Tag: 3BL

Teresa Pelletier’s journey has been marked by a deep-rooted commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities. Starting her career as a local reporter, Teresa developed a passion for community engagement in print media before moving into community relations and education. This experience laid the foundation for her work at Fidelity Investments as vice president of community relations.

One of Fidelity’s core goals has been to strengthen and secure the financial well-being of their customers and clients while also creating inclusivity and access to historically underserved communities. As part of Fidelity’s efforts to accomplish this goal, employees engage in volunteer work that supports financial education and economic mobility initiatives. Through a 20-year partnership with Common Impact, more than 3,600 Fidelity associates have participated in skills-based volunteering projects to support nonprofit leaders in strengthening their operations and capacity, from human resources to business planning, website builds, data support, and more.

Teresa has been a key leader in efforts to increase financial literacy for young people in underserved communities for the last ten years. She has led efforts to increase financial literacy for young people in under-served communities through partnerships with leading nonprofit organizations. She also leads a team focused on community involvement and employee volunteerism across the country. Her leadership has contributed to Fidelity becoming a leader in social responsibility, empowering employees to give back and make a difference in their communities. In this interview, we delve into Teresa’s career journey and explore Fidelity’s social impact and skills-based volunteering initiatives.

“We are seeing a shift to more employee-led volunteer opportunities. Associates are looking to give their time and talent to causes they care about personally rather than letting their employer select the organizations they work with.”

Tell us about your career journey, including how you started and what led you to your current role as Vice President of Community Relations at Fidelity. 

I started my career as a local newspaper reporter. I later transitioned to a community relations role at the media company, leading their education programs, sponsorships, and a state-wide annual fundraising initiative for a local nonprofit. During one of the projects in that role, I collaborated with Fidelity staff, and it sparked my interest in connecting corporate resources to communities. That experience eventually led me to join Fidelity in a regional community relations role almost 13 years ago.

I now have the privilege of leading a team of talented professionals across the country. Our team fosters meaningful relationships in the community and acts as a liaison between the community and Fidelity. The community relations team oversees Fidelity Cares — our employee volunteer program — youth financial education initiatives, and community engagement activities, including civic engagement.

What is the common thread or underlying principle that has guided your career trajectory across different organizations and industries?

People. I’m a natural connector and have always been interested in what makes people tick. I seek out the unique qualities an individual can bring to any situation. One of the best things about my current work is building relationships and being a “professional dot connector.”

Tell us about the history of Fidelity’s commitment to social impact and how it has progressed to become integral to the organization’s support of communities. 

Fidelity has always been committed to giving back, but we often did so quietly or with a fragmented approach across our 11 regions. The pandemic had a significant impact on our social impact strategy. We took the opportunity to reset and align our work to make the most impact. That led us to our current focus areas: 1) Providing financial education, an area where Fidelity has longstanding expertise in the fundamentals and emerging trends within financial services, and 2) Skills-based volunteering, which leverages another one of our greatest assets: our talented and passionate 74,000+ person workforce.

In January 2023, we launched Invest in My Education, a $250M social impact initiative that provides access to education and support for underserved students, something Fidelity is extremely passionate about. As part of their scholarship, students are matched with Fidelity mentors to guide them through school, graduation, and employment. Students are also encouraged to complete financial education courses online to support good money habits.

Through these initiatives, Fidelity is making a significant impact by empowering underserved students with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. This program helps students achieve their educational and career goals and fosters financial literacy, which is crucial for their long-term stability and success. By investing in these communities, Fidelity is cultivating future generations of knowledgeable and skilled individuals who may become our customers and associates.

What is the importance of supporting and prioritizing employee well-being and engagement at Fidelity?

It’s critical. We see these offerings as a win-win. A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who volunteered performed better on work tasks. Volunteering is not necessarily something an associate does off the side of their desk, but something to connect our associates to a bigger purpose. It provides a fantastic level of professional development, exposure to different areas across the business, and more. 98% of Fidelity employees think it is important to support social causes and nonprofits in their community, and more than three-quarters of associates who participated in our annual month of service said that volunteering influences their decision to stay at Fidelity. We’re pleased to see the data reflect how powerful volunteering is as an engagement tool because our employees are one of our most important assets.

Over the past 20 years, Fidelity Investments and Common Impact have developed a strong partnership centered on employee engagement initiatives, including skills-based volunteering, board training, and nonprofit education. As someone deeply involved in corporate affairs and strategic collaborations at Fidelity, what aspects of this enduring partnership with Common Impact stand out?

