Tag: 3BL

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report

Customer Experience

Delivering top-tier personalized support.

Each entrepreneur’s story is unique. Whether that’s where they come from or where they’re going, we believe every idea deserves personalized solutions. We strive to deliver positive customer experiences through dedicated support, educational resources, and continuous enhancements to our offerings. Our GoDaddy Guides (Guides) work to exceed expectations by helping customers realize the full value of the solutions and tools we offer.

Customer Conversations & Support

Our personalized support for every stage of an entrepreneur’s journey sets us apart from our competitors and helps to improve customer satisfaction and retention. We meet customers how, where, and when they need us, and we continuously refine our approach based on their feedback and evolving needs.

Our Guides provide proactive, informed, and personalized guidance, whether resolving a quick issue or helping build a complete online presence. Each Guide is trained to ‘WOW’ customers through real, one-on-one interactions. Our Guides are located globally and provide support in several local languages.

20+ Million

We have 20+ million paying customers as of the year ended December 31, 2025.

Delivering WOW 

With GoDaddy’s WOW program, we’ve built a specialized process for efficiently maximizing value with every customer interaction. Because each interaction is important, we operate a robust quality assurance model to support consistency across communications and to identify areas of potential improvement. Our Customer Care Team continually assesses the program’s impact and updates processes to improve customer satisfaction and reduce the time customers spend reaching out to us.

Voice It

Our customers deserve fast, effective solutions when they face challenges, and we aim to learn from their recommendations for improvements and enhancements. Voice It, our internal customer feedback intake tool, allows customers to share their pain points directly with our Guides. Our Guides use this feedback to collaborate with internal teams to address, develop, and share solutions geared to benefit our entire customer base.

Innovating Customer Experiences

We focus on continuous improvement and invest in innovation, tools, and training to help our customers better find the guidance they need and to help our Guides better serve our customers. Our Natural Language Processing technology allows customers to describe their issue in their own words and help route them to the right specialist without navigating rigid menus. This leads to faster connections and better outcomes. The feature is currently available in English-speaking markets, with plans to expand to additional markets in the future.

Our Guides are equipped with tools that support proactive escalation, case summarization, and faster issue resolution. Our Guides can utilize GABI, GoDaddy’s internal Care Team Artificial Intelligence assistant, which Guides can prompt while supporting customers to surface relevant help articles and website resources in real time. These tools help Guides run diagnostics, provide step-by-step guidance, and find answers more quickly so they can support customers with confidence.

GUIDE DEVELOPMENT

Guides receive regular training to keep their skills sharp. In 2025, we offered specialized AI1 training and simulations to better help our Guides confidently support customers with our AI-powered products like Airo.

Customer Tools & Community Resources

While conversations with our Guides remain central to the GoDaddy customer experience, entrepreneurs also have access to a range of learning tools to help them along their journeys. The GoDaddy Resource Library offers on-demand, practical guidance, while the GoDaddy AI Prompt Library provides free prompts to help small business owners work more efficiently. Beyond our own platforms, we share tutorials on thirdparty sites like YouTube and engage with customers on social media sites.

4.5

Trustpilot rating of 4.5 out of 5.

A+

Better Business Bureau score of A+.

Learn more about GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report.

About this Report

The GoDaddy 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching purpose and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual reporting. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector, and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures. We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please refer to the Frameworks & Metrics section.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Sofidel

The prestigious “A” rating in the 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) recognizes the effectiveness of the Group’s supply chain decarbonization strategies

PORCARI (Lucca), Italy, July 2, 2026 /3BL/ – Sofidel, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use, best known in Italy and Europe for its Regina brand, has achieved the highest “A” score in CDP’s 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA). CDP is the non-profit global organization that supports companies worldwide in measuring and disclosing environmental performance.

Thanks to this achievement, Sofidel is once again confirmed on CDP’s SEA Leaderboard, which recognizes companies for the effectiveness of their strategies in engaging suppliers in the fight against climate change.

The rating assesses five key areas: risk management processes; governance and business strategy – including the presence of a climate transition plan; supplier engagement on environmental issues; Scope 3 emissions reporting and verification; and emissions reduction targets.

“We are proud to once again be included in CDP’s SEA Leaderboard. This achievement confirms that, together with our partners, we are moving in the right direction towards the future, and it is even more meaningful in the year in which we celebrate our 60th anniversary,” commented Riccardo Balducci, Sofidel Group Sustainability Director.

Supplier engagement is a key pillar of Sofidel’s sustainable development strategy. This approach is essential to achieving the Group’s Net-Zero goal (carbon neutrality across the entire value chain) by 2050 – a commitment undertaken within the framework of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to help limit global warming in line with the Paris Agreement.

In 2025, CDP assessed more than 22,100 companies worldwide.

DP World has taken another step in addressing residual emissions by purchasing 231 tonnes of verified carbon offsets through Boomitra, supporting a large-scale grassland restoration project in Northern Mexico.

