Tag: 3BL

Originally published on principal.com

The first time Katlyn Malone saw the Iowa State University campus was in the fall of 2015 when she and her family drove from Indianapolis to Ames for the freshman’s move-in day. “It was a family event,” says Malone, a Leadership Development Program (LDP) associate with Principal®. “We rented a truck, and my mom, dad, and little brother all came.”

Malone kept a brave face—but she was anxious. She knew no one and was the first in her family to attend college. “When they left, I realized I’m an adult. I didn’t know when they would be back to see me,” she says.

No matter: Malone dug in, putting her talents to good use and navigating the challenge with the same traits she’s used all her life: endless curiosity and boundless energy.

Focused on function and enthusiastic about growth

Malone remembers when her dad gave her a build-your-own-computer kit; she was about 7 or 8 and it was her first inkling that engineering might be in her future. “He and I would work together,” she says. “It started that journey into STEM for me.”

So, too, did her foray into her school’s robotics team; they won competitions in just their first year. “When I built something and it worked—when it clicked—that was the most exciting feeling ever,” she says.

Computer engineering, with its mix of electrical know-how and software programming, checked all the boxes, and Iowa State offered a highly ranked program.1 But the transition after her family dropped her off—“campus was so beautiful and I felt good about my choice”—was, in her words, “a lot.” Take the first-year intro chemistry class with 300 students. “My graduating class was 24, and it was challenging to learn how to navigate that, how to talk to a professor, how to study, who to study with,” she says.

Entering engineering as a woman and a woman of color was also hard. “I didn’t see many females that looked like me and didn’t really find my support group and peers until I was a senior,” Malone says.

By then, she was set to graduate with a double degree in computer engineering and management information systems. “I thought I wanted to be a software developer,” Malone says. “But then my junior year I took business classes and realized there was often miscommunication between tech and business, even though those areas service each other. What if I could be someone who could serve as a liaison between the two so they can function and grow?”

Marketing is fun — and so is leadership.

Malone had internships from her freshman year on; in 2019 she landed one at Principal, where a leader encouraged Malone to meet other teams and see how that connection between tech and business worked in practice. After graduation, she entered the Principal LDP, a three-year commitment with six- to nine-month rotations around the business.

“I’ve gotten to work in spaces I would have never thought to get into,” Malone says. The most fun and most surprising? Marketing. “I have no background in it, but tech is so wrapped around marketing. It opened my eyes.”

Malone flexed her leadership muscles—and found a new spark—during a rotation in Mexico where she was an agile scrum leader for a team of 12. “We had teams that had some disconnect and had to get them to work together to overcome their stuck points. To not only understand the tech but to be a people leader, I really enjoyed that,” she says. “I realized my career at Principal isn’t going to be limited to one area. It’s going to be thoughtful. There are areas and leaders willing to work with me to help figure out what I want. I’m tech driven but people passionate.”

How do you affect change?

Malone opted to stay in the Des Moines area immediately post-graduation, surrounded by a core group of friends from college. Last year, however, she moved back to Indianapolis; her dad had died, and her family was still in the city. “When I left for school, part of me felt like I was abandoning them when they were struggling—I’m one of the pillars of my family,” Malone says. 

And she feels obligated to try to affect change in her hometown. “I come from a community with a lot of challenges; it’s impoverished, it’s a food desert, and schools need help. But it’s shaped who I am, and I want the best for the people here,” she says. “How can I better my community? I have an education and work for a company that offers a number of resources, so how do I take what I’ve learned and bring it back to them?”

She’s not sure what shape those efforts will take, and no matter what, she wants to move back to Des Moines in a few years—this time, with her mom. It’s rare to know what career might be a good fit when you’re in elementary school, but Malone—who just finished an MBA with a focus in information systems and leadership to boot—really did. “To finally figure things out—I love that feeling,” Malone says. “To be able to create something that works is exciting.”

1Iowa State University

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2921921-062023 

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

This past May, Coach Michael Whitlow huddled his youth football organization together for a prayer, a routine they follow every practice. As the kids settled, Michael and his wife Maree were presented with an envelope that would change the Columbus ICE program forever. Maree choked back tears as she read aloud that the organization was just given $75,000 from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation as a part of their 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program.

Columbus ICE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth sports organization that serves under-resourced communities in Columbus, OH, with a mission to Inspire Children to Excellence (ICE). Founded by the Whitlows in 2009, Columbus ICE promotes health, education, attitude, recreation, and teamwork through sport. The program also focuses on academic excellence, conduct and accountability. Each day before practice the Whitlows provide their youth athletes with several resources to help them be their best, both on and off the field. Whether it’s providing an extra meal after school, transportation to and from practice, or help with homework and tutoring – the Whitlows do what they can to give back to a community that has become an important part of their family over the past 14 years.

“I can still remember our very first practice… it was us, our kids, a handful of coaches and their kids,” said Maree. “We weren’t sure anyone was going to show up but lo and behold, the cars started coming into the park… the people kept coming and coming… and today… we’re family.”

These family values are shown in the care that Michael, Maree and their staff provide the children, and through the support they give to the adults in each child’s life. ICE places a deep emphasis on family values and works to supply the adults’ opportunities to achieve their own form of excellence through career fairs, resume support and educational courses that focus on life skills like meal planning and budgeting.

Morgan Baughman, Senior Community Marketing Manager at DICK’S Sporting Goods has worked first-hand with ICE over the past six years and can personally attest to the life-changing work they do. She’s watched the organization grow from their humble beginnings as a one-team recreation center basketball squad full-fledged youth sports organization that now includes flag-football, cheer & dance, and track.

After years of supplying equipment and donations as needed, Morgan was present the day the grant was presented. “Michael and Maree are incredible, and I can’t think of a more deserving duo to provide this grant to. They have always been so humble and grateful and to see their hard work pay off in such a big way was amazing,” she said.

“This grant will do so much for our community,” said Michael. “Just knowing that we’re going to have access to change lives and continue to live our mission (Inspire Children to Excellence) is incredible.”

The 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program was launched in March in support of DICK’S Sports Change Lives campaign and in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary. The program was developed to provide 75 grants worth $75,000 each to under-resourced youth sports programs across the country.

To learn more and support the 75for75 Sports Matter Grant Program and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, visit www.sportsmatter.org.

Linking Mission to Strategy

We execute our mission through the lens of our ESG strategy. This guides how we view sustainability in our businesses and across our value chain.

OUR PILLARS AND GOALS

Our commitments to forest stewardship, the environment and the role of forests and wood products as a natural climate solution, Team Members and our communities, and to responsible governance can have a profound impact on our success in maximizing a range of values for our stakeholders. We recognize that these pillars are the foundation for our long-term success.

FORESTS

Sustainable and Healthy Forests: We are committed to healthy and sustainable forests through forest stewardship.

Goal:

Update our forest inventory regularly and maintain 100% Sustainable Forestry Initiative ® (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC) certification of our timberlands.Follow 100% best management practices.Apply the results of research to continually improve our forest management and resource conservation practices.

Clean Water: We are focused on protecting water-related ecosystems.

Goal:

Conserve and protect streams and water.

Biodiversity and Wildlife: Our forest stewardship commitments include the responsibility to conserve wildlife species and their habitats.

Goal:

Conserve wildlife, biodiversity and at-risk species through management practices and participation in the Wildlife Conservation Initiative.

Conservation: We recognize that some lands should be conserved as forestland in perpetuity.

Goal:

Pursue conservation outcomes.

PLANET

Environmental Footprint: We focus on responsible manufacturing and resource efficiency, emphasizing conservation and the use of renewable energy.

Goal:

Continue the goal of 100% compliance with environmental requirements and permitting.Reduce energy consumption at our manufacturing facilities by 10% by 2030.Achieve reusing, recycling, or repurposing 99% of what could have been waste from our operations by 2050.Utilize 95% biomass for thermal energy by 2050.

Carbon & Climate: We seek to maximize the benefits of working forests through providing solutions that help address the impacts of climate change.

