Congratulations to Pizza Hut U.S. CMO Lindsay Morgan and KFC Global CMO Valerie Kubizniak for being named to Brand Innovators‘ Top 100 Women in Brand Marketing, a recognition that celebrates the forward-thinking and innovative women leading marketing for world-class brands.
Tag: 3BL
ST. LOUIS, October 5, 2023 /3BL/ – The PNC Foundation through PNC Arts Alive announced its selection of four Greater St. Louis arts nonprofits to share $250,000 in grant funding. Designed to fuel the delivery of accessible and inclusive programming to local audiences, the grants will be distributed over a two-year period to Dance St. Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, St. Louis ArtWorks and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company.
In addition to receiving grant funding to transform creative concepts into accessible programming, leaders of the grantee organizations will participate in a highly customized capacity-build experience and will have access to experts ― including members of PNC’s Experience Innovation team ― to help implement modern problem-solving practices, such as design thinking, within the scope of ongoing programming and operations.
“PNC’s longstanding support and continued investments in Greater St. Louis’ cherished arts organizations reflect our belief that engagement in the arts enriches lives and builds stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “Our collaboration with local arts nonprofits, including the 2023-2025 PNC Arts Alive grant recipients, aims to make the arts more accessible to diverse audiences – while also helping arts organizations maximize the impact of grant funding through guided opportunities to enhance their business rigor and sustainability.”
The grant recipients plan to use the funding as follows:
Dance St. Louis ($50,000): Grant funding will help Dance St. Louis curate and deliver Ailey II, A Community Celebration presented by PNC Arts Alive in February 2024, in celebration of Black History Month and in collaboration with Ailey II. This education and enrichment program will include school residency and community experiences, and Dance St. Louis will collaborate with Ailey All Access to provide custom virtual viewing opportunities for students and the broader community.Opera Theatre of Saint Louis ($50,000): Grant funding will help underwrite accessibility enhancements for the 2024 and 2025 seasons of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ New Works Collective productions, to include audio descriptions, ASL interpretation and sensory-friendly environments. Additionally, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will distribute complimentary tickets for select community groups and will create and deliver on-demand streaming performance options to reach those in the community who are unable to visit the theater.St. Louis ArtWorks ($75,000): Grant funding will help St. Louis ArtWorks deliver its year-round experience offering paid apprenticeships for youth ages 14-19. Apprentices are immersed in opportunities to learn a range of art disciplines, while gaining relevant work experience as paid apprentices. The Youth Apprentice Program engages underserved youth by providing learning opportunities focused on four key areas: arts education; employment training/job-readiness; life skills, including financial literacy; and mental/social health.St. Louis Black Repertory Company ($75,000): Grant funding will help further establish The Black Rep’s Phoenix Rising Special Performance Series, currently in its pilot year. This series is designed to create innovative, engaging work outside the organization’s typical venues while honoring the company’s original name (Phoenix Theatre Troupe) and historic intention to present dance, music and theatre through the lens of the African American experience.
Since establishing a corporate presence in the region in 2010, PNC has awarded $3.75 million in grant funding to Greater St. Louis arts organizations through PNC Arts Alive.
PNC Arts Alive is a multi-year initiative of the PNC Foundation dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways. The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. For more information, visit www.pncartsalive.com.
CONTACT:
Karyn Ostrom
(919) 788-5794
karyn.ostrom@pnc.com
The support, encouragement, and latitude that I’ve experienced at Covia over the past 33 years has empowered me to achieve more in my career than I thought possible. From helping to build a team focused on the importance of safety and health to developing innovative solutions that go beyond the mining industry – the experiences I’ve garnered at Covia have helped shape both my personal and professional life.
The Power of a Good Mentor
I earned my undergraduate degree in Safety Engineering from a university in Ontario, Canada. A part of that program involved a co-op position with a local construction company. Upon graduating, I was offered a full-time position to continue working with that organization – providing safety consulting services.
