Tag: 3BL

VIANEN, Netherlands, July 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world’s largest express transportation company, proudly announces the opening of its newest facility in Vianen. This modern site, designed to handle both parcel and pallet operations, marks a significant step forward in enhancing logistics infrastructure in the Netherlands. The new facility boosts the efficiency of sorting and shipping processes and is designed with safety and sustainability in mind.

Strategic Growth and Operational Efficiency Built for strategic growth, the new facility in Vianen features a warehouse space of 5,865 m² and 816 m² of office space. It offers extensive operational benefits compared to the previous location. It includes ten dock doors for trailers—one equipped with a scissor lift and nine with loose load capabilities. A new sorting machine significantly increases efficiency, with a maximum sorting capacity of 3,600 parcels per hour. Thanks to 48 direct loading positions for vans at the conveyor belt, parcel processing is now faster and ergonomically improved.

Advanced Technology The facility is equipped with new technologies, including parcel X-ray, a customs cage, and a designated aviation security area for processing secure air freight. Additionally, the site features a caster deck to efficiently unload unit load devices from trailers. These improvements enable faster parcel handling and delivery, while the advanced sorting system automatically detects whether shipments have been cleared by customs. Moreover, the planning department is located on-site, allowing for optimal freight scheduling.

With an A-level energy label and FedEx’s broader goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040, the facility has been designed with sustainability in mind. It includes fourteen charging stations for electric vehicles and four charging points for the general public. The site is also equipped with LED lighting and automated lighting sensors to minimize energy consumption. FedEx has scheduled an initial three electric vehicles for deployment in 2025, as part of the company’s phased approach to electrification.i

An Improved Working Environment Beyond operational efficiency and sustainability, FedEx is also investing in a comfortable and safe working environment. In addition to ergonomic workstations, modern office facilities, and a customer desk for enhanced service and direct shipments, the Vianen facility incorporates advanced safety measures. These include a security cage and weekly training sessions to ensure a secure workplace.

“Our new facility in Vianen plays a crucial role in optimizing our first- and last-mile operations, enabling us to serve our customers even better,” said Ron Willemsen, managing director ground operations, Benelux at FedEx. “We are proud of the sustainable and innovative solutions this location offers. The opening of the new facility in Vianen highlights our commitment to customer focus, efficiency, and environmentally friendly logistics. We continue to invest in solutions to strengthen our position as a leading logistics service provider.”

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

What an incredible week it was at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity! We are thrilled to share that our hard work and dedication received recognition on the global stage.

Here are some highlights from this unforgettable experience.

Cannes Lions Grand Prix Award Winner for B2B Integrated Campaign

We are beyond proud to celebrate that our yearlong campaign, It’s Like You Know, won the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Creative B2B Integrated Campaign and was shortlisted in two additional categories, Cross-Channel Storytelling and Innovative Use of Content. To be recognized with a Cannes Lion is a tremendous feat.

According to Cannes, only 10% of all entries make the shortlist each year, and just 3% win an award. Only 0.1% – or 35 entries – won a Grand Prix in 2025. We are grateful to be one of the 35!

According to the jurors, our campaign showcased groundbreaking creativity, innovation, and effectiveness, placing us among the best in the world.

“Commenting on the Grand Prix, Jury President Wendy Walker, VP Marketing ASEAN, Salesforce, said: ‘This year’s Grand Prix stood out for its boldness, confident execution, and pure B2B creativity. Built on a universal human insight, it demonstrated the product by bringing humour and entertainment into a B2B context and delivered real business impact. From timely influencer use to measurable impact across multiple channels, it delivered on every level, proving that B2B can be bold, entertaining, and brilliantly effective.’”

For six and a half years, I’ve been hopeful the world would come to see and understand the real GoDaddy—the one I’ve had the privilege of knowing from the inside. A company of hard-working, kind, deeply convicted incredible advocates for small business. This recognition validates our progress in being seen and getting GoDaddy’s message out to the world.

Learning Opportunities All Week Long

Thank you to Female Quotient and Brand Innovators for including me in their speaker lineups.

On the Brand Innovators stage, Allison Clarke and I discussed how our integrated campaign became a pop culture moment and a product demo – while wearing our Walton Goggins Goggles Glasses, of course!