This purchase builds on a broader agreement signed in 2023 between DP World and Boomitra to scale regenerative agriculture and soil carbon removal across the Global South. Through that partnership, DP World committed to purchasing soil carbon removal credits from multiple Boomitra projects spanning Mexico, South America, and India – supporting farmers and ranchers in adopting regenerative practices that restore soil health and remove carbon from the atmosphere.

While the purchase helps compensate for emissions from DP World’s operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), its impact extends far beyond – directly benefiting ranching communities and ecosystems thousands of kilometres away.

To put this into perspective, 231 tonnes of CO₂ is roughly equivalent to taking around 50 passenger vehicles off the road for a year, or the amount of carbon that could be absorbed by thousands of tree seedlings grown over a decade.

Turning Carbon Markets into Real-World Impact

Carbon offsetting can sometimes feel abstract. At its core, the process is straightforward:

• Organizations compensate for emissions they cannot yet eliminate by investing in projects that remove or reduce greenhouse gases elsewhere.
• These projects are independently verified, and each carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide removed or avoided.

In this case, DP World’s credits are certified under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), one of the world’s most widely used frameworks for ensuring credibility and transparency in carbon markets.

But what sets this project apart is how those credits translate into tangible outcomes.

Through Boomitra’s Northern Mexico Grassland Restoration Project, carbon finance is flowing directly to the land stewards responsible for regenerating ecosystems. Under Boomitra’s producer-first model, at least 75% of gross carbon revenue goes to ranchers and local partners – creating a powerful incentive to adopt sustainable land management practices.

Supporting Communities and Regenerating Ecosystems

For Heriberto, a community rancher (ejidatario) at Ejido Acebuches, the benefits are immediate and practical:

“We will have capital to acquire more infrastructure that will allow us to manage the ranch better, such as electric fencing, feeders, and improved corrals.” 

Ángel G., another participating rancher, highlighted the deeper significance:

“It is deeply rewarding to receive payment for my contribution to mitigating climate change. By doing what I love, I can help improve our shared home, even in a small way. It is a valuable, additional incentive that allows me to keep improving my work hand in hand with natural processes.” 

Beyond livelihoods, the environmental results are equally compelling. The project has documented 281 plant species and 436 animal species, including the return of aplomado falcons and confirmed presence of jaguars and ocelots. In one area, native grass species have rebounded from just one to more than 60, demonstrating the potential of regenerative practices to restore biodiversity and soil health.

Scaling Climate Solutions Through Innovation

Boomitra, a global carbon project developer and 2023 Earthshot Prize Winner, leverages artificial intelligence and remote sensing technology to measure and monitor soil carbon at scale. 

Its projects already support more than 150,000 farmers across four continents and are expected to remove over 100 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next 20 years, while directing significant carbon finance back to agricultural communities.

This combination of advanced technology and community-centered design is helping unlock climate solutions that are both scalable and inclusive.

A Complement to Decarbonization

DP World’s carbon offset purchase is part of a broader strategy to achieve net-zero emissions across its global operations by 2050. While the priority remains on direct decarbonization – through energy efficiency, electrification and innovation – high-quality carbon offsets play an important role in addressing residual emissions in the near term. The recent achievement of operational net-zero emissions across DP World-owned facilities in JAFZA demonstrates how these approaches work together to advance the company’s long-term climate ambitions.

By investing in verified, high-impact projects like Boomitra’s, DP World is not only compensating for emissions but also contributing to nature restoration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable economic development.

As carbon markets continue to evolve, initiatives like this highlight how climate action can deliver shared value, connecting global supply chains with local solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

Learn more about DP World’s sustainability impact in Latin America

Calculation note: Equivalencies are based on widely used emissions factors, including approximately 4.6 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger vehicle per year (U.S. EPA). Tree seedling estimates reflect average carbon sequestration over a 10-year growth period and may vary by species, geography, and growing conditions. 

As playoff energy surged across major sports markets this year, KeyBank turned high-profile moments into powerful opportunities to connect with fans, strengthen communities, and elevate its brand presence.

Through longstanding partnerships with teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Colorado Avalanche, KeyBank demonstrated how sports sponsorships can go far beyond logos and signage—transforming into meaningful community experiences and memorable moments for clients, colleagues, and fans alike.

Buffalo Sabres: Bringing Playoff Energy to the Community

As the official bank and playoff sponsor of the Buffalo Sabres, KeyBank played a central role in celebrating the team’s return to the playoffs, their first appearance in 14 years.

Together, KeyBank and the Sabres hosted four community playoff pep rallies across Western New York, extending the excitement of postseason hockey beyond the arena walls. Through the HocKey Assists program, Sabres alumni, the team’s mascot Sabretooth, and KeyBank teammates visited local organizations including Best Buddies, The Resource Council of WNY, GiGi’s Playhouse, and Seneca Street Community Development Corporation.

