Tag: 3BL

FORT WORTH, Texas, September 11, 2023 /3BL/ – American Airlines continues to support evacuation and relief efforts following the devastating wildfires on Maui, Hawaii, in August. In addition to providing lift off the island and flexibility to customers, American is supporting relief efforts by offering American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles to customers who donate to the American Red Cross.

American’s focus has been to provide critical aid to the island in partnership with the American Red Cross. Through Aug. 31, AAdvantage members can earn 10 AAdvantage bonus miles for every dollar donated to the Red Cross with a minimum donation of $25. As of Aug. 22, American has distributed more than 12 million AAdvantage miles to customers for their generous contributions, and the Red Cross has received donations totaling more than $1.2 million. The contributions will help the Red Cross assist those affected by the wildfires.

“The outpouring of generosity from our AAdvantage members has been on full display the past few weeks,” said Ron DeFeo, American’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. “We are grateful to our customers who have contributed and to our partners at the Red Cross for the important work they are doing to assist with relief and recovery efforts on Maui.”

American is proud to be a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program with the Red Cross. Donations through the site help to provide relief and hope during hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other disasters big and small.

The American Airlines Family Fund is also assisting team members stationed on the island. The Family Fund is supported primarily through donations by American Airlines team members and goes to help colleagues who are facing financial hardship after unexpected life events like a natural disaster.

About American Airlines Group

To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

JACKSON, Miss., September 11, 2023 /3BL/ – Survivors of the tornadoes that devastated the Mississippi Delta in March can receive free legal help from Entergy employees. Trained employee volunteers are available to help homeowners and renters in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties file Federal Emergency Management Agency appeals.

Entergy has partnered with SBP, a national disaster recovery organization, to train more than 150 employees on the FEMA appeal process. Employee volunteers from across Entergy’s four-state service area will guide families who have applied for FEMA assistance and have been denied or received less than what they need to recover.

SBP’s FEMA Appeals Program helps disaster survivors access more funding to fulfill their immediate and long-term recovery needs, and Entergy is supporting the efforts through a grant and hands-on service. The assistance is provided through one-on-one phone or video consultations.

Survivors are eligible to file an appeal if they:

Applied for FEMA assistance and received an initial award or response letter.Were denied an SBA loan, are still awaiting a response from SBA, or were not requested by FEMA to apply for a loan.Did not have homeowners/flood insurance, or the coverage was less than $36,000.Owned and occupied their home at the time of the disaster. Renters can qualify for appeals.

“We know that seeking assistance from governmental agencies after a disaster can sometimes be a frustrating and confusing process. This effort is just one way we’re showing our extended commitment to our customers after the storm,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “We’re humbled by Rolling Fork’s resilience, and grateful to our employee volunteers and SBP for helping the community receive this vital assistance.”

Customers can sign up to receive assistance by calling 800-276-9511. For more information, visit sbpusa.org/our-mission/advocate/fema-appeals-program.

About SBP USA

SBP is a national social impact organization dedicated to shrinking the time between disaster and recovery by reducing risk, increasing preparedness and resilience, and improving disaster recovery systems, policies, and programs to better serve the needs of all Americans. Since its founding in 2006 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, SBP has rebuilt homes for more than 4,000 families, with the help of 150,000 volunteers in 16 communities across the U.S. and the Bahamas.

About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 461,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.

Originally published in the 2022 FedEx Cares Report

Accelerating climate innovation with an inclusive approach

Bringing new climate tech innovations to market can be complex and expensive. Third Derivative (D3), an RMI program, and supported by FedEx, accelerates climate tech startups with breakthrough ideas through a unique, climate tech accelerator program. Entrepreneurs who participate in RMI cohorts access expertise and capital that helps them go to market faster and poised for growth. D3 has a particular focus on underrepresented and diverse startup founders who have solutions for underserved markets, particularly those in communities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Third Derivative Program Impact

125 startups Six cohorts totaling 125 startups across all emission categories

33 % female founders 33% of startups have at least one female founder

$850 million Generated over $850 million of investment from clean tech financing

48 % BIPOC 48% of the founders are BIPOC and 33% are women

39 % non-U.S. 39% of startups are non-U.S.

