Tag: 3BL

Originally published on TriplePundit

U.S. e-commerce sales continue to grow by leaps and bounds, topping the $1 trillion mark in 2022, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce figures. That means more and more delivery trucks on the road.

UPS delivered an average of 24.3 million packages per day in 2022, totaling 6.2 billion packages across the year, while Amazon saw its sales increase by 9 percent to $514 billion. At the same time, both are among the many companies committing to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions: Amazon pledged to go net-zero by 2040, and UPS is targeting 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2050.

Of course, there is no single pathway to reaching net-zero. Rather it will require a tapestry of solutions — from converting fleets to electric vehicles and increasing the use of rail, to adopting alternative fuels including biofuels and hydrogen.

One player that is focused on helping logistics companies get to zero is Booster, a leading tech-enabled mobile energy delivery company in the United States. The company’s mini-tankers deliver fuel that comes directly from distribution terminals to customers. By its estimates, this can help customers lower carbon emissions by up to 14 percent — or 587 pounds of carbon emissions per vehicle — by avoiding trips to the gas station. It also gives countless hours back to fleet drivers who typically need to refuel every day.

Booster also points to the benefits of reduced gas station-related pollution. Leaks from eroding underground storage tanks can leach into soil, contaminate waterways and affect air quality. “The 557,655 leaking storage tanks nationwide release dangerous chemicals into the surrounding air as they age and deteriorate,” said Shenna Bradshaw, general council and VP of people and regulatory for Booster.

So far, the demand for mobile fuel delivery has been strong. Since it began operations in 2015, Booster has seen an average compound annual growth rate of 50 percent in volume and has delivered over 20 million gallons of fuel across dozens of industries and fleets. In addition to logistics giants, corporate customers include a student transportation company and a misshapen produce purveyor. Booster has also supported CalFire with fueling emergency equipment used to fight fires throughout California and first responders during Hurricane Ida in Louisiana.

Another area of Booster innovation is in low-emissions mobile fuel delivery. A key challenge for all vehicle fueling are fugitive emissions: gases and vapors that are accidentally released into the atmosphere during fueling that contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Booster has partnered with the California Air Resources Board as well as local officials to build propriety technologies that help to ensure it fills vehicles using onboard refueling vapor recovery systems. This captures fuel vapors so they are not trapped inside gas tanks and then released into the atmosphere each time refueling occurs. Booster’s solution is unique in the mobile fueling industry and earned the company authority to operate in the strictest emission standard locations.

Delivering the future of decarbonization 

While mobile fuel delivery has a role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the real game-changer will be mobile delivery of sustainable fuels like renewable diesel and mobile charging for electric vehicles (EVs).

In markets where Booster can obtain renewable diesel, such as in California, the company has converted nearly 100 percent of its fleet customers to a sustainable alternative fuel. While that’s notable progress, according to the International Energy Agency, transport biofuel demand is not where it needs to be to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. In a recent report, biofuels accounted for just 3 percent of transport fuel demand. To attain net zero by 2050, demand must grow by 14 percent per year through 2030.

While cost competitiveness of biofuel is one barrier slowing uptake, policy actions could help, Bradshaw of Booster told TriplePundit. She points to policies in California and Washington that incentivize and mandate the use of sustainable fuels. California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program, for example, requires a reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels that are sold, supplied or offered for sale in the state through 2030.

Education is also key. “Many fleet managers may not be fully aware of the benefits and availability of renewable diesel and biofuels,” Bradshaw said. “Educating and raising awareness about the environmental advantages, performance equivalence and long-term cost savings of these fuels is essential to promote their adoption. Demonstrating real-world success stories and providing data-driven evidence of the benefits can help overcome skepticism and encourage fleet managers to make the transition.”

Supporting the needs of mixed fleets 

Beyond fuels, Booster has also gotten into the on-demand EV charging business to help meet the needs of mixed fleets, starting in California.

Booster’s mobile charging service supplements the charging infrastructure at customer locations and provides a backup in the event of temporary blackouts and brownouts. It also helps keep EVs up and running in regions that don’t have easy access to charging stations.

