Tag: 3BL

Seven small business owners in Upstate New York, located in the Mohawk Valley region, got a boost from KeyBank and The Genesis Group. The seven owners were awarded grants varying from $2,000 to $750 as part of The Genesis Group Small Grants Program. KeyBank provided $5,000 to assist with the third round of funding.

The program provides grants and incentives to help support the needs of area small businesses and non-profit organizations with fewer than 50 employees in the Mohawk Valley region.

“Strong small businesses are the heart of thriving communities,” said Ron Klein Jr., Senior Area Retail Leader for KeyBank’s Central New York region. “The seven businesses awarded serve a wide variety of customers and have unique needs. We’re proud to provide support for them and further enrich our region with healthy businesses.”

Klein was also part of a selection committee to award the small businesses with grant funds.

Winners from the third round included:

Bloom Nutrition SolutionsSkye Financial ServicesShe FancyUnited Way 211Air WellTrainQuality Fitness & YogaMallory’s Hair Utopia

“The Small Business Assistance Program is designed to assist the needs of area small businesses and non-profit organizations in our region. We appreciate our partners especially KeyBank for stepping up to provide funding and assistance for this latest round. Together, we are making a positive impact in the business community,” said Raymond J. Durso, Jr., President and CEO of the Genesis Group.

Can ESG reporting transform operations and propel businesses forward? Nadja Picard, partner and global reporting leader at PwC Germany, and Workiva’s Andie Wood discuss reporting-led transformation and its impact on sustainability, uncovering the benefits of interoperability in reporting standards and the roles of CEOs and CFOs in driving ESG initiatives.

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Originally published on Cox Automotive

ATLANTA, August 18, 2023 /3BL/ – Cox Automotive presented its annual Leader in Sustainability Award to Mark Miller Subaru, a dealership with two locations – Midtown and South Towne – serving communities along the Wasatch Front in north-central Utah and throughout the state.

The Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability Award recognizes a dealership for outstanding in-dealership sustainability programs related to waste reduction, energy or water conservation and focused on innovation, creativity, and engagement with its employees and the community. Cox Automotive President Steve Rowley presented the award during NADA Show 2023 in Dallas on Friday, Jan. 27.

“I am pleased to present the Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability Award to Mark Miller Subaru for its extraordinary commitment to the environment and doing business the right way,” said Rowley. “The Cox commitment to building a better future for the next generation is fundamentally tied to protecting the planet through sustainability. As the first dealership in Utah to be certified in the Subaru Eco-Friendly Retailer Program, Mark Miller Subaru continues raising the bar on environmental sustainability standards.”

In addition to sustainability, Mark Miller Subaru is dedicated to corporate and social responsibility and the family has made these areas a priority since they entered the automotive industry in the 1930s. As a benefit corporation, the Mark Miller Subaru corporate charter states that its No. 1 priority is not making money. Instead, the dealership considers society and the environment ahead of profits. Mark Miller Subaru has donated over $3.2 million to charity since 2010 to help people, pets and the planet.

Continue reading here.

August 18, 2023 /3BL/ – My Green Lab, the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the sustainability of scientific research, today announces a renewed partnership with the United Nations High-Level Climate Champions. Supporting the United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign, which aims to halve global carbon emissions by 2023, this renewed collaboration will empower more organizations than ever to achieve their carbon commitments through My Green Lab’s programs and research.

Building on the success of the current partnership in advancing the biotech and pharma industry’s commitments, the renewed partnership will more broadly address the healthcare value chain. My Green Lab’s VP of Investments and Partnerships, Ryan Arnold, has been appointed the Health Sector Lead at the High-Level Climate Champions. “Biotech and pharma play a huge role within the sector, but there are more opportunities across the healthcare value chain where My Green Lab’s tools can help drive systemic change,” says Arnold.

