Tag: 3BL

International Olympic Committee news

Twelve athletes from seven African countries, all recipients of Olympic Solidarity Scholarships for Paris 2024, were welcomed at Olympic House and the Olympic Museum during a two-day visit to Lausanne. Five of them, who took part in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016, were invited to sign the Olympians Wall in the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach.

Competing in athletics, boxing, judo and swimming, the visiting athletes are all currently training at the Centre Régional Jeunesse et Sports (CRJS) Petit-Couronne (France) with a view to qualifying for Paris 2024, thanks to their selection by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for an Olympic Solidarity scholarship. The training programme, hosted at an elite-level facility approximately two hours northwest of Paris, is the result of a partnership between Olympic Solidarity and the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF).

During their stay in Lausanne, the athletes were given the chance to immerse themselves in the Olympic values, history and culture, with various workshops at Olympic House and a visit to the Olympic Museum.

The group included five Olympians, who were invited to sign the Olympians Wall at Olympic House. Four of these athletes competed at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: judokas Housni Thaoubani (COM) and Ismael Alhassane (NIG), plus sprinters Seco Camara (GBS) and Natacha Ngoye Akamabi (CGO), who was a flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony. Judoka Andrew Mlugu (TAN) competed at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, and was also a flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony.

An elite-level facility to help fulfil Olympic dreams

The CRJS has played host to scholarship-holders from around the world since 2010, providing an elite-level training facility to help them fulfil their Olympic dreams, while also allowing the centre’s young French students, aged 12 to 18, to engage with athletes from different backgrounds and cultures.

Thanks to the infrastructure and facilities available at the centre, I was able to significantly improve my level. This led me to win a silver medal at the African Open in Dakar, Senegal, last year.

Andrew Mlugu (TAN)
Olympian, Rio 2016

Seven other athletes training at the facility took part in the visit, including swimmer Salima Youssoufou Ahmadou (NIG), who competed at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, as well as judokas Abdoulaye Millimono (GUI), Jason Patrick Zacko Ngawili (CAF) and Resquain Graig Logan Mongondo (CAF), boxer Moussa Sahabi Gado (NIG) and swimmer Fode Amara Camara (GUI).

It would be such an honour to represent my country at the Olympic Games. Training in France has allowed me not only to improve my performance but also to meet athletes from other horizons and learn a lot about society.

Salima Youssoufou Ahmadou
Nigeria

Scholarship-holders reaching and succeeding at the Games

Olympic Solidarity has delivered great success over the years, helping athletes who otherwise might not have been able to progress their sporting careers. At Tokyo 2020, 827 Olympic scholarship-holders qualified and took part in the Games, winning a total of 30 gold, 26 silver and 47 bronze medals between them.

For Paris 2024, nearly 1,300 individual scholarships have already been awarded to athletes from 145 NOCs.

NOCs with larger delegations can also benefit from Olympic Scholarships for their athletes via a “tailor-made” option, which provides additional flexibility in the use of the support. Some 36 additional NOCs are already benefitting from this option for Paris 2024, with over 50 having used the option for Tokyo 2020.

Giving athletes an equal chance

Olympic Solidarity aims to ensure that talented athletes of all backgrounds have an equal chance of reaching and succeeding in the Olympic arena by providing crucial funding to help finance their Olympic dreams. With a particular focus on athletes and NOCs most in need, individual scholarship-holders receive financial support through monthly grants that contribute to their preparation and qualification for the Games, whether in their home country or at a high-level training centre.

Our company has been recognized for our leadership and strong performance powering the work we do for patients and everyone who depends on us. We were named No. 10 on The Wall Street Journal’s list of the 250 best-managed publicly traded U.S. companies in 2023, advancing 78 places from the previous year.

“This recognition reaffirms our strategic focus, innovation, hard work and collective, unwavering commitment to our purpose of saving and improving lives each and every day.”

— Rob Davis 
Chairman and chief executive officer

“To make the list of The Wall Street Journal’s 250 best-managed companies is quite an honor,” Davis said, “and to be ranked in the top 10 is especially exciting and humbling.”

