Tag: 3BL

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

It is nearly impossible to navigate everyday life in America without being able to speak English, especially when it comes to crucial matters like healthcare and finances, and daily tasks like grocery shopping or reading mail. Many first-generation Latinos are dependent on the youngest members of their family to communicate in English. Of adult first-generation Latinos, 23% say they can carry on a conversation in English very well. That number increases with each following generation, leaving the crucial task of translating in the hands of the youngest members of families. 1

“Translators,” will screen during the Tribeca Festival on June 13, after the film made its worldwide debut at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. The documentary short film delivers an emotional, first-person look at the lives of three of these immigrant families and the important role that young translators play in everyday lives of older generations.

Directed by Emmy-award winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez, the documentary short film follows the stories of three immigrant children (Densel – 11, Harye – 13 and Virginia – 16) who are responsible for handling complex adult conversations and helping to make decisions beyond their years. The impactful film highlights the need to provide resources to Hispanic and Latino communities to eliminate barriers for non-English speaking adults and provide support in closing language and opportunity gaps.

“It was incredibly important to share this story with audiences as it is a topic close to my heart and something I’ve seen firsthand,” said film director Rudy Valdez. “I hope viewers gain a deeper understanding and empathy toward the challenges faced by immigrant families, especially their children, through this film.”

“Translators” is produced by Park Pictures in partnership with U.S. Bank, as part of the U.S. Bank Access Commitment™ , the bank’s long-term approach to help close the racial wealth gap which includes making banking more accessible to everyone through new digital tools, resources and community engagement. Recently, U.S. Bank launched Asistente Inteligente, the first Spanish language virtual banking assistant digital experience in the United States, enabling Spanish-speaking customers to bank however, whenever, and wherever is best for them.

“With over 41 million Spanish-speaking people in this country, we were inspired to look deeper into the experiences of customers to understand and connect with them and were very moved by this experience shared by so many families,” said U.S. Bank Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Greg Cunningham. “Through the work of Access Commitment, we are focused on wealth building and part of that for the Hispanic community is access – access to capital, resources, and opportunity. We know that language is access. It lets the community know that we see you and understand what’s important to you. Through this documentary, we hope to connect with and bring more visibility and access to families across the country who are going through the same experience.”

The powerful film will be introduced during the Tribeca Festival by Grammy Award winning singer and actress Leslie Grace, who signed on to the project as Documentary Ambassador.

“Growing up first generation Dominican American in New York and Florida, I was a young translator for elders in my family, so I am proud to be a part of this project,” said Grace. “Creating such a grounded documentary like ‘Translators’ as Rudy Valdez has done is so important because it allows organizations like U.S. Bank to generate awareness around the shared experience of these 11 million translators across the nation. Additionally, it opens the door for other companies and organizations to develop tools and resources that will help alleviate the burden of the younger generation as they assimilate along with their families.”

For the trailer and more information on “Translators” and how to view the film following its premiere, please visit www.TranslatorsFilm.com.

1 According to Pew Research Center

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $682 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Learn more at usbank.com/about.

About Park Pictures 

Park Pictures was founded in 1998 by Executive Producer Jacqueline Kelman Bisbee and renowned filmmaker/ cinematographer Lance Acord. Park has produced award-winning work for clients such as Apple, Nike, Google, Adidas, GE, Verizon, Nissan, and Volkswagen for over 20 years. Over the years, Park has produced features and documentaries, with over ten chosen as Official Selection at Sundance. Park has won multiple Emmy Awards for short and long-form film projects, an Academy Award in 2011, and took home the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Lions for best-performing production company of the year.

Media Contact

Susan Beatty susan.beatty@usbank.com

Jackie Baez jbaez@webershandwick.com

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 23, 2023 /3BL/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) 24 State Merit Winners and four honorable mention recipients. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that utilize the power of science to improve the world.

To enter, students in grades 5-8 submit a one-to-two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. All entries are reviewed by a diverse group of judges and evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. Videos can be recorded using a cell phone or digital camera and are not judged on production skills.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates how harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what’s possible can help shape a brighter future,” said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. “The 2023 state merit winners are already making the world a better place through groundbreaking STEM thinking and innovation.”