My Green Lab Certification was selected as a Race to Zero Breakthrough Outcome in 2021, establishing a target that 95% of labs in biotech and pharma achieve Certification at the highest level by 2030. Over 2,000 labs and 24,000 scientists from 45 countries have engaged with the program, including 35 of the largest biotech and pharma companies. Currently, 71% of companies in the sector with over $1 billion in revenue that have joined the Race to Zero are working on a My Green Lab Certification. The rapidly growing program is recognized as the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices worldwide.

In addition to ensuring the adoption of My Green Lab Certification in laboratories, the renewed partnership will build upon My Green Lab’s groundbreaking report on the carbon impact of biotech and pharma that tracks the industry’s progress to net zero carbon.

“With only seven years until 2030, we must urgently accelerate the decarbonization of all parts of the economy. My Green Lab has been our key partner since 2022 to align the pharma and biotech sector with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This year, we’re thrilled to expand our partnership to the whole health sector and focus on both decarbonization and resilience in the frame of the 2030 Breakthroughs and the Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, with expected highlights at COP28,” says Emmanuelle Pinault, Director of Systems Transformation, High-Level Climate Champions.

For more information, contact ryanarnold@climatechampions.team.

Learn more about My Green Lab at www.MyGreenLab.org.

About My Green Lab

My Green Lab® is a nonprofit environmental organization with a mission to build a global culture of sustainability in science. The organization is the world leader in developing internationally recognized sustainability standards for laboratories and laboratory products—bringing sustainability to the community responsible for the world’s life-changing medical and technical innovations. Laboratories are some of the most resource-intensive spaces in any industry, but they don’t have to be. By introducing a new perspective and proven best practices within a carefully crafted framework, My Green Lab has inspired tens of thousands of scientists and lab professionals to make positive changes in their labs by reducing the environmental impact of their work.

About the High Level Climate Champions

The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions engage non-State actors to support governments in delivering the goals of the Paris Agreement. Working with the Marrakech Partnership – a global alliance of more than 320 major initiatives and coalitions – the High-Level Champions enhance the ambition of cities, regions, businesses and investors and other non-State actors, to collectively race towards a fair, resilient and zero carbon world.

Lori Shaffer, Kimberly-Clark’s vice president of global nonwovens, recently spoke with Helen Atkinson, managing editor of SupplyChainBrain, at Reuters Supply Chain USA where she discussed the power of people-centricity in building strong, purpose-driven supply chains.

“[A purpose-led supply chain] looks like everyone within the supply chain understanding their reason for being, the purpose behind what they do every day and how they bring value to the consumer. For example, within Kimberly-Clark, our purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World,” said Lori.

Watch Lori’s full interview here: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/37804-watch-the-power-of-purpose-and-people-centricity?trk=public_post_comment-text

About Kimberly-Clark 
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere for the fifth year in a row. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.

Messick’s Equipment, a dealer for New Holland Agriculture (a brand of CNH Industrial) recently held an event in Pennsylvania where the Cedar Crest Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter was donated a cutting-edge Precision Agriculture education simulator. This donation comes as part of a joint venture between New Holland and Raven Industries to support agricultural education and promote understanding of precision technology among high school students.

“Both the students and teachers are excited to receive this display,” states Phil Haussener, agricultural education teacher at Cedar Crest High School. “Part of our plan is to use it in the final step of our Integrated Pest Management unit.”

The donation of the simulator designed by Raven Industries establishes a valuable connection between Cedar Crest students and Messick’s Equipment. As part of the official presentation, Cedar Crest FFA students had the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals and gain insight into the practical applications of precision agriculture.

“The adoption rate of technology being used across farms of all sizes today is higher than ever,” says Mary Henry, Messick’s Corporate Sales Manager. “Creating an awareness of the career opportunities in precision technology is critical to farm dealerships and engaging with students early opens doors to a future in agriculture that these students may otherwise have not been exposed to. We are proud of Cedar Crest’s accomplishment in this competition that will allow them to gain hands-on experience.”

