Tag: 3BL

As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re also marking a major milestone. Kimberly-Clark’s African Ancestry Employee Network (AAEN) is celebrating its 30th anniversary!

The Woodsmen, the founding members of the employee resource group (ERG), established AAEN in 1994. For three decades, AAEN and its 2,000+ global members have been a driving force for diversity, equity and inclusion at Kimberly-Clark. AAEN has a legacy of firsts, including being the first ERG, establishing the first formal mentoring program and creating the first diversity conference for Kimberly-Clark.

We’re proud of this incredible milestone and the impact AAEN is making in our workplace and communities. Thank you to AAEN for delivering on our purpose, Better Care for a Better World, and fostering an inclusive environment for all.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, Kimberly-Clark is committed to its purpose of Better Care for a Better World. The company’s portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, holds No. 1 or No. 2 share position in approximately 80 countries. Kimberly-Clark use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure its business thrives for decades to come.

To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow Kimberly-Clark on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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National Grid

BOONVILLE, N.Y. /3BL/ – National Grid has announced a $20,000 corporate donation to support an employee-led fundraising campaign to support the Boonville community.

Crews working on the southern section of the Smart Path Connect transmission corridor in Lewis and Oneida counties, a National Grid project, have used Boonville as their base of operation during construction. The contractor employees embarked on a grassroots fundraising campaign at the holidays to make a positive impact on the Boonville community and many of their firms provided matching donations to support their effort. National Grid added a corporate contribution to bring the total donation to more than $35,000.

Contracted firms working on Smart Path Connect include Agile Sourcing Partners, Burns & McDonnell, C.T. Male Associates, O’Connell Electric Co. Inc. of Syracuse, Supreme Industries, Three Phase Line Construction Inc., and Tri-State Drilling.

“Smart Path Connect is one of the largest transmission projects in our state’s history,” said Mark Harbaugh, National Grid’s vice president for project management and construction, who oversees the company’s Smart Path Connect work. “While it’s an important and transformative project, we felt there was something more we could do to thank the Boonville community for welcoming these teams into their village and their lives during construction.”

“National Grid, through its Project C community initiative, wants to do its part in improving the places where we live and work,” said Alberto Bianchetti, the company’s regional director of customer and community engagement. “This gift aligns with Project C’s commitments for neighborhood development, community investment and social equity.”

National Grid’s donation will be earmarked for two projects: renovations at Boonville’s Erwin Park and support services from Matthew’s Place, a nonprofit in the Oneida county village.

Improvements to Erwin Park in the village of Boonville include upgraded components to the playground area, as well as the improvements to restroom facilities to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities. Village of Boonville employees and the Municipal Commission of Boonville will provide in-kind services to complete the project.

“Thank you to National Grid for your generous contribution to Erwin Park, and your continued positive presence in our community,” said Village of Boonville Mayor Judith Dellerba. “The new facility will be accessible to those who utilize the amenities at Erwin Park as well as those traveling along the Route 12 corridor. Erwin Park is considered to be our village gem with many new and exciting things happening in and around the park in the next few years.”

Matthew’s Place, a thrift store and food pantry on Main Street in the village, will receive funds to provide perishable food items, clothing, and emergency utility and crisis assistance for residents in the area.

“This donation will allow us to increase our services to area individuals and families with needed assistance,” said Janice Brooks, store manager for Matthew’s Place. “We want to express our deepest appreciation to all of the participating companies for their thoughtfulness and generosity to the Boonville community.”

Other organizations receiving support from the employee-led campaign include Adirondack High School, the Wish Upon a Star Christmas Gift program, and Sunset Nursing Home.

Smart Path Connect is a multi-phase portfolio of projects with the New York Power Authority that includes the rebuild of more than 100 miles of transmission lines in the Mohawk Valley and Northern New York and the upgrade of multiple substations. National Grid is responsible for the project’s Southern Alignment, a 55-mile section of the project between the village of Croghan and the town of Marcy. When completed in 2025, Smart Path Connect will allow for increased power transfer capacity, enable the flow of more renewable energy, and enhance reliability and resiliency of the state power grid.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.

Media Contacts

Jared Paventi
Syracuse (Central NY)
(315) 427-1092
Email

The 2023 report features successes achieved this year, including progress on ESG targets and power efficiency of our Snapdragon products. Qualcomm’s ESG priorities include three areas of focus where the Company believes it can make the greatest impact — Empowering Digital Transformation, Acting Responsibly and Operating Sustainably.

Key highlights from 2023 include:

The Company continued to invent and develop products that enable customers to make a positive impact. One of Qualcomm’s 2025 goals is to reduce power consumption by 10 percent every year in the Company’s flagship Snapdragon® products. Thus far, year over year, the Company achieved a reduction in power consumption by 10 percent in Snapdragon products when averaged across all use cases.The Company’s efforts around sustainable supply chain management maintained with the 2025 goal of auditing 100 percent of primary semiconductor manufacturing suppliers every 2 years for conformance to its Supplier Code of Conduct. As of 2023, 88 percent of our primary semiconductor manufacturing suppliers have received audits.In 2023, the Company achieved its 2025 global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal- two years ahead of schedule. It has reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by over 35 percent compared to a 2014 baseline.In line with the Company’s conviction to address the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change, the Company continued its efforts to advance toward progressing on its other ambitious climate goals, including reaching net-zero global GHG emissions for Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2040. The goals have been approved by Science Based Targets Initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C.The Company kept up its work to enrich people’s lives by bringing technology to underserved communities around the world through its Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ Initiative. During this past year, Wireless Reach reached its 2025 goal to positively impacted the lives of over 27 million people since 2006.The Company remains committed to its goal of inspiring the next generation of inventors by engaging over 1.5 million students and teachers across the globe through strategic STEM initiatives. While we achieved our goal in 2022, we carried on our efforts in STEM around the world. As of 2023, we’ve reached over 4.7 million students and teachers across the globe.

