Tag: 3BL

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 21, 2024 /3BL/ – Ahead of the United Nation’s International Day of Biodiversity on 22nd May, Tetra Pak has announced the launch of its ‘Approach to Nature’ – a comprehensive framework that defines the company’s contribution to halting and reversing nature loss and enhancing water security. The approach aligns with global targets, including those outlined in the Biodiversity Plan that calls for action to halt biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of all life on earth.1

A report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that nature is deteriorating at rates unprecedented in human history, largely due to human activity.2 Global food systems are identified as the main drivers of nature loss,3 with wide-reaching impacts that threaten global economies, livelihoods and food security.4

Recognising this complex interdependency and building on a thorough evaluation of nature-related impacts and dependencies, Tetra Pak’s ambitious new ‘Approach to Nature’ aims to manage the impacts of the company’s value chain on nature and to support the restoration of ecosystems.5 Additionally, it seeks to contribute to global water resilience by reducing negative impacts on local water resources and addressing shared water challenges in basins at risk.6 All of this across the geographies, the business, its suppliers, and its customers are operating in, building a strong foundation upon which Tetra Pak can further accelerate its actions for nature.

Amongst the 25 targets set by Tetra Pak:

By 2025, 100% of Tetra Pak’s raw materials with the most significant land footprint7 will originate from certified or controlled sources.By 2025, 100% of Tetra Pak high water-impact suppliers8 will report on water use and quality.Eradicate waste-to-landfill from Tetra Pak production sites by 2030.Achieve a 50% reduction of water use in best practice processing lines by 2030 compared to 2019.

Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity, Tetra Pak, comments: “With over half of the world’s GDP heavily reliant on nature,9 the stakes could not be higher. Our ‘Approach to Nature’ not only reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship but also builds on our longstanding action in this domain, cemented by our inclusion in the 2023 CDP Forests A List for the eighth consecutive year and the achievement of an A- in Water Security for our first year of reporting. As other companies join us on this journey, together we can help protect and restore nature for the generations to come.”

In 2022, Tetra Pak was also a signatory of the Business for Nature coalition’s COP15 business statement, urging governments to adopt the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 15. Target 15 required large private companies and financial institutions to assess and disclose their risks, dependencies, and impacts on biodiversity, provide information to consumers to promote sustainable consumption and report on compliance.10

Eva Zabey, CEO, Business for Nature, comments: “Tetra Pak’s ‘Approach to Nature’ marks an important milestone, emphasising how the corporate world must step up to support the ambitious targets of the Biodiversity Plan (formerly known as the Global Biodiversity Framework). We encourage all companies to set a nature strategy – a clear plan for how they will contribute towards a nature-positive future by 2030. However, businesses can’t achieve this alone; governments must create the right incentives to speed up corporate action to address nature loss.”

Media contacts 
Lucia Freschi 
Tetra Pak 
Tel: +39 347 2632237 
Lucia.freschi@tetrapak.com

1The Biodiversity Plan, formerly known as the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, was adopted in December 2022. It outlines global ambitions and specific actions needed to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050. It includes goals such as restoring 30% of ecosystems, reducing food waste by half and investing at least $200 billion annually in strategies that benefit biodiversity. For more information: https://www.cbd.int/gbf 
2IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity. p. 1109 In E. S. Brondízio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, & H. T. Ngo (Eds.), IPBES secretariat. IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. Source: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673 
3Benton, T.G., et al. (2021). Food system impacts on biodiversity loss: Three levers for food system transformation in support of nature. Chatham House. Source: https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/2021-02-03-food-system-biodiversity-loss-benton-et-al_0.pdf 
4Herweijer, C., et al. “Nature risk rising: Why the crisis engulfing nature matters for business and the economy.” World Economic Forum and PwC. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Nature_ Economy_Report_2020.pdf 
5One example Is The Araucaria Conservation Programme In Brazil 
6Basins at risk are identified following the SBTN methodology, based on eight different indicators across water quantity, quality and wash. For each indicator, a score between 1 and 5 is attributed. Within these three categories, one indicator with a score of 3 or above indicates that the basin is at risk 
7Tetra Pak raw materials with most significant land-use footprint are defined as paperboard, sugarcane-based polymer and aluminium. These commodities are also included in SBTN Conversion-driving commodities list 
8High water-impact suppliers are defined as having high business relevance, water impact and exposure to water risks. 
9WEF, 2020 
10COP15: Nations Adopt Four Goals, 23 Targets for 2030 In Landmark UN Biodiversity Agreement | Convention on Biological Diversity (cbd.int)

Quest Diagnostics East Region President Ruth Clements explained how routine diagnostic testing is crucial to closing gaps in healthcare as part of health panel at the National Action Network (NAN) Convention in April.

Hosted by Choose Healthy Life (CHL), Ruth joined “The State of Black Health: Building a New Normal,” to discuss the gap in care for the black community. The panel was moderated by Choose Healthy Life founder Debra Frazer-Howze and included NYC Commissioner of Health Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Rev. Dr. Que English, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford (Harvard Medical School), and others.

In her previous role as Vice President/General Manager of Infectious Diseases & Immunology (IDI) at Quest, Ruth was instrumental in the COVID-19 response planning for Quest Diagnostics. She explained that the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in black communities in 2020 finally shined a light on existing inequities in health outcomes.

“For me, being in charge of the COVID response for Quest, which was a hectic time, I could not ignore the facts,” said Ruth. “The facts that people who looked like me were dying unnecessarily because they didn’t have access to testing, they didn’t have the right information, and they didn’t have doctors that looked like them that they could trust. Misinformation in the community around COVID that killed people was just heartbreaking to me.”

Quest launched Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) in 2020 during the heart of the pandemic response. Quest made a commitment to do its part to address the systemic inequity fueling the health equity gap and work towards meaningful progress by working with dedicated partners like Choose Healthy Life.

The Q4HE team continues to work toward removing the barriers deepening health inequities in under-resourced communities and improve equity in testing and screening, which includes Blueprint for Wellness®.

Blueprint for Wellness is Quest’s comprehensive biometric screening that measures more than 25 key indicators of health, including blood glucose, cholesterol and hemoglobin A1C.

“We are connecting people to care,” said Ruth. “For us, it is about people knowing their health risks as well as their health strengths and taking action and following that up with care.”

In 2023, Q4HE provided 6,113 no-cost Blueprint for Wellness tests in marginalized communities.

“It is a privilege as Quest to be a part of this initiative,” said Ruth. “Healthcare is a team sport— we have to do this together.”

The El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank is collaborating with Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s El Paso, Texas, refinery to meet growing demand for food assistance.Since 2021, the number of families accessing monthly food distributions at the refinery has increased eightfold.Along with continuing distribution efforts in 2024, the refinery has renewed financial support for the food bank with a $75,000 grant and will assist with its annual fundraising gala.

Gasoline and other essential energy products are routinely delivered from Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s (MPC) El Paso, Texas, refinery to meet critical needs. On the last Friday of every month, the site makes an additional crucial delivery. Employee volunteers conduct drive-through food distributions in a refinery parking lot for people in need, dispensing the food from an 18-wheeler’s refrigerated trailer.

“We are in our fourth year of monthly distributions with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank and the only local company that conducts distributions from our own facility,” said MPC Principal Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Relations Representative V.J. Smith.

Since these events began in 2021, demand for assistance has grown eightfold from an average of 50 families a month to roughly 400. This volume requires the food bank to rely on the 18-wheeler, which the refinery purchased for the organization a few years ago to transport food in the local area. Help from refinery employees with the monthly distributions has remained steady. About 20 employee volunteers each month unload, sort and carry food to the lines of vehicles that form.  

“Most of our workforce is from El Paso and raising families here, so they care deeply about the city,” Smith said. “Their passion drives our community investment.”

On top of continuing food distributions in 2024, the refinery is providing the food bank with a $75,000 grant, marking the sixth consecutive year it has provided direct financial support. Later this year, MPC plans to help the food bank with its annual fundraising gala after serving as the title sponsor of the 2023 Noche de Estrellas event, which raised $183,370. This event was a reverse gala, meaning community VIPs and gala sponsors worked as servers and treated food bank clients to gourmet dining.

“Marathon Petroleum Corporation has consistently demonstrated unparalleled commitment to our mission,” said El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank CEO Susan Goodell. “Their renewed support this year, both through generous grants and active participation in our gala, shows their dedication to our community. We’re immensely grateful for Marathon’s partnership, which truly makes them an amazing ally in our fight against hunger.”

Meet Sheriee…

Have you ever wondered what a typical day in the life is like at the Points of Light Conference? Meet our (fictional) friend, Sheriee Steinbach, a corporate social impact manager at a Fortune 1000 company. This is what a full day of conference could look like for a CSR leader.

Sheriee is diving into her very first Points of Light Conference. It’s already been an action-packed two days since kicking things off Tuesday evening followed by a full day of learning and networking on Wednesday all the way through the Food Truck Festival. With a spring in her step, she starts Thursday morning with a large iced coffee to give her the energy she needs for a full day of education and inspiration.

She takes a walk to Civic Park and participates briefly in the service project before making her way to the Civic Talk: Trusted AI for Good. She’s started using AI to support her volunteer recruitment materials but wants to learn more about its potential for amplifying civic action.

Next, she heads off to her first workshop of the day, Corporate Volunteer — Building Your Employee Engagement Roadmap, on connecting volunteer leadership with professional development, which she knows will have takeaways to share with her HR leaders.

Afterward, Sheriee meets up with her colleagues who attended different workshops to maximize their time on-site. They walk together to the Business Leader Luncheon to hear from fellow corporate social impact leaders on driving people-powered change through employee engagement activities. She leaves the room invigorated and ready for the afternoon.

Sheriee wraps up learning for the day in a late afternoon workshop called Building Transformational Mentorship Programs: Women in the Workforce. Her ERG counterpart is always looking for new ways and new partnerships that will drive increased access to careers and professional opportunities for underrepresented groups. Bringing these insights back will help deepen their partnership.

After attending the Service as an Act of Faith panel and dinner hosted by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, she heads back to her hotel room for a good night’s rest. She’s taken copious notes over the past two days and is excited to share them with her team. She knows the last day will be just as rewarding and can’t wait to get back to the office with actionable ideas and a wealth of new contacts.

Join Sheriee and Others Like You

The Points of Light Conference offers attendees 2.5 days of programming, 70+ workshops led by industry experts and a chance to network with over 1,000 attendees. View the conference agenda to plan your days of learning, networking and inspiration, and book your room by May 29 to receive a special conference rate.

Register Now >>

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on May 17, 2024

Kamilah Williams-Kemp is chief insurance officer at Northwestern Mutual.

Wealth. While everyone has their own definition of the word, it can often feel unattainable due to economic, societal or generational impact.

I recently had the opportunity to address this and the broader topic of the wealth gap during a panel at a TED Conference in Vancouver. The perspective I shared is one that Northwestern Mutual advisors share with their clients daily: Protecting wealth while growing it and planning across generations will set the stage for financial success and reduction of the wealth gap.

There hasn’t been enough focus on the protection of risk, which is part of the reason we are seeing a lack of wealth transfer from generation to generation.

We are about to see one of the largest wealth transfers in American history, with nearly $30 trillion expected to be passed down from baby boomers to the next generations. However, dollars passed down don’t always equate to an upside in wealth accumulation.

Why?

