Tag: 3BL

Episode 9 ends Source De[Code] host Ben Coffin’s investigation into Big Data. While I am a self-professed data junkie and love diving in to see what nuggets of insight I can mine from raw files, I have never really truly considered how that data is aggregated or the specifics of why I find it so useful. Episode 9 guest Toby Marsden was able to put names to many aspects of what I loved so much about data. When I am trying to make sense of a new topic or, as in this case, am trying to process additional details about a topic I am familiar with, my mind always tries to find a more relatable comparison from a subject area I am intimately familiar with. For this conversation between Ben and Toby, my mind kept returning to painting. Even the title of this episode, “How to Put Big Data to Use”, recalls the excitement that must come when an art student moves from theory to standing in front of their own blank canvas.

The previous two episodes in Source De[Code] ‘s delve into big data looked at the theory. They explored in some depth what big data is, how it is used, and why it’s so useful. Now, Ben and Toby put these elements into practice by looking at the practical methods by which big data is aggregated and used to improve efficiency in product development and optimization. There are as many methods for painting a masterpiece as there are artistic styles, but each of these is rooted in shared guiding principles. The elements of composition—line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space—are the fixed compass points that guide both the post-modernists and the Renaissance masters. The way these schools refer to these elements and how they use them might differ, but they remain.

The same holds true in the software space. Over the years, there have been numerous software delivery methods, but, like artistic schools, everything comes back to the basic principles that guide both production and quality. On their own, each stroke of paint is meaningless, but together, those broad and short strokes dipped in pigments come together to form an image. Similarly, siloed data points are meaningless until they are connected across channels. When they combine, they create a unified picture that gives you valuable context that transforms into intelligence that augments decision-making and results in meaningful improvements to development lifecycles, product quality, and customer experience.

Bringing a Masterpiece to Life Begins with Materials

For me, stretching a new canvas and laying out my graphite pencils, oils, fresh brushes, and mediums is almost a religious experience. I lay everything out before me and see nothing but raw potential. When I stand in front of the easel, even before a single mark mars its pristine surface, I am planning the steps necessary to transfer the image from my head to canvas. In the same way, corporate entities have immense amounts of raw data at their disposal aggregated from all touchpoints across their value chain. “Once you have your hands around that,” says Toby Marsden, “it’s how you aggregate it together.”

Your materials determine the path ahead. I paint in oils. This means that the timeline to complete a piece is much longer than if I paint with acrylics or watercolor. Oil painting techniques require layering thin and fat layers of paint onto the canvas to build out the composition, and each layer needs to be suitably dry before you can begin working on the next. My brushes can apply thick swaths of pigment or define intricate detail. The mediums I use can speed up drying time, add texture to layers, blend layers to establish ambiance, and more. I can wield these materials to charge the energy of the work with subtle brush strokes and muted shades or vibrant hues peppered in dynamic bursts. The way that I wield my brushes, paints, and elements of composition is determined by what I want to achieve. This helps me to select the right canvas size, the right brushes, and it narrows down the paints I will keep on hand.

Corporations can think of big data in the same way—with some marked complications. Data lakes are fed by springs sourced from touchpoints across the value stream that captures information from every event that takes a product from design to market. In these organizations, there are multiple teams working on individual components of the end product that are collecting data that is fed into the lake. You can think of each team as a unique data source that provides the materials—the paints, brushes, and canvas—that will ultimately become a work of art.

These sources are akin to the plethora of manufacturers that produce art supplies. Each brand gives their materials unique names or identifying codes, so the same brush or paint color can be called something different. Before I can begin planning my painting, I first need to find and organize my paints, brushes, and other materials. For enterprise big data, you start by “looking at how the data—the terminology—relates to each other,” says Toby, from there, you “map those different areas into a data structure that helps you spot changes and issues that are happening.”

The Elements of Composition

With materials organized, the next step is mapping out your canvas. There are as many methods for painting a masterpiece as there are artistic styles, but each of these is rooted in shared guiding principles. The elements of composition—line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space—are the fixed compass points that guide artistic expression; and while you will not be able to identify them when they are employed, their absence is always obvious. Even as every new painting is an ode to the artist’s evolution, the elements of composition will be adhered to. Habitual observance of these elements influences the creative process and the overall impact of the finished work. As well, they can help an artist put a name to compositional elements of a work that are weak. Through this exercise, you learn from past mistakes and adapt your process as you find better techniques– all of which culminate in more polished, powerful works of art.