During the Female Quotient panel, I joined other CMOs to discuss marketing in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of balancing creativity and efficiency while retaining trust. We covered the gamut, from how we’re learning and using AI in our personal lives to its impact on our roles. Our fantastic moderator, Joanne Bradford, is a fan of our campaign, which gave me a genuine opportunity to talk about the positive impact GoDaddy Airo and our AI experiences have on small businesses as well.

The festival was packed with learning opportunities. I’d be remiss if I didn’t call out how impressive the Palais is during the Festival. The set-up is exceptional; campaigns are displayed like art, and there are myriad places to sit quietly and watch creative submissions. With each submission including a maximum two-minute video (thank you, Cannes, for demanding brevity!), I consumed a huge amount of awe-evoking creative during a lovely, quiet morning.

Inspiration Everywhere

The content at Cannes Lions was nothing short of amazing. It’s called the International Festival of Creativity for good reasons! We were moved by the creativity and innovation on display, and we left with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. The festival reminded us of the power of storytelling and the impact that well-crafted campaigns can have on our world.

As I reflect on this incredible week, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our success and made this experience so memorable. Here’s to many more achievements and inspiring moments to come!

Thanks for the magic, Cannes!

Grid stability is at risk. The advent of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as solar, wind, and batteries, has increased the attack surface of energy generation. While cities once had few power plants, they now host thousands of smaller, intermittent sources. These DERs are often managed by entities without uptime requirements. At the same time, traditional energy sources face greater demand fluctuations due to the intermittency of renewables. Additionally, electricity demand is growing rapidly due to new applications like electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers.

The availability of electricity is now a national security issue. Long power interruptions disrupt the economy and threaten lives. For example, the recent 12-hour power outage in Spain cost about $2 billion (Financial Times). There’s rising interest from malicious actors, including ransomware groups and nation-state attackers, in controlling the power grid. Initial incidents have already been reported, such as the 300-day infiltration of the U.S. electric grid by China’s Volt Typhoon hackers (SecurityWeek). Renewable equipment, like power inverters, often contains backdoors and can sometimes be remotely controlled (Reuters). Coordinated attacks on numerous inverters could cause incidents like Spain’s.

This situation demands a better-managed energy transition that ensures energy generation is both abundant and secure. Many grid utilities, responsible for delivering power to homes, have introduced smart meters—along with quality requirements. However, the lack of mandated security regulation leaves us with insufficient security levels and coverage across newly introduced equipment.

Fortunately, the landscape is about to change. Alarmed by the rising number and sophistication of cyberattacks, the European Union is introducing cybersecurity regulations to strengthen resilience. Starting in August, they will implement the cybersecurity requirements in the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), mandating security certification for all equipment with a radio interface sold in the EU. In two years, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will further tighten security requirements for all digital products. Since DERs are digital devices, often with wireless connectivity, they will require security certification.

RED and CRA will defend against common security threats by requiring authentication for privileged access and detecting fraudulent usage. The EU is likely to gradually strengthen these rules to ensure a secure and open cyberspace. Such regulations will have a global impact, as vendors aiming to sell products on all continents will comply with CRA requirements to access the EU market.

This development benefits consumers and aligns with national security interests. While security certification incurs a cost, it will reduce expenses from recalls and litigation caused by data breaches.

Partnering with a specialized RED and CRA evaluation service provider offers peace of mind while navigating these regulations. Preparations have already begun, and Keysight is ready to support your development efforts in meeting these crucial standards with our security consultation and evaluation services.

By Scarlett Chen, Communications Manager, Lenovo

On the sun-burned heights of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where snow leopards prowl and the winds carry millennia-old mysteries, something extraordinary is unfolding. In partnership with Lenovo, the Xining Wildlife Park—affectionately known as “QWP”—has become one of the world’s first high-altitude, AI-enabled wildlife sanctuaries. This summer, its story leapt from remote mountain passes onto the global stage at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where acclaimed director Lu Chuan premiered Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park to widespread acclaim.

A sanctuary reimagined

Far more than a traditional zoo, QWP operates on a belief shared across cultures: all life forms—from the tiniest pika to the majestic Tibetan antelope—are interconnected and deserve equal respect. Here, injured wild animals are rescued, rehabilitated, and, whenever possible, returned to the wild. For those unable to survive on their own, the park becomes a lifelong refuge—a “living station” where care and dignity abound.