Explore the report to learn more about Qualcomm’s Corporate Responsibility and ESG progress, programs and initiatives. And to stay up to date, follow @Qualcomm on Twitter and Linked In.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Media Relations |1-858-845-5959 | corpcomm@qualcomm.com

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Major advances in sustainability, flexibility, and productivity

€55 million for the plant in Gironcourt-sur-Vraine; €40 million for Reims 

PERRYSBURG, Ohio / VAULX-EN-VELIN, France, February 21, 2024 /3BL/ – O-I Glass, Inc (NYSE: OI) announced today the company is investing €95 million into two of its French glass packaging production facilities. As a continuation of its modernization investment program, these significant investments aim to upgrade the sustainability, flexibility, and productivity of its operations in Gironcourt-sur-Vraine and Reims. This investment is consistent with O-I’s recently updated ESG roadmap which is aligned with our previously announced capital spending plan.  

In Gironcourt, where the plant recently marked its 120th anniversary, €55 million will be invested in close cooperation with one of its key customers to rebuild a furnace and equip it with innovative GOAT technology (Gas Oxy Advanced Technology). 

This innovative approach – already successfully implemented last year at the O-I plant in Vayres (France) – uses a mix of gas and oxygen to heat the furnace. In combination with a newly installed heat recovery system to pre-heat raw materials and recycled glass, the new installation is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 18%. 

In addition to the furnace upgrade, a production line at the plant will be modernized to further increase flexibility and capacity. An average of about 80% of the plant’s raw materials is comprised of scrap and locally recycled glass, underlining the circular and local nature of glass packaging. 

The majority of the glass bottles produced in Gironcourt are supplied to customers by rail, reducing the number of trucks per week by about 250. The new expenditure into Gironcourt will increase the total investment into the site to almost €120 million since 2019 when O-I established an all-new third furnace in Gironcourt. The plant produces approximately 1.9 billion bottles a year, primarily for the beer market.

In Reims, O-I completed a €40 million investment for a major upgrade including the full renovation of one of the plant’s two furnaces and a production line, as well as the installation of all-new equipment. On top of multiple operational benefits, this also resulted in an overall energy reduction of about 5%. 

In total, O-I has invested €90 million into the Reims site since 2019, when its other furnace was rebuilt—contributing to making it one of the most modern plants within O-I’s global footprint.

The Reims plant, which celebrated its 150 years anniversary in 2023, is a model for O-I’s overall sustainability efforts. An average of about 90% of its raw material consists of scrap and locally recycled glass (“cullet”). The high cullet rate is a major contributor in reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by about 60% and fine particle emissions by about 80%. Since the 2019 investment, waste heat from glass packaging production has been recovered to be used in domestic homes in the local community. 

The O-I plant in Reims is ideally located in the heart of the Champagne vineyards minimizing delivery routes and time to the wineries. The plant delivers champagne bottles to nearby customers with trucks powered by grapeseed and fryer oil resulting in about a 60% CO2 emission reduction compared to diesel fuel and about 80% less fine particles emissions. 

The plant serves a highly diverse customer base serving more than 1,000 customers in France. It is able to produce bottles in three colors and in sizes ranging from 0.2l to Magnum. It produces 300 million bottles a year for the Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley, and Alsace markets. 

For Walter Ferrer, Managing Director of O-I Glass for Southwest Europe, “these very significant investments are perfectly in line with the global approach adopted by O-I to reinforce our commitment to sustainable development, increase the energy efficiency of our equipment, create more resilient supply chains and constantly seek to improve the working conditions of our teams. They also demonstrate the confidence we have in our facilities in France, and our full commitment to serving our customers, our teams, and the planet.”

ABOUT O-I

At O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass and we’re proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. Glass is not only beautiful, it’s also pure and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers’ needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of more than 23,000 people across 68 plants in 19 countries, O-I achieved net sales of $7.1 billion in 2023. 

Learn more about us: o-i.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements related to O-I Glass, Inc. (“O-I Glass” or the “company”) within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect the company’s current expectations and projections about future events at the time, and thus involve uncertainty and risk. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” and the negatives of these words and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. 