Toby and Ben talk extensively about the importance of strong principles of governance around enterprise data architecture. Like the elements of composition, good data architecture governance is critical for understanding and effectively managing the complexities of technology changes, evolving regulations, and issues arising in the production process at the enterprise level. Good governance preserves production momentum by harmonizing cross-functional efforts by creating a global view down to the project and team levels. Each data source maps the ebbs, flows, and bottlenecks occurring in their facet of the product lifecycles giving other teams visibility of bottlenecks and potential breakdowns. Like artistic observance of the elements of composition, adherence to governance principles at an organizational level augments the quality of each individual team’s contributions and ultimately results in better-performing products brought to market faster for more loyal customers.

The Making of Meaning

Heraclitus once said, “you never step in the same river twice”. Water references abound in the world of big data; descriptors like lake, stream, waterfall, and flow speak to the same fluid and ever-shifting sands of the river referenced by Heraclitus. Change ebbs and flows around us and alters the world around us. Big data allows us to observe the subtle changes and react with urgency to the floods that breach the riverbanks, then assess the damage and prevent it from happening again. Host Ben Coffin explains that big data gives us the ability to “look out over what would otherwise be an incomprehensible amount of data and be able to pull from that some level of unnoticeable intelligence and call the human eyes’ attention to it”.

I only notice the shifts in my own artistic style when I look back on the complete body of work I’ve created to this point. I can reflect back and make assumptions about what events helped to shape those changes outside of my own creative growth. Trends and patterns in the themes and compositional choices I’ve made when I look back over time. However, self-analysis is not the most important aspect of art. Art’s true value is in the meaning it brings to the viewer, and that meaning changes and evolves with every encounter a viewer has with a favorite work.

Interpreting big data is similar to artistic expression and experience in this. Enterprise data documents the experience of those involved in the product lifecycle. The way that data is interpreted to improve the workflows that optimize product performance is only one aspect of its value. The other side of the coin is how it tracks to the end-user experience. “What customers will see is regular innovation,” says Toby. “When they see regular innovation, they tend to stick with products and brands more.” Unless you are using the massive amounts of data you are capturing to derive insights and make meaning, its value is sequestered in the realm of potential.

About the Guest: Toby Marsden

Toby has over 25 years’ experience of understanding client needs, proposing solutions, and helping customers achieve their goals through successful implementations. He has worked across sales, marketing, and professional services roles for multinational software companies and start-ups. For the last 15 years, Toby has been focused on helping customers manage complex software delivery challenges by adopting automated delivery practices across the application lifecycle. He is currently part of Eggplant’s management team, which become part of the Keysight family in 2020 and provides AI Assisted Intelligent Test Automation. He is currently on a mission to is to develop a 1st class partner ecosystem that creates increased value to Keysight’s customers.

What was the ‘aha’ moment that started you down your path or influenced your journey to where you are now?

I joined HP Software in 2008 as a Solution Sales Director, my role was to provide specialised knowledge, help customers adopt new capabilities and mature their use of HP products. After a few years my role expanded to a global one, which gave me access to a vast customer base with lots of systems and untapped data. I realised to be truly agile and utilise automated principals effectively you need to use data as a weapon

If you hadn’t chosen your current profession, what would you have pursued instead? Why?

If I hadn’t injured my ACL and medial ligaments at 16, probably playing Professional Rugby

Where can we find you when you’re not innovating the future of technology?

Coaching my son’s football team or watching my daughter in show jumping & dressage competitions

Listen to Source De[Code]

You can listen to this and all episodes of Source De[Code] on your favorite streaming apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music. To learn more about the show, its host and guests, or to tap additional resources that take you deeper into the trending technologies discussed on the show, visit Source De[Code] online. Subscribe to the Source De[Code] mailing list to get podcast updates, resources, and to be notified of new episodes.

This Earth Month, Yum! reflected back on some recent wins and looking ahead to accomplishing its goals.

For 13 years, Yum! has reported to CDP, a global organization that runs a leading disclosure system with a focus on the planet, and in the company’s most recent CDP disclosures it was awarded an A- in Water Security and a B in all other categories. In 2022, Yum! was named to 3BL Media’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list and made the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America, marking its sixth consecutive year on the list that ranks companies based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. In addition, Yum! was ranked on Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023.

Yum! and its brands are also working on a variety of projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which have resulted in a decrease of approximately 20% in franchisee restaurants since 2019. In the U.S., Pizza Hut is doing its part by partnering with the Dairy Farmers of America and suppliers on a joint project to provide participating farmers with a cup that assesses their cows’ feed to efficiently produce dairy with less waste. Taco Bell is building partnerships with electric vehicle charging companies to install charging stations across the U.S. at its restaurants. Meanwhile, the KFC Global development team has been crafting Green Line Furniture, which aims to have a lower impact on the environment and will be incorporated into new restaurants and extensive remodels across multiple markets beginning this year.

Employees are getting involved, too. In California, Taco Bell’s Business Employee Resource Group – aptly named Purple Planet – offered a sustainability-related activity every week in April, including a composting workshop and a tour of their local waste facility. At KFC, the brand’s global division recently hired Nira Johri as its first chief sustainability officer. She will lead KFC’s ESG initiatives, including the implementation of Yum!’s new packaging policy, which places an emphasis on the elimination of unnecessary packaging, a shift to more sustainable materials and support of better recycling systems and reusable products.

Going forward, Yum! will continue its focus on climate and packaging as it marches toward its science-based targets to reduce emissions by nearly 50% by 2030 and have all consumer-facing plastic packaging be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Yum!’s holistic approach to environmental issues also addresses deforestation, sustainable sourcing, water and waste. For example, Yum! endorsed the New York Declaration on Forests and the private-sector goal of eliminating deforestation from the production of agriculture commodities such as palm oil, soy, paper and beef products no later than 2020. In addition, this effort strives to end natural forest loss by 2030. Yum! also has a goal to reduce average restaurant water consumption by 10%, from its 2017 baseline, by the end of 2025.

With the aforementioned initiatives and more to come, Yum! is reinforcing its long-term commitment to the responsible stewardship of the planet in line with its Good Growth strategy.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 9, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Family-owned spirits company Bacardi has a new Master of Botanicals for its world-famous BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin and MARTINI® vermouth brands, as it announces the promotion of Alessandro Garneri to the prestigious role. Alessandro takes the reins from industry-legend, Ivano Tonutti, who will retire this year following an incredible career at Bacardi spanning more than 33 years.

An expert agronomist, Alessandro has been part of the Bacardi team for more than 17 years. He has headed up the company’s Global Botanicals Center in Geneva since 2017, taking a leading role in installing cutting-edge technology at the plant, as well as pushing boundaries on sustainable sourcing and the latest product innovations in the Bacardi portfolio of premium spirits. 

“Alessandro is the perfect example of our focus on nurturing talent and growing careers at Bacardi,” says Dave Ingram, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Bacardi Limited. “After training for years for this role, he has everything it takes to be an incredible Master of Botanicals who will continue to lead the industry in sustainable sourcing of ingredients.”

In his new role, Alessandro is responsible for overseeing the field-to-bottle journey of every botanical used to craft MARTINI and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, as well as for ST-GERMAIN® Elderflower liqueur, NOILLY PRAT® vermouth and BÉNÉDECTINE® liqueur – ensuring the consistent quality and flavor of each. All of this in a milestone year for MARTINI, as the brand celebrates its 160th anniversary.

“It’s an honor to become the Master of Botanicals for such iconic and well-loved brands,” comments Alessandro Garneri. “I have been passionate about science, the natural world and technology for as long as I can remember, and I feel privileged to be able to pursue those passions through my work. As a family-owned company, Bacardi does the right thing when it comes to sourcing and I’m excited to continue that legacy, creating a blueprint for others in the industry to follow.” 

For more than six years, Alessandro has trained under Ivano Tonutti, an industry expert who has shared his knowledge and experience on every element of the botanicals business to ensure a seamless transition.

Working closely with Anne Brock, Master Distiller for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Beppe Musso, Master Blender for MARTINI, Ivano’s work is behind the signature flavor of countless successful innovations for Bacardi, now enjoyed by consumers around the world – from super premium gin, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Premier Cru, to the pioneering MARTINI Non-Alcoholic aperitivo. 

Ivano and his team have spent decades building strong relationships with, and giving back to, the farmers and suppliers of the company’s botanicals – looking after their wellbeing and investing in sustainable farming practices to help protect the environment and their livelihoods for generations to come. 

Ivano has also overseen numerous landmark sustainability milestones for Bacardi. Last year the company announced 100% of the wineries for the entire MARTINI portfolio are certified sustainable, while BOMBAY SAPPHIRE became the first major gin brand to be made with 100% sustainably sourced botanicals.

Dave adds, “Ivano’s contribution to our business cannot be overstated. During his three decades with Bacardi, his expertise, energy and leadership have transformed the way we source, extract flavor from and ensure the quality of our beautiful botanicals. Everyone at Bacardi joins me in wishing Ivano a very happy and healthy retirement and in saying a huge thank you to him for his incredible impact on our business and the industry.” 

As he begins his retirement later this year, Ivano will continue to work closely with Bacardi as an expert advisor, supporting advocacy efforts and sharing his knowledge and expertise for the years to come. 