After about 6-months into this role, a friend of mine connected me with a safety and health opportunity at a mine in Ontario. While I felt that I needed additional experience to fill the role, I interviewed anyway – hoping to learn from the experience. To my surprise, I was offered the position, and I’ve been happily working at Covia ever since.
My first role at Covia was a Safety Specialist at the Nepheline Syenite Operations. I handled the safety, health, and environmental affairs at the mine. One year into this position, Covia hired their first industrial hygienist who, soon after joining the team, became my mentor. Under his guidance, I earned a promotion to Regional Safety and Health Supervisor and, only a year later, was offered the position of Safety & Health Manager at the Corporate Safety and Health office.
Our team of three safety and health employees was small but efficient. For 13 years, we managed Covia North America, Covia Australia, and Covia Norway – traveling back and forth between the countries to support Covia’s international safety and health initiatives.
By the time my mentor was set to retire, I realized that this was a great opportunity to achieve my career aspirations of becoming a senior leader. I used this opportunity to encourage the executive team to elevate the focus and importance of safety and health and hire their first Vice President of Safety and Health. They loved the idea and encouraged me to pursue higher education to become the right candidate for the job. By 2012, I had earned my Master of Science degree in industrial hygiene and shortly thereafter was offered the position – giving me the chance to expand our safety and health programs across the globe, building a culture that sets safety as an even higher priority.
I am truly grateful for the guidance and support of my mentor. I don’t know if I would have become the leader I am today without his help.
Building a Culture of Safety & Health
I’m incredibly proud of Covia’s safety and health culture and commitment to Safety First. Covia’s willingness to afford a degree of latitude in my role has allowed us to take numerous steps to ensure that safety and health remains a daily and consistent focus for our Team Members, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and customers. There is an expectation that Team Members speak up regarding safety risks – making sure their voices are heard.
This desire to constantly improve our safety standards is what led to one of my proudest professional accomplishments, the creation of the clothes cleaning booth. Early in my career, we began using direct reading aerosol monitors to detect dust concentrations. It’s critical to the safety and health of our frontline Team Members to monitor dust levels – ensuring levels meet or exceed Covia’s strict standards.
Through careful analysis of this data, we were able to figure out where Team Members were when those peaks occurred, allowing us to focus more narrowly on fixing the parts of the process that caused this increase in exposure. It was through review and study of this data we discovered that it was the clothes that were causing elevated overexposures. We decided that we needed to find a new way to clean clothes efficiently and effectively.
Our team went through years of testing to find out what was the best cleaning process to fix this issue. Our research led us to a solution that not only greatly improved the safety and health of Covia Team Members, but across a wide array of industries – from coffee grinding facilities to discussions with NASA for the removal of moon dust after space walks.
This project, along with the development of the Helmet-CAM technology and the dust control handbook, are significant efforts I am still incredibly proud of today. These projects have improved working conditions and will continue to keep people safe and healthy for decades to come.
Life in the Fastlane
Family is very important to me. The biggest accomplishments of my life are my children, Mackenzie and Maddie. In my free time I love to be outdoors. One of my favorite hobbies is astrophotography – taking photos of things you can’t see with the naked eye. I love being able to share those photos and memories with my family and friends.
Outside of family, work and astrophotography, I enjoy racing in the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series run by the SCCA. In my class, we race older Mazda Miatas which aren’t powerful, but can corner at high speeds. I love the competitive spirit and the bantering that comes with the competition. The men (and women) I race against are ultra-competitive, always eyeing first place. My favorite part of the hobby is the technical aspect – making small setup changes to allow me to push the car to its limit.
It may seem a bit ironic that a safety professional would be participating in an activity as potentially hazardous as auto racing, but we do take driver safety very seriously, and hey, at least I don’t do anything crazy like jump out of perfectly mechanically sound airplanes!
The Foundation Toward a Safer Tomorrow
I’ve seen Covia grow considerably over my 33-year career. I can confidently say that there has never been a better time to be at Covia than right now. The current leadership’s emphasis and support for safety and health are at an all-time high with signs of continued momentum and support.