I’ve been struck by how mutually beneficial this relationship has been for Common Impact, Fidelity associates, and the nonprofits we work with. We all take something valuable away from these volunteering programs. We are grateful for the upskilling that these opportunities provide. Associates can take on projects in areas they’re interested in and then bring what they learn into their day jobs or their next role at Fidelity. It is inspiring to see people’s passion come to life when they have a chance to advance their skills while supporting nonprofits in a meaningful and lasting way.

What are some of the most significant impacts of our collaboration have you noticed?

This collaboration provides concrete data for us to reflect on so we can let the numbers do the talking. In the 20 years our companies have worked together, we generated a collective $20.7M in social return on investment. Our associates’ skills have benefited 652 nonprofits, and over 3,600 associates have been engaged in 585 skills-based volunteering projects, whether those were one-day sprints or ongoing consulting work. Our partnership has created meaningful connections and a lasting impact. Our associates have shared personal growth and fulfillment stories from their volunteer experiences. At the same time, the nonprofits have expressed deep gratitude for the expertise and support that have helped them thrive.

What projects or initiatives do you think were particularly successful or meaningful?

One of the nonprofits we supported through Common Impact is Achievement First; a top-performing charter school network. They are dedicated to supporting historically underserved students from low-income households who will be among the first in their families to attend college. Seven volunteers from Fidelity’s Corporate Technology Group worked with Achievement First for four months, volunteering four to eight hours a week to help unify the nonprofit’s finance and HR systems under a single data management system. This work helped Achievement First operate more efficiently, enabling them to serve students better. Plus, volunteers noted it was a valuable professional development opportunity, making them more likely to recommend Fidelity as a great workplace.

From your perspective, what are the emerging trends in the social impact landscape?

We are seeing a shift to more employee-led volunteer opportunities. Associates are looking to give their time and talent to causes they care about personally rather than letting their employer select the organizations they work with, even through volunteer opportunities arranged by their employer. We see associates become more invested in their volunteer work and Fidelity because they’re empowered to give back in a way that feels right for them.

We have also seen more intentionality across corporate impact functions to prioritize community needs. This results in a broader number of nonprofits receiving corporate volunteer support. It also puts nonprofits in the driver’s seat to identify the types of support, expertise, and projects they would most benefit from to achieve their goal.

Common Impact has always been helpful in matching the needs of nonprofits to the skills and availability of Fidelity volunteers. We will stay close to these trends and use them to inform how we’re delivering on our long-term commitment to provide value to the nonprofits in our communities.

How do Fidelity’s core values influence how you approach collaborating with Common Impact?

Across our business, we prioritize listening to our stakeholders’ needs and providing opportunities that align with those needs. In the Community Relations space, our “customers” are our communities and nonprofit collaborators. Through our relationship with Common Impact, we offer what organizations tell us they need, including a range of competencies. Perhaps they don’t need a team to beautify a playground—what they really need is a go-to-market campaign for an upcoming fundraising effort.

What has made Fidelity a leader in the social impact space and a highly desired organization to work at? 

We are lucky to have a loyal and tenured workforce partly because of our associates’ connection to our company’s purpose. We are proud of our culture here at Fidelity and see volunteer opportunities like those provided through Common Impact as a value-add for our overall associate experience. These opportunities help deepen an associate’s connection with Fidelity’s purpose and with their coworkers and communities.

What steps has Fidelity taken to adapt to the changing business landscape, particularly considering the rise of intelligent technologies?

Fidelity is interesting because, in addition to the steadfastness we are known for as we approach our 80th anniversary, we’re also known for our focus on emerging trends. We have groups like Fidelity Labs, which are dedicated to product incubation. And FCAT, our Fidelity Center for Applied Technology, researches and experiments with emerging technologies and trends that impact our customers and broader society. This dedication to innovation helps us stay ahead in the industry and enhances our ability to drive meaningful social impact. By leveraging our technological advancements and industry expertise, we can better support our social impact initiatives and amplify the positive effects on our customers and the communities we serve.

For more social impact content like this, follow us on LinkedIn  and sign up  for our monthly newsletter. Ready to learn more about skills-based volunteering or social impact programs for your company? Reach out.

Takeaways

We’re kicking off our 2024 Screen Smart program to help parents navigate conversations with their families about using devices safely and learn more about Meta’s parental supervision tools. With this program, we want to help parents feel more confident about raising their teens in an increasingly digital world, with boundaries and protections that work best for them.  

With a seemingly endless range of apps, websites and devices, parenting in today’s digital world can feel overwhelming. Kids today are using devices from early ages, and on average, most teens use about 40 different apps every week. This week, we’re kicking off a series of workshops called Screen Smart to empower parents to confidently manage their teens’ usage of smartphones and devices – including on Meta’s platforms.

The series will start this week in Denver, followed by Charleston, Houston, Boston and Los Angeles. At each event we’ll provide 1:1 hands-on educational workshops for parents and help them understand the best ways to use our supervision features. Attendees will also hear from academics and clinicians on ways to support their teens’ experiences online and learn more from Meta about solutions that would help empower parents. We’re calling the series Screen Smart because we want every parent to have the knowledge they need to manage their family’s online experiences, with the boundaries and protections that work best for them.  

At Meta, we’ve developed more than 50 tools, resources and features to help teens create, explore and connect on our apps in safe, age-appropriate ways. This includes built-in protections for teens, like private accounts and messaging restrictions, as well supervision features so parents can set the right boundaries for their teens.

However, we know that parenting online is more than just providing the right tools and protections. It’s also about building trust with your family when it comes to how they’re using smartphones and other devices, helping them navigate unwanted contact online, and approaching conversations about digital safety without being met with eye rolls. 

“Instagram and other social media platforms can be great ways to find community, connect with friends, learn new skills and express yourself. Many teens share with me that they ‘find their people’ online. For parents, it’s important to learn about the tools the platforms offer to help their teen have a positive experience. For example, parents can help teens with their content recommendation settings, time management settings and set up parental supervision if it’s right for them.” – Screen Smart speaker, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, Dr. Hina Talib

That’s why we first piloted the Screen Smart series last year with hundreds of creators, community leaders and parents in five cities: New York, Miami, Chicago, Nashville and Seattle. During these events, Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, and Meta’s Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, shared Meta’s ongoing efforts in this space. Attendees also heard from experts including child psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Hina Talib and Dr. Katie Davis from University of Washington’s Digital Wellness Lab.

Whether it’s through events like these, ad campaigns, in-app promotion or resources in our Meta Family Center, we’re always working to educate parents on our safety features and tools, and to advocate for legislation that puts parents in charge of teen app downloads.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Regency Centers Corporation (“Regency”, “Regency Centers” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:REG) released its 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report highlighting the Company’s environmental, social, and governance progress and achievements. The report can be found on the Corporate Responsibility page of Regency’s website.

“As a foundational strategy for Regency, embodied responsibility will continue to enable our business’s long-term sustainability and success, creating value and benefits for our shareholders, other stakeholders, and the environment,” said Lisa Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is embedded in how we develop and operate our properties, interact with our communities, engage with our employees, and connect with our investors and partners.”

Regency’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report details the Company’s continued commitment to corporate responsibility and transparent disclosure. The report also highlights recent awards and recognition, as well as notable progress made within Regency’s four pillars of corporate responsibility:

Our People

Achieved record high Employee Engagement score of 88%Received the Healthiest Companies Award from the First Coast Workplace Wellness Council for the 15th consecutive yearPartnered with Project Destined, a leading internship program, and continued its commitment to the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Racial Equity at Work Certification ProgramIncluded in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

Our Communities

Together with its employees, contributed approximately $1.7 million to charitable causesEmployees volunteered 3,000+ hours to local communitiesJoined industry peers and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the “Signs of HOPE” campaignRecognized among the “Best Places to Work” by the Jacksonville Business Journal

Ethics and Governance

One of only 40 S&P 500 companies led by a female CEOBoard gender and ethnic diversity representation of 45%Ranked 6th overall on Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies List, and 1st in the “Real Estate and Housing” industryAchieved the highest score of “1” in ISS’ Environmental and Governance QualityScore categories

Environmental Stewardship

Continued progress toward the 2030 Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction target, aligned with and endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with a cumulative reduction of 18% from the 2019 baseline yearExceeded the 2030 onsite renewable energy goal, driven by continued growth in Regency’s onsite solar programLaunched a new green building taskforce to reignite Regency’s Green Building Certification ProgramRecognized as a Peer Group Leader from GRESB® for sustainability leadership, and earned Green Star “A” for public disclosure for the 9th consecutive year

About Regency Centers Corporation (Nasdaq:REG)

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers. Operating as a fully integrated real estate company, Regency Centers is a qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) that is self-administered, self-managed, and an S&P 500 Index member. For more information, please visit RegencyCenters.com.

Certain statements in this report may be “forward-looking statements.” These statements are based on the current beliefs of Regency Centers and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, some of which may be unknown today. These statements are not guarantees of future results, goal achievement or outcomes. Similarly, statements about our goals, objectives and targets to positively impact climate and environmental-related issues, such as emission-reduction roadmaps and targets to drive toward net zero and other emissions and climate-related goals, are also forward-looking statements. Actual results, achievement of goals and financial condition may differ materially from those anticipated or expected from or represented by these statements due to a variety of factors, including, among others, socio-demographic and economic trends, energy prices, the pace, cost and effectiveness of technological innovations, climate-related conditions and weather events, legislative and regulatory changes and other unforeseen events or conditions, the potential impacts of climate change on our business and our ability to mitigate them, and reference is made to the precautionary statements and risk factors included in Regency Centers’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Risk Factors disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent quarterly filings. Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Regency Centers speak only as to the date they are made, and Regency Centers does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made. In addition, while this report describes potential future events that may be significant, the significance of those potential events should not be read as equating to materiality as the concept is used in Regency Centers’ filings with the SEC.

