Tag: 3BL

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on February 19, 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual is celebrating the outstanding volunteerism of its financial professionals through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. This year, 16 financial advisors and representatives were recognized for their transformational impact on the communities they serve, totaling $295,000 in grants to nonprofits nationwide. Local Louisville resident Mark Kull, founder of Capitalis Planning Partners, a member of the Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group, has been named a 2024 Most Exceptional Community Service Award winner, receiving a $25,000 grant for Healing the Children (HTC) – Kentucky.

“At Northwestern Mutual we believe in putting people first. This value is highlighted through our dedicated financial advisors who are not only building better tomorrows for their clients, but also for their communities,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Through their philanthropic work, our advisors are donating their time and talents to help local nonprofit organizations.”

HTC provides urgently needed quality medical care for underserved children around the world. Since 2020, Kull and his wife have fostered two children through HTC’s International Inbound program, which offers a home away from home for kids while they undergo medical treatment at Norton Children’s Hospital. In 2023, the Kull family fostered a 4-year-old boy, Nouri, who traveled from Burkina Faso to Lousville for four months. Upon Nouri’s arrival, the medical team discovered they needed to address his severe kidney stones and a massive abdominal hernia, in addition to heart surgery. In addition to providing a temporary home, guardianship and love for their foster children, the Kull family personally donated $20,000 to help fund HTC’s global mission.

“Through our work with HTC, we may not be solving all of the world’s problems, but we are solving these kid’s problems by opening our homes and providing loving support,” said Kull. “Thanks to this grant from Northwestern Mutual’s Community Service Awards program, additional funding will be allocated to HTC’s primary program areas, including its International Inbound program which allows even more children to have access to lifesaving medical care.”

Now in its 29th year, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation and Community Service Awards program, has donated nearly $7 million to nonprofits supported by financial professionals in their communities across the country.

Learn more about Mark Kull, Capitalis Planning Partners and his volunteer efforts with Healing the Children here.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation 
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $400 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual 
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $570 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory

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For further information, contact: 
Jennifer Erickson, 1-800-323-7033 
mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

CINCINNATI, March 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Carla Cobb, Fifth Third’s director of supplier diversity has been named one of Procurement magazine’s Top 10 Supplier Diversity Leaders influencing and shaping the procurement and supply chain industry. The list comprises supplier diversity leaders focused on increasing the presence of diverse businesses through a commitment of growth, collaboration, and development.

“I commend Carla and the other innovative supplier diversity trailblazers who are touching the lives of diverse business owners everywhere,” said Stephanie A. Smith, senior vice president and chief inclusion officer for Fifth Third Bank. “This recognition is a testament to Carla’s servant leadership and expertise in making a difference in the lives of small businesses and improving the well-being of our communities.”

With more than 30 years of expertise, Cobb is responsible for identifying ways to increase the Bank’s diverse spend and promoting a strong, diverse supplier base across its footprint. She leads Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity program which is exceeding its 10% spend goal with diverse suppliers as a part of its Six Bold Goals for inclusion and diversity through 2025. The Bank’s supplier diversity program was developed to encourage small diverse businesses certified as owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people to compete for contracting opportunities

“I’m honored and humbled by this global recognition, and to be listed alongside leaders at some of the largest companies in the world speaks volumes,” Cobb expressed.

The full list of Top Supplier Diversity Leaders is available online. For more information of Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity initiatives, click here.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

As technology continues to redefine industries and jobs, IBM is a beacon of progress, driven by a purpose to be a catalyst that makes the world work better. Through flagship initiatives like the SkillsBuild program, IBM is arming both internal and external workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s economy. By fostering opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, IBM not only bolsters individual employability but also empowers individuals to pursue career paths previously out of reach.

Justina Nixon-Saintil is one example of the transformative power of continuous learning. Initially an engineer and then an educator, Justina today serves as IBM’s Vice President and Chief Impact Officer — so she knows a thing or two about reskilling and adaptation. We invited Justina to share how IBM is setting a standard for corporate responsibility through employee volunteering, skills development, and the Sustainability Accelerator, which has been heralded as a blueprint for corporate responsibility.