With new initiatives coming down the line, like our Safety Starts with Me program update, reincorporation of frontline workers into the design and management of our safety and health program and cross-plant inspections, we are closer than ever to greatly reducing and eliminating injuries and illnesses at our plants. Thanks to the support from the Covia executive leadership team, I feel empowered about the real impact the Safety and Health Team is making that goes beyond the mining industry. Who would have thought it would be this exciting to come into work every day!
As originally published in the 2022 .gay Impact Report
“As the first link in bio platform for queer creators, we needed a top-level domain that shared our vision of a better internet for LGBTQ+ folks. With a .gay domain, our users are free to be their authentic selves and share their pride with the gayest link in bio. Thank you .gay!”
– Tyron, www.Links.gay
.gay is the domain of choice for those who want to wave their virtual pride flag. It brings together national organizations, local community centers, healthcare systems, travel agencies, activists, businesses and others who are allied with LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s a badge of honor that sets sites apart and clearly signals to LGBTQIA+ audiences and their allies that everyone is welcome. This third annual Impact Report highlights .gay’s community impact and giving through 2022.
A Vibrant, Diverse and Supportive Space
The .gay domain extension stands for LGBTQIA+ visibility and allyship. Its unique policies mean .gay creates an inclusive space which embraces all identities, experiences and perspectives. Whether identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, or anything in between, know that all are welcome and celebrated at .gay.
Strengthening Inclusivity in Brands and Companies
In a world where corporate social responsibility is increasingly important, a .gay domain strengthens LGBTQIA+ inclusivity for brands and companies. With a .gay domain, businesses can signal their support for LGBTQIA+ communities year-round, not just during Pride.
A Fantastic Network of LGBTQIA+ Partners and Allies
The .gay community is an ever-growing network of LGBTQIA+ leaders and allies – from high-profile brands like www.JonathanAdler.gay, www.ThePhluidProject.gay, and www. AtwaterSkin.gay, to outspoken celebrities and creators like www.George.gay (George Takei), www.HenryJimenez.gay, www.GadYola.gay, and www.BreakTheBinary.gay (Addison Rose Vincent), and new technology companies like www.Links.gay
View and download the full 2022 .gay Impact Report here.
About .gay
The .gay domain extension provides a distinctive digital space devoted to connecting and celebrating members of LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies. For individuals, organizations, businesses and brands, .gay serves as a virtual Pride flag and inclusive badge of honor. For every new domain registered, .gay donates 20% of registration revenue to LGBTQIA+ nonprofit groups to help address key issues facing these communities.
About GoDaddy Registry
GoDaddy Registry is one of the world’s largest domain registry providers. We operate top-level domains (TLDs) on behalf of sovereign nations, city governments, global brands and other domain registries. With more than two decades of industry leadership, we serve as the Registry Operator for industry-leading TLDs like .co, .us, .biz and .nyc — and manage the backend registry technology for hundreds more.
AMD is passionate about enabling the imagination and creativity of the next generation. Technology in their hands encourages exploration and learning that open doors to new careers and possibilities. This is why AMD partners with schools, educators and local nonprofit organizations.
AMD in Longmont, Colorado and St. Vrain Valley Schools welcomed 45 middle and high school students to a week-long summer camp, introducing them to the actual deployment and real-world utility of Machine Learning and AI. Now in its fifth year, the camp provided students with hands-on experience using the AMD Kria KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit.
With guidance from senior AMD engineers, a project team of summer interns and technical employees not only organized the camp but also developed a new curriculum around the AMD Kria KV260 Vision AI starter platform.
“This bootcamp allows AMD to connect with young minds in the community and create a meaningful technical experience,” said engineer Vikhyat G. “And by engaging AMD interns in this work, we provided them with multiple avenues to exercise their creativity and pedagogical skills, adding value to their internship experiences.”
