Tag: 3BL

February 25, 2026 /3BL/ – A new report from the U.S. Food Waste Pact (Pact), a collaborative initiative of 30 food businesses across the country led by nonprofits ReFED and World Wildlife Fund, shows reductions in the amount of food being wasted nationwide by grocery retail and foodservice companies in 2024 compared to 2023. The results are good news for the food system, as it tries to address its 60-million-ton food waste problem.

This is the second year that Pact signatories have reported these data, with 2023 results serving as the inaugural benchmark for food waste in these sectors. Unsold food rates, the metric that most accurately reflects waste reduction in the retail sector, decreased by 1.1% from 2023 to 2024, despite an increase in tons wasted. This means that while market fluctuations and business performance across the retail sector resulted in more food passing through grocery stores, food waste still decreased based on the share of retail inventory that went unsold. The food efficiency rate, the metric that most accurately reflects waste reduction in the foodservice sector, decreased by 5.7% from 2023 to 2024, which was accompanied by a 4,000 ton reduction in waste and a $15.9 million decrease in the wholesale cost of surplus food.

“Being able to measure these kinds of trends is a core reason for why we launched the U.S. Food Waste Pact over two years ago,” Jackie Suggitt, vice president of business initiatives & community engagement at ReFED said. “Measuring food waste is critical to making progress to reduce it. This kind of data allows our signatories and food businesses across the country to take informed and targeted action against food waste.”

In addition to these downward trends in retail and foodservice, the report shares that Pact pilot projects to test and scale solutions to food waste resulted in significant reductions. To date, these pilots have demonstrated food waste reduction averaging more than 50%, including:

• Across four pilots, frontline workers have generated 750+ food waste reduction ideas and have implemented over ten ideas, resulting in an average food waste reduction of 66%.
• One whole chain pilot from 2025 that tested a solution to utilize more strawberries in the foodservice sector reduced on-farm strawberry waste by 51%.
• The Pact’s first low-waste events pilot implementing measurement practices and testing several solutions to back-of-house waste reduced 55% of food waste in key food categories across participating sites.

 

“Our pilots show impressive proof of concept that, if brought to scale, could have staggering impacts on food waste,” Pete Pearson, vice president of food loss and waste at World Wildlife Fund says. “It points to the need for more collaboration across the supply chain to leverage simple solutions with high returns.”

“Being a part of the U.S. Food Waste Pact has been incredibly valuable for ALDI,” says Emily Wiora, sustainability director at ALDI US. “As a founding signatory, collaborating openly with our peers has accelerated our progress and provided insights that we excitedly share with fellow signatories. As the Pact grows, so does its impact on reducing food waste nationwide. Together, we are making meaningful strides in food waste diversion and reduction, and we take pride in being part of the retail cohort that established the national benchmark for food waste in our industry.”

A total of 14 food businesses and organizations joined the Pact in 2025, nearly doubling the initiative’s signatory base. Organically Grown Company and Midwest Foods established a food distribution cohort for the Pact, and CAVA, Starbucks, and Wawa tripled the quick-service restaurant cohort. Hilton was the Pact’s first hospitality signatory, and at the end of the year, the American Hotel & Lodging Association joined as a coalition signatory, a partner that can reach many organizations. Trade associations Western Growers Association and the International Fresh Produce Association helped the Pact establish a presence in the producer sector, and FMI—The Food Industry Association’s joining marked a critical milestone for the Pact because the association touches every corner of the food system. These signatories and more have expanded the Pact’s work across the entire supply chain, allowing for more collaboration to accelerate impact.

“This was a landmark year for the U.S. Food Waste Pact,” says Dana Gunders, president of ReFED. “Our signatories are deeply invested in learning from each other, and the impact of that shared knowledge shows. Whether on a micro scale through pilots or on a macro scale through their own business initiatives, they are taking data-informed action to reduce food waste, and their collaboration is accelerating progress on that shared goal. We’re excited to deepen our engagement with signatories this year as we focus on expanding our resources and scaling solution adoption.”

The signatories of the U.S. Food Waste Pact are retailers Albertsons Companies, Ahold Delhaize USA, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Kroger, New Seasons Market, Raley’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market; manufacturers Bob’s Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, and Lamb Weston, Inc.; coalition signatories Health Care Without Harm and R&DE Stanford Food Institute; trade associations the American Hotel & Lodging Association, FMI—The Food Industry Association, the International Fresh Produce Association, and Western Growers Association; foodservice signatories Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer, and Sodexo USA; quick-service restaurants CAVA, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Wawa; hospitality signatory Hilton; and distributors Organically Grown Company and Midwest Foods.

 

About the U.S. Food Waste Pact

The U.S. Food Waste Pact is a national voluntary agreement that uses the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to reduce food waste across the supply chain. The Pact works with waste-generating food businesses and organizations to collect and analyze data about food waste in their operations, share best practices through precompetitive working groups, and test and scale solutions through intervention projects. The Pact is an initiative led by nonprofits ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund. For more information about the U.S. Food Waste Pact, visit http://usfoodwastepact.org/.