Christy McElroy
904 598 7616 
ChristyMcElroy@RegencyCenters.com

View original content here.

PRINCETON, N.J., May 22, 2024 /3BL/ — Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced ASPIRE (Accessibility, Sustainability, Patient-centric, Impact, Responsibility and Equity), a 10-year strategy to advance access to our innovative treatments and help patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) gain access to potentially life-saving medicines. This strategy supports the company’s commitment to reach more than 200,000 patients in LMICs by 2033 with its innovative treatments.

“Access to potentially life-saving innovative medicines is very limited in some parts of the world, leaving patients with few treatment options for serious diseases like cancer,” said Christopher Boerner, Ph.D., board chair and chief executive officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Bristol Myers Squibb believes patients who can benefit from our medicines should have access to them. Our ASPIRE strategy is an important step toward accelerating and expanding patient access to these much-needed treatments.”

As part of ASPIRE, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is developing tailored strategies to increase affordability and availability of its medicines in LMICs. Our work to help ensure patients who need our potentially life-saving medicines can access them begins by ensuring that 100 percent of our marketed products are supported by access plans. Today we have defined access pathways for every country in which our medicines may be available to patients.

In low- and middle-income countries, to help improve the affordability of our medicines, we have introduced local brands of many of our innovative medicines to address affordability issues, expand access, and help reduce the time lag between the availability of our medicines in higher-income countries and lower-income countries. In 2023, BMS filed a total of 11 local brands of which five received regulatory approvals. BMS local brands are making an impact in countries like Thailand, which has the highest prevalence of beta thalassemia, by providing treatment options like Rojusna™ to help combat this widespread disease.

BMS is also making its medicines available where we don’t have a commercial presence through the Direct Import and the Direct-to-Institution pathways. Through the Direct Import pathway, BMS is providing access to 12 medicines in more than 80 LMICs, using tiered pricing commensurate with affordability. The Direct-to-Institution (DTI) pathway is a scalable and sustainable channel that provides safe, broad, timelier access to BMS’ innovative medicines to multiple patients through collaboration with local institutions. The company’s initial DTI efforts are in five LMICs in East Africa and Pakistan and West Africa in 2025, with the goal of scaling to more than 15 LMICs by 2026.

BMS is leading the way for access to immuno-oncology therapies in LMICs by collaborating with the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition. BMS joined the ATOM Coalition as a founding supporter at its launch in 2022. Working with the ATOM Coalition and their partners, BMS will make Opdivo™ (nivolumab) available via a safe, scalable and sustainable access model in select countries including Pakistan, Rwanda and Zambia while working to develop an integrated pathway that can expand access in multiple LMICs by 2026.

By investing in solutions that reduce quality-of-care gaps and strengthen health systems, BMS will help drive equitable access to innovative medicines to patients around the world, regardless of where patients live. Enabling timely access to innovative medicines in LMICs is part of BMS’ commitment to health equity globally and our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the Company’s goals, strategies, and performance in accordance with its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

philanthropy-news

Media: media@bms.com

Source: Bristol Myers Squibb

May 22, 2024 /3BL/ – As attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure have intensified in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, humanitarian needs are growing quickly. However, a drop in funding is an imminent threat to Action Against Hunger and other humanitarian organizations who are trying to respond to the emergency.

Since the large-scale Russian offensive began on May 10 in the Kharkiv region, more than 6,000 people have been forced to evacuate, most of them to Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, which for months has been under attack from missiles, glide bombs and drones. Most of the displaced people in the areas closest to the Russian border are women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

To support people affected by this latest Russian offensive, Action Against Hunger and its local partners are implementing an emergency humanitarian campaign in the Kharkiv and Soumy regions, including the distribution of hygiene kits, food vouchers, financial aid. The organization is also supporting primary health centers and psychological and psychosocial support sessions in temporary accommodation centers.

“Action Against Hunger teams are closely monitoring the situation in order to provide humanitarian assistance as close as possible to the needs of the population. Should the conflict intensify and Russian forces gain more territory, more people could be displaced and needs could increase significantly,” said Eric Fort, Director of Action Against Hunger in Ukraine.

Since March 2022, Action Against Hunger has been supporting displaced populations affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in an increasingly dangerous security context. Located some thirty kilometers from the Russian border, the Kharkiv region is subject to incessant and indiscriminate attacks, which exhaust the population’s coping strategies and jeopardize economic recovery.