Caring for wildlife at nearly 15,000 ft (4,500 m) elevation comes with challenges few conservationists face: brutal weather swings, thin air, and rugged terrain. That’s where Lenovo’s “Smarter AI for all” vision shines by equipping field teams with AI-driven tools tailored for extreme environments, from real-time weather monitoring to precision behavior analysis.

Building the “AI Park”

Together, Lenovo and QWP crafted a suite of intelligent systems on-site:

• Snow Leopard Behavior Recognition
  At the heart of the sanctuary lies the Snow Leopard Behavior Recognition & Analysis System, an AI-powered platform that underpins breeding, daily monitoring, and behavioral research. By pairing Lenovo’s AI edge-computing devices with the latest computer-vision analytics, it turns vast behavioral datasets into intuitive visualizations for caretakers and researchers alike.
• Individual Wildlife Data Records
  Every animal at QWP has a full life-cycle electronic record, capturing daily health checks and treatment histories in a centralized digital system—ensuring standardized, traceable data.
• Smart Rescue & Breeding Infrastructure
  In key areas, sensors continuously monitor temperature and humidity to maintain safe environments for wildlife. When extreme conditions occur, real-time alerts are sent to staff devices to ensure swift action.Meanwhile, a digital medical system helps staff track and manage health data. Each animal—whether long-term resident or newly rescued—has its own electronic medical record. Data is recorded via computers and tablets, ensuring accurate, accessible information to guide daily care.

From plateau to premiere

Lu Chuan’s documentary, filmed on location, captures the raw beauty of the high plateau and the intricate lives of endangered species like the Tibetan antelope and snow leopard. 

At Cannes, the documentary offered more than just stunning visuals—it invited reflection. In the quiet of the screening room, filmmakers, environmentalists, and technologists were drawn into a story where human compassion and animal resilience intertwined.

Following the film, Lenovo hosted a seminar, exploring how innovation can deepen our empathy and responsibility toward all living beings. Hollywood’s “Green Filmmaker,” Greg Reitman, shared: “Technology really is the bridge to a deeper understanding of wildlife. We can’t physically interact with animals like leopards or elephants without impacting them—but with AI and machine learning, we can observe, track, and understand their habitats in powerful new ways. There’s a kind of respect for nature that emerges from this approach, and I believe it’s the future of conservation.”

Creativity powered by Lenovo’s AI PCs

Behind the camera, Lenovo’s AI PCs helped bring the director’s vision to life. By supporting the documentary’s post-production, these tools accelerated the visual storytelling process, transforming creative ideas into reality with greater speed and precision. It was a meaningful attempt to explore how AI can empower the art of filmmaking.

A blueprint for planetary awareness

Today, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Wildlife Park represents a new approach to conservation—one where intelligent tools support local caretakers, and technology works in harmony with nature. Rooted in Lenovo’s ‘Smarter AI for all’ vision, the project demonstrates how technology can deepen our care for animals and broaden our understanding.

As the credits rolled at Cannes, the message reached far beyond the plateau. By connecting conservation, creativity, and AI, this story offers inspiration for protected areas worldwide, from icy tundra to tropical forests. A future of coexistence, guided by empathy and insight, may just be within reach.

Amanda, assistant director of product management

• Work passion: Creating seamless customer experiences
• Volunteer passion: Supporting local teachers
• Leading with appreciation

I manage the teacher appreciation committee for my local elementary school. We plan and execute activities for teachers and staff—from yoga sessions to breakfasts to donation drives for supplies. We also encourage students and families to share their gratitude during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Providing acts of service

As a child of an educator, recognizing the hard work, care, and human-shaping that happens in schools is intrinsic. I can’t think of anything more important than finding ways to support teachers and staff. I enjoy trying to anticipate ways we can surprise and delight the teachers, especially during extra stressful times of the year.

Leaning into flexibility

Principal supports my need for flexibility. I’ve dropped off fruit for a yogurt bar while listening to a trends call and organized a committee meeting between work meetings. It’s also easy to tap into my professional network: Two committee members work with me at Principal.

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© 2025 Principal Foundation.

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Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov)

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4589987-062025

Originally published by The Robert A. Winn Excellence In Clinical Trials Award Program

The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), a national program out of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, has officially launched its fourth annual cohort, taking place during the summer of 2025. Through the program, sixty-six outstanding medical students from across the United States have begun externships at clinical research sites around the country, united by a shared commitment to the Winn Awards mission of Better Science For All.