“As fleets electrify, Booster can reduce the cost and risk of EV adoption with flexible, mobile charging capacity,” said Frank Mycroft, CEO and co-founder of Booster. “Removing the need to build infrastructure also saves capital costs and speeds transition time and approvals.”

“With more and more governments and enterprise businesses setting aggressive decarbonization targets, Booster’s technology is available to provide the full suite of energy solutions,” Mycroft said. “Booster is transforming the way energy is delivered and supporting aggressive [action on] climate change, one customer at a time.”

This article series is sponsored by Booster and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Image credit: CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash

Originally published by AfroTech

A Dream Come True

His desire would manifest in 2023. Today, Lewis is a proud owner of three KFC stores in Baltimore, MD.

This follows after serving eight years as an area manager for KFC, where he expanded the operational restaurants across New York from 12 to 20. In 2011 he then became director of operations for KEDIS Enterprises, a multi-brand franchise organization that has maintained an annual revenue of over $50 million.

Continue reading here.

By Mesha McMiller, Website Operations Specialist II at GoDaddy

At GoDaddy, we’re not just about providing tools and services for businesses – we’re committed to fostering a sense of community, support and empowerment for entrepreneurs. One way we accomplish this is through our global social impact program, Empower by GoDaddy, where as a volunteer I’ve had the incredible opportunity to connect with and assist small business owners on their journeys to success.

My time at GoDaddy has been a dynamic one. Five years ago, I joined the team during the company’s acquisition of Main Street Hub, and my role has evolved as we’ve grown and expanded our services. As a website operations specialist, I’ve been privileged to work closely with entrepreneurs, helping them create websites that not only represent their businesses but also serve as a powerful marketing tool.

One of the highlights of my career stems from my involvement as a volunteer with the Empower by GoDaddy program. Empower by GoDaddy is more than just a well-intentioned corporate initiative; it’s a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of entrepreneurs. Empower by GoDaddy relies heavily on GoDaddy employee volunteers – through in-person interactions, mentorship and sharing of expertise, the program aims to equip small business owners with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed.

During my time with Empower by GoDaddy, I worked with entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and industries, including one who owns a photography and digital media business. Together, we used GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools to build a website that truly represents her artistic vision. The satisfaction of witnessing her business flourish and her confidence grow was immeasurable. What makes the Empower by GoDaddy experience particularly rewarding is the emphasis on in-person engagement. Sitting down with these entrepreneurs, going through their websites page by page, and providing personalized advice creates a unique bond and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Inclusive entrepreneurship, to me, means more than just inviting everyone to the table – it means ensuring that everyone has access to the tools, guidance and support they need to thrive. Empower by GoDaddy embodies this philosophy by both offering resources and investing time and expertise into the communities we serve. It’s about making sure that small business owners can build on a solid foundation and a rely on a support network.

For those considering starting their own business, I offer a few key pieces of advice:

Patience and Persistence: Building a business takes time. Be patient with yourself and your progress, but also make use of rapidly evolving AI technology to accelerate your growth. Embrace the journey and learn from every step, whether it’s a success or a setback.Take Action: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start with what you have and build from there. Progress is more important than perfection, so don’t be afraid to publish your website, or try a new marketing tool to support your social media efforts.Community Matters: Connect with other entrepreneurs, local organizations and programs like Empower by GoDaddy. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can provide valuable insights and resources.

As I reflect on my experiences with Empower by GoDaddy, I’m reminded of the profound impact that a community-driven approach can have on small businesses. The connections made, the knowledge shared, and the growth witnessed are testaments to the power of collaboration and support. Empower by GoDaddy was just the tip of the iceberg for me – I’m eager to continue my support for not only our customers, but also entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and circumstances as they grow and thrive along their journeys to success.

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlight Series: By partnering with diverse local nonprofits and community organizations around the world, Empower by GoDaddy aims to reach those who haven’t otherwise had access by offering skills training, resources, and mentoring to help accelerate their business journeys. This article is part of the Empower by GoDaddy spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

To inspire and encourage the next generation of girls in sports, AEG and Nike hosted a girls empowerment and career exposure day on August 4, 2023, for over 30 high school athletes from Watts and Boyle Heights – two of the lowest-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.

Participating high school athletes came from four local non-profit organizations — Watts Skills Academy, PeacePlayers – Los Angeles, Hollenbeck PAL and Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, all of which are all currently working towards expanding their current sports programming for girls of color in Los Angeles.

The day-long empowerment event, which was held in advance of the Nike Basketball 3ON3 Tournament at L.A. LIVE, featured tours, movement sessions and a panel made up of accomplished women in sport who recounted their career journeys and shared how they overcame challenges inspiring girls to pursue their dreams.

“Teaming up with Nike for this event made complete sense, as we both have the shared goal of ensuring equal access to sports, play, and workforce diversity,” said Anette Padilla, Director of Community Foundation at AEG.“These girls deserve the chance to explore the world of sports fully. Today truly embodies visibility and representation – a fundamental starting point for young girls, offering them the key to unlock the vast array of opportunities that lie ahead in their futures.”

Participants began the day by touring the Nike Basketball 3ON3 Tournament setup and the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE where they were given a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce live sports and entertainment events. Following the tour, the students practiced basketball drills and learned mindfulness exercises to help them focus their minds led by Nike Coach Natalie Gutierrez, a current PeacePlayers coach who previously coached for LA Clippers Youth Basketball and the Mamba League. In the afternoon, students attended a panel and mentoring session with women executives from Nike and AEG who have broken barriers in sports.

“AEG has had a long-time partnership with Nike and we were excited to join forces on our joint commitment to increase access to sports, exposure to careers in the industry and inspire the next generation of athletes,” said Kami Stoianov, Senior Director, Partner Activations, AEG Global Partnerships

To learn more about AEG’s social impact activities, click here.

Originally published on NRG Energy Insights

By NRG Editorial Voices

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Indigenous people worldwide while raising awareness and support for the protection of their rights. This day also highlights the importance of understanding the past and current relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous society to create a more open dialogue.

Storytelling is a central part of Indigenous identity. In honor of that practice, we want to share the stories of two teams within NRG and their work in support of Indigenous groups.

Sharing the sun

Goal Zero, a brand focused on sustainable portable power products, empowers people with energy resilience solutions. The business donates and installs solar generators on homes in the Navajo Nation to help communities without access to power. In 2020, Goal Zero partnered with Heart of America to leverage its education-focused connection in the Navajo Nation. Together, the organizations are providing free, sustainable power for students and their families.

With 275 installations so far, the partnership goes beyond providing electricity. It’s also helping students complete their schoolwork and focus on their education.

“The power is independent of the grid, so families don’t have to pay for electricity. This includes providing lighting so that students can complete homework and pursue hobbies and activities beyond their classrooms,” says Brianna Blaschke, Humanitarian and Events Associate Manager at Goal Zero.

Access to electricity has improved the lives of many Navajo families. Now, they can charge school-provided electronics and personal devices, power home appliances, and have uninterrupted power for general living. With these successes, Goal Zero and Heart of America don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“Our goal is to supply power to all the unpowered homes across the Navajo Nation while continuing to update our donations to match the growing needs of the community. We also aim to develop a training program to provide an avenue for long-term skill development and eventual employment opportunities for Navajo Nation residents,” says Blaschke.

RISE-ing to the occasion

The Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Supporting Equity (RISE) business resources group is taking the initiative to raise awareness of Indigenous people in our communities and in the workplace.

“We were starting to see some gaps in how we’re meeting the unique needs of the Indigenous communities that we support or service,” says Stacey Schorr, Director of Government Affairs at Direct Energy and member of RISE. “Employees were also asking more questions and were not aware of how Indigenous history has developed in Canada.”

RISE saw an opportunity to foster and improve the relationships with Indigenous communities. The group also recognized the need for more education and awareness at work.

“This past spring, we brought in a speaker who walked through the histories of the Indigenous communities in Canada. She brought in a talking stick, and there were opportunities to share your experience. It was amazing to me how, even in the office environment, people really opened up,” says Schorr.

To gain a better understanding and have meaningful dialogue, members of RISE believe it’s important for organizations to have conversations that incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“For me, it means recognizing, respecting, and valuing the unique cultural, historical, and social experience of Indigenous communities. It involves creating an environment through education, awareness, and cultural competency where organizations are better equipped to address and dismantle systematic barriers that exist for Indigenous people,” says Colleen Geddes, Customer Experience Analyst at NRG and member of RISE.