Listen for insights on:

Activating employee volunteers through their skills and passionsAdvancing in or getting started with your sustainability careerCreating an infrastructure that evaluates the internal and external ethical use of AI

Listen to this and other episodes of Purpose 360 Podcast here.

Purpose 360 Podcast is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of purpose to ignite business and social impact. Hosted by Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, Purpose 360 illuminates the impact of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share.

Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP) is a pioneering social impact consultancy helping companies, brands, and nonprofits harness the power of purpose to advance their business and societal impact. CCOP’s proven approach, developed over decades and hundreds of purpose assignments, meets clients at any point on their purpose journey to unlock opportunities to build reputation, inspire and engage employees, ignite organizational culture for innovation and growth, while supporting the greater good.

When Lauren Kashtan thinks about the point in her life when she started to realize what she stood for, she zeroes in on middle school: those awkward tween years, when kids who are taking their first steps toward adulthood start to form cliques and say things to impress each other.

She remembers kids casually tossing around a slur that is often used to disparage people with special needs. To Lauren, it was deeply personal. Her younger brother, Efram, had been born with a rare birth defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum. As a child, he wore braces on his legs and had trouble walking; his vocabulary is limited, and only those closest to him can understand his pronunciation of certain words.

“My sister and I were equally responsible for making Efram feel included in the world,” she said. “It became such a big part of my identity. And if I really reflect on what shaped me the most as who I am today, it’s being the sibling of a brother with special needs.”

Lauren, who is the Head of Global Corporate, Portfolio and Operations Communications, keeps those early lessons close to her heart still. As the co-chair of EmpoWer, Viatris’ employee resource group for women and their allies, she sees a sense of belonging and inclusion as one of the unifying characteristics of the membership. The theme of International Women’s Day for 2024, “inspire inclusion,” resonated with her childhood memories.

Hear Lauren’s thoughts on how EmpoWer helps to inspire inclusion in the workplace above.

Her parents set the expectation: Efram was an active member of the family, going wherever they went.

“We never apologized for his behavior if he had outbursts or loud noises, or did things that other kids didn’t do,” Lauren said. If her brother approached a total stranger in a store and announced “love you,” his family members would engage in a conversation with them, not pull Efram away. When her father led services at their synagogue, Efram was beside him at the front of the congregation.

And when the middle-school kids started using slurs, Lauren found her voice and told them to stop.

“I had to start to advocate on his behalf. And he wouldn’t have known the difference otherwise, but I started to realize how much it mattered to me,” she said. “He wasn’t even there, and I educated people about how their words mattered.”

Hear Lauren’s perspective on having a personal connection to inclusion here.

Lauren started college as a special education major at the University of Maryland, inspired by Efram. But in her junior year, she had an epiphany: she didn’t have to work in the field to honor her brother. She could explore her growing interest in marketing and communications and still make a difference.

“I think that was a really important decision in my life, to realize that there’s so much great work that people can do as advocates, and being part of organizations and just modeling behavior,” she said. “You’re still able to pursue that authentic part of yourself, but you can still pursue your own career aspirations, too.”

Efram is still on her mind often, and she keeps a picture of him on her desk. When she lived in Pittsburgh, Lauren struggled with the fact that she would not see him for months at a time, because he lives in a group home in Maryland. In 2023, she and her husband decided to return to Maryland so they could be closer to both of their families.

Today, they live on the same street as the house where Lauren grew up, and where her parents still live. Their children, who are 6 and 9, are surrounded by extended family, and they are able to see Efram often. Now they, too, are learning what inclusion means. And Lauren is transported back in time to her own childhood, seeing an entire synagogue embrace her brother as he expresses joy during the services they attend together.

In that way, she points out, Efram is actually the greatest role model of all.