Winn CIPP is a prestigious six-week summer program designed to ignite a passion for community-engaged research among highly talented medical students. The program provides participants with immersive, first-hand exposure to clinical research at top institutions, where they engage in service-learning projects that prioritize real-world impact. The experience culminates in a Symposium in July — held this year in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — where students will gather for a weekend of workshops, educational programming, sharing professional experiences, and networking opportunities.

Winn CIPP is one of multiple opportunities offered by the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a national initiative implemented under the direction of Dr. Robert A. Winn, Director of VCU Massey that is stewarded by the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV Foundation). The mission: improving participation in clinical trials to drive better health outcomes in all communities and save more lives.

The program is built around a simple but powerful premise that all communities deserve access to clinical trials and the most advanced, evidence-based care. Through Winn CIPP, future physicians learn not only the pathways to becoming clinical investigators but also the critical role of research in ensuring that treatments developed are safe and effective for everyone – and that all patients have access to powerful medical breakthroughs.

Expert Mentors at Top Institutions Across the U.S.

Winn CIPP students learn the power of a community-centered research-based approach by being mentored at leading clinical and translational research sites across the country, including:

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
• LSU Health Sciences Center
• Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio
• The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
• NYU Langone Health Clinical Research Center
• Rush University Heart Center
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the Lundquist Institute
• UCLA (CTSI) at the Westwood campus
• University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center
• University of Illinois Cancer Center
• University of Louisville
• VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Wake Forest University School of Medicine
• Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center

A Coalition of Visionary Supporters

At the program’s virtual kickoff event, students heard opening remarks from Dr. Robert A. Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and namesake of the program. He emphasized the urgency and importance of engaging communities in research — not only for maximum generalizability of the results, but also to expand access to new therapies and offer patients from all communities new options – and hope – when the standard of care is no longer enough.

“The world needs researchers who are committed to bringing new treatments to every community, and ensuring those communities are included in clinical trials,” said Dr. Winn. “That’s the only way we can make sure that new treatments work safely for everyone.”

Representatives from some of the program’s funding partners — the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (its establishing partner), as well as Gilead Sciences and Amgen — also shared their support and encouraged students to remain focused and inspired throughout their journeys. The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Brian Rivers, PhD, MPH, Director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, illuminated persistent gaps in healthcare and emphasized the importance of researcher-community partnerships to close those divides.

​​“Ensuring that clinical trials reflect the populations affected by disease is not just a scientific imperative – it is a matter of ensuring all communities benefit from medical progress,” said Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, an independent charitable organization with a mission to improve global health. “The students joining the Clinical Investigator Pathway Program represent the next generation of physician-scientists who will lead with purpose, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful change in how clinical research is conducted.”

The Winn Awards program is unique in its support by multiple pharmaceutical companies, foundations, and organizations collaborating toward a shared goal that they recognize as an urgent priority.

“Gilead Sciences is honored to be a part of this effort and for our ability to collaborate with other industry partners,” said Bilal Piperdi, MD, FACP, Vice President, Clinical Development Oncology. “Right now, the industry really needs to hold our hands together to get important things done – and the Winn Awards is the right place to be at the right time for this. We are thankful to all who are here with us.”

Osa Eisele, MD, MPH, Executive Director and Head of Representation in Clinical Research at Amgen agreed. “True progress in healthcare comes from partnerships that listen, learn, and uplift communities,” she said. “The Winn CIPP is exactly that — an inspiring program that brings together the next generation of clinical investigators and the people they aim to serve, helping to ensure research reflects all patients. Amgen is honored to stand alongside the Winn Awards in advancing this critical work.”

Meet the 2025 Winn CIPP Cohort 4 Awardees

Introducing this year’s 66 awardees, representing medical schools from across the country, as well as their funders:

• Saimon Acevedo Ortiz – Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Mary Aina – University of California, Irvine School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Dana Alcin – University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine | Funded by Amgen
• Storm Alexander – University of Virginia School of Medicine | Funded by Amgen
• Eric Alvarado – Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Lark Amoa – A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Kawaiola Aoki – Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Briana Armas – Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Joshua Avina – A.T. Still University | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Monique Awanyai – University of California, Davis School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Taylor Bailey – Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine | Funded by Amgen
• Justin Banks – University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Pedro Bonilla – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Cameron Brown – Meharry Medical College | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Destiny Burnett – University of Illinois College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Jacques Calixte – Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Diego Cano – Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Melissa Castillo – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• De’Von Cato – Saint Louis University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Chaz Crosby – Tulane University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Victor Damptey – The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Maxwell de la Paz – University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Amara Dike – Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Hailey Egans – Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine | Funded by Amgen
• Ogheneruona Eruvwetere – Meharry Medical College | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Daniel Essien – Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Great Falls | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Hayley Estrella – Drexel University College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Mariana Fernandes Gragnani – Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Aileen Flores – William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Astrid Gomez – University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Gabriela Gomez – Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Jacob Goodbar – University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine | Funded by Amgen
• Matthew Gregory – University of California, Irvine School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Tsion Habtamu – Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Ifrah Hassan – Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Asma Ibrahim – Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Dylan Jack – Eastern Virginia Medical School | Funded by Amgen
• Ruby Jewell – Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Irene Jonathan – University of Louisville School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Sabrina Jones – University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Bethlehem Judah – Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Ethan Kau – Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Ryan Kong – University of Illinois College of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Abdul Afeez Lawal – University of Illinois College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Jose Martinez – Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Esther Masayi – Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Christian Matabang – California University of Science and Medicine – School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Mal Mehari – Rutgers New Jersey Medical School | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Karla Navarro – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Jewel Ng – Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Adewumi Omoniyi – University of Illinois College of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Tony Ong – University of California, Davis School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Alisa Pairmore – Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Alvaro Perez Daisson – Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Hiyori Roberts – Tulane University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Samuel Saintil – William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Ernesha Salcedo – Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Alejandra Silva Hernandez – University of Washington School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Andre Smith – New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Nathan Smith – Tulane University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Katelynn Soto – Indiana University School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Katelynn Tran – California University of Science and Medicine – School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Robert Tran – University of California, Irvine School of Medicine | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Tiffany Trieu – University of California, Riverside School of Medicine | Funded by Gilead Sciences
• Kyron Wicker – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Erie | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
• Bishoy Yacoub – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

Poised to become future leaders in clinical research and community health, Winn CIPP students are working to ensure that tomorrow’s treatments are built with, by, and for the communities they serve.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

When Kamelia Hristeva started banking with U.S. Bank more than 20 years ago at age 16, neither she nor her banking team knew what the future had in store for her.

“In my final year of university, I was part of a public art project in Chicago and saw the power that art can have in community,” she said. “At the same time, I was working in some schools teaching art and saw a real need for neighborhood beautification and arts education.”

That’s how the Green Star Movement was born: a non-profit founded by Hristeva, banked by U.S. Bank, and now behind Chicago’s newest mosaic mural – this one covering two sides of the U.S. Bank Lincoln Avenue branch in Chicago.

“Our Lincoln Avenue branch just underwent a significant remodel, and we were brainstorming ways to connect our location to the community and our neighbors,” said Louise Fernandez, a hub branch manager for U.S. Bank. “Someone mentioned doing some type of artwork, something that will add value and stand the test of time.”

That’s when Fernandez thought of Hristeva, who is now a long-time U.S. Bank client. The pair met almost a decade ago when Fernandez was a personal banker and helped Hristeva with day-to-day needs for her Green Star Movement and personal accounts.

“It’s amazing how we can start with a young adult account with her and, throughout the years as she became a mother and started her nonprofit, Kamelia continued to stay with us because she feels supported on her journey to her financial and career goals,” Fernandez said.

The journey has come full circle for Hristeva, who – with the help of dozens of U.S. Bank and community volunteers – created nearly 300 square feet of tiles on 20 boards that, when put together into a mosaic, tell a story of support and community.

“This artwork is reflective of the community we are serving around our Lincoln Avenue branch, and it took the power of community to make it happen,” said Jen Uhri, the Illinois Branch Banking market leader for U.S. Bank. “We had multiple discussions with the team and with Kamelia to make this artwork something we could all be proud of.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Hristeva.

“To see a company be so thoughtful about clients and community members has been a joy,” she said.

Hristeva, through the Green Star Movement, has helped create more than 250 murals on school buildings, under overpasses and in other locations throughout Chicago in the last 20 years.