Hosted at the St. Vrain Valley Schools Innovation Center, students started their days interacting with industry experts in the AI field, then learned how to use PYNQ programming on the Kria SOMs, such as Object Detection and Intermediate Python. Later they split into groups to brainstorm project ideas based on using AI in the real world. Teams pitched their ideas to a panel of AMD mentors for feedback and suggestions. With intern oversight, they worked to bring their ideas to fruition. The grand finale was a trip to the AMD Longmont office to present their completed projects to AMD employee judges and guests.
AMD intern Caitlyn F. had the unique experience of being both a former student participant and an AMD intern organizing the bootcamp. As she reflects on her journey, she remembers how attending the first bootcamp five years ago was an extremely rewarding and memorable experience. “I was excited to return as an intern because it meant that everything was going to come full circle and I would be able to pass on my passions and amazing experiences to the next generation of engineers just as I had received.”
The Winning Project: The first-place award went to Team Corn Corp. LLC for their Perfect Picture project that utilizes two AI models to create a smart and fully automated photo booth. It uses pretrained models for Object and Face Detection and Computer Vision algorithms along with peripherals such as ultrasonic distance sensors, and LED bars to help achieve the perfect picture.
To learn more about how AMD is empowering STEM initiatives, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/digital-impact.html
In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the country’s 30th President, Ford Motor Co. was producing roughly 10,000 Model Ts a day and North Carolina had just surpassed Massachusetts as the nation’s leading textile producer.
Across the state, hundreds of textile mills employed tens of thousands of workers. This production boom relied on one thing: electricity.
To meet the demands, Catawba Manufacturing & Electric Power Co., a subsidiary of Southern Power Co., built a powerhouse and dam on the Catawba River, the Mountain Island Hydro Station in Gaston County, near Charlotte, N.C.
A century later, the station’s four units still provide power, and the lake provides drinking water and recreation resources for hundreds of thousands of North Carolina and South Carolina residents.
“This was the first river in the United States that was comprehensively planned and developed for electric power generation,” said Jeff Lineberger, general manager of Water Strategy, Hydro Licensing and Lake Services for Duke Energy. “The founders of our company had this vision way back at the turn of the last century to build a series of linked hydropower stations on a river.”
Mountain Island Lake was the eighth of 11 manmade lakes created in the Catawba-Wateree river system. Its objective was to provide electricity to factories, primarily the textile and furniture manufacturing industries. “They were looking to provide an economical electric generation source to power those factories to help this part of the country recover from the Civil War.”
James B. Duke, Gill Wylie and William States Lee moved the economy in the Carolinas from agrarian to industrial.
“They wanted to give people a place to work that was off the farm and to really change the economy,” Lineberger said. “It absolutely has done that. Charlotte and the region would not be what they are now without this 11-lake system.”
Today, Mountain Island Hydro Station provides 68 megawatts of clean, responsive power.
“We utilize this facility to help provide generation at the peak load of the day,” said Hydro Operations Manager Trevor Turner. “For the Carolinas, the winter peak load is in the morning, and the evening in the summer. We can also start quickly during emergency situations when the grid demands additional generation.”
The Duke Energy hydro fleet was among some of the first in the country to implement remote operations, technology Duke Energy helped pioneer in the 1990s and early 2000s, Turner said.
The station is operated by the Regulated Renewables Operation Center, or RROC, a technology change that increased safety and efficiency.
Not only a reliable energy source, Mountain Island Lake, which was formed by the dam, is the primary source of drinking water for more than 1 million residents in Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly. Before it, Charlotte got its drinking water from the Catawba River.
“It’s one of the most important lakes in the state of North Carolina from a public water-supply standpoint,” Lineberger said.
While historic, the station also serves a timely role, as part of the company’s clean energy transition to achieve net-zero methane emissions from natural gas by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050.
By producing hydropower, a clean and renewable resource, Mountain Island Hydro Station’s output helps Duke Energy work toward that goal.
With 96.5 miles of shoreline – and over a third of it protected – Mountain Island Lake is also an important wildlife habitat. Latta Place Historic Site, Rural Hill and the Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge, which the Audubon Society of North Carolina has designated as an important bird area, are along its shores.