“I am immensely proud of the legacy I leave behind at Bacardi,” comments Ivano Tonutti, Master of Botanicals, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and MARTINI. “Every day of my 33-year career at Bacardi, I have been able to use my curiosity, my passion and my drive to protect the planet and to have a real impact on the way we source our ingredients and care for those who grow our botanicals. It’s been an incredible journey and I look forward to seeing Bacardi continue to take huge strides in this space in the years to come.”

Through its extensive Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) program, Good Spirited, Bacardi has set itself ambitious targets on sourcing, including a goal of sourcing 100% of its key ingredients from sustainably certified suppliers by 2025. Find out more about the sustainability commitments of Bacardi and its vision to become the most environmentally responsible global spirits company at https://www.bacardilimited.com/esg/.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held international spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, PATRÓN® tequila, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF® vodka. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Media enquiries: 

Phillippa Williams, Communications Director, Global Supply Chain for Bacardi, pholmes@bacardi.com

Always drink responsibly.

By Liz Peters

When HKS Chicago updated its office’s circadian light and air circulation systems, the assessment that followed went beyond ceilings and walls.

HKS embraced an integrated design process, leveraging workplace design, daylighting and the associated LED lighting systems and controls. They also adopted a displacement ventilation system that delivers air through diffusers, enabling them to improve indoor air quality, save on energy, address noise and enhance comfort. The team evaluated performance and impact of these enhancements. A triple-bottom-line analysis resulted in finding an estimated net present value of $4.6 million–advancing human health and performance while staying cost neutral.

On a recent IWBI webcast, Tommy Zakrzewski, Ph.D., Director of Building Engineering Physics, HKS Chicago, shared how they were able to take an integrated approach, with health at the forefront of their thinking, to drive a major return on investment. The HKS story echoes the webcast theme, Investing in Health Pays Back: The Growing Research Behind the Business Case for Healthy Buildings and Healthy Organizations. The webcast explored how research can be used to inform and strengthen the business case for investing in health.

For more insights, hear Tommy in his own words:

“…And what we discovered is that there is a nice payback with [installing a high-performing system that saves on energy], where we’re able to evaluate not only the economic benefit, the environmental, but also the social aspect.

“So we did a triple bottom line analysis of [those WELL concepts] and strategy to understand, ‘How does that affect our business case?’ And because we’re able to show a payback period within the lease time of our Chicago office, it became a standard prototype for all of our other offices going forward, where we don’t even have to go through the study again, saying, ‘Well, are we going to realize the benefit?’ We’ve already done the research that it does.

“And… in our research study that net-present value that we did on a triple bottom line was a valuation of $4.6 million dollars in our office space of 15,000 square feet. That is a tangible metric that not only do we use internally to change our enterprise organization in terms of how we evaluate real estate office space internally, but we share that data with developers, which is really fun, right?

“So, now we’re changing the game and leaning into the data and research that we have to show the economic values to developers to change the game on how they approach it. One single strategy really opened up our eyes in terms of the full economic value…”

Watch the webcast.

View original content here.

When you think of cultural anthropologists, do you picture them working for a food company?

It makes perfect sense once you meet Tanya Rodriguez of Hormel Foods. Tanya, whose official title is Senior Human Experience Research Manager, uses ethnography and storytelling to uncover diverse consumer insights. By identifying product pain points and uncovering consumer’s desires, she guides Hormel teams on renovating existing products or creating new ones to improve consumer food experiences. As a former social worker, Tanya is also a fierce advocate for food equity and food sovereignty.

We invited Tanya to speak about the nature of her role and how learning directly from consumers impacts Hormel’s food while ensuring products reflect equity and representation.

Listen for insights on how a cultural anthropologist:

Evokes understanding of and improves equity to lower-income consumersInspires product innovation that drives inclusionAdvocates for the emerging needs of consumers

To listen to this episode and others, visit Purpose 360 Podcast.

Originally published in Key’s 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance report

Making banking more inclusive to everyone is a critical aspect of how Key helps our clients and communities thrive – from the products and services we offer to the investments we make in our communities.

Our focus on inclusivity and economic, racial, and environmental equity guides Key’s social responsibility commitments. Through lending, investing, grants, and volunteerism, we participate in the growth, revitalization, and sustainability of the communities we proudly serve.

Our commitment to inclusive communities

Key’s commitment to inclusive communities is vast, encompassing a broad range of programs, initiatives, and collaborations. Every part of our business supports building our legacy as a responsible corporate citizen and engaged community member.