The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the 24 State Merit Winners and the four honorable mention recipients, which were selected for their passion for science, innovation, and superb communication skills. Each State Merit Winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a special technology prize pack.  

The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winners are listed below in alphabetical order by state:

[Alabama] Greeshma Vinoy, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama School of Fine Arts School District
[California] Kayley Xu, The Bishop’s School, Private
[Colorado] Aanshi Shah, Thunder Vista P-8, Five Star District
[Connecticut] Rithvik Suren, Academy of Science and Innovation, Capitol Region Education Council 
[Florida] Chilok Mak, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Private
[Georgia] Siddhant Mahapatra, East Side Elementary School, Cobb County School District
[Indiana] Rohith Nuthakki, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Clay School District
[Kentucky] Aniket Tadinada, Meyzeek Middle School, Jefferson County District
[Massachusetts] Hanna Suzuki, John Glenn Middle School, Bedford Public School District
[Maryland] Dev Gadhia, Mount View Middle School, Howard County Public School System
[Minnesota] Shubham Panchal, Wayzata Central Middle School, Wayzata Public Schools
[Missouri] Sania Rehman, Central High School – Springfield Scholars Program, Springfield R-12 District
[North Carolina] Jamie Cheng, Mills Park Middle School, Wake County Public School System
[New Hampshire] Yuvanguru Balagurumoorthy, Academy for Science and Design Chartered Public School, Nashua School District
[New Jersey] Jasmine Parran, Edison Intermediate School, Westfield Public School District
[Nevada] Mila Nguyen, Challenger School, Private
[New York] Vick Tan, Horace Mann School, Private
[Oklahoma] Iffat Iftekhar, Union 8th Grade Center, Union Public Schools
[Oregon] Subhang Bhatti, Astra Nova School, Online
[Pennsylvania] Arman Kazi, Hershey Middle School, Derry Township School District
[Texas] Neel Hiremath, Cedar Valley Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District
[Utah] Arin Bhandari, Clayton Middle School, Salt Lake City School District
[Virginia] Meha Seshan, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
[Wisconsin] Henry Martin, Golda Meir School, Milwaukee Public Schools

For the third time in competition history, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also recognized entrants with an honorable mention award. These projects were selected for their unique and innovative concepts innovation and effective communication skills. The four 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge honorable mention recipients are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Ryanne Bethly, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Watergrass Elementary School, Pasco County SchoolsAudrey Kim, Irvine, Calif., Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified School DistrictBhargav Mandakolathur, Milpitas, Calif., John Sinnott Elementary School, Milpitas Unified School DistrictKavin Puri, Mars, Pa., Marshall Middle School, North Allegheny School District

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

“Congratulations to each state merit winner and honorable mention recipient in the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Your innovations are what this challenge is all about and it’s incredible to see young people from the age of 11 to 14 already making a difference in the world,” said Amy Nakamoto, general manager of social impact at Discovery Education.

America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network began fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking and grant opportunities.

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education’s recently enhanced K-12 learning platform. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. 

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About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts
Robert Brittain
3M
Email: rbrittain@mmm.com 

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com

Although 2022 was a year of many successes, it was also a year like no other for supply-chain disruptions. Market dynamics were extremely volatile as inflationary pressures on providers sent prices soaring. Severe congestion at ports and along the rail network, coupled with truck driver shortages, extreme weather events and difficulties with labor, created challenges we had never before faced.

However, despite these challenges, Sappi North America shipped our products with an improved on-time delivery rate, from 90% in the first quarter to 96% in the fourth. We achieved a year of record-breaking shipments, of 2.05 million short tons, from our domestic mills. We accomplished this with no injuries for the 16th consecutive year and with the lowest number of transportation claims since 2013.

Also in 2022, Sappi North America celebrated its 14th consecutive year as an EPA SmartWay® Transport Partner by using transport carriers that leverage technology to minimize our collective carbon footprint, and we were featured on the Journal of Commerce’s annual list of the Top 100 Exporters.

To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Sappi North America supply chain team worked closely with our transportation partner, Schneider, on a dashboard for tracking greenhouse gas emissions. We have reduced emissions by 2% during the year while also reducing costs by collaborating with our customers to change transport modes from truck to rail.