Schorr also adds, “Everybody views diversity, equity, and inclusion from a different perspective, and it’s often built upon what your individual experiences are. What I really appreciate is creating a space to have those conversations.”

RISE acknowledges the significance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples as it aligns with their mission to educate and bring attention to the culture and unique challenges of Indigenous people.

“The day provides an opportunity to educate the public about the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and contributions of the Indigenous community. It amplifies their voices to remind people of the struggles for the rights and well-being of Indigenous people while celebrating their resilience,” says Geddes.

Working together for greater equality

“Indigenous worldviews often have the philosophy of interconnectedness and belonging,” says Geddes. “With the foundation that we are all related, the group then becomes accountable for each of their actions. Each child, youth, adult, and elder has a role and a responsibility to each other and the community.”

By honoring Indigenous cultures and acknowledging historical injustices, we can make progress toward a more equitable future. Through collective action, we can work toward a more inclusive future where the rights, cultures, and contributions of all people are valued and respected.

If you’re thinking about getting involved, Blaschke says, “Heart of America accepts general donations to help fund these projects and the purchase of products to provide for students and their families. People can also shop to provide school supplies for education kits.”

Watch the following video to learn more about the collaboration between Goal Zero and Heart of America to bring sustainable power to Indigenous communities across the Navajo Nation.

August 25, 2023 /3BL/ – Commercial fleet operators are urging governors across the country to accelerate and support the shift to zero-emission vehicles by adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rules in their respective states.

In a letter to governors in nine states, members of the Ceres Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance—a coalition of 31 companies representing more than $1.2 trillion in annual revenue and that collectively own, lease or operate more than 2.7 million fleet vehicles in the U.S.— wrote that “by adopting policies like ACT and ACC II, state policymakers can help fleets access the volume and variety of zero-emission vehicle models they need to unlock significant economic, health, and climate benefits.”

Together, the two rules require increasing rates of sales for zero-emission light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles over the coming years. The ACT rule will require significant growth in the production and sale of zero-emission trucks, vans, and other large commercial vehicles by 2035, while the ACC II rule will ultimately require 100% of new light-duty vehicles sold to be zero-emission models by 2035. The letter comes after multiple states last month moved to adopt one or both regulations.

“The Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Cars rules will accelerate and guide the clean vehicle transition, helping to satisfy the strong market demand for zero-emission trucks and vans while sending a clear market signal to companies and utilities to invest in building the charging infrastructure necessary to support them,” said Abby Campbell Singer, Senior Director and Head of Climate and Infrastructure Policy at Siemens USA, a member of the Alliance. “We encourage governors across the country to adopt these key policies and capitalize on the surge in private and public investment available for the clean vehicle transition, benefiting their residents, businesses, and communities.”

Alliance members operate more than 830,000 light-duty vehicles across the U.S. and are looking to procure nearly 270,000 zero-emission sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks by 2026. Members also operate more than 300,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles across the U.S. and plan to procure more than 60,000 zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2026. While members are committed to electrifying their fleets, and new federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 have helped make the vehicles more affordable, they face a shared challenge of accessing zero-emission vehicle models that meet the unique needs of their businesses at scale. In their letter, Alliance members emphasized that further adoption of both ACT and ACC II would enable major companies to plan more effectively for regional and nationwide rollouts of clean vehicles.

“Leading companies are prepared and excited to put zero-emission fleets on the road to reduce operating costs and meet their climate goals. But to succeed, they need the support of market-enabling policies that expand access to zero-emission models that meet their diverse needs,” said Sara Forni, director of clean vehicles and head of the Alliance at Ceres. “Members of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance encourage the widespread adoption of the ACT and ACC II rules because they know that these policies will help accelerate the economies of scale that drive down upfront costs and enable the successful electrification of commercial vehicles. The sooner fleet owners and operators can access zero-emission models that meet their needs, the sooner their customers, communities, and state economies will benefit from them.”

Eight states have already adopted the ACT rule, including California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, and New Mexico are all in the process of adopting the rule. States that have finalized adoption of the ACC II rule include California, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Colorado and Maryland are expected to finalize their adoption of the ACC II rule this fall, while Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Rhode Island are all working to complete the process before the end of 2023.