Each stop featured mini pep rallies, exclusive playoff giveaways, and interactive experiences that allowed children and families to engage directly with the team. From chants and games to personal interactions with Sabres legends, the events ensured that playoff excitement was accessible and inclusive.

The Sabres’ deep playoff run also marked a milestone moment for KeyBank, aligning with the kickoff of its 10-year naming rights agreement for KeyBank Center.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Capturing Playoff Excitement On and Off the Court

In Cleveland, KeyBank leaned into the intensity of the Cavaliers’ 2026 playoff run with a mix of fan-facing activations and internal engagement.

The company amplified its visibility through in-arena moments, including a Game 1 “Deal or No Deal” timeout feature and rally towel activations during Game 2. Digital content, such as the “Keys to the Game” social media series, further extended the brand’s reach and tied KeyBank messaging directly to game-day excitement.

Internally, KeyBank brought that same energy to its teammates with a high-profile pep rally at its Tiedeman campus ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals. The event featured appearances from Cavaliers representatives, a visit from the team mascot, and a range of interactive experiences and giveaways.

The result was more than just a morale boost, it reinforced KeyBank’s partnership with the Cavaliers while fostering a strong sense of pride and community among employees.

Colorado Avalanche: Elevating the Fan Experience in Denver

In Colorado, KeyBank’s partnership with the Avalanche reached new heights during the team’s milestone 30th anniversary season.

Serving as the Presenting Sponsor, KeyBank built on a relationship that dates back to the franchise’s inaugural season. As the Avalanche entered the playoffs as one of the NHL’s top teams, KeyBank expanded its role as the Presenting Partner of Avs Alley, a vibrant outdoor fan experience held during all home playoff games.

Located just outside Ball Arena, Avs Alley became a central gathering place for fans, featuring large-screen game broadcasts, food trucks, beverages, and live entertainment. KeyBank’s presence was woven throughout the experience, from prominent branding to interactive activations like the “Let’s Make a Deal” game, where fans had the chance to win cash prizes.

KeyBank also delivered exclusive benefits for its customers, including VIP seating areas and special giveaways for cardholders. In addition, each game included recognition of a 30-year season ticket member, honoring the Avalanche’s legacy and deep connection with its fan base.

Powering Brand Impact Through Partnership

Across all three markets, KeyBank’s playoff activations highlight a strategic approach to sports sponsorship, one that merges brand visibility with authentic community engagement.

By combining live experiences, community outreach, employee engagement, and digital storytelling, KeyBank continues to position itself as more than a financial institution. Instead, it shows up as an active participant in the moments that matter most to the communities it serves.

As playoff runs fuel passion and pride among fans, KeyBank’s presence ensures that those moments translate into lasting connections on the ice, on the court, and far beyond the game.

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

Local organizations receive Hometown Fund support to expand access to health care, food, housing and essential services

WOONSOCKET, R.I., June XX, 2026 /3BL/ – The CVS Health Foundation is investing $1 million in grants through its Hometown Fund to 20 organizations that are making a difference for Rhode Islanders every day. This year, Hometown Fund grants will support local nonprofits working to increase access to health care, address food insecurity, expand availability of stable housing and improve community health across the state.

“We’re investing in Rhode Island nonprofits that are meeting people where they are – helping individuals and families access health care, food, stable housing and the support they need to stay healthy,” said Jenny McColloch, president of the CVS Health Foundation. “Through our Hometown Fund, we focus on communities our colleagues call home, supporting organizations that are addressing the everyday factors that shape wellbeing and make a real difference across the state.”

Aldersbridge Communities, a 2026 CVS Health Foundation Hometown Fund grant recipient, is making a meaningful impact for older adults across Rhode Island by connecting affordable housing with essential health care services. Offering a continuum of care, from independent, assisted living and memory care assisted living, Aldersbridge Communities helps residents maintain their independence while receiving the support they need to stay healthy. This grant will help strengthen those services, ensuring more older adults can age with dignity, stability, and a strong sense of community.

“The support of the CVS Health Foundation allows us to expand our work to make compassionate, innovative, inclusive and affordable elder care services available to all Rhode Islanders,” said Elise Strom, chief development officer of Aldersbridge Communities. “This grant will strengthen our strategic planning efforts, helping us develop new communities, advance environmental sustainability initiatives and build a strong foundation for the future.”

From helping older adults live independently and increasing access to affordable care, to ensuring families don’t have to worry about their next meal, this year’s grantees reflect the strength and resilience of communities across Rhode Island. Alongside Aldersbridge Communities, additional recipients of the Hometown Fund in Rhode Island include Better Lives Rhode Island, Blackstone Health, Children and Youth Cabinet, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Community Blessings Foundation, Federal Hill House Association, Good Neighbors, Inspiring Minds, Lucy’s Hearth, Mae Organization, Meals On Wheels RI, Northern RI Food Pantry, OpenDoors, Rhode Island Public Health Institute, Shri Service Corps, Southside Community Land Trust, The Jonnycake Center, Westerly-Area-Rest-Meals (WARM), and Youth Pride.