In many cases, people aren’t focusing on key risks to their money. Things like market volatility, taxes, health problems, and living longer than expected can deplete Americans’ savings, leaving little (if anything) remaining for inheritance gain. In fact, almost 65 percent of white Americans don’t receive an inheritance or gift. For Black Americans, that number climbs to 87 percent.

I’ve seen it personally in my family. My grandparents were entrepreneurs. They earned a very healthy living. But they fell ill when my mom was still in high school. She passed on a full ride to an Ivy League school to take care of them. They died within a month of each other when she was 19. I often wonder what my mom’s life could have looked like if they’d had the tools in place to allow her to live out her dreams—even when they got sick.

Wealth doesn’t come with just a transfer or an investment; it comes with building your legacy.

At Northwestern Mutual, we’re committed to helping people create long-lasting legacies and financial futures that will continue to benefit the next generation. Our approach is simple but impactful: We focus on building wealth while managing risk. The notion of protecting what you’re building requires understanding clients’ short-term and long-term goals to recommend the best combination of financial products and services to help them get there—from investments to permanent life insurance to annuities and more. In fact, third-party research shows that a financial plan that combines all three can lead to better outcomes in retirement.

Because plans are individualized, it’s imperative that clients not only identify with a financial advisor but also feel connected to that professional. That means representation matters just as much as the products we offer. We have the most diverse, fastest-growing number of financial advisors we’ve ever had, and we’re committed to growing that. It’s likely that our clients will be able to find an advisor who’s right for them within their community.

We need to have more open conversations about financial plans with our family members, earlier. 

In many cases, Americans are starting over with wealth accumulation with every generation. We need to change that, and we can.

It’s time to break down those walls and have open dialogues with family members across generations to best position individuals and loved ones for the greatest financial success. After all, you’re only as financially secure as the least financially secure member of your family. It’s not easy to have conversations on what may happen if tragedy strikes or the unexpected occurs, but it’s those conversations that help ensure everyone knows the decisions to make when necessary ahead of time rather than in a time when emotions may be high.

That’s where a one-to-one relationship with a Northwestern Mutual advisor comes in. Our advisors can help bridge the conversations, help uncover blind spots in plans, and provide answers that help clients make more informed decisions in the future.

While there is still work to do to close the wealth gap, I’m optimistic that the work our advisors are doing every day—to understand our clients’ unique needs and goals, identify opportunities, and build a path to help individuals and families achieve those dreams—will set future generations up for success.

Learn more here.

Quest colleagues from coast-to-coast marked Lab Week 2024 with a week full of activities to celebrate our medical laboratory professionals and pathologists. As part of the celebration, we also featured highlights of the professional journeys of Quest colleagues from across the country.

—

From Lab Assistant to Associate Scientist
11 years at Quest
Southwest Region – Lewisville, Texas

Q: What did you initially want out of your career?
Deepika: Initially, I wanted to work and wanted to be independent.

Q: How has what you wanted changed over the years?
Deepika: Over the years, I realized working in cytogenetics makes me happy and keeps me motivated alongside achieving financial independence.

Q: Did you ever take any risks with taking on a new role, and were you encouraged to move into different roles, or did you move on your own?
Deepika: Yes, I did take risks with taking on a new role, as all my new roles has new learning demands, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Also, I am glad I took those risks/challenges.

Q: What tools or offerings from Quest did you utilize to help you in your career progression? (tuition reimbursement, EMPower trainings, etc.)
Deepika: EMPower training, onsite-trainings, and peoples’ belief in my hard work and dedication.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who desires more from their current career?
Deepika: Keep looking for opportunities, projects- and never be afraid of taking risks. It might be hard at the beginning, but with your hard work and dedication, you can achieve whatever you are looking for.