The transportation sector remains the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and a top priority sector for the Ceres Ambition 2030 initiative, which aims to decarbonize the six highest emitting sectors in the U.S. economy. By advocating for the expansion of zero-emission vehicles throughout the U.S., Ceres and the Alliance aim to spearhead a positive transformation within the transportation sector.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 214

BOISE, Idaho, August 25, 2023 /3BL/ — KeyBank has awarded a $200,000 grant to Trailhead, a non-profit organization offering mentoring and support services to Idaho student entrepreneurs. The grant will allow Trailhead to expand its You Lead Idaho program and empower more students through education, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, innovation and technology.

“Programs like You Lead Idaho equip students with the confidence and skills needed to build businesses and offer sustainable employment for Idaho citizens,” said Scott Schlange, president of KeyBank Idaho. “I look forward to seeing the results of our students’ entrepreneurial skills and pioneering ideas.”

You Lead Idaho utilizes an approved entrepreneurial curriculum delivered remotely to rural students. The program’s goal is to increase the college go-on rates of rural students through a program that fosters learning, technology, and mentorship. The program culminates with an online pitch competition where scholarship dollars will be awarded, based on student team presentations to Idaho-based judges.

“Small town kids don’t always have opportunities that kids in a bigger city do,” said Shelli Shroeder, Counselor at Shoshone High School. “By asking them to grow and making them a little bit uncomfortable, it creates the opportunity for them to say, ‘I did this, now I can go to college’ and have confidence in that.”

The grant will also allow Trailhead to grow the program by providing additional scholarship dollars and monetary awards to winning schools and teachers, as well as award dual-enrollment college credits and increase the mentorship hours available to student teams.

About You Lead Idaho

You Lead Idaho empowers rural high school students in Idaho through education in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, innovation, and technology. It offers mentorship, scholarships, and dual college credit to expand educational opportunities. Collaboratively developed by Trailhead, KeyBank, and IDLA, the program uses an approved entrepreneurial curriculum delivered remotely. Idaho’s low college go-on rates, as reported by Idaho Education News, have stagnated at 45-46% since 2015. You Lead Idaho aims to increase these rates by fostering learning, e-learning, technology, and mentorship in rural areas. Participation in the program equips students with valuable skills and broadens their post-graduation choices, positively impacting their educational and career pathways in rural Idaho communities.

After a comprehensive 8 unit academic module, the program will culminate in an online pitch competition, where high school teams will present their ideas to judges located in Boise and other locations throughout Idaho. Each team will present online from their respective schools to the panel of judges. The judges determine 1st and 2nd place winners, who then receive scholarships.

After conclusion of the program, students will also have the opportunity to travel to Boise for a 2-day immersion experience, leading up to another pitch competition where they will compete against urban schools (Boise State University’s “Idaho High School Entrepreneurial Challenge”) for more cash prizes.

To date, You Lead Idaho has achieved the following impacts on rural high school students:

132 students have participated and completed the program22 rural schools in Idaho have participated, representing 9 rural school districts.$10,000 have been awarded directly to the schools of the 1st place teams$10,000 have been awarded directly in stipends to the teachers who participate in the program$40,000 have been awarded in scholarships to rural high school studentsOver 320 hours of mentorship and coaching have been delivered to students315 dual enrollment credits for college and universities have been earned by students

About Trailhead

Trailhead is an innovation and start-up hub located in downtown Boise, the capital of Idaho. We are a 501 c3 non-profit and were founded through a public and private partnership initiative in 2015. Our vision is to democratize access to entrepreneurship. We do so by relentlessly pursuing our mission to help entrepreneurs succeed (regardless of age, background, socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity etc.), so they can start and grow companies in our City and State. Entrepreneurs drive innovation, and, in turn, innovation drives our economic development. With intentional and targeted entrepreneurial support, an entire start-up ecosystem can be cultivated in a community, which will in turn drive economic growth and increase prosperity for people from all walks of life. At Trailhead, we nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and strive to promote diversity and inclusion. We provide early stage entrepreneurs with a collaborative and inclusive coworking space, mentorship, educational programming and experiential learning, all while nurturing and developing the entrepreneurial community.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $195 billion at June 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

CONTACT: 
Trailhead 
Tiam Rastegar 
208-546-8426 
tiam@trailheadboise.org 

KeyBank: 
Jennifer Shermer 
303-902-9419 
jennifer@keetonpr.com

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Among the college students participating in the U.S. Bank summer internship program this year are three women who bring expertise they gained through Girls Who Code, which provides coding instruction and experience to thousands of girls every year.