 

About ReFED

ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit that partners with food businesses, funders, solution providers, policymakers, and more to solve food waste. Its vision is a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that makes the best use of the food we grow. The organization serves as the definitive source for food waste data, providing the most comprehensive analysis of the food waste problem and solutions to address it. Through its tools and resources, in-person and virtual convenings, and services tailored to help businesses, funders, and solution providers scale their impact, ReFED works to increase adoption of food waste solutions across the supply chain. To learn more about ReFED and solutions to reduce food waste, please visit www.refed.org.

 

About World Wildlife Fund

WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working for 60 years in nearly 100 countries to help people and nature thrive. With the support of 1 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment, and combat the climate crisis.

 

Media Contacts:

• Nate Clark, ReFED
  nate.clark@refed.org
• Susan McCarthy, WWF
  susan.mccarthy@wwfus.org

This year marks a significant milestone for Inogen Alliance: 25 years as a global Alliance dedicated to advancing environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) outcomes for multinational organizations around the world. From our founding in 2001 to our evolution into a trusted partner for multinational clients, our journey reflects both deep heritage and forward-looking ambition in an era defined by accelerating environmental and societal challenges.

 

The Power of Alliances in Today’s World

Over the past months, many of us have felt the strain of uncertainty and division in the world around us. In times like these, the Inogen Alliance gives me genuine hope. Our Alliance is a living example of what is possible when people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives choose to work together with mutual respect. It reminds me every day that collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose are not abstract ideals, but values we actively practice through our work together. In these uncharted times, I encourage all of us to look at the Alliance as a model for what constructive, values‑driven partnership looks like.

Alliances like ours represent a powerful model for collective action. Rather than a large global firm, our network of independent consultancies brings together diverse perspectives, localized knowledge, and shared commitment to solving complex challenges. This model fosters innovation, reinforces resilience, and amplifies impact. These attributes are increasingly vital as organizations strive to balance growth with sustainable performance.

As businesses and societies look toward a future defined by environmental uncertainty and opportunity, the Alliance’s collaborative approach, grounded in shared purpose and global-local solutions, offers a blueprint for how partnerships can drive meaningful change at scale.

 

A History Rooted in Collaboration and Purpose

Inogen Alliance began as a bold idea: a network of independent EHS&S consultancies that would come together to offer seamless, high-quality services across borders through one point-of-contact. What set us apart from traditional global firms was our innovative model: local consultancies with specialized regional knowledge and regulatory expertise collaborating under a unified framework to serve global clients with consistency and local understanding.

In the first decade of the Inogen Alliance the challenge was convincing the global EHS market that our new innovative way to providing global EHS services would work. Today that is no longer a concern. Today, the market is demanding high quality, knowledgeable EHS resources in-country.

In the early years, this model proved especially powerful for organizations facing complex multinational EHS challenges that required both global coordination and local nuance. By connecting expert consultants from different countries, the Alliance enables clients to navigate varied regulatory landscapes, cultural contexts, and operational realities all through one point of contact and one global contract.

Over the last quarter-century, this unique structure has allowed us to build long-lasting, trusted relationships with clients across industries, from energy and chemicals to technology, retail, food and beverage, and beyond, delivering solutions that balance compliance, risk management, sustainability performance, environmental liabilities and strategic growth.

 

Growth, Evolution, and Strategic Impact

What started with a handful of Associate consultancies has grown into a vibrant global network with 70+ Associates, more than 6,000 consultants, and projects delivered in over 150 countries. This breadth of reach, paired with the depth of local expertise, is a defining strength of the Alliance, enabling clients to access tailored solutions wherever they operate.

Over the years, Inogen Alliance has expanded capabilities beyond traditional EHS compliance into strategic sustainability services including climate change and decarbonization consulting, water stewardship and conservation, biodiversity protection, and ESG advisory. These expanded offerings reflect the evolving needs of global organizations and underscore our commitment to helping clients not only meet requirements, but also lead in business resilience and sustainability performance.

Recognitions like being ranked #37 in Environment Analyst’s Global Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Market Assessment highlight the stature of the Alliance in the broader consulting landscape and affirm the value of a collaborative model in driving meaningful impact for clients and communities.

 

Why Clients Choose Inogen Alliance

Clients partner with Inogen Alliance for several compelling reasons:

• Global Coverage, Local Insight: With expertise in 200+ offices worldwide and consultants fluent in local languages and regulatory frameworks, the Alliance unlocks operational excellence and compliance confidence across diverse jurisdictions.
• Unified Delivery, Consistent Quality: One contract and one global team streamline complex international engagements, ensuring consistency in methodology, reporting, and project execution.
• Industry Breadth: From industrial safety and environmental remediation to sustainability strategy and ESG integration, clients have access to a multidisciplinary suite of services tailored to their sector’s evolving risks and opportunities.
• Collaborative Partnership: The Alliance’s relationship-driven approach fosters trust and shared ownership of outcomes, a key differentiator in long-term client engagements.

