Keysight employees collaborate with STEM education partners to inspire young students. Laura McCarter, Software Engineering Manager at Keysight, shares her passion for engineering in hopes of encouraging careers in STEM.
Tune in to this Discovery Education STEM Careers Coalition video featuring her story here.
Our people making a difference is a series featured throughout Owens Corning’s 2023 Sustainability Report.
Since high school, Gisela Martinez has been actively volunteering in her community. She joined Owens Corning as an intern in 2017, and she brought her passion for service to her role almost immediately when Mexico City, Mexico, was struck by an earthquake. Gisela helped lead her co-workers into action, providing food, clothing, and more. Upon moving into her current role, she has continued to lead the way in volunteerism, bringing people together to help in meaningful ways in Mexico City and beyond.
On our human approach to corporate citizenship
Owens Corning is always trying to reach as many people as possible, and that is achievable with all the fantastic people that volunteer. I personally always try to help more people every year as an objective. We care about the people we’re giving back to and how we are impacting their lives. When the Community Engagement team came to Mexico City in 2023 to present the Volunteer of the Year award, they were able to see how our contributions have helped many girls in vulnerable situations, or children suffering terminal cancer, or a 13-year-old who arrived at the Hummingbird House in an unresponsive state who now is able to walk, talk in English, and enjoy being a kid again. That’s why I always suggest taking some extra time to visit the associations you’re benefiting with your work and donations, so you’ll see firsthand how you are making the world — and their world — a better place.
On the ways community engagement fits with sustainability
I believe that there’s no way a company can claim to be sustainable without benefiting the people around them and showing them our value as a neighbor and a socially responsible citizen. That’s why it’s important to include community engagement and giving back to our community in our approach to sustainability, as this is bringing us closer to our aspirations as a company.
On engaging employees at the plant level
In Mexico and Latin America, we all do informal volunteering — helping people around us in our community, like relatives, neighbors, or victims of a natural disaster. But when we ask people in operations to come and volunteer in a formal system, it can be hard for them. We offer more diverse programs so people will have something to engage with. If they don’t feel close to a certain cause, they always have different options, and they’re welcome to bring new projects to the table. I always tell them to try it once and if they don’t like it, hopefully there is going to be something else they are interested in. Now, after six years of running this, I have people asking me when they’re going to be able to volunteer again. This year, we’ve been seeing more participation from people in the plant because we’ve been offering more activities on weekends. Also, we donate our own insulation materials, and our co-workers love to see where the material they make is going. When they see the faces of the people who benefit from their hard work, they get even more engaged.
During a special event held at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Entergy partnered with the American Indian College Fund, or AICF, to award a grant in support of higher education for Native American students. For the ninth consecutive year, our collaboration with the AICF has been instrumental in empowering Native American students, enabling them to pursue rewarding career paths and emerge as influential leaders within their communities.
At the festival, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO Phillip May and Entergy Vice President for corporate social responsibility Patty Riddlebarger presented a $50,000 check to the AICF and the United Houma Nation Chief for student scholarships. This significant contribution will benefit students as they embark on their educational journeys and strive to make a positive impact.
“For the ninth year, we are honored to stand alongside the American Indian College Fund in our shared commitment to empowering Native American communities,” said May. “Entergy remains steadfast in our dedication to creating opportunities for young individuals to overcome educational barriers and pursue higher education.”
Since 2015, Entergy’s shareholders have funded more than $315,000 in scholarships for Native American students, which has supported 135 scholars. American Indian students are the most educationally underrepresented population in America, receiving bachelor’s degrees at less than half the national average of approximately 37%.
Every year, the AICF plays a crucial role in assisting more than 4,000 students in starting and completing their educational journeys, enabling them to earn their degrees and embark on successful careers. With a goal to achieve a 60% graduation rate for all scholars by 2025, the AICF has provided over 150,000 scholarships and more than $280 million to support American Indian communities since its establishment in 1989.
Entergy’s vision “We Power Life,” extends beyond delivering essential energy service to our customers. We are committed to investing in critical programs and initiatives that contribute to the growth and prosperity of the communities where we live, work and serve. Through our philanthropic endeavors, volunteerism, initiatives to support our low-income customers, and economic development initiatives, we remain dedicated to fostering healthy, educated, environmentally sustainable and thriving communities. Learn more about our community engagement here.
Modern industry has long perpetuated a linear economy. This model relies on the continued extraction of new materials and ultimately leads to an accumulation of waste. A circular economy, on the other hand, strives to function in ways that reduce waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in circulation for longer.
Read on to learn more about the practices and principles of a circular economy, and its economic, environmental, and social benefits.
The 4 Rs That Underpin a Circular Economy
Before we examine the core principles of a circular economy, let’s first revisit the basics. It’s fair to say that most people are familiar with the concept of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” What is less commonly discussed – yet extremely important to developing a true circular economy – is the fourth R: recover.
Here is what each of these practices means when applied to business:
Reduce: Minimizing waste before it’s even created by engaging in design and production processes that prioritize lifespan and sustainability.Reuse: Finding new ways to use products or materials, extending the functional lifespan of the item and enabling it to circulate within the economy for as long as possible.Recycle: Breaking down products into their raw materials and manufacturing new items from them. While this is by far the most publicized, recycling is often seen as a last resort in the hierarchy of circular practices.Recover: Reclaiming materials or energy from products that can no longer be reused or recycled. This can mean everything from composting organic materials to capturing energy from waste.
The 3 Core Principles of a Circular Economy
The following three principles are central to establishing a circular economy within your business.
Eliminating waste
This principle involves rethinking how resources are used at every stage of a product’s lifecycle, from design to disposal.
For businesses, this could mean:
Using recycled material in manufacturing rather than raw materials.Designing products with modularity, allowing for easy repair or upgrade.Choosing manufacturing processes that minimize offcuts and scrap.
Keeping materials in use
To break the cycle of the use-and-dispose economy, keeping materials in use as long as possible is crucial.
Here are examples of how you can apply this principle:
Developing take-back schemes or leasing models where products are returned to you after use, ensuring they are either reused, refurbished, or responsibly recycled.Facilitating a secondary market for your products or materials, extending their lifecycle beyond initial use.
Regenerating natural systems
Engaging in the circular economy isn’t simply about reducing negative impacts on the environment – it focuses on using regenerative practices to restore natural systems and enhance biodiversity.
In practice, this may look like:
Investing in technologies or processes that restore soil health, clean water, and air quality through your business operations.Partnering with organizations working towards reforestation or ocean clean-ups to offset the ecological footprint of your operations.
Circular Economy Benefits and Advantages
Embracing a circular economy presents many benefits that span environmental, economic, and social spheres.
Environmental benefits
Through engaging in the practices of reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, your company can have a net-positive impact on the environment. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, businesses can also contribute to better soil and water conditions by reducing waste across all product lifecycle touchpoints, such as material extraction, manufacturing and packaging.
In terms of regenerative efforts, businesses that proactively design campuses with restoration in mind can have a hand in expanding natural habitats, contributing to cleaner water sheds, and promoting soil health.
Economic benefits
Reducing material costs through reuse, recycling, and recovery can lead to significant financial savings. Additionally, circular economy models like product-as-a-service offer new revenue streams and financial incentives that challenge traditional business models.
Following the principles of a circular economy can also appeal to investors, who are continuing to prioritize sustainability. A recent report by Morgan Stanley found that “A majority of investors … believe that companies should address environmental and social issues.” These investors reported being motivated by the financial performance of sustainable investments and new climate science findings.
Social benefits
Circular economy initiatives often involve collaboration between businesses, local governments, and communities. These joint efforts help each party better understand the needs and challenges of the other, and can lead to stronger community relationships.
The principles of circular economy do not allow for planned obsolescence, meaning products are built to be more durable and long-lasting, offering consumers a break from having to replace important items every few years.
Implementing Circular Economy Principles
While organizational needs can vary greatly from industry to industry, there are some key steps that must be taken in order to effectively implement circular economy principles.
1. Conduct a thorough assessment
Begin by evaluating your current operations, supply chain, and products or services to identify areas where circular economy principles can be applied. This assessment will help you understand the potential impact and feasibility of implementing circular practices within your business. Check this full article on conducting a product lifecycle assessment.
2. Set clear goals and targets
Establish specific, measurable, and achievable goals for your circular economy initiatives. Whether it’s reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, or designing products for reuse and recycling, having clear targets will enable you to track progress and adjust goals as needed as well as promote your progress to customers.
3. Collaborate with stakeholders
Engage with suppliers, customers, industry partners, and other stakeholders to gain a broader perspective of your organization’s impact. Building partnerships can help overcome challenges, access resources, and drive innovation in implementing circular economy practices.
Embrace the Circular Economy: Begin a New Cycle
The benefits of a circular economy are clear – and the need is urgent. As the human and financial toll of climate change continues to grow around the world, governments, businesses, and social institutions are collaborating to reduce impact and improve well-being. The circular economy model is a significant step toward these goals.
Is your business ready to transition to a circular economy? Our Sustainability Strategy and Management Consulting Services can help you connect with the right people
Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.
By Nestor Mato | April 25, 2024
Interactive and engaging. Regions Bank Shared the Good this April by helping students across the Gulf Coast.
Regions Next Step® is the bank’s free financial wellness program, and during Financial Literacy Month, Regions associates used the Next Step Reality Check series to give students an interactive and engaging way to learn about building and balancing a budget. The Reality Check challenges students to make financial decisions during the course and complete the experience with a budget surplus. During the Reality Check, students are assigned a persona and then make decisions based on common scenarios that will directly impact their budgets.
Finance Park – Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
Regions associates volunteered with middle school students from both Academy Prep Center of Tampa and Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg to teach banking basics at Junior Achievement’s Financial Park.
Leading up to the Finance Park, Regions volunteers provided a series of lessons in the classroom, where they focused on personal finance, including learning about balancing a family budget, interest rates, how education affects earning potential, and how saving today pays off tomorrow.
“These presentations are a fun and interactive way to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to make informed financial decisions,” said Tricia Johnson, market executive for Regions Bank in St. Petersburg-Clearwater. “We are happy to serve a role in helping these young people learn more about banking so they can set themselves up for a more secure future.”
During the event, Regions associates partnered with students to assume randomly assigned family and income scenarios. They utilize banking services, purchase housing, transportation, insurance, and other expenses, as well as make investment decisions.
“We are happy to serve a role in helping these young people learn more about banking so they can set themselves up for a more secure future.”
Tricia Johnson, market executive for Regions Bank
“It is the unfortunate reality that many young people are not taught about managing their finances before adulthood. This has afforded students the opportunity to consider how their future career choices may impact their financial mobility,” said Jenna Dufficy, Assistant Head of School and Academic Dean of Academy Prep Center of Tampa. “Community partners like Regions Bank are transformative, helping our students fulfill the school’s mission of becoming future community leaders.”
Family Game Night – Dothan, Alabama
Children as young as 10 and their families were invited to a dinner and game night that included a Reality Check experience. Crimson Ridge Apartment residents were treated to pizza, sponsored by Regions Bank, as they learned about building and balancing a budget.
“These financial education events are designed to empower people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions including in saving, investing, and debt management,” said John Brown, market executive for Regions Bank in Dothan. “This partnership has the ability to teach skills that can last a lifetime and help lead to greater financial stability and success.”
In addition to Financial Literacy Month, April is also Fair Housing Month. Crimson Ridge is an affordable housing community of Dothan Housing and houses over 100 families. Participants also received giveaways and prizes from both Regions and Dothan Housing.
“These financial education events are designed to empower people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions including in saving, investing, and debt management.”
John Brown, market executive for Regions Bank
“There was excitement in the air as the Regions team brought the Next Step Financial Literacy Program to Crimson Ridge Apartments to impart valuable financial management lessons to our families,” said Samuel P. Crawford, CEO of Dothan Housing. “Community partnerships and initiatives like this unite the community and inspire positive change intergenerationally.”
Financial Fitness for Teens – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Physical education is important. Regions joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana to make it clear financial fitness is, too.
In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs Louisiana Alliance 2024 Teen Summit, Regions volunteers taught 90 teens from around the state about the fundamentals of money management and financial responsibility.
“We wanted to help make sure young people know it is about more than making money; it’s about appreciating the value of money,” said Regions’ Baton Rouge market executive, Amy Province. “It is especially helpful for these students who will soon step out into the world. Between bills, groceries, and other expenses, this exercise really does help them understand the importance of budgets and balances.”
Regions associates also took part in a “Career Pathways” class to help give students the knowledge needed to navigate their professional journeys. A career in banking can take several forms, they shared, from roles at the branch around the corner to positions in Commercial Banking, the Mortgage division, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Marketing.
“We wanted to help make sure young people know it is about more than making money; it’s about appreciating the value of money.”
Amy Province, Regions’ Baton Rouge market executive
“Helping our Club members have these discussions fuels our mission, which is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, become productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana, Angel Nelson. “With the support of community partners like Regions, we’re able to expand our financial education programming and provide valuable resources. In turn, Regions is helping our young people approach their finances with confidence and knowledge.”
Reality Check – Shreveport, Louisiana
Regions Bank teamed up with Volunteers of America of North Louisiana for three Regions Next Step Reality Check events in Shreveport. The LightHouse Teen Club at Highland Center, as well as the afterschool programs at Booker T. Washington High School and Broadmoor STEM Academy, all took part.
“These children are the future of our community, and it is essential they have the knowledge to be successful,” said Regions’ Shreveport market executive, Denny Moton. “It is especially helpful for the older students as they prepare for life after graduation. This exercise really does help them understand money management as they step into the real world.”
In total, volunteers taught 50 students about avoiding financial pitfalls and understanding how to manage income and debt.
“These children are the future of our community, and it is essential they have the knowledge to be successful.”
Denny Moton, Regions’ Shreveport market executive
“It is essential for our LightHouse kids to learn about personal finance because this portion of the curriculum is often missing in class. A lot of our older kids have jobs, and this activity allowed them to experience a scenario where they would have to provide for a family, prepare for daily life occurrences, and be an adult with limited income,” said Victoria Morris, Volunteers of America Director for LightHouse Programs. “To see them contemplate and make the best decisions was refreshing. They learned to work with what they had, compromise, go without, and even negotiate.”
And with what students learned at all these events, they’re better prepared to build up savings, keep debt in check – and achieve financial confidence and success over time.
Originally published in Qualcomm’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report
Each of our primary semiconductor manufacturing suppliers is required to have an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system, and in 2023, all such suppliers reported meeting this requirement. We work with these suppliers at multiple stages of design and manufacturing to monitor their conformance to applicable environmental laws and help adherence to various environmental initiatives.
On an annual basis, we assess current and future water risks at the global and local levels, using the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct™ tool. The combination of the use of this tool with internal Company knowledge and guidance from external consultants has helped us to better understand physical water risks in our operations, including our supply chain.
Annually, we survey our direct manufacturing suppliers and receive water use and GHG metrics that allow us to set benchmarks and strategize future corporate responsibility initiatives. These suppliers have shown effectiveness in many areas of corporate responsibility, particularly in product environmental governance and resource management. Many of these suppliers have set targets for reducing water consumption and mitigating GHG emissions, and we work alongside them to, where possible, help them achieve their goals. To support continued effectiveness, we’ve designed corrective action processes, including the potential removal of deficient suppliers from our supply chain.
We also evaluate physical risks in our supply chain. In 2023, we conducted our second climate scenario analysis (CSA) where we held interviews and modeled climate change related risks, inclusive of our value chain. More on our CSA can be found in our TCFD Index.
We believe in helping our suppliers build greater knowledge of corporate responsibility issues, such as human rights, responsible minerals sourcing and selecting less harmful substances for manufacturing. We share our knowledge through on-site visits, business meetings, written communication and other efforts.
In 2023, for example, we worked with several of our primary semiconductor manufacturing suppliers in Taiwan to discuss Qualcomm’s netzero commitment, opportunities for deploying renewable energy and projects to realize GHG emission reductions. Also, we completed our Taiwan Sustainability Collaboration Project that aimed to help suppliers add renewable energy capacity and which led suppliers to add up to 300 percent in additional funding for their renewable energy commitments.
Originally published January 25, 2024 in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and authored by Tammy Thomson, founding executive director of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh and Alexandra Rosen, senior director of GoDaddy Venture Forward.
Pittsburgh stands out as one of the fastest-growing areas for America’s smallest businesses, called microbusinesses. Microbusinesses are defined as those with a unique web domain, an active website, and most often fewer than 10 employees.
This kind of entrepreneurship has flourished since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. In fact, 39% of microbusinesses started since 2020. And in Pittsburgh, Black women lead the charge.
Microbusiness in Pittsburgh
High unemployment and government-funded stimulus checks forced or motivated people to start businesses. The pandemic also provided people time to question what they wanted to do and challenged many to find new ways to make ends meet. This was especially true for women, particularly mothers who lacked childcare options.
Research from Venture Forward offers a deeper view into Pittsburgh’s microbusinesses. There are currently more than 167,000 such businesses in Allegheny County, a number that has nearly tripled since September 2019.
About 144,000 of those call the city of Pittsburgh home. Excluding the owner, each microbusiness creates about seven jobs at the county-level. Job creation stems from direct and indirect hiring and more money in the community.
Additionally, the research found that:
More than two-thirds of microbusinesses contribute at least 25% of the owner’s total household income.59% of microbusinesses in Pittsburgh needed under $5,000 to get started. Raising that small amount of capital wasn’t easy. In fact, 24% of microbusiness owners who needed less than $1,000 found it difficult to raise the funds.75% of microbusiness entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh didn’t know about any business assistance programs. Only 14% of owners believe local policies effectively support their business.About 80% of Pittsburgh microbusiness owners left a job to become an entrepreneur or started their business as a side-hustle.
Ways to help entrepreneurs
According to the research, focusing on a few areas helps the new class of entrepreneurs succeed. Areas to focus include: better access to funding, affordable and reliable broadband, and digital skills training such as website creation.
Pittsburgh’s microbusinesses thrive thanks to groups like Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, which one of us directs. The organization was formed to create intentional opportunities for wealth building.
For example, Aquene Watkins-Wise knew her business, Royally Fit, needed to expand into a physical location. But she didn’t know where to start. She turned to Catapult. She graduated from our Startup to Storefront program and then participated in a retail incubator program. She is now working with Catapult seeking a permanent brick and mortar space to grow her retail business.
Venture Forward’s research found the number of Black women entrepreneurs in Allegheny County almost doubled since 2020. Black women entrepreneurs were the only group that grew during that timeframe. This data aligns with national trends and Catapult Greater Pittsburgh’s insights.
Roughly 95% of Catapult Greater Pittsburgh participants are Black women, and 90% are Black, single moms. Most started their business out of necessity to supplement their total household income. Digital entrepreneurship helps close equity gaps and creates accessible opportunities for all.
Where do these women conduct their business? 47% of women entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh are online-only. In 2020, many Catapult Greater Pittsburgh women participants didn’t have a website. The lockdown pushed them into building one. The result — a successful and growing group of Black women elevating the Pittsburgh economy.
Digital presence
A digital presence continues to be a key asset for modern business owners to expand their customer base. Venture Forward research finds 25% of microbusiness entrepreneurs use their website for sales and 19% for bookings.
That number is more than 50% higher for Black entrepreneurs and about 20% higher for women-owned businesses. Black-owned and women-owned businesses are also more likely to have nationwide customers.
Microbusinesses contribute to the broader economy in many ways. When we shift what defines an entrepreneur and what size of businesses drive impact, we shift the whole economy.
Read the article on GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative
On this episode of Healthy Outcomes, host Mark Ross interviews Ed Ricks, a director in Baker Tilly’s Healthcare Solutions Practice. Ed is a former Healthcare System CIO and COO. Together, they discussed several topics related to the overall healthcare environment with a significant lean towards IT related matters.
Specific topics of discussion include:
The impact of recent ransomware and information security breaches related to healthcare provider organizations.
How healthcare systems are responding to decrease the impact of these events.
The current state of healthcare IT
How healthcare systems can optimize their IT environment
Healthcare M&A activity and if it hast resulted in improved efficiencies
What Ed misses and doesn’t miss about being in the role of CIO at a healthcare system organization.
Connect with a member of the Baker Tilly healthcare team or visit bakertilly.com to learn more!
Originally published on Aflac Newsroom
Early in my career, I was leading a global HR function and traveling all over the world to help open facilities in various countries. It was a very intense job — when I wasn’t on a plane, I was commuting almost three hours a day — but it was work for which I felt proud and enjoyed.
The company presented an opportunity to participate in a leadership training program that emphasized the importance of work-life balance across professional life, family life, community involvement and self-care. Each of us drew a button with four holes, one for each of those four categories. The size of the hole was supposed to represent how much time and energy we were spending on that particular category.
My button had only three holes: an extra-large one for work; two very tiny ones that represented family life and self-care; and community was missing entirely. I loved my job at the time, but that one exercise made me realize that I was placing too much focus on just that one aspect of my life at the expense of quality time in other, more important areas.
I have carried this analogy with me throughout my career and use it regularly to help ensure I integrate each of these facets in a more deliberate way — especially now that the topic of burnout is more top of mind than ever before.
In fact, the recent Aflac WorkForces Report confirmed what I knew to be true from my own experience then and what many Americans are experiencing today — it showed that 74% of American workers are stressed, and 57% currently face at least moderate levels of burnout.
Now that I’m in a position to influence change and help ensure the well-being of those at my workplace, I have some advice that helped me in my journey to build mental wellness at work:
Draw your own button. The only way to know what you need to do is to assess where you are today. Draw a button with four holes representing your professional life, family life, community involvement and self-care, and make the size of each hole bigger or smaller based on how much of your time is spent in each category. Use that to find where you need to adjust how you spend your time and energy. Know that your priorities will likely change based on life circumstances. So, use this analogy over time as your think about priorities.Get to know your benefits. Trying to understand your benefits in a time of distress can create more stress. If you have access to benefits, take time to learn them so you can take advantage of available services, apps and classes dedicated to enhancing your mental health. Some employers even provide programs that address other aspects — such as financial, social and physical wellness — that can also play a role in mental health.Find the line. There is a fine line between beneficial stress that leads to growth and stress that leads to burnout. I’ve learned that mental wellness is like physical wellness in a lot of ways. Much like strength training helps build muscle, mentally challenging work can help build resilience. But in that same vein, working out too hard or too often can put you at risk for injury, just as being overwhelmed with daily responsibilities with no chance for rest can put you at risk for burnout. The line between the two is different for everyone, but it’s important to find where it is for you.Use your PTO. If you’re in the workforce, you may earn paid time off (PTO) — use it. Whether you take a big, weeklong trip or just a day to unplug at home, use that time to reset and recharge. (And if you manage employees, encourage them to use their PTO, especially if it’s at risk of expiring. Having that level of support from leadership goes a long way in building trust.)Get your health checkups. Whether you feel fine or not, it’s always important to get your regular checkups — they help ensure you’re in good health, and they present opportunities to have open conversations with health care professionals about building mental wellness.
Work is a significant part of who we are — after all, we spend at least a third of our weekdays at work — but it’s important to remember that it is just one component of who we are and just one component of what impacts our mental health. Set aside time regularly to take stock of where your time and energy are going, so that you can ensure you’re bringing your best self across all areas of life.
Aflac includes American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2400481
Originally published by TriplePundit
Did you know that every handful of M&M’s or package of Ben’s Original you eat not only tastes good, but does good too? Social responsibility is not only good for business, but it’s increasingly expected by the American public. More than half (55 percent) of U.S. consumers say companies should be involved with social, environmental and political issues, according to a recent study from Harvard Business School. Additionally, 75 percent of respondents consider it somewhat or very important for companies to improve the world. When it comes to bottom lines, reputation with external and community stakeholders has a significant influence on corporate earnings.
With this commitment in mind, leadership across Mars and its family of brands are working to identify opportunities to leverage their influence in support of underserved communities. Through several initiatives across its portfolio, Mars is focusing its resources to bolster diversity, equity and inclusion for both employees and consumers.
In doing so, the company launched programming to support women entrepreneurs, artists, and Black college students among others, to help lift them toward their goals.
“This is all happening across Mars, driving a societal positive impact,” said Marissa Viola, senior director of brand and content at Mars Wrigley.
For example, the iconic Mars brand M&M’S launched the M&M’S FUNDd last year in an effort to help increase the sense of belonging for 10 million people internationally by 2025. “We’re showing up to support fans across the world,” Viola said. That support includes resources, mentorship, opportunities and financial support in the arts and entertainment spaceBut that’s not all.
To celebrate and uplift women globally, this year M&M’S launched Flipping the Status Quo, honoring women who are positively impacting their communities. In March, 20 women were selected, and each was awarded $10,000 to support their work. Mars and M&M’S later offered a similar program to its vast network of more than 140,000 associates from around the world, and invited them to nominate co-workers who are flipping the status quo by building a more inclusive world and helping women reach their full potential.
“We’re looking for women who are doing something new in their industries — whether it’s STEM or fashion,” the company wrote in its call for external applicants. “We want to help them further uplift their missions to help everyone feel like they belong.”
The Dove brand also celebrates women entrepreneurs with the two-year-old Dove InstaGrants program, awarding three female entrepreneurs each year with a $10,000 grant to help support their business ventures.
“Ultimately, we feel that fostering an inclusive brand can help shine a light on women and the issues they stand for,” Viola said. “We’re not just using ads, but actually acting to lift women to the next level.”
Mars is also working to create opportunities for underserved groups across its portfolio — from snacks and food, to pet nutrition and veterinary health.
The Ben’s Original brand, for example, runs its Seat at the Table Fund, a $2 million scholarship program to help African American college students eager to work in the food industry. Co-sponsored by UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) and National Urban League, successful candidates receive funding for educational expenses for associate, bachelor’s or certificate programs in culinary arts or food science.
“African American students often face more financial obstacles and lack access to networking opportunities and mentorships that are critical to career success,” said Kristen Campos, vice president of corporate affairs for Mars Food and Nutrition in North America. “It’s inspiring that Mars recognizes the need for change and is taking action toward it.”
Investing in young people with aspirations in the food space also helps to bolster the future of businesses like Mars. “Supporting and empowering young professionals from a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds will help bring the brightest minds to our business and set us up for continued growth and future success,” Campos said. “The Seat at the Table Scholarship Fund will have a lasting impact on scholarship recipients by helping to provide them with support for higher education and opportunities they deserve.”
In March 2021, eight U.S. students were each awarded the first $25,000 annual grants. Since then, the program has been expanded to include students in the United Kingdom and Canada. The grants can be renewed each year.
“Mars and Ben’s Original Seat at the Table Scholarship provided me with the financial support and community I need to fully engage in my academics and push myself further in my studies,” said Chai Comrie, a student in Florida A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and a Seat at the Table scholarship recipient. “I am grateful to be able to solely focus on my education as a result of this scholarship.”
Every year, Mars strives to introduce resources to consumers and employees that help them achieve their personal ambitions and make their mark on greater society, Campos said. “I’m proud to work for a company like Mars that invests in underrepresented individuals and communities by providing access to — and creating opportunities for —new and diverse talent and empowering them to pursue their dreams.”
This article series is sponsored by Mars and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.
(Image credit: New Africa/Adobe Stock and Mars)