Kelsey Kim first joined a Girls Who Code (GWC) summer immersion program near her home in Atlanta when she was in high school. The seven-week program taught Kim how to use multiple computer languages, including Java, HTML/CSS, Python and C++. It also helped Kim develop a passion for coding and technology.

Kim, a rising senior at the University of Georgia majoring in computer science, along with Tamara Kunter, a rising senior at Georgia Tech majoring in computer science with a minor in Middle Eastern and North African studies, and Israa Mohammed, a rising junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in computer science, are all among more than 220 interns spending the summer at U.S. Bank.

“It was such a great experience at GWC. I got to build connections, create projects and receive guidance from amazing mentors,” Kim said. “After the program ended, we were all part of the alumni network, and that’s how I found out about the internship with U.S. Bank. Seeing that U.S. Bank was a Girls Who Code partner really incentivized me to apply because I’ve had great experiences with both their immersion and mentorship programs.” 

U.S. Bank is entering its sixth year supporting GWC and over time has invested more than $1 million in the programs for students and alumni.

According to GWC, the organization has served 580,000 young women and non-binary students over its 10-year history. In 2022, GWC supported more than 71,000 K-12 students and connected more than 2,400 GWC students with internships and job opportunities in tech through its virtual hiring summits.

“In the 2022/23 program year, our U.S. Bank team shifted our focus slightly to provide career readiness training and opportunities,” said Jason Teal, program manager for Tech Services at U.S. Bank.

“We sponsored GWC’s Hiring Summit, Technical Interview Prep program and overall Pipeline programming, which supports female and nonbinary students at all points from third grade through college, and beyond,” Teal said. “Through our support in these programs, we participated in resume review events, speed networking events, and more. Each gave an opportunity for participants to get feedback on their resumes and/or practice interviewing. I am so excited that we were able to offer internships to GWC alumni and thrilled that we had Kelsey, Tamara and Israa here with us this summer.”

Kim is currently working as a full stack developer intern with the U.S. Bank talech group, a cloud-based software team, focusing her internship on business customer point-of-sale (POS) systems, which she said hits close to home for her.

“It been amazing to learn about new technologies and experience working in a professional environment,” Kim said.

“It’s so interesting to work with everyone involved in the front-end visual elements that users interact with, to the back-end services that power those interactions. I was also really excited about the product since my parents own a restaurant only a couple minutes away from the office, and POS software is something that is an integral part of how the business runs,” she said. “Now, many businesses are transitioning toward digitalization and self-service models, and the demand for efficient POS software is increasing. The relevance of the work and product is something I really appreciate.”

On the other side of Atlanta, Kunter has been embedded into the U.S. Bank Elavon payments team focused on quality assurance. And in Minneapolis, Mohammed has been working with the engineering team.

“I work on the Quality Assurance team for Electronic Transfer System,” Kunter said. “Specifically, I have been tasked with automating test cases for a hosted payment page. The purpose of this is to make it easier, faster and more reliable while ensuring that the functionality of the website was not disrupted after changes/updates to the website.”

Each of the young women said they aspire to use their technical and coding skills in their future careers. They said the early days working with GWC and all the connections it has afforded them helped pave the path.

Learn more about Girls Who Code here.

In 2022, Burt’s Bees ranked No. 6 among 200 companies in the Power Purpose Index, a slot in the top 20 that Burt’s Bees shares with Clorox. The index recognizes brands with commitments to a purpose beyond profit, to improving lives, and to creating a better society and world, not just for shareholders. It’s these attributes along with our brand’s authenticity, innovation focus, and entrepreneurial spirit that come to life in our 2022 Progress Report.

Like other businesses, Burt’s Bees has seen unprecedented challenges in supply chain and other areas during the past three years. These challenges have pushed the brand to evolve while remaining committed to craft a more beautiful world since 1984 — by nature, for nature, for all.