 

A New Purpose and Mission for Today’s Challenges

As Inogen Alliance enters its 25th year, we have also embraced a refreshed purpose and mission that reflect the urgency and complexity of today’s global challenges:

• Purpose: To accelerate a resilient planet for all.
• Mission: Solve pressing environmental challenges locally through a dynamic global ecosystem.

These statements not only articulate why the Alliance exists, but also how our members collectively bring this purpose to life through our work and in partnership with our clients. The Alliance’s membership bring together a diverse global network to deliver locally relevant solutions with global perspective. The focus on resilience, equity, and partnership aligns with the needs of organizations seeking to navigate climate disruption, regulatory shifts, and societal expectations for environmental stewardship.

Embedded within these guiding principles are core values: Respect, Trust, Collaboration, and Integrity that continue to bind our members and shape how we serve clients and communities.

 

Looking Forward

This anniversary is not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on what has sustained the Alliance for a quarter century and how we carry those strengths forward into the next 25 years. Like any organization operating in a dynamic global marketplace, we have navigated change: evolving services, shifting priorities, and new challenges. What has remained constant is our people. Associates from every corner of the world, working across cultures, time zones, and client needs, have shaped the Alliance into what it is today. I am deeply proud to work alongside our Associates and grateful for both the visible and behind‑the‑scenes contributions that have brought us to this remarkable milestone. With an evolved purpose, a dynamic global ecosystem, and a legacy of collaborative impact, Inogen Alliance stands poised to accelerate resilience and sustainability for another 25 years and beyond.

 

About Inogen Alliance

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of over 70 of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.

This year marks a significant milestone for Inogen Alliance: 25 years as a global Alliance dedicated to advancing environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) outcomes for multinational organizations around the world. From our founding in 2001 to our evolution into a trusted partner for multinational clients, our journey reflects both deep heritage and forward-looking ambition in an era defined by accelerating environmental and societal challenges.

 

The Power of Alliances in Today’s World

Over the past months, many of us have felt the strain of uncertainty and division in the world around us. In times like these, the Inogen Alliance gives me genuine hope. Our Alliance is a living example of what is possible when people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives choose to work together with mutual respect. It reminds me every day that collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose are not abstract ideals, but values we actively practice through our work together. In these uncharted times, I encourage all of us to look at the Alliance as a model for what constructive, values‑driven partnership looks like.

Alliances like ours represent a powerful model for collective action. Rather than a large global firm, our network of independent consultancies brings together diverse perspectives, localized knowledge, and shared commitment to solving complex challenges. This model fosters innovation, reinforces resilience, and amplifies impact. These attributes are increasingly vital as organizations strive to balance growth with sustainable performance.

As businesses and societies look toward a future defined by environmental uncertainty and opportunity, the Alliance’s collaborative approach, grounded in shared purpose and global-local solutions, offers a blueprint for how partnerships can drive meaningful change at scale.

 

A History Rooted in Collaboration and Purpose

Inogen Alliance began as a bold idea: a network of independent EHS&S consultancies that would come together to offer seamless, high-quality services across borders through one point-of-contact. What set us apart from traditional global firms was our innovative model: local consultancies with specialized regional knowledge and regulatory expertise collaborating under a unified framework to serve global clients with consistency and local understanding.

In the first decade of the Inogen Alliance the challenge was convincing the global EHS market that our new innovative way to providing global EHS services would work. Today that is no longer a concern. Today, the market is demanding high quality, knowledgeable EHS resources in-country.

In the early years, this model proved especially powerful for organizations facing complex multinational EHS challenges that required both global coordination and local nuance. By connecting expert consultants from different countries, the Alliance enables clients to navigate varied regulatory landscapes, cultural contexts, and operational realities all through one point of contact and one global contract.

Over the last quarter-century, this unique structure has allowed us to build long-lasting, trusted relationships with clients across industries, from energy and chemicals to technology, retail, food and beverage, and beyond, delivering solutions that balance compliance, risk management, sustainability performance, environmental liabilities and strategic growth.

 

Growth, Evolution, and Strategic Impact

What started with a handful of Associate consultancies has grown into a vibrant global network with 70+ Associates, more than 6,000 consultants, and projects delivered in over 150 countries. This breadth of reach, paired with the depth of local expertise, is a defining strength of the Alliance, enabling clients to access tailored solutions wherever they operate.

Over the years, Inogen Alliance has expanded capabilities beyond traditional EHS compliance into strategic sustainability services including climate change and decarbonization consulting, water stewardship and conservation, biodiversity protection, and ESG advisory. These expanded offerings reflect the evolving needs of global organizations and underscore our commitment to helping clients not only meet requirements, but also lead in business resilience and sustainability performance.

Recognitions like being ranked #37 in Environment Analyst’s Global Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Market Assessment highlight the stature of the Alliance in the broader consulting landscape and affirm the value of a collaborative model in driving meaningful impact for clients and communities.

 

Why Clients Choose Inogen Alliance

Clients partner with Inogen Alliance for several compelling reasons:

• Global Coverage, Local Insight: With expertise in 200+ offices worldwide and consultants fluent in local languages and regulatory frameworks, the Alliance unlocks operational excellence and compliance confidence across diverse jurisdictions.
• Unified Delivery, Consistent Quality: One contract and one global team streamline complex international engagements, ensuring consistency in methodology, reporting, and project execution.
• Industry Breadth: From industrial safety and environmental remediation to sustainability strategy and ESG integration, clients have access to a multidisciplinary suite of services tailored to their sector’s evolving risks and opportunities.
• Collaborative Partnership: The Alliance’s relationship-driven approach fosters trust and shared ownership of outcomes, a key differentiator in long-term client engagements.

 

A New Purpose and Mission for Today’s Challenges

As Inogen Alliance enters its 25th year, we have also embraced a refreshed purpose and mission that reflect the urgency and complexity of today’s global challenges:

• Purpose: To accelerate a resilient planet for all.
• Mission: Solve pressing environmental challenges locally through a dynamic global ecosystem.

These statements not only articulate why the Alliance exists, but also how our members collectively bring this purpose to life through our work and in partnership with our clients. The Alliance’s membership bring together a diverse global network to deliver locally relevant solutions with global perspective. The focus on resilience, equity, and partnership aligns with the needs of organizations seeking to navigate climate disruption, regulatory shifts, and societal expectations for environmental stewardship.

Embedded within these guiding principles are core values: Respect, Trust, Collaboration, and Integrity that continue to bind our members and shape how we serve clients and communities.

 

Looking Forward

This anniversary is not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on what has sustained the Alliance for a quarter century and how we carry those strengths forward into the next 25 years. Like any organization operating in a dynamic global marketplace, we have navigated change: evolving services, shifting priorities, and new challenges. What has remained constant is our people. Associates from every corner of the world, working across cultures, time zones, and client needs, have shaped the Alliance into what it is today. I am deeply proud to work alongside our Associates and grateful for both the visible and behind‑the‑scenes contributions that have brought us to this remarkable milestone. With an evolved purpose, a dynamic global ecosystem, and a legacy of collaborative impact, Inogen Alliance stands poised to accelerate resilience and sustainability for another 25 years and beyond.

 

About Inogen Alliance

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of over 70 of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Allison Stowell

Date night, whether with a partner, friend, or even yourself doesn’t have to mean restaurant indulgence. It can be a simple, nourishing moment made special at home—an opportunity to explore a new recipe and enjoy time in the kitchen. Maybe you’re alone with your favorite music, or sharing the work with a loved one. Whatever your preference, staying in saves you money and lets you make a meal that’s tailored to your tastes.

Keep It Simple

In a world of “Instagram-perfect” dinner plates, it’s easy to forget that yours doesn’t have to look pretty. Your only goal is to make a dish that’s nutritious, balanced, and delicious. Think of it as assembling a meal, not necessarily cooking one. Go for protein + grain + vegetable (or fruit) + flavor and you’ll have the bowl or plate that works for you. To make it even easier, maintain a pantry and freezer stocked with Guiding Stars-earning convenience. Add assorted citrus, spices, oils, and lower-sodium sauces for flavor, and you’re all set.

Nutrition Boost

One of the costs of dining out (or ordering in) is the “cost” of nutritional compromises. Preparing food at home, however, allows you to manage the ingredients. Choose more heart-healthy fats and go for whole grains for a fiber boost. You can also control the amount of salt in your meal. This may mean significantly less salt—one restaurant meal can contribute almost a third of our daily sodium intake. Try Guiding Stars-earning, nutritious dishes that rival restaurant-made meals like Curried Vegetable Lo Mein or Spicy Fish Taco Bowls.

Flavor & Color

It’s common to choose restaurant meals over dining in when we don’t think we can recreate bold flavors or appealing plates on our own. Today, however, it’s much easier to make meals at home with international flair, flavor depth, and interesting ingredients. Most supermarkets have a robust sauce and marinade aisle, abundant grains and pasta shapes, and produce from around the world. Surprise yourself with homemade Peruvian Shrimp with Green Sauce or Chicken Shahi Korma.

Beyond Date-Night Dinner

When you’re savoring a slow night at home, making delicious food is precious. Compared to busy days that pull you in so many directions, just the time to slow down is an indulgence. But what if these moments of relaxation also helped make the upcoming week easier? Lean on weekend dinners that also make prepped ingredients for easy weekday meals. Make sheet pan meals, which provide the building blocks for salads, grain bowls, wraps, omelets, and more in the upcoming week. Or go for a dish that’s likely to leave plenty of leftovers, like a roast or stew. You’ll be enjoying your evening and giving your future self a gift too.

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, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image: Herb Rubbed Roast Beef with Orange Salsa – 2 Guiding Stars

 

MetLife

NEW YORK, January 27, 2026 /3BL/ – MetLife Foundation announced a $1.7 million grant to U.S. Soccer Foundation, the national leader for sports-based youth development. This partnership will help improve the well-being of 220,000 young people, their families and local communities through the power of sports and mentorship, preparing them for more confident futures. This work will create more opportunities for people and communities to get involved in the excitement around the sport.

