Tag: 3BL

“Thank you so much for coming to my home. You saved my life.”

Those simple words from Bill Adams* spoke volumes to Karen Fernandez, one of the original community health workers with an in-home healthcare program called Healthy Neighbor in Camden, New Jersey. A few days before, she had met Bill for the first time at his home and discovered that his blood pressure was incredibly high. She called the triage line and was able to get him into the emergency department the same day.

Before that first visit, Bill called Karen to ask if she was really going to show up. He didn’t have health insurance or much trust in the healthcare system that had let him down so many times before.

Karen did show up — the first step in creating trust and a foundation toward Bill’s future health.

“That’s why I do this job,” said Fernandez. “It’s rewarding. If you can make an impact on a person’s life, they will never forget it.”

This is just one of hundreds of stories illustrating the impact that the four community health workers who comprise Healthy Neighbor are bringing to the Camden community.

They are equipped with a technology platform called SPICE from Medtronic LABS, which develops community-based, tech-supported healthcare solutions for underserved communities.

This digital tool streamlines their work by capturing basic healthcare needs, tracking blood pressure and glucose over time, and flagging elevated readings for follow-up. This helps link community and health system care, reduces paperwork, and allows the community health workers to focus on their patients.

Bringing a global program home

Camden, a city of about 70,000 people across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, has a life expectancy gap of as much as 16 years compared to neighborhoods just 6.5 miles away.^[i] The rates of diabetes and high blood pressure are dramatically higher than in nearby communities.

Virtua Health is South Jersey’s largest healthcare provider, and many of its patients live in Camden. When leadership at Virtua saw these staggering health statistics, they felt compelled to do something.

“Our mission is to help our community be well, get well, and stay well. We take it very seriously,” said Dan Master, the director of community health and impact at Virtua. “And there is a lot of alignment with Medtronic LABS and Medtronic in this.”

For over a decade, Medtronic LABS has built community-based, tech-enabled solutions to address healthcare disparities around the world. But they had never built a program in the United States. Until Virtua called.

“When we first met with Virtua, we knew this was a great opportunity to bring our learnings from community-based care models in Asia and Africa to the U.S. and continue to innovate,” said Lauren Leccese, head of U.S. programs at Medtronic LABS. “The shared values and commitment to health equity across our organizations created a strong foundation as we started to build the program.”

From pilot to expansion

In August 2023, Medtronic LABS and Virtua launched Healthy Neighbor. The goal was to improve health outcomes through a home visiting program where community health workers provide integrated health and social care for patients living with high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes. And it’s working.

The data from the first two years of the program is in — and it’s remarkable:

• 74% of patients with uncontrolled hypertension achieved meaningful improvement (15-point mean drop in systolic blood pressure)
• 69% of patients with uncontrolled diabetes achieved meaningful improvements (1.2% mean drop in A1C)

These numbers are so impressive that the program is expanding. Virtua received a grant from the city of Camden to grow the community health worker team and reach more patients.

“We all had high standards and high hopes for the program when it started, and it’s been living up to them,” said Alexis Nieves, a Healthy Neighbor community health worker who has been with the program from the beginning. “And these results are not just because of us, but because the patients are willing to make changes as well.”

More than the numbers

The impact of Healthy Neighbor goes beyond data. Patients are enrolled in the program because of either uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes (or both), but the care they receive goes far beyond treating those conditions.

“It’s not normal for a medical team to go out of their way to help you,” said Greg Ashton*, a Healthy Neighbor patient. “They’re going above and beyond their duty, for someone that they don’t even know.”

There are many factors that influence a person’s health, and community health workers are skilled at addressing all of them. They help their patients secure housing, healthy food, heat, and mental-health support. They provide education on nutrition, teach patients to monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels, remind them about upcoming appointments, and help them find transportation to the appointments.

“La Shawn is a positive influence on my life, she motivates me,” said Denise Manlius, a Healthy Neighbor patient, of her community health worker. “She makes sure that I take my medications. She calls to remind me of appointments. She helped me change my eating habits. Since she’s been in my life, my A1C (blood sugar) went down. And it’s not just a paycheck to her; she really cares about her people.”

‘Someone cared enough’ 

“A lot of patients just need to know someone cared enough,” said La Shawn Dutton-Spruill. “To show them how to fill up their pillbox until they understand how to do it themselves. To help them understand that their meds will be green this month and white next month, but that it’s still the same medication.”

