Tag: 3BL

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, October 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The Mary Kay Ash Foundation®, an unwavering champion of advancing women’s cancer research, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and advocating for women’s health and safety, announced it has awarded nearly $3 million in cancer research and domestic violence shelter grants around the country. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has given more than $98 million in support of its two-fold mission: eliminating women-related cancers and ending domestic violence.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations and focus areas:

2025 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT

• Annual Domestic Violence Shelter Grants (51 Grants | $1,020,000)
  Domestic violence shelters in 51 states and U.S. territories received $20,000 grants each totaling             over $1 million in unrestricted funds to support life-saving services such as legal aid, counseling, facility improvements, childcare, job readiness training, and more.
• Local Domestic Violence Shelter Grants (4 Grants | $100,000)
  Awarded four local domestic violence shelters across North Texas with $25,000 grants each totaling $100,000 to address specific community needs. Denton County Friends of the Family, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, and The Family Place provide critical needs to women facing abuse.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline ($70,000)
  Announced partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline (“The Hotline”) – the nation’s leading resource for survivors and those seeking to support them – to create a nationwide initiative focused on trauma-informed education, community engagement, and life-saving tools to help individuals recognize and respond to abuse. The partnership provides training webinars, downloadable resources, and a series of short videos.
• The Conference on Crimes Against Women ($75,000) 
  Supported for 19 consecutive years The Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), an annual community multi-stakeholder conference in Dallas, Texas dedicated to addressing and combating all forms of crimes against women. Drawing 3,000 annually, CCAW is the only conference that addresses all crimes against women with a multidisciplinary focus that encourages a coordinated community response. The 20^th edition of the conference took place in May 2025. 

View a full list of 2025 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant recipients.

2025 CANCER RESEARCH & PROGRAMS SUPPORT

• Translational Cancer Research Grants (10 Grants | $1,000,000)
  Awarded 10 esteemed cancer researchers from the nation’s leading accredited universities with individual grants of $100,000, totaling $1 million in funding. These competitive research grants support groundbreaking studies focused on cancers primarily affecting women.
• Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Cancer Research & Support ($500,000)
  • Awarded a $100,000 grant to the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Amy Selkirk Breast Cancer Research Fund to further support the second year of a first of its kind clinical trial conducted by Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, Celebrating Women Chair in Breast Cancer Research. This trial explores weight loss inhibitors to prevent breast cancer recurrence in overweight patients.
  • Awarded a $400,000 multi-year grant in support of the newly established Texas Cancer Interception Institute, a first of its kind program utilizing cutting edge biomarker technology, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) blood-based assays offered on a huge scale to improve cancer care with an emphasis on early detection.
• CancerCare ($75,000)
  This year marks the 25^th anniversary partnering with CancerCare – the leading national organization dedicated to providing free, professional support services for those facing a cancer diagnosis. For 25 years, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has funded CancerCare’s Touching Hearts program, providing financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, resulting in over 50,000 grants totaling over $5.6 million in financial assistance.
• Cancer Support Community North Texas ($25,000)
  Local nonprofit, Cancer Support Community North Texas, received a $25,000 grant in support of free programs and services for those undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers. Participants receive counseling, health and wellness classes, yoga and crafts, and more to help with healing and hope. 

View a full list of 2025 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Cancer Research Grant recipients.

“For nearly 30 years, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has been guided by a simple notion: when women thrive, communities thrive,” said Michael Lunceford, President of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors. “From funding innovative women’s cancer research to strengthening services for survivors of domestic violence, at our core we are empowering communities, restoring hope, and giving women the chance to live longer, healthier, safer lives.”