Our community investments bring access to capital for neighborhoods and neighbors who often face barriers to financial support. Our investments support affordable housing and community development projects nationwide; small business and home lending in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities; and philanthropic efforts targeted toward education, workforce development, and building safe, vital neighborhoods. In 2022, Key has invested more than $6 billion in the communities we serve, bringing our total lending and investments to nearly $33 billion since 2017.

To learn more about Key’s Financial Inclusion efforts, read the 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report here.

NEWARK, N.J., May 9, 2023, /3BL Media/ – Whole Cities Foundation, a nonprofit broadening community access to fresh food and nutrition education, announced today that 10 community-led nonprofit organizations have been awarded up to $20,000 each through the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant.

In 2017, Whole Cities Foundation started the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant program with the support of its founder Whole Foods Market to advance the city’s long-term healthy food access solutions and improve community health. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to 33 locally led organizations throughout Newark’s five wards and has provided financial backing for additional opportunities shaped by the goals and requests of its grant partners. Grantees have included community gardens, urban farms, farmers’ markets, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes, nutrition education programs, agriculture-skills development programs, and a SNAP incentive project.

“Powerful change can happen when different strengths and talents come together for a common goal, and that’s what is happening in Newark,” said Dianna Purcell, Director of Programs at Whole Cities Foundation. “A growing network of local gardeners, community leaders and innovators are making real pathways to create a healthy and sustainable local food system from the ground up. Whole Cities Foundation is grateful to play a supporting role through the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant program.”

This year, the following 10 Newark organizations were awarded grants averaging $19,450 each:

City Green, Inc., Clinton Hill Community Action, Ellen DeGeneres Urban Farm, Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc., Ironbound Community Corporation, Kids in Business, Newark Water Coalition, Rabbit Hole Farm Newark, Treehouse Ent & Cultural Arts Movement, Inc., and Urban League of Essex County.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Urban Farm produces fresh, organic food and helps to rebuild the local economy by bringing food directly to our local residents,” said Sandra Ragoo, Executive Director at The Ellen DeGeneres Urban Farm, a first-time grantee located on the campus of West Side High School in the West Ward. “Besides fresh, healthy food access, our urban farm impacts the local community by empowering students to have entrepreneurial mindsets, increasing upward economic mobility through job creation, and serving as a model for sustainable environmental practices.”

Whole Cities Foundation reviews applications in conjunction with the Newark Community Advisory Council, a panel of engaged Newark leaders. Grantees are determined by the sustainability of their projects and their alignment with the Foundation’s mission.

The 2023 Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grants paired with additional project funding totals $233,500. These grants launched an additional three-year, $780,000 commitment by the Foundation to continue advancing the local food system in partnership with the Newark community through 2025.

Similar to the program in Newark, Whole Cities Foundation previously supported deep community engagement through grants for healthy food access in four more cities: Detroit, Mich.; New Orleans, La.; Jackson, Miss.; and Greater Englewood, a neighborhood of Chicago, Ill. These commitments were in addition to the Foundation’s Community First Grant program, which has reached more than 128 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

For more information on Whole Cities Foundation’s Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant program, including a list of past grant partners, visit wholecitiesfoundation.org/grants/newark-nj. The next grant application window will open in early 2024.

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ABOUT WHOLE CITIES FOUNDATION 
Whole Cities Foundation works alongside community-based organizations to improve neighborhood health through collaborative partnerships, nutrition education, and broader access to fresh, healthy food. Founded by Whole Foods Market in 2014, the independent, nonprofit organization is based in Austin, Texas and has partnered with more than 250 community organizations in more than 130 cities across the U.S. to build thriving local food systems and improve health. Through vibrant grant programs, Whole Cities Foundation supports community gardens, urban farms, pop-up produce stands, agriculture skills development, farmers’ markets, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes and other community-directed initiatives. For more information on the Foundation and its programs, visit wholecitiesfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Cities Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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Media Contact:
Chanta Williams, Interim Executive Director
Whole Cities Foundation
Chanta.Williams@wholefoods.com
1.888.611.0081 

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Since 2007, the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF) has awarded global and regional humanitarian awards to five Herbalife Independent Distributors who embody the mission of our foundation. HNF is proud to have so many supporters who are dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities. Thank you for your commitment and generosity!

The following humanitarians were chosen based on their philanthropic activity, community leadership, volunteerism, and advocacy. Join us in honoring the 16th annual Global and Regional Humanitarians!

Trey & Mamie Herron – Global Humanitarians & North America Humanitarians

Trey and Mamie Herron have dedicated their lives to giving back to communities throughout North America, and they have inspired their network of Herbalife Independent distributors to do the same.