It is possible that the Company’s future financial performance may differ from expectations due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to the following: (1) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the Company has operations, including uncertainties related to economic and social conditions, trade disputes, disruptions in the supply chain, competitive pricing pressures, inflation or deflation, changes in tax rates and laws, war, civil disturbance or acts of terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and weather, (2) cost and availability of raw materials, labor, energy and transportation (including impacts related to the current Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts and disruptions in supply of raw materials caused by transportation delays), (3) competitive pressures, consumer preferences for alternative forms of packaging or consolidation among competitors and customers, (4) changes in consumer preferences or customer inventory management practices, (5) the continuing consolidation of the Company’s customer base, (6) the Company’s ability to improve its glass melting technology, known as the MAGMA program, and implement it within the timeframe expected, (7) unanticipated supply chain and operational disruptions, including higher capital spending, (8) seasonability of customer demand, (9) the failure of the Company’s joint venture partners to meet their obligations or commit additional capital to the joint venture, (10) labor shortages, labor cost increases or strikes, (11) the Company’s ability to acquire or divest businesses, acquire and expand plants, integrate operations of acquired businesses and achieve expected benefits from acquisitions, divestitures or expansions, (12) the Company’s ability to generate sufficient future cash flows to ensure the Company’s goodwill is not impaired, (13) any increases in the underfunded status of the Company’s pension plans, (14) any failure or disruption of the Company’s information technology, or those of third parties on which the Company relies, or any cybersecurity or data privacy incidents affecting the Company or its third-party service providers, (15) risks related to the Company’s indebtedness or changes in capital availability or cost, including interest rate fluctuations and the ability of the Company to generate cash to service indebtedness and refinance debt on favorable terms, (16) risks associated with operating in foreign countries, (17) foreign currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar, (18) changes in tax laws or U.S. trade policies, (19) the Company’s ability to comply with various environmental legal requirements, (20) risks related to recycling and recycled content laws and regulations, (21) risks related to climate-change and air emissions, including related laws or regulations and increased ESG scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders and the other risk factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking statements in this document are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from expectations. While the Company continually reviews trends and uncertainties affecting the Company’s results of operations and financial condition, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or supplement any particular forward-looking statements contained in this document. 

Summit to take place 4-6 March 2024 to Drive Urgent Action to End Extreme Poverty and Address the Climate Crisis in the Asia-Pacific Region

Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne concludes with Global Citizen Nights headlined by Crowded House at the Palais Theatre on 6 March

Earn free tickets to Global Citizen Nights by taking action on the Global Citizen app and at globalcitizen.org/nights

Global Citizen Honours Thirty-Two Youth Leaders Taking Action to Defend the Planet, Defeat Poverty and Demand Equity across the Asia-Pacific Region

Press kit available here

MELBOURNE, Australia and NEW YORK, February 20, 2024 /3BL/ – Global Citizen, the world’s leading advocacy organisation, today announced the first international edition of the Global Citizen NOW action summit will take place on 4-6 March 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne will feature leading voices and innovators from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond for a dynamic, two-day program focused on driving decisive action to end extreme poverty across the region and the world, including Crowded House; Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York; and Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. Global Citizen Ambassadors Hugh Jackman and Charlie Puth; Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia; and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, will join virtually.

With a focus on engaging and elevating young innovators from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne will convene world leaders, artists, advocates, journalists, influencers, policy experts and more than 300 of the brightest young leaders from across the region. Hosted at CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, the summit will drive action on the climate crisis, gender inequity, innovations in health systems and fighting food insecurity, as Australia hosts ASEAN leaders in Melbourne.

Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne Co-Chairs include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York; Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor Leste; Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations; Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Peter Thomson, UNSG’s Special Envoy for the Ocean; Ben Dawson, Vice President for Cisco Australia and New Zealand; Brianna Fruean, Climate Advocate and Global Citizen Prize winner; Osher Günsberg, Media Personality and Climate Advocate; Benson Saulo, Managing Partner, First Australians Capital; and Mark Woodruff, CEO, Citi Australia.

Additional Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne participants include: Chris Anderson, Head of TED; Nornie Bero, CEO & Founder, Big Esso; Senator The Hon. Simon Birmingham, Australia’s Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs; Hon. Pat Conroy MP, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific; Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO; Co-Head, Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group; Chair Australian Global Health Alliance and Chair Pacific Friends of Global Health; Rev. Tim Costello AO, Executive Director, Micah Australia; Zoe Daniel MP, Member of the Australian House of Representatives; Sabrina Elba, United Nations IFAD Goodwill Ambassador; Abby Finkenauer, US Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues; Jesse Fleay, Research Associate, National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice, Federation University; Daniel Flynn, Founder, Thankyou; Craig Foster AM, Broadcaster & 2023 NSW Australian of the Year; Moana Hope, Radio Host and Former AFLW Player; Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s Minister for Jobs and Industry and Minister for Women; Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Australia’s Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific; Cleveland McGhie, Co-Founder of Yaali Collective, beneficiary of Youth Co:Lab; Jessie McLachlan, CEO & Chair, Altru; Lady Roslyn Morauta, Chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Nooky, Artist and Founder, We Are Warriors; Ziggy Ramo, Artist and Activist; Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, Chief Resource Mobilisation & Growth Officer, GAVI; Cissy Shen, Youth Co:Lab Coordinator, UNDP; Janet Tobias, Director, Writer, Producer and Founder & CEO of Ikana Health Action Lab and Sierra Tango Productions; Mariam Veiszadeh, CEO, Media Diversity Australia; Anna Wellenstein, Regional Director, East Asia and Pacific, Sustainable Development Practice Group, World Bank; and Kylie Woodham Magner, Managing Director of Magners Farm; with more names to be announced.

Every Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne session will drive definitive actions across five core areas:

The climate crisis, including calling for increased funding for the region’s green transition and the adoption of the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty;Unleashing women’s economic power and tackling inequalities, including calling for equal access to financing and entrepreneurship opportunities, quality education, and gender responsive health services;Strengthening health systems and health financing, including increased budgets to support routine immunisation, combat malaria and eradicate polio;The global food crisis and food insecurity across the region, driving increased support of theInternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); andUnlocking investments into youth-driven entrepreneurship focused on achieving the UN’s Global Goals.

The summit will conclude with Global Citizen Nights, an intimate evening of music and storytelling, headlined by Crowded House. Taking place at the Palais Theatre on St Kilda’s foreshore on 6 March, this free, ticketed event will honour the stories of young trailblazers from across the Asia-Pacific region who are profoundly impacting their local communities in the areas of climate action, gender equity and more. Earn tickets to Global Citizen Nights by taking action on the Global Citizen app and at globalcitizen.org/nights. Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.

Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne is presented by the State Government of Victoria. Proud partners of Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne include Cisco, Citi and P&G.

The Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne campaign and policy objectives are supported by the ASEAN Youth Agenda Indonesia 2023, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Foreign Policy Community Indonesia, Oaktree, Rotary International, Safer World For All and Uniting to Combat NTDs.

“We’re thrilled to bring Global Citizen back to Australia for the first ever international edition of Global Citizen NOW, where young innovators will take their place alongside leaders in policy, culture, philanthropy and business to drive impactful, sustainable change and address the global challenges shaping tomorrow,” said Global Citizen. “The Asia-Pacific region sits at the epicentre of some of the world’s most pressing issues; but young people are not the passive inheritors of these challenges – they are powerful innovators playing a vital role in solving them, with much to teach the rest of the world. We look forward to a dynamic few days that will shift the future of the region.”

“Oh Hi….we are delighted to be providing a closing performance for Global Citizen, who are bringing together talented and passionate young advocates and innovators to help solve the most urgent problems facing all of us…equity and climate,” said Neil Finn of Crowded House. “Who knows from what distant corners brilliant ideas might come from. Young people’s amazing potential is sometimes hidden from view. We want to be there to help bring it into the light.”

“All my life I have lived and loved being outside enjoying every moment. My parents always highlighted the need to champion the quiet voice of Mother Nature, and now even more so since becoming a grandmother I’ve become acutely aware of my responsibility, and that of my generation, to do everything we can to improve the state of the world we are leaving for our grandchildren,” said Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. “I’m coming to Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne to participate in vital intergenerational conversations with young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, who are doing frontline, grassroots work to address the climate crisis, the hunger crisis, girls’ education and issues perpetuating cycles of extreme poverty. I look forward to listening to them, learning from them, and contributing whatever voice I have to speak up for the future of our planet.”

“There is no better place than Melbourne to bring together change-makers who are driven to deliver fairness and equality for everyone,” said Tim Pallas, State of Victoria Treasurer and Minister for Economic Growth. “Victoria is a global leader in key areas that will shape our future, led by emissions reduction where we have brought forward net zero to 2045. We look forward to hosting a dynamic Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne event that will make a real difference to our world.”

“Victoria is a global hub for innovation and knowledge, home to world-class universities and Australia’s most liveable and best student city – Melbourne,” said Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s Minister for Jobs and Industry and Minister for Women. “We look forward to welcoming all the youth leaders and innovators from across the Asia-Pacific to our marvellous state for Global Citizen NOW.”

As part of the summit, Global Citizen is honouring 32 young innovators from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, who are working to address the issues perpetuating extreme poverty in their communities, through the Youth Leaders Award program. Selected from among hundreds of applicants, these inspiring awardees will travel to Melbourne to attend Global Citizen NOW and participate in a dynamic peer networking and training day alongside other awardees from across the region. They will each receive $5000 to further their vital work toward achieving one or more of the United Nations Global Goals.

The Global Citizen Young Leaders Award winners are: 
Lester Dellosa, Founder and Creative Director of CICCADA, from the Philippines; Hjh Siti Norfarwizah, Founder and Managing Director of Kilang ReRoot (KRR); Gabrielle Cabodil, former Global Operations Manager for the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) Movement, now independent intersectional youth activist, from the Philippines; Monal Bhattarai, Managing Director at Canopy Nepal, from Nepal; Minh Hoang, Founder of Agora Insights, from Vietnam; Raeed Roshan Ali, Co-Founder of Precious Plastic, from Fiji; Noor Azizah, Co-Founder of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, from Australia; Alicia Tien, Founder & CEO of Asia Discovery, from Malaysia; Ahmad Nisar, Founder, Changemaker, from Afghanistan; Rose Singh, menstrual and political rights advocate from Nepal; Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-Founder & President of Footsteps, from Bangladesh; Hazirah Sufian, Activist and Project Development Assistant of Green Brunei, from Brunei; Nathaniel Diong, Founder & CEO of Future Minds Network, from Australia; Noa Limpoco, Founder of the Neurodivergent Network Asia, from Philippines; Tylah Farani-Watene, Founder of Vaka to 2023, from New Zealand; Niyati Sharma, Founder & Executive Director of Pratisandhi Foundation, from India; Chamathya Fernando, Youth Activist, from Sri Lanka; Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, founder & CEO of Raise Our Voice Australia (ROVA), from Australia; Hadiqa Bashir, Executive Director of Girls United for Human Rights, from Pakistan; Vishal Tolambia, Founder & CEO of Humanity Centred Designs, from India; Belle WX Lim, Executive Director & President of Future Forte Inc., from Malaysia; Alanna Jane Sethi, Founder of HOPE (Helping Our Planet Earth), from Hong Kong; Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan, Ocean Advocate, Indonesia; Qiyun Woo, Founder and Climate Storyteller, The Weird and Wild, from Singapore; Phatsaline Vongsaly, Co-Founder of Gamlangchai, from Laos; Kha Le, Founder & Manager of BAO, from Vietnam; Tamara Dewi Gondo, CEO & Founder of Liberty Society, from Indonesia; Devni Wimalasena, Gender Equality Activist, from Australia; Maggie Blanden, Co-founder of Naarm Law Students on Voice, from Australia; Bianca Manning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Campaigner, from Australia; Dave Rubite, Climate Justice Activist, from Australia; and Divyangana Sharma, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader, from Australia.

