Tag: 3BL

Across the Caribbean, a quiet shift is underway. As global trade becomes more regionalized and supply chains more selective, countries are rethinking how they compete – not just as investment destinations, but as reliable participants in global trade.

At the center of this shift is logistics.

Recent analysis from the DP World Effect: Dominican Republic study highlights a growing reality: export competitiveness is no longer driven primarily by incentives. It depends on whether goods can move efficiently, predictably, and at scale.

From Constraint to Competitive Advantage

For decades, many Caribbean economies faced a common challenge: not a lack of production potential, but difficulty connecting that production to global markets.

High transport costs, fragmented shipping routes, and limited service frequency created uncertainty, making it harder for businesses to participate in global value chains. As those barriers begin to ease, the opportunity is not just incremental growth. It is structural.

Efficient logistics systems reduce risk, improve reliability, and shorten time to market. In a nearshoring environment where consistency matters as much as proximity, these factors are becoming decisive.

The Rise of Integrated Trade Ecosystems

What is changing now is not just infrastructure, but how it is used.

Ports, logistics services, and industrial zones are increasingly operating as integrated ecosystems rather than standalone assets. This reduces friction across the supply chain and enables a broader range of companies – including small and mid-sized manufacturers – to participate in export activity.

In the Dominican Republic, this model is already taking shape, helping position the country as a more reliable and scalable node in global trade networks. DP World’s integrated port and logistics operations at Caucedo underscore this shift.

Sustainability Is Now Part of the Logistics Equation

As logistics becomes central to economic growth, expectations are also evolving.

Today, competitiveness is not defined solely by cost and speed, it is increasingly shaped by sustainability performance. Global shippers and investors are paying closer attention to how goods move, not just how quickly.

In the Dominican Republic, DP World’s operations illustrate how this shift is playing out in practice, combining operational efficiency with measurable environmental and social impact.

Key initiatives include:

• Electrifying port operations through electric internal transfer vehicles and charging infrastructure
• Generating renewable energy on site through a photovoltaic solar plant
• Advancing mangrove restoration and watershed protection to support climate resilience
• Delivering workforce development, youth training, and micro-entrepreneurship programs

These efforts – along with national recognition for sustainable investment and responsible infrastructure – demonstrate how logistics platforms can deliver both economic performance and long-term sustainability outcomes.

A Regional Inflection Point

The implications extend across the Caribbean.

As nearshoring reshapes global production networks, companies are becoming more selective about where they invest. Proximity alone is no longer enough: locations must offer reliable logistics, integrated infrastructure, and credible progress on sustainability.

For the region, this creates a clear opportunity: to position logistics not just as infrastructure, but as a strategic asset that enables both economic growth and sustainable development.

The Bottom Line

The future of export-led growth in the Caribbean will be determined by logistics capability.

Where systems are connected, efficient, and sustainable, trade can scale. Where they are not, growth will remain constrained regardless of incentives.

As global trade continues to evolve, the countries that invest in resilient, lower-carbon logistics systems will be best positioned to convert nearshoring momentum into long-term, inclusive growth.

Learn more about DP World’s impact in the Dominican Republic

Across the Caribbean, a quiet shift is underway. As global trade becomes more regionalized and supply chains more selective, countries are rethinking how they compete – not just as investment destinations, but as reliable participants in global trade.

At the center of this shift is logistics.

Recent analysis from the DP World Effect: Dominican Republic study highlights a growing reality: export competitiveness is no longer driven primarily by incentives. It depends on whether goods can move efficiently, predictably, and at scale.

From Constraint to Competitive Advantage

For decades, many Caribbean economies faced a common challenge: not a lack of production potential, but difficulty connecting that production to global markets.

High transport costs, fragmented shipping routes, and limited service frequency created uncertainty, making it harder for businesses to participate in global value chains. As those barriers begin to ease, the opportunity is not just incremental growth. It is structural.

Efficient logistics systems reduce risk, improve reliability, and shorten time to market. In a nearshoring environment where consistency matters as much as proximity, these factors are becoming decisive.

The Rise of Integrated Trade Ecosystems

What is changing now is not just infrastructure, but how it is used.

Ports, logistics services, and industrial zones are increasingly operating as integrated ecosystems rather than standalone assets. This reduces friction across the supply chain and enables a broader range of companies – including small and mid-sized manufacturers – to participate in export activity.

In the Dominican Republic, this model is already taking shape, helping position the country as a more reliable and scalable node in global trade networks. DP World’s integrated port and logistics operations at Caucedo underscore this shift.

Sustainability Is Now Part of the Logistics Equation

As logistics becomes central to economic growth, expectations are also evolving.

Today, competitiveness is not defined solely by cost and speed, it is increasingly shaped by sustainability performance. Global shippers and investors are paying closer attention to how goods move, not just how quickly.

In the Dominican Republic, DP World’s operations illustrate how this shift is playing out in practice, combining operational efficiency with measurable environmental and social impact.

Key initiatives include:

• Electrifying port operations through electric internal transfer vehicles and charging infrastructure
• Generating renewable energy on site through a photovoltaic solar plant
• Advancing mangrove restoration and watershed protection to support climate resilience
• Delivering workforce development, youth training, and micro-entrepreneurship programs

These efforts – along with national recognition for sustainable investment and responsible infrastructure – demonstrate how logistics platforms can deliver both economic performance and long-term sustainability outcomes.

A Regional Inflection Point

The implications extend across the Caribbean.

As nearshoring reshapes global production networks, companies are becoming more selective about where they invest. Proximity alone is no longer enough: locations must offer reliable logistics, integrated infrastructure, and credible progress on sustainability.

For the region, this creates a clear opportunity: to position logistics not just as infrastructure, but as a strategic asset that enables both economic growth and sustainable development.

The Bottom Line

The future of export-led growth in the Caribbean will be determined by logistics capability.

Where systems are connected, efficient, and sustainable, trade can scale. Where they are not, growth will remain constrained regardless of incentives.

As global trade continues to evolve, the countries that invest in resilient, lower-carbon logistics systems will be best positioned to convert nearshoring momentum into long-term, inclusive growth.

Learn more about DP World’s impact in the Dominican Republic

CINCINNATI, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Today, employees across Fifth Third Bank’s (Nasdaq: FITB) U.S. footprint will celebrate the 35^th annual “Fifth Third Day” through service activities to help fight food insecurity and expand financial access within their local communities.

On Fifth Third Day (5/3 on the calendar), Fifth Third employees unite to pack millions of meals and support local hunger relief organizations. The day kicks off a month of volunteering activities across Fifth Third’s U.S. footprint, focused on fighting food insecurity and expanding financial access and inclusion.

“Every year, this tradition reminds me of something simple and important: who we are is defined by how we show up — for our customers, for each other and for our communities,” said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO and president of Fifth Third. “Today kicks off a month-long effort to provide millions of meals and expand financial access to the communities we serve. And following our merger with Comerica, we have an expanded footprint and a larger team, united in our desire to make a meaningful difference.”

Since 1991, Fifth Third has celebrated its employees, customers and communities on its signature day, May 3. Because the date falls on a weekend this year, service activities begin on May 4 and will continue throughout May in support of local hunger relief organizations.

This year’s Fifth Third Day reflects the Bank’s expanded footprint following its merger with Comerica Bank, bringing the tradition to new communities for the first time. The day provides an opportunity for Fifth Third’s existing and new employees to unite behind a common goal: helping address food insecurity and advancing financial access and inclusion among their friends and neighbors.

“According to Feeding America, 48 million people in the United States face food insecurity, including 1 in 5 children. Our efforts on Fifth Third Day and throughout the month of May can make a difference,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “As Fifth Third and Comerica come together as the nation’s ninth largest U.S. bank, this year’s Fifth Third Day is special because it reflects our shared commitment to showing up for our communities where it matters the most.”

Expanding financial access for local communities

For more than 20 years, the Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile, commonly known as the eBus, has brought financial access, social services, and education directly into communities the Bank serves, especially in underserved areas.

The eBus will visit communities across Ohio on Fifth Third Day and throughout the month of May as part of a 10-state tour that runs through November.

In partnership with SpringFour, the eBus connects community members to vital human and social services organizations to address needs related to food savings, rental resources, childcare, employment services, small business support and more. Through its digital self-service financial wellness solution, SpringFour delivers access to more than 27,000 local, state, and national nonprofit and government resources across more than 25 categories.

Fifth Third and Springfour reimagined and relaunched the eBus on Fifth Third Day in 2024. Over the past two years, the eBus has delivered more than 31,000 financial health referrals during more than 3,000 visits, connecting individuals and families to essential resources. Services are free and available to all, regardless of whether the visitor is a Fifth Third customer.

Supporting the next generation

Fifth Third’s commitment to its communities also means investing in the next generation from the very beginning.

On May 3, Fifth Third surprised the families of babies born on Fifth Third Day at 53 select local hospitals across five cities – Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Orlando – with a gift of $1,053 to open a 529 college savings account.

Since 2017, Fifth Third Babies has delivered nearly $965,000 in 529 plan funding to the families of more than 900 babies born on Fifth Third Day across eight states, in partnership with Gift of College, Inc. Families also receive care packages from Fifth Third with gift cards and gifts for the new baby and parents.

From 5/3 through 5/29, the public has the opportunity to participate in a social media sweepstakes to win a Fifth Third Babies gift bag, including a $1,053 Gift of College card to be redeemed at GiftofCollege.com into a 529 college savings plan. Winners will be selected on 529 Day, or 5/29 on the calendar. More information and full sweepstakes rules are available online at 53.com/babies.¹

 

¹ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the U.S., excluding New York. At least 18 years old to enter. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins May 3, 2026, at 12:00 AM EST and ends May 29, 2026, at 8:00 AM EST. For complete sweepstakes rules visit 53.com/babies. Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Meta Platforms, Inc.

###

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

CONTACT        

Amanda Nageleisen (Media Relations)
amanda.nageleisen@53.com

Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)
matt.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345

CINCINNATI, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Today, employees across Fifth Third Bank’s (Nasdaq: FITB) U.S. footprint will celebrate the 35^th annual “Fifth Third Day” through service activities to help fight food insecurity and expand financial access within their local communities.

On Fifth Third Day (5/3 on the calendar), Fifth Third employees unite to pack millions of meals and support local hunger relief organizations. The day kicks off a month of volunteering activities across Fifth Third’s U.S. footprint, focused on fighting food insecurity and expanding financial access and inclusion.

“Every year, this tradition reminds me of something simple and important: who we are is defined by how we show up — for our customers, for each other and for our communities,” said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO and president of Fifth Third. “Today kicks off a month-long effort to provide millions of meals and expand financial access to the communities we serve. And following our merger with Comerica, we have an expanded footprint and a larger team, united in our desire to make a meaningful difference.”

Since 1991, Fifth Third has celebrated its employees, customers and communities on its signature day, May 3. Because the date falls on a weekend this year, service activities begin on May 4 and will continue throughout May in support of local hunger relief organizations.

This year’s Fifth Third Day reflects the Bank’s expanded footprint following its merger with Comerica Bank, bringing the tradition to new communities for the first time. The day provides an opportunity for Fifth Third’s existing and new employees to unite behind a common goal: helping address food insecurity and advancing financial access and inclusion among their friends and neighbors.

“According to Feeding America, 48 million people in the United States face food insecurity, including 1 in 5 children. Our efforts on Fifth Third Day and throughout the month of May can make a difference,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “As Fifth Third and Comerica come together as the nation’s ninth largest U.S. bank, this year’s Fifth Third Day is special because it reflects our shared commitment to showing up for our communities where it matters the most.”

Expanding financial access for local communities

For more than 20 years, the Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile, commonly known as the eBus, has brought financial access, social services, and education directly into communities the Bank serves, especially in underserved areas.

The eBus will visit communities across Ohio on Fifth Third Day and throughout the month of May as part of a 10-state tour that runs through November.

In partnership with SpringFour, the eBus connects community members to vital human and social services organizations to address needs related to food savings, rental resources, childcare, employment services, small business support and more. Through its digital self-service financial wellness solution, SpringFour delivers access to more than 27,000 local, state, and national nonprofit and government resources across more than 25 categories.

Fifth Third and Springfour reimagined and relaunched the eBus on Fifth Third Day in 2024. Over the past two years, the eBus has delivered more than 31,000 financial health referrals during more than 3,000 visits, connecting individuals and families to essential resources. Services are free and available to all, regardless of whether the visitor is a Fifth Third customer.

Supporting the next generation

Fifth Third’s commitment to its communities also means investing in the next generation from the very beginning.

On May 3, Fifth Third surprised the families of babies born on Fifth Third Day at 53 select local hospitals across five cities – Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Orlando – with a gift of $1,053 to open a 529 college savings account.

Since 2017, Fifth Third Babies has delivered nearly $965,000 in 529 plan funding to the families of more than 900 babies born on Fifth Third Day across eight states, in partnership with Gift of College, Inc. Families also receive care packages from Fifth Third with gift cards and gifts for the new baby and parents.

From 5/3 through 5/29, the public has the opportunity to participate in a social media sweepstakes to win a Fifth Third Babies gift bag, including a $1,053 Gift of College card to be redeemed at GiftofCollege.com into a 529 college savings plan. Winners will be selected on 529 Day, or 5/29 on the calendar. More information and full sweepstakes rules are available online at 53.com/babies.¹

 

¹ NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the U.S., excluding New York. At least 18 years old to enter. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins May 3, 2026, at 12:00 AM EST and ends May 29, 2026, at 8:00 AM EST. For complete sweepstakes rules visit 53.com/babies. Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Meta Platforms, Inc.

###

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

CONTACT        

Amanda Nageleisen (Media Relations)
amanda.nageleisen@53.com

Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)
matt.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345

ATLANTA, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Invest Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta today announced new philanthropic grants from Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation to support small business growth and housing stability across metro Atlanta.

The funding includes $550,000 to support Invest Atlanta’s BizLabs Technical Assistance program and a $2.25 million grant to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to advance housing stability and neighborhood investment across the region.