Due to the program’s success and a desire to replicate it to help more patients across the country, Virtua and Medtronic LABS created a toolkit that other health systems can use to establish Healthy Neighbor programs in their communities. The goal is to help more healthcare systems address health disparities and make a meaningful difference in the health of their patients and communities.

As Fanny Ochoa, a community health worker with Healthy Neighbor, explained, “It’s not just what you do when you’re with the patient. The reward is seeing your patients continue to make changes after you leave. The goal of our work is to create a better lifestyle and a better outcome for our patients, beyond the time that we are with them.”

*Names changed to protect patient privacy 

Learn more about how Medtronic LABS develops community-based, tech-enabled solutions for underserved patients, families, and communities across the world.

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., August 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Consumer goods industry stakeholders are headed to Hong Kong this September for the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting. The flagship event promises high-impact learning, honest dialogue, and solutions-oriented collaboration designed to accelerate progress, catalyze impact at scale, and build a more sustainable and equitable future.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 Annual Meeting in Munich, the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong will focus on the critical challenges and transformative opportunities facing the consumer goods industry, particularly in Cascale’s focus categories of apparel, footwear, and textile; home furnishings; sporting and outdoor goods; and bags and luggage. Over 800 attendees – including manufacturer, brand, retailer, and affiliate members – are expected to attend the event at the Kerry Hotel on September 15-17, which will also offer a dynamic digital experience featuring live-streamed content and a robust virtual workshop series for members and non-members joining from EMEA and AMER time zones.

“At Cascale, we believe that real progress happens when we come together — not just to talk, but to take action. The 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong will challenge our industry to move beyond ambition and into alignment — on climate, on equity, and on the business practices that define our shared future,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO of Cascale, who will open the event on September 16 (live-streamed). “This is not just a convening of stakeholders, it’s a call to co-create solutions, scale innovation, and ensure that the consumer goods industry gives back more than it takes from people and planet.”

With program development guided by an Advisory Council that includes Dhanujie Jayapala, MAS Holdings; Priyanka Khanna, Fashion for Good; Dr. Delman Lee, TAL Apparel; Dr. Katy Stevens, European Outdoor Group; Quentin Thorel, CIEL Textile; Shasta O’Loughlin, KMD Brands Limited; and Matthew Thurston, REI, the event will feature two days of high-impact dialogue, collaboration, and opportunities to take action.

“Climate change, shifting consumer expectations, and economic volatility are rewriting the rules of global trade. We must work across industries, geographies, and even competitive lines to bridge vision and impact,” said Joseph Phi, Group CEO of Li & Fung, who will present the opening keynote on September 16 (live-streamed). “The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting is a catalyst for transforming pledges into partnerships — and partnerships into measurable change — so that together we can redesign supply chains, scale breakthrough solutions, and ensure that trade works for people, planet, and shared prosperity.”

“Hong Kong is proud to host the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, and connect innovation to impact,” said Hon. Sunny Tan, HKSAR Legislative Council Member (Textiles and Garment) and the Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Council, who will present the closing keynote on September 16 (live-streamed). “As a leading hub for sustainable manufacturing and responsible business, Hong Kong stands ready to support the bold ideas, partnerships, and practical solutions that will shape a more resilient and equitable future for the consumer goods industry.”

“When we founded Cascale and the Higg Index tools, the vision was simple but urgent: to align the power of industry with the responsibility to people and planet,” said Rick Ridgeway, author, adventurer, and Cascale co-founder, who will participate in a fireside chat on September 16 (live-streamed). “That vision has grown into a global movement — and the 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we put competition aside and come together to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.

“REI’s mission is to connect every person to the power of the outdoors and engage them in the fight to protect it,” Matthew Thurston, Divisional VP Sustainability, REI Co-op, who will speak about supply chain decarbonization on September 16 (not live-streamed). “We’re proud to work alongside industry partners and participating in the Cascale Annual Meeting in Hong Kong gives us the opportunity to collaborate with global peers, align on impactful solutions, and drive the systemic change our planet urgently needs.”

“Collaboration is no longer optional — it’s the only way forward,” said Roger Lee, CEO of TAL Apparel, who will join a plenary on the connection between responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16 (live-streamed). “At the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, we have an opportunity to break silos and align on action. Together, we can drive the systemic change needed to deliver on climate goals, support decent work, and build a future-ready industry.”