“What’s amazing to me is that my brother – with all of his challenges and limitations and limited vocabulary – that he could make someone with none of those things feel included,” she said. “He will find, actually, the person in the corner, the person in the background, and he’ll seek those people out and look them in the eyes and say, ‘love you.’ And it’s just – it’s the coolest thing. So he’s actually the real role model.”

After a 15-Year Battle With Dry Eye Disease, Things are Looking UpTake Back the Power: Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Illness and Mental Health ChallengesIn Fireside Chat, Three Women Leaders Advise Colleagues to ‘Win or Learn’

CBRE

/3BL/ – Global real estate advisor, CBRE, has published its ranking of European cities according to their resilience to the impacts of climate change. The report, ‘European City Sustainability Study 2024,’ evaluated the performance of 42 cities across Europe in relation to a number of factors, from transition risk, building performance standards and level of air pollution to future flood risks and ability to implement renewable energy. Three UK cities ranked within the top ten, including Birmingham, London and Manchester.

The study provides real estate professionals and investors with insights to help understand different markets, the opportunities and challenges they face.

Out of 42 cities assessed, the study ranked the top 10 in terms of climate resiliency as:

Amsterdam, The NetherlandsBirmingham, United KingdomGothenburg, SwedenHelsinki, FinlandLondon, United KingdomManchester, United KingdomOslo, NorwayParis, FranceRotterdam, The NetherlandsStockholm, Sweden

By improving the understanding of Europe’s key cities in terms of climate readiness, we hope to galvanise not only the property industry and investors, but also broader stakeholders, to take note of the need to prepare against the worst effects of climate change. While many cities may regard themselves as being leaders, this survey holds some surprises and warns against complacency.

Jen Siebrits, Head of UK research, CBRE

A key finding of the study is that real estate exposure to climate risk varies significantly across Europe, as does the challenge to decarbonise the built environment, which accounts for 30% of carbon emissions globally.

Within the study, there were three primary categories upon which each city was assessed:

Transition risk: the risks to business associated with societal and economic shifts towards a lower-carbon futurePhysical climate risk: the particular city’s vulnerability to climate changeMitigation and Adaptation Measures: the city’s ability to implement recommended environmental initiatives to limit climate change

UK cities have performed particularly well, with Birmingham, London and Manchester all appearing in the top ten. This is testament to efforts so far to prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change. However, there is much work to be done and no room for complacency if we are to deliver against the country’s much needed net zero targets.

Kaela Fenn-Smith, Managing Director, ESG Consultancy and Sustainability Services, CBRE

Read more about the European City Sustainability Study 2024 report here

About CBRE Group, Inc. 
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2022 revenue). The company has approximately 115,000 employees (excluding Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

This blog is by Noor Zafar, a Cybersecurity Cadet Risk Advisory Analyst at Deloitte in Australia and a former member of Cisco’s FIFA Women’s World Cup all-female Dream Team. We’re excited to have Noor join us as we go backstage with the Cisco Dream Team on our next Women Rock-IT event on February 29, 2024. 

Noor holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from the University of Wollongong (UOW) and a Diploma of Mechanical Engineering from TAFE NSW in Wollongong in Australia. She is currently in the UOW / Deloitte Cyber Academy traineeship and studying her Bachelor of Computer Science (cybersecurity) and Diploma of Information Technology (IT). Her multidisciplinary study in various fields in Mechanical, IT and cybersecurity has led to a strong passion for artificial intelligence (AI). 

The Women Rock-IT Program addresses the gender gap in STEM-related subjects. Established in 2014, the program has reached an audience of over 2 million people, featuring 156 female speakers, 91 live TV broadcasts and 78 blogs. As a result, more than 974,000 people have enrolled in technology courses.

There are two principles in life that I have learnt; if one door closes, another door opens, and everything is related and interconnected in some way or form. No knowledge can ever be wasted it—it can always be utilised—whether it be imaginative, creative solutions to real world problems, or simply the curious machinations of our mind’s own imagination.