This year, nearly 800 companies were scored. Placement on the list is determined by a company’s strength in five components:

Customer satisfactionEmployee engagement and developmentInnovationSocial responsibilityFinancial strength

We placed first in customer satisfaction and were one of seven companies to score in the top 20% in each of the five components.

“Customer satisfaction is directly tied to the innovation we bring and the benefit we can deliver for patients,” Davis told The Wall Street Journal.

Top ranking for corporate citizenship

In addition to our Wall Street Journal recognition, we’re deeply honored to be ranked No. 1 on Newsweek’s 2024 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies. This marks our first time in the lead spot, a distinction that affirms our steadfast commitment to operating responsibly and doing good for people and the planet.

Learn more about Merck’s sustainability strategy: https://www.merck.com/company-overview/sustainability/

View original content here.

Koch Minerals & Trading (KM&T) recently participated in a $700 million debt and equity financing round for Hybar, a newly formed company that plans to build, start up and operate a technologically advanced and energy-efficient scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill in Arkansas.

KM&T joined TPG Rise Climate and Global Principal Partners in the investment, $470 million of which will be spent to build the mill, with the remainder used to start up and operate it, build a solar power plant and port facility, and pay certain debt service costs during construction.

BY THE NUMBERS:

The mill is expected to take 22 months to build on a 1,300-acre site with direct access to barge, rail, and truck transportation options.Hybar plans to produce 630,000 tons of rebar annually with approximately 154 employees, or 4,090 tons per employee.

WHY KOCH INVESTED: “We’re excited to support Hybar in bringing this transformational scrap metal recycling facility to market,” said Vance Holtzman, senior vice president of KM&T Investments. “Moving forward, we see this as a mutually beneficial partnership, matching KM&T’s capabilities with the Hybar and TPG teams’ proven track record in developing innovative projects that meet market needs.”

The partnership with Hybar follows a successful investment in Big River Steel, which was subsequently fully acquired by U.S. Steel.KM&T subsidiary Koch Metallics will provide metallics procurement services to Hybar and risk management services to Hybar customers.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “We’re proud to have the backing of Koch Minerals & Trading as part of a group of investors that see the potential promise of our innovative scrap metal recycling steel rebar technology,” said Hybar CEO Dave Stickler.

GO DEEPER: Read more about Koch Minerals & Trading.

BOSTON, January 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Vanguard Renewables®, a national leader in organics-to-renewable energy production, is excited to announce the addition of Foremost Farms USA®, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States, to the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance (FPSA). This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable organic waste reduction and renewable energy generation within the dairy industry.

Foremost Farms, owned by hundreds of dedicated Midwest dairy farm members across seven states, has long been recognized for its commitment to producing high-quality milk used in the creation of award-winning cheese, butter and dairy ingredients. By joining the FPSA, Foremost Farms aims to further strengthen its dedication to sustainable practices and support generational dairy farmers across America.

“We are delighted to welcome Foremost Farms to the FPSA,” said Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Renewables. “Their members’ commitment to sustainable farming practices is helping to create a more sustainable future for the dairy industry, and their desire to work with and learn from like-minded organizations to explore solutions for food waste aligns with our mission.”

The FPSA, a collaborative initiative focused on driving systemic change, is dedicated to promoting sustainable organic waste reduction and regenerative agriculture solutions. With the addition of Foremost Farms, the Alliance gains a valuable partner with extensive experience in sustainable agriculture and is dedicated to supporting America’s dairy farmers.

“Foremost Farms is dedicated to building strong partnerships with organizations that focus on sustainability in the dairy industry,” said Greg Schlafer, President and CEO of Foremost Farms. “We’re pleased to join the FPSA as another step in continuing our trajectory as environmental stewards that take care of our world and create value for dairy farm families.”

Vanguard Renewables partners with food and beverage manufacturers to recycle their inedible food waste via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion, which converts organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). This RNG is then used to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By diverting food waste from landfills and transforming it into clean energy, Vanguard Renewables is making a significant impact on the environment while also creating economic opportunities for farmers and local communities.