“As brands, we have a responsibility to ensure that our sustainability ambitions are matched by the way we do business,” said Anne-Laure Descours, Sustainability Advisor, PUMA, who will join the livestreamed plenary on responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16. “Decarbonization will only succeed if purchasing decisions actively enable it — creating the right incentives, timelines, and partnerships across the value chain. The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting gives us the space to challenge our own practices, learn from peers, and work with suppliers to turn shared climate goals into measurable, scalable action.”

“Currently, decarbonization efforts are heavily driven by suppliers,” said Dinesh Virwani, Executive Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of EPIC Group, who will also join the live-streamed plenary on responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16. “At the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, we have a unique opportunity to come together as brands, manufacturers, and stakeholders to challenge ourselves and ask how we can evolve our relationships and purchasing practices to unlock the full decarbonization potential of the value chain, while improving the lives of our workers.”

“This year’s Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting comes at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said Suren Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of MAS Holdings, who will present the opening keynote on September 17 (live-streamed). “The gap between our sustainability ambition and the tangible outcome is widening and bridging this divide requires not just intent, but embedded, systematic change. We must weave sustainability into the very fabric of our core business strategy, move boldly from pilots to transformative, scalable solutions and foster a culture of collaboration built on trust and shared responsibility. In times of volatility and uncertainty, this is no easy path. Yet our shared calling to be changemakers that enable dreams and inspire the world, compels us forward. It reminds us that sustainability is a powerful opportunity to build a world where thriving businesses and thriving communities are one and the same.”

“This year’s Cascale annual meeting theme, ‘A Movement for All,’ perfectly captures the spirit we need now, uniting brands, manufacturers, and all other stakeholders of Cascale behind a single, practical vision for a 1.5 °C apparel industry, said Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, Chief Sustainability Officer, Komar, who will present on climate risk and building supply chain resilience on September 17 (live-streamed). “When every stakeholder’s voice is heard and every factory floor is part of the solution, innovation scales faster, financing flows wider, and climate action becomes truly inclusive. Cascale’s 2025 forum gives us the platform to turn shared intent into shared impact.

In addition to onsite programming, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in field trips, including:

• Crossroads Foundation “Struggle for Survival” Simulation – Monday September 15
• Crossroads Foundation Site Visit – Friday September 19
• Nilörn Sustainable Labeling in Action Factory Tour – Friday September 19
• Visit to World Wildlife Fund’s Mai Po Nature Reserve – Friday September 19

The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting is sponsored by Li & Fung & LFX, retraced, Epic Group, Tal Group, VF Corporation, Nike, Invest HK, among others. Official carrier Cathay Pacific offers registered attendees an exclusive opportunity to enjoy savings on flights to Hong Kong. Please click here for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

Worldly, the leading platform for sustainability data and analytics in consumer goods supply chains and the exclusive licensee of Cascale’s Higg Index tools, will host their Customer Forum in Hong Kong on September 18th.

Editors: For more information about media access to Cascale speakers, as well as press passes, please contact cascaleforster@forster.co.uk. Live-streamed content will be recorded and released one hour after the session concludes and available for 30 days afterwards through the app or online. All content is presented in English.

Register for the Cascale Annual Meeting 2025

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Power outages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced temporary closures at more than half of safety-net health care providers surveyed across Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, according to a comprehensive new study released today by Direct Relief. Read the full report here.

Among 80 community health centers and free and charitable clinics responding to the survey, 43 organizations (54%) said power loss forced the temporary closure of at least one site. The closures led to nearly 28,000 canceled or delayed patient visits — an outcome that researchers have tied to elevated longer-term mortality rates. The survey also found widespread financial losses and medicine spoilage that compounded the health impact.

Key findings

• 54% of surveyed safety-net clinics and health centers (43 of 80) reported power outages that forced at least one site to close.
• Nearly 28,000 medical visits were canceled or delayed.
• $12.9 million in lost revenue across 23 clinics and health centers.
• Nearly one-fourth of organizations (19 of 80) discarded temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines.
• $3.1 million in reported infrastructure damage.
• Power outages lasted up to 19 days, with a median duration of 47 hours.