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation has awarded more than $98 million to women’s shelters and domestic violence service providers, as well as cancer research programs and related causes throughout the U.S. For more information, visit marykayashfoundation.org  

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About Mary Kay Ash Foundation® 
Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C. October 15, 2025 /3BL/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) named Kevin Tang, an 8^th grader at Cedarlane Academy of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in Hacienda Heights, California, as the winner of the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Kevin distinguished himself with a novel fall detection device that can accelerate emergency responses to falls among older adults at home, even in the dark. As the grand prize winner, he received a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Kevin spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and ultimately secured himself the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 13 and 14. The finalists had to navigate a series of scientific tasks and were evaluated on their communication and presentation skills, ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, and the ability to inspire others. 

Kevin’s custom in-home device uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes. It can recognize falls with high accuracy, even at night. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that falls are the leading cause of injury among 1 in 4 older adults annually, or over 14 million people. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video input to identify falls and triggers alerts to loved ones via a corresponding smart phone application. His new solution advances current offerings on the market through the ability to capture imagery at night and provide around-the-clock monitoring. The device can also detect irregular movements while the individual is walking, which could be a symptom of a stroke.

“By tapping into their curiosity and reimagining what’s possible, these impressive finalists have developed solutions to real-world problems,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “Year after year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates the power of science to create positive impact and emphasizes that the next great innovation can come from anywhere. We are so proud of this year’s competitors and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Each 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist is paired with a 3M scientist who mentors and works with them one-on-one over the summer to transform their ideas from concept to prototype. This year’s winner was paired with Dr. Mark Gilbertson, research specialist, robotics and AI, Advanced Materials and Transportation.

“Kevin’s journey into the world of falls and strokes was sparked by personal experiences, and it’s inspiring to see how he’s using that to make a difference,” said Dr. Gilbertson. “His project is a powerful reminder of how science can be both personal and universal. I hope he continues diving deeper into robotics and AI – his potential in these fields is immense.”

The second and third place winners from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge also receive special recognition, including a $1,000 prize. This year’s runners-up are:

• Amaira Srivastava from Gilbert, AZ, a 9^th grader at Arizona College Prep High School of the Chandler Unified School District
• Anirudh Rao from Lone Tree, CO, an 8^th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch of the Douglas County School District

The remaining top finalists from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge in alphabetical order by last name, are: 

• Shrey Arora from Collierville, TN, a 9^th grader at Collierville High School
  of Collierville Schools
• Divyam Desai from Frisco, TX, an 8^th grader at Lamar and Norma Hunt Middle School of the Frisco Independent School District
• Kiyara Gunawardena from Temecula, CA, a 6^th grader at iShine Student Center
  of Springs Charter Schools
• Isha Marla from Portland, OR, a 9^th grader at Jesuit High School
• Reanna Bhuyan Patel from Princeton, NJ, a 9^th grader at Princeton Day School
• Sheyna Patel from Longwood, FL, a 9^th grader at Orlando Science High School of Orange County Public Schools
• Aniket Sarkar from Folsom, CA, an 8^th grader at Sacramento Country Day School

“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding collaboration with 3M. During the tenure of this powerful partnership, the nation’s best and brightest have created innovative solutions to the world’s most complex problems. Congratulations to Kevin and each of the finalists. Your fantastic work gives me great hope for the future,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of corporate partnerships and marketing at Discovery Education.

Now in its 18^th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. Former America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year; featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider; and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and includes more than 100 former challenge winners, finalists, and mentors, who take part in networking opportunities and more.

The award-winning competition supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms.

To download images from the 2025 science competition, click here. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year’s winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com. 

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About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

Contacts
3M
3MNews@mmm.com 

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
gmaliska@discoveryed.com

This article is authored by Jenelle Shapiro, Sustainability and Circularity Leader, Trane Technologies

For most materials, the end of life is the end of the road. Final destination? Landfill.

But with circularity — the practice of keeping resources in use for as long as possible — that paradigm shifts. This vision that all materials are valuable resources can unlock new opportunities for decarbonization, economic sustainability and business innovation.

Recycling is a key lever in a circular system, bringing resources back into use by transforming yesterday’s “trash” into tomorrow’s value stream. At our Galway, Ireland manufacturing facility, we’re proving that the goal to send zero waste to landfill is possible at an industrial scale.