As housing costs rise and small businesses face increasing pressure, these investments aim to strengthen stability and expand opportunity across metro Atlanta. Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation have now surpassed more than $40 million in philanthropic support in metro Atlanta since 2021.

“Wells Fargo’s substantial and consistent investment in Atlanta reflects a meaningful commitment to our city and our people,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “By supporting the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative through strengthening housing stability and uplifting small businesses, this funding helps to build more resilient neighborhoods and ensure Atlanta’s economy benefits all residents. We look forward to the continued impact this partnership will make in the years ahead.”

“Wells Fargo’s continued long-term commitment in Atlanta reflects our investment in the community,” said Jason Rosenberg, Wells Fargo’s head of Public Affairs. “These philanthropic investments will support small businesses, strengthen neighborhoods and help advance growth for our customers, employees and communities throughout the city.”

Supporting Small Business Growth in Atlanta

The announcement was made at a ribbon-cutting for local business, Kindred Paper, at its new downtown Pop-Up location, presented by Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Downtown.

The Wells Fargo grant of $550,000 supports Invest Atlanta’s BizLabs Program, providing small businesses with expert guidance and resources to grow and establish a long-term presence. It also helps activate storefronts like this downtown Pop-Up location, positioning businesses to benefit from increased visibility and economic activity expected in Atlanta this summer with FIFA World Cup 2026™.

This most recent funding follows a $20 million Open for Business Fund grant that Wells Fargo announced in 2022 to support a United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta collaboration to help Atlanta small businesses grow.

“We truly appreciate how Wells Fargo shares our vision of strengthening Atlanta’s small business community and the neighborhoods they call home,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “This continued partnership helps create real opportunities for local entrepreneurs—people with ideas, passion, and deep roots in our city. Through BizLabs, initiatives like bringing pop‑up shops to downtown storefronts give business owners a chance to be seen, test their vision, and build something lasting that strengthens our local economy.”

Advancing Housing Stability Across Metro Atlanta

A $2.25 million grant to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will support efforts to stabilize housing and expand access to opportunity for residents across metro Atlanta.

In a region where housing costs continue to outpace wages, this funding will address some of the most persistent barriers to long-term stability.

The Community Foundation has helped mobilize more than $220 million in investment and support the creation or preservation of over 6,000 homes across the region—working with partners to address housing challenges at scale.

This investment from Wells Fargo will build on that work by helping resolve tangled title issues, unlocking capital for critical home repairs, supporting emerging developers, and strengthening strategies to preserve affordable housing.

“Across metro Atlanta, too many families are at risk of losing the homes they’ve worked hard to build—not because they lack commitment, but because of legal, financial, and systemic barriers,” said Frank Fernandez, President & CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “This investment helps remove those barriers—so people can stay in their homes, make needed repairs, and pass on what they’ve built. As the region’s philanthropic center of gravity, we’re working alongside partners to turn housing stability into something families can count on—and a foundation for stronger, more equitable communities.”

About Invest Atlanta 

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its mission is to shape the city’s future by growing jobs and driving neighborhood investment, elevating the city’s global competitiveness, and advancing development and innovation, that uplifts all residents and businesses.

About Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is the region’s philanthropic center of gravity, inspiring and leading Atlanta toward equity and shared prosperity for all. Neighbor to neighbor and heart to heart, we’re building a better ATL through partnership with local non-profits, civic leaders, financial advisors, and generous donors throughout the community. A fixture since 1951, CFGA shepherds more than $1.8 billion in assets and deployed over $250 million in grants and impact investments in 2025 to thousands of non-profit partners working to realize Atlanta’s full potential.

Media:

Invest Atlanta media contact:

Jennifer Tyner, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Jennifer.tyner@cfgreateratlanta.org

229.351.6143

 

ATLANTA, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Invest Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta today announced new philanthropic grants from Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation to support small business growth and housing stability across metro Atlanta.

The funding includes $550,000 to support Invest Atlanta’s BizLabs Technical Assistance program and a $2.25 million grant to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to advance housing stability and neighborhood investment across the region.

As housing costs rise and small businesses face increasing pressure, these investments aim to strengthen stability and expand opportunity across metro Atlanta. Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation have now surpassed more than $40 million in philanthropic support in metro Atlanta since 2021.

“Wells Fargo’s substantial and consistent investment in Atlanta reflects a meaningful commitment to our city and our people,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “By supporting the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative through strengthening housing stability and uplifting small businesses, this funding helps to build more resilient neighborhoods and ensure Atlanta’s economy benefits all residents. We look forward to the continued impact this partnership will make in the years ahead.”

