A leading authority on integrated reporting, Robert Eccles joins Mandi McReynolds to explore how the role of the chief sustainability officer is evolving. They discuss the concept of trade-offs and resolving conflicts of interest between stakeholders as well as the deepening connection between finance and ESG.
Looking for more? Subscribe to the ESG Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, and YouTube.
More than 100 students at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford took part in hands-on activities and collaborated with members of the Farmington-based Otis Elevator Co. executive leadership team Wednesday to build circuitry and robot kits that were then donated to the Club for continued learning. Otis also committed to an additional $50,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs to support ongoing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programming. “It is always a privilege to engage with students and spark an early interest in STEM – inspiring a lifelong love of learning by providing the tools to understand how they can dramatically impact the world around them,” said Otis Chair, President & CEO Judy Marks, who was among the Otis volunteers.
Click here to learn more about how Otis is working to encourage early STEM learning through volunteerism.
M·A·C Cosmetics was proud to partner with The Burghàlie Academy of Visual Arts for a series of events this fall, most recently supporting the Atlanta Art Awards Fashion Gala. Burghàlie Academy is a nonprofit organization that advocates for under-resourced youth by providing access to education, youth development opportunities, and other means that serve as healthy alternatives to behavioral challenges. The organization has an emphasis on art and fashion, which are the basis of Burghàlie’s programming.
M·A·C’s partnership with Burghàlie began at the end of August, when the brand put on a Global Masterclass at M·A·C’s Global Headquarters to a group of the Academy’s up-and-coming makeup Artists. The masterclass was led by Director of Makeup Artistry, Romero Jennings, and was structured to inspire the Academy’s makeup Artists ahead of their New York Fashion Week show. Following the Masterclass, all of the Burghàlie Artists were provided with a gift bag of key M·A·C products to stock their kits.
The partnership continued with M·A·C’s support of Burghàlie Academy’s fashion show during New York Fashion Week. M·A·C’s support of the show underscored the brand’s commitment to greater diversity and representation in fashion and beauty. The show was a competition for the Academy’s designers, and also featured a special performance by R&B vocalist, Austin Rogers.
In early November, M·A·C supported the Atlanta Art Awards Fashion Gala, a fundraiser for The Burghàlie Academy. The event consisted of a runway show, silent auction and award ceremony. Executive Director of Makeup Artistry, Sharryn Hinchliffe, attended the event and presented the award for Makeup Artist of the Year. She also spoke on behalf of the brand, emphasizing M·A·C’s commitment to providing the next generation of talent with the opportunity to take their Artistry skills to the next level.
Learn more about M·A·C’s commitment to inclusion and diversity
To celebrate its achievements in energy efficiency, Marathon Petroleum’s refinery in Robinson, Illinois, recently hosted an ENERGY STAR® Industrial Showcase.Held in September at the refinery, about 300 guests attended the event, including many local, state and federal officials.In 2022, the Robinson refinery earned its fifth consecutive ENERGY STAR certification and eighth overall.
Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery earned the opportunity to host an ENERGY STAR® Industrial Showcase in September in recognition of its achievements in energy management practices.
About 300 guests attended the event held at the Robinson, Illinois, facility, including more than 50 local and state officials. The event featured multiple presentations from employees and partners on Robinson’s sustainability efforts, emission reductions and investments in the community. One of the featured speakers was Illinois State Representative Adam Niemerg.
“From your outstanding record in energy efficiency, to your constant work to better this community – whether through your regular volunteerism and investments in Crawford County and beyond to how this team at Marathon’s Robinson refinery mobilized following this year’s tornado – what you all do here is absolutely amazing,” Niemerg said.
In 2022, the Robinson refinery earned its fifth consecutive ENERGY STAR certification and its eighth overall. Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) set a refining industry record in 2022, with six of its refineries receiving the certification.
At last year’s ENERGY STAR Industrial Partner Meeting, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named the Robinson refinery’s steam turbine optimization project – aimed at reducing electricity and emissions – as one of its Top 12 Projects of the year for energy efficiency across the country’s industrial sector.
“It is a testament to the efforts of our entire team here, and today and every day, we are proud to be an ENERGY STAR partner.”
