Georgia-Pacific facilities for ideas and to learn how they organize lubrication rooms. 

“I’ve been with Georgia-Pacific for 31 years, and there are a lot of new ideas, innovations, systems and processes for lubrication rooms that weren’t there when I started,” explains Phillip Moran, preventive maintenance technician. “Earning the certifications and learning how other facilities organize their spaces helped shape our plans. Lubricant rooms are integral to our operations. The materials we store in the rooms ensure that our machines run optimally, preventing downtime and safety issues.”

Toledo’s lubrication room is now efficient, clean, and safe. The reliability team’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. They were recently recognized by Noria, an organization that helps companies enable reliability through better lubrication processes, at the Reliable Plant Conference & Exhibition with the 2025 Lube Room Challenge award.

View original content here.

Originally published on GoDaddy Newsroom

TEMPE, Ariz., September 2, 2025 /3BL/ — Global economic uncertainty, fuelled by trade negotiations, tariff escalations, and supply chain challenges, continues to put pressure on many U.S. small businesses — particularly those with international exposure. Yet new findings from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab reveal a different story among domestic-focused microbusinesses.

According to GoDaddy’s July 2025 survey of around 1,400 U.S. small and microbusinesses, most with fewer than nine employees, including many solo entrepreneurs—69% report no international supply chain exposure, while 45% source more than half of their materials within their city or state. In addition, 65% primarily serve local or state customers. These businesses may be less directly affected by global trade disruptions, underscoring how a local customer and supplier base can provide a buffer against tariff-related challenges.

Optimism Remains High Among U.S. Entrepreneurs Despite Economic Uncertainty

• 72% of respondents expect their own revenues to increase or remain stable over the next six months
• 45% believe the broader U.S. economy will hold steady or improve in that same period

“Small business owners recognize it’s a challenging economic environment, but our research shows they’re prepared and nimble,” said Gourav Pani, Chief Business Officer at GoDaddy. “Entrepreneurs are maintaining realistic revenue and growth expectations. This resilience very much resembles what we witnessed during the pandemic, with small business owners again betting on themselves.”

Small Business Growth Goals Remain Consistent

• Less than half (40%) of owners prefer to remain solo
• 42% plan moderate growth into small or mid-sized businesses
• Just 9% aim for high-level expansion, reflecting realistic rather than aggressive goals

Small Businesses Help Keep Households Strong

• Two-thirds (65%) of small business owners surveyed who rely on their venture as their primary income source are also household breadwinners, contributing more than half of their household’s total earnings
• 40% of those surveyed earn more than $60,000 annually and over 20% earn more than $120,000
• Two-thirds (65%) say their revenues are steady or rising, up from 57% in April 2025

Local communities also benefit significantly from small business growth. GoDaddy’s research shows that a 1% increase in the number of small businesses correlates with a 6% rise in median household income. Each new small business owner also creates an estimated eight direct or indirect local jobs.

Technology, from fast and reliable internet infrastructure to advances in AI, is playing a crucial role in helping small business owners accomplish more despite limited time and resources. First, strong connectivity enables entrepreneurs to get online and establish their digital presence. Then, tools like GoDaddy Airo help them grow online—improving websites, streamlining operations, and delivering better customer experiences.

By automating routine tasks and offering new ways to attract and engage customers, AI is enabling small businesses to adapt quickly, overcome challenges, and ultimately build greater resilience.

Economic uncertainty remains a dominant narrative across the U.S. and globe, but GoDaddy’s latest research makes one thing clear: small business owners aren’t going anywhere. They report feeling largely protected from volatile market conditions and are relying on technology and realistic planning to build their businesses steadily, on their own terms.

For additional insights, visit: https://www.godaddy.com/research/summer-2025-small-business-survey-results/

About GoDaddy:

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Our Griffith Foods’ team had an incredible time hosting an immersive offsite experience during the The Aspen Institute‘s Climate Chicago event! It was such a joy to dive into the “hidden middle” of the food value chain with a wonderfully curious and group of climate champions, all eager to explore how we can grow climate-smart solutions together.