Mountain Island Lake also provides public recreational opportunities, like boating and fishing. Duke Energy maintains four boating access areas on the lake, plus a bank fishing platform downstream of the hydro station. Plans are in the works to add a swim beach and bank fishing area on the lake near Mount Holly.
In addition to canoe and kayak launch site, the Lucia Access Area has a spot where visitors can view wildlife.
View original content here.
Both The Clorox Company Foundation and East Oakland Youth Development Center have been making a difference in their communities for 45 years. That’s not just by happenstance. Our then-CEO, Robert Shetterly, was the driving force behind the creation of EOYDC in 1978, along with the establishment of its endowment, serving as a national model to help ensure that disenfranchised young people receive the same training and opportunities as those with wealthier backgrounds.
Today, EOYDC’s work developing the social and leadership capabilities of youth and young adults, mirroring the foundation’s longtime financial support for these causes, is a living tribute to Shetterly’s vision for a brighter future. With an approach grounded in the development of the whole person, the organization offers programs not only in education but also in the arts and wellness. It serves over 1,000 children and youth per year with $150,000 in scholarships and $300,000 in work-based learning programs.
The group champions not only career success but also a sense of belonging and joy for local young people of color who are among the most marginalized in their communities.
EOYDC’s approach to mentorship is unique — and has yielded results. It trains young people to work with their peers and younger people in meaningful leadership roles. About 60% of its team are themselves alumni of EOYDC programs, according to its CEO, Selena Wilson.
Wilson speaks from experience. She was 4 years old when she started going to West African dance class at the East Oakland Youth Development Center but stopped at age 12 when experiencing “a funk” she later realized was depression. Still, the middle-schooler had to take her younger sister to dance class, so she ended up hanging around the lobby at EOYDC. One day, the receptionist asked if she would help answer phones and file papers while she was waiting. She agreed and soon was volunteering even when her sister wasn’t taking dance class. By 13, she was a youth leader. Years later, she joined EOYDC as the vice president of organizational effectiveness before taking on her current role as CEO in 2022.
Someone taking the time to connect with her made all the difference. “As an adult, I now look back on that and realize she didn’t really need my help,” says Wilson, “She realized that I needed her help.”
Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog
When it comes to work, Tracey Jackson helps ensure that U.S. Bank digital services are accessible for people who have disabilities. And when it comes to play, Jackson competes in beep baseball, a sport that is accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Jackson joined U.S. Bank almost three years ago and works as an accessibility experience designer, evaluating the images and text the bank uses in its mobile banking apps and digital banking tools for desktop and laptop users.
“We make sure that accessibility is considered in the design because when access is considered throughout the ideation of the design phase, it reduces the chances of a product having accessibility issues when it goes into development,” Jackson said. “We base our guidance on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and use the current international standards.”
Beep baseball
Jackson began playing beep baseball about 10 years ago when he joined a local team in Georgia, where he lives.
“I ended up playing with three different teams here in Georgia and made it to the Georgia State Games,” he said. “I’m a Georgia State Games Gold Medal winner. Ironically, I played my worst game that day, but the guys around me were on, so we won.”
As the name suggests, beep baseball includes a ball that beeps so that athletes who are blind or visually impaired are able to locate it by sound.
There are only two bases in the game, first base and third base, and they’re four-foot-tall padded cylinders equipped with speakers that make a buzzing sound. When batters hit the ball, one of the bases will start buzzing, meaning batters don’t know which base they need to run to until after they hit the ball.
There are six fielders who cover different zones. If a fielder picks up a batted ball before the hitter makes it to the designated base, the batter is out. If the batter gets to the base before a fielder gets the ball, it counts as a run. There is no running between bases.
The pitcher and catcher are not visually impaired and pitchers pitch to their own team, with the goal of throwing a pitch the batter can hit. Because players have different levels of visual disabilities, the batter and fielders wear blindfolds. There will also be at least one spotter in the field who isn’t visually impaired and can give limited instructions to fielders, with the goal of helping to prevent fielders from colliding while going after a ball.