“This partnership allows Foremost Farms to amplify our commitment to sustainability and support our members in their efforts,” said Rachel Turgasen, Senior Director of Member Relations and Corporate Sustainability at Foremost Farms. “Together we will drive positive change in the dairy industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

The Alliance continues to grow, with Foremost Farms joining other industry leaders such as Danone, AstraZeneca, Unilever, Starbucks, and 15 other national partners. This collaboration of like-minded companies is working to make a lasting impact across industries and setting a new standard for sustainability and environmental stewardship.

For more information about Vanguard Renewables and the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, please visit https://bit.ly/FPSA23.

Visit Vanguard’s Media Room:

https://www.vanguardrenewables.com/media-kit

About Vanguard Renewables:

Vanguard Renewables, based in Weston, Massachusetts, is a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The Company owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities in the northeast and currently operates manure-only digesters in the south and west for Dominion Energy. Vanguard Renewables plans to expand nationwide to more than 150 anaerobic digestion facilities by 2026. Vanguard Renewables is committed to advancing decarbonization by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and food waste, generating renewable energy, and supporting regenerative agriculture on partner farms via Farm Powered® anaerobic digestion.  Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of BlackRock Real Assets. To learn more visit vanguardrenewables.com.

About Foremost Farms:

Foremost Farms USA® is a dairy cooperative representing hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located across seven Midwest states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin – America’s Dairyland. It is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and a major food manufacturing business. Every year, Foremost Farms produces millions of pounds of cheese, butter, whey and milk protein ingredients from the high-quality milk produced by its members. Its customers represent respected top brands and category leaders at national and regional levels in retail and foodservice channels, that are served with innovative solutions, technical services and customized products. For more information, see foremostfarms.com.

CALGARY, Alberta, January 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Benevity Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today announced a surge in corporate granting, with 38% year-over-year growth in grants processed on its platform. In 2023, Benevity clients made more than 25,000 grant disbursements worth almost $665 million. Benevity’s growing client community has contributed to the increase, with a quarter of new clients in 2023 leveraging Benevity’s grants management products as a part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

Throughout 2023, Benevity has added 105 companies to its client community consisting of nearly 1,000 purpose-driven brands. Some of the new clients include Levi Strauss Foundation, FirstEnergy Corp, Pinterest and others.

In a year marked by ongoing economic volatility and polarizing social issues, we are inspired by the number of businesses who are putting significant social capital behind their statements and truly exemplifying what it is to be purpose-driven.

– Kelly Schmitt, Benevity CEO

“In a year marked by ongoing economic volatility and polarizing social issues, we are inspired by the number of businesses who are putting significant social capital behind their statements and truly exemplifying what it is to be purpose-driven,” said Kelly Schmitt, Benevity’s Chief Executive Officer. “These companies are seeing the dual benefit of driving positive social outcomes while achieving brand trust and other measurable business benefits.”

The growth in Benevity’s client community and spike in corporate granting demonstrate that as brands are being held to a higher bar of trust and accountability, they are seeking ways to ensure they can reliably, consistently and efficiently manage all of their social investments across multiple geographies and nonprofit partners, make data-driven decisions, deliver the impact they want and communicate that impact to their stakeholders. To date, Benevity has managed 1.2 million grants worth $19 billion on its grants management platforms.

Benevity’s grants management software has significantly enhanced the Levi Strauss Foundation’s capacity to manage and distribute funds to both domestic and international community partners and improved the efficiency and transparency of the foundation’s grant-making operations.

– Liz Tellez, Operations Manager at Levi Strauss Foundation

“Benevity’s grants management software has significantly enhanced the Levi Strauss Foundation’s capacity to manage and distribute funds to both domestic and international community partners and improved the efficiency and transparency of the foundation’s grant-making operations,” said Liz Tellez, Operations Manager at Levi Strauss Foundation. “We can now better align our philanthropic initiatives with our mission and values, ensuring that the grants we disburse are more targeted and impactful. Benevity also allows for better tracking and reporting of data, enabling our team to make data-driven decisions and optimize our grant-making strategy for the benefit of our community partners.”