Goal:

Disclose our net carbon removals and storage and GHG emissions.Reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 42% and work with our value chain to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% from a 2021 baseline by 2030.Partner with our electricity suppliers, resulting in a transition to renewable energy sources that supports our Scope 2 GHG emissions goal.Manage our timberlands to minimize fire risk and work collaboratively towards wildfire protection and response.Regularly analyze climate risks across our businesses.Support natural climate solutions policies and strategies and seek to grow carbon, wood products, solar, and forest bio-based market opportunities.

PEOPLE

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: We are committed to advancing, supporting, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where every employee feels like their ideas and unique perspectives are heard and valued.

Goal:

Double the representation of women and minorities in Wood Products leadership roles from 2022 levels by 2030.Partner with Native nations on environmental and community initiatives.

Hiring and Retention: We work to attract talent for our existing and future workforce.

Goal:

Support policies promoting the growth of skilled labor and collaborate with trade schools to create curriculums that actively support the development of our Team Members in skilled labor positions.Implement benefit strategies designed to ensure that all Team Members have equitable access to care.

Safety: Our Team Members are our greatest asset, and we focus on their health and safety without compromise.

Goal:

Achieve and maintain VPP or state equivalent status at all our wood products facilities by 2030.Achieve annual TCIR and DART metrics below our industry peers with demonstrated year-over-year improvement to build a safety culture that results in zero OSHA recordable incidents.

Training and Development: We are focused on building a highly skilled workforce.

Goal:

Foster the growth of employee resource groups, mentorships, allyships, and advocates who help deliver equitable career growth outcomes for all Team Members.

Community Engagement: We strive to support the communities where we work, live, and play.

Goal:

Provide charitable contributions that impact our local communities and encourage Team Members to volunteer.

PERFORMANCE

Governance: We are focused on economic contribution and operational excellence. Strong environmental, social, and governance practices, ESG transparency, and risk management are essential to delivering sustainable results.

Goal:

Aspire to achieve 40% diversity in Board representation by 2030.Uphold our Corporate Conduct and Ethics Code, train our employees on ethics and integrity, and promote business integrity across our value chain.Respect and promote human rights and uphold our Supplier Code of Conduct.Maintain Board and committee oversight of ESG, regularly report on ESG, continue to embed ESG in goals and decisions, and expand ESG training.Complete annual enterprise risk management process with 100% of management team, including identification, mitigation, ranking, and incorporating ESG risks.Advance effective cyber defense programs to protect information and systems.

Supply Chain: Responsible sourcing is a key component of our strategy.

Goal:

Work with our contractors and suppliers on advancing ESG metrics.Ensure that 100% of fiber sourced at wood products facilities is purchased from certified land or certified to another wood fiber standard.Actively participate in organizations that promote standards and building codes to support building with wood products.

View the full PotlatchDeltic 2022 ESG Report here. 

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “advance,” “aspire,” “goal,” “maintain,” “promote,” “seek,” “strive,” “support,” and similar expressions and references to achievement of objectives by a future date are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s views of future events based on estimates and assumptions and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, and are not guarantees of future conduct, results, or policies. Please view the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information on page 134 of PotlatchDeltic’s 2022 ESG Report.

This Men’s Health Week, Alkermes is shining a light on some of the unique health risks that may affect men related to mental health and excessive alcohol consumption.

 Drinking alcohol excessively may lead to significant risks to men’s health. Those risks increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. Men are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women in the past year. 

We encourage you to learn why men are less likely to seek help. Knowing why can help raise awareness, reduce stigmas, and encourage men to seek treatment.

 

June 15, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to announce our newest member, GOEX Corporation. As a third-generation, family-owned and operated company, GOEX is a leading manufacturer of custom plastic sheet and roll stock used in a wide variety of applications in Graphic Arts Printing, Medical Packaging, and Food Packaging industries.

“GOEX’s position in the healthcare packaging supply chain, along with their readiness to incorporate advanced recycled material in their manufacturing operations, is well-aligned with HPRC’s aspirations for a circular healthcare plastics value chain,” said Peylina Chu, Director of HPRC. “We are thrilled to welcome GOEX as a member and look forward to collaborating with them on current and future HPRC initiatives.”