“I wanted to build something that helped youth discover their voice and see their potential, while also bringing color, pride, and storytelling to underrepresented neighborhoods,” she said. “The moment that sparked it all for me was watching a young person’s face light up as they saw their artwork displayed on a public wall for the first time. That feeling that art can transform a person just as much as a place can drives everything we do.”

Cummins

Jacob’s Dodge RAM 250 was custom-ordered by his grandfather in 1992. Thirty-three years later, it’s still on the road and helping the family get things done. If you ask Jacob, he’ll call it a workhorse, and for the truck’s first act, that phrase had a deeper meaning. 

Jacob’s grandfather needed a vehicle that would pull horse trailers. In this Dodge RAM powered by a 12-valve Cummins, he found the perfect match of reliability, power and performance that would allow him to transport horses from point A to point B, many times, with the Rockies standing between him and his destination. 

“When you’re hauling horses, you can’t fail,” notes Jacob. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to get home. We relied on Cummins to get us and our horses where we needed to be.”

Jacob moved to Indiana in the 2000s, and after his grandfather passed, the truck sat idle in California for nearly 20 years. Finally, Jacob had the opportunity to bring the truck home and get it back on the road.

Jacob tells it this way. “We didn’t know what to expect, and there was only one way to find out. As a mechanic, I made sure it was in working order. I changed the fluids, but there’s no substitute for turning the key. We dropped in a new battery…and would you believe it fired up after just a handful of cranks. It was almost anti-climactic. It worked. We had to replace some hoses and tires, but the engine was sound.”

Since 2024, Jacob’s been using the truck to haul a different kind of horsepower…drift cars. As a technician and racer, you can find Jacob trailing cars across the Midwest from track to track along the circuit. 

“I’ve always been a guy who could turn a wrench. It started in high school and now it’s my profession. I still love getting under the hood and working on a Cummins diesel, especially the first gen. You can really get in there and work. The simplicity and the powerful, straightforward design mean there’s a purpose behind the engineering. It’s how they’ve built a reputation for million-mile engines. At 312k, I think this truck has a chance. I won’t be behind the wheel, but my 4-year-old son has already fallen in love with this truck.”

Jacob understands the high-mileage fraternity at Cummins. “It’s something else to see these trucks still on the road…and that’s not all, most of them aren’t making runs to the grocery, they’re doing work. Why not celebrate the time you spend with something this special? I’ve still got all the papers from the original sale, the numbers all match, and it’s sort of fun to tell this story. It’s good to see something built to last. It just shows that when you engineer the quality from the beginning, keep up with the general maintenance, you can get an incredible life out of a Cummins-equipped vehicle. Heck, I’m excited about handing this truck down, and I won’t be surprised if it outlives me. I guess it’s just another step in this truck’s legacy.” 

A legacy birthed by Cummins.

Social workers are often the unsung heroes in military and veteran care. From the front lines of crisis intervention to shaping policies that impact thousands, their role is critical in ensuring service members, veterans, and their families receive the support they need. As leaders in behavioral health and military social work, we have seen firsthand how these professionals serve as a bridge between individuals in need and the care systems designed to support them.

The challenges facing military populations—combat stress, mental health care access, reintegration struggles—are complex. Addressing them requires not only clinical expertise but also a deep understanding of military culture, policy, and long-term advocacy. Social workers are uniquely positioned to fill this gap, providing both direct care and strategic leadership to drive meaningful change.

The Role of Social Workers in Military Settings

Military social workers play an indispensable role in supporting active-duty service members. Working on military installations, in hospitals, and alongside embedded behavioral health teams, they provide timely, mission-focused mental health care. Their expertise spans several critical areas, including:

• Combat and Operational Stress Control – Helping service members cope with deployment stress, combat trauma, and reintegration challenges.
• Family Support Services – Counseling military families as they navigate frequent relocations, deployments, and the unique stressors of military life.
• Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention – Identifying at-risk service members and implementing evidence-based interventions to save lives.
• Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation – Addressing challenges related to alcohol and drug dependency, often exacerbated by the demands of military service.

Beyond individual care, social workers serve as leaders within the military community, overseeing programs, shaping policies, and embedding mental health services into broader readiness and resilience initiatives.

Additionally, many military social workers transition into nonprofit leadership, where they bridge critical gaps in care. They advocate for policy change, lead community-based programs, and ensure service members and veterans have access to long-term, comprehensive support—both inside and outside the military system.