“Wells Fargo’s continued long-term commitment in Atlanta reflects our investment in the community,” said Jason Rosenberg, Wells Fargo’s head of Public Affairs. “These philanthropic investments will support small businesses, strengthen neighborhoods and help advance growth for our customers, employees and communities throughout the city.”

Supporting Small Business Growth in Atlanta

The announcement was made at a ribbon-cutting for local business, Kindred Paper, at its new downtown Pop-Up location, presented by Invest Atlanta and Atlanta Downtown.

The Wells Fargo grant of $550,000 supports Invest Atlanta’s BizLabs Program, providing small businesses with expert guidance and resources to grow and establish a long-term presence. It also helps activate storefronts like this downtown Pop-Up location, positioning businesses to benefit from increased visibility and economic activity expected in Atlanta this summer with FIFA World Cup 2026™.

This most recent funding follows a $20 million Open for Business Fund grant that Wells Fargo announced in 2022 to support a United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta collaboration to help Atlanta small businesses grow.

“We truly appreciate how Wells Fargo shares our vision of strengthening Atlanta’s small business community and the neighborhoods they call home,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “This continued partnership helps create real opportunities for local entrepreneurs—people with ideas, passion, and deep roots in our city. Through BizLabs, initiatives like bringing pop‑up shops to downtown storefronts give business owners a chance to be seen, test their vision, and build something lasting that strengthens our local economy.”

Advancing Housing Stability Across Metro Atlanta

A $2.25 million grant to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will support efforts to stabilize housing and expand access to opportunity for residents across metro Atlanta.

In a region where housing costs continue to outpace wages, this funding will address some of the most persistent barriers to long-term stability.

The Community Foundation has helped mobilize more than $220 million in investment and support the creation or preservation of over 6,000 homes across the region—working with partners to address housing challenges at scale.

This investment from Wells Fargo will build on that work by helping resolve tangled title issues, unlocking capital for critical home repairs, supporting emerging developers, and strengthening strategies to preserve affordable housing.

“Across metro Atlanta, too many families are at risk of losing the homes they’ve worked hard to build—not because they lack commitment, but because of legal, financial, and systemic barriers,” said Frank Fernandez, President & CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “This investment helps remove those barriers—so people can stay in their homes, make needed repairs, and pass on what they’ve built. As the region’s philanthropic center of gravity, we’re working alongside partners to turn housing stability into something families can count on—and a foundation for stronger, more equitable communities.”

About Invest Atlanta 

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its mission is to shape the city’s future by growing jobs and driving neighborhood investment, elevating the city’s global competitiveness, and advancing development and innovation, that uplifts all residents and businesses.

About Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is the region’s philanthropic center of gravity, inspiring and leading Atlanta toward equity and shared prosperity for all. Neighbor to neighbor and heart to heart, we’re building a better ATL through partnership with local non-profits, civic leaders, financial advisors, and generous donors throughout the community. A fixture since 1951, CFGA shepherds more than $1.8 billion in assets and deployed over $250 million in grants and impact investments in 2025 to thousands of non-profit partners working to realize Atlanta’s full potential.

Media:

Invest Atlanta media contact:

Jennifer Tyner, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Jennifer.tyner@cfgreateratlanta.org

229.351.6143

 

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2026 /3BL/ – Comcast NBCUniversal, Telemundo, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation announced an expanded commitment to increase access to high-impact youth soccer programs and coach-mentorship training in the lead-up to FIFA World Cup 2026™.

As part of this effort, Telemundo and the U.S. Soccer Foundation launched ¡Sí, Coach!, a new Spanish-language platform designed to equip coaches with culturally relevant tools and training to mentor young people both on and off the field. Available at SiCoach.com, the platform will offer free, innovative training in Spanish. ¡Si, Coach! supports the broader Yes, Coach! movement, launched in partnership with Stand Together, a philanthropic community that empowers people to tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems. Yes, Coach! aims to prepare 100,000 coaches to mentor over three million youth nationwide via the Foundation’s high-quality Coach-Mentor Training program.  

NBCUniversal’s Creative Impact Lab collaborated with creative apprentices from nonprofit agency Wide Angle Youth Media to produce a Spanish and English public service announcement (PSA) for Yes, Coach! The PSA will air ahead of the World Cup to amplify the campaign’s reach.

“Soccer is more than a game—it’s a catalyst for confidence, leadership, and belonging,” said Christina Kolbjornsen, Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.

Through ¡Sí, Coach!, and aligned with our Tu Momento, Tu Jugada initiative, we’re championing Spanish‑speaking coaches with culturally relevant resources that reflect the communities they serve—turning the momentum of FIFA World Cup 26™ into a lasting force for opportunity and impact for young people nationwide.