We rolled up our sleeves with case studies, hands-on activities, and even a little culinary magic to show that when we collaborate and share ownership, we can build a more resilient, regenerative food system that truly matters.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your passion and curiosity are driving real progress toward bold climate ambitions. Here’s to continuing the conversation and advancing solutions that make a difference!

Our Sustainability Journey

At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2024 Sustainability Report.

About Griffith Foods
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

View original content here.

Las Vegas Sands

On May 29, Sands hosted its annual Sands Cares Accelerator Virtual Global Celebration to highlight nonprofit member accomplishments in the exclusive three-year program and celebrate the global initiative’s fifth graduate, Green Future Macau.

The Sands Cares Accelerator was inspired by Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson and his legacy of creating successful businesses and giving back to communities through meaningful philanthropic involvement. Since 2017, the program has empowered Las Vegas, Singapore and Macao nonprofits to build their capacity in strategic areas and develop new initiatives to make greater community impact. Over the past nine years, Sands has invested $1.85 million in seven Sands Cares Accelerator member organizations, and Team Members have contributed 734 hours of skills-based consulting and mentoring to support achievement of their goals in the program.

Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs shared the company’s motivation in the creation of the Sands Cares Accelerator and the intention behind its structure.

“We established the program to give our nonprofit partners the impetus to plan, test and implement their ideas in a strategic growth area, one that they believe will have impact on their organizations for years to come,” Reese said. “We only have one member in each region, so that we can really focus on helping them achieve their goals – by providing not only funding, but also wraparound support in the form of outside project facilitation and consulting from our Team Members in related areas of expertise.”

The global virtual celebration featured updates from current Sands Cares Accelerator members on their progress toward the goals they established for their time in the program.

In Las Vegas, The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada, now in its third and final year in the Sands Cares Accelerator, updated on its focus area of expanding marketing and communications capabilities to drive visibility for its services, sustain funding and elevate its reputation as a leading advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The Center detailed its progress over the past year and updated on its final-year focus of coalescing communications plans, evolving its annual Impact Report, producing new videos to tell its story and engage with donors, and continuing efforts to launch a podcast.

The 2025 Global Virtual event marked the first showcase by The Food Bank Singapore, which joined the Sands Cares Accelerator earlier this year. The Food Bank Singapore increases food sustainability by acquiring donated food from a variety of sources and redistributing more than 2 million meals to vulnerable families and individuals annually.

The organization’s Sands Cares Accelerator goal is to expand its Bank Card Program, which helps beneficiaries receive food aid through smart wallets that are pre-loaded with monthly virtual credits. With support from the Sands Cares Accelerator, the nonprofit plans to digitize its processes for operational and cost efficiency, and increase its outreach to more beneficiaries, particularly youths in tertiary institutions.

The annual event culminated with celebration of the Sands Cares Accelerator’s first Macao graduate, Green Future Macau. Founded in 2012 to provide education and awareness programs to improve commercial recycling rates in the region, Green Future joined the Sands Cares Accelerator in 2022. Its program goal was to launch and sustain Sap Fong, an environmental protection and recycling social enterprise that provides Macao businesses with waste sorting and recycling services, as well as supports independent recyclers in the region.

Green Future successfully achieved its Sands Cares Accelerator objective – when the organization’s membership concluded at the end of 2024, Sap Fong was serving nearly 90 clients, including regular subscribers and large-scale events, and is the only recycler in Macao that accepts a diverse range of materials for recycling. The Sands Cares Accelerator also empowered Green Future to forge relationships with more than 200 independent recyclers and provide them with critical resources and employment opportunities.

Joey Choi, vice president of Green Future, described how the Sands Cares Accelerator helped the organization navigate challenges and achieve its goals.

“Starting from scratch wasn’t easy—especially in the first year,” Choi said. “We faced setbacks and long working hours, and many things didn’t go as planned. But we learned that success requires adaptability and persistence. The Sands Cares Accelerator was instrumental in our growth, especially as a team from an environmental background with limited experience in business management, marketing and pricing.

“Through regular expert meetings, Sands China’s marketing and e-commerce team guided us in promoting our recycling services effectively. The advertising, brand management and visual media team helped us create a beautiful video, and of course the sustainability team has always been incredibly supportive. For example, they’ve offered platforms like the Sands Shopping Carnival and hotel recycling initiatives for Sap Fong, along with providing practical insights on hotel waste management practices that helped us refine our services.”