“The spotters don’t always save us,” Jackson said. “There are collisions and some of us can get pretty banged up.”
Jackson has competed in the National Beep Baseball Association World Series four times, including this year and last year with the Texas-based Tyler Tigers.
“There haven’t always been a lot of options for us when it comes to competing at that level and it’s wonderful when you can do this,” he said. “The competition and the camaraderie with the different teams is second to none.”
Accessibility in action
It’s a similar camaraderie that Jackson said he loves about his team at the bank. Because he and his fellow accessibility experience designers are embedded within each of the digital product teams, they can have a significant impact on the way digital tools like the mobile app and online banking look and function.
The team works to help U.S. Bank clients do their digital banking with simplicity and ease – regardless of any permanent, situational or temporary disability.
Jackson said he’s already looking forward to next year’s Beep Baseball World Series.
“Oh man, I love playing,” he said. “There are only three things I love more than the sport of beep baseball: my faith in God, my family and what I do every day when I show up to work, which is to make a difference in individuals’ lives by empowering them to impact the world through accessible products.”
Originally published on bloomberg.com
At Bloomberg, we are deeply committed to representation and inclusion. Not only do we wholly welcome diverse tech talent from all backgrounds, but we also empower them to bring their authentic selves to work and provide unique opportunities for growth. Below, four Engineering employees tell us more about what makes Bloomberg a great place to work and how they’re carving out rewarding careers for themselves at the firm.
Janet Perez
(she/her/hers)
Why did you decide to join Bloomberg?
I started my tech journey at one of Bloomberg’s non-profit partners, The Knowledge House (TKH). This Bronx-based coding bootcamp provides free technical training and professional development services to low-income youth and young adults in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Newark, NJ.
While there, I met my mentor, a software engineer at Bloomberg who shared more about the firm’s culture and career opportunities. Coming from a data science background, I was particularly interested in understanding the engineering expertise required to process huge amounts of financial and market data for clients every day. Thanks to my mentor’s guidance, I was able to land a software engineering role at Bloomberg.
What is your role at the firm?
I’m part of the Enterprise Metering engineering team, which is focused on building a cohesive metering solution for Bloomberg’s Enterprise Data business.
What do you like most about being an engineer at Bloomberg? Is there a specific product or process you enjoy working on?
I really enjoy the supportive learning culture and the opportunities we get to expand our tech knowledge. For instance, new hires at Bloomberg receive extensive training, starting with a two-month technical program. And,on my current team, we have regular meetings to discuss and understand the design decisions behind projects.
Do you have a mentor here at Bloomberg? Do you act as a mentor to others?
I am currently a mentee as part of the Enterprise Technology (ET) Shine Program, which enables new hires to grow their networks and hone their professional skills. I enjoy being part of this program as I get to meet fellow engineers and learn more about the different technologies that are being used at Bloomberg. Eventually, I would like to be a mentor to others once I’ve gained more experience in my role.
In your opinion, how is Bloomberg fostering an inclusive and productive environment for tech talent?
I really appreciate that the firm gives us opportunities to develop our tech skills and grow professionally through employee resource groups.
How has being part of the company’s “in Tech” groups shaped your experience at Bloomberg?
I love being part of a supportive community! I enjoy meeting engineers outside of my team because I get to learn more about other technologies they are using and the challenges they are helping to solve. It also gives me the opportunity to see how my team’s work fits into Bloomberg’s broader tech ecosystem.
Teodoro Puig
(he/they)
Why did you decide to join Bloomberg, and what is your role at the firm?
I decided to join Bloomberg because of its people — I feel that those around me have my best interests in mind. I have grown a lot professionally during my time here, and that is in large part due to the mentorship I’ve received.
What is your role at the firm?
I’m part of the Fixed Income Analytics engineering team.
What do you like most about being an engineer at Bloomberg? Is there a specific product or process you enjoy working on?