After more than two years of conflict, the Ukrainian population is facing increased levels of poverty and aid dependency. 65% of Ukrainian households have seen their incomes fall, and almost 44% are struggling to meet their basic needs, despite receiving government aid of up to 3,000 hryvnias (around USD $80 per month). In all, 40% of Ukraine’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

The wave of solidarity that followed February 24, 2022 is showing signs of weakening as the conflict drags on and other crises change the direction of international aid. According to the United Nations, $3.1 billion is required for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, yet only 21% of the appeal has been funded to date. By October 2024, Action Against Hunger anticipates a 90% drop in funding from its largest donor.

“The war is not over; needs continue to grow and public services cannot cope on their own. For humanitarian organizations to be able to plan ahead and provide effective aid, it is important to ensure long-term, predictable funding,” said Fort.

Action Against Hunger condemns the attacks perpetrated against the population and civilian infrastructures, including energy infrastructures, which have been deliberately targeted since the beginning of the international conflict in Ukraine. The organization is urging the parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and call for an immediate ceasefire.

About Action Against Hunger in Ukraine

Action Against Hunger works with the most vulnerable people both directly and through Ukrainian partners. From the start of its intervention in March 2022 to February 2024, Action Against Hunger and its partners have helped nearly 960,000 people in the following areas:

133,000 people received help to improve their food security through hot meals, food distributions, food kits or cash assistance.610,000 people benefited from hygiene kits and improved access to water thanks to Action Against Hunger’s support for water distribution networks.17,000 people received psychosocial support through psychosocial education and counseling sessions, psychological first aid (PFA) training or stress management modules.198,000 people received health and nutritional assistance.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Eastman

Eastman spotlighted its commitment to sustainability by introducing Naia™ Renew ES staple fibers at the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics spring exhibition in March. The fibers are Eastman’s latest sustainable innovation for the textiles industry.

“We’re thrilled to roll out Naia™ Renew ES to the global fashion scene,” said Carolina Sister Cohn, global marketing leader for Eastman textiles. “This is a game changer. We’re bringing a man-made cellulosic fiber with 60% certified recycled* content to the fashion market at scale. We’re eager to link arms with sustainability-focused fashion brands to drive significant transformations within the fashion industry.”

Eastman’s display at the event featured over 400 fabric and garment types made with Naia™ Renew staple fibers, which incorporates recycled waste material via Eastman’s molecular recycling. The various garments showcased the versatility of sustainable textiles made with Naia™ and Eastman’s broad impact on the fashion industry.

During the exhibition, students from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology created garments with Naia™ fabrics. This highlights the ongoing effort to inspire the next generation toward sustainable fashion, fostering innovation and environmental stewardship.

“To make sustainable textiles accessible to all, trust is key,” said Claudia de Witte, Eastman textiles sustainability leader. “That’s why we actively engage with global industry leaders and associations to educate the industry about the value and contribution of molecular recycling. In China, it’s our honor to work with the China National Textile and Apparel Council on an exploratory research project on materials for a sustainable future.”

Naia™ Renew ES is produced from 60% recycled* waste and 40% sustainably sourced wood pulp, certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). This innovative approach not only reduces the need for virgin materials but also addresses the growing concerns of waste and environmental degradation.

Eastman’s molecular recycling technology plays a crucial role in this process, converting hard-to-recycle mixed waste into new materials that match the quality of nonrecycled materials. Naia™ Renew received GRS certification in December 2023, underscoring Eastman’s commitment to sustainable practices, including environmental and social responsibility.

*Via GRS-certified mass balance

“Naia™ Renew staple fibers have gained immense popularity in womenswear, menswear, home textiles and towels,” said Edmund Lu, commercial director, Eastman textiles, Asia Pacific. “Its superior functional performance continues to win over more customers. Naia™ staple fiber’s versatility moves us closer to our vision of making sustainable textiles accessible to everyone.”

Edmund Lu, commercial director, textiles, Asia Pacific

Originally published in the Pepsico Foundation 2023 Impact Report

Jamila took a leap of faith when she left her corporate job to launch Ladies of Virtue Chicago, a nonprofit with a mission to empower Black girls to be confident, purpose-driven leaders through one-on-one and group mentorship, leadership development and mental health resources.

In 2023, the PepsiCo Foundation, in partnership with Doritos® SOLID BLACK®, provided resources and support to 16 Black Changemakers, including Jamila, who are guiding nonprofit organizations focused on driving culture and giving back to their communities.

Each participant received a $50,000 grant to further propel positive impact in their communities. With the support of the PepsiCo Foundation, Ladies of Virtue will be able to reach more girls and strengthen its infrastructure and programming. “I am a proud Black Changemaker,” said Jamila, and with Ladies of Virtue, she is opening doors for the next generation of changemakers.