The Sands Cares Accelerator is a global initiative to support nonprofit partner advancement, which is one of Sands’ core community engagement priorities to ensure its regions remain great places to live, work and visit. To learn more about the Sands Cares Accelerator and its focus on building nonprofit capacity, visit: https://www.sands.com/responsibility/communities/sands-cares-accelerator/

Bekah, account management strategist

• Work passion: Streamlining creative processes
• Volunteer passion: Knitting items for donation
• Knitting with a greater purpose

Every Tuesday over lunch, I meet with coworkers to knit/crochet various items for donation—scarves, hats, gloves, dish towels, washcloths, blankets. The pieces created in our group, Love and Stiches, are beautiful. (Many of them I would buy in a store.) It’s not just about providing clothing to others; it’s about providing dignity in clothing that’s beautiful and thoughtful.

Doubling my impact

I donate funds I earn through my hours knitting to the nonprofit childcare center that my children attend. It feels like a way to double my time.

Leaning into flexibility

Volunteering is an important part of our culture. I feel empowered to make time to give back during the workday. The Principal Community Relations team provides our group with a space to gather, and whenever I leave to go to Love in Stitches, my leaders and teammates are supportive.

Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (“Principal^® Foundation^“) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.

© 2025 Principal Foundation.

Principal^® is an equal opportunity employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also prohibit harassment on these bases.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov)

If at any stage of the employment application process you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947. Read our employment policies for more information.

Recruitment fraud is a scheme that offers fictitious job opportunities to people. This type of fraud is normally done through online services such as bogus websites, social media, or through unsolicited emails/SMS texts claiming to be from Principal or Principal employees. Only applicants who have filled out an official application on our career site (careers.principal.com) will be considered for employment opportunities. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application process. If you receive a communication (e.g., LinkedIn message, Facebook Messenger, SMS text, personal email, etc.) asking for money or personal financial information, don’t engage or respond. Please contact our Human Resources team at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947, and your local law enforcement. For more information, review our recruitment fraud information.

You can review our U.S. workforce privacy notice (PDF).

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company^®, a member of the Principal Financial Group^®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

4589987-062025

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

As one of the world’s leading financial services companies, MetLife plays an important role in caring for our communities. MetLife regions, lines of business and colleagues contribute to community engagement and outreach. MetLife Foundation helps connect MetLife colleagues with nonprofits and opportunities to make a difference through volunteerism, pro-bono work and grantmaking. These efforts have been instrumental in MetLife Foundation reaching over $1 billion in giving since the Foundation’s inception in 1976.

Global Partnerships with Non-Profits

MetLife Foundation collaborates with nonprofit organizations globally by making contributions to strengthen communities. For example, our grants to UNICEF support the organization’s efforts to help young people in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon gain essential technical, 21st-century skills to help them unlock opportunities for their futures. In Egypt, UNICEF’s projects focus on bringing Wi-Fi connections to communities, while teaching digital skills to young people. In Jordan, UNICEF offers technical and vocational training, as well as digital skills training to help women and refugees find work. In Lebanon, UNICEF provides programming to empower adolescent girls, promoting leadership skills and access to education, skills and protection from gender-based violence.

Grantmaking for Local Impact

In 2023, MetLife Foundation launched its Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP) which supports grassroots nonprofit organizations addressing the essential needs of people with low income. Through CIGP, MetLife Foundation has awarded $2.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that provide vital services to 650,000 people with low income in locations where MetLife has a presence. CIGP expanded to the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, contributing $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in six markets since program inception in 2023. One of these nonprofits is Orange Sky Australia, which offers free laundry, shower services and conversation to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Supporting Our Communities During Their Time of Need

MetLife, MetLife Foundation and our colleagues support disaster response around the globe, particularly in communities in which our colleagues live and work. MetLife Foundation is a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder program and CARE Surge Fund, which helps communities with disaster preparedness in addition to immediate disaster response.

In 2024, MetLife contributed $1.4 million to disaster response efforts:

• Brazil Floods: MetLife Foundation donated to Associação Prato Cheio, which provided those impacted and displaced with food and water, as well as other necessities like hygiene kits, clothes and animal feed;
• Japan Noto Peninsula Earthquake: MetLife Foundation donated to Peace Winds Japan and Save the Children Japan for recovery efforts, as well as matching Japan colleagues’ donations to International Medical Corps; and
• U.S. Hurricanes: MetLife Foundation matched employee donations to the American Red Cross following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton’s landfall. In addition, the Foundation donated to several local nonprofits in the areas that were hardest hit.

Read more about how MetLife is supporting communities through our grantmaking in our 2024 Sustainability Report.

Mastercard

Collaboration kicks off with inaugural Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit in Kuala Lumpur in late October

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Septembert 2, 2025 /3BL/ – The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (the Center) announced a landmark collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council to host the inaugural Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit (the Summit) in Kuala Lumpur in late October – the first of three convenings set to take place in Southeast Asia over the next three years. This significant collaboration deepens Mastercard’s commitment to economic growth supporting consumers and small businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.

The collaboration underscores the company’s alignment with the Business Advisory Council’s focus on sustained, inclusive economic growth in the region, amidst an evolving global and economic landscape. The Summit builds on the success of the Center’s Global Inclusive Growth Summit and aims to catalyze sustainable economic growth and advance ASEAN’s collective prosperity by demonstrating how regional and business leaders can come together to create opportunities for all. The event aims to spur an exchange of ideas between leaders in the East and West, opening the door to innovation, partnerships, shared collaboration and outcomes for the region.

“This collaboration with Mastercard sets the stage for a long-term platform to advance inclusive economic growth in ASEAN. The Summit creates space for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, where regional challenges can be addressed through practical, locally relevant solutions. As we look ahead, our goal is to strengthen ASEAN’s position as a driver of sustainable, inclusive prosperity,” said Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

“Southeast Asia is at a pivotal moment where growth must be paired with security, inclusion and access,” said Jon Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President, Strategic Growth at Mastercard. “As the region navigates challenges from economic fragmentation to digital disruption, our collaboration with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council reflects our commitment to helping individuals and businesses unlock economic opportunities, so everyone can benefit from the digital economy.”

According to the World Data Lab, more than 1.1 billion people will join the global middle class in the next decade (by 2035), with individuals in Asia driving the majority of that growth. In the ASEAN region, economies have reached a tipping point where half of its citizens belong to the middle class. By 2035, the ASEAN region’s middle class is projected to reach 450 million, representing 56% of the population.

At the same time, Southeast Asia’s digital economy is expected to grow exponentially, reaching US$560 billion in gross merchandise value by 2030 from US$263 billion in 2024^[1]. This digital growth requires deliberate policies, infrastructure investment, cross-sector collaboration and targeted solutions so that the benefits of digitalization can reach more people. Coupled with the region’s fast-growing young, digital-first population, the opportunity to build a more inclusive, secure and sustainable digital economy is both immense and critical.

The Summit will bring together government leaders, business pioneers, and development organizations in a high-level forum focused on inclusive and sustainable growth, with a spotlight on micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), digital innovation and impact-driven partnerships. The Summit builds on Mastercard’s existing efforts in the ASEAN region, including:

• Investing in small business development – MSMEs make up more than 97 percent of all businesses in Southeast Asia and provide 85 percent of the employment^[2]. In Malaysia, MSMEs contribute roughly 40% of GDP, employing over seven million people^[3]. The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth supports this vital segment through its flagship Mastercard Strive programs in Malaysia and Indonesia, aiming to uplift 400,000 MSMEs across the two countries through digital upskilling programs, mentoring and networking opportunities, and essential resources for accessing credit. Complementing these efforts, the Center is collaborating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to catalyze up to US$1 billion in credit through ADB financing for MSMEs across Asia Pacific, with at least half focused for women-led or climate-focused enterprises.
• Strengthening cyber resilience – Recognizing that an economy is only as strong as its weakest link in cybersecurity, Mastercard has collaborated with the ASEAN Foundation to roll out a range of initiatives to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of public sector entities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region, by equipping them with critical knowledge, tools and training. In addition, Mastercard has also been actively championing industry collaboration to drive collective action to prevent, detect, and respond to evolving cyber threats. For instance, Mastercard played a key role in initiating the Singapore and Indonesia chapters of the Global Anti Scam Alliance (GASA), serving as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively, and joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its global alliance in combating scams.
• Driving in-bound tourism – Mastercard is working with tourism ministries and authorities across Southeast Asia to help spur growth and create value for the tourism sector – building on the sector’s proven role as a key driver of inclusive economic growth. For instance, Mastercard has been collaborating with Tourism Malaysia to transform and digitize the traveler experience, attract high-value inbound visitors through targeted outreach and unique offerings, and position Malaysia as a premier travel destination, supporting the country’s Visit Malaysia (VM) 2026 goals. These collaborations not only fuel growth for the travel sector, but also benefit local small businesses of all stripes, creating more jobs and making a positive impact that extends well beyond tourism itself.
• Accelerating the adoption of digital payments – Mastercard has been actively driving the adoption of digital and contactless payments in Southeast Asia to enable secure and seamless everyday transactions and open up access to a broader market for businesses through digital acceptance.
  • Recently, Mastercard expanded its open-loop payments solutions for transit to the Philippines and Vietnam, bringing commuters greater flexibility and convenience, driving the use of contactless payments, and helping to modernize public transportation systems in Southeast Asia.
  • Mastercard is collaborating with national digital payments networks to enable real-time payments in Thailand and the Philippines. These real-time payments platforms, PromptPay in Thailand and InstaPay in the Philippines, have brought about widespread adoption of digital payments and is the ubiquitous payment method for everyday transactions among individuals. Now, even the smallest of merchants can go cashless and accept digital payments, connecting them to the digital financial ecosystem and unlocking new opportunities.
  • Innovative, cost-effective acceptance solutions such as Tap on Phone have further enabled small businesses and mobile merchants across Southeast Asia to accept contactless payments easily and on-the go using just their smartphones, making digital acceptance more accessible and eliminating the need for hardware terminals.

The inaugural edition of the Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit, hosted by the Center, will take place ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, on October 24, 2025; followed by two summits in the region in 2026 and 2027.

Visit the Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit website at https://globalinclusivegrowthsummit.com/ for more information.

Media Contacts

Shazleen Shaik, Mastercard

shazleen.shaik@mastercard.com

Media Contacts

Amalia Rosshaimi, Redhill

amalia.rosshaimi@redhill.asia

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.

ASEAN-BAC

Established by the ASEAN Leaders at the 7th ASEAN Summit in November 2001 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam and launched in 2003, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) is the apex private sector body mandated to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration, and further identify priority areas for consideration of ASEAN leaders. The ASEAN-BAC will lead in coordinating inputs from established business councils and entities in their interactions with various ASEAN sectoral groups.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia

The ASEAN-BAC Malaysia chapter is an integral member in the regional ASEAN-BAC with regular participation at all Council Meetings and Consultation with ASEAN Leaders. Since 2003, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia has provided policy input at various consultations with the ASEAN Leaders, ASEAN Economic Ministers and ASEAN Sectoral bodies. Notably, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia was the Chair in 2015 when Malaysia announced the formation of the ASEAN Community. ASEAN-BAC Malaysia is represented by Chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak alongside council members Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Mr. Lim Chern Yuan.

As Malaysia is the ASEAN Chair in 2025, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia is proud to take the lead in all private sector policy initiatives and programmes, supporting Malaysia’s Chairmanship vision and Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs). In realising the vision, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia has begun to roll out 12 policy initiatives and over 60 programmes throughout the year aimed at advocating and pushing for the deepening of ASEAN economic integration, and the promotion of increased cross-border business cooperation.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

[1] Source: Google, Temasek, and Bain, e-Conomy SEA 2024 report

[2] Source: https://asean.org/our-communities/economic-community/resilient-and-inclusive-asean/development-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-in-asean-msme/

[3] Source: Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and The Asia Foundation launch Strivers’ Hub to empower Malaysia’s women entrepreneurs

Originally published by Mastercard

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

Cummins

For Daniella, engineering was never just about circuits and code—it was about creativity, curiosity, and finding meaningful ways to improve the world around her. Now a Systems Engineer in the Technical Compliance and Certification team at Cummins, she’s helping shape cleaner, more efficient technologies with a passion rooted in her earliest experiences.