Messick’s Equipment has and continues to play a role in providing local students the opportunity to explore the latest New Holland equipment and technology offerings, and how they related to potential career pathways. The partnership between the program, students and Messick’s is a significant step in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world implementation.

“The technology that moves us forward will serve as an opportunity to face farm labor shortages head on, reduce expenses, help us gain efficiencies in production and land use, reduce machine downtime and provide even greater focus on environmental stewardship. Messick’s is excited to have a partner in New Holland that is dedicated to supporting programs that not only develop the technology, but train and support a new generation of leaders,” Henry says.

Cadence partners with The National Graduate Engineering Minorities (GEM) Consortium in support of students from underrepresented communities pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees in STEM. As part of our commitment to fostering a diverse pipeline of talent, we join other employer sponsors to help place more than 400 bright and talented young minds into roles across the United States, one of the largest fellowship classes in GEM’s 40-year history. 

This summer, we were excited to welcome three gifted PhD candidates studying computer engineering, electrical engineering, and computer information and science to the Cadence team. Throughout the course of their internships, they have had the opportunity to apply their field of study and explore new areas of interest while making meaningful contributions to solving technology’s greatest challenges. 

In addition to gaining industry experience, our GEM Fellows have had the chance to grow their professional networks by connecting with other interns, early career employees, and influential leaders through our new Career Catalyst program. Through this initiative, they were able to deepen their understanding of Cadence technology, including electronic design automation, computational software, and artificial intelligence. 

Each of our GEM interns brings unique ideas and perspectives, strengthening our innovation and One Cadence—One Team culture. We are inspired by their journeys and the impacts they have made, and we are looking forward to seeing what they achieve in their professional careers.

Get to know our GEM Fellows and hear what they had to say about their experiences:

Essien Taylor, Northwestern University 
After graduation, Essien plans to embark on a career in research and development, focusing on low-power computing. Additionally, he wants to apply the experience and resources gained from his GEM Fellowship to mentor other students from underrepresented communities who are working towards graduate degrees.

What do you hope to bring back to academic life from Cadence? 
Interning at Cadence has helped me better understand the technology industry. I hope to bring a working understanding of the Cadence toolset back to my academic life. I had some experience using Cadence tools such as Genus Synthesis Solution previously, but getting the opportunity to work with engineers who use these tools every day has increased my proficiency with the entire portfolio.

How has being a GEM Fellow impacted you? 
Being a GEM Fellow has brought me into a network of intelligent and diverse students, all with the same goal of achieving a graduate degree in STEM. I believe that one of the most important components to success is having a community to support you. As a GEM Fellow, I now have a community of hundreds that I can benefit from and contribute to myself.

Gerald Whitters, University of Pennsylvania 
Currently pursuing his PhD in computer and information science, Gerald returned to academia through the Community College of Philadelphia’s Gateway to College program. Through this initiative, he was able to earn his high school diploma as well as associate degrees in computer science and math, simultaneously.

What are your plans post-graduation? 
After graduation, I want to explore working in industry for some time. My long-term plans post-graduation are to attain a university faculty position. I wish to work in academia so that I can continue to do research as well as maintain the freedom to explore the research topics that most interest me.

How has being a GEM Fellow impacted you? 
Being a GEM Fellow has given me the opportunity to intern at Cadence, continue learning, and gain further experience in the computer science field. Additionally, funding from the fellowship will help with the costs of attending conferences and research technology over the next two years.

Stuart Wodzro, Georgia Institute of Technology  
Stuart was drawn to an internship with Cadence due to his desire to establish a foothold in the semiconductor industry. Passionate about the driving forces and end-to-end processes behind the development and capabilities of technology, Stuart’s previous experience with NASA accelerated him through this summer’s program.