Trey and Mamie have created physical challenges to raise funds, such as the Extortion Memorial Run that raised over $10,000. Last year for virtual Honors – they led a team fundraiser to motivate their organization, helping gather over $125,000 for our Casa Herbalife Nutrition program, and even matching some of those funds themselves. The Herron’s also supported the American Cancer Society, coming in at #1 in Mississippi and #7 overall by raising over $66,000 for their Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Through their support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wounded Warriors and all the other organizations they contribute to, Trey and Mamie demonstrate that when you show up for others, your entire world can change.

Giving comes naturally to both Trey and Mamie and a passion for helping others is the reason why they are the 2023 Global Humanitarians.

Katherine Yiu & Felan Yu – Asia Pacific Humanitarians

Katherine Yiu and Felan Yu have been active contributors of their community and supporters of HNF for years. For Hong Kong’s 30th Anniversary Event hosted at a theme park, Katherine and Felan sponsored 100 families from a local Casa Herbalife to participate in the festivities. They also organized a 100k virtual run, and even personally matched donations.

Katherine and Felan, who were once educators before joining Herbalife, have donated to schools in rural mainland China to help renovate buildings and students’ facilities, and even volunteered as teachers. They also organized a blood drive with the Red Cross for their organization.

Katherine and Felan have continued to share their passion for giving back, and that’s why they are the Asia Pacific Humanitarians of the Year.

Adriano Allegretti – Europe, Middle East & Africa, and India Humanitarian

Adriano Allegretti has made it his mission to give back, all while instilling the same selfless values to the members of his organization.

Two years ago, Adriano started an online training called, “Motivation Mondays,” where over 300 distributors meet to discuss personal growth. All funds collected during the meetings are donated to HNF to support Casa Oz, a Casa Herbalife partner located in Italy, that serves children who are sick, as well as their families who need support.

Adriano’s commitment to being a servant leader has been contagious and his leadership has inspired others to give back in great ways.

Herlinda Quiroz & Juan Carlos Ruvalcaba – Mexico Humanitarians

After years of supporting HNF and the Casa Herbalife program, Herlinda Quiroz & Juan Carlos Ruvalcaba officially became sponsors of Casa Aldeas Infantiles SOS, an orphanage located in Mexico in 2020.

At every event, Herlinda and Juan Carlos are the first to teach other Herbalife independent distributors about the importance of donating to HNF. Over the holidays, they organized volunteer visits for Children’s Day and Christmas, delivering gifts and meals to children and families served through our Casa program in Mexico.

Their passion for making a difference truly has no limits and that’s why they’re the Mexico Humanitarians of the Year.

Sonia Sanabria Paniagua & Jaime Pérez – South & Central America Humanitarians

Sonia Sanabria Paniagua and Jaime are big givers who not only donate funds, but also give their time and resources to support those in need.

They regularly visit Fundación Arco Iris, an orphanage in Bolivia that helps provide children with food, shelter, and education, and frequently help coordinate activities for the children. When resources are short, they cover the rest, so the children don’t go without.

In fact, during the holidays, Sonia and Jamie Pérez organize a food drive and make sure that the children from Fundación Arco Iris have a proper Christmas dinner and celebrate together.

Sonia and Jamie spend their time helping most vulnerable and that’s why they are the South & Central America Humanitarians of the Year.

Congratulations to all of the HNF Humanitarians. Your support is impacting children and communities around the world!

View original content here.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and this year’s theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” Hear from two Boston Scientific employees about how their involvement in the Pacific East Asian Resources in Leadership (PEARL) employee resource group has enriched their work lives, and how their experiences as both mentor and mentee have helped shape their careers.

“I am truly accepted for who I am as a person” 

Born to Japanese and Chinese parents, Yixuan Yuki Ji possessed drive, ambition and a deep appreciation for culture and differing perspectives at a young age. This would lead her to excel professionally within multiple industries and across several continents, before eventually becoming a senior manager of Medical Affairs and Education at Boston Scientific.

As a young adult, Yixuan moved from Beijing to Germany with her parents. She worked in foreign affairs for a few years before she started working at a global automotive company. There, a mentor gave her some sage advice: “He told me to diversify my understanding as much as possible,” she says. “He stressed the value of learning many aspects of business — everything that happens from development to the product making its way into the hands of the customer.” So that is what she did, spending her early professional years in product distribution, marketing, sales and account management.

After marrying her husband, a U.S. Army veteran, Yixuan now lives in Houston, Texas. In her role at Boston Scientific, she partners with physicians to raise awareness of potentially life-saving treatments. She is also the global lead for the Pacific East Asian Resources in Leadership, or PEARL, employee resource group (ERG). “Through PEARL, I’ve had an opportunity to enhance my leadership skills and form lasting connections with others who share my Asian heritage, and the allies who support us,” she says.