Christina Kolbjornsen
Senior Vice President,
Corporate and External Affairs
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

“Having the combined and continued support of Comcast NBCUniversal and Telemundo during this incredible year of sporting events creates an extraordinary force for good in under-resourced communities nationwide,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Together, we’re training more coach-mentors, creating more safe places to play, and expanding proven programs to more youth. As we look forward to hosting FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, this collaboration ensures that the excitement around the sport results in meaningful, long-term opportunities for youth across the country.”

In addition to launching new digital resources and programs, the partners are leveraging the excitement of FIFA World Cup 2026™ to expand access to proven youth programs in several cities including Miami, Philadelphia and New York. Just Ball, launched with adidas in 2022, reimagines youth soccer by transforming mini-pitches and community spaces into accessible hubs for free, low-pressure play. As the official Spanish-language broadcaster of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Telemundo brought its Tu Momento. Tu Jugada fan experience to the Los Angeles’ Just Ball Unity Cup in December. Telemundo will bring the same experience to Just Ball Unity Cups in Miami and New York later this year, further expanding opportunities for youth to engage with the sport in fun, creative ways.

On June 3, Telemundo will also support the Foundation’s annual Congressional Soccer Match, convening bipartisan lawmakers, professional athletes, and community leaders in Washington, D.C., to highlight soccer’s power to unite and uplift.

Previously, Telemundo sponsored the Foundation’s pink-carpet at the Pitch Perfect Gala in January to celebrate over 30 years of the sport’s impact on social change.

In October, Comcast joined the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Philadelphia 2026—the nonprofit Local Host Committee for FIFA World Cup 2026™—to open a new mini-pitch at Building 21 in Philadelphia.

These initiatives build on more than a decade of collaboration among Comcast NBCUniversal, Telemundo, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, including support for the Foundation’s Soccer for Success and Coach-Mentor Training programs.

By expanding access to soccer and mentorship across communities, these partners are ensuring that the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event translates into lasting impact for generations to come.

---

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Dogs and cats can’t talk yet – but our next two guests are helping them do just that.

Recently, I sat down with two of the most transformative leaders in pet health: Jay Mazelsky, CEO of IDEXX and Jay Price, CEO of Mission Pet Health.

Between them, they see the entire journey of care. From diagnostics that uncover diseases to the 950 Mission Pet Health hospitals delivering care to our pets every day. If you want to understand where pet health is headed over the next decade – this is the table for you.

The expectation of care for our pets has never been higher. That isn’t a warning. It’s an opportunity.

The Pet Bubble and What Comes Next

The pandemic changed many things, and pet ownership wasn’t immune to that. Net pet adoption grew by roughly 10% annually – a 4x increase over the historical norm.

Now, those pets are reaching a milestone. They are five to seven years old. The older an animal gets, the more care it requires. As Jay Mazelsky noted, we are entering a window when demand for senior veterinary care will build dramatically.

There is a lot of talk right now about vet visits. But context matters. Jay Price, who led clinics through the 2008 financial crisis, sees a cycle and a return to normal after the substantial Covid increase, not a permanent shift. For Mission Pet Health, they aren’t seeing a decline; they see a return to the steady, durable growth that defines the industry.

Diagnostics: The Voice of the Pet

About one in five clinical veterinary visits include bloodwork. Only 12% of wellness visits include diagnostics. Outside the U.S., that number drops even further.

The opportunity is enormous. Every diagnostic brings more information. More information enables better decisions. Better decisions unlock tailored treatments. When we don’t diagnose, we don’t know the magnitude of a disease.

Moment to Remember: If only one in five pets gets diagnostics, we don’t know the true spectrum of disease that exists today. We’re only seeing the surface. The opportunity isn’t just big. It’s bigger than we can measure.

Jay Price shared a powerful perspective: if only 20% of pets are getting diagnostics, our data is incomplete. We might think the condition is “rare” simply because we aren’t looking for it.

Take cancer. One in four dogs will develop it in their lifetime. Often, by the time it’s visible, it’s already at an advanced stage. Moving upstream with earlier diagnostics doesn’t just save lives – it improves treatment affordability. An earlier diagnosis means more treatment options and better effectiveness at a lower cost.

It’s not just dogs; cat spend at the clinic is beginning to converge with dog spend as more cat owners demand more comprehensive care. Opportunities like chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats is a prime example. Early diagnosis, dietary intervention and close monitoring can meaningfully extend lifespan.

Best Quote: I think that what we should be most proud of as an industry over the last 15 years – the average cat and dog is living two years longer… a lot of it’s the result of more innovation in the pharma and specialty diet and diagnostic space and better care driven by pet owners. They want to partner with the veterinarian and with the technology that’s used, and they want to understand the underlying disease, what the options are, and how they can provide care. They see themselves as part of the solution.

And as AI continues to infiltrate all aspects of our lives, it’s another opportunity of how the two examples mentioned above can be done faster, allowing veterinarians to walk into an exam room with insights, not just questions. However, as Jay Price, noted, we can’t lose the critical human element of clinical decision-making.