$667 million $667M investments made by venture capital partners post D3 acceptance (includes D3 investor partners and other investors)

Meet some of our trailblazing D3 startups

TekUncorked – India 

Millions of people in India go without consistent access to power. Meenakshi Vashist founded TekUncorked with a vision to provide reliable, outage-free power for all – including people in India’s most rural areas. By creating infrastructure and real-time monitoring devices, TekUncorked can identify realtime grid losses. India generates almost 1.6 trillion units of electricity, but nearly 30% never reaches the consumer. Using their technology, TekUncorked estimates an additional 200 million homes could have electricity without any new power creation.

ATEC Global – Australia

Nearly half of the world’s population, 4 billion people, still cook with biomass (e.g., wood, charcoal) – generating 1.2 gigatons of annual emissions, as much as the entire airline industry. Via carbon credits, ATEC Global provides electric stoves to families all over the world, reducing the adverse health impacts that disproportionately affect mothers and children while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Vesta – North America

By applying the mineral olivine as sand to eroding coastal systems, Vesta is harnessing the power of the ocean to enhance the Earth’s natural rock weathering process through their nature-based climate solution Coastal Carbon Capture. This solution can permanently capture CO2 from the atmosphere, protect vulnerable coastal communities, and reduce ocean acidity detrimental to marine ecosystems. Founded by an expert team of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, Vesta’s goal is to scale Coastal Carbon Capture to permanently remove one gigaton of carbon annually while supporting coastal communities and ecosystems around the world.

Preparing for an all-electric future.

To reach our ambition for carbon neutral global operations by 2040, FedEx needs to make the jump from gas-powered to zero emissions for all 200,000+ vehicles in our fleet. This means we need a widespread and reliable vehicle charging infrastructure in all the places we deliver. FedEx invested in the RMI electric mobility data science project, Grid Up, to help accelerate the creation and deployment of this infrastructure. Grid Up provides real-world data to help fleet managers, charging providers, policymakers, utilities, and regulators determine when and where all types of vehicles will need to charge. FedEx also supports RMI’s electrification equity work – making sure people of all income levels can participate in the electrification transition.

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SAN FRANCISCO, September 11, 2023 /3BL/ – Wells Fargo is donating $500,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund, led by Volunteer Florida, to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia and the emergency response, including shelter, supplies, and services for those displaced. In addition, customer accommodations are available for Floridians directly impacted by the storm.

“Supporting customers, employees, and communities across the state as they recover from the hurricane is a priority for us,” said Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf. “We are grateful for Volunteer Florida’s leadership in local relief efforts and its ability to offer essential services in the wake of the devastation. Our donation is aimed at expanding its capacity to reach those who need it most.”

“On behalf of Volunteer Florida, we would like to thank Wells Fargo for their significant financial contribution to the Florida Disaster Fund in response to the statewide recovery efforts from Hurricane Idalia,” said CEO of Volunteer Florida Josie Tamayo. “Their contribution to the Florida Disaster Fund will help relief organizations in rebuilding our affected communities.”

Additional community support

Wells Fargo’s ongoing collaboration with Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve Fund is unlocking Team Rubicon’s ability to quickly clear debris off roadways to allow access for first responders and aid workers in disaster impacted communities. Team Rubicon is a veteran‑led humanitarian organization that supports before, during, and after natural disasters and other crises.

Caring for customers

Wells Fargo is committed to providing support to its customers, clients, and employees affected by Hurricane Idalia, including suppressing, waiving, or reversing certain fees, such as late fees. Payment assistance and disaster relief options require that customers contact Wells Fargo. Customers who want to discuss their financial needs should call 1‑800‑219‑9739. For up‑to‑date information on branch status, customers can visit Wells Fargo’s branch locator website.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 47 on Fortune’s 2023 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low‑carbon economy.

News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at http://www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo

*The American Red Cross name, emblem, and copyrighted materials are being used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion, or political position. The American Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by The American National Red Cross. For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit redcross.org.

Southwire’s long-held commitment to sustainability has been evident throughout its history and was formalized with its first official sustainability report in 2007. Reflecting that commitment, the company recently launched its 2022 sustainability report. 

The report highlights all areas of sustainability at Southwire and showcases the company’s most significant impacts by focusing on its five core tenets – Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth – which include actions to enhance safety performance, strategic initiatives, team member engagement, community involvement and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

“As the electrical industry expands and evolves, the shift toward renewables and electrification is transforming the way we deliver power, and Southwire’s technologies are playing a leading role,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “Now is the time for our company to build momentum and accelerate the pace of sustainable change.”

