Author: sHq_LoGiNz

This year marks a milestone for Southwire — our 75th anniversary. From Roy Richards, Sr.’s entrepreneurial vision to bring electric light to rural Georgia to a company that now stands strong with a legacy of excellence, the heart of our story remains the same: passion, innovation, integrity and a belief in doing things right.

While much has changed over the past 75 years, Southwire’s commitment to inclusion has remained unwavering.

We’re proud to launch our third annual Inclusion Report, showcasing our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive organization and industry, shown through our key areas of focus on People Leaders, Inclusive Workforce, Employee Resource Groups, Reputation and Community, Equity and Governance and Value and Supply Chain.

From donating $1 million to inclusion-focused initiatives, to being named to Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® list, Southwire continues to operate responsibly and sustainably.

Our strong commitments to our communities, responsible and ethical sourcing and efforts to be an Extraordinary Place to Work for All ensures that we are focused on doing well, by doing good.

As we look to the next chapter, we remain wired for inclusion, wired for innovation and wired for progress. Together, we will continue building worth for our customers, communities and each other for generations to come.

To learn more about our progress and the people and programs driving inclusion at Southwire, we invite you to read the full Inclusion Report. It offers a deeper look at our commitments, achievements and continued journey. To read the report and learn more about Southwire’s inclusion initiatives, visit https://southwire.com/inclusion.

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, October 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The Mary Kay Ash Foundation®, an unwavering champion of advancing women’s cancer research, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and advocating for women’s health and safety, announced it has awarded nearly $3 million in cancer research and domestic violence shelter grants around the country. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has given more than $98 million in support of its two-fold mission: eliminating women-related cancers and ending domestic violence.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations and focus areas:

2025 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT

• Annual Domestic Violence Shelter Grants (51 Grants | $1,020,000)
  Domestic violence shelters in 51 states and U.S. territories received $20,000 grants each totaling             over $1 million in unrestricted funds to support life-saving services such as legal aid, counseling, facility improvements, childcare, job readiness training, and more.
• Local Domestic Violence Shelter Grants (4 Grants | $100,000)
  Awarded four local domestic violence shelters across North Texas with $25,000 grants each totaling $100,000 to address specific community needs. Denton County Friends of the Family, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, and The Family Place provide critical needs to women facing abuse.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline ($70,000)
  Announced partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline (“The Hotline”) – the nation’s leading resource for survivors and those seeking to support them – to create a nationwide initiative focused on trauma-informed education, community engagement, and life-saving tools to help individuals recognize and respond to abuse. The partnership provides training webinars, downloadable resources, and a series of short videos.
• The Conference on Crimes Against Women ($75,000) 
  Supported for 19 consecutive years The Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), an annual community multi-stakeholder conference in Dallas, Texas dedicated to addressing and combating all forms of crimes against women. Drawing 3,000 annually, CCAW is the only conference that addresses all crimes against women with a multidisciplinary focus that encourages a coordinated community response. The 20^th edition of the conference took place in May 2025. 

View a full list of 2025 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant recipients.

2025 CANCER RESEARCH & PROGRAMS SUPPORT

• Translational Cancer Research Grants (10 Grants | $1,000,000)
  Awarded 10 esteemed cancer researchers from the nation’s leading accredited universities with individual grants of $100,000, totaling $1 million in funding. These competitive research grants support groundbreaking studies focused on cancers primarily affecting women.
• Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Cancer Research & Support ($500,000)
  • Awarded a $100,000 grant to the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Amy Selkirk Breast Cancer Research Fund to further support the second year of a first of its kind clinical trial conducted by Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer Research. This trial explores weight loss inhibitors to prevent breast cancer recurrence in overweight patients.
  • Awarded a $400,000 multi-year grant in support of the newly established Texas Cancer Interception Institute, a first of its kind program utilizing cutting edge biomarker technology, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) blood-based assays offered on a huge scale to improve cancer care with an emphasis on early detection.
• CancerCare ($75,000)
  This year marks the 25^th anniversary partnering with CancerCare – the leading national organization dedicated to providing free, professional support services for those facing a cancer diagnosis. For 25 years, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has funded CancerCare’s Touching Hearts program, providing financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, resulting in over 50,000 grants totaling over $5.6 million in financial assistance.
• Cancer Support Community North Texas ($25,000)
  Local nonprofit, Cancer Support Community North Texas, received a $25,000 grant in support of free programs and services for those undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers. Participants receive counseling, health and wellness classes, yoga and crafts, and more to help with healing and hope. 

View a full list of 2025 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Cancer Research Grant recipients.

“For nearly 30 years, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has been guided by a simple notion: when women thrive, communities thrive,” said Michael Lunceford, President of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors. “From funding innovative women’s cancer research to strengthening services for survivors of domestic violence, at our core we are empowering communities, restoring hope, and giving women the chance to live longer, healthier, safer lives.”