However, never in my wildest dreams would I ever have imagined that I would be part of helping to capture and broadcast an iconic event in women’s Australian sporting history across the world. This is my story.

Inner workings of a creative child’s mind

As a child I was fascinated with the inner workings of a computer, robotics and technology in general. In fact, one of my earliest memories is helping my father building and fixing computers in our home garage. Tinkering with computers is a passion that I seem to have inherited and have since built upon. As a child I quickly gained knowledge and skills to trouble–shoot operating systems from old manuals that were the size of telephone directories! And for those of you who don’t know what they are, they’re huge! As an adult, I now look back and realise that my childhood obsession and interest in technology was a part of my undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder trait that would form a key part of my identity later in life.

Upheavals of migration 

My parents migrated from Pakistan, upheaving their entire lives just to educate their daughter. My mother gave me a strong sense of conviction and the foundation to pursue hard challenges and set targets. As a woman, she embedded a strong belief in me to pursue education, to be independent and most importantly, to lead a life in purposeful service, leaving a good legacy for future generations. My parents wanted me to pursue medicine, which I directed my studies towards. But I had no idea that one day I would go back to my original dream and passion of technology.

Delving into programming

During my teenage years, I delved into programming when my teacher enrolled me into the inaugural Google Python competition. This involved creating html and CSS websites which exposed me to technical challenges and problem solving. As students, we were given Lego robotics kits to construct robots with a small touch censor and a black and white camera for the robot to look at targets ahead. Our goal was to code a sensor program so that the robot could turn and avoid obstacles. These experiences not only honed my technical skills but further instilled in me a sense of curiosity and a love for hands-on problem-solving. The passion for robotics naturally led me to develop a very strong interest in AI. At high school, I loved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and applied for a bachelor’s degree in science at UOW after I finished my final year.

Coding, COVID, and cyber career change 

At UOW, I majored in chemistry and I did a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at TAFE NSW Wollongong. At the time, I only continued coding and pen-testing courses as a hobby. After graduating, I had a brief stint as a chemical engineer which I enjoyed immensely. However, after I was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to go back to my old job as an early childcare educator and considered teaching as a career change.

I had started doing a Master’s in Education until one day an advertisement on Reddit caught my eye. The ad promoted a UOW / Deloitte Cyber Academy Program for new school leavers and mature age students, paying them to study a degree in computer science at UOW, a Diploma in IT at TAFE NSW and to work at a big four company. Such possibilities seemed insurmountable, yet I applied for it and after the year-long application process, I finally got in.

The program consisted of a two-week bootcamp before coursework commenced. I completed the Fundamentals of Networking [Networking Essentials] course through Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest-running and purpose-driven IT skills-to-jobs programs. My teacher, Shan Ansari, nominated me for the Cisco Dream Team as I was able to pick up networking concepts quickly, asked a lot of questions, and was very quick to problem solve the Cisco Packet Tracer lab exercises. He wrote me a wonderful recommendation letter and I applied for the Dream Team; it was a very last-minute application!

You’re dreaming!

Honestly, I was gobsmacked when I heard that I got into the Cisco Dream Team. My TAFE teacher told me that I was the first TAFE student to make it into the Dream Team and that is a highly coveted experience to obtain in the IT industry. The Dream Team went to three workshops where we gained hands-on experience of how to do cabling and basic troubleshooting. It was the first time for me to meet the all-female Dream Team which included the all-female Dream Team which included six women from all across Australia. The workshops were very informative as we were all enrolled into Cisco Networking Academy’s CCNA course, and we physically learnt how to do cabling and work with Cisco equipment. This was my dream coming true:

I had always wanted to study and apply my technical knowledge but this was at a whole new level, at a major sporting event!

The Dream Team event went over seven days. We were split into two teams to cover the cabling at both event stadiums: Stadium Australia and Homebush Stadium. The Dream Team shadowed the Swisscom team which was in charge of planning and installing the IT infrastructure using Cisco equipment. We were given the schematics of the media tribune area, and we spent our time setting-up the equipment in order for the media to have reliable high-speed internet throughout the coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Dream Team also set up wireless access points near the area of play. On the day of the opening match of France vs Jamaica, the Dream Team gathered with the Swisscom team to troubleshoot the match in real-time. Seeing how a major event is put together behind the scenes, from the infrastructure and planning and sheer scale of people working, was a life-changing experience for me. Fortunately, the opening match coverage went smoothly without any issues and it was a fantastic learning opportunity.

Cisco recognition

The feeling of contributing to such a monumental event brought a wave of emotions over me. The camaraderie among the Dream Team members and the recognition from Cisco executives made me realise the numerous opportunities and pathways for women in IT.

Cisco’s all-female Dream Team received coverage in the national newspapers, industry press, and my local hometown regional newspapers. I even got the opportunity to share my experience on the ABC Illawarra radio station. This opportunity has opened-up so many career pathways and recognition that I am truly grateful for. My advice to anybody starting in IT is to seize the opportunity to upskill and retrain. IT is a pathway for women that can provide more options and greater flexibility than many others, and all your knowledge that you gain throughout your career can be utilised to solve the most unique problems and create innovative solutions. Always be curious, be resilient under the face of challenges and always have a creative flair in your work.

I hope this story serves as an inspiration for those navigating the tech landscape. As I reflect on my own path, it’s heartening to know that the skills I developed in my formative years played a crucial role in my more recent success. The FIFA Women’s World Cup made Australian TV history. The Cisco Dream Team journey stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that unfold when childhood passions meet curiosity and resilience.

Register to hear Noor and others on Women Rock-IT 

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We’re committed to increasing diverse representation in clinical trials, especially for those who have been historically underrepresented.

Our 2024 Toward Health Equity Oncology Grant focuses on inclusion in trials and supports the mission of 36 global organizations centered on a common goal: providing quality, accessible healthcare for people living with cancer.

https://gilead.inc/3OTUpuh

Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

Around the globe, more than 200 Whirlpool Corporation employees rolled up their sleeves in 2023 to help build homes and change lives. As we enter our 25th year of work with Habitat for Humanity International, we will continue to focus on our vision of ensuring everyone can have a place to live that is comfortable and nurturing.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

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MAYS LANDING, N.J., March 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Atlantic City Electric customers can now request a free tree to plant at their home as part of the company’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program. Residential customers can reserve a complimentary tree on a first-come, first-served basis and reap the energy-saving benefits that trees provide.

Atlantic City Electric will make 1,200 free trees available to customers throughout its South Jersey service area. Customers can choose their tree from several types of species native to the northeast region, such as Baldcypress, River Birch, Eastern Redbud and Red Maple. Trees will be delivered by mail by the end of May. Visit arborday.org/ace to reserve a tree while supplies last. Atlantic City Electric reminds customers to know what’s below and call 811 to have utility underground lines marked before they begin planting.

“The trees planted under this program enhance our communities while providing numerous energy-saving and environmental benefits to our customers,” said Doug Mokoid, Atlantic City Electric region president. “In our 12th consecutive year of partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, we feel incredibly grateful for their collaboration to foster a program that aligns with our dedication to addressing environmental challenges faced by our community members. Together, we’ll create a path toward a cleaner energy future for all.”

When planted properly, trees provided through the program have the potential to reduce energy bills by 15 to 30 percent as they grow. Trees also play a critical role in protecting homes from the summer sun and breaking up winter winds for better energy efficiency, in addition to improving the air we breathe. Customers can find interactive tools online through the Arbor Day Foundation to help them determine where to plant their tree for energy savings.

“We are proud to continue an over decade-long partnership with Atlantic City Electric, whose dedication to the Energy-Saving Trees program only echoes the company’s larger commitment to improving their communities,” said Kristen Bousquet, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provided through our program can help reduce carbon emissions and filter storm water while also providing critical energy savings, benefiting both the environment and Atlantic City Electric’s valued customers.”