With 16 million youth in the U.S. lacking a mentor, the two-year partnership will train and equip teachers and coaches across MetLife communities to help fill this gap, including 850 in the New York and New Jersey area as part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s evidence-based Soccer for Success program and Yes, Coach!^TM movement. These programs equip coaches with essential youth development skills and empower teachers to use soccer to improve the physical and mental health of their students.

The partnership will create new safe spaces to play with the opening of six mini-pitches – small, hard-court fields – in cities nationwide. U.S. Soccer Foundation’s evaluation of mini-pitches proved these spaces strengthen communities and expand opportunities with 86% of youth who have access to them demonstrating positive behaviors and 98% of residents reporting that their neighborhoods feel safer. To build on this impact, MetLife Foundation is supporting community-led soccer programming at additional locations through the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Just Ball program.

“We’ve seen how powerful sports can be, not just for kids, but for families and entire communities,” said Tia Hodges, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation and Head of Corporate Giving and Employee Volunteerism at MetLife. “Together with U.S. Soccer Foundation, we’re creating more opportunities to play and engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help young people and their communities build stronger futures.”

U.S. Soccer Foundation and MetLife Foundation will open mini-pitches in Dallas, TX, and Philadelphia, PA, by the end of 2025. They plan to open additional locations in California, Georgia, New Jersey and New York in 2026. These will serve as community hubs, hosting ongoing soccer events and activities, with support from MetLife employee volunteers.

“Soccer is having a moment in our country, and we’re proud to partner with MetLife Foundation to ensure this moment reaches millions of youth and families in under-resourced communities nationwide,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “By creating safe places to play, expanding proven in- and after-school programs, and training more coaches to serve as mentors and community leaders, we’re making sure the game leaves a lasting impact for generations to come.”

MetLife Foundation’s partnership with U.S. Soccer Foundation builds upon its recent $9 million commitment as a founding donor of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to quality education and soccer for young people around the world.

For more information on the work of MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.

About MetLife Foundation

At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to driving inclusive economic mobility. We collaborate with nonprofit organizations and provide grants aligned to three strategic focus areas – economic empowerment, financial health and resilient communities – while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its inception, MetLife Foundation has contributed over $1 billion to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.

About U.S. Soccer Foundation

As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

MetLife Foundation: 
Olivia Janicelli
347-751-5728 
olivia.janicelli@metlife.com 
 

U.S. Soccer Foundation: 
Jennifer Arnold 
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org

Building an inclusive digital workforce

The disconnect between skilled talent and open jobs has become one of the most pressing challenges worldwide. Cisco Networking Academy and Indeed, the world’s #1 job site*, have joined forces through a global strategic partnership to address this gap—creating a seamless, end-to-end pathway from tech skills training to employment.

For over 28 years, Cisco Networking Academy has empowered millions of learners and instructors with the skills needed to succeed in a digital world. Now, with Indeed’s mission to help 30 million job seekers facing barriers get hired by 2030**, this partnership marks a new chapter in bridging education and employment at scale.

A proven model for a global vision

To begin our collaboration, we launched an initial pilot in the United States to build a customized career hub. Our model features a co-branded career hub on Indeed, tailored specifically for Cisco Networking Academy learners to streamline the journey from skills to jobs by offering:

• Curated job boards: Pre-filtered roles directly aligned with Cisco Networking Academy’s curricula, including Cybersecurity, Networking, AI & Data Science, Programming, and more.
• AI-enhanced tools: Personalized career advice, AI-powered resume builders, intelligent job matching, and comparison tools help learners put their best foot forward.
• Career services: Access to free and discounted resources, including resume writing, mock interviews, and negotiation preparation.
• Career preparation workshops: Free, comprehensive sessions to help learners plan their career goals and enhance their professional profiles.

Since the U.S. pilot launched in August 2024, the results have been remarkable, with tens of thousands of job applications started by Cisco Networking Academy students. This high level of engagement highlights the value of connecting verified tech talent with real-world opportunities and demonstrates a proven model for bringing our global vision to life.

India: The next step in a global rollout

Building on the success of the U.S. pilot, we’re expanding our reach to the first dedicated Career Hub outside of the United States. As the world’s third-largest digital economy***, with over 70 percent of India’s youth aspiring to work in tech****, India’s potential to shape the future of tech is extraordinary. By launching our career hub model in India, Cisco and Indeed are providing localized, high-impact opportunities for a workforce that is ready to lead the next wave of digital innovation.

Powering potential at scale

Cisco’s goal to train 25 million learners by 2032, combined with Indeed’s global reach, creates a powerful force for social and economic impact—and this launch is just the beginning. By creating a seamless connection between education and employment, we aim to power potential and advance inclusion for learners everywhere and build the workforce of tomorrow—starting today.

“Cisco Networking Academy offers access to in-demand digital skills for learners across the globe,” says Par Merat, Vice President, Learn with Cisco. “Now, our collaboration with Indeed helps those learners find jobs best aligned to their skills. By combining our industry-leading curriculum and global community with Indeed’s world-class platform, we’re creating a bridge from skills to jobs that will change lives and help close the talent gap.”