“On the heels of receiving our fifth consecutive ENERGY STAR certification, we could not be more honored to host an event such as this in Robinson,” said Amy Macak, Robinson refinery General Manager. “It is a testament to the efforts of our entire team here, and today and every day, we are proud to be an ENERGY STAR partner.”
Building on its award-winning record for energy efficiency, the facility, working with solar energy developer Sol Systems, recently announced the construction of a Solar Farm to be built on 30 acres of MPC-owned land adjacent to the refinery. The project is expected to begin in early 2024. Once in place, the solar panels are expected to avoid electricity consumption from the electrical grid equivalent to roughly 1,000 homes’ energy use annually.
November 16, 2023 /3BL/ – SkysTheLimit.org, a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing emerging entrepreneurs, is empowering international entrepreneurs this Global Entrepreneurship Week through Sky’s the Limit Marketplace. The marketplace showcases over 100 creator-led brands, emphasizing founders from diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled people, and those with low-income backgrounds.
Bo Ghirardelli, Co-founder, President & CEO of SkysTheLimit.org, expresses enthusiasm about the Marketplace, stating, “Sky’s the Limit’s Marketplace is a testament to the incredible talent and innovation emerging from entrepreneurs worldwide. With 15% of participating entrepreneurs hailing from outside the U.S., this platform transcends borders, providing a global stage for groundbreaking initiatives.”
International entrepreneurs featured in this year’s Marketplace include:
The Trace Collective – Aroa Fernandez Alvarez
Aroa Fernandez Alvarez, Co-founder of The Trace Collective, pioneers a revolutionary approach to fashion, envisioning a future where purchases drive environmental regeneration and social cohesion. The brand not only creates clothes but spearheads a movement within the fashion industry and beyond.
Philly & Friends – Vese Aghoghovbia
Vese Aghoghovbia, Founder of award-winning brand Philly & Friends, strives to inject color and diversity into children’s playrooms while promoting literacy among underprivileged children. Philly & Friends is more than a toy brand; it’s on a mission to make a positive impact.
LÁAYO – Victoria Bola-Okerinde
Victoria Bola-Okerinde, Founder of LÁAYO, champions timeless, ethically sourced clothing and homeware. LÁAYO is dedicated to empowering women and the wider community to prioritize self-care, spaces, and overall well-being.
Lamuon Group Ltd – Ngozi Muoneke
Ngozi Muoneke, Founder of Lamuon Group Ltd, brings 100% natural, vegan, and certified organic skincare to the forefront. Lamuon Group Ltd’s products are a testament to restoring one’s natural glow while being mindful of the environment. The brand’s superior-quality offerings feature ethically-sourced ingredients from countries including Brazil, France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK.
The Sky’s the Limit Marketplace is open to shoppers from November 9 through December 31, 2023. This year’s edition is the largest showcase to date, featuring a diverse range of businesses, from street fashion and vegan beauty to sustainable home goods, social media marketing, financial education, HR support, and nonprofit organizations serving various causes.
To explore the diverse range of products and services offered by these talented creators and to support their businesses, visit Sky’s the Limit’s Marketplace.
Sky’s the Limit offers opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs – typically those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and people from low-income backgrounds – to connect with mentors to come together to foster, grow, and shape modern and future enterprise. The organization has also provided over $450,000 in startup grants and educated tens of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs. Sky’s the Limit has served entrepreneurs in over 100 countries around the world and is registered as a charity in the UK and U.S.
Ngozi Muoneke, Founder of Lamuon Group Ltd based in the UK said, “The mentors have been amazing! Vanessa Hall, VP Portfolio Management Director at PNC Bank and Rob Jacobs, Strategy and Consulting at Accenture have really guided me in the areas of business strategy and business planning. They made me think outside the box and challenged me out of my comfort zone. I am so confident and extremely happy because my business is now structured and moving in the right direction.”
For more information about partnerships and how to get involved, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships.
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About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
CNH Industrial has launched the latest edition of its Technical Professional Program dedicated to agricultural equipment at its Harbin plant.
The inauguration ceremony for the new program was attended by authorities from Heilongjiang Department of Education, Department of Commerce, and Ping Fang District, Yizhong Edulife representatives, officials from the Heilongjiang Agricultural Engineering Vocational College, local media, students and professors as well as the CNH team led by Luca Mainardi, Country Manager, CNH China and Mongolia.