I like being able to work on projects that have an impact on an international scale. I’ve enjoyed learning not only about fixed income in general, but also about more complex bonds from other countries.
In your opinion, how is Bloomberg fostering an inclusive and productive environment for tech talent?
It’s clear to me that diversity and inclusion is a big priority at Bloomberg. There are communities you can join to find like-minded people, as well as learn how to be a better ally to others from different backgrounds.
Plus, there’s a culture of respect that allows me to be comfortable being myself. I began to transition between summer internships at Bloomberg and was very glad that it was received positively. There’s a strong sense of allyship and community at Bloomberg, which makes me feel supported in my identity.
How has being part of the company’s “in Tech” groups shaped your experience at Bloomberg?
I moved from Puerto Rico to New York City, so it has been invaluable meeting other engineers to whom I can relate culturally. Attending events organized by the company’s “in Tech” groups has also given me the chance to learn about company-wide initiatives from a D&I perspective.
Lerena Holloway
(she/her/hers)
Why did you decide to join Bloomberg?
As a Navy veteran seeking to enter the tech industry, I would attend meetups organized by Operation Code. It was through these sessions that I met another U.S. Navy veteran who worked at Bloomberg. Through him, I came to learn more about the company. There were several things that intrigued me. For instance, I appreciated how Bloomberg is an international company, which could give me an opportunity to work abroad in the future. Then, there was also the philanthropic aspect: I have great respect for Mike Bloomberg’s efforts to make this world a better place for all.
What is your role at the firm?
I’m part of the Market Applications Idea Generation engineering team, which is building front-end applications that Analysts and Portfolio Managers utilize to make strategic investment decisions.
What do you like most about being an engineer at Bloomberg? Is there a specific product or process you enjoy working on?
Before Bloomberg, I had little knowledge of the finance world — in fact, I found it rather intimidating. However, since joining the firm, I’ve taken finance classes. I’ve also worked closely with members of our Product team who are eager to help engineers understand key financial concepts so that we can better serve our customers. I have really enjoyed learning more about a world I once thought was completely beyond me.
Do you have a mentor here at Bloomberg? Do you act as a mentor to others?
I’ve had a few mentors at Bloomberg, and I love how people here are eager to help and give back — it rubs off on you! I’ve mentored a few people as well. For example, I’m currently mentoring a new joiner on my team and I’ve also mentored people involved in the Bloomberg Black in Tech (BBIT) group.
In your opinion, how is Bloomberg fostering an inclusive and productive environment for tech talent?
Bloomberg strives to ensure that its employees are aware of the struggles of underrepresented communities. We’re encouraged to have open discussions and fireside chats with those from different backgrounds. Often, BBIT will include senior employees in these fireside chats to increase transparency around D&I initiatives. There is tremendous support across the firm in elevating such efforts.
How has being part of the company’s “in Tech” groups shaped your experience at Bloomberg?
I’ve had the privilege of taking on leadership roles outside of my team. For example, I lead the communications working group for BBIT, and this has allowed me to stretch my leadership abilities. I’ve planned events that have helped raise the group’s profile, and also traveled to other cities to tell my story of how I got started in tech. So this has enabled me to not only grow in the tech field, but also to serve as a leader who is inspiring others.
Luis Alejandro Vega
(he/him/his)
Why did you decide to join Bloomberg?
I attended one of the Bloomberg Engineering Discovery Day events, which give college students a better understanding of what it’s like to work at Bloomberg. During that event, Bloomberg co-founder Tom Secunda spoke to the group and I found his responses so forward-looking and refreshing. That was when I knew that Bloomberg was the place for me. Learning about the firm’s philanthropic efforts further justified my decision.
What is your role at the firm?
I’m part of the Development Requests, Product Documentation & Reporting (DDR) engineering team, which helps our engineers manage their projects and initiatives.
What do you like most about Engineering at Bloomberg? Is there a specific product or process you enjoy working on?