How circularity is delivering greener outcomes for the Emerald Isle

Our plant in Galway, Ireland has the capacity to manufacture over 100 Thermo King cold chain refrigeration units every day. A decade ago, the site sent upwards of 20 tons of waste to landfill each year. But in 2014, a cross-functional team set an ambitious target: to become Trane Technologies’ first zero-waste-to-landfill facility.

The plant is located between two residential neighborhoods near the beautiful Galway Bay, and the team needed to take a local approach to prioritize the community and minimize land degradation and air pollution.

They began by exploring every waste stream to identify how to capture its inherent value. Plastics, metals, cardboard, timber and other components are separated and collected by employees in every production area. Collaboration was also critical — the team engaged with regional partners to create innovative recycling alternatives for the generated waste.

Transparency is built into each stage of the reverse logistics ecosystem: every ounce of material that leaves the facility is collected, weighed and traced to its final destination. Leadership reviews monthly sustainability reporting, which includes waste management, and conducts regular audits to ensure long-term improvements.

This strategic system ensures that no material goes to waste. Scrap metals are reclaimed by a local recycler and processed into new raw materials, while non-reusable timber becomes garden mulch. Cardboard and paper are recycled for new packaging, and the minimal remaining materials are used to generate energy at a cement manufacturer — avoiding landfill entirely.

Why collaboration across the supply chain matters

More progress came when the team looked beyond the factory walls. Working with suppliers in multiple countries, the team reconceptualized standard packaging and shipping materials. The collaborations helped shift from single-use timber pallets and cardboard boxes to reusable crates and corrugated boxes that move between the factory and suppliers, a sustainable innovation in an effective reverse-logistics supply chain.

The results speak for themselves: from 2002 to 2012, Galway averaged 230 tons of landfill waste a year. By 2012, that figure had fallen to 20 tons, then to 2 tons in 2014. Since 2015, the facility has sent nothing to landfill for ten consecutive years.

This approach has created value for both our customers and our own business. The shift to returnable metal pallets saves on disposal costs by eliminating landfill fees and taxes, while reducing packaging resulted in raw material discounts.

And the environmental sustainability impacts are just as deep. Decarbonization initiatives like this support our broader business and sustainability strategies, propelling us toward carbon neutrality while supporting our customers in their own decarbonization goals.

How going beyond waste powers a decarbonized economy

Galway proves that zero-waste manufacturing is possible when systems, data and culture align, and the team’s success underscores that sustainable practices generate real value. As we work towards our 2030 sustainability commitments, Trane Technologies will continue scaling these practices as we continue designing systems for circularity and move toward carbon-neutral operations.

To learn more about circular systems, please read our article about how embracing circularity can drive business value.

Explore careers that make an impact at Trane Technologies.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization whose mission is to improve global health, recently announced a $1 million donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation. The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that provides professional case management services and financial assistance free of charge to Americans with chronic, life threatening, and debilitating illnesses.

The $1 million donation from the BMS Foundation will enable PAF to expand its nationally recognized case management program. For nearly 30 years, PAF case managers have provided direct support to patients living with chronic and critical illnesses and their families. PAF assists in helping to manage healthcare access challenges, as well as insurance and affordability, with an intentional commitment to vulnerable and medically underserved communities.

PAF case managers help patients and their families maintain access to prescribed healthcare services and medications, navigate insurance barriers, find resources to support cost-of-living expenses during treatment, evaluate and sustain health insurance coverage, apply for disability and manage or reduce out-of-pocket medical and living expenses. In FY2025, PAF’s case management provided direct support and intervention to 13,551 individuals, collectively living with 773 unique diseases, making 30 contacts per case to bring resolution and securing over $17 million in debt relief.