The Hometown Fund supports local nonprofits across Rhode Island and in the Hartford, Connecticut area — two key communities where CVS Health colleagues live and work. Through this annual grant program, the Foundation provides general operating support to organizations that are making a difference by expanding access to health care and addressing the everyday factors that shape people’s wellbeing, like nutritious food and housing.

The CVS Health Foundation is announcing this year’s Hometown Fund grantees as part of its ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact in Rhode Island, where the company is headquartered. In 2025, CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation provided more than $2.64 million in charitable giving across the state, along with significant investments in affordable housing and workforce development initiatives that help create pathways to long-term stability. Through programs like Project Health, CVS Health delivered free health screenings to nearly 1,200 Rhode Islanders last year, while colleague volunteers contributed thousands of hours to support local communities. Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to improving community health across the Ocean State.

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About The CVS Health Foundation

The CVS Health Foundation has a proud history of supporting local communities across various regions throughout the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to uniting communities to address health challenges in collaboration with a wide range of nonprofit grantees. The Foundation collaborates on programs that enhance health outcomes, with focus areas including mental well-being, healthy aging, maternal health, health impacts from extreme weather and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also helps lay the groundwork for a healthier future by assisting organizations that address food security and promote educational opportunities. Additionally, the CVS Health Foundation supports CVS Health colleagues by backing the causes that are most meaningful to them through its Matching Gifts, Volunteer Challenge Grants and Children of Colleague Scholarship programs.

Media Contacts

Courtney Tavener
401-712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR

What Do ASC’s New Standards Mean for Aquaculture?

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

8:30 AM PT | 11:30 AM ET

REGISTER

The newly aligned ASC Farm Standard version 1.0.1 represents a significant step forward in advancing responsible aquaculture practices, introducing updated requirements, processes, and expectations for certified farms.

While the standard officially comes into effect on August 1, 2026, the ASC has established a two-year transition period. During this time, aquaculture operations can voluntarily undergo assessments against the new standard, allowing farms, consultants, and stakeholders to prepare for future compliance and better understand what’s ahead. 

Join SCS Global Services on Wednesday July 22nd for an informational session with Brian Ahlers, Technical Sales Manager, as he walks through the key elements of the updated standard. Attendees will gain clarity on the changes, explore the assessment process, and learn how to successfully navigate the transition toward the future state of ASC certification.

REGISTER

JUBA, South Sudan, July 1, 2026 /3BL/ – Unidentified assailants ambushed a clearly marked humanitarian aid convoy, leaving 17 dead, including five employees of the nonprofit John Dau Foundation (JDF). Four JDF employees and their driver were seriously injured, and two vehicles destroyed.

The vehicles were traveling between Payuel Payam and Pajut in Duk County, Jonglei State, South Sudan, on June 29, 2026 when they were attacked. The personnel were returning from a training hosted by Action Against Hunger, which partners with JDF to deliver life-saving assistance and co-create lasting solutions to the root causes of hunger. Local authorities have deployed security and recovery teams, and the injured are receiving urgent medical care.

“Action Against Hunger stands with the John Dau Foundation. We are profoundly saddened and outraged by the senseless attack on humanitarian personnel and extend our heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families, friends and coworkers. We wish the injured a full and speedy recovery,” said Ahmed Khalif, South Sudan Country Director, Action Against Hunger. “We are privileged to consider many at JDF as colleagues and friends. Together, we remain committed to supporting the people of South Sudan and promoting peace, humanitarian access, and the protection of aid workers.”

Action Against Hunger activated its crisis team, confirmed that its staff in the area are safe, and connected directly with JDF leaders to offer assistance. Additionally, Action Against Hunger has suspended all field movements and operations pending a comprehensive Security Risk Assessment.

“This attack is a painful reminder of the growing dangers faced by aid workers around the world. It is a moral outrage and a violation of international law,” said Charles E. Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger. “The global community has a responsibility to protect humanitarian personnel so they can deliver life-saving assistance safely and without fear. Frontline staff sacrifice every day so others can survive.”

South Sudan is facing chronic poverty, political instability, and massive humanitarian crises compounded by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Action Against Hunger began operations in South Sudan in 1985, bringing innovative nutrition and health services to nearly one million people each year, supporting communities in hard-to-reach places. JDF was founded by one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” and works to advance health and nutrition.

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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.

ST. PAUL, Minn., and CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 1, 2026 /3BL/ – 3M and Discovery Education today announced the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge’s 37 State Merit Winners and four Honorable Mention recipients. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists who demonstrate the power of science to improve the world.