Read more about the Doritos® SOLID BLACK® initiative here.

EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Martin Currie, the active equity specialist and steward of £20.1 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024, released its annual report detailing the firm’s stewardship, sustainability, and impact initiatives over the past year. Martin Currie is a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton.

“During this period, we worked to reaffirm and strengthen our stewardship approach and values in support of our purpose of Investing to Improve Lives. We believe financial security creates opportunity and wellbeing in people’s lives, while long-term thinking supports our society and planet. Investing to improve lives is the standard we hold ourselves to, from innovative strategies to powerful conversations and active stewardship,” said Jen Mair, Chief Executive Officer of Martin Currie.

Martin Currie’s business strategy centers on managing and enhancing the risk-adjusted returns on clients’ capital. The firm sees financial returns, governance, and sustainability factors to be fundamentally intertwined and believes that material governance and sustainability risks and opportunities are likely to materialize over medium- to long-term time horizons.

“We continue to firmly believe that integrating material governance and sustainability factors into an investment analysis complemented by active ownership is consistent with our fiduciary duty,” said David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship, Sustainability and Impact of Martin Currie.

Proxy Voting and Engagement Activities

In 2023, Martin Currie initiated 647 total engagements with the companies in which it invests, including three collaborative engagements with other investors. These engagements covered a total of 233 companies and 29 markets. The firm also voted at 530 shareholder meetings across 34 global markets.

Martin Currie Receives Top Ratings from Principles of Responsible Investment 

The Principles of Responsible Investment oversees the largest global reporting project on responsible investment. In 2023, Martin Currie earned five stars across all three of the PRI’s reporting modules relevant to its business.1 These were the ‘Public Governance and Strategy’ and ‘Confidence building measures’ segments that apply to all asset managers, as well as the ‘Direct Listed equity – Active Fundamental’ module, which is specific to the equity asset class. Martin Currie’s excellent ratings far exceed the PRI median and represent a strong endorsement of the firm’s investor-led stewardship model.

Launch of First Social Impact Equity Strategy

In June 2023, Martin Currie broadened its product capabilities with the creation of an Impact Equity team and the launch of an innovative new product, the Martin Currie Improving Society strategy. It aims to take advantage of mispricing opportunities while making a positive social impact by investing in companies whose products and services positively impact fundamental human needs and create the conditions for advancements in equity. Active management is a fundamental tenet of the strategy, with structured engagement on company-specific impact goals, sustainability issues and business topics at the heart of the investment process. The strategy is available to investors in Canada and the U.K.

Progress on Net Zero Commitment

Martin Currie became a signatory to the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative in July 2021, recognizing the urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero greenhouse gas emissions. As of the end of 2023, 18.1% of Martin Currie’s assets were committed to being managed in line with net zero, an increase from the firm’s initial commitment in 2022 of 15.4% of assets. The firm continues to work with its investment teams and collaborate with clients to increase the commitment to 100% of assets by 2050.

Diversity and Inclusion 

Martin Currie is on a continuous journey to improve the diversity of its workforce and create an environment that recognizes how different perspectives, knowledge and attitudes can inform the firm’s approach to providing solutions for clients. Martin Currie understands that a culture of inclusion starts at the top, and on October 1, 2023, the firm appointed Jennifer Mair as its first female CEO in its more than 140 years of history. Mair first joined Martin Currie in 2015 and previously served as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer and as a Director of Martin Currie Investment Management Limited.

In 2021, Martin Currie set ambitious diversity targets across the business, reflecting the firm’s aspirations to address diversity challenges in a systematic manner. Since the establishment of those targets, Martin Currie has seen continuous progress in increasing representation across many areas of its business, including its investment teams, leading to an increase in gender diversity from its 2021 baseline of 15% to 29% in 2023. Martin Currie has also continued partnerships with Black Professionals Scotland and Salvesen Mindroom, a charity that champions neurodiversity, to promote wider aspects of diversity across its business.

About Martin Currie

Martin Currie is a global active equity specialist and part of Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s leading asset managers. Founded in Scotland in the late 19th century, today we build concentrated, best-idea portfolios that create conviction in fast-changing markets. Our equity teams manage global and regional products that span developed and emerging markets.

Talented, autonomous teams are backed by a distinctive and supportive investment culture. With stewardship at the heart of our business, we employ long-term, original thinking to deliver sustainable investment returns.