Another major benefit has been the mentorship opportunities. “When I came to the company 12 years ago, I joined the formal mentoring program offered by EmpowHER, the ERG dedicated to the advancement of women,” says Yixuan. “It was such a positive experience and I formed so many invaluable relationships.” She now has three mentees she works with regularly. “Every conversation is an opportunity to learn on both sides,” she says, noting that mentorship is a two-way street.

In addition to the personal fulfillment she gains from coaching colleagues and helping patients live healthier lives, there is one other, key reason Yixuan stays at Boston Scientific: “Culture is everything,” she says. “When I officially became a citizen in 2017, my colleagues surprised me with a cake with a U.S. flag on it. This is one of many instances during my time here that I felt a strong sense of caring and belonging — that I am truly accepted for who I am as a person. It’s a special feeling.”

“It opened a door for me I didn’t know existed” 

Like Yixuan, Corporate Accounts manager Katie Liao took advantage of the learning opportunities that come with belonging to an ERG. She moved from Taiwan to the U.S. as a teenager, and her personal experiences adapting to a new culture and business environment inspired her to join PEARL as a way to support others who are facing similar challenges.

Katie came to Boston Scientific in 2004. “From the moment I arrived, I experienced the inclusive culture firsthand,” she says. “There is no sense of hierarchy here; we are not bound by title or division. I always received the support I needed from leadership to try something new.”

In addition to deepening her relationships with colleagues, PEARL helped Katie learn more about the business and career advancement opportunities. “I recently stepped into a Corporate Accounts role that touches many parts of the Boston Scientific portfolio, whereas previously I focused on one area” she says. “Hearing about how other divisions are helping patients from my colleagues in PEARL piqued my interest and compelled me to make this transition, and I couldn’t be happier in my decision. It opened a door for me I didn’t know existed.”

Similar to Yixuan, Katie is paying it forward with the mentorship she’s received. She works with several professionals through the company’s formal mentorship program, and is always willing to lend a listening ear to anyone who is seeking advice, whether career-related or personal.

Katie’s best piece of advice for those looking to advance at the company? “Be your own advocate, and don’t wait until your next role to do your best work,” she says.

She also stresses the importance of owning your career and finding mentors and sponsors across the company who will support your growth — a piece of advice she received from Mary Beth Moynihan, senior vice president of Market Access and Chief Marketing Officer. “I’ve been fortunate to have so many mentors, allies and sponsors who built ladders for my career at Boston Scientific,” says Katie. “They played such an important role in where I am today.”

Boston Scientific is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where all of our employees can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive personally and professionally. See our objectives and progress to date in our recently released 2022 Performance Report.

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Segment Snapshot

QSR/FOODSERVICE:

It’s all about balance. Operators have enhanced their menus with a mix of health-conscious and eco-friendly meat alternatives, alongside indulgent chicken sandwiches. They’re also finding ways to incorporate global flavors into chicken dishes.

PROTEIN PROCESSORS:

Plant-based “chicken” products are driving innovation as consumers seek more sustainable alternatives to poultry products. New flavors and formats are helping to meet demand for authentic chicken taste and texture in these meatless items.

SNACKING:

CPG brands are highlighting high protein and sustained energy claims in new chicken snacks, which target consumers’ dynamic lifestyles and varying dietary needs.

Around the world, demand for chicken continues to grow. In the US alone, chicken consumption has skyrocketed from 28 pounds per capita to 98 pounds a year (Mashed, 2022). So how can operators and manufacturers keep the category exciting and relevant? As meat prices rise and consumer dining habits change, finding ways to address health, flavor and sustainability with chicken innovation are key to making an impact.

Consider fried chicken, with food cultures all over the world presenting their own spin on this beloved dish. After the rise of Korean fried chicken, we expect to see Taiwanese popcorn chicken and fiery Indian chicken 65 as the next “hot” global varieties. Grocery retailers are staking their claim on the crispy chicken sandwich trend that started in QSR, expanding into grab-and-go sandwiches and meal kits that align with consumers’ need for convenience and variety, as spotted in the UK, South Africa and more.

From a nutrition standpoint, chicken benefits from its health halo and consumer desire to boost protein intake while watching cholesterol and fat (The National Provisioner, 2022). Many consumers surveyed in South America and the EU say they’re increasing chicken consumption while cutting back on red meat (Mintel, 2023). Still others are exploring plant-based alternatives made from yellow peas, mushroom root or chickpea flour. One plant-based US chain is finding success serving what they claim to be the ”best chicken sandwich on the market…[that] just so happens to be made of plants” (NRN, 2022). And in India, plant-based chicken is taking off as a “planet-friendly” solution to animal protein.