Nobody’s Too Good to Pick Up Poop

Whether it’s rallying during a pandemic or uncovering the next medical breakthrough, culture for IDEXX and Mission Pet Health is the glue.

As Jay Mazelsky rounds out his tenure at IDEXX and retires later this month, he leaves behind a legacy built on a challenger mindset. That means guarding against entitlement, hiring for curiosity and setting audacious goals.

Jay Price grounded it in a phrase from his very first hospital experience: Nobody’s too good to pick up poop.

It’s a reminder that in animal health, we are all servants to the mission. We show up with a spring in our step because we believe that when animals are healthy, the world is better.

Big Takeaway: As diagnostics expand what we can detect, AI accelerates what we can learn, and a generation of middle-aged pandemic pets enter their highest-care years; the pie isn’t shrinking. It’s growing. A rising tide lifts all boats. The leaders who focus on delivering value – to the pet, the owner, and the veterinarian – will be the ones who grow with it and beyond.

Thank you, Jay Mazelsky, for hosting us and for decades of work giving our pets a voice. Congratulations on a remarkable chapter. And thank you, Jay Price, for your insights and the commitment and support your clinics provide every day for our pets.

The best is yet to come for animal health.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube.

As a globally recognized apparel manufacturer with over a century of industry leadership, Hirdaramani Group continues to play a defining role in advancing sustainable and responsible practices across the apparel value chain. A Cascale member since 2013, the Group operates vertically integrated facilities across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Africa, partnering with leading global brands to deliver end-to-end apparel solutions and enable more transparent, future-ready supply chains.

Guided by its Future First Sustainability Roadmap, Hirdaramani integrates environmental stewardship, social impact, and responsible governance across its operations. Within this broader strategy, participation in Cascale’s Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) serves as a strategic platform to strengthen buyer-supplier partnerships and support the evolution of responsible purchasing practices across the industry.

Impact at a Glance

• Leveraging Better Buying to amplify supplier voice and inform more responsible purchasing practices
• Integrating purchasing practice dialogue into the Future First sustainability framework through Better Buying
• Strengthening transparency and accountability across global buyer relationships
• Advancing measurable sustainability progress, including:
  • Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from energy across Sri Lanka’s manufacturing operations
  • 17 LEED Gold and Platinum-certified facilities across the global footprint
  • Over 21,000 employees engaged through well-being and empowerment programs
  • First Sri Lankan company to have its net-zero science-based targets approved

Creating Better Conditions for Supplier-Buyer Collaboration

Manufacturers are expected to keep advancing climate and social priorities while managing the daily realities of sourcing and production. Purchasing practices play a direct role in shaping that environment. Planning changes, delayed payments, and pricing pressure can affect how suppliers manage resources, schedule production, and sustain longer-term efforts.

Better Buying brings those conditions into view through structured supplier feedback on buyer purchasing practices. For Hirdaramani Group, this creates a practical opportunity to contribute insight from the manufacturing side of the value chain. A consistent feedback process can bring alignment for day-to-day operations and open stronger conversations with buyers about how to improve together.

Aligning the Group’s sustainability progress with accountability, transparency, and stronger working relationships throughout the supply chain, Better Buying supports a more consistent and constructive dialogue between suppliers and buyers.

How Hirdaramani Uses Better Buying to Strengthen Dialogue with Buyers

Hirdaramani approaches Better Buying not only as a reporting mechanism but also as a practical tool for engagement and industry advancement. Across its Future First Roadmap, the company has connected sustainability progress with clearer structures, stronger reporting standards, and greater transparency and accountability. Better Buying fits within that approach by offering the Hirdaramani team a confidential way to share supplier experience and help inform more effective purchasing practices over time.

As noted by Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director at the Hirdaramani Group, the tool offers a “secure and anonymous feedback channel” that has supported more constructive and action-oriented engagement with customers. Better Buying has also driven stronger, more transparent conversations that contribute to continuous improvements over time.

Better Buying complements Hirdaramani’s broader sustainability efforts by strengthening accountability and more closely linking operational performance to buyer relationships.

Partnership as a Driver of Improvement

Collaboration is central to Hirdaramani Group’s approach to sustainability. Through its Future First Roadmap, the Group works closely with global brands, industry platforms, and stakeholders to advance progress across climate action, social impact, traceability, and innovation.

Participation in Better Buying strengthens this collaborative approach by:

• Translating supplier experience into actionable insights
• Supporting more informed and responsive decision-making by buyers
• Building trust through greater transparency and shared accountability

In this way, the partnership becomes part of how progress is shaped and sustained across the value chain.