We are fundamental, long-term investors managing assets globally for some of the world’s largest asset owners.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

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Signatories to the Principles of Responsible Investment commit to reporting on their responsible investment activities when signing the Principles. Investors submit reports during the annual reporting cycle. Martin Currie’s 2023 PRI score covered the 2022 calendar year. Martin Currie did not pay for the rating. More information is available at: https://www.unpri.org/reporting-and-assessment/the-reporting-process/3057.article

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Investing in foreign markets introduces a risk where adverse movements in currency exchange rates could result in a decrease in the value of your investment.

This strategy may hold a limited number of investments. If one of these investments falls in value this can have a greater impact on the strategy’s value than if it held a larger number of investments.

Smaller companies may be riskier and their shares may be less liquid than larger companies, meaning that their share price may be more volatile.

Emerging markets or less developed countries may face more political, economic or structural challenges than developed countries. Accordingly, investment in emerging markets is generally characterised by higher levels of risk than investment in fully developed markets.

The strategy may invest in derivatives, Index futures and FX forwards to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to underlying assets.

The use of derivatives may result in greater fluctuations of returns due to the value of the derivative not moving in line with the underlying assets. Certain types of derivatives can be difficult to purchase or sell in certain market conditions.

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. This material may not be reproduced, distributed or published without prior written permission from Franklin Templeton.

The views expressed are those of the investment manager and the comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as at publication date and may change without notice. The underlying assumptions and these views are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region or market. There is no assurance that any prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets will be realized. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative nor a guarantee of future performance. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Any research and analysis contained in this material has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes and may be acted upon in that connection and, as such, is provided to you incidentally. Data from third party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton (“FT”) has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. Although information has been obtained from sources that Franklin Templeton believes to be reliable, no guarantee can be given as to its accuracy and such information may be incomplete or condensed and may be subject to change at any time without notice. The mention of any individual securities should neither constitute nor be construed as a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any securities, and the information provided regarding such individual securities (if any) is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. FT accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user.

Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered outside the U.S. by other FT affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulation permits. Please consult your own financial professional or Franklin Templeton institutional contact for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.

Issued in the U.S.: Franklin Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries offer investment management services through multiple investment advisers registered with the SEC. Franklin Distributors, LLC and Putnam Retail Management LP, members FINRA/SIPC, are Franklin Templeton broker/dealers, which provide registered representative services. Franklin Templeton, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906, (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236, franklintempleton.com.

Canada: Prepared for use in Canada by Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. or Putnam Investments Canada ULC (o/a Putnam Management in Manitoba), as applicable, 200 King Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON, M5H 3T4, (800) 387-0830, Fax: (416) 364-1163, www.franklintempleton.ca.

Offshore Americas: In the U.S., this publication is made available only to financial intermediaries by Franklin Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, 100 Fountain Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. Tel: (800) 239-3894 (USA Toll-Free), (877) 389-0076 (Canada Toll-Free), and Fax: (727) 299-8736. Distribution outside the U.S. may be made by Franklin Templeton International Services, S.à r.l. (FTIS) or other sub-distributors, intermediaries, dealers or professional investors that have been engaged by FTIS to distribute shares of Franklin Templeton funds in certain jurisdictions. This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in any jurisdiction where it would be illegal to do so.

Issued in Europe by: Franklin Templeton International Services S.à r.l. – Supervised by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier – 8A, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg. Tel: +352-46 66 67-1 Fax: +352-46 66 76. Poland: Issued by Templeton Asset Management (Poland) TFI S.A.; Rondo ONZ 1; 00-124 Warsaw. South Africa: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investments SA (PTY) Ltd, which is an authorised Financial Services Provider. Tel: +27 (21) 831 7400 Fax: +27 (21) 831 7422. Switzerland: Issued by Franklin Templeton Switzerland Ltd, Stockerstrasse 38, CH-8002 Zurich. United Arab Emirates: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited, authorized and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Dubai office: Franklin Templeton, The Gate, East Wing, Level 2, Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O. Box 506613, Dubai, U.A.E. Tel: +9714-4284100 Fax: +9714-4284140. UK: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited (FTIML), registered office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6HL. Tel: +44 (0)20 7073 8500. Authorized and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. Putnam Investments Limited®, registered office: 16 St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1ER. Tel +44 (0) 20 7907 8200. Authorized and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Australia: Issued by Franklin Templeton Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849) (Australian Financial Services License Holder No. 240827), Level 47, 120 Collins Street, Mellbourne, Victoria 3000. Putnam Investments Australia Pty Limited, (ABN 50 105 178 916), (AFSL No. 247032), Level 10, 20 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. Hong Kong: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investments (Asia) Limited, 17/F, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong. Japan: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investments Japan Limited, registered in Japan as a Financial Instruments Business Operator with the Director of Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments Business Operator), No. 417, Member of the Investment Trust Association, Japan, the Japan Investment Advisers Association, and Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association. This document is provided upon your specific request for information. No information in this document shall be used for other purpose. Korea: Issued by Franklin Templeton Investment Advisors Korea Co., Ltd, 3rd fl., CCMM Building, 101 Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Korea 07241. Malaysia: Issued by Franklin Templeton Asset Management (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. & Franklin Templeton GSC Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. This document has not been reviewed by Securities Commission Malaysia. Singapore: Issued by Templeton Asset Management Ltd. Registration No. (UEN) 199205211E, Inc. 7 Temasek Boulevard, #38-03 Suntec Tower One, 038987, Singapore.