How to get started

• Explore the Career Hub: Explore the new Career Hub to discover local opportunities matched to your skills.
• Update your profile: Make sure to add “Cisco Networking Academy” to your Indeed and LinkedIn profiles. This is a critical step to boost your visibility with employers!
• Showcase your skills: Follow these steps to Stand Out with an Optimized Indeed Profile. This guide will help you add your earned badges, certificates, and certifications to your profile.
• For employers: When using Indeed products such as Smart Sourcing, search for “Cisco Networking Academy” or relevant Cisco Networking Academy certifications to build a pipeline of job-ready tech talent.

Visit the Career Hub now

 

*Total Visits, Comscore, March 2025.

**Sustainability: Breaking Down Job Market Barriers to Help 30M Job Seekers Get Hired, Recruit Group, November 2025. View source

***State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) Report, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), 2024. View source

****Gen Z and Millennials: Reshaping the Future of Workforce, Nasscom, December 2022. View source

View original content here.

At Elanco, our commitment to a healthier future extends beyond animal health. It encompasses the health of our planet and our people. We are thrilled to announce that our new global headquarters has achieved LEED Certified status, a testament to our dedication to sustainable design and operation. This significant accomplishment reflects a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, ensuring our workspace is as innovative and forward-thinking as our mission.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. It provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving buildings. There are four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. LEED addresses everything from energy and water use to materials, waste management and indoor environmental quality. Our building project underwent verification and review by Green Building Certification Inc. and received points for satisfying certain credit requirements. Elanco is pleased to have achieved the Certified level.

LEED certification is about more than just a plaque on the wall. It’s about a holistic approach to sustainability, considering people, planet, and profit. It ensures that buildings are designed, constructed, and operated to minimize environmental impact while maximizing occupant well-being.

The certification process began at the very inception of the building’s design back in 2020. When we decided to pursue certification, we started by collaborating with the design team to determine which credit categories we would target. Energy efficiency was the first discussion; we then branched out to other goals and carried them through with the contractor team. It was a multi-layered decision-making process with owners, architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, and consultants such as RATIO, CSO, F.A. Wilhelm, Anova, and GAIA Blueprint all coming together to ensure we met the sustainability goals.

 

Sustainable Design and Construction Highlights

Our new headquarters boasts a range of innovative features that contributed to its LEED certification:

Energy and Atmosphere:

• Optimized Energy Performance: One of the most impressive features is the energy recovery wheel system, which is a sustainable AHU component that transfers sensible and/or latent energy between incoming fresh air and outgoing exhaust air, reducing HVAC loads by up to 70-80%.
• Enhanced Commissioning: An independent commissioning agent verified that our HVAC systems are installed and operating precisely as designed, ensuring optimal performance.

Location and Transportation:

• Brownfield Site Redevelopment: Our headquarters is built on a brownfield site, an abandoned area that we are giving new life to. This is what LEED calls a ‘high-priority site’ for sustainable development.
• Enhanced Connectivity: This campus, along with elements of connectivity such as a logical public street grid, sidewalks, lighting and greenspaces, set a framework for ongoing connectivity in the downtown Valley Neighborhood. The upcoming Innovator Way bridge across the White River will connect central downtown to the OneHealth Innovation District and the Valley neighborhood. The new bridge includes the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, further integrating our campus into the urban environment and all its important venues. The new Innovator Way bridge includes four large circular rings, a unique feature that will contribute to the skyline.

 

Measurable Environmental Impact

The sustainable choices made during design and construction translate into significant environmental savings:

• Water Efficiency: By selecting lower-flow fixtures for toilets, sinks, urinals, and showers, Elanco’s headquarters saves an impressive 542,668 gallons of water every year. That’s just over 4/5ths of an Olympic swimming pool, or almost five years of water for one household!
• Waste Reduction:
  • Construction Demolition and Waste: Instead of sending construction waste to landfills, we partnered with a provider to divert and recycle materials. A remarkable 75.9% of construction waste (1300 tons) was diverted from landfills.
  • Operational Recycling: The building features numerous recycling points throughout, including dedicated battery recycling.
• Heat Island Reduction: To combat the urban heat island effect, our campus incorporates a reflective roof and uses concrete instead of asphalt in key areas.

Thoughtful Material Sourcing and Indoor Quality

We selected the materials for our headquarters with both environmental impact and occupant well-being in mind:

• Sustainable Materials: Over 20% of our raw materials were sustainable products, incorporating recycled content and locally sourced materials.
• Indoor Environmental Quality: We prioritized low-emitting materials for furnishings, paints, and carpets. These materials produce fewer toxic odors and off-gases, improving indoor air quality for all employees.
• Thoughtful Material Sourcing: At Elanco, a table represents unity and connection. This belief drove our thoughtful sourcing of communal cafeteria tables in our new building. They were designed and manufactured by Purposeful Designs, an organization dedicated to employing homeless men, putting them on a path to self-sufficiency and a living wage.