“TechPro2 is a longstanding initiative that CNH provides many communities where we operate. Our strong local presence here in Harbin allows us a unique opportunity to provide young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to realize their potential and build skills to secure the future of China’s farming industry,” said Mr. Mainardi.
CNH is providing funds and educational resources to the program, including a New Holland Agriculture tractor, engines, transmissions as well as other core mechanical components. In addition, CNH staff are training the school’s teachers, assisting in the development of the curriculum to be studied.
The program includes two years of on-campus learning and a one-year internship with CNH and its dealers. This first edition of the program sees 37 students take part. When they successfully complete the course and attain certification, they will be fully qualified to take up professional placements in agricultural equipment maintenance, whether that be with CNH, its dealer network, or other players in the industry.
Since 2014, CNH has successfully deployed TechPro2 programs with local vocational colleges around the world. Continuing this initiative at Harbin demonstrates the company’s commitment to educating the next generation of farmers across the globe and supporting local communities in the process.
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
At the APEC CEO Summit today, Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth (the Center) and CARE, an international humanitarian organization, announced the launch of Mastercard Strive Women — a new program that aims to strengthen the financial health and resilience of small businesses in the APEC economies of Peru and Vietnam, as well as in Pakistan, with a focus on small businesses led by women.
Strive Women recognizes that women-led small businesses are critical contributors to economies, communities, and households worldwide. The program will focus on strengthening the financial health of small businesses by working with local partners in each market to deliver tailored financial products and support services, while addressing unique gender barriers that women-led businesses face. The program aims to reach 6 million entrepreneurs through campaigns, while directly supporting over 300,000 entrepreneurs — the majority being women — to grow their businesses and increase their economic potential.
Strive Women will be carried out by CARE through a $9 million grant from the Mastercard Impact Fund. This new phase of partnership between CARE and the Center follows the success of the Ignite program, which unlocked $154.9 million in loans from an initial grant of $5.26 million. Following the program, 79% of female participants increased their sales, and 89% reported increased confidence in running the business.
“When women entrepreneurs have access to the tools and resources they need, they pay it back and pay it forward, enabling their businesses and their communities to thrive,” said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “We’re launching Strive Women because we’ve seen that the right investment at the right time can help ensure that women-led businesses prosper around the world.”
Strive Women will extend the scale and impact of previous programs in each market, going deeper by building a broader ecosystem of stakeholders committed to long-term support for women-led small businesses. The program will also address the unique gender barriers women-led businesses face by testing innovations related to the climate crisis and childcare, which both disproportionately impact women. By taking a women-centered approach, Strive Women will seek to develop methods that can help small business owners balance both household and business cashflow, prepare for and manage financial shocks, and increase women’s decision-making power.
Strive Women joins Mastercard’s portfolio of philanthropic small business support programs, called Mastercard Strive, which helps small businesses thrive in the digital economy.
The Strive Women program will focus on four core pillars of work. These include supporting women-led small businesses to grow through increasing access and usage of financial products; partnering with financial services providers to co-design tailored products that best serve women-led small businesses; innovating to overcome gender barriers for women-led small businesses, such as childcare; and building ecosystems of support for women small business owners by activating networks and sharing learning tools.
“Women entrepreneurs have been consistently let down by systems that are not accessible or designed for them,” said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA. “But evidence shows that women make even stronger entrepreneurs and better financial customers than men, consistently and reliably repaying their loans. Women also put their profits back into their families, create more jobs and bring greater prosperity for their communities. We invite those committed to the financial health and inclusion of women entrepreneurs to join us to build a more equitable ecosystem.”
More broadly, Women’s Entrepreneurship at CARE aims to improve financial security and economic empowerment for 3 million entrepreneurs and employees, reach 30 million people, and mobilize more than $500 million USD in private capital by 2030. Mastercard is committed to connecting 1 billion people and 50 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the digital economy by 2025, and recently reached a milestone of providing 25 million women entrepreneurs with solutions that can help grow their businesses.
More details on Strive Women are available at www.care.org/strivewomen.