In honor of Global Patient Week at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), an annual, week-long event honoring inspiring patients who are at the heart of the missions of both BMS and the BMS Foundation, the BMS Foundation made a donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation, to help improve access to essential care for patients.

“The BMS Foundation’s donation to the Patient Advocate Foundation reflects our deep commitment to increasing access to care for those who need it most,” said Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “By strengthening PAF’s capacity to help patients and caregivers navigate complex healthcare systems, we are empowering more people to overcome barriers to care and treatment. This partnership exemplifies the spirit of Global Patient Week—placing patients at the heart of our mission and advancing health equity through compassion, advocacy, and action.”

“We are honored to be the recipient of this impactful donation,” said Fran Castellow, MSEd, President, Operations of Patient Advocate Foundation. “The generous support from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation will have a profound impact on PAF’s ability to expand our support to patients and families in need of case management support. Each year, we receive more than twice the number of requests for case management assistance than we are able to support. This funding will help us close that gap—enabling us to deliver critical case management services and personalized support to more individuals facing serious health challenges who need help navigating access and affordability challenges that threaten their health outcomes and overall well-being.”

The BMS Foundation’s vision is to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live, can achieve their best possible health. They are committed to establishing strategic partnerships to build strong, sustainable local healthcare systems, ultimately transforming how care is delivered and helping to ensure improved health now and in the future.

 

Published by Action Against Hunger. 

From Conflict to Cultivation: Sahro’s Transformation 

Sahro’s hands, stained by ripe peppers, trace new furrows of hope as she walks to a small plot of land. What used to be a patch of dirt is now bursting with life: crisp lettuce, hot and sweet peppers, and plump tomatoes thrive under her care. Each morning, she packs the previous day’s harvest into lunches and sends her children off to school— an ordinary act that once felt impossibly out of reach.  

Just a few years ago, Sahro and her eight children fled for their lives when clan conflict broke out in their village. They arrived at an unfamiliar camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) with no possessions, no income, and an uncertain future. As a member of a minority clan, Sahro also faced discrimination that limited her access to land and employment, deepening the challenges for her and her family.     

With support from her community and the Boosting Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change (BREACH) project, Sahro determinedly worked to build a brighter future for her family. Now, her thriving garden stands as a testament to the possibility of resilience and renewal. The EU-funded BREACH project aims to deliver sustainable solutions to displacement and build a more resilient future for the people of Somalia. Through activities like climate-smart agriculture and social cohesion building, the BREACH project is expected to improve food security for 968,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) like Sahro.

Reviving the Agricultural Heartland of Jowhar 

The IDP camp where Sahro and her children live is in Jowhar. About 35,750 IDPs are living in Jowhar, according to the Global Protection Cluster, the majority of them come from minority clans. Many people are in need of food, and Jowhar is struggling to meet the demand. 

Before Somalia’s civil war in 1991, Jowhar was known as one of Somalia’s food baskets, but years of conflict, climate shocks, and displacement have left its irrigation system damaged and its farmland underutilized. Changing weather patterns are also causing droughts and floods that damage infrastructure and destroy crops.  

To strengthen climate resilience in Jowhar, the Action Against Hunger rehabilitated canals and installed solar-powered pumps as part of the BREACH project. The rehabilitated canal system now serves hundreds of farmers, providing reliable irrigation throughout the year. The pumps reduced irrigation costs and provided a steady supply of water that helped combat the destructive effects of long dry periods. Since these have been installed, farmers have reported a 40% drop in crop failure during dry spells. 

Additionally, farming cooperatives were founded. In the cooperatives, farmers from both the IDP and the host community are trained in climate-smart farming by Action Against Hunger staff. Action Against Hunger staff gave the farmers basic farming tools and started training them in climate-smart farming methods.  

Through training offered to farming cooperative, some farmers have begun growing rice. Rice used to be a popular crop in Jowhar, but it became too challenging to grow after the 1990 civil war broke out, causing a rise in input prices. Using agroecological methods, she and her fellow farmers have begun to bring back this nutritious food. Members also cultivate vegetables such as lettuce, hot pepper, sweet pepper, and tomatoes, helping to increase the diet diversity of their households.  