 

Employee Experience and Well-being

Beyond environmental benefits, the sustainable design of our headquarters significantly enhances the daily experience for Elanco employees:

• Improved Indoor Air Quality: The use of low-emitting materials directly contributes to a healthier indoor environment.
• Natural Lighting and Views: The building’s design maximizes natural lighting and offers views of the Indianapolis skyline and Lucas Oil Stadium, fostering a more pleasant and productive workspace.
• Art and Comfort: Features such as the Water in Dripping, River sculpture, and bronze table sculpture enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal and overall sense of well-being.

Elanco’s LEED Certified headquarters is more than just a building; it’s a living embodiment of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the well-being of our global community. We are proud to lead by example, creating a workspace that is healthy for our employees and responsible for our planet.

PORTLAND, OR., February 25, 2026 /3BL/ — The Portland Thorns have signed a multi‑year agreement with KeyBank, naming the financial institution the club’s Official Retail Bank and launching a slate of programs focused on community impact, youth development, and financial empowerment.

The partnership centers on expanding opportunities for girls and young women in Portland, with investments supporting several cornerstone Thorns initiatives, including Community Captain, the Thorns Academy, and the Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow program.

Alexis Lee, President of Business Operations for the Thorns, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building pathways for young women both on and off the field.

“When you hand someone a key, you’re saying this space is yours and that’s what this partnership represents,” Lee said. “With KeyBank, we can strengthen the resources around girls at every stage of their journey, expanding access, investing in growth, and bringing opportunity forward in tangible ways.”

Josh Lyons, KeyBank’s Oregon and Southwest Washington Market President, said the partnership aligns with the bank’s focus on strengthening local communities.

“This collaboration is a true testament to our commitment to Portland,” Lyons said. “Together, we’ll expand access to financial empowerment resources and inspire the next generation—both on and off the pitch.”

Spotlighting Community Leaders

As part of the agreement, KeyBank becomes the presenting sponsor of Community Captain, an in‑stadium recognition program that highlights individuals making a difference in the region. Honorees will be celebrated on the field before regular‑season home matches and featured across Thorns platforms.

Investment in Player Pathways

KeyBank will also serve as the front‑of‑kit sponsor for the Thorns Academy, marking a major investment in the club’s youth development system. The support will help fund opportunities for young athletes and milestone events such as the Academy Gala and Senior Signing Day.

Programs for Girls and Women

The partnership extends to Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow, a Thorns initiative that provides leadership development, career exposure, and mentorship to young women. The organizations will jointly launch a scholarship program for girls from underserved communities and create original content blending soccer education with financial literacy.

Fan and Player Engagement

Fans can expect Thorns‑themed experiences at KeyBank branches, while players will have access to financial education and career‑planning resources. KeyBank will also continue its role as the presenting partner of the “Girl of the Game” feature during home matches.

Activation of the partnership will roll out across Providence Park, local neighborhoods, and digital channels throughout the 2026 season.

Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions has earned three prestigious global honors: Platinum Winner at the TITAN Business Awards for Business Technology Solutions, Manufacturing Solution, Product of the Year at the BIG Awards for Business, and the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025 in the AI – Manufacturing category.

These accolades underscore the strength of Lenovo’s AI-powered manufacturing solutions and its ability to help customers enhance production quality, strengthen supply chain resilience, and modernize operations with smarter, more efficient, and secure technologies.

• The BIG Awards recognize organizations and leaders that turn vision into performance, reshape markets, and drive positive change across industries. Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions was named Product of the Year, reflecting strong industry validation for its AI-powered capabilities that enable end-to-end automation, real-time data visibility, and advanced intelligence across warehouse automation, production lines, and supply chains.
• The 2025 TITAN Business Awards celebrate global business leaders for entrepreneurial drive, corporate excellence, and international impact. Selected from more than 5,200 entries across 65 countries, Lenovo received the Platinum award in the Business Technology Solutions – Manufacturing Solution category, affirming its position among an elite group of organizations setting new benchmarks for innovation and excellence.
• The Middle East Technology Excellence Awards honor outstanding achievements by both regional and international companies shaping the region’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. Lenovo was recognized for its comprehensive, end-to-end manufacturing solutions that seamlessly integrate supply chain, shop floor, and warehouse operations.

Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions continues to deliver proven business outcomes through real-world deployments. By combining decades of manufacturing expertise with a global partner ecosystem, Lenovo enables manufacturers to boost productivity, improve efficiency, and advance sustainability by accelerating the shift toward the next era of intelligent, human-centric manufacturing.

“Our wins reflect not just our leadership in technology, but the trust our customers place in us to co-design AI-powered solutions that are practical, scalable, and built for real-world impact,” said Andy Zheng, General Manager, Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions. “As a manufacturer ourselves, we understand first-hand the pressures organizations face to do more with less, to operate sustainably, and to keep people at the center of innovation. That perspective shapes our commitment to helping customers automate intelligently, build resilience, and move confidently into the next era of manufacturing.”