In alignment with HPRC, GOEX believes in a multi-solution approach to sustainability and that advanced recycling will work alongside mechanical recycling to increase recycling rates and bring great value to the plastics industry. Additionally, GOEX has proactively certified both of its manufacturing sites to ISCC standards, which will allow them to manufacture advanced recycled products, utilizing the mass balance approach.

“At GOEX, our operating philosophy is built on the principles of quality, innovation, and sustainability,” shared Amanda Cunningham, Director of Sales at GOEX. “Our mission is to consistently produce high-quality products while promoting the circular economy and improving the social, environmental, and economic well-being of our employees, stakeholders, and community. We look forward to collaborating with and learning from fellow HPRC members to further this mission.”

HPRC is currently engaged in multiple initiatives aimed at enabling the recycling and circularity of healthcare plastics, including research into advanced recycling technologies to recycle mixed-stream healthcare plastics; a study of reverse logistics processes for collecting, segregating, and preparing healthcare plastic waste for transport; and design guidance to improve the recyclability of medical packaging and products. 

About HPRC 

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. Made up of brand-leading and globally recognized members, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling. HPRC is active across the United States and Europe working with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org and follow HPRC on LinkedIn.

About GOEX 

GOEX Corporation is the industry leader in extruding quality custom rigid plastic sheet and roll stock products. GOEX maintains ISO 9001:2015, FSSC22000, and IMS certified QMS in both Janesville, WI and Cedar City, UT that provide customers with quality extruded plastic products specifically designed to meet the demands of their particular marketplace. To learn more contact Jay Jensen, V.P. Sales and Marketing at (608)373-7426 or visit www.goex.com.

Energized by Edison

By Casey Wian ENERGIZED by Edison Writer

When Max Peng, a senior at Whitney High School in Cerritos, California, was a child making frequent trips from Southern California to his ancestral agricultural village in Hualien, Taiwan, he noticed something about his grandparents’ rice paddies. They needed a lot of water, a resource he knew was becoming scarce. He also learned in school that growing rice this way produces large amounts of greenhouse gases.

So, Max vowed to do something about it.

“I’m really interested in biology and its intersections with technology and society,” Peng said. “After college, I hope to work in research and help develop ways to grow rice that reduce water waste and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Peng plans to study environmental science and computer science at Harvard this fall and work toward “creating the foods of the future” after college.

In a surprise ceremony during a recent Whitney High artificial intelligence class, Maria Rigatti, Edison International executive vice president and chief financial officer, presented Peng with a $50,000 Edison scholarship, awarded to 30 outstanding students each year who have a financial need and plan to pursue a college degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) subjects.

“These kids who get these scholarships, they are going to be the future. They study STEM,” Rigatti said. “It’s what our business is built on, it’s what California is built on and it’s the best thing that we can do.”

An Edison Scholarship “means the world to me,” Peng said. “It really helps propel me to the finish line in terms of being able to afford college and continuing to make a positive impact on my community.”

Valerie Diaz, Peng’s guidance counselor at Whitney High, said helping others is second nature to Peng, whether it be a younger student preparing for a science competition or working with teachers in the classroom.

“Max has always been a really caring student. He does things he is genuinely passionate about, not just so it can be on his resume. I think that’s what sets him apart,” Diaz said.

“I’m very happy for my son,” said Maggie Peng, Max’s mother. “I appreciate that he had the chance to show that he is very hard-working. I feel lucky!”

So does Max. As he was awarded the scholarship in front of classmates, teachers and faculty, he made it a point to thank his family, who he says have always supported his academic pursuits.

“They’ve been with me all the way, and I hope to be able to help them in the future as well.”

Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, is one of the largest corporate philanthropic contributors in Southern California. The Edison Scholars Program is funded entirely by Edison International shareholders.

SCE will host a reception to celebrate Peng and all the 2023 Edison Scholars at the company’s Rosemead headquarters on May 5. To learn more about Peng and the Edison Scholars, visit the Edison Scholars 2023 Spotlight Page.