Q: Which of our 5Cs do you connect with most, and why? (Customer First, Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Curiosity)
Deepika: I connect and believe in all the 5Cs, but if I must choose one, it will be continuous improvement. I believe if you keep looking for ideas and keep working hard, it will definitely improve your work and bring lots of confidence and contentment to your life.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Deepika: I believe my journey from a Lab Assistant to the current role of Associate Scientist is a testament to the growth and opportunities within our team. I started as a Lab Assistant, where my passion for technology and eagerness to learn quickly became evident. With guidance and with hard work, I gradually transitioned into a technical role. Their belief in my abilities and willingness to provide opportunities alongside my commitment to growth played a pivotal role in my professional development. As I embraced the challenges of a Lead Tech position, I continued to learn and contribute to various projects. The collaborative environment and mentorship I received allowed me to excel in my role. I am thrilled to have achieved the position of Associate Scientist. I am grateful to my entire team for fostering an environment that encourages learning and growth. I am proud to be part of a company that values its employees and provides avenues for advancement.

Embracing the inspire inclusion theme of International Women’s Day 2024, several sites across our global network have spent the week celebrating the event locally:

In Peterborough, U.K., individual employees received personalized recognition for their accomplishments and contributions to their team.In Valencia, Spain, female and male colleagues alike donned a IWD edition of a traditional Spanish scarf to show solidarity with one another.In the Middle East, plants hosted round-table discussions focused on improving the female experience in the workforce.In Kechnec, Slovakia and across other locations, employees gathered to watch our internal IWD webinars, focused on various topics aimed to empower women.

These activities represent just a few of the ways our teams are honoring the women within Crown. We are thrilled to see such positive action around IWD and are hopeful we can carry this momentum forward throughout this year and beyond.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

View original content here.

In 2021, Work For Humankind, Lenovo’s landmark initiative, in partnership with NGO partner Island Conservation, opened the isolated 900-person community of Robinson Crusoe Island to new possibilities for tourism, trade, employment and education by bringing technological advancement to the island. What started out as an initiative to change how people work—for good—has made a lasting impact.

This Earth Day, we sat down with Vivian Huacuja Garcia, a wildlife veterinarian at Island Conservation, to discuss the new conservation efforts made possible by Lenovo’s smarter technology.

Nearly two years since Work For Humankind began, how has Lenovo’s end-to-end technology continued to impact your work at Island Conservation?

[Vivian]: Having reliable internet and access to high-end technology like Lenovo’s AI-enabled edge servers has revolutionized our work as we’re now able to gather, process and store big data like never before. This data allows us to move more swiftly and react to invasive threats across the island in real time, taking decision time from three months to a matter of weeks. Overall, Lenovo’s technology portfolio, including ThinkVision monitors, premium Yoga devices, ThinkPad laptops, ThinkStations and more, makes integral aspects of remote work like video conferencing available to our non-profit for the first time. This continues to save us valuable time and money that can be reinvested in new or expanded projects that directly benefit the island.

Has community life on Robinson Crusoe also changed?

[Vivian]: Absolutely! Since the implementation of Work For Humankind, the island’s community dynamics have undergone a remarkable transformation, and we continue to see more success with each passing year of the initiative. With widespread access to free Wi-Fi now available at the community tech hub on the island, there’s been a surge in internet users, marking a staggering 70% increase over the past year alone. Our initiative to incentivize learning and engagement through a system of earning free internet time has been a hit among residents. By integrating questions about Island Conservation and local species into the process, we’re not only providing connectivity but also fostering awareness and education about our vital conservation efforts.

The hub also includes Lenovo devices such as tablets like the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, Legion gaming laptops and motorola edge 20 pro smartphones, which offer residents the educational, economic and social benefits of digital access. Moreover, the integration of Lenovo devices in the local school has been a game changer, with teachers reporting tangible improvements in student learning experiences across all age groups. Technology has truly become an indispensable tool and portal for learning, captivating the curiosity of our youth and driving a thirst for knowledge.

Can you give us an update on the community conservation efforts around the island?