Delivering measurable real-world impact for customers across industries

A widely recognized example of Lenovo’s real-world impact is its collaboration with ST Logistics. Partnering with Lenovo, ST Logistics streamlined and integrated its systems while introducing Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to optimize routing, prioritize urgent shipments, and enhance workplace safety, laying the foundation for future innovation. As a result, the company reduced turnaround times and improved storage efficiency by increasing order processing by up to 40%, reducing energy consumption by 30%, and boosting workforce productivity by up to 30%. Hamarian Mohamad, General Manager, Homeland Security, ST Logistics said, “Choosing the right partner and technology was crucial—not just to enhance efficiency but to prepare for future automation and AI potential. Lenovo’s capabilities best fit our visions and strategic plan for future development, delivering immediate benefits while integrating with our existing systems.”

Lenovo has also recently completed a warehouse automation program for leading regional retailer, Guardian Health & Beauty, part of DFI Retail Group. The AI-led solution deploys a fleet of 47 autonomous robots to support warehouse operations, delivering tangible improvements in accuracy and efficiency. Proving to be another example of Lenovo’s practical business impact, the solution led to an increase in goods picking accuracy, reaching almost 100%, and picking efficiency increasing by 35%. This innovation helped Guardian Malaysia secure the

In addition, Lenovo’s enabled the leading Chinese dairy producer to derive actionable insights from daily user feedback through AI-powered social listening, while delivering a seamless customer experience across digital platforms. Lenovo also supported the deployment of a supply chain control tower that reduced shortages and overstock, mapped the end-to-end procurement-to-sales journey, and enabled more agile marketing and logistics planning. “Lenovo has extensive experience in AI and manufacturing and is actively exploring and building diverse AI capabilities. Over the past few years, we have collaborated with Lenovo to develop and continuously refine multiple applications. These capabilities have significantly improved employee efficiency and helped us better serve our customers.” says Tiger Shang, General Manager of the Data Technology Center, Yili Group.

Together, these real-world deployments demonstrate how our AI-driven automation is accelerating the manufacturing industry’s shift toward Industry 5.0 that emphasizes human-centricity in human-intelligent machine interactions.

Building on this momentum, Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions will continue to showcase how organizations can automate, sustain, and adapt for long-term productivity and growth at upcoming global platforms, including Lenovo Tech Day, LEAP in the Middle East, and Hannover Messe in Germany.

The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company, and 2CRSi, a pioneer in high-performance, eco-responsible server technology, today announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA)¹ following the successful qualification of Chemours’ Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid in current-generation 2CRSi servers. This milestone sets the stage for accelerating the development and deployment of advanced two-phase cooling technologies—including direct-to-chip and immersion systems—for high-density IT infrastructure, supporting AI and next-generation chips.

Building on this qualification success, the partnership will combine Chemours’ advanced thermal management expertise and 2CRSi’s server design leadership to deliver substantial end-user and environmental benefits, meeting near- and long-term data center and IT cooling demands.

“At Chemours, we firmly believe two-phase liquid cooling is the key to unlocking the next generation of high-performance computing, and we’re thrilled to partner with 2CRSi to meet the unprecedented demands of AI and advanced IT workloads—while dramatically reducing energy and water consumption,” said Nathan Blom, Vice President of Liquid Cooling at Chemours. “This partnership will not only deliver innovative cooling solutions; it will empower customers to future-proof their infrastructure and accelerate the transition to more efficient, resilient digital ecosystems.”

Chemours’ Opteon™ two-phase liquid cooling solutions can deliver up to a 90% reduction in data center cooling energy compared to traditional air cooling, a power usage effectiveness (PUE) approaching 1, dramatic reductions in water consumption, and a circular solution through fluid recovery and reuse. Additionally, accelerated life cycle testing confirms compatibility with industry-standard IT components.

These environmental and operational advantages align with 2CRSi’s commitment to decarbonizing digital infrastructure. Leveraging Chemours’ next-generation fluids, 2CRSi has successfully commercialized ultra-high-density servers—such as the Atlas 1.8GG 2PIC model—housing 8 NVIDIA H200 GPUs in a 1U format, a technical achievement enabled by two-phase cooling.

“2CRSi has always been a pioneer in server cooling. As the industry embraces liquid cooling, we are proud to collaborate with Chemours to deliver some of the most efficient and innovative solutions available today,” said Alain Wilmouth, CEO at 2CRSi. “This partnership reflects a shared vision to address the surging energy demands of AI and GPU-accelerated computing. Together, Chemours and 2CRSi are paving the way for compact, energy-efficient edge data centers capable of powering low-latency applications such as autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G networks, and intelligent embedded systems.”

The companies will focus on pushing technological boundaries to deliver efficient, high-density servers for AI and HPC, targeting advanced formats like 15 kW, 1U servers powered by Nvidia GPUs.

¹ This agreement formalizes an in-depth technological collaboration between the two companies, following several years of successful testing conducted on 2CRSi’s Atlantis™ and Octopus™ servers with the Opteon™ 2P50 fluid developed by Chemours.

This announcement originally appeared on Chemours.com.