My colleagues are amazing, and the products that we work on have kept me learning for more than a decade. There’s always something new to learn and build at Bloomberg!
Do you have a mentor here at Bloomberg? Do you act as a mentor to others?
I have several mentors at Bloomberg. Our company values networking, and I’m always learning from different people eager to give me advice. In the same manner, I’m happy to provide advice to others.
In your opinion, how is Bloomberg fostering an inclusive and productive environment for tech talent?
Bloomberg understands that diversity is multi-dimensional. While the firm works really hard on increasing representation, it also acknowledges that there is always more to be done. As employees, we constantly ask ourselves whether the workplace is ideal for everyone, and we strive to create an inclusive environment for all colleagues.
How has being part of the company’s “in Tech” groups shaped your experience at Bloomberg?
Being part of BLC Tech from its outset has allowed me not only to grow my network, but also to contribute to a community where colleagues help each other become both better engineers and human beings.
As technology continues to advance, companies are facing increasing cyber threats and are looking for more cybersecurity and information technology (IT) experts to help defend their systems and operations. That’s why Exelon, Pepco and Public Sector Solutions Group (PS2G) are working together to train individuals from the District of Columbia and Maryland in these fields. The Walter Reed Infrastructure Academy hosts the 12-week program and gives individuals of all ages, from all backgrounds, and at any point in their professional journey hands-on training to prepare them for careers in the energy, cybersecurity, and IT industries.
Two program participants, Dwight Washington and Ardell Boatwright recently completed the classroom training and explain how the program has given their career path a fresh start.
Dwight Washington, Temple Hills, Md.
After hackers stole his personal information and created a false identity, Dwight felt a strong pull to the IT and cybersecurity field.
“I discovered my email was on the dark web.” Dwight shared. “I learned about the dark web and how these attackers are able to use brute force attacks and different tactics of that nature to obtain personal information from you.”
The hackers used Dwight’s personal information to create a fake account with the unemployment office to steal government funding in his name. Most would shy away from the internet after going through such an experience, but not Dwight. He took it personally and decided it was time to fight back and help prevent this from happening to someone else.
“That experience really motivated me to learn more about cybersecurity and how I can help defend others through a career in this field.” Dwight said.
Dwight credits the program for helping him understand the tools that bad actors use to steal information, including those used against him. His goal is to help prevent the next victim of a cyber-crime and help defend systems from attack using what he has learned from the Walter Reed Infrastructure Academy.
“I’ve always played defense, even since my days in high school football,” Dwight added. “Being able to defend and protect the grid is very important. Without our power we almost can’t do anything, it could cripple the entire nation and set us back. I would like to be on the defense to protect that system.”
Ardell Boatwright, Washington, D.C.
For Ardell Boatwright, IT has always been a passion and a field he wanted to get back into after a long absence. He learned of the program Exelon, Pepco and PS2G were offering and quickly jumped at the opportunity.
“I was looking to get back into IT,” said Ardell. “It’s really hard when you have been out of the field for a while – everyone is wondering why you have this break in employment or what else you were doing. Being in this program gave me a foot back onto solid land with this industry.”
Ardell was briefly discouraged when he learned a particular class would not be offered until later in the program. A Walter Reed Infrastructure Academy instructor noticed his concern and tailored the class to the knowledge he desired.
“I was relieved to know they actually care. They cared that I was going to leave and put their foot forward to help. I appreciated that and they have been the same way throughout.”
Ardell now has single goal: to be the next defenders of cybersecurity and IT. “I really want to be the person to help the team stop the next malicious act and teach others how to see it coming,” he said.
As for next steps, Dwight and Ardell were both selected to participate in a paid apprenticeship program with Exelon and will spend the next six months continuing their training and gaining on-the-job IT experience in the energy industry.
Neither individual plans to stop or let anything hinder their progress. They know the fields of cybersecurity and IT are growing and will need defenders to protect what everyone takes for granted each day, including the local energy grid. They encourage anyone interested in the field to consider the program. To learn more, visit PS2G.us