In 2022, Southwire’s sustainability goals kept the company focused on what it wants to continue to achieve and ensure the company is held accountable for driving progress year over year. Southwire has aligned each goal with one of its five core tenets in line with our overall sustainability approach. 

Growing Green – Southwire’s focus on making the most of Earth’s natural resources shaped its approach to optimizing energy and water use and minimizing waste generation. The company’s Carbon Zero objective is to achieve 100% carbon neutral energy for all operations by 2025. In 2022, Southwire raised the bar by establishing its first Scope 3 emissions goal. 

Living Well – As a family-owned company, Southwire is committed to caring for its team members’ overall well-being. In 2022, the company did not meet its incremental target of reducing total recordable injury rate (TRIR) due to challenges including training a large number of new team members. In response, the company expanded its safety-focused training and engagement efforts, aiming to improve safety performance and deepen a proactive safety culture where team members’ well-being comes first. 

Giving Back – Within Southwire’s goal to build more sustainable communities, the company has established a target that 100% of Southwire Giving Back communities will lead at least two annual Giving Back events by 2025. Southwire developed this target to broaden the scope of its Giving Back activities and empower individual sites to take ownership of initiatives that are relevant to the communities they serve. Team members across the company continue to make progress toward this target as they put their efforts behind Southwire’s signature events. 

Doing Right – Southwire is committed to staying true to the company’s legacy of acting with honesty and integrity and treating one another with respect. This sentiment applies to all aspects of the way in which the company operates – driving us to model effective leadership, practice sustainable sourcing and act ethically each day. In 2022, Southwire celebrated its third annual Ethics and Compliance week and deployed a new third-party compliance risk screening policy providing the company with transparency and responsiveness when challenges arise. 

Building Worth – As a company, Southwire continues to expand its portfolio of products to help customers electrify transportation, reduce transmission congestion and harden grids. In 2022, the company launched two new charging cables that deliver better form factor and lower energy losses, among other next-generation features. Southwire also launched a power-over-ethernet (PoE) cable for low-voltage power distribution. This cable allows the user to reduce installation costs and electrical infrastructure, which enables more flexible building design. In addition, Southwire products also support grid adaptation and hardening – with requirements for consistent power delivery growing higher than ever before.

“At this critical stage in our evolution, we remain anchored by our vision: We Deliver Power…Responsibly®,” said Burt Fealing, Southwire’s executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer. “The actions we take today will continue to power transformation now and, in the future, ensuring that Southwire remains generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond.”

Southwire is also proud to further its commitment to sustainability through the release of its 2022 Sustainability Fact Sheet, an overview of the company’s progress toward its sustainability goals and key initiatives from 2022. 

To access Southwire’s 2022 sustainability report and fact sheet, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.

Originally published in the 2023 Avantor Sustainability Report

Optimizing Packaging for a More Sustainable Supply Chain

In the spirit of continuous improvement, Avantor’s supply chain and operations teams look for opportunities to increase recyclable and post-consumer recycled content materials in the packaging processes at our global distribution centers.

One such advancement came as a new packaging system that uses product-to-package ratio optimization technology to cut down on the use of shipping materials significantly. It right-sizes each package to its corresponding product, reducing excess space in each box and eliminating the need for added filler to protect products in transit. 

So far, this state-of-the-art automation technology has been installed at our Bridgeport, New Jersey, and Bruchsal, Germany, distribution facilities. It processes a wide range of order sizes at high rates of speed, enhancing efficiency and enabling us to deliver products to our customers faster and with less packaging than ever before. In 2022 alone, the new packaging system saved approximately 18,000 pounds of shipping materials at the New Jersey site and about 60,000 pounds of filler material at the Germany facility.

Eliminating Printed Packing Slips, Enhancing Recyclability and Data Accessibility

We launched a second waste reduction initiative through Avantor’s global distribution centers – the Digital Delivery Notes program. This program eliminated traditional printed paper packing slips or notes from each of our boxed shipments while offering customers more efficient ways to access their order information.

The switch to digital delivery notes also eliminated the need for protective plastic covers and improved the overall recyclability of our shipping cartons. Using the new system, customers now scan a QR code stamped directly on each box to access detailed shipment information or download a digital version through our global e-commerce channel, VWR.com.