Please visit www.franklinresources.com to be directed to your local Franklin Templeton website.

Copyright © 2024 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

The question of who will inherit your home when you pass away is a difficult question to face. It’s often left on the backburner when balancing the demands of everyday life, meeting the needs of your children, maintaining a home, caring for parents or other family members and making a living—all while grieving the loss of a loved one…

When left undone, a “tangled title” can result when a home is passed down informally from generation to generation, often because homeowners pass away without a will. When a home’s occupant is unable to prove homeownership because their name does not appear on the deed, the land is considered jointly owned by all heirs – split among multiple family members regardless of whether they currently live there, have ever lived there or paid the taxes. 
As this critical issue effects homeownership, especially within low-income communities, Rebuilding Together launched the Heirs’ Property pilot initiative in 2022 to provide educational outreach, free legal assistance and estate planning services to neighbors in Philadelphia, Baton Rouge, and Kent County, Md. These resources include support for individuals who need help writing a will or who are already facing challenges due to a tangled title. 

While nationwide research is limited, in Philadelphia alone, a recent report from Pew Charitable Trusts revealed that more than 10,400 homes have unclear legal ownership, with a collective value of more than $1.1 billion, contributing to a cycle of instability and posing a significant barrier to affordable housing. 
With support from Wells Fargo, the Heirs’ Property pilot initiative is helping families untangle titles and preserve generational wealth, and the success of the program sets the stage for broader implementation across all Rebuilding Together affiliates. To formalize the practice of providing this support to homeowners, educational sessions were offered at our annual network gathering, known as Summit, and there are plans to develop a self-guided course for affiliates to learn more about heirs’ issues and the resources needed to react accordingly when encountering such situations. Insights and lessons learned unfold as the program evolves to address title issues and preserve generational wealth for homeowners in need. 

Since 2010, Wells Fargo has donated more than $19 million to Rebuilding Together and its affiliate network to support rebuilding efforts across the country, including providing essential home repairs, revitalizing communities, and helping veterans, older adults, people with disabilities, families with children and victims of disaster remain in their homes.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 22, 2024 /3BL/ – Sustainable critical infrastructure leader Black & Veatch has named James Bleak as the new president of its Bird Electric business, one year after acquiring the self-perform construction services provider in bringing Black & Veatch’s growing construction portfolio capabilities to a wider client base.

Bleak, who has most recently served as president of Quanta Telecom Solutions, brings three decades of experience to Black & Veatch, having served in roles of increasing responsibility and diversity during his construction industry career.

Black & Veatch, through its Bird Electric entity, continues to expand its electrical construction services to electric utility, oil and gas, and data center clients while extending its national reach in emergency power restoration.

“James’ deep infrastructure expertise and established client relationships will be instrumental in continuing our exciting energy transition growth trajectory,” Black & Veatch Chairman and CEO Mario Azar said. “Bird Electric is a core element of our solutions portfolio enabling the national expansion and resiliency essential for a secure supply of electricity.”

“Bird Electric, as part of Black & Veatch possesses a strong vision and culture of execution excellence that will advance our efforts in better meeting the needs of an ever-expanding client base,” Bleak said, noting that the company also has an industry-leading safety record and strong training programs.

Bleak will report to Rich Jacober – a Black & Veatch executive vice president and distributed infrastructure solutions leader. Previous Bird Electric leader Brian Bird will work to support Bleak to ensure a smooth transition, then concentrate on the accelerated growth of the company’s storm-restoration business.

With more than 600 employees, Bird Electric has a much sought-after national reach in emergency power restoration – a key area Black & Veatch has focused on growing when it acquired Bird Electric Enterprises and Bird Electric Properties – collectively known as Bird Electric – in early 2023.

Before joining Quanta, Bleak was a Forbes Brothers manager for the Southwest region that includes Nevada, California and Arizona. He also served as president of KK&L Inc., specializing in city and state road work, large utility projects, estimating and negotiating contracts while supervising administrative aspects of all jobs. Before that, he was a general superintendent with TAB Contractors, where he monitored subcontractor activities and established safety practices for highway and public works construction projects.

About Black & Veatch 
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.

Media Contact Information:

JIM SUHR | +1 913-458-6995 P | SuhrJ@BV.com 
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