Which of technology’s challenges do you hope to solve during your career? 
Creativity arises from the most seemingly limited situations, and with Moore’s Law slowing down, I think it presents itself as an excellent canvas for researchers and engineers to continue progressing in the semiconductor industry. During this phase, I believe we will witness the evolution and obsolescence of certain materials, devices, and systems in pursuit of something better—and I think that’s where the fun really begins!

How has being a GEM Fellow impacted you? 
As a GEM Fellow, I’ve gained additional self-assurance. Experiencing the fruits of my labor is one thing, but having the backing of an organization to invest in my academic, professional, and personal life elevates the experience further. Now, I have an additional stipend, conference networking opportunities, and valuable work experience to develop a professional background.

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

100 participants. 24 hours. 16 innovative ideas.

In late July, technology teammates (employees) at DICK’S Sporting Goods huddled together during the company’s fourth annual Hackathon.

In 2018, the DSG Tech team kicked off a product transformation to change the way they think about the tech they build. “We moved away from working on projects to the working within a product model,” said Erika Green, product manager in Technology Product Management. “The product model lets us try out different approaches, get creative and really focus on what works best for our athletes (customers) and teammates. It’s all about finding the right solutions that fit their needs while keeping things fresh and innovative.”

That same product transformation led to the first-ever DICK’S Hackathon. “We wanted to inspire our teammates to get out of their comfort zones and see what they could do,” Green said.

Rob Brown, senior engineering manager of the DSG Tech Innovation Team, has organized the hackathons since 2021. “Hackathons make space for innovation while encouraging teammates to be brave and bold and to follow their ideas,” said Brown.

This year, 16 teams had three business days to design a prototype that could positively impact athletes and teammates. Each team developed a business case, pitch and working proof of concept. DICK’S experts in product, engineering, architecture and design judged the concepts on four criteria: innovation, business value, solution feasibility and athlete/teammate experience.

All 16 teams delivered working prototypes. “In a public hackathon, the success rate is typically around 35%. For the past three years, we’ve had 100% of our teams complete their projects in the allotted time,” said Brown. “It shows how incredibly talented our teammates are here at DICK’S.”

The 2023 hackathon winners developed “ChatDSG,” a GPT chatbot to assist store teammates with providing a more personable experience for athletes. “ChatDSG” would allow teammates to pull up an athlete’s profile by simply entering their phone number. The teammate could then type in “why you’re here,” and the app would recommend products and offer pro tips.

“I’m humbled that we stood out in the crowd,” said William Harms, a member of the winning team. “We have the power to make a real difference, and in doing so, we find meaningful growth within ourselves.”

While awards only went to the top four teams, the DSG Tech Innovation Team will look closer at all 16 concepts to potentially move them forward. “We look at their engineering and business feasibilities,” said Scott Almes, senior product manager of Technology Product Management. “Then if there’s interest in the business to support it, we look at the possibility of building out the prototypes further and taking them to some sort of testing.”

“This is absolutely one of my favorite events that we do,” said Vlad Rak, executive vice president, chief technology officer. He spoke to participants during the virtual awards ceremony. Rak said he took part in several hackathons in his career, but the creations are not what he remembers most. “I remember the thrill, pressure and special bond you develop with your team,” Rak said.

The DSG Tech team said plans are already in the works for next year’s hackathon.

Interested in learning more about a career in technology at DICK’S Sporting Goods? Visit our technology career site here.

For driving impactful change in Singapore through science, technology engineering and math (STEM) education, the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2023 honored AMD in the category of Social Empowerment for its AMD Learning Lab STEM courses project. AREA recognizes leading businesses for championing sustainable and responsible business practices.

AMD has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home in Singapore, which provides shelter, care and protection to boys and girls from lower income families. For six years, AMD employees have organized and volunteered in meaningful activities to support residents of the home.

Recognizing that STEM education can accelerate opportunities for the Children’s Home residents, AMD established a Learning Lab at the home in 2021 featuring AMD technology-powered laptops. The lab now annually benefits over 70 residents and teachers to develop critical STEM skills and introduce participants to future careers. Through the Learning Lab, the Children’s Home is implementing an exciting curriculum of courses including digital literacy training, 3D printing, digital arts, C++ and other programming languages with help from AMD employee volunteers.