Global Citizen is grateful for the support of leading media companies including JCDecaux Australia, Motio, oOh!media, and QMS Media.

Visit globalcitizen.org/now/melbourne and globalcitizen.org/nights for more information.

Global Citizen acknowledges the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne and Global Citizen Nights will be held, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

– Ends –

About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s leading international advocacy organisation on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday activists raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Over the past 10 years, $43.6 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting nearly 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen’s team operates from New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg, Lagos and beyond. Join the movement at globalcitizen.org, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

Artwork
Click here to download artwork and social assets

Media Credentials
Applications are now open for media outlets to attend and cover Global Citizen NOW: Melbourne at CENTREPIECE on 5-6 March, and Global Citizen Nights at the Palais Theatre on 6 March. Please complete this application form.

Contact
Australia – Feature Communications: gc@featurecommunications.com.au 
International – Global Citizen PR: media@globalcitizen.org

Authored by Garrick Gibson, Donald N. Bernards

On this episode of BuzzHouse, hosts Don Bernards and Garrick Gibson sit down with Rob Hazelton, founder and chief executive officer of Dominion Due Diligence Group. The three discuss the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) awarding process, the importance of benchmarking, what’s coming next under the IRA and more. Press play and take a listen to this informative episode!

Special guests

Rob Hazelton | Dominion Due Diligence Group

Rob Hazelton founded D3G in 1994 as an environmental consulting firm. Early on he encountered an environmental process so difficult and convoluted, that few wanted to understand it. This was HUD! Rob dove headfirst into learning HUD, housing, tax credits and leveraged finance. Rob became a self-proclaimed Housing Geek, immersing himself and the entire company into affordable housing, public housing, senior housing, homelessness prevention, housing for the disabled and most recently foster-care housing initiatives. Personal challenges and opportunities along the way, including being the parent of a special needs child, has enforced his feelings of empathy for others, which continues to translate daily in the work D3G does and the people the company serves.

For more insights, visit Baker Tilly’s multifamily housing page.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., February 20, 2024 /3BL/ – Global humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief today announced a $1 million grant to Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center in Maui – the single largest grant ever awarded by the organization to a Community Health Center. The financial support from Direct Relief aims to bolster wildfire recovery efforts and fortify the health center’s operations following the catastrophic Maui fires of August 8, 2023.

The Maui wildfires inflicted widespread devastation on the Maui community, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive healthcare services in the aftermath of such disasters. Acknowledging the pivotal role Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center plays in the community, Direct Relief’s historic grant aims to empower the health center to provide essential healthcare resources, support immediate medical needs, and enhance overall capacity to serve the affected community.

Recognized for its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability, Direct Relief provides targeted assistance to communities in need, regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay. Direct Relief has been a steadfast supporter of Community Health Centers across the United States, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations. Identifying the crucial role that Community Health Centers play in providing comprehensive and affordable healthcare, Direct Relief has collaborated extensively with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to amplify their impact.

“NACHC is deeply appreciative of the generous grant to Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center,” said Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC. “The human toll and tragedy that Lahaina residents experienced from the wildfires will take a long recovery. The funding will allow Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center to rebuild infrastructure, provide essential services to the community and help affected island residents heal. Community Health Centers, such as Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center, reach beyond the walls of the exam room to address island health disparities that include higher rates of chronic disease and premature death from environmental factors, including natural disasters. We are grateful for our longstanding partnership and collaboration with Direct Relief to support Community Health Centers as they carry out their mission as the first and last frontline responders to disasters and devastation.”

Through its work with NACHC, Direct Relief aims to address the unique challenges faced by Community Health Centers, ensuring they have the necessary resources to deliver quality healthcare services. This collaboration includes targeted assistance, such as medical donations, financial support, and logistical assistance, tailored to meet the health center’s specific needs.

Direct Relief’s support extends beyond individual grants, with the organization actively engaging with NACHC to advocate for policies that strengthen the Community Health Center model and enhance its ability to serve vulnerable communities. By fostering these strategic collaborations, Direct Relief aims to bolster resilience and effectiveness nationwide.

The organization’s commitment to Community Health Centers aligns with its broader mission to improve health outcomes for individuals affected by poverty and emergencies. Direct Relief recognizes the critical role played by Community Health Centers in delivering healthcare services to those who need it most and remains dedicated to supporting and enhancing their capacity to make a lasting impact on community health.