By working together and sharing resources, the farmers not only grew nutritious, climate-smart produce, but they also strengthened social cohesion in the community. Sahro credits the cooperative for much of her progress, saying “The support I get from cooperative members is like a strong unit. We share knowledge, labor, and encouragement—it makes me feel that I am not alone in this journey.” 

The environmentally friendly farming methods that cooperative members learned through the BREACH project are lucrative. With solar-powered pumps and agroecological methods, members saved about $100 per season on fuel costs. They also earned 20% more revenue compared to farmers using traditional farming methods in the region. 

Sahro’s first harvest was a great success, and she was able to gain $600 in income. Now, she harvests twice a week, earning about 1.7 million Somali shillings, roughly $65 per week. The steady income has allowed Sahro’s children to return to school after years of disruption. Their lives transformed from fighting for survival to freedom to learn and prosper. “My children were out of school, but now they have been attending classes for a year,” Sahro says proudly. 

Expanding Sustainable Solutions in Somalia 

Looking ahead, Sahro hopes to expand her farming. “I want to benefit more from the cooperative and start rice cultivation, while continuing with vegetables,” she says. Sahro stands as a beacon of hope for other displaced women from minority clans. She has shown that it is possible to recover from conflict, even in the face of systemic challenges and climate change, and to thrive.    

Across Jowhar, 12 cooperatives now bring together 52 members each, offering shared resources, training, and a renewed sense of purpose. Members report improved food security, higher incomes, and a greater sense of empowerment. Whether a member of a minority or majority clan, an IDP or host community member, a woman or man, anyone can join and build a better life for themselves. By working together, they are strengthening social bonds and laying the foundation for a more sustainable future. 

At a time when funding cuts mean reductions in food aid for people in Somalia, projects like BREACH that promote long-term solutions are more critical than ever. There are 3.4 million people facing high levels of food insecurity in Somalia this year, and it is essential for sustainable solutions to be implemented. By combining climate-smart agriculture, rehabilitated canals, and cooperative structures, the BREACH project is tackling hunger in Somalia head-on, while building stronger communities. Replication and expansion of this intervention is key to building lasting change in the region. With support, more communities and families like Sahro’s can be touched by this outreach.   

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, October 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Bacardi Limited is celebrating a significant leap on Forbes’ list of World’s Top Companies for Women 2025, moving up to #60 following last year’s ranking of #132. Making the prestigious list for the fourth year in a row, Bacardi consolidates its continued success and progress in empowering women in the workplace (#329 in 2023 and #364 in 2022). The list also features Bacardi as the only pure spirits player this year – marking yet another year of recognition for its ongoing dedication to equal opportunities for recruitment, training, development, and career advancement.

“From production and innovation to marketing and leadership, women play a critical role in shaping the future of Bacardi and the spirits industry,” says Leila Stansfield, Global Belonging Lead and Head of Global Travel Retail for Bacardi. “We’ve worked hard to break barriers and build a workplace where everyone has a path to thrive and feel empowered every day.”

Bacardi maintains gender equity in recruitment, turnover, pay, engagement and sense of belonging with 44% of leadership positions held by women. The company ensures top talent has access to core development programs which help propel them to the next level of their Bacardi careers. It is also a member of associations that develop programming and resources for women in the industry, giving back to communities in locally relevant ways to drive employability and professional empowerment for all. Programs and partnerships include: Dress for Success in the United States; Women Leading Rum & Spirits; and the Bacardi professional bartender training program for unemployed young people, Shake Your Future.

Produced in partnership with market research firm Statista, the Forbes ranking is based largely on survey responses from approximately 120,000 women working for multinational corporations in more than 36 countries. The research rated companies across a series of gender-related topics including pay equity, management’s responses to discrimination concerns, whether men and women have the same opportunities for advancement within the company, and parental leave. It also considers public opinion through a women-only survey and looks at the makeup of leadership.