Volunteering has also continued its upward surge in 2023 as a way for companies to build greater community in a hybrid working environment. The number of unique volunteers grew by 56% in 2023 compared to 2022 and the average monthly volunteering participation rate grew by 59% compared to the previous year. Increasingly, purpose-driven brands are looking to align all of their social impact initiatives – granting, employee giving, volunteering and DEI efforts – in a holistic way to meet their corporate mission and drive strategic impact.

In 2024, Benevity is continuing to invest in reporting and data-driven solutions to help companies truly understand and manage their impact.

To learn more about Benevity and its grants management solutions, visit benevity.com/products/grants.

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About Benevity 
Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the leader in global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer and nonprofit engagement solutions. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Impact 20, Benevity offers cloud solutions that power purpose for many iconic brands in ways that better attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. With software that is available in 22 languages, Benevity has processed more than $14 billion in donations and 72 million hours of volunteering time to support 450,000 nonprofits worldwide. The company’s solutions have also facilitated 1.1 million micro-actions and awarded 1.2 million grants worth $19 billion. For more information, visit benevity.com.

Media Contact: Zamira Tasneem│ Media & Communications Manager │ 1.416.451.6511 │ press@benevity.com

The new CR11 combine harvester, product of CNH brand New Holland, was recently featured in the famed Auto & Design magazine for its new design language introduced by the company and David Wilkie, Head of Design at CNH. 

“In agriculture, everything is different,’ the article reads, ‘Vehicles are only redesigned when there is a major technical innovation that justifies the change in look. This is what is happening with the New Holland CR11 combine harvester, which in addition to being the largest ever made, also sets new standards in terms of productivity and grain loss reduction.”

With the CR11, “Form follows function”, showcasing how this innovative design also mirrors the efficiency of the machine in completing necessary tasks in the field. 

This feature in Auto & Design is a testament to the success of the CR11 design and CNH’s commitment to sustainable products by creatively challenging traditional norms in the industry. Through innovative design, farming for a more sustainable future is not only the right choice, but a stylish one too. 

Albertsons Companies is committed to a healthy future, and we work together to build partnerships that support our communities and the planet we share. With the pride Triscuit takes in its American roots and its dedication to supporting local communities, such a partnership was forged. Through our Nourishing Neighbors program, we are thrilled to have partnered with Triscuit to donate over $160,000 to local food banks throughout the communities we serve. 

Our combined commitment to our communities and quality ingredients is part of what we do every day to create customers for life… no matter how you top it!

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on December 11, 2023

Company awards scholarships to 50 students nationwide for the 2023-24 academic year; now totaling nearly $2 million in scholarships awarded to date

The 2024 scholarship application is officially open – childhood cancer survivors and childhood cancer siblings can apply now through February 1

Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, announced its continued commitment to helping alleviate the financial cost of college for families affected by childhood cancer through $500,000 in combined scholarships to 50 childhood cancer survivors and childhood cancer siblings, as part of its Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program. With this addition, nearly $2 million has been awarded to 262 scholars since the program was created in 2017.

“A childhood cancer diagnosis affects families in many ways, and for many there is a financial burden – from treatment and medication to travel and lodging,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “To allow students affected by childhood cancer the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of the financial implications associated with this disease, Northwestern Mutual is announcing the opening of applications for our 2024 Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program.”

Applications for the 2024 scholarship program are being accepted now through February 1, 2024. The program is administered through Scholarship America, an organization dedicated to developing scholarship solutions for student success. Northwestern Mutual helps identify the criteria Scholarship America uses to select each year’s recipients, including the student’s essay, family income level, grade point average and geographic location. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate studies and students must be a childhood cancer survivor or sibling of someone who had or has childhood cancer to qualify for the scholarship. To learn more and apply, visit:

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/nmsurvivors/https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/nmsibling/

Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program has been committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer while providing support to families and survivors living with late effects of treatment. To date, the company has contributed more than $50 million to the cause and funded more than 600,000 hours of research. To learn more about Northwestern Mutual’s continued efforts in the fight against childhood cancer, visit its Foundation’s website here.

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

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

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

Originally published on Reuters. 

In battered, hard-to-reach north Gaza, rare aid deliveries get mobbed by desperate, hungry Palestinians and aid workers report seeing people thin and visibly starving with sunken eyes.