Bedrock providers left vulnerable

“Health centers and clinics are often the bedrock health care providers in their communities,” said Sara Rossi, managing director of the Health Resiliency Fund at Direct Relief. “Without power, their ability to deliver critical, even life-saving services is compromised, leaving vulnerable patients at serious risk.”

“When power goes out, I’m in scramble mode to save vaccines. Without electricity, my X-ray, ultrasound and health records are down — and patient care stops,” said John Newman, executive director and chief medical officer at Volunteers in Medicine in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Widespread backup power gaps

The survey revealed alarming gaps in backup power infrastructure at safety-net health care facilities. Unlike hospitals, which are legally required to maintain backup generators and fuel supplies, community health centers and free and charitable clinics face no such mandates.

• Only 12% of surveyed organizations had backup power at all service sites.
• 50% had none.
• Even among facilities with backup power, 17% reported failures, often from running out of fuel.

Severe financial and medical impacts

The financial toll was significant. Twenty-three organizations reported revenue losses totaling $12.9 million while they were closed. Among FQHCs that lost revenue, the average loss was $803,000 per organization.

Nearly one-fourth (19) of the providers were forced to discard temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines when their refrigerators lost power. One clinic reported losing $60,000 worth of vaccines alone. These losses not only carried financial costs but also reduced availability of critical treatments such as insulin for diabetics and Tdap vaccines needed to prevent tetanus after hurricane-related injuries.

Twenty-five organizations suffered infrastructure damage totaling more than $3.1 million.

Patients hit hardest

The closures disproportionately affected vulnerable populations who rely on safety-net health care providers. FQHCs serve more than 32 million patients nationwide — nearly 1 in 10 U.S. residents — including 1 in 5 rural residents and 1 in 3 people living in poverty. Among patients at free and charitable clinics, 84% lack health insurance.

These patients often have higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, making them especially vulnerable during and after disasters. Many also face barriers such as multiple jobs, language differences and transportation challenges that make rescheduling appointments difficult.

Following the storms, 38% of surveyed organizations reported surges in patient demand, with some seeing increases of more than 50% as displaced residents sought care while other facilities remained closed.

Link to rising hurricane-related deaths

The study’s findings take on added significance in light of research on hurricanes’ long-term health effects. A 2024 study in Nature found that excess deaths attributable to hurricanes can be 300 or more times higher than immediate fatalities, with health care disruptions among the key drivers.

The research tracked all 501 hurricanes hitting the continental United States between 1930 and 2015. While the average hurricane caused 24 immediate deaths, storms led to between 7,170 and 11,430 additional deaths in the 20 years after landfall.

“These outages don’t just close clinics for a day — they ripple into long-term health risks,” Rossi said.

Climate change amplifying threats

Beyond hurricanes, the survey showed that power reliability is an ongoing challenge for safety-net clinics. More than 35% of organizations said unreliable power is a persistent concern in their area, with nearly 1 in 5 losing power at least once per quarter.

“It just adds to the uncertainty and the anxiety collectively around the state. The threat is very real and very widespread,” said Gianna Van Winkle, director of emergency management programs at the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, which helped conduct the survey.

The 2024 tornado season was the second-worst on record, with 1,791 tornadoes striking the United States—many spawned by hurricane activity.

About the survey

Direct Relief surveyed 394 FQHCs and free and charitable clinics across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina — representing most FQHCs in the region and 84% of estimated free and charitable clinics. The 80 respondents included 25 FQHCs and 55 free and charitable clinics operating about 500 clinical sites combined.

Note to editors: Read the full report. Additional data and interviews with health care providers are available upon request. 

About Direct Relief Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief provides medical assistance when and where it is needed most—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.

Media Contact: Paul Sherer, paul.sherer@directrelief.org.

Originally published by BizTimes Milwaukee on August 14, 2025

Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual recently celebrated $500 million in donations through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation since its inception in 1992. The company’s foundation focus areas include education, neighborhood revitalization and the search for better treatment for childhood cancer.

In 2024, the company and its foundation invested $4.2 million to support 20,000 early childhood, K-12 and higher education students in Milwaukee. Another $2.2 million was invested in Milwaukee’s Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods, including for safety-driven home repairs and construction of 119 affordable homes. Northwestern Mutual also contributed nearly $3.4 million to increase access to community destinations like Discovery World, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Continue reading here.