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation has awarded more than $98 million to women’s shelters and domestic violence service providers, as well as cancer research programs and related causes throughout the U.S. For more information, visit marykayashfoundation.org  

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About Mary Kay Ash Foundation® 
Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C. October 15, 2025 /3BL/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) named Kevin Tang, an 8^th grader at Cedarlane Academy of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in Hacienda Heights, California, as the winner of the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Kevin distinguished himself with a novel fall detection device that can accelerate emergency responses to falls among older adults at home, even in the dark. As the grand prize winner, he received a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Kevin spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and ultimately secured himself the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 13 and 14. The finalists had to navigate a series of scientific tasks and were evaluated on their communication and presentation skills, ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, and the ability to inspire others. 

Kevin’s custom in-home device uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes. It can recognize falls with high accuracy, even at night. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that falls are the leading cause of injury among 1 in 4 older adults annually, or over 14 million people. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video input to identify falls and triggers alerts to loved ones via a corresponding smart phone application. His new solution advances current offerings on the market through the ability to capture imagery at night and provide around-the-clock monitoring. The device can also detect irregular movements while the individual is walking, which could be a symptom of a stroke.

“By tapping into their curiosity and reimagining what’s possible, these impressive finalists have developed solutions to real-world problems,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “Year after year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates the power of science to create positive impact and emphasizes that the next great innovation can come from anywhere. We are so proud of this year’s competitors and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Each 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist is paired with a 3M scientist who mentors and works with them one-on-one over the summer to transform their ideas from concept to prototype. This year’s winner was paired with Dr. Mark Gilbertson, research specialist, robotics and AI, Advanced Materials and Transportation.

“Kevin’s journey into the world of falls and strokes was sparked by personal experiences, and it’s inspiring to see how he’s using that to make a difference,” said Dr. Gilbertson. “His project is a powerful reminder of how science can be both personal and universal. I hope he continues diving deeper into robotics and AI – his potential in these fields is immense.”

The second and third place winners from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge also receive special recognition, including a $1,000 prize. This year’s runners-up are:

• Amaira Srivastava from Gilbert, AZ, a 9^th grader at Arizona College Prep High School of the Chandler Unified School District
• Anirudh Rao from Lone Tree, CO, an 8^th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch of the Douglas County School District

The remaining top finalists from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge in alphabetical order by last name, are: 

• Shrey Arora from Collierville, TN, a 9^th grader at Collierville High School
  of Collierville Schools
• Divyam Desai from Frisco, TX, an 8^th grader at Lamar and Norma Hunt Middle School of the Frisco Independent School District
• Kiyara Gunawardena from Temecula, CA, a 6^th grader at iShine Student Center
  of Springs Charter Schools
• Isha Marla from Portland, OR, a 9^th grader at Jesuit High School
• Reanna Bhuyan Patel from Princeton, NJ, a 9^th grader at Princeton Day School
• Sheyna Patel from Longwood, FL, a 9^th grader at Orlando Science High School of Orange County Public Schools
• Aniket Sarkar from Folsom, CA, an 8^th grader at Sacramento Country Day School

“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding collaboration with 3M. During the tenure of this powerful partnership, the nation’s best and brightest have created innovative solutions to the world’s most complex problems. Congratulations to Kevin and each of the finalists. Your fantastic work gives me great hope for the future,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of corporate partnerships and marketing at Discovery Education.

Now in its 18^th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. Former America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year; featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider; and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and includes more than 100 former challenge winners, finalists, and mentors, who take part in networking opportunities and more.

The award-winning competition supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms.

To download images from the 2025 science competition, click here. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year’s winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com. 

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About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

Contacts
3M
3MNews@mmm.com 

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
gmaliska@discoveryed.com

This article is authored by Jenelle Shapiro, Sustainability and Circularity Leader, Trane Technologies

For most materials, the end of life is the end of the road. Final destination? Landfill.

But with circularity — the practice of keeping resources in use for as long as possible — that paradigm shifts. This vision that all materials are valuable resources can unlock new opportunities for decarbonization, economic sustainability and business innovation.

Recycling is a key lever in a circular system, bringing resources back into use by transforming yesterday’s “trash” into tomorrow’s value stream. At our Galway, Ireland manufacturing facility, we’re proving that the goal to send zero waste to landfill is possible at an industrial scale.

How circularity is delivering greener outcomes for the Emerald Isle

Our plant in Galway, Ireland has the capacity to manufacture over 100 Thermo King cold chain refrigeration units every day. A decade ago, the site sent upwards of 20 tons of waste to landfill each year. But in 2014, a cross-functional team set an ambitious target: to become Trane Technologies’ first zero-waste-to-landfill facility.

The plant is located between two residential neighborhoods near the beautiful Galway Bay, and the team needed to take a local approach to prioritize the community and minimize land degradation and air pollution.

They began by exploring every waste stream to identify how to capture its inherent value. Plastics, metals, cardboard, timber and other components are separated and collected by employees in every production area. Collaboration was also critical — the team engaged with regional partners to create innovative recycling alternatives for the generated waste.

Transparency is built into each stage of the reverse logistics ecosystem: every ounce of material that leaves the facility is collected, weighed and traced to its final destination. Leadership reviews monthly sustainability reporting, which includes waste management, and conducts regular audits to ensure long-term improvements.

This strategic system ensures that no material goes to waste. Scrap metals are reclaimed by a local recycler and processed into new raw materials, while non-reusable timber becomes garden mulch. Cardboard and paper are recycled for new packaging, and the minimal remaining materials are used to generate energy at a cement manufacturer — avoiding landfill entirely.

Why collaboration across the supply chain matters

More progress came when the team looked beyond the factory walls. Working with suppliers in multiple countries, the team reconceptualized standard packaging and shipping materials. The collaborations helped shift from single-use timber pallets and cardboard boxes to reusable crates and corrugated boxes that move between the factory and suppliers, a sustainable innovation in an effective reverse-logistics supply chain.

The results speak for themselves: from 2002 to 2012, Galway averaged 230 tons of landfill waste a year. By 2012, that figure had fallen to 20 tons, then to 2 tons in 2014. Since 2015, the facility has sent nothing to landfill for ten consecutive years.

This approach has created value for both our customers and our own business. The shift to returnable metal pallets saves on disposal costs by eliminating landfill fees and taxes, while reducing packaging resulted in raw material discounts.

And the environmental sustainability impacts are just as deep. Decarbonization initiatives like this support our broader business and sustainability strategies, propelling us toward carbon neutrality while supporting our customers in their own decarbonization goals.

How going beyond waste powers a decarbonized economy

Galway proves that zero-waste manufacturing is possible when systems, data and culture align, and the team’s success underscores that sustainable practices generate real value. As we work towards our 2030 sustainability commitments, Trane Technologies will continue scaling these practices as we continue designing systems for circularity and move toward carbon-neutral operations.

To learn more about circular systems, please read our article about how embracing circularity can drive business value.

Explore careers that make an impact at Trane Technologies.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization whose mission is to improve global health, recently announced a $1 million donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation. The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that provides professional case management services and financial assistance free of charge to Americans with chronic, life threatening, and debilitating illnesses.

The $1 million donation from the BMS Foundation will enable PAF to expand its nationally recognized case management program. For nearly 30 years, PAF case managers have provided direct support to patients living with chronic and critical illnesses and their families. PAF assists in helping to manage healthcare access challenges, as well as insurance and affordability, with an intentional commitment to vulnerable and medically underserved communities.

PAF case managers help patients and their families maintain access to prescribed healthcare services and medications, navigate insurance barriers, find resources to support cost-of-living expenses during treatment, evaluate and sustain health insurance coverage, apply for disability and manage or reduce out-of-pocket medical and living expenses. In FY2025, PAF’s case management provided direct support and intervention to 13,551 individuals, collectively living with 773 unique diseases, making 30 contacts per case to bring resolution and securing over $17 million in debt relief.

In honor of Global Patient Week at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), an annual, week-long event honoring inspiring patients who are at the heart of the missions of both BMS and the BMS Foundation, the BMS Foundation made a donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation, to help improve access to essential care for patients.

“The BMS Foundation’s donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation reflects our deep commitment to increasing access to care for those who need it most,” said Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “By strengthening PAF’s capacity to help patients and caregivers navigate complex healthcare systems, we are empowering more people to overcome barriers to care and treatment. This partnership exemplifies the spirit of Global Patient Week—placing patients at the heart of our mission and advancing health equity through compassion, advocacy, and action.”

“We are honored to be the recipient of this impactful donation,” said Fran Castellow, MSEd, President, Operations of Patient Advocate Foundation. “The generous support from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation will have a profound impact on PAF’s ability to expand our support to patients and families in need of case management support. Each year, we receive more than twice the number of requests for case management assistance than we are able to support. This funding will help us close that gap—enabling us to deliver critical case management services and personalized support to more individuals facing serious health challenges who need help navigating access and affordability challenges that threaten their health outcomes and overall well-being.”

The BMS Foundation’s vision is to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live, can achieve their best possible health. They are committed to establishing strategic partnerships to build strong, sustainable local healthcare systems, ultimately transforming how care is delivered and helping to ensure improved health now and in the future.