On the snacking side, chicken flavors are driving innovation in the chip category—especially in Colombia and the US. We’re also seeing chicken skins being used to deliver the texture of traditional potato chips, without the carbs. Chicken bars, bites and jerky are found on retail shelves across Europe and South America, and this category is starting to gain more traction in North America, too. In China, almost half of consumers eat meat-based snacks weekly (Mintel, 2023), and a range of preparation techniques are used to create chicken snacks in that market, as well as in Thailand and Japan.

Chicken Goes Meatless

Watch Chef Ryan Flick create AP “Pollo Asado” with textured wheat protein, soy bean curd and Griffith Foods Alternative Protein Chicken Seasoning and Binder. He’ll also demonstrate how to use Griffith Foods Pollo Asado Chipotle Adobo Flavour Glaze to add a savory crisp to the “skin” during the cooking process.

Create And Innovate

Cuban Grilled Chicken Sandwich

This bold and flavorful sandwich pulls inspiration from the classic Cubano but takes it in a brand-new direction. Marinate chicken in a zesty mojo sauce, grill, and serve on crusty French bread with jalapeño mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, crunchy beetroot chips and habanero orange sauce.

Featuring Griffith Foods Cuban Mojo Sauce Seasoning and Marinade, Custom Culinary® Habanero Orange Sauce and Custom Culinary® Jalapeño Relish

READY TO GET CREATIVE WITH CHICKEN?

Seasonings and sauces from Griffith Foods and Custom Culinary® deliver mouthwatering flavor and texture that elevate and differentiate your chicken offerings. And we’re proud of the exceptional ingredients that go into these products. Chilis, oregano and sage—all of which pair perfectly with chicken—are cultivated through our strategic sourcing program, Griffith Sustainably Sourced (GSS). GSS creates farm-level integration of our supply chain to increase the amount of raw materials sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms, improve the well-being of farmers and enable farm-to-table traceability. It’s all about creating shared value for our customers, our partners and the environment.

Seasonings

From marinades to topical rubs, our unique blends enhance flavor, functionality, appearance and aromatics for any chicken dish or product offering.

Massaman Curry Rub and Sauce SeasoningSicilian Lemon and Oregano Topical SeasoningYakitori Marinade

Sauces and Dressings

Always crafted with a chef-driven approach, our sauces and condiments bring global flavor inspiration to poultry and alternative protein offerings.

Vietnamese Dipping SauceKorean Bibimbap SauceGarlic and Black Pepper Oil Glaze

Textures and Coatings

Our value-added coating systems help your chicken and plant-based products stand out in terms of appearance and mouthfeel.

Waffle Cone Breading SystemKorean Ramen Coating SystemBrazilian Moqueca-Style Coconut Breader

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL:

Contact your Griffith Foods representative to learn how these exciting, versatile products can enhance your chicken and alternative protein options.

Chef Tip: “Looking for the secret to signature chicken? Start by brining your chicken, then briefly poach and quickly chill in ice water to tighten the skin. Pat the chicken dry, lightly season and roast at a high temperature for the ultimate roasted chicken—perfectly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat that will keep customers coming back for more.”

–Chef Mark Serice, Vice President Global Culinary, Griffith Foods

Looking Forward: What’s next for the chicken category?

NEW TECHNOLOGY:

On the plant-based protein side, techniques such as cell cultivation may help to break through a crowded innovation landscape. As a whole, the chicken industry will need to increase communication surrounding responsible agricultural methods and animal welfare claims.

NEW FORMATS:

Chicken snacks will evolve beyond crisps and jerky. By leaning further into upcycling processes, parts of the chicken that may normally go to waste can be used to create snacks that meet the demands of environmentally conscious consumers.

NEW INTERPRETATIONS:

Traditional chicken dishes will continue to be reinvented for today’s menus. Operators can highlight the inherent versatility of chicken while expanding consumers’ palettes with globally inspired recipes.

© 2023 Griffith Foods. All rights reserved.

Sources:
Jennifer Mathews, “The Surprising History Of Korean Fried Chicken’s Journey Into The Mainstream,” Mashed, September 6, 2022.
Mark Hamstra, “Project Pollo seeks to break new ground in plant-based QSR,” Nation’s Restaurant News, August 31, 2022.
Mintel, 2023 FlavorIQ® Food and Flavor Outlook Report, January 2023.
Richard Mitchell, “2022 Poultry Report: The chicken craze continues,” The National Provisioner, January 20, 2022.

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