If we can achieve this kind of success in a year as difficult as 2022, then we are confident we can continue to leverage cost-saving opportunities and reduce emissions as we advance into 2023 and beyond.

SWORDS, Ireland, June 26, 2023 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, today announced its participation in three projects accelerating next-generation heat pump efficiency to reduce energy and emissions across multiple industrial sectors.

These projects were recently awarded U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grants for the research and development of transformational technologies aimed at decarbonizing heavy industry.

Industrial heat pumps can provide a path to the electrification of high-temperature heating processes and offer an alternative to using fossil fuel combustion in the production of cement, food and beverage, chemicals, and other carbon-intensive industries.

“We are relentlessly innovating smart solutions for a net-zero future and helping to answer the call for deploying climate solutions at-scale,” said Paul Camuti, executive vice president and chief technology and sustainability officer of Trane Technologies. “We look forward to working with our research partners as we continue to challenge what’s possible for a more sustainable world.”

Lead research partners and project descriptions:

DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Develop and test an ultra-high temperature industrial heat pump, with multiple systems-level design considerations including advanced, AI-enabled integration and process control, low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and waste heat recovery.Purdue University – Develop a higher-temperature industrial heat pump that leverages 3D printing for the system’s compressor and considers design factors such as thermal energy storage for optimized integration of industrial processes.Texas A&M University’s Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) – Develop a high-performance heat pump system that integrates dehumidification, low-cost sensors and predictive controls to improve methods for drying foods while ensuring food quality and lowering energy costs.

These new heat pump innovations build on Trane Technologies’ position as an industry leader in decarbonization solutions for the built environment. The company’s latest heat pump technology for commercial buildings combines heating and cooling systems into one, high-efficiency electric solution. Its residential cold-climate heat pump surpassed the DOE requirements for high-efficiency heating in freezing temperatures.

Through bold, industry-leading action, Trane Technologies is advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including its Gigaton Challenge, and its net-zero by 2050 pledge, with emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit www.tranetechnologies.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our innovation to develop decarbonization solutions for heavy industry, and our other sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

GRI welcomes the launch of a four-week public consultation period to gather feedback on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which initiated on June 9th and will close on July 7th. The ESRS are an important step towards holding companies operating in the EU market accountable for their impacts. GRI was pleased to contribute to the creation of the ESRS under the EFRAG-GRI cooperation agreement, signed in July 2021. The adoption of the ESRS will have global implications, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which outlines which companies are subject to disclosure requirements, extends its scope beyond the existing Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) to encompass certain non-EU companies and subsidiaries not listed on EU-regulated markets.

Eelco van der Enden, CEO of GRI, said:

“GRI provided wide-ranging technical input during the development phase of the ESRS. We will, of course, further engage through the public consultation to support efforts to create decision-useful EU standards that are interoperable with our global standards. Not only will this reduce the reporting burden, it will also support globally comparable disclosure that meets the needs of all stakeholders, including investors.”

At least 10,000 companies outside the EU will be reached by this new mandate, including 3,000 US companies and 1,300 Canadian companies, as indicated by a recent analysis by Refinitiv. Consequently, North American companies will need to enhance their sustainability reporting to align with ESRS due to the CSRD impacting them directly, or indirectly, through disclosure needs of entities in their value chain, as well as elevated stakeholder expectations. However, companies that already report using the GRI Standards are at an advantage.

Carol Adams, Chair of GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board, said:

“For the past two years, GRI has worked with the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to support the development of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Encouragingly, these efforts are paying off – with the impact disclosure requirements in the first set of ESRS confirmed as closely aligned with the corresponding GRI disclosures. This offers reassurance to the thousands of companies for which the ESRS will become mandatory that they can expect to utilize existing GRI reporting to meet EU requirements. We are optimistic this will apply to developing impact reporting requirements in other jurisdictions.”

The ESRS also explicitly states that if a topic is material and no ESRS is available, companies should consider the GRI Standards for disclosure on that topic. In addition, where the ESRS does not yet provide standards by sector, organizations can use the relevant GRI Sector Standard for reporting. The alignment between GRI and the ESRS showcases significant progress towards greater harmonization in the sustainability reporting landscape, playing a crucial role in achieving sustainable development by promoting transparency and accountability.

June 23, 2023 /3BL/ – The Summit for a New Global Financial Pact could have been a turning point on climate change and the future of our planet. We came to Paris hopeful for radical reform, ready to celebrate breakthroughs for equity and justice on behalf of vulnerable countries that are trying to tackle climate change.

Instead, we are disappointed to see that most leaders of the world’s richest nations and most powerful institutions have once again gathered and emerged with insufficient solutions and lightly-held promises.

There are some positive outcomes from this campaign and summit – we are proud to have stood united with young activists whose lives are being disproportionately affected by climate change, Heads of state from the Global South, and advocacy groups calling for change. We welcome those leaders from the Global North who are taking action and don’t just talk. But the absence of urgent and moral courage from those wielding the most power is a frustrating conclusion.

Further, we are encouraged by the steps taken by World Bank President Ajay Banga to reform key policies, including incorporating suspension clauses into loan agreements for countries hit by natural disasters. We also celebrate the coalition of countries which agreed to cancel Zambia’s $6.3 billion in debt. We also now have a coalition supporting the creation of a tax on the shipping sector. France has also stepped up by increasing its share of Special Drawing Rights allocated to climate-vulnerable countries to 40 percent.

However, in spite of President Macron’s best effort, the Summit for the New Global Financial Pact cannot be deemed a success.

The rest of the G7 leaders simply didn’t show up, ignoring the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people and countries. Worse, the US failed to explain how it will deliver on its 2009 promise to give money to help countries struggling to find resources to adapt to climate change. They still owe some of that money, and they haven’t told anyone when or how they are going to deliver.

The biggest economy in the world needs to do its part to help the most marginalized countries of the world, and deliver on the promise it made in 2009 to do so.

We need to see courageous reforms from the world’s biggest economies and worst polluters to dismantle the financial systems that are perpetuating the climate crisis holding populations in extreme poverty.

The Power Our Planet campaign is just getting started. We will continue to stand for justice on behalf of the countries and populations being devastated by climate change, which have contributed the least to this crisis, and now turn our attention toward this year’s G20 meetings, Global Citizen Festival on September 23, and COP28. It ain’t over til it’s over.

Global Citizen

Lenny Kravitz 
Billie Eilish 
FINNEAS 
Jon Batiste 
H.E.R. 
Connie Britton 
Danai Gurira 
Cyril Dion 
Norman Reedus 
Diane Kruger 
Padma Lakshmi

Jerome Foster II 
Wanjira Maathai 
Xiye Bastida 
Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe 
Ineza Umuhoza Grace 
Wanjiku ‘Wawa’ Gatheru 
Brianna Fruean 
Camille Etienne 
Mitzi Jonelle Tan 
Helena Gualinga

ONE 
Don’t Gas Africa 
Loss and Damage Youth Coalition 
Support + Feed
Glasgow Action Team

June is National Cancer Survivor Month. It’s a time to honor those in various stages of their cancer journeys, celebrate those who help patients through their treatments, and raise awareness of the challenges cancer survivors could face after treatment and throughout their lives.

In recognition of survivors and those who played a role in their cancer journeys, a group of Aflac employees gathered to handwrite cards and notes of encouragement to cancer survivors, parents and medical staff at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, home to one of the leading childhood cancer survivor programs in the country.

“It’s important to remember those who have defeated cancer and are living as survivors,” said Alayne Gamache, program manager, Corporate Social Responsibility. “They face daily challenges that many people might be unaware of, and the cancer survivor program helps them as they work through these difficulties.”

According to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, 80% of children and young adults diagnosed with cancer will survive, and more than 85% of childhood cancer survivors will experience a significant chronic health condition after treatment that may include physical, psychological and social issues.1 Identifying and treating these problems early can help survivors lead full lives.

“With the number of pediatric cancer survivors continuing to grow, the need for improving long-term health and quality of life becomes increasingly important,” said Dr. Karen Effinger, pediatric oncologist and medical director of the cancer survivor program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. “Getting patients into remission is an incredible milestone, but the care doesn’t end there — the cancer survivor program gives them the tools they need to thrive and live full lives.”

That’s why the center offers a multidisciplinary cancer survivor program to address the unique needs of childhood cancer survivors who are at least two years off therapy. Through the cancer survivor program, patients receive a personalized care plan and assistance with school, job or insurance concerns. Last year, more than 1,000 survivors visited the clinic, and 81% of children who completed treatment from 2017-2019 used the program from 2020-2022.

Visit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center website for more information on how to support important initiatives like the cancer survivor program.

1Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. https://www.choa.org/medical-services/cancer-and-blood-disorders/cancer/cancer-survivor-program. Accessed June 15, 2023.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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With a shared commitment to inclusion — and a partnership that spans more than a decade —Henkel and Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) make a great team.

Since 2011, Henkel has proudly supported the SOCT and helped bring Special Olympics events to life so athletes of all abilities can experience the joy and camaraderie of friendly competition and discover their inner champion.

Special Olympics CT is truly grateful for the partnership we have built with the Henkel Corporation. In addition to financial support, Henkel employee volunteer engagement has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Sharon O’Reilly-Rozum, Sr. Director Partnerships & Corporate Relations at SOCT

Ready, Set … Volunteer!

Henkel employees are committed to creating positive change in the communities where they live, work and play. Melissa Jacobs, Senior Paralegal, is one of many employees who make volunteerism a way of life. She has fond memories of volunteering for Special Olympics in high school. Today, she enjoys giving back with her children and members of her work family.

Jacobs organizes Henkel volunteers and applies for corporate grants to support SOCT’s Winter and Summer Games, as well as other fundraising events throughout the year. Most recently, in early June 2023, a team of approximately 25 Henkel volunteers and family members assisted with the swimming and track and field competitions, serving as escorts for the athletes (and unofficial cheerleaders).

“We had a blast this year. It was a lot of fun interacting with the athletes and cheering them on,” says Jacobs, noting that the first time a colleague volunteers is seldom the last. “There is a good vibe at Special Olympics events. It’s always a very positive experience for my colleagues who volunteer, and they always want to do it again.”

Teaming Up for Inclusion

Whatever cause is closest to their hearts, employees like Melissa Jacobs embody Henkel’s purpose to be Pioneers at Heart for the Good of Generations.

Henkel always strives to be inclusive, and that really is what Special Olympics is about.

Melissa Jacobs, Senior Paralegal

Henkel’s Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) program was designed to support the causes employees are passionate about. Celebrating its 25th year in 2023, the grassroots program provides financial and other resources to connect with communities in meaningful ways. Special Olympics is one of the causes MIT supports year after year because the company strongly believes in their mission of diversity and inclusion — and it’s one of our employees’ favorite ways to give back.

“Henkel has been supporting SOCT for over 12 years, donating over $126,000 to help fund our statewide competitions that serve 10,000 athletes and unified partners,” says O’Reilly Rozum. “Henkel’s financial support and employee volunteers have become an integral part of making our yearly events possible. Athletes have formed friendships with many of the volunteers and look forward to seeing them year after year.”

Going Global

Henkel is supporting the boccia competition at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, June 17-25, 2023. Jacobs joins a global team of 60 Henkel volunteers to support the athletes and ensure the boccia competition goes smoothly. “I am super excited about meeting Henkel colleagues from around the world and proud to see Henkel’s name as a sponsor,” says Jacobs. “These athletes are doing what they love, and it’s awesome to see.”

Originally published by Ericsson.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Diversity & Inclusion News Round-Up. Today we are talking about South Korea reversing the plans of a 69-hour work week, a new survey about gender equality, the fridging trope, and an inspiring 102-year old.

Work life balance

After receiving strong pushback from younger generations, South Korea’s government announced that it reversed the plans to raise the maximum weekly working time to 69 hours (from 52). This step would have not only impacted the work-life balance of workers, but would have affected women more than men due to additional caregiving responsibilities. Read more here.

Gender equality

A recent survey (from Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, King’s College London) collected opinions about gender equality from people around the world – and while 68% said that gender inequality still exists, almost half of the respondents said they believe that women’s fights for their rights have gone too far.