” This investment underscores our commitment to supporting Community Health Centers and their indispensable role in delivering healthcare to those who need it most, especially during times of crisis,” stated Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief CEO. ” Direct Relief is privileged to support the work being done by Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center, as they continue to serve the community of Maui following the devasting fires in August of last year.”

As a Community Health Center, Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center plays a vital role in delivering accessible and quality healthcare services to underserved populations. The grant from Direct Relief is intended to facilitate Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center’s recovery efforts, including the restoration of facilities, provision of medical supplies, and reinforcement of the healthcare infrastructure required to meet the evolving needs of the community. The funding will further amplify the health center’s ability to address the specific challenges faced by vulnerable communities affected by the island’s wildfires.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous $1 million grant from Direct Relief, which comes at a pivotal moment as we continue our work to address the immediate and long-term needs of our community,” said Cassie Savell, Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center COO and Deputy CEO. “This substantial contribution will allow us to significantly enhance and expand our support and services, ensuring those affected by the fires receive the care and resources they need during this challenging time. Together, with Direct Relief’s support, we are committed to rebuilding and healing our community, demonstrating the power of collaboration and compassion following the Lahaina fire devastation.”

For more information on Direct Relief’s humanitarian efforts, visit www.directrelief.org.

About National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC):

NACHC is the leading innovative change agent collaborating with affiliates and partners to advance Community Health Centers as the foundation of an equitable health care system free from disparities, and built on accessible, patient-governed, high-quality, integrated primary care.

About Direct Relief:

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.

MetLife

NEW YORK, February 20, 2024 /3BL/ – MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that for the fourth consecutive year it’s earned a spot on JUST Capital’s JUST 100 list, as part of their 2024 Rankings of America’s Most JUST Companies. The JUST 100 reflects companies doing the best job of creating value for all their stakeholders, including colleagues, customers, communities, and shareholders.

“We are honored to be named one of America’s Most JUST Companies, which recognizes how we care for our employees and deliver for our customers, communities and shareholders,” said MetLife Chief Sustainability Officer Jon Richter. “As expectations across stakeholder groups evolve, we remain committed to sustaining lives and building a more confident future.”

To determine the annual ranking, JUST Capital, along with CNBC, collect and analyze corporate data to evaluate how the nation’s largest corporations are performing on the business issues that matter most to Americans. For 2024, paying a fair, living wage; creating jobs in the U.S.; supporting workforce retention and training; providing benefits and work-life balance; protecting customer privacy; and minimizing pollution were among the issues the companies were scored on.

MetLife’s purpose – Always with you, building a more confident future – is at the heart of how it delivers value for stakeholders. In its annual Sustainability Report, MetLife details how it contributes to a more confident future as an employer, an investor and a provider of financial solutions and expertise.

To learn more about how MetLife creates value for all its stakeholders, visit MetLife.com/Sustainability. To view the 2024 “Just 100” list, visit JustCapital.com/Rankings.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Contact:

MetLife

Olivia Janicelli

(212) 578-3547

olivia.janicelli@metlife.com

RESTON, Va., February 20, 2024 /3BL/ – CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that 21 employees were honored for their excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the 38th annual Global Competitiveness Conference for the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) held Feb. 15-17 in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Our exceptional BEYA honorees share in CACI’s mission to harness our skills and amplify what’s possible for tomorrow,” said John Mengucci, CACI President and Chief Executive Officer. “Every day, these employees embrace challenging and rewarding opportunities, not only within our workplace, where they serve our customers, but also beyond our office walls, actively contributing to their communities. We are inspired by their extraordinary skills, boundless potential, and unwavering dedication to shaping the path for future leaders in STEM.”

The BEYA conference attracts more than 10,000 STEM professionals from diverse backgrounds and provides opportunities to recognize the most elite talent. CACI is a supporter of BEYA’s mission and a corporate sponsor of the conference. As part of its diversity and inclusion efforts, CACI partners with BEYA to help expand the company’s networking, recruitment, and career development opportunities.

These 21 CACI employees received the Outstanding Achievement Award for their determination to help solve customers’ most complex challenges in support of national security. 

CACI’s 2024 BEYA Outstanding Achievement Awardees:
Jackie Baker, IT Network Engineer 
Felicia Burke, Systems Engineer 
Cynthia Canteen-Harbor, Senior Technical Program Manager 
Colin Carter, Engineering Manager 
Chamara Farmer, Senior Engineer 
Tyrone Fenwick, Quality Manager 
Ray Freeman, Software Engineer 
Robert Funches, Senior Network Security Engineer 
Marcus Getachew, Software Developer 
Nikki Jackson, Performance Management Specialist 
Rebecca Konnor, Team Lead, Acute Care Analyst 
Lama Mansaray, Engineering Lead 
Latosha Marshall, Program Manager 
Andrew Noonoo, Systems Engineer 
Roberto Perry, Robotics Engineer 
Shermane Pressley, Information Security Specialist 
Joshua Reda, Naval Architect 
Devon Roberson, Senior Knowledge Manager
Coleen Robinson, Information Security Analyst 
Xavier Teal, Network and Technical Lead 
Vanessa Watkins, Configuration Control

The efforts of CACI’s BEYA awardees align with the company’s long history of supporting emerging STEM talent and local communities. CACI partners with Minority Serving Institutions to advance education and careers in STEM and engages with students to support their successful transition to the professional world.