To enter the competition, students in fifth through eighth grade may submit a brief video explaining their original idea to solve an everyday problem using science. The videos are evaluated for creativity, scientific knowledge and communication skills. This year’s entries featured solutions in a variety of categories, including robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR and climate technology.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge highlights how students use science and creativity to solve real-world problems”, said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. “At 3M, we’re focused on supporting these young innovators as they develop their ideas and apply them in ways that can deliver measurable impact.”

Each year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes a grand prize winner, 10 finalists, four Honorable Mentions and up to 51 State Merit Winners – in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The 37 State Merit Winners and 4 Honorable Mention recipients for this year’s competition were selected based on their passion for science and innovation, and superb communication skills. Each State Merit Winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a prize pack.

The 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winners are listed below in alphabetical order by state:

• [Alaska] Sage Riley Brothers, Homeschooled, N/A
• [Arizona] Akshay Lakshminarasimhan, BASIS Scottsdale, BASIS Charter Schools Inc.
• [California] Kyle Xu, The Harker School – Middle School Campus, Campbell Union School District
• [Colorado] Vedanth Raju, Aurora Quest K-8, Aurora Public Schools
• [Connecticut] Cayden Joseph, Engineering and Science University Magnet School, New Haven Public Schools
• [Delaware] Reena Vaishnavi Neetipalli, Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Red Clay Consolidated School District
• [Florida] Arshiya Ghosh, Starkey Ranch K-8, Pasco County
• [Georgia] Siddhant Mahapatra, Dodgen Middle School, Cobb County School District
• [Hawaii] James Beecroft, Our Savior Lutheran School, Aiea, Hawaii
• [Iowa] Leen Idrees, Southeast Middle School, Iowa City Community School District
• [Illinois] Kyrha Shah, Gordon Gregory Middle School, Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204
• [Indiana] Aarsh Sahu, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Clay Schools
• [Kansas] Vidhi Mishra, California Trail Middle School, Olathe Public Schools
• [Kentucky] Liam Baldwin, Belfry Middle School, Pike County Schools
• [Massachusetts] Sayoni Argawal, Blanchard Middle School, Westford Public Schools
• [Maryland] Krish Janoria, Hallie Wells Middle School, Montgomery County Public Schools
• [Maine] Ryder Tu, Reeds Brook Middle School, Regional School Unit 22
• [Michigan] Adhrit Mishra, Avondale GATE Magnet School, Avondale
• [Minnesota] Agastya Pande, Chippewa Middle School, Mounds View Public Schools
• [Missouri] TingMing Tsai, Ladue Middle School, Ladue School District
• [North Carolina] Prakhar Purohit, The Math and Science Academy of Apex, The Math and Science Academy of Apex (Charter school in Wake County – NCES District ID 3700482)
• [Nebraska] Vihaan Manikya, Millard North Middle School, Millard Public Schools
• [New Hampshire] Sharwin Balagurumoorthy, Homeschooled, N/A
• [New Jersey] Nithya Tammana, Monroe Township Middle School, Monroe Township School District
• [New York] Sofia Allyson Ignacio, Hillside Grade School, New Hyde Park – Garden City City Park Union Free School District
• [Ohio] Harshith Nelabhotla, Strongsville Middle School, Strongsville City School District
• [Oklahoma] Umar Aslam, Casady, Oklahoma County
• [Oregon] Albert Liu, Willamette Valley Academy, Beaverton – Private School
• [Pennsylvania] Ahana Paul, Downingtown Middle School, Downingtown Area School District
• [South Carolina] Amita Barik, Sterling School Charles Townes Center, Greenville County School District
• [Tennessee] Anisha Nachnani, University School of Nashville, Davidson County
• [Texas] Timothy Chong, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas – Private School
• [Utah] Rohan Damarla, Challenger School, Lehi – Private School
• [Virginia] Ishanvi Sakharpe, Old Donation School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
• [Washington] Kapish Arora, Maywood Middle School, Issaquah School District
• [Wisconsin] Aarav Malinowski, Wisconsin Hills Middle School, Elmbrook
• [West Virginia] Preethi Nethi, West Virginia Academy, Monongalia

Each year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also recognizes select entrants with an Honorable Mention award. These individuals were selected for their unique and innovative concepts and effective communication skills. The four 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge Honorable Mention recipients are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

• Darsh Goel, Mountain House, Calif., Peter Hansen Elementary, Lammersville Unified School District
• Kishan Kumar, Sammamish, Wash., Basis Independent Bellevue, Bellevue
• Ayan Roychowdhury, Menlo Park, Calif., Sacred Heart Schools, San Mateo
• Ashwin Sundaresan, San Diego, Calif., Oak Valley Middle School, Poway Unified School District

“When students see how science connects to the world around them, they stop memorizing and start believing they can make a difference,” said Brian Shaw, chief executive officer at Discovery Education. “The 3M Young Scientist Challenge gives young people the real-world relevance that fuels deep STEM learning and the persistence to see an idea through. Congratulations to every student honored this year. The world is better for the creativity and determination you bring.”