PHOTO CREDIT: ERNESTO SANCHEZ

VIDEO CREDIT: JOSEPH FOULK AND ERNESTO SANCHEZ

Paddy Balfour, Executive Director – APAC, was recently interviewed by The Asset to discuss the current talent squeeze affecting sustainable finance and ESG-related roles, and where the current opportunities and constraints are being felt.

In the interview, Paddy discusses the demand across sectors of sustainable finance, hiring requirements, as well as advice for candidates with aspirations of building a long career in the ESG sector.

“Candidates should strive to think long-term. While one would expect it to be intuitive for sustainability professionals to understand the long-term implications of decisions made today, we continue to see individuals making career decisions driven by short-term financial motivations.”

To read the full article, please click here.

Original Source: The Asset | Written by Tom King | Published 18.04.2

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

In December 2022, I traveled to Sri Lanka for the first time to visit Whole Planet Foundation’s microfinance partner there, Berendina Micro Investment Company (BMIC). Although I have traveled to many different countries in the same region in my role as the Asia Pacific Program Manager, the Sri Lanka trip will always remain as one of my most memorable ones.

BMIC first opened its doors in 2007 with the objective of uplifting the living standards of underprivileged segments in the population of Sri Lanka by enhancing the access to microfinance, Enterprise Development Services (EDS) and micro-savings. BMIC is the first microfinance company in Sri Lanka, having received the microfinance license from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 2019. BMIC serves over 70,000 clients with a portfolio value of UDS $10.8 Million in 11 high poverty districts in Sri Lanka through 30 branches. BMIC has been in partnership with Whole Planet Foundation since 2015 to reduce poverty of low-income entrepreneurs in the project areas. BMIC follows the triple bottom line approach of people, planet, and profit and contributes to the Sri Lankan economy by providing both financial and non-financial services to enhance the income generation activities of the economically active low-income people and build their useful assets.

Sri Lanka is at a critical moment in its history. In 2021, the Sri Lankan government declared a state of economic emergency. Years of political mismanagement, the falling of the national currency exchange rate, inflation rising, and pandemic restrictions in tourism all led to an economic collapse. In 2022, the situation worsened, and people started to face day-to-day challenges such as power cuts of up to 10 hours per day1, shortage of fuel, and extremely inflated food prices with food inflation increasing to 95%2. Businesses started to shut down and people started to lose their jobs, leading to high unemployment, and increasing poverty rates.

Despite being one of the largest and licensed microfinance institutions (MFI) in Sri Lanka, BMIC too went through a very difficult time during the crisis. More than 45 percent of their portfolio was at risk. As the majority of BMIC’s clients work in agriculture, and as fertilizer imports were restricted by the government, the majority of BMIC’s clients could not repay back their loans. Additionally, due to fuel shortages, a large portion of clients had to shut down their businesses. These challenges not only made it difficult for BMIC to operate but hundreds of MFIs closed their doors permanently. However, what I really appreciated was how resilient the people of Sri Lanka are. With external financial support and intervention from India, China, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Sri Lanka is now finally in recovery mode and Sri Lankan residents are eager to bounce back.

When I visited in December 2022, the country was just starting to open its doors again to tourism. Everyone I met, starting from the immigration officer to the BMIC field staff, was extremely positive. They were excited that foreigners were visiting Sri Lanka again. My 4.5-day visit with BMIC from the bustling city of Colombo to scenic hilly tea gardens in Kothmale and Nuwara Elia provided me with a great overview of the present context in Sri Lanka, especially in the microfinance world.

Meet BMIC client, Widya for instance. Widya has been a member of BMIC’s Kothmale branch since 2012. She first learned about BMIC’s microlending program at a community gathering where BMIC had arranged an awareness program. Initially, Widya took a housing loan and after a few years she decided to take subsequent loans to help her with her business. At first, she invested her loans into mushroom production but that didn’t go well. Later, she decided to invest in buying fertilizers to plant Anthurium flowers. She started with 80 plants and grew it to more than 200 plants. She sells the flowers to a floral export company called Sunita Florals.