Bacardi was recently named by Forbes among the 2025 World’s Best Employers, where it took the top spot among pure spirits companies, and ranked #18 in the 2023 World’s Best Workplaces™ presented by Great Place To Work®.

Read more about the methodology here and access the full list from Forbes.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, 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 D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, 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 Contacts:
Jessica Merz, VP Global Corporate Communications
jmerz@bacardi.com

• Belfast – perhaps the place most famous for shipbuilding in the country – recorded the highest small business annual growth rate (+241%) anywhere in the country, followed by Birkenhead (+63%), and Poplar and Limehouse in London (+50%)
• Other places with historic maritime sectors – Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) – feature in the top 20
• Many former shipbuilding and shipping industry buildings across these locations have been turned into hubs for small businesses and entrepreneurs

UK entrepreneurs are thriving in areas with a strong shipbuilding heritage, new GoDaddy research shows.

The research highlights that Belfast North, Birkenhead, and Poplar and Limehouse are among the top five fastest-growing constituencies for small business density in the United Kingdom over the past 12 months. All three are historically known for their connections to the shipping industry.

Meanwhile, small business communities in Stockton, Hartlepool, and Dagenham – all places with historic shipping sectors – are flourishing, as all feature in the top 20.

The new data comes from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, which studies the economic impact of more than 600,000 small businesses in the UK, as well as the attitudes of their owners.

GoDaddy helps entrepreneurs at every stage — from getting an idea off the ground to growing their business online.

Shipbuilding communities reinvented as small business hubs

GoDaddy’s analysis shows that Belfast North is the UK’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial constituency, and the only area outside of England to feature in the Top 10. Spanning much of the city’s famous docklands to the north of the Lagan Estuary, the constituency saw a 241% increase in microbusiness density across the past 12 months.

The growth in the area follows a concerted effort from Stormont, which launched a programme – ‘Go Succeed’ – to support entrepreneurs across the region, including one-to-one business support and nearly £2m of funding.¹ The city has also worked to ensure that small businesses can find a home in the heart of the capital. Belfast’s ‘Titanic Quarter’ is located on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard. This mixed-use redevelopment has become a hub for small businesses and contributes to the city’s economic growth.

It is a similar picture in Birkenhead, which has a small business density growth rate of +63% year-on-year. The Wirral Waters regeneration project – located on the site of Merseyside’s once-thriving shipbuilding industry – is home to Egerton Village, a hub for start-ups, independent retailers and creative enterprises.

Former docklands foster small business success

Constituencies with rich, historical maritime industries feature throughout GoDaddy’s top 20. Poplar and Limehouse, part of the Tower Hamlets borough, is in fourth place overall, with density growth of +50%. The area has strong shipping roots in the historic London Docklands. Local businesses benefited from an initiative by the borough council to foster enterprise, through a £700,000 investment to support entrepreneurs.²

Stockton (+32%), Hartlepool (+29%) and Dagenham (+27%) are in 6^th, 11^th and 19^th places respectively. Hartlepool’s old shipyard and docks have been redeveloped into Hartlepool Marina, now home to many independent hospitality businesses.

UK entrepreneurs show resilience in the face of economic challenges

More broadly, GoDaddy’s research demonstrates that UK entrepreneurs are displaying resilience and maintaining growth ambitions in the face of economic challenges. Only 14% of UK small business owners say they’re confident in the nation’s economy this year, while over half (53%) describe themselves as “not very” or “not at all” confident.

Despite those trends, four in 10 entrepreneurs (40%) expect their business income to grow in 2025, with 18% expecting their revenue to grow “significantly more” against 2024 figures. It’s also never been easier or more cost-effective to get a small business off the ground. Almost one in five small businesses (18%) were created with less than £500 of start-up capital, according to the GoDaddy study.