Sexism

Interesting article about the phenomenon of “fridging” in TV, film and literature. It is a trope in fiction, and means that a character (usually a woman) is killed to progress the story of the protagonist (usually a man).

Generation

I love this story from Nebraska. Jean Bailey is 102 years old – and teaches fitness classes four times a week at a senior living community! Watch the video here.

BenchmarkPortal Press Release

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 23, 2023 /3BL/ – Bread Financial™ (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, flexible payment, lending and saving solutions, announced it has received BenchmarkPortal’s “Center of Excellence” certification for a record-setting 18th consecutive time in the financial services/credit industry. The Center of Excellence recognition is one of the most prestigious awards in the customer service and support industry. Earlier this year, Bread Financial’s care centers were also recognized by BenchmarkPortal for having the lowest abandon rates in North America, according to its data.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by BenchmarkPortal for the 18th consecutive year, spotlighting Bread Financial’s unwavering commitment to best-in-class customer service and operational excellence,” said Tammy McConnaughey, executive vice president and chief credit risk and operations officer, Bread Financial. “Through our frequent and extensive training, innovative tools and technology, and with our customer-first approach, we deliver quality care to our customers to continue building loyalty and trust. I am incredibly proud of this recognition and our team that has led us here.”

We’re thrilled to be recognized by BenchmarkPortal for the 18th consecutive year, spotlighting Bread Financial’s unwavering commitment to best-in-class customer service and operational excellence.”

Tammy McConnaughey – Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Risk and Operations Officer, Bread Financial

BenchmarkPortal awards the “Center of Excellence” designation to customer service contact centers that rank in the top 10% of the contact centers surveyed. They are judged against a balanced scorecard of metrics for efficiency and effectiveness. Those contact centers that demonstrate superior performance on both cost-related and quality-related metrics compared with their industry peers earn the award.

Key Results: Compared to its peers, Bread Financial is an industry leader when it comes to speed of call answer, average queue time, low abandonment rates, associate attendance and inbound calls after call work.

“Maintaining high levels of excellence in the center over a period of years is a wonderful testimony to the contact center management team, the frontline agents – as well as senior managers, who support and encourage this excellence,” said Bruce Belifore, chief executive officer, BenchmarkPortal. “Bread Financial’s contact center professionals have shown exceptional dedication and results, for which I commend them.”

BenchmarkPortal’s activities began in 1995, and today it is a global leader in the contact center industry. Maintaining the world’s largest call center metrics database, it provides benchmarking, certification, training, consulting and industry reports.

To learn more about Bread Financial’s commitment to exceptional customer service, read its recently released 2022 ESG Report.

About Bread Financial  
Bread FinancialTM (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company providing simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. The company creates opportunities for its customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-label technology, Bread Financial delivers growth for its partners through a comprehensive product suite, including private label and co-brand credit cards, installment lending, and buy now, pay later (BNPL). Bread Financial also offers direct-to-consumer solutions that give customers more access, choice and freedom through its branded Bread CashbackTM American Express® Credit Card and Bread SavingsTM products.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Bread Financial is powered by its 7,500+ global associates and is committed to sustainable business practices. To learn more about Bread Financial, visit BreadFinancial.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Center of Excellence Certification  
Contact centers and their managers who wish to implement best practices and attain world-class performance in their industry have a unique opportunity to certify their contact centers. BenchmarkPortal’s rigorous certification process has the advantage of referencing all performance goals to their best practices database of thousands of contact centers. Thus, contact centers will be held to performance levels that will improve their competitive position, not just force them to adhere to an arbitrary standard. Discover what the steps to certification are and how they will improve your center’s performance at www.BenchmarkPortal.com/contact-center-certification

About BenchmarkPortal  
From its origins in 1995, BenchmarkPortal has become a global leader in the contact center industry, providing benchmarking, certification, training, consulting and industry reports. The BenchmarkPortal team of professionals has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to best practices for the contact center industry. BenchmarkPortal hosts the world’s largest database of contact center metrics, which is constantly being refreshed with new data. BenchmarkPortal’s mission is to provide contact center managers with the tools and information that will help them optimize their efficiency and effectiveness in their customer communications. For more information on BenchmarkPortal please call 1-800-214-8929 or visit www.BenchmarkPortal.com.