During COVID-19 and the economic crisis, Widya faced a lot of challenges as there was a shortage of fertilizers in the market. However, she appreciates her membership with BMIC, their flexibility, and the confidence they have in her business. Widya also mentioned that BMIC’s business development and technical training helped her grow her business. Now that the country is in recovery mode, the Anthurium business is helping her generate about USD $110 per month which is very helpful for her and her family of seven – her parents, her husband, and her three children.

Most people that I met in Sri Lanka had the same attitude. From the field officers to the senior management of BMIC, everyone is grateful for what they have and is confident that the situation will slowly improve. One of the field officers mentioned that during the crisis, he had a difficult time collecting repayments but with consistent follow-up, guidance, and encouragement, clients managed to stay with the program. BMIC’s portfolio at risk percentage decreased from 48% in September 2021 to 6.22% in December 2022. Similarly, the BMIC management shared that this is the time when their services are most needed, and they are doing everything in their power to expand their work and reach vulnerable communities across the country. The positivity, resilience and the hospitality of our Sri Lankan colleagues are what made my trip so memorable, and I know that I will definitely return again.

1 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/10-hour-power-cuts-in-sri-lanka-as-crisis-worsens/articleshow/90532782.cms?from=mdr 

2 https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/news/ccpi-based-inflation-in-october-2022 

Learn more at wholeplanetfoundation.org. 

At Covia, we understand the importance of maintaining high standards of corporate transparency, even as a privately held company. We are dedicated to fostering a transparent culture and going beyond what is required of us to maintain trust and credibility among our stakeholders. Our corporate transparency targets support our ongoing efforts to drive accountability throughout the organization, therefore, in 2022 we submitted our letter of intent to the UN Global Compact and are proud to be a signatory of the Compact, effective September 27th, 2022.

Natalie Eglinton, Director, ESG stated “Covia is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the largest international initiative that aims to support companies in their ESG journeys. By joining the Global Compact, Covia is reiterating its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs).”

We evaluated 17 UN SDGs and identified 11 for which we believe we can have a direct impact and that align with our Goals that Inspire. This demonstrates our thoughtful, stakeholder-driven approach to developing and working toward our ESG aspirations. We look forward to enhancing our efforts and disclosures around these important commitments. For more information, visit: https://www.coviacorp.com/media/f5khkcus/2022-esg-report-eng.pdf

We feel this membership aligns with Covia’s vision to make a positive difference in the world. Through this commitment, Covia will continue to pursue and deepen its actions to promote our ESG Strategy and commitment to human rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption.

Originally published on 3M News Center

Pride Month is a global celebration dedicated to honor the progress made in the fight for equality in the LGBTQI+ community. It serves as a platform to promote visibility, advocacy, acceptance and the ongoing pursuit of social justice for all sexual orientations and gender identities.

To celebrate June as Pride Month, 3M locations around the world recently raised the LGBTQ+ Pride flag.

Raising the Pride flag is one of the ways of showing 3M’s commitment to promoting an inclusive working environment for our employees.

This year 3M is a sponsor of the march and parade during the Twin Cities Pride Festival, June 23-25 in Minneapolis. On Sunday, June 25, the march and parade will start at 3rd Street and Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis and proceed to Loring Park.

“3M Pride has really elevated its presence this year,” said Jaipal Sachdev, the chair of 3M’s Pride Employee Resource Network who is based in the UK. “It’s such a privilege to be the first 3M Pride leader to be based outside of the U.S. It helps us to focus Pride on our international chapters as well. We are growing and it’s the best feeling in the world.”

3M has a long-standing commitment to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering a respectful work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and promoting individuals based on their merits, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizen status, status with regards to public assistance, compensation disclosure or discussion, or any other protected classification.

For the last eleven years, 3M has scored 100% on the Corporate Equality Index.

3M’s Pride Employee Resource Network began meeting 35 years ago and today has expanded to 85 chapters around the world. The 3M Pride network continues to provide support a community where LGBTQI+ employees are seen and celebrated for who they are.