These two Avantor programs exemplify how more innovative solutions in everyday shipment handling can result in more sustainable business practices and better service offerings for our customers.

To learn more about Avantor’s commitments to sustainability, click here.

Originally published by Ericsson

Ericsson was recently named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion in The Disability Equality Index® (DEI). The DEI is a comprehensive benchmarking tool to measure disability workplace inclusion. It is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network.

“Creating a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson,” said Kevin Marcellus, Head of People for Ericsson North America. “We believe that diverse, inclusive teams drive performance and innovation, creating great business value. We strive to reach and support all communities to create a space that encourages a diversity of perspectives – and it’s important that we do this for our people, our customers and for our society.”

“Businesses have the power to drive the global advancement of disability inclusion, and we’re thrilled to see more companies than ever leverage the Disability Equality Index to measure their progress. We recognize these top-scoring companies as a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ for their passion and efforts to lead the way in creating greater equity for people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace, and supply chain,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.

The DEI measures culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices (benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement, accommodations), community engagement, supplier diversity, and non-U.S. operations.

Ericsson has continued to improve its score after developing a benchmark in 2021 with the DEI. Since that benchmark, examples of improvements include verifying and improving policies related to accessibility at our campuses and emergency preparedness practices. This year, the company launched its Disability+ community in order to create an environment that advocates for individuals and communities with diverse abilities.

“Our people are empowered and encouraged to cooperate and collaborate together with a mission to advocate for causes that are important to us and the wider community,” said Chris Ranucci, co-lead of Ericsson’s Disability+ community. “Hence the creation of our Disability+ community which is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for individuals and communities with diverse abilities. We are playing an active and critical role in creating an empathetic workplace by raising awareness of disability challenges, neurodiversity and mental health issues that our friends and colleagues may be facing.”

“These top-scoring companies understand deeply that people with disabilities represent a tremendous source of talent and innovation for their workforce and market share for their brands, and they are trailblazers in our journey towards full disability inclusion in business,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD.

RELATED LINKS:
Diversity and Inclusion at Ericsson
Supporting each other through Ericsson Employee Resource Groups

About Ericsson

Ericsson enables communications service providers and enterprises to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans the following business areas: Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and Technologies and New Businesses. It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com

About the Disability Equality Index®

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.

About Disability:IN®

Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.

Originally published in Dow’s 2022 INtersections Progress Report

In collaboration with the Peabiru Institute, Dow expanded the scope of Project Ybá: Conservation that Transforms to include meliponiculture, or the breeding of stingless bees. Launched in 2021, Project Ybá has empowered an Amazon community surrounding our operations in Breu Branco, Pará, Brazil, by developing a local cooperative that will sell the renewable bioactive products from Dow’s rainforest conserved area. The goal is to contribute to increasing community and family incomes while conserving the rainforest. Members of the Vila Mamorana community, formed mostly by women of color, were selected to carry out the sustainable extraction of seeds from the forest – including from the andiroba tree.

The meliponiculture initiative will supplement income from the bioactive harvest and was supported through Dow’s ALL IN ERG Fund. For initial production, 50 bee boxes with hives were installed. These have the potential to produce 50 kilograms (kg) of honey by December 2023. If the community chooses to double the number of beehives, honey production could reach 100 kg by the end of 2024.

“With this initiative, we want to contribute to the social development of the community through the production of honey in order to increase the income of these families and promote the conservation of the Amazon rainforest and ecosystem services of the bees,” said Ana Carolina Felix, sustainability director at Dow Consumer Solutions for the Americas. “The intention is to empower the community of Vila Mamorana and enable sustainable alternative earnings between andiroba crops. Bio-extractivism and now meliponiculture are pillars of Project Ybá.”

The project also promotes the creation of a tree nursery with species that, in addition to increasing food security for these families, are attractive to local bee species. These insects are responsible for the pollination of 70% of the forest’s main crops, such as açaí berries and cocoa. In addition, the initiative includes training on biology, bee behavior and beekeeping, environmental education, and entrepreneurial skills for the women participating in the project.

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CNH Industrial’s latest story in the A Sustainable Year series addresses its recent strategic focus on automation, more particularly on the role it may play for future generations with its potential to unlock sustainable growth for farmers.