Previous 3M Young Scientist Challenge winners

Now in its 19th 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. America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, appeared on Forbes 30 Under 30 list and exhibited at the White House Science Fair. 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.

Learning resources for all educators and students

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is complemented by Young Scientist Lab, a free digital resource program from 3M and Discovery Education that gives every student access to standards-aligned, hands-on science experiences designed to spark curiosity and build STEM skills. Students, teachers and families of all skill levels can transform and innovate the world around them. Young Scientist Lab resources are also available through Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms.

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2026 competitors, 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 a global education technology leader whose innovative solutions empower educators and progress student learning. Discovery Education’s solutions have served more than 100 million students globally, supporting effective teaching and learning in 45% of U.S. K-12 schools and in 100+ countries and territories. The company’s portfolio includes award-winning core and supplemental curriculum, high-quality standards-aligned content, and AI-enabled teaching and learning tools. Solutions span math, science, literacy, social studies, and career-connected learning, including instructionally-aligned content developed through one-of-a-kind partnerships with industry leaders to bring real-world relevance into every lesson. Learn more at www.DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contacts
3M
3Mnews@mmm.com

Ali Koper
Discovery Education
akoper@discoveryed.com

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

What does “Your Work. Global Impact.” mean to you personally?

When I joined Care Engineering in the last quarter of 2024, the India presence was small — a lean team in Gurgaon and the Pune center in a nascent phase. With around 25 years of industry experience, specifically in building engineering teams from under 50 employees to a few thousand who are passionate about engineering discipline, I had a mammoth task of building those proud units as well as accelerating the AI challenge at hand. Standing up those teams, building Guide Assist v2, and simultaneously contributing to the migration of a global contact center and the rebuild of an AI platform gave us a very direct answer to what this phrase means. The work my team does in Gurgaon and Pune lands directly in front of GoDaddy customers and Guides across the world — every single day.

The moment it really hit me was when the AI framework components we built started showing measurable positive outcomes for Guides handling customer conversations globally. These weren’t built by an existing team alone — they were built together, from the ground up, by engineers in both the US and India who owned them end to end. “Global impact” stopped being a tagline and became a standard we held ourselves to.

For me personally & with the fast paced AI world, it means innovation with responsibility. When you know your system is running in a live conversation, innovation & reliability aren’t optional — they’re part of the job.

How do teams balance innovation with reliability?

Honestly? The hardest way possible — by doing both at the same time, not sequentially.

Running a live contact center while simultaneously migrating infrastructure and building AI capabilities that couldn’t wait taught me this directly. The teams that came through that period without breaking everything else were the ones with disciplined release practices already in place.

That experience shaped how I think about this now. Innovation gets to move fast because we don’t compromise on the foundation. We introduced release trains specifically to make delivery deterministic — you can move boldly when you know the guardrails are real, not just documented somewhere. We invested in AI observability not to slow things down but so we could see exactly what was happening inside our agents in production and iterate quickly with confidence.

The short version: reliability is what earns you the right to innovate. Without it, you’re not moving fast — you’re just accumulating risk you’ll pay for later.

What leadership learning moment shaped you most?

Some experiences, like visiting the teleperformance center in Mohali multiple times during our contact center migration was one of those experiences that quietly shapes how you think.

You can architect systems from a distance — read the metrics, review the logs, sit in the design reviews. But walking the floor of a live care center, watching the customer pain points, watching Guides handle back-to-back customer conversations, understanding the micro-frustrations in their tools, the cognitive load of switching contexts mid-call — that changes how you build. You stop optimizing for what looks good in a demo and start optimizing for what actually helps a human being do their job better under pressure.

That experience directly shaped how we approached the AI framework and the components that needed to be a part of the CARE foundation – these weren’t designed in the abstract. They were designed with the CARE’s future needs & specific personas in mind: a guide trying to resolve a customer’s problem quickly and confidently, the customer itself getting a great experience, both with and without a guide.

The leadership lesson: get close to the problem before you get close to the solution. The best engineering decisions I’ve made at GoDaddy trace back to something I saw or heard on that floor.

What excites you most about GoDaddy’s AI future?

The shift from building AI features to building the platform that makes AI-powered CARE possible & effective.

This shift is also the moment Care Engineering stops being seen as a delivery team and starts being seen as the very foundation of GoDaddy’s customer experience.

Right now, what we’ve built in Care Engineering — the capabilities, the framework and the features on top — is starting to look less like a set of projects and more like a platform & the foundation of how customer experience will look like from here. That transition is exciting because it changes what becomes possible for teams across GoDaddy.

We ran the AI Boulder program specifically to seed AI champions inside India engineering teams — people who can carry the capability forward, not just consume tools built elsewhere. Seeing those individuals emerge and start pulling their teams forward is genuinely one of the most exciting things I’ve been part of.