KHARKIV, Ukraine, August 18, 2025 /3BL/ – The beginning of the war was terrifying. I woke up to the sound of explosions, but at first, I thought it was fireworks. Then I got a call from a friend who told me, “We’re under attack.” I ran to the basement with my husband. We could hear the sound of jets above our heads.  

We spent a week in the basement. But food became scarce, and we had to go out eventually. I remember standing in a line of 200 people at the supermarket. One day, a rocket fell nearby, but I stayed – we needed food. We bought whatever we could find, but there was no bread, pasta, or rice. Soon, prices skyrocketed. Transport became expensive. At train stations, some people abandoned pets and belongings in an attempt to escape. After a week of war, we realized our lives would never be the same.  

At the end of March 2022 — although spring had already begun — it was snowing, something I’ll never forget. We fled from Kharkiv to Dnipro. From March to June 2022, we lived in difficult conditions; sometimes we were in offices, sleeping on the floor alongside others who had nowhere else to go. We stayed with relatives of friends who kindly offered us their flat. Later, our friend’s IT company moved the remnants of their office from Dnipro to Lviv, and we moved with it. The company set up a small kitchen and toilets and brought in mattresses and pillows. Volunteers were incredibly supportive, bringing bread, cookies, and tea. 

After four months, we made the decision to return to Kharkiv. Our family needed us, and the company could no longer support us. The conflict in Kharkiv had slightly improved, though shelling continued at night and in the early morning. Returning was emotionally difficult. Everything felt strange.  

After 11 years in education, I decided to change my path. Although teaching is important, I felt I wasn’t making the impact I wanted. Together with my husband and a fellow teacher, we founded a small charity to support vulnerable people. We still run it today, distributing clothes, hygiene kits, and books. Then I found a translator position at Action Against Hunger. 

Life is more stable now than it was in 2022, but the fear remains. We can’t plan even a month ahead. On Monday, I was at the Solidarités International office when a nearby explosion shook the doors. We had to take refuge between two walls to protect ourselves. Just last night, there were drone attacks and shelling. I had chamomile tea and magnesium to calm down. Children react differently — some hide, and others think it’s just fireworks. In other parts of the oblast (region), the situation is worse. The Russian army advances slowly, and on the outskirts, you can hear the fighting. 

Many people are seeking psychological support to cope with the situation. At Action Against Hunger, my team worked with an external psychologist who supported the children in our programs as well as the employees. I felt like I was carrying a heavy stone, and I was relieved to be able to put it down at last. 

The economic situation remains dire for many. During the first months of the war, rental costs dropped — but now they have risen even higher than before. Food prices are also high, while salaries and pensions remain low. Supermarkets are operating, but many people can’t afford to shop there. In rural areas, people try to grow their own food and sell it locally. 

We have had to adapt. We keep working and trying to find moments of joy. Cultural events continue; our opera performs in shelters, and schools hold activities underground. Since the war began, the sense of community has grown immensely. We take care of each other, especially the elderly and children. The sense of national identity has also grown. On August 24, it was heartening to see so many people celebrating Ukraine Independence Day.  

Despite everything, I find small joys in daily life. We all hope for peace – and a safe, quiet night. 

***

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 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.

Building a healthier future, one meal at a time. 

We’re excited to launch Nutrition Secure Indianapolis, a collaborative, research-based initiative designed to make a real difference in our community by focusing on the impact of proper nutrition. 

Joined by various Coalition Partners and generous sponsors, Nutrition Secure Indy will provide 250 families with weekly supplementary groceries —including animal protein and fresh produce — plus access to valuable educational resources on nutrition, financial planning, and more.

This groundbreaking research-based project is focused on the profound impact of proper nutrition to create improved health, personal, and community outcomes. Over the course of a one-year program, the project aims to deliver improved nutrition to families from Edison School and Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center and deliver tangible data illustrating the critical link between access to proper nutrition and improved outcomes.

We believe food and companionship enrich lives, and everyone deserves access to nutritious meals. Nutrition Secure Indianapolis isn’t just a food program; it’s an investment in our community’s well-being, creating a model for positive change that we hope to scale. Stay tuned for more updates as the project kicks off.

Learn more about our impact

The UK is experiencing heightened flood risks, driven by climate change, extreme weather events, and urban expansion. For investors and asset managers, flood resilience is no longer just an environmental consideration, it is a critical factor in financial decision-making, asset valuation, and transactