Tag: 3BL

CLEVELAND, March 7, 2024 /3BL/ — KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “It’s Up to Us: Pursuit of a Just and Inclusive Economy”, a free, one-hour virtual event on Thursday, March 14th at 10:00 a.m. PST/ 11:00 a.m. MT/ 1:00 p.m. EST.

The webinar will feature Leslie Lynn Smith, Founder of Themis Strategic Partners. Smith will have a conversation with KeyBank’s Head of Community Banking and Key4Women National Director, Rachael Sampson, celebrating the progress made by women in business while also addressing the ongoing challenges they face, and the work needed to achieve true equity and inclusion.

In this webinar participants will learn:

How to challenge historical notions of leadership, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability.How to lead by example by advocating for each other and using personal growth and self-awareness in effecting organizational change.How to foster innovation and sustainable growth within business.

“Women have come a long way in business but the need for support and education is still a high priority for most,” said Sampson. “Those joining the webinar will walk away armed with knowledge on how to advocate for one another, themselves and so much more. Key4Women is excited to have Leslie share her experiences with us as we strive for inclusiveness.”

Leslie is the Founder and Principal of Themis Strategic Partners, a consulting firm focused on developing actionable strategies at the intersection of equity and growth. Drawing from her extensive experience in strategic consulting, leadership development, and advocacy for women in business, Leslie will explore the profound impact of vulnerability on fostering equity, inclusion, and justice in the workplace. She is also an active board member of the Center for American Entrepreneurship and National Women’s Business Council at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Leslie has been featured as a TEDx speaker as well as in Forbes, Fortune, and StyleBlueprint.

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by March 13th here. 

About KeyBank

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Yum! Brands

Published on March 01, 2024

The World Economic Forum forecasts that it will take 131 years to reach full gender parity – but Yum! Brands plans to reach it in the next few years.

The parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill made this bold commitment in 2018 when it signed Paradigm for Parity’s pledge to reach gender parity in global senior leadership by 2030. In the past five years, it’s made significant progress moving from 33% in 2018 to 43% in 2022. Plus, the organization has continually been recognized for its efforts, ranking high on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. With just 7% to go, the company is confident it will continue to make positive progress.

“We know that men and women enter the workforce at an almost equal rate, but the higher a woman climbs, the less women she’ll see around her. And we’re changing that,” said Yum! Chief Operating Officer & Chief People Officer Tracy Skeans.

Here’s how the world’s largest restaurant company is planning for parity.

Hire and promote the right talent for the jobs, ensuring women are in the mix for all positions

“At Yum!, we want the best talent for the job,” said Megan Verret, Yum! Brands vice president for Global Talent. “And one way to do that is to make our organization more attractive to all applicants.”

Research backs Verret’s assertion. An often-quoted Hewlett Packard study reveals that women are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet all of the listed criteria, whereas men will more often apply regardless of criteria met. A corresponding survey found that it wasn’t because women were less confident in their skills than their male counterparts, but that they didn’t want to waste time filling out the online application if a bot was going to pass on all resumes that didn’t meet every single qualification.

Knowing this, Yum! and its brands’ recruiters are purposeful in ensuring several of their job descriptions appeal to an array of applicants. Gone is a laundry list of qualifications and in its place, the essential requirements. Human resources has also enlisted the help of the artificial intelligence service Ongig, which reviews job descriptions and suggests words that are more inclusive. According to Ongig, women tend to factor in a job’s salary when deciding whether to apply, so many of Yum!’s job postings now list a salary range, which also complies with a legal requirement in some U.S. states.

With these measures, Yum! aims to be seen as an employer of choice, attracting a variety of job seekers.

Support women currently in those jobs

Once hired, Yum! and its brands focus on retaining top talent.

“We keep employees by showing them that we embody an inclusive culture that supports them no matter what stage of life they’re in,” Verret said.

Some of this is done through women-centered business employee resource groups (BERGs), comprised of all genders, with which Yum! and its brands support advancement in the workplace by building community, leveraging cross-functional knowledge and identifying and addressing barriers to growth. This is accomplished through several initiatives, like hosting networking dinners between vice presidents and middle management as well as organizing talks with local entrepreneurs to share their inspirational journeys.

“Our retention rate is high,” Verret said. “Nearly 90% of our women employees rank Yum! as a great place to work on our annual Employee Engagement Survey.”

She credits that retention to the aforementioned programs and an internal statistical analysis that confirms pay parity by gender in the U.S. each year. Verret also points to the company’s parent-centric, U.S.-based benefits like subsidized onsite daycare; six-weeks of baby bonding time for all parents, coupled with 12 weeks of paid maternity leave; a flexible remote work policy; and the parents BERG NEST (stands for Nurture, Educate, Survive and Thrive), which advocates for working moms and dads.

“Many of our senior leaders are also parents,” Verret said. “It’s not uncommon for a toddler to walk across the background of a Teams meeting, and we welcome that.”

Insist on gender parity beyond corporate

See the post here

As a predominately franchised organization with over 57,000 restaurants worldwide, Yum!’s belief in gender parity extends to outside its restaurant support centers. Since 2019, the company has run the EmpoweHER Leadership program, which connects women and men in its franchise organizations across KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill through development opportunities, a quarterly webcast and an annual conference. The investment in these leaders provides them with opportunities to network, collaborate and grow as well as receive recognition for their contributions across the business.

Two years later, Yum! and the University of Louisville launched the Center for Global Franchise Excellence. The first business program of its kind at a public institution, the center provides existing and potential franchisees multiple levels of online education focused on the franchising model across industries. It also focuses on recruiting and educating people from various socioeconomic situations on the possibilities of franchising as a pathway to entrepreneurship.

Yum! is also intent on creating more equality in the communities in which its restaurants are based. In 2020, the company launched a $100 million, five-year Unlocking Opportunity initiative focused on education and entrepreneurship programs in communities where we operate. It does this in partnership with organizations with the like-minded goal to have a life-changing impact on participants.

One such program in South Africa is producing remarkable results. Called LeadHERship, the partnership between Pizza Hut, Yum! and the nonprofit YES4Youth equips young women, ages 18 to 24, with the skills needed to find a job. Each participant is given a cell phone that has an app to guide them through 12 months of online learning, which makes the education accessible and doable. There’s an in-person mentorship program as well. This hybrid combination delivered a 90% completion rate in the first year.

“This program is one of the best parts of my job,” said Marlene von Berg, social purpose lead for LeadHERship. “We’re already seeing positive changes, not only in the participants, but in their communities as well because upon graduation, they’re getting hired, earning salaries and investing in their families and their neighborhoods both financially and in mentoring the next generation. It’s phenomenal to witness.”

All of this work extends from Yum!’s longstanding efforts with the Women’s Foodservice Forum, which supports women across the foodservice industry.

“We want everyone in our organization – whether they’re in front of or behind the counter – to have an equitable experience,” said Skeans. “It’s part of who we are.”

Don’t rest once gender parity is reached

Today, women are in Yum!’s C-suite, like KFC Global Chief Financial Officer Shannon Hennessy, who advanced to CEO of The Habit Burger Grill, and Shannon Garcia, who came on as Pizza Hut Global’s chief operating and transformation officer. Her role recently expanded to include digital and technology. Those are just two examples, but there are others across brands and functions like legal, technology, human resources, development, finance, operations and sustainability.

But Skeans says Yum! won’t rest even when gender parity is reached.

“While we are committed to our Paradigm for Parity aspirational goal to have parity in senior roles by 2030, it’s more than that,” said Skeans. “It’s about creating an organization that recognizes and celebrates this progress, so that parity becomes commonplace.”

In anticipating this need, Skeans has focused on bringing together women executive leaders to “lead it forward,” finding ways to build community and inspire them to motivate the next generation within the organization.

“A recent study of women CEOs found that two-thirds of them didn’t see themselves as CEOs before their bosses encouraged them,” Verret said. “This makes me wonder, do we have women in our organization who don’t see their full potential? If so, how can we help them see multiple pathways in their future?”

This reality is what motivates Verret and her colleagues to ensure the women leaders see their potential, so gender parity isn’t about a goal, but it’s about unlocking opportunity.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Skeans. “And the more I look around, the more I see others like me in decision-making positions, making me confident that parity is within our reach.”

IBM

AUSTIN, Texas, March 7, 2024 /3BL/ – Usher’s New Look (UNL) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a collaboration to provide free career readiness training through IBM SkillsBuild. With a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and professional workplace skills, IBM will provide UNL with training and customized learning plans for student learners. This effort aims to benefit thousands of UNL’s young learners nationwide, including high school and college-age youth from communities traditionally underrepresented in technology.

It’s increasingly important for students to be equipped with a fundamental understanding of AI and how this technology will shape the workforce of the future. In a recent U.S. YouGov survey on AI in Education, 61% of respondents reported it is very or somewhat necessary for K-12 students to learn AI-related skills for their future careers.

“It’s a privilege for IBM to join forces with Usher’s New Look in making a real difference for promising young learners from communities that have been historically underrepresented in technology,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President & Chief Impact Officer. “As AI continues to be a driving force in the workplace, we believe that IBM SkillsBuild is well-positioned to help students develop the technology skills they’ll need to succeed.”

Careshia Moore, President and CEO of Usher’s New Look, added, “Usher’s New Look is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to expand their way of thinking, and to discover pathways to success. Access to AI and other innovative technological advances will help our students become productive members of today’s competitive workforce. We are thrilled to embark on such a dynamic and timely partnership with IBM to help ensure the future of our students.”

UNL, a leading nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of under-resourced youth through education, public service, and leadership development, will offer learners enhanced IBM SkillsBuild coursework. This technology training is an important addition to UNL’s existing curriculum across leadership, financial literacy, and career-readiness, with IBM as its first education technology partner.

UNL and IBM’s education experts are developing customized learning plans for student learners to match their learning levels, providing a simple and enriching experience, which will include AI courses such as:

Resume-writing with generative AI;Build your own AI chatbot; andMastering the art of AI prompting.

Together with professional coursework on skills like public speaking and job interview readiness, these customized learning plans will provide students with a foundational understanding of AI and prepare them for their career searches.

In addition, students will have access to more than 1,000 free courses in IBM SkillsBuild as well as digital credentials, including coursework in AI fundamentals, generative AI, AI ethics, prompt writing, machine learning, AI to help the environment, and improving customer service with AI.

Communities helped by UNL span the United States including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and New York City. Across these cities and through online learning, UNL will integrate IBM SkillsBuild into its Disruptivator Clubs, Leadership Academy Initiatives, Moguls in Training Program, and the 2024 UNL Disruptivator Summit to be held in Atlanta this July as the largest youth conference in the nation.

The news was announced at SXSW EDU, where Lydia Logan, IBM’s VP of Global Education and Workforce Development, participated in a panel discussion on skills-first practices as a catalyst for inclusive socioeconomic mobility.

The collaboration will emphasize IBM SkillsBuild courses and credentials focused on AI and professional, durable workplace skills. As such, the effort with UNL is part of IBM’s commitment to train two million in AI through 2026.

About Usher’s New Look

Usher’s New Look is a 501c3 organization founded by Usher Raymond IV in 1999. For 25 years, Usher’s New Look has supported a vision that all youth should be afforded the chance to unlock their full potential. Since its founding, Usher’s New Look has touched the lives of more than 55,000 young people of all backgrounds from more than 25 countries. While UNL’s programming year consists of regional events such as its Leadership Academy, Disruptivator Clubs at high schools and organizations across the country and Financial Literacy workshops, the Disruptivator Summit is where UNL has the opportunity to dedicate two solid days to working with the attending students, parents, educators and sponsors, and in so doing, provide the youth with the tools they need to ultimately make a difference in their lives and in their communities.

About IBM SkillsBuild

IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program focused on underrepresented communities in tech. It helps adult learners, and high school and university students and faculty, develop valuable new skills and access career opportunities. The program includes an online platform that is complemented by customized practical learning experiences delivered in collaboration with a global network of partners.

The open version of IBM SkillsBuild is an online platform offering over 1,000 courses in 20 languages on AI, sustainability, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, and many other technical disciplines — as well as in workplace skills such as design thinking. Participants can earn IBM-branded digital credentials that are recognized by the market.

The enhanced, partner version of IBM SkillsBuild may also include workshops, expert conversations with IBM coaches and mentors, project-based learning, access to IBM software, specialized support from partners through the learning process, and connection to career opportunities. Visit skillsbuild.org to learn more.

Media Contacts:

Deirdre Leahy Hart 
IBM Media Relations 
deirdre.leahy@ibm.com

Helen Shelton 
Finn Partners for UNL 
helen.shelton@finnpartners.com

International Olympic Committee news

Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb has announced that inspirational Para athletes Axel Allétru and Sofyane Mehiaoui will open up their accessible homes for two exclusive overnight stays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Allétru, a former motocross rider who became a European champion in Para swimming after being paralysed in a serious crash at the 2010 World Motocross Championships, will welcome up to two guests to his home in Lille Metropole on 10 August, before accompanying them to watch the men’s handball final on 11 August at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

French wheelchair basketball star Mehiaoui, meanwhile, will open his Paris home to guests on 6 September, with the lucky visitors also receiving two tickets to the men’s wheelchair basketball final at Arena Bercy for the following day.

These truly unique, athlete-hosted stays underline Airbnb’s commitment to grow the number of homes with accessibility features ahead of the Games, and also align with Paris 2024’s vision to host “Games Wide Open” that are accessible to all.

Highlighting Airbnb’s commitment to inclusive travel, each of the homes will also be featured in the company’s Adapted Category, which includes more than 1,100 listings worldwide with verified step-free entry to the home and at least one accessible bedroom and bathroom, plus at least one accessibility amenity in the bathroom.

“Airbnb is thrilled to collaborate with Axel Allétru and Sofyane Mehiaoui,” said Suzanne Edwards, Airbnb’s Head of Accessibility Hosting Standards. “With the Olympic Games returning to France after a century, our goal is to foster inclusivity and create a sense of community with these inclusive stays.”

Olympic and Paralympic fans can request to book these unique one-night stays – for up to two guests each – from 28 February by visiting airbnb.com/alexalletru and airbnb.com/sofyanemehiaoui.

Airbnb aiming for more accessible stays during Paris 2024

As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Airbnb is committed to ensuring all fans at Paris 2024 can enjoy a comfortable and inclusive Games-time experience and has been encouraging homeowners within the host regions to showcase their accessible homes on its platform.

Airbnb also launched a series of initiatives to assist new hosts who can offer accessibility features to potential guests, including the creation of new educational content, the organisation of regular webinars, and one-to-one guidance and tools.

In addition to initiatives focused on hosts and guests, Airbnb is supporting the Olympic Refuge Foundation and is the Inaugural Official Partner for the Refugee Paralympic Team for Paris 2024, offering scholarships to aid team members with training and living expenses on their Paralympic journey.

Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb

Airbnb is helping to create a new standard for hosting that will be a win for host cities, a win for spectators and fans, and a win for athletes.

Learn more

Las Vegas Sands

As part of Women’s History Month 2024, Sands is featuring women who help drive the company’s success and exemplify its culture of professional growth and advancement. Val Chua joined Marina Bay Sands in 2008 and serves as executive director of communications.

Outline your career path and current role at Marina Bay Sands.

“I started my career in journalism and spent a number of years in the newsroom environment in Singapore. It was here that I first covered Las Vegas Sands as a company and became the beat reporter for my paper. Those heady days of 2005-2006, when many global gaming companies had their sights on the coveted Marina Bay integrated resort site and presented dazzling proposals, were a key highlight of my reporting days.

“I also enjoyed covering the public discussions, so open and robust in a decidedly more conservative era back then, as Singapore debated the pros and cons of having an integrated resort with a gaming component. Interviewing the late Mr. Adelson and sitting in the company’s private jet, along with other Singapore media who were flown to Las Vegas on a media trip to understand the business better, has become a core memory from those days.

“I joined the company in November 2008, as the team was building its communications functions. We operated out of Republic Plaza and watched with amazement every day as the building opposite us transformed every 24 hours. Watching the Sands SkyPark being lifted in 13 different pieces and fitted in the sky signaled that construction was nearing its end and Marina Bay Sands was about to embark on its next phase.

“As the communications function grew, so did my role and responsibilities. I started out as a manager on the team, joining at the start of the Asian financial crisis. It was a jittery start but a worthwhile way to plunge deep into the world of public relations and crisis communications. The company held firm to its original vision and had never faltered in its commitment to build a world-class destination. This forward-looking mentality and spirit of evolution not only drives the company forward, but it has also been built into the DNA of its people. It’s a value I hold dear to my heart, through different seasons, as I build my career with Marina Bay Sands.

“The past 15 years have gone by in a flash. In any other organization, it may feel like an eternity. But the pace and intensity of Marina Bay Sands just means we’re speeding through the months – we’re constantly on accelerator mode and charging forward. With age, I may no longer walk as fast around the property as I used to. So I count myself very lucky to have a talented, strong (and a much younger) team to rely on. The 14 of us are responsible for all of the communications work for the integrated resort, supporting all business units through public relations, media and celebrity/influencer engagements, and crisis and incident communications. It’s a dream job for any publicist, and the team has supported and created many amazing feats in the last decade.

“The communications team is also responsible for driving the Sands Cares community engagement program for Singapore, working to identify vulnerable and unserved communities, and stepping up to lend a helping hand, whether it’s through financial means or providing Team Member volunteers.

“The dual responsibilities of creating high-profile publicity on the one hand, while rolling up our sleeves and serving the underprivileged, keep us very grounded in our work and mission. It’s an intensive and meaningful role, in a company that has so much going for it.”

What skills, training, mentors or experiences have helped you build a successful career?

“Mentors are definitely important, and I’ve had the privilege of working with many wise men and women in different stages of my career. They open up your eyes to things that you can’t see immediately, whether it’s because of your youth or your lack of experience. Through their perspectives, you will see that your current struggles will look very miniscule in time to come, and so you learn not to sweat the small stuff, and to pick your battles wisely.

“Then there’s the greatest teacher called time. With time, you gain knowledge and awareness of what your key strengths and weaknesses are. With time, you also gain patience and understanding, which are important as you lead and motivate teams. I’m still learning.

“At different stages in your career, you will naturally develop different skillsets and embrace different mindsets. When I was younger, it was all about efficiency and impact. Everything was calculated based on deadlines and speed. The older me prefers to take more deliberation behind each decision, to consider more viewpoints and perspectives, while still being able to move with the speed that characterizes Marina Bay Sands.

“Having a healthy sense of humor is important; so is having a thick skin. I like people who can laugh at themselves and see the lighter side of things, rather than letting a bad situation get the better of them. Laugh first, and then figure out your way around the problem.

“It’s also important to believe in the greater purpose of the company, no matter how many years you’ve been in it. For me, a key memory was the day before Marina Bay Sands opened its doors to the public on April 27, 2010. A group of us went up to the hotel lobby at 3 p.m. the day prior – thick construction dust was in the air, and there were workers everywhere we turned. We were shocked and frankly quite dismayed at the way things looked. I recall the roads were only freshly paved. How on earth will we be able to open for business in the next 24 hours?

“The next morning, it was a different sight that greeted us. The air was clear, the marble floors sparkled, and the staff were smartly attired, ready to welcome the world. That was the beginning of an icon and at that instant, I felt that anything was possible with this company. It proved me right many times during my years here. No matter what obstacles were in front of us, we have always been able to rise above the occasion and do the impossible. There is something quite magical about this place, and I think this is why it’s so special for many of us in the company.”

What are your ideas for evolving the workplace to better support and empower women?

“The single-most asked question when I interview prospective candidates is whether we have a hybrid work structure, allowing staff to work from home on certain days. It’s becoming a key deciding factor for most people, especially working mothers. I am glad that Marina Bay Sands has embraced this post-pandemic reality, allowing us to attract and retain talent.

“My team is made up of diverse talents from different backgrounds – and I think it’s important to understand that each one’s work rhythm is different. Some are always-on, and you can text them at odd hours of the night on urgent matters, while others may need to draw a more distinct line between work and personal time.

“I have a staff member who I can always count on to cover for others during weekends or at short notice, but I will not tap on her between 6-7 p.m. as it’s her protected time for daily gym work. She explained to me that this routine is critical for her to clear her mind and reset. Others go home slightly earlier to tend to their young children but log on to work again once their kids fall asleep. I respect all these nuances and personal sacrifices – as a leader, you need to play to the strengths of each person and not expect everyone to be the same.”

What advice do you have for women or anyone who wants to advance in their careers?

“Find your core purpose in your work. When you’re young, you may want to dabble in 100 things to find where your interests and strengths lie. That is good, but don’t take too long to figure it out. Over time, it’s better that you identify your core purpose or interests and start building on it. Once you specialize in this core function and become a skilled master, the 99 other little things just orbit naturally around it.

“Have your own voice. When you’re starting out in your career, you may be slightly lost and unsure of how you’re placed in the larger scheme of things. That is natural. But over time, you will need to find your own voice and viewpoints. Make sure you are heard. Don’t become invisible and hide behind the backs of older, more experienced colleagues.

“Be the best that you can be. You’re better than you think you are. So push yourself and stretch your capabilities – it’s not about being the best worker of the month, it’s about being the best that you can be.

“Pace yourself. The road is long, so pace yourself for a marathon. Like my 20-something colleague, remember to carve out pockets of me-time, and get a mental reset, even if you’re a warrior who likes to charge in front of everyone else.”

Our Georgia-Pacific LLC team recently hosted members from the American Forest & Paper Association at the Savannah River Mill for a tour of our recycled wastepaper operation. Our facility has five of the world’s 12 largest tissue paper machines and we use mostly recycled fiber to make the products our customers want, need and use every day.

Marc Forman from GP RECYCLING LLC was on hand to share our recycling story, including the impacts of wastepaper usage on the papermaking process and how GP manages wastepaper inputs to achieve specific customer product specifications.

During the visit, the AF&PA team also learned about our Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification and the ways we support local wildlife on 1K+ acres.

Thank you to the AF&PA for your collaborative partnership, and to our team at Savannah River Mill for hosting this informative visit!

Georgia-Pacific

Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. Our familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world’s largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs more than 30,000 people directly and creates approximately 89,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com/about-us . For news, visit: gp.com/news

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Funding will support 34 nonprofit and government agencies across the company’s Indiana service territory

PLAINFIELD, Ind., March 7, 2024 /3BL/ – First responders across Indiana, including local police, fire and emergency management agencies (EMAs), will benefit from more than $200,000 in grants from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funding will help public safety agencies increase their response capabilities during severe weather and other emergencies through advanced preparation, planning, equipment and training.

“When severe weather strikes, we rely on strong partnerships with local emergency management and law enforcement agencies to effectively respond and restore power in affected communities,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “These grants will help give first responders the tools and training they need to respond to any emergency.”

During major emergencies and natural disasters, local emergency management agencies play a critical role in providing information, resources and support that Duke Energy relies on to speed power restoration for its customers.

“Successful preparedness, response and recovery requires a community approach,” said Sean Stoops, chief of the Avon Police Department. “We envisioned equipping all of our patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). With the support of Duke Energy and other community partners, we were able to bring that goal to fruition, purchasing 35 AEDs that our officers can use to deliver life-saving measures to a person in cardiac arrest.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Bartholomew County EMA

$8,000 to purchase new water rescue equipment, including a new motor for an airboat

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office

$5,000 to support public safety measures and preparations ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

Brown County EMA

$5,500 to help equip a Brown County EMA emergency operations center with computers, monitors, software and other electrical components

Cass County EMA

$4,000 to sponsor a hazardous materials technician certification course

City of Brazil Fire Department

$7,500 to support the department’s efforts to promote its “Free Smoke Detector Program”

City of Clinton Fire Department

$7,000 to support the department’s water rescue unit with the purchase of a sonar unit, anchors, throw bags and medical items

City of Delphi Police Department

$6,500 to support the purchase of a vehicle that can access trails and other confined areas in emergencies

City of Greencastle Fire Department

$7,500 to support emergency preparedness and training

Clark County EMA

$2,750 to purchase a rescue boat that can be used during water rescue emergencies

Crawford County EMA

$2,750 to provide weather radios to local residents

Fayette County EMA

$10,000 to purchase portable, two-way radios and firefighter breathing apparatus

Floyd County EMA

$2,750 to provide weather radios to local residents

Fountain County EMA

$2,205 to purchase safety cones that can be used to block restricted areas

Franklin County EMA

$10,000 to fund new equipment and training, including an unmanned aerial vehicle with thermal and infrared technology, water rescue equipment, and mass sheltering items such as cots and personal care kits

Fulton County EMA

$5,000 to conduct a hazardous materials tabletop exercise

Gibson County EMA

$11,000 to provide education and training for first responders

Hamilton County EMA

$10,000 to enhance community outreach and preparedness education

Harrison County EMA

$2,750 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be deployed in planning and response operations

Huntington County EMA

$5,000 to purchase various supplies and equipment, including uniforms

Jefferson County EMA

$2,799 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle

Jennings County EMA

$5,000 to equip the department’s disaster response vehicle with a thermal imaging camera and provide weather alert radios to local residents

Knox County EMA

$11,000 to purchase cots and amenities for displaced residents during emergencies

Lawrence County EMA

$5,500 to purchase a generator that can provide back-up power to a Lawrence County EMA facility in an emergency

Monroe County EMA

$5,500 to provide weather radios to local residents

Montgomery County Emergency Response Team

$6,785 to support the purchase of a small, enclosed trailer equipped with thermal blankets, cooling towels, an electric kettle, instant hot packs, an electric heater and other supplies that support firefighter rehabilitation

Orange County EMA

$5,500 to provide weather radios to local residents

Scott County EMA

$2,750 to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle

Switzerland County EMA

$9,000 to purchase firefighter equipment

Tippecanoe County Surveyor’s Office

$6,510 to purchase rescue helmets

Town of Avon Police Department

$22,000 to equip patrol vehicles with AEDs

Town of Cambridge City Fire Department

$3,500 to purchase new firefighter boots

Town of Converse Volunteer Fire Company

$10,000 to purchase a thermal imaging camera

Town of Dunreith Fire Department

$4,000 to purchase new firefighter boots

Washington County EMA

$2,750 to provide weather radios to local residents

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the Foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/Foundation.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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CBRE

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) has received the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition from Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is the 11th consecutive year CBRE has earned this distinction.

To receive the recognition, companies are evaluated on more than 240 proof points related to culture, environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, ethics and compliance activities, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and initiatives to support a strong value chain. In 2024, 136 companies were recognized, spanning 20 countries and 44 industries.

Read the full story on cbre.com

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 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including 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. We routinely post important information on our website, including corporate and investor presentations and financial information. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in the Investor Relations section of our website at https://ir.cbre.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor such portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Ethisphere
Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, deliver business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies build strong cultures of ethics and integrity. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also advances business performance through data-driven assessments, guidance, and benchmarking against its unparalleled data: the Culture Quotient dataset reflecting the ethical business practices of 3+ million employees around the world; and the Ethics Quotient dataset, featuring 240+ data points on the ethics, compliance, social, and governance practices of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

For many people living with cancer, hearing about the experiences of others can be helpful. Dale, who is living with breast cancer, shares her journey and point of view about how sharing information can help reduce health disparities.

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

Entergy New Orleans is proud to announce its partnership with Feed the Second Line’s Get Lit, Stay Lit clean energy initiative. Entergy New Orleans’ contribution of $250,000 will fuel the organization’s mission of creating a robust safety net for local artists that prioritizes environmental resilience, renewable energy, and community empowerment.

“We are thrilled to announce Entergy New Orleans’ partnership with Feed the Second Line on its groundbreaking clean energy initiative, Get Lit, Stay Lit,” stated Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “This partnership underscores our commitment to resiliency, renewable energy, and to what makes our city so special – the people.”

Founded in 2021, FTSL, is a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting and supporting the city’s vibrant culturebearers, including Black Masking Indians, musicians, baby dolls and visual artists. Under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Tinice Williams, FTSL is pleased to acknowledge its partnership with Entergy New Orleans. The groundbreaking project, Get Lit, Stay Lit, is an initiative that promotes clean, renewable energy by transforming local restaurants into community hubs during crises such as hurricanes, flooding, and heatwaves.

The Get Lit, Stay Lit project empowers local restaurants to adopt sustainable energy practices by installing microgrids. Most importantly, the project creates economic and job training opportunities in the solar industry for culture-bearers, contributing to the cultural and economic resilience of the community. Central to this initiative is Beanlandia, a community hub located in the Bywater area. Developed in collaboration with the Krewe of Red Beans, Beanlandia is set to be solar-powered micro-hub that will strengthen community resilience during hurricanes and heatwaves.

“Entergy New Orleans plays a critical role in making our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change,” stated Executive Director Tinice Williams. “Entergy New Orleans is an important leader that can make our communities safer, more equitable, and more resilient.”

Feed The Second Line continues to champion environmental stewardship and community support through initiatives like Get Lit, Stay Lit, and looks forward to a brighter, more sustainable future for New Orleans.