Why This Matters

Hirdaramani’s experience shows how structured supplier feedback can strengthen partnerships and support more effective purchasing practices. By connecting operational insights with strategic buyer engagement, Better Buying helps bridge critical gaps in the apparel value chain.

As expectations on sustainability continue to grow, aligning purchasing practices with these ambitions will remain essential. For Hirdaramani Group, Better Buying strengthens this effort by connecting day-to-day operational realities with buyer relationships, helping ensure that progress across the value chain is both practical and sustained.

For more on Hirdaramani’s broader sustainability journey, listen to Nikhil Hirdaramani on Cascale’s Source of Good podcast episode, “From Tailors to Global Trailblazers: Talking Climate Action with Hirdaramani and ASICS.”

As a globally recognized apparel manufacturer with over a century of industry leadership, Hirdaramani Group continues to play a defining role in advancing sustainable and responsible practices across the apparel value chain. A Cascale member since 2013, the Group operates vertically integrated facilities across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Africa, partnering with leading global brands to deliver end-to-end apparel solutions and enable more transparent, future-ready supply chains.

Guided by its Future First Sustainability Roadmap, Hirdaramani integrates environmental stewardship, social impact, and responsible governance across its operations. Within this broader strategy, participation in Cascale’s Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) serves as a strategic platform to strengthen buyer-supplier partnerships and support the evolution of responsible purchasing practices across the industry.

Impact at a Glance

• Leveraging Better Buying to amplify supplier voice and inform more responsible purchasing practices
• Integrating purchasing practice dialogue into the Future First sustainability framework through Better Buying
• Strengthening transparency and accountability across global buyer relationships
• Advancing measurable sustainability progress, including:
  • Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from energy across Sri Lanka’s manufacturing operations
  • 17 LEED Gold and Platinum-certified facilities across the global footprint
  • Over 21,000 employees engaged through well-being and empowerment programs
  • First Sri Lankan company to have its net-zero science-based targets approved

Creating Better Conditions for Supplier-Buyer Collaboration

Manufacturers are expected to keep advancing climate and social priorities while managing the daily realities of sourcing and production. Purchasing practices play a direct role in shaping that environment. Planning changes, delayed payments, and pricing pressure can affect how suppliers manage resources, schedule production, and sustain longer-term efforts.

Better Buying brings those conditions into view through structured supplier feedback on buyer purchasing practices. For Hirdaramani Group, this creates a practical opportunity to contribute insight from the manufacturing side of the value chain. A consistent feedback process can bring alignment for day-to-day operations and open stronger conversations with buyers about how to improve together.

Aligning the Group’s sustainability progress with accountability, transparency, and stronger working relationships throughout the supply chain, Better Buying supports a more consistent and constructive dialogue between suppliers and buyers.

How Hirdaramani Uses Better Buying to Strengthen Dialogue with Buyers

Hirdaramani approaches Better Buying not only as a reporting mechanism but also as a practical tool for engagement and industry advancement. Across its Future First Roadmap, the company has connected sustainability progress with clearer structures, stronger reporting standards, and greater transparency and accountability. Better Buying fits within that approach by offering the Hirdaramani team a confidential way to share supplier experience and help inform more effective purchasing practices over time.

As noted by Nikhil Hirdaramani, Director at the Hirdaramani Group, the tool offers a “secure and anonymous feedback channel” that has supported more constructive and action-oriented engagement with customers. Better Buying has also driven stronger, more transparent conversations that contribute to continuous improvements over time.

Better Buying complements Hirdaramani’s broader sustainability efforts by strengthening accountability and more closely linking operational performance to buyer relationships.

Partnership as a Driver of Improvement

Collaboration is central to Hirdaramani Group’s approach to sustainability. Through its Future First Roadmap, the Group works closely with global brands, industry platforms, and stakeholders to advance progress across climate action, social impact, traceability, and innovation.

Participation in Better Buying strengthens this collaborative approach by:

• Translating supplier experience into actionable insights
• Supporting more informed and responsive decision-making by buyers
• Building trust through greater transparency and shared accountability

In this way, the partnership becomes part of how progress is shaped and sustained across the value chain.

Why This Matters

Hirdaramani’s experience shows how structured supplier feedback can strengthen partnerships and support more effective purchasing practices. By connecting operational insights with strategic buyer engagement, Better Buying helps bridge critical gaps in the apparel value chain.

As expectations on sustainability continue to grow, aligning purchasing practices with these ambitions will remain essential. For Hirdaramani Group, Better Buying strengthens this effort by connecting day-to-day operational realities with buyer relationships, helping ensure that progress across the value chain is both practical and sustained.

For more on Hirdaramani’s broader sustainability journey, listen to Nikhil Hirdaramani on Cascale’s Source of Good podcast episode, “From Tailors to Global Trailblazers: Talking Climate Action with Hirdaramani and ASICS.”