The biggest threat in Gaza was severe acute malnutrition which occurs when people cannot get the right vitamins, minerals and proteins for the body to function, said Heather Stobaugh of Action Against Hunger, with children at highest risk of dying.

Click here to continue reading on Reuters. 

About Action Against Hunger

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

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Photo by Saleh Salem for Reuters.

Originally published on NRG Energy Insights

By NRG Editorial Voices

Happy New Year! We’re back with another NRG People Power blog, and we’re pleased to introduce you to more of the people behind our products and services. In this edition, we’re excited for you to get to know our Managing Director of Integrated Channels, Jamie Guinn.

A recipe for perfection

Baking and decorating a gourmet cake isn’t easy. Any dedicated baker will tell you that you can’t be casual about it. It needs creativity, thought, and care. Measurements matter and little mistakes can have a big impact. You must be all-in on the process from beginning to end, and if you are, it’s well worth it.

In another life, Jamie Guinn says she would have had a bakery. She’s known among family and friends for her intricately decorated cakes, cheesecakes, and cookies. She finds the baking process a relaxing way to channel her perfectionism and attention to detail, while making her family happy.

And these valuable traits carry over into her work for NRG, even if the frosting doesn’t.

She’s got the right ingredients

Jamie has been with NRG for 19 years and in the energy sector for more than 20. With an Economics degree from Washington & Jefferson College, she started her career working for a natural gas pipeline company, did some gas trading, and then made the jump to Strategic Energy. From Strategic Energy she moved to Direct Energy, and then to NRG, gathering broad experience working in departments like Operations, Portfolio Strategy, Indirect Sales, and Strategic Sales.

In her current role as Managing Director of Integrated Sales Channels, Jamie leads a team partnering with the largest and most complex energy brokers and consultants across the country, including those handling government accounts. With market variation and change in the industry, she knows that customers need consistency and someone they can rely on to serve their unique energy goals. Her focus is connecting brokers with NRG team members who best fit their business needs, based on personality, experience, and regional knowledge.

Customer Focus is a piece of cake

Like a complex recipe with multiple steps and ingredients, energy brokers and consultants do business with thousands of customers of all different flavors, and they want a retail energy provider who can whip it all up into a satisfying solution for those customers. That’s where Jamie and her team come in. Finding the right recipe for a successful strategy, perfectly tailored to a customer’s tastes, is her favorite part of the job.

For Jamie and her team, each day is different, as is each project – they may be closing a huge deal, building a custom strategy, or addressing a crucial concern for a customer with a flexible and responsive resolution. The team is well-versed in all markets and products, stays on top of market trends and innovations, and remains agile in order to switch gears between accounts at a moment’s notice. At the helm, Jamie skillfully manages all her mixtures, ensuring each solution rises to perfection.

All boss, no sauce

When she isn’t giving her brokers world-class service, Jamie is a busy mom to teenage sons Gavin and Braden. She can often be found driving them to and from soccer and basketball practices, helping with team fundraisers and boosters, and being everyone’s favorite provider of team snacks.

Jamie, her husband Brad, the boys, and the rest of the family are Steelers season ticket holders and love tailgating for games with all their favorite cookout foods. Just don’t offer her any ketchup! Though it’s nearly a crime in Pittsburgh, the hometown of the famous Heinz brand, Jamie doesn’t care for condiments of any variety. But her family doesn’t seem to mind this quirk, since she’s generous with the frosting and sprinkles on her bakes.

Winding down after a busy day, Jamie enjoys light reading and television that doesn’t need a lot of careful attention. She likes to chill out with the latest edition of People magazine, or an episode of “Virgin River” with her two German Shorthaired Pointers, Maggie and Maya, by her side.

The cherry on top

Early in her career, after a disappointing experience, Jamie knew how she would lead a team if she was ever in a position to do so. Today, she holds her team to a high standard of kindness and respect for each other and our customers. She knows the key ingredient is the relationship. Get that right, and you’ll share a table with loyal customers for years to come.

The Integrated Sales team serves the most complex C&I brokers across the U.S., including Federal government accounts. This team of 30 requires expertise across all markets and collaborates with nearly every department in the NRG organization. They support power, gas, demand response, sustainability offerings, and ancillary products.