Courses provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with computer hardware and software with ongoing engagement with AMD employee volunteers who share insights about careers at AMD. For some students, this engagement might inspire a future technical career, while for others it supports skills development to thrive in a range of other pursuits.

Jackson Tan, deputy head at the Children’s Home Care and Development commented, “Our partnership with AMD has sparked the curiosity of our residents towards their inventive approach to creativity, which allows children to embrace the increasing usage of technology and explore novel methods of enhancing their skills.”

AMD partners with local organizations worldwide to establish AMD technology-powered Learning Labs that inspire students to pursue an education in STEM. The company provides hardware and other support in each new lab, and its employee volunteers offer ongoing engagement with the students and teachers.

For more information on AMD Learning Labs, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/learninglabs.html

Further details on the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards can be found here.

LAS VEGAS, August 17, 2023 /3BL/ – Aristocrat Gaming is deepening the company’s longstanding relationship with AISES, a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers, by providing a $500,000 donation. Announced at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Conference and Tradeshow, the money will go toward supporting several AISES programs, notably the newly established Resources for Indigenous STEM Education (RISE) Fund, along with the organization’s annual conference and student scholarships.

The RISE Fund, powered by Aristocrat Gaming, is designed to engage and support Indigenous students, professionals, and tribes by offering resources and programming to specifically develop STEM education and careers in the gaming industry. Aristocrat Gaming’s contribution will support scholarships, career and professional development, education programs, internships, and workforce development opportunities, helping to identify and prepare the next workforce generation and to diversify industry talent pipelines.

IMAGES: Click to download broadcast-quality video and high-res photos.

“We are honored by the relationship with Aristocrat Gaming and our mutual commitment to propel more Indigenous people to STEM education and careers,” said Sarah EchoHawk, AISES President. “The company’s efforts are extraordinary – by sharing our collective story and engaging the gaming industry, we hope to enact real change in Indigenous STEM representation and inspire those engaged with the gaming industry in Indian Country to support their future through the RISE Fund.”

The total funding provided by Aristocrat Gaming will also go towards continuing the company’s support of the AISES general scholarship fund, providing $2,500 in scholarships to 20 undergraduate students pursuing Casino Gaming degrees at accredited four-year colleges and universities across the country. Additionally, Aristocrat Gaming will be providing $30,000 annually to the AISES National Conference, the premier event for Indigenous STEM students and professionals.

“As a valued partner of ours for over six years, we are elated to further our relationship with AISES to intentionally invest in the gaming industry’s future workforce, helping to open up access to STEM education and career opportunities for Indigenous peoples,” said James Starr, President of VGT, an Aristocrat Gaming company.

About AISES

Advancing Indigenous People in STEM since 1977, AISES has focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in critically needed STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) disciplines. This nonprofit currently supports individual student and professional members across the U.S. and Canada through chartered college and university chapters, professional chapters, tribal chapters, and affiliated PK-12 schools. Members benefit from diverse STEM-focused programming that supports careers and promotes student success and workforce development in multiple crucial areas. To learn more visit aises.org.

About Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.

Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL), a global entertainment and content creation company with over 7,500 employees working in more than 20 locations across the globe. Aristocrat Gaming is the leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of Class III games as well as Class II Innovations for Native American casinos and emerging markets. The company’s mission is to bring joy to life through the power of play. Its values are rooted in creativity and technology, and the company has a rich history of innovation that has shaped the gaming industry over many decades. For further information, visit the company’s website at www.aristocratgaming.com.

Media contacts:

For AISES

David Cournoyer
dcournoyer@aises.org

For Aristocrat Gaming

Oriana Branon
oriana.branon@aristocrat.com

Chelsea Eugenio
chelsea.eugenio@aristocrat.com