Progress against strategic sustainability pillars

With a sustainability mindset for The Greater Good that pervades our team, the brand has continued to make progress in our two strategic pillars: Full-Circle Future and Resilient Communities and in our bedrock practices — those immutable elements of “what we make, how we operate and how we give back.”

The report includes achievements from the past two years and how they contribute to the brand’s long-term sustainability leadership. Progress against goals such as 13% reduction in virgin packaging materials (plastic and fiber)* and 83% of packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable or designed for recycling** are milestones that ensure Burt’s Bees is contributing to the Clorox ESG goals. From sustainable packaging projects that reduce carbon footprint and help prevent waste to initiatives that uplift communities from which Burt’s Bees sources and that we call home, Burt’s Bees is making an impact that goes beyond just numbers.

SheKeeper Launch for Women Working in Shea

For example, we launched SheKeeper, a three-year, $2 million partnership with the potential to improve the livelihoods of more than 16 million women working in shea through the introduction of beekeeping and expansion of sustainable shea processing capabilities in Ghana. Burt’s Bees didn’t just stop there with good work in our supply chains but also deeply embedded the work as part of the idea behind our new Shea collection that elevates our decade-long partnership with women of shea to help promote economic independence for generations to come. This is truly sustainable innovation.

One of the “OG” Purpose Brands

As one of the “OG” purpose-driven brands, we’ve been on this journey since 1984 and will keep raising the bar. With the ongoing partnership of stakeholders like our team, suppliers, retailers and community, we’ll continue to innovate in sustainability to keep our brand fans loyal and to invite new households in, even after almost 40 years.

*Based on calendar years 2019-22.

**Data is calculated using the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s recyclability assessment tool and Recycling Rate Survey, and the Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Rate is based on data from calendar years 2019-22.

At AMD, we push the limits of high-performance and adaptive computing to solve the world’s most important challenges. Our technology touches the lives of billions of people around the world, playing a vital role accelerating scientific research, exploring deep space, keeping drivers safe on the road and powering businesses. But it’s not enough to deliver next-generation experiences. At AMD, we are committed to doing so responsibly, with integrity and in a way that fundamentally aligns with our values and inclusive culture.

Our 28th annual report is the first since Xilinx and Pensando joined AMD to create a larger company with an expanded team and a broader set of products — all of which helped us grow annual revenue 44 percent to a record US$23.6 billion in 2022. Thanks to our customers, partners, suppliers and employees, I am proud to say we also made significant progress in 2022 on our focus areas, spanning digital impact, environmental sustainability, supply chain responsibility and diversity, belonging and inclusion.

Our digital impact initiatives, such as the AMD University program, cloud-based grants and on-site hardware donations, put AMD technology in the hands of those solving pressing challenges in healthcare, climate, education and beyond. We introduced new products in support of our goal to deliver a 30x increase in energy efficiency by 2025 for AI-training and high-performance computing applications. Our focus on energy–efficient computing is also gaining momentum, with seven of the world’s top 10 most energy efficient supercomputers powered by AMD ranked on the June 2023 Green500 list.

These achievements reflect our differentiated IP portfolio, strong collaboration across our value chain and expanded partnerships. As one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, we work with a carefully chosen network of suppliers to address collective needs throughout the value chain, from human rights risks to environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. In 2022, we made progress toward our goals for supplier capacity-building and audits. And we again received the CDP Supplier Engagement Leadership recognition for addressing climate risks in the supply chain, which is reserved for the top 8% of reporting companies.

At AMD, our true strength lies in our people. I am excited to report that 92% of our employees say they are proud to work for AMD. We remain committed to pursuing diversity, belonging and inclusion in our workforce, given its tangible value to innovation and company performance; in 2022 we were recognized as a member of the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To amplify the good work of our employees around the world, in 2022 we also launched a year-round employee matching program, which contributed to the total US$11.6 million in cash and technology that AMD, AMD Foundation and our employees donated to non-profit organizations, universities and research institutes.

You can read more about our progress and priorities throughout this report. While we have accomplished so much in recent years, I am even more excited about what AMD, together with our partners, can accomplish moving forward.

Dr. Lisa Su 
AMD Chair and Chief Executive Officer