Alexandra Rosen, Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, commented: “Shipbuilding has long been one of the country’s most important historic sectors, and now we’re seeing these same towns and cities, rooted in a strong industrial past, thriving today through digital entrepreneurship.”

Findings from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab show that the nation’s entrepreneurs are confident in their ability to succeed, even in the face of economic challenges. That’s setting a great example for the future.”

To explore more stories of how GoDaddy supports everyday entrepreneurs — and the tools helping them start and grow — visit GoDaddy today.

¹https://go-succeed.com/

²https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2024/October/700K-in-business-support-to-bolster-Tower-Hamlets-vibrant-economy.aspx

by Nicole Miller, CEO of Biomimicry 3.8 

Growing up on my grandmother’s ranch in Montana, I learned early that taking care of the land means it takes care of you. Five generations of my family understood this fundamental truth — that business success and ecosystem health aren’t separate concerns, but deeply interconnected realities. The smell of sagebrush after rain or the fragrance of cottonwoods in spring and fall weren’t just poetry to us — they were the indicators of a thriving system that sustained our livelihood.

Today, after 23 years of work in sustainability and as CEO of Biomimicry 3.8, I see this same principle playing out on a global scale. The relationship between business success and ecosystem health has never been more critical — or more quantifiable. As investors navigate an increasingly complex landscape, the truth my ranching family knew becomes clear: Nature isn’t just an environmental side note; it’s fundamental to long-term business viability and economic prosperity.

The $44 trillion reality check – The World Economic Forum reveals that $44 trillion in economic value generation — over half the world’s GDP — depends on Nature. According to S&P Global Sustainable1, 85% of the world’s largest companies have significant Nature dependencies across their operations. From technology companies relying on rare earth minerals to agricultural giants dependent on healthy soil and pollinators, every sector faces Nature-related risks.

The dependencies run deeper than obvious sectors. That cutting-edge data center powering AI? It consumes enormous water quantities for cooling, electricity from natural resource-dependent systems, and up to 1,000 acres of land. Supply chains moving products to your doorstep traverse ecosystems whose disruption can halt global commerce. It’s nearly impossible to find a company without Nature dependency.

Read Nicole’s amazingly interesting article here – https://greenmoney.com/the-business-case-for-nature-inspired-innovation

 

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Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Kitty Broihier

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States for all people. American Heart Association statistics from 2024 indicate that about 48% of Americans older than age 20 have cardiovascular disease. This includes coronary heart disease (the most common type of cardiovascular disease), heart failure, stroke, and hypertension.

While we can’t control all the risk factors for heart disease, we can make a difference in two important areas: the way we eat and our level of physical activity. We’ve covered the top recommendations for heart-healthy eating in the past (check here and here). And our coverage is still relevant and current with American Heart Association recommendations for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Of course, knowing the recommendations and actually following them in your daily life are two different things. So here are some of my top strategies to help make heart-healthy eating a reality in your life.

Determine Your Dietary Priorities

Focusing on healthy eating efforts that will make the most difference just makes sense—it’s being strategic. Trying to do everything all at once (aka a complete diet overhaul) is usually overwhelming, spreads your efforts too thin, and doesn’t “move the needle” much on anything. Instead, take a look at your overall diet and see which areas need the most work. Then pick one or two specific swaps or changes and concentrate on those.

Often the biggest impact is made by improving the food choices you eat daily versus those you have just occasionally. For example, let’s say you have cereal and whole milk for breakfast every day. Maybe you focus on making the switch from whole milk to skim milk in a step-wise fashion, little by little. Or perhaps you eat red meat every day at lunch and dinner. You might decide to swap a plant-based food into one meal as a first step on the journey toward a more healthful diet.

Choose Heart-Healthy Foods the Easy Way

Selecting foods that fit into your heart-smart eating plan can be daunting, especially if you’re not in the habit of reading food labels. There’s a lot to learn from ingredient statements and the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages, but if you don’t have time to read and compare products in every aisle, start using Guiding Stars.