What’s ahead is “agentic systems” that don’t just assist guides but handle entire workflows, for customers as well as guides, for all channels, be it messaging or voice — personalized, context-aware, and operating at GoDaddy scale. We’ve been building the components that make that possible. The most exciting part is that much of that foundation was built in the US and India together, by teams that didn’t exist in this form a year ago.

What are the non-negotiables in how your team’s work?

Three things, and I hold these firmly.

Ownership, not handoffs. A team that builds something owns it — in production and under pressure. We don’t build things and throw them over walls. This was especially important as we were establishing new teams or scaling up existing ones in India; I wanted the culture of full ownership to be there from day one, not retrofitted later.

Deterministic delivery. We introduced release trains because unpredictable delivery is expensive — for the teams, for stakeholders, and for our customers. Predictability isn’t about slowing down; it’s about building trust that lets you move faster over time. If a team can’t say when something will ship and actually mean it, that’s the first thing we fix.

Honest engineering conversations. I expect my teams to tell me when something won’t work — technically, timeline-wise, or in terms of what a product can actually deliver. The cost of a hard conversation early is always lower than the cost of avoiding it. I’d rather have an engineer who pushes back with evidence than one who ships something they knew was wrong.

A note of gratitude

None of this journey has been a solo act. I’m deeply grateful to my peers across the US and India who aligned with us, challenged us, and trusted us with consequential work from the very beginning. To my managers who backed the direction even when the path wasn’t fully clear — thank you. And to every engineer in Gurgaon and Pune who showed up, upskilled rapidly, backed each other under pressure, and delivered at a pace this fast-moving AI environment demanded — this story is yours as much as mine.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any single delivery. It’s that when things got hard, this team held together and performed as one cohesive unit.

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Emerging contaminants are rapidly becoming one of the most important environmental challenges facing organizations, regulators, and communities around the world. While PFAS have dominated headlines in recent years, growing attention is also being directed toward microplastics and newer contaminants such as 6PPD-quinone, a tire-derived chemical linked to significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

In Episode 2 of Season 3 of Rethinking EHS, host Beatrice Bizarro (Inogen Alliance Leadership Team Member / HPC, Italy) sat down with Ivy Niu (Terrapex, Canada) and Jack Sheldon (Antea Group USA) to discuss why these contaminants are attracting global attention, how regulations are evolving, and what organizations should be doing today to better understand and manage risk.
 

 

Key Takeaways

• Emerging contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics, and 6PPD-quinone are receiving increased global attention as scientific understanding continues to evolve.
• PFAS regulations continue to expand globally, creating a complex compliance landscape for multinational organizations.
• 6PPD-quinone has been linked to significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, particularly salmon populations in urban watersheds.
• Microplastics are becoming a growing focus for regulators, particularly in relation to drinking water quality.
• Organizations that proactively assess emerging contaminant risks are generally better positioned than those waiting for regulatory certainty.
• Future management strategies will likely combine multiple technologies, including treatment systems, nature-based solutions, and innovative destruction technologies.

Listen to the full episode here

Why are PFAS, microplastics, and 6PPD-quinone considered emerging contaminants?

Beatrice Bizarro: There is currently a lot of global attention and momentum around manmade substances such as microplastics and chemicals such as PFAS and 6PPD. Why are these being labeled as emerging contaminants, and what issues are they creating?

Ivy Niu: Advances in science are revealing environmental and human health risks that were not previously understood. In the case of 6PPD, a chemical used in tires since the 1970s, researchers discovered that it transforms in the environment into a previously unknown compound called 6PPD-quinone. This transformation product has been linked to significant impacts on aquatic life, particularly in urban watersheds.

Jack Sheldon: PFAS followed a similar trajectory. High-profile litigation, increasing media coverage, and expanding scientific research have elevated PFAS into the public spotlight. As public awareness grows, science, regulation, and policy tend to follow. We are now seeing a similar pattern emerge for microplastics and, increasingly, for 6PPD-quinone.

What is 6PPD-quinone and why is it attracting attention?

Beatrice Bizarro: Can you explain what 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone are, where they are found, and why they are relevant today?

Ivy Niu: 6PPD is an anti-degradation chemical widely used in tires to prevent cracking and extend tire life. As tires wear down, particles containing 6PPD are released into the environment. When exposed to ozone, the chemical transforms into 6PPD-quinone.

A major breakthrough came in 2020 when researchers identified 6PPD-quinone as the likely cause of a phenomenon known as urban runoff mortality syndrome, which has been responsible for large-scale die-offs of coho salmon before spawning in urban streams.

This issue is particularly significant because salmon are considered both keystone and indicator species. Their decline signals broader ecosystem health concerns and can have ecological, cultural, and economic consequences for communities that rely on healthy fisheries.

How are microplastics being addressed today?

Beatrice Bizarro: While PFAS dominate much of the global conversation, microplastics are gaining attention rapidly. How are they currently being addressed in the United States?