[Vivian]: Over the past year, the community conservation efforts have flourished with nearly 90 dedicated volunteers tirelessly nurturing seedlings and maintaining greenhouses across Robinson Crusoe. The success of these initiatives, which support our mission to re-cultivate the island’s native flora and fauna, has prompted us to expand our efforts further in the coming year. Beyond their primary ecological role, these greenhouses have evolved into vibrant community hubs. Equipped with free internet access courtesy of the Lenovo legacy fund, they’ve turned into natural gathering spaces particularly among our younger residents. These greenhouses and community gardens serve not only as centers for biodiversity restoration but also as catalysts for fostering a tighter knit, more interconnected community.

What other conservation efforts or projects does Island Conservation have on the horizon?

[Vivian]: Looking ahead, we’re excited to leverage the AI and machine learning models built by Lenovo data scientists, which has transformed our work at Island Conservation, to tackle a new challenge: addressing Robinson Crusoe’s feral cat population in a humane and innovative manner. Using advanced AI models, we can quickly and accurately assess the current population of feral cats on the island before launching a groundbreaking adoption campaign. This initiative represents a paradigm shift for us as we look to rehome an invasive species, rather than eradicate it, while upholding the local community’s wishes to protect these animals. Made possible by the cost savings from Lenovo technology and support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this campaign underscores our commitment to sustainable conservation practices. We are able to prioritize both ecological integrity and community values—thanks to the power of Lenovo technology.

You can find out more about Work For Humankind at https://lenovowfh.com/.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 21, 2024 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in supply chain solutions, announces that six business units have been Certified™ by Great Place To Work® in the Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. These certifications evaluate companies on their ability to foster positive and sustainable workplace conditions and are based entirely on survey responses from current DP World employees.

The survey found that over 80% of respondents are proud to be part of the DP World team and have a positive opinion of the company’s corporate image. Respondents highlighted diversity and inclusion as among the core themes most valued in the workplace. 

Brian Enright, CEO, DP World Americas, said:“We are honored to be recognized by Great Place To Work. At DP World, we believe that providing a workplace culture that empowers and inspires our employees to reach their full potential is essential to attract and retain top talent. This acknowledgment is especially meaningful as it reflects our ongoing commitment to our ambitious growth strategy across the Americas. This award is a true testament to all our employees’ hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence.”

Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work, said: “Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that DP World stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications
M: (+1) 704-605-6159
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About Great Place to Work Certification™
Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

About Great Place To Work®
As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About DP World 

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally. 

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 108,100 employees from 161 nationalities, spanning 74 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future. 

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door. 

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW 

TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

FedEx Cares is the company’s commitment to giving back and volunteering – values core to the company’s culture inspired and created by our Founder, Frederick W. Smith.

The FedEx Founder’s Fund Award was established in 2023 in recognition of Mr. Smith’s legacy during our 50th anniversary. It celebrates team members who give back to their communities in meaningful ways.

Join FedEx Cares in congratulating the winners of the inaugural FedEx Founder’s Fund Award, the most prestigious recognition team members can achieve within the FedEx Cares program.

The top three team members globally, with the most recorded volunteer hours, will have grants made in their names to the nonprofits of their choice in the amounts of $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively.

1st place winner

Carol Cope

Sr Operations Admin

Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

FedEx Ground

First place winner, Carol, has worked for FedEx for 24 years and volunteers at eight nonprofits in her free time, most days of the week. Carol recorded an impressive 1,500+ volunteer hours this past year, making her the outright winner.

Her passion for volunteering began in 2009 with the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. Some of the nonprofits she has volunteered for since include: the Champaign Parks Foundation, Salt & Light, Virginia Theatre, Ma+homet Freedom Celebration, Crossroads Blues Festival, Mahomet Music Festival, and Mahomet Soda Festival.

Carol, who raised five children on her own, views volunteering as her way of giving back to her community for the support she received. She cites the feeling of gratitude from those she has impacted and the connections made as reasons why she enjoys volunteering.

Cancer awareness is just one cause that Carol cares about. Her daughter is currently fighting cancer, and she has lost friends from the disease.