Supporting Veterans Through Social Work

When service members transition to civilian life, social workers continue to be a lifeline, helping veterans navigate challenges such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, unemployment, and homelessness. They work within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), nonprofit organizations, and private institutions, providing:

• Mental Health Care – Therapy, peer support, and specialized care for PTSD, depression, and service-related conditions.
• Housing Assistance – Helping veterans secure stable housing through transitional programs and permanent supportive housing.
• Caregiver Support – Providing resources for family caregivers managing the demands of long-term care.
• Employment Support – Assisting with workforce integration, job training, and career counseling.
• Advocacy and Policy Work – Ensuring veterans receive the benefits and services they have earned.

By addressing these issues holistically, social workers empower veterans to build stable, fulfilling post-service lives.

Learn about our managed health services

Shaping the Future: Social work in Higher Education and Workforce Development

Many military social workers extend their impact by transitioning into higher education and workforce development. As professors, mentors, and researchers, they bring real-world experience into academic settings, ensuring future social workers are well-equipped to serve military-connected populations.

Their expertise strengthens the pipeline of skilled practitioners, providing essential training for service members, veterans, and their families pursuing careers in social work. By integrating behavioral health best practices into military, government, and nonprofit spaces, they help shape a more informed, resilient support system for those who serve.

As the demand for behavioral health support grows, collaboration between social workers, government agencies, and organizations committed to advancing military and veteran wellness will be essential. Public and private sector partnerships, like those at Leidos, play a role in developing innovative solutions that expand access to care and enhance outcomes for those who serve.

A Career of Purpose and Global Impact 

For those passionate about mental health, advocacy, and service, social work within the military and veteran community offers a deeply rewarding career path. Social workers in this field play a vital role in crisis intervention, policy development, program leadership, and direct care, with opportunities to make a meaningful difference every day.

This career also provides global opportunities, allowing professionals to work abroad, supporting service members and their families stationed worldwide. Whether in direct care, research, or policy, military social workers drive life-changing initiatives that strengthen resilience, well-being, and readiness.

Their contributions extend beyond individuals—they shape the future of military and veteran care, ensuring those who serve receive the support they deserve.

Learn about our Military & Family Life Counseling program

This quarterly newsletter showcases how Truist Foundation supports Truist Financial Corporation’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities through strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Click here to sign up to receive the newsletter via email.

Meet our Inspire Awards finalists

The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards will take place Nov. 12! Virtual registration details will be shared soon, but in the meantime get to know our six finalists:

• Breaking Barriers Through Deconstruction by Lifecycle Building Center – A training program that equips adults in low-income communities with skills in building material recovery (deconstruction) and the reuse of these materials via home repairs and energy efficient improvements.
• FreeWorld by FreeWorld – A tech-enabled solution that reskills and places formerly incarcerated citizens into the trucking industry.
• ReCastED by the Masonry Foundation – A mentorship-driven model that offers tradespeople a flexible pathway to Career and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions to bridge industry gaps.
• Safety Net Tool for Economic Mobility by Integrity Transformations Community Development Corporation – A digital platform, BestFit, that serves as a one-stop-shop for organizations looking to assist adult learners with managing basic needs insecurity and nonacademic barriers.
• Seniors R The Answer by Encore Employment Enterprise Inc. – A call-center training program, tailored for older adults seeking employment and supported by wraparound services.
• Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP) by electrical training ALLIANCE – A pre-apprenticeship program for military personnel who want to reenter the civilian workforce in the rewarding, high-demand electrical trade.

Strengthening communities and seizing opportunity

Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation, recently spoke at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference.

• Timely insights: Her panel explored how corporate philanthropy and collaborative partnerships are helping communities become more resilient to unexpected shocks and more ready to seize opportunity.

See the recap on LinkedIn here!

Inspiring Conversations Podcast: Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Join Truist Foundation President Lynette Bell for her ongoing series of conversations with our partners and grant recipients. On the Inspiring Conversations podcast, you’ll hear how we support each other and the unique ways we inspire and build better lives and communities.

• Go deeper: In the latest episode, Lynette speaks with Patty McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, to discuss topics around disaster relief, recovery, preparedness, and so much more.

To hear more Inspiring Conversations, follow the podcast on Spotify.

The latest in Truist Foundation grantmaking

See our new partnership announcements and how we’re working together with innovative nonprofits.

Learn about our partners.