Jack Sheldon: PFAS have benefited from a tremendous amount of public attention, partly because they are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” That term has made the issue highly visible and understandable to the general public.

Microplastics are now beginning to follow a similar path. Unlike many chemical contaminants, people can easily understand what plastic is and how plastic particles might enter the environment. As awareness grows, regulators are focusing on understanding how microplastics enter drinking water systems.

Although regulation of microplastics is not yet as mature as PFAS regulation in the United States, several states are working together to develop monitoring programs and better understand the extent of contamination in drinking water supplies.

What do we know about the health impacts of 6PPD-quinone?

Beatrice Bizarro: What can you tell us about the known impacts of 6PPD-quinone on human health?

Ivy Niu: Research is still emerging, but early studies suggest both 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone may be associated with skin allergies, respiratory effects, and reproductive impacts. These compounds have also been detected in human biological samples, including breast milk and cord blood.

While the risks to humans are not yet fully understood, the widespread presence of these compounds and their demonstrated toxicity to aquatic species raise important concerns. The uncertainty itself is one of the reasons regulators and researchers are paying close attention.

How are organizations responding to PFAS risk?

Beatrice Bizarro: PFAS regulation, treatment technologies, and product restrictions continue to evolve. Where are organizations finding success in managing this risk?

Jack Sheldon: Organizations generally fall into one of two categories.

Some are waiting for regulatory certainty before taking action. Others are proactively assessing their environmental, worker exposure, supply chain, and brand risks today.

The organizations that are making the most progress are those taking proactive steps to understand their legitimate risks before regulations require action. This is especially important because PFAS-related information continues to evolve rapidly. New regulations, treatment technologies, and scientific findings are emerging every week.

Companies that begin evaluating their risks now are better positioned to adapt as the regulatory landscape develops.

Why is global regulatory visibility becoming so important?

Beatrice Bizarro: One challenge with PFAS is the pace and complexity of regulatory developments around the world. How can organizations keep up?

Jack Sheldon: The volume of information is overwhelming for most organizations to manage on their own. Regulations differ by country, state, and even municipality.

That is why collaborative efforts are becoming increasingly valuable. Through the Inogen Alliance network, environmental experts across more than 70 countries contribute local knowledge that helps organizations track evolving PFAS requirements and identify emerging risks before they become significant compliance challenges.

Having access to both global visibility and local expertise allows companies to make more informed risk management decisions.

What solutions are emerging for 6PPD-quinone?

Beatrice Bizarro: What does mitigation look like in practice?

Ivy Niu: Current approaches generally fall into three categories:

1. Source control – reducing tire particle accumulation through measures such as street sweeping.
2. Flow control – slowing stormwater movement to reduce pollutant transport.
3. Treatment systems – using engineered stormwater infrastructure to remove contaminants before they enter waterways.

One promising area involves bioretention systems that combine organic matter, mineral additives, and filtration media to capture tire-derived contaminants. Researchers are also exploring floating wetlands and phytoremediation approaches that use plants to help manage contamination.

What might the future of PFAS management look like?

Beatrice Bizarro: Looking ahead five to ten years, what does successful PFAS management look like?

Jack Sheldon: There is growing optimism around destructive technologies that can break down PFAS compounds rather than simply contain them. Many of these technologies have shown promise in laboratory settings and are beginning to move toward larger-scale demonstrations.

At the same time, the future will likely involve combinations of technologies rather than a single solution. Managing PFAS, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants will require flexible approaches that combine treatment, containment, monitoring, and risk-based decision-making.

Continued advances in microbial degradation, phytoremediation, and nature-based solutions may also create new opportunities for managing these contaminants more effectively.

What should organizations do today?

Beatrice Bizarro: If there is one action organizations should take right now, what would it be?

Jack Sheldon: Understand your risk.
Whether the concern is PFAS, microplastics, 6PPD-quinone, or another emerging contaminant, organizations should begin assessing how these substances may affect their operations, supply chains, products, workers, and stakeholders.
Waiting for complete regulatory certainty often means falling behind.

Ivy Niu: I would add that organizations should stay informed about scientific developments and emerging alternatives. Innovation is moving quickly, particularly around safer replacements for chemicals such as 6PPD. Companies that monitor these developments early will be better positioned to adapt as regulations and expectations evolve.

Explore the Global PFAS Regulatory Dashboard

For organizations working to understand their PFAS risk, keeping pace with regulatory change is one of the biggest challenges. To help, the Inogen Alliance and Antea Group have developed the Global PFAS Regulatory Dashboard, an interactive tool that consolidates more than 1,200 up-to-date PFAS regulatory requirements across 50 countries and 48 U.S. states.

This free resource gives organizations a clear, actionable view of their compliance obligations, helping them make smarter decisions, reduce compliance risk, and stay ahead of global PFAS trends. For companies ready to go further, deeper insights are available, including region-specific compliance guidance and site-level contamination assessments.

Access the dashboard here.

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