The Guiding Stars program is based on an ongoing review of current nutritional recommendations and scientific consensus, which is translated into a system that makes it easy to shop for the best foods and beverages for your health priorities. The Guiding Stars algorithms are the “formulas” we use to rate products, determine point values, and assign stars. These algorithms align closely with diet recommendations from the American Heart Association and other groups. They are also in line with eating plans such as the DASH diet, which supports cardiovascular health.

Choosing foods with Guiding Stars is an efficient and effective way to fill your cart with more heart-healthy food. For example, eating foods that are low in saturated fat is a heart-smart diet move, and the Guiding Stars algorithms debit points for saturated fats. It’s the same for other ingredients or food characteristics that negatively impact cardiovascular health—like trans fats, added sodium, and sugar. On the flip side, Guiding Stars awards more points—and more stars—to foods that have heart-healthy attributes or ingredients. These include foods with more fiber, whole grains, and omega-3 fats. By choosing foods that earn stars, you can trust you’re choosing nutritious options.

Simplify Your Cooking

You probably know that deep-fat frying isn’t recommended if you want to keep your ticker in top shape. But what are the best ways to prepare heart-healthy meals? Try cooking methods that don’t rely on sauces, heavy frying, batter/coatings, and a lot of fuss. Here are the suggestions:

• Steam
• Sauté
• Bake
• Poach
• Roast
• Grill
• Broil
• Stir-fry

You see the idea: keep it simple and let the quality of the ingredients shine on their own. Tasty food doesn’t have to involve a lot of dishes, complicated recipes, or unusual ingredients. When it comes to good food, most chefs will tell you, simpler is better. For added flavor, rely on heart-smart ingredients such as:

• A splash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon or lime
• Fresh or dried herbs
• Dried chiles or fresh peppers
• Citrus zest
• No-added-salt or low-salt seasoning blends
• Pungent vegetables like onions, shallots, and garlic
• Reduced-sodium and low-sodium broths and stocks

Finally, once you find an appropriate recipe, try to find a way to batch-cook, meal-prep, or otherwise make cooking easier. Anything you can do to simplify your healthy way of eating will make good heart health easier to achieve.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

*Image by Freepik

The Washing Machine Project, a mission-driven organization tackling the hidden burden of laundry on communities, recently published its first annual impact report, The Global Laundry Divide: Understanding the Burden of Hand Washing Clothes. The Washing Machine project is supported by Whirlpool Foundation, and together they are designing, assembling and distributing manual washing machines to low-income, remote and displaced communities worldwide.

• A Global Problem: The research suggests that up to 50% of the world’s population, around 4 billion people, rely on washing clothes by hand. This burden is most concentrated in low and middle income countries, where approximately 85% of people wash clothes by hand with the burden being disproportionately placed on women and girls.
• Proven Impact at Scale: Across 13 countries, evidence shows the Divya Washing Machine dramatically improves daily life – cutting laundry time by 75%, halving water use, and easing the heavy physical burden of handwashing.
• The Potential of Collective Impact: Support from Whirlpool Foundation began in 2024, and the collective goal of the organizations is to bring the Divya manual washing machine to 150,000 people worldwide by 2027, unlocking millions of hours for work, study, and rest.

Navjot Sawhney, Founder of The Washing Machine Project, said, “This report is our launchpad for change. By 2030, The Washing Machine Project wants to impact one million lives—driven by innovation, strengthened through partnerships, and powered by an ecosystem approach that turns saved time into lasting opportunity.”

Research within the report quantifies the challenge—exposing the scale of the problem and highlighting the powerful impact the Divya Washing Machine is delivering in communities. The report also demonstrates what’s possible today and sets a new benchmark for greater change as The Washing Machine Project accelerates its mission.

Download the report here:  https://www.thewashingmachineproject.org/our-impact#download-report

Whirlpool Foundation
Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. “House” supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and “Home” focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.
 

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