About Mastercard Strive
Launched in 2021 and supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs that aim to help small businesses around the world thrive in the digital economy. Through targeted grantmaking and local partnerships, Mastercard Strive supports small businesses with the goal of building more resilient enterprises that have more opportunities to grow and succeed. Strive Women joins programs active across the globe, including in the U.S., the U.K., Indonesia, Malaysia, and more.
About the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.
About CARE
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. This year, CARE and partners worked in 111 countries implementing 1,600 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects and initiatives that reached 174,000,000 people. To learn more, visit www.care.org.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
Originally published by The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Check out more content from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
NEW YORK and LONDON, November 16, 2023 /3BL/ – AccountAbility, a trusted global ESG Consulting and Standards firm with a three-decade history in guiding leaders to build better companies, is glad to announce that its website and thought leadership have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious United States Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive. This recognition is a testament to AccountAbility’s sustainability leadership, and commitment to advancing the ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations.
The U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive, an initiative of the world – renowned U.S. Library of Congress, is a curated collection of websites that are dedicated to climate change and sustainability issues. The archive aims to preserve content and resources of historical and cultural significance that document the ongoing discourse surrounding climate change and sustainability, ensuring that these critical materials remain accessible for future generations.
AccountAbility’s website was chosen for inclusion in the Climate Change Web Archive with its research, standards, and rich content that address ESG and Sustainability matters. Through its global Advisory services, widely used Standards, and Sustainability Thought Leadership, the organization has played a pivotal role in promoting better transparency, accountability, and governance in business operations worldwide. AccountAbility’s commitment to advancing the understanding of ESG practices and their impact on sustainability matters has made it a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders alike.
“Being included in the U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive is a very significant honor for AccountAbility. It reflects our unwavering focus and dedication over three decades towards making a meaningful contribution to advancing sustainable business practices and to the global dialog on ESG,” said Mr. Sunil (Sunny) A. Misser, Chief Executive Officer of AccountAbility. “Our research, thinking and content reflects the firm’s global Advisory and Standards practices, and includes useful resources for those looking to understand and implement ESG principles and practices in their organization. We are most grateful that our work will be preserved for posterity in this reputable archive.”
The U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive ensures that critical climate-related information remains accessible for research and education, even as websites may evolve over time. AccountAbility’s website joins a select group of sites that have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the global interchange about climate change and sustainability.
For more information about The U.S. Library of Congress, visit: https://www.loc.gov
About AccountAbility
AccountAbility is a global Consulting and Standards firm that works with businesses, investors, governments, and multi-lateral organizations to innovate and advance the global Sustainability / ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations. The firm focuses on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients to succeed. AccountAbility is a Public Benefit Corporation, operating globally through a highly qualified team from offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai. The firm is the recipient of multiple business awards from the Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International, and its website is archived with the United States Library of Congress. Learn more at www.accountability.org.
Contact:
Mr. Jon Packer
AccountAbility
Head of Marketing & Communications
Phone: +1 416 543 9179
Email: jon.packer@accountability.org
Web: www.accountability.org
Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance
By Elyse Russo & Jessica Masuga, Walgreens Stories
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a chronic health condition that impacts more than 37 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
One of those Americans is Tracey Brown, executive vice president and president, Walgreens retail and chief customer officer. While pregnant with her daughter, Brown developed gestational diabetes, which turned into type 2 diabetes postpartum. She didn’t get serious about managing her condition until her daughter, at age 5, asked her a harrowing question: “Mommy, are you gonna die from diabetes?”
“That’s not a question any parent wants to hear from their child, and it became a pivotal moment in my life,” Brown says.
Since then, Brown has adopted a new, healthier lifestyle, and no longer needs to take insulin. And she’s made it part of her life’s work to be an advocate for those living with the disease. Just this past summer, she was the keynote speaker for Children with Diabetes’ 24th annual Friends for Life conference.
And it’s a good thing Brown turned things around. As Walgreens pharmacy manager Danielle James will tell you, diabetes can affect the overall health of those living with it.
“For example, people living with it are twice as likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes,” James says. “Other health problems that may occur include vision loss and kidney disease.”