Growing up in North Naples, Florida, Daniella developed a strong interest in both the arts and technology. She spent her childhood creating—sculpting, painting, crafting—and often joined her father at local performing arts theaters and film sets, assisting with the setup and programming of stage lights. “That’s where I started falling in love with electronics,” she recalls. “Lighting systems, animatronics, digital effects—they all sparked something in me.”

Originally torn between pursuing art or a more technical field, Daniella looked to practical effects industry role models and saw a path forward in electrical engineering. “I read that Grant Imahara had a degree in EE and worked in animatronics. That clicked for me,” she says. She earned her associate’s degree while tutoring math and chemistry, then transferred to the University of South Florida to complete her bachelor’s in electrical engineering.

Daniella joined Cummins after graduation in 2012, drawn by the company’s mission and global culture. “I remember being on a bus tour during my interview process and hearing that more than 100 languages were spoken in the local community. That really stuck with me,” she says. “It felt like a place where I could grow—both personally and professionally.”

Today, Daniella works on improving internal processes for compliance and certification—critical work that ensures Cummins products meet emissions and on-board diagnostics standards. “When I was a kid, I hated seeing trucks spewing black smoke. I love that I now get to play a role in preventing that,” she says.

Her day-to-day blends technical problem-solving with collaboration. She supports a team of engineers by streamlining workflows, documenting best practices, and applying her systems engineering skills to create smarter, more efficient ways of working. “It’s rewarding to know the work I do helps others be more effective in theirs.”

Daniella also appreciates the flexibility Cummins provides—both professionally and personally. She works remotely part of the week, which allows her to balance her responsibilities while staying connected to family and community. “When my dad had to move after Hurricane Ian, I was able to help him relocate while still doing my job. That kind of support matters,” she shares.

Outside of work, Daniella volunteers as a programming mentor for local middle school robotics teams, helping students learn Java and build confidence in STEM. “I didn’t have those kinds of opportunities when I was their age,” she says. “Now I get to help create them.”

She’s also deeply engaged in employee development within Cummins. She earned her master’s in systems engineering from Cornell University with support from the company, and she teaches in the internal Systems Engineering Certificate Program. “It helped me build confidence and overcome imposter syndrome. It’s been one of the most empowering experiences of my career.”

Over the years, Daniella has leaned into Cummins’ inclusive culture and growth mindset. “There are so many doors open here,” she says. “Even though I started with a focus in controls testing, I’ve been able to stretch into process improvements, tool and system integration, and now regulatory work.”

Asked what keeps her motivated, she doesn’t hesitate: “The people. My teammates boost my average,” she says with a smile. “I’m surrounded by folks with such deep expertise and a willingness to share it. That collaborative spirit is something special.”

Looking ahead, Daniella is excited to keep learning—and to keep making a difference. “I want to continue contributing to cleaner technologies, mentoring others, and creating systems that work better for everyone. At Cummins, I get to do all of that.”

DP World has taken an important step in its ongoing commitment to education and community development by launching the English Academy in San Antonio, Chile. This fully funded, free-of-charge educational initiative aims to strengthen English language skills among local youth, enhancing their future educational and professional opportunities.

Aligned with DP World’s global sustainability strategy, “Our World, Our Future,” and its core pillar of education, the English Academy addresses a critical need within the Chilean community. English proficiency has become essential in today’s globalized landscape, opening doors to expanded experiences, knowledge, and employment prospects.

According to the Global English Language Report, only 18% of Chileans considered themselves advanced English speakers, with 53% citing the high cost as the primary barrier to language acquisition. Despite these challenges, 85% expressed interest in learning English – the highest percentage among countries surveyed. Recognizing this gap, DP World’s new initiative directly removes financial barriers and provides accessible English education for the local youth.

Initially, the program offers classes every Saturday at DP World’s port terminal facilities, open to the entire San Antonio community. Led by the DP World Sustainability team, this initiative embodies the company’s firm commitment to fostering equity, empowerment, and community advancement.

Through the English Academy, DP World continues its mission to positively impact the communities where it operates, nurturing future leaders and supporting sustainable development.