The trees distributed by Atlantic City Electric since beginning its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation are expected to absorb more than 229,757 pounds of air pollutants, save nearly 32.27 million kWh of energy and provide more than $12.6 million in combined energy and community benefits.

Atlantic City Electric is committed to powering a more sustainable future for our service area by engaging in several programs that better our communities. The Sustainable Communities Grant Program provides funding to open space projects, community resiliency programs, environmental conservation efforts and improvements to parks and recreation resources. Furthermore, our Climate Commitment and Path to Clean goals align our operations, grid investments and customer product offerings to enable the company to meet the climate change and clean energy goals of the communities in which we operate.

Atlantic City Electric has also been a Tree Line USA member for more than 20 years. Tree Line USA is a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters that recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing best practices that protect and cultivate America’s urban tree canopy. Learn more about urban planting work done by the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric’s mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.

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BCE Inc. (“Bell Canada” or “Bell”) has released its 2023 Integrated Annual Report.

We are pursuing our purpose to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world by building resilient networks and embracing automation to offer even better products, services and customer experiences. All with a continuing commitment to corporate responsibility that helps create a better world, better communities and a better workplace.

As we accelerate our transformation from a traditional telecommunications company to a technology services and digital media leader, Bell continues to seek to create a more connected world through network investments that support the social and economic prosperity of communities across Canada. Bell’s objective to create value long into the future includes community investment, recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent and conscientious environmental practices.

Bell’s 2023 Integrated Annual Report (IAR) presents its financial and non-financial performance together in one document, following the principles of the International Reporting Framework (the <IR> Framework), now part of the International Reporting Standards Foundation. The <IR> approach helps illuminate the connection between sustainability and financial performance, permitting the company to present its strategy to create sustained value for stakeholders over time.

In accordance with the <IR> Framework, the 2023 report includes a description of how the company’s six forms of “capital” (our networks, our customers and relationships, our products and services, our environment, our people and our financial resources) serve as inputs to create value. This value creation model demonstrates the value we create for our stakeholders through the use of capitals, such as keeping customers connected through strong reliable networks, helping to enable a sustainable society, consistent investor returns and a strong capital structure.

Bell’s commitments to value creation, reflected in its Bell for Better platform, is based on these pillars:

Better World

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and the Science Based Targets initiative, and achieve carbon neutral operations (scope 1 and 2 only) by 2025.Reduce waste by recovering over 2.9 million customer electronic devices in 2023, surpassing our objective of seven million devices collected from 2021 to 2023.Continue to lead the industry in mental health in 2023 with a $1 million donation to the IWK Foundation in Halifax, and continued commitment to our goal of $155 million for Canadian mental health supports and services by 2025.Support Canadian innovation with an industry-leading $770 million in research and development spending in 2023.

Better Communities

Deliver faster and better connectivity to more Canadians, with 2023 capital expenditures of $4.6 billion to accelerate the rollout of broadband fibre, 5G and rural networks.Expand advanced wireless connectivity with Bell’s 5G wireless network available to 86%, and 5G+ available to 51%, of the national population, as of the end of 2023.Offer connections to more Canadians in more places. In 2023, Bell expanded its pure fibre network to an additional 633,000 homes and businesses.

Better Workplace

Foster an inclusive culture as one of the largest and Best Employers in Canada, including one of the Greenest Employers, Top-Family Friendly Employers and a Montréal Top Employer.Enable the next generation of Bell leaders through Graduate Leadership Programs as a Top Employer for Young People.Support mental health among team members: we were awarded the Excellence Canada: Order of Excellence for Mental Health at Work for workplace mental health program and results.

Bell always seeks to improve its performance reporting and welcomes your feedback and suggestions. Please send any questions or comments to esg@bell.ca.

Media contact:
media@bell.ca

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