Here are five ways that Walgreens makes it easier to understand and manage diabetes:
1. Get your A1C or blood glucose tested. The CDC recommends that you get a baseline A1C test if you’re an adult over age 45—or if you’re under 45, are overweight and have one or more risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. A blood glucose test is another way to diagnose diabetes or determine if you are at risk of developing it. To make it easy to get tested, Walgreens and several clinics will provide free A1C testing or blood glucose testing at participating locations throughout November: Walgreens.com/FreeDiabetesScreening.
2. Educate yourself. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or learned you’re at risk for it, it’s important to learn as much as possible about it to be proactive about your health. From Nov. 1 to 18, Village Medical Primary Care at Walgreens will host 20 free virtual events providing diabetes education. To learn more, visit: Walgreens.com/FreeDiabetesScreening.
3. Unlock diabetes product savings.* Living with a chronic health condition can be expensive. Throughout November, Walgreens customers can save big on an expansive array of diabetes products to help manage their diabetes:
Walgreens Brand Diabetes Testing Products: When you buy one, you get one 50% off.CONTOUR NEXT, Blood Glucose Value Pack (70 Strips): Get $6 off.Diabetes Doctor, Blood Sugar 24 Hour Extra Strength (90 capsules): Receive an extra 25% off.OneTouch Verio, Diabetic Test Strips for Blood Sugar Monitor (30 strips): Get $4 off.
4. Find other ways to save. Insurance programs can be confusing. Your pharmacist can assist you with navigating insurance and finding cost savings through tools such as Rx Savings Finder and Find Rx Coverage.
5. Team up with your pharmacist. There are so many things that contribute to living successfully with diabetes. Walgreens pharmacists receive specialized diabetes training to help you navigate your unique journey. Walgreens pharmacists can teach you how to keep your A1C and glucose levels on target, manage medications, discuss your response to medications, and learn how to make lifestyle changes with your diet and exercise.
“Your pharmacist can help with all the information, adjustments and new habits you need to embrace, making this journey easier so you can live your best life,” says James.
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For more information on diabetes management and support services at Walgreens, please visit Walgreens.com/Diabetes (English) and Walgreens.com/DiabetesESP (Spanish).
*Visit Walgreens.com for more details.
November 16, 2023 /3BL/ – The Hobbs administration will hold a media availability on Monday, November 27, at 3:30 PM MST (AZ local) at Honeywell’s Advanced Air Mobility Lab in Phoenix, following a private roundtable discussion with major employers about recent and upcoming clean energy investments in Arizona.
Organized by Ceres, Advanced Energy United, and the Arizona Technology Council, Powering Arizona: Maximizing Historic Federal Investment for a Clean Economy, will feature a roundtable discussion that includes representatives from the Governor’s Office of Resiliency, Honeywell Aerospace, Microsoft, Lucid Motors, KORE Power, and other major employers in the state. The event will focus on the important partnership between the public and private sectors to fully leverage recent federal climate and infrastructure legislation, which has unleashed a surge of clean energy investment across Arizona and the U.S.
Members of the Hobbs administration, company representatives, and the hosting partners will speak to the media following the closed-door roundtable event to share key takeaways. There will also be an opportunity to see highlights of the Honeywell Advanced Air Mobility Lab, a cutting-edge hub for urban air mobility research and development.
Arizona is already benefiting mightily from the national clean energy investment boom, quickly establishing itself as a powerhouse in the U.S. clean energy industry. Since the summer of 2022, the state has already secured more than $10 billion in new clean energy investments, which are projected to create more than 13,500 new jobs. The media availability and roundtable event will celebrate this success while exploring opportunities for further policy and business action to invite even greater investment in Arizona’s clean energy economy.
WHO:
Maren Mahoney, Director of the Arizona Office of Resiliency
David Shilliday, Honeywell Aerospace Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Air Mobility
Edwin Hernández‑Vargas, Manager of State and Local Affairs, KORE Power
Additional speakers to be announced
WHEN:
Monday, November 27
3:30 p.m. MST (AZ Local)
WHERE:
Honeywell Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) lab
21111 N 19th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85027
RSVP: Please email Helen Booth-Tobin (booth-tobin@ceres.org) for media registration details. A virtual option will be available to join remotely.