“I see FedEx as very committed to helping their communities. FedEx helped me get my foot in the door for one of the nonprofits I volunteer at.”

2nd place winner

Daniel Russell 

Sr. Performance and Planning Analyst

Collierville, Tennessee, U.S.

FedEx Services

Daniel enjoys helping others and giving back to his community – something he has done at various nonprofits and his church since high school. He primarily volunteers as a Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop. Daniel grew up participating in scouts, eventually earning the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank attainable. He has since helped 70 young men earn the same rank.

An employee of 12 years, Daniel has volunteered at local FedEx Cares events like Habitat for Humanity, filling tote bags for military care packages, and the Midsouth Food Bank. These opportunities build teamwork and unity for the organization, according to Daniel.

“FedEx Cares can mobilize a small army of employees to make a huge impact in the communities around the world through various volunteer opportunities. I’ve seen neighborhoods of houses erected in a few weeks for very deserving families, provide treats for our troops, and provide meals to folks who may not know when or where their next meal will be.”

3rd place winner

Scott O’Mary 

Marketing Principal

Plano, Texas, U.S.

FedEx Services

Scott, who has worked a combined 19 years for FedEx, enjoys doing volunteer projects with his co-workers. Outside of work, his focus is on developing youth leaders. This cause is important to Scott, who views it as way to pay it forward for opportunities he had as a youth.

He began volunteering with a local scouting organization when his son participated in the program. Although his son is now in college, Scott still supports about 50 scouts in the Plano area.

“FedEx Cares is a great way to build teams and to get to know my co-workers outside of the work environment,” says Scott.

The top volunteer from each of the super regions, based on recorded volunteer hours, will have a $7,500 grant made in their name to a nonprofit of their choice.

AMEA – Top volunteer

Dwayne van Zyl 

Sr. National Account Executive

Cape Town, South Africa

FedEx Express

Dwayne, an employee of eight years, often faces gale force winds, freezing temperatures and gigantic seas while volunteering as member of a sea rescue crew. Water safety and drowning prevention are causes he holds dearly, with nearly 1,500 drownings per year in Western Cape. Although this work has its adversity, including dangerous conditions and dealing with death, saving someone’s life is an indescribable feeling, according to Dwayne.

His 10-year-old daughter has started volunteering with him and is part of the Junior Crew program. Together, they engage schools and under privileged communities on water safety.

“The FedEx Cares platform allows me to have a career in FedEx but give back to the communities I live and work in. I see this as a huge value add in my work life and personal life.”

The Americas – Top volunteer

Rose Vallee 

Sr Talent Acquisition Specialist

Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.

FedEx Express

Rose has worked for FedEx for nearly 35 years and helps others in her community through her love of cooking and preparing hot meals every week.

She has prepared about 150 meals a week year-round for the homeless and food insecure with Meals with Meaning for the last seven years. Rose’s passion for helping those marginalized by society has led her to participate in an annual Thanksgiving Day event, feeding over 350 people, and to host a FedEx Cares event at the nonprofit with team members.

“FedEx makes it a priority to give back to the communities that we all live and work in. By doing so, it gives all of us an opportunity to serve in various ways that hopefully can tap into what each of us is good at or enjoy.”

Europe – Top volunteer

Steve Miller 

Manager Continuous Improvement & Service Tower 

Atherstone, England

FedEx Express

Steve joined FedEx as part of TNT and has 30 years of combined experience with the company. He enjoys volunteering outdoors, particularly in activities that benefit the local area in which he lives.

Steve’s passion for woodland management and environmental conservation began about 10 years ago with helping his community, which historically relied on coal, transform into the national forest it is today. He spends most weekends during the autumn and winter months practicing woodland management activities. Steve’s contributions give him a chance to make a difference for the wider community that he has seen change for the better during his life.

“FedEx Cares is a great opportunity to do volunteering. It makes you feel good to be doing some good for your local community, however big or small the effort.”