CACI is also a corporate sponsor of many organizations that focus on promoting STEM education for underserved groups, including Women in Technology (WIT), Great Minds in STEM (GmiS), and STEM for HER.

ABOUT CACI

At CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI), our 23,000 talented and dynamic employees are ever vigilant in delivering distinctive expertise and differentiated technology to meet our customers’ greatest challenges in national security and government modernization. We are a company of good character, relentless innovation, and long-standing excellence. Our culture drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index. For more information, visit us at caci.com.

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Corporate Communications and Media:                                           
Lorraine Corcoran                                                              
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications                  
(703) 434-4165, lorraine.corcoran@caci.com                         

MEET FRANCIS AMOAKO-POKU, R&D DIRECTOR

“Mondelēz is on its way to help foster and support an environment of diversity equity inclusion. We are an international company so that comes naturally when you look at MDLZ on a global scale.”

Francis Amoako-Poku, R&D Director, NA Central Productivity

Francis talks about his passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Francis Amoako-Poku, currently an R&D Director at Mondelēz International, had had a remarkable 15-year journey within the company, predominantly shaping the confections category in Research & Development. His trajectory, evolving from an individual contributor to a team leader and manager, mirrors a commitment to personal growth and fostering the career aspirations of others, a deeply rewarding facet of his tenure.

Francis’s nomination for Leader of the Year at the 2023 DE&I Impact Awards reflects his substantial contributions to Mondelēz International’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Serving on the R&D DE&I Committee, he actively shapes an agenda aligned with diversity ambitions.

Could you share about your journey at Mondelēz International and how you arrived at your current role in R&D?

I’ve worked with the company for 15 years now, predominantly within the confections category (Stride, Trident, SPK, SF etc.) in R&D. As I advanced from an individual contributor to a team leader, and eventually to a manager, I have had the opportunity to grow personally, help deliver our business objectives as well as help others achieve their career aspirations. This has been the most rewarding part of the journey.

Currently, I’m the R&D Director for NA Central Productivity. It highlighted the importance of the ingredients that we source, but also the impact of designing with flexible ingredients to help unlock drive bottom- and top-line growth. I was intrigued with my current role because of the opportunity to learn about our end-to-end business from a cross category perspective. It’s an honor and a privilege to lead my department in this regard while learning about how research and development can help build flexibility to achieve our business goals.

Your nomination for Leader of the Year at the DE&I Impact Awards was very well deserved. How has your role in the R&D DE&I Committee allowed you to influence and contribute to Mondelēz International’s DE&I initiatives, particularly within the R&D space?

The DEI is a very rewarding initiative to be a part of, but also a challenging space to navigate. I’ve learned something new every year as a member of the R&D DEI committee. The DEI Committee role has given me a platform to create, with others, an agenda that’s fitting of our diversity ambition. Essentially, how we continue to build Diversity and Inclusion internally, in areas where there’s underrepresentation. With this platform my team and I’ve been able to advocate for recruitment, speak to retention strategies and build external partnerships with new Universities. This has been accomplished by pulling the right people together to address the topic of Diversity in R&D.

DE&I has become increasingly important in corporate settings. How do you envision the role of DE&I within R&D, and how has your leadership impacted this space?

The role of DE&I within R&D isn’t different from any of the other Mondelēz International departments perse. We need to strive for representation and diversity in thought leadership to crack innovation, bring in creativity and novel problem-solving techniques. Our starting points across the various departments may be different but the end goal is the same. My strength as an active listener and as an inclusive leadership has helped me lead/navigate this space. This has resulted working with a sub team that explores opportunities to build technical partnerships/ support with the Universities but also review opportunities to develop underrepresented populations within R&D. It is a long journey and it’s not one that can be accomplished in a short term. To be successful we’ll need consistency, persistence and a diversity in thought leadership.

Could you share any notable successes or milestones achieved through your leadership in promoting DE&I within the R&D team at Mondelēz International?

The first key milestone for me was assembling a small R&D team that was truly passionate about enhancing our internship program. Their support helped us build a relationship with a top HBCU school, North Carolina A&T. Our first engagement was in 2021 and each year we’ve learned and modified our approach to connect with the students and faculty from the Food Science Department but also our university relations team. This has resulted in attracting students to participate in our internship program- 6% within the 2021 intern class to 20% for the ‘23 internship campaign. The most rewarding bit has been 1) seeing the DEI team members recognized as nominees within the R&D awards and 2) seeing the interns from NCA&T personally engaged and promoting our internship to their peers.

In what ways do you encourage a diverse and inclusive environment within your team? Are there specific strategies or practices you’ve found particularly effective?

My team and I make it a point to spend time to discuss DE&I topics during our staff meetings. We often take turns to bring topics to our huddles. We’ve reflected on the topic on the table and have open dialogues. This leads to insightful discussions on about our personal stories and journey. There have been differences in our journeys as one can imagine, but most importantly the time spent contributes to building an inclusive and collaborative team.

As a black leader in the corporate world, what advice would you give to aspiring individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who aim for leadership roles within the STEM or R&D fields?

Be yourself. Leadership starts with knowing yourself and then leading others so the first and most important thing, is to know yourself- what drives you, what motivates you etc. After that comes confidence- having the confidence that your capable of learning, adapting, and developing your capabilities. From there, it’s about helping others realize their full potential while working towards a common goal/ objective. Regarding a STEM/ R&D Fields, the great thing about research and development is that there’s more than one way to solve a problem. To develop within the STEM fields, I would encourage individuals to be relentlessly curious. Clearly define the problem and then be open to finding creative ways to put the building blocks together to solve the problem.

How does Mondelez International support and foster an environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only acknowledged but actively promoted across all departments, including R&D?

I think Mondelēz is on its way to help foster and support an environment of diversity equity inclusion. We are an international company so that comes naturally when you look at MDLZ on a global scale. The most challenging part for me is within our microenvironments, inside our regions and BU how do we ensure to continue advocating for diverse teams. I’ve seen refinement in our approach to attract talent and space to have an open dialogue to ensure we create a culture that attracts and retains top talent when they arrive in R&D. We must continue to move with purpose but also acknowledge that we’ll need to be patient to help enable a change. Overall, I’ve seen how both internally and externally campaigns make it a point to celebrate diversity. We’ll need to continue to do more of that.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations or goals for further advancing DE&I initiatives within R&D?

My aspirations and goals for advancing DEI initiatives within R&D would be to create an ongoing commitment to have a rotating sub-team that continuously develop and supports underrepresented groups. As we evolve within the space of DEI in R&D, I would love to see more external, community engagement in the form of partnership with educational institutions to develop upcoming, talented scientists. This could be in the form of scholarships or collaborations to creatively solve some of our anticipated future technical innovation gaps.

MEET SYLVIA, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR OREO, COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

“While I own my own career, Mondelēz has supported me along my journey by allowing me to participate in various training and leadership development programs…”

Sylvia Conner, Director of Finance, Oreo

Sylvia Conner, the Director of Finance for the OREO brand at Mondelēz International, brings forth a distinguished career marked by pivotal moments, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence within the company. As a Black woman navigating a space where representation is limited, Sylvia’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to paving the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the finance sector.

Could you share some key milestones or pivotal moments that have shaped your career progression, particularly within Mondelēz International?

I just celebrated my 10-year anniversary with Mondelēz, and I can recall three key pivotal moments that help shaped my career:

1. Turning down a promotion (which would have been outside of the HQ location) for a lateral move (relocation to NJ from Chicago) to allow myself time to gain breadth of experience & build new relationships within the NA HQ Offices.

2. Taking the role as FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) Manager, as the role was outside of my comfort zone which at the time challenged me to think holistically & strategically as well as provide direct exposure to NA Leadership.

3. Starting a new role as Midwest Cluster Senior Finance Manager during the height of a global pandemic and then subsequently working through a labor work stoppage the following year. These situations required flexibility, the ability to prioritize, and having an agile mindset.

What has been the highlight/s (projects) for you?

The All Blacks partnership and the ‘Cheer and a Half’ activation has been a real highlight for me, particularly seeing how well the field team activate in store. It highlights how well-oiled we are, with smooth processes and a collaborative team environment.

What actions did you take to advance to your current role as the Director of Finance for OREO?

My Mondelēz career spans 10 years and 6 different roles and during each role it was important for me not just to learn the role but identify ways to improve the role which directly impacted business performance, whether it was learning a new skill or sharpening my interpersonal skills, my goal was to directly influence the decisions of my business partners. These steps prepared me to become the Finance Lead for U.S. Oreo.

As a black female leader in finance, what unique challenges have you faced throughout your career journey?

As I have progressed throughout my corporate finance career, often times I find myself being the only one in the room that looks like me and because of that, early on in my career I experienced imposter syndrome.

How have you navigated these challenges and what advice would you offer to other black females aspiring to advance in the finance industry?

To overcome imposter syndrome, I had to remind myself that I am qualified and capable and redirect my negative energy to focus on things that provide positivity and peace.

Why have you decided to become so active in the Early Careers space?

I can recall my time first couple of years post graduate in the corporate space and it was challenging to navigate. I know that providing the right resources and establishing key relationships upfront are instrumental in a successful transition into the corporate space which is the main reason why I have decided to become so active in Early Careers.

What difference are you hoping to make by leading the Finance Early Careers Program?

The main difference I hope to make is that we continue to bring diversity into finance and ensuring we have more black women represented in corporate finance. I am also excited knowing that I am able to help develop and shape the next generation of finance leaders which is a rewarding experience.

How has Mondelēz International supported your professional growth and development? Could you discuss any programs, initiatives, or support systems within the company that have facilitated your advancement?

While I own my own career, Mondelēz has supported me along my journey by allowing me to participate in various training and leadership development programs such The LAB, LEAD, ELEVATE, etc.

In what ways does Mondelēz International foster an inclusive environment for diverse talent, particularly concerning the advancement and representation of women and people of color in leadership roles?

Our ERGs play an important role in providing an inclusive environment at Mondelēz. In addition to that, the partnerships/relationships with various organizations such as NBMBA, Prospanica, MLT, etc. ensures we are connecting with diverse talent. Most importantly, having KPIs with focus on women and POC in leadership roles (particularly black management representation) shows the priority of ensuring our leaders are truly diverse and represent our consumer base.