CNH Industrial, through its brand Raven Industries (and its sub company Augmenta), has made and continues to make technological breakthroughs in automation. By collaborating to develop effective digital farming, Raven shifts its focus to fine tune its successful products even further to thrive in an ever-changing world. Thanks to Raven, CNH Industrial brands New Holland Agriculture and Case IH and farmers alike can confidently move forward into the future.

An accompanying interview with Dr. Scott A. Shearer, Professor and Chair of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Ohio State University, spotlights the necessity of automation, both to meet the growing agricultural demand and as a way to make farming more sustainable. Read the interview here: https://bitly.ws/TGye

At CNH Industrial, sustainability stewardship is one of its many strategic priorities. Automation brings significant crop yield advantages while also supporting environmental goals.

Read the story here: https://bitly.ws/TGvc

Originally published on Illumina News Center

According to the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for students to develop STEM skills, the United Kingdom is experiencing a shortage of 170,000 or more STEM workers, impairing innovation and growth.

EDT is working to remedy this through its Industrial Cadets programs, which facilitate age-appropriate STEM projects. Students can start participating in grade school and continue through high school graduation.

A recent collaboration with Illumina in Cambridge, England, targeted local students age 14 to 16. Volunteers from Illumina worked with them on biodiversity assessments to learn about genomics applications in ecological conservation.

“We are here to connect industry and young people,” says Amy Adamthwaite, head of Programme Development and Delivery at EDT. “We want to help them see potential career pathways and understand what is available for them.”

The program applied skills-building exercises to environmental challenges. These projects gave students opportunities to study biodiversity in their own backyards and highlighted genomics’ unique ability to support sustainability.

“This project was a collaborative effort between Illumina and EDT from the start,” says Vanessa Light, CSR STEM lead at Illumina. “The program was designed and implemented in partnership with Illumina staff, and directly connecting employees with students has been a key aspect to students finding personal connections and seeing themselves in the career journeys of our employees.”

The 15-week project paired 60 students with Illumina mentors. Students received master classes on project management, STEM career opportunities, and other topics. While all the projects had one goal—investigate local biodiversity—the approaches varied by team. One studied a pond on school grounds.

“They have this pond, which is quite pretty, but their science department had never done any experiments with the young people there,” says Adamthwaite. “They look at this pond every day, but they didn’t know anything about it, and this gave them the nudge to actually investigate. Now the students are asking their school to incorporate the pond into their lessons so they can learn more about the natural environment around them.”

Concerned about climate change and other environmental issues, the students were highly motivated. After their project was completed, one team wrote their member of parliament, asking the government to dial back grass mowing, as it was damaging biodiversity.

“We could see the impact it was making on the students,” says Adamthwaite. “It wasn’t just doing a project—their passion really shone through.”

Illumina mentors feel the impact 
Senior Information Security Engineer Rob Williams was one of the Illumina mentors.

“One of the big drivers for me to volunteer was that I never had anyone come to my school and tell me I could achieve like that,” he says. “I think I really missed that kind of support and role model exposure.”

His team’s project researched biodiversity in the school’s playing fields, which had been affected by development, pollution, and other issues. The goal was to catalog existing plants and wildlife and envision alternative ecosystems.

“We wanted to identify which plants were growing and the wildlife they attract,” says Williams, “as well as explore plants that could attract different species. The students were passionate about identifying issues and enhancing the biodiversity. They photographed and cataloged plants, cross-referenced them online, categorized seasonals and annuals, and looked up the Latin names and the wildlife each one attracts. They were really switched on.”

The project culminated in an awards ceremony at the Illumina Centre in Cambridge. One of Williams’ groups was honored for Best Overall Assessment, as well as for their report and oral presentation. It was an emotional moment for Williams, who had become far more engaged than he expected.

“I felt a real sense of achievement that we had made a positive contribution to their education,” he says. “But it also helped me develop as a professional and as a human being. I was not expecting that. I honestly did not anticipate the profound impact this would have on me.”

Illumina is committed to inspiring the next generation of genomic leaders, and we are working to nurture a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce for the future. To do this, we collaborate with community partners like Engineering Development Trust that are empowering learners and engage employees like Rob Williams to reach and inspire students of all backgrounds.

Click here to learn more about Illumina’s commitment to STEM education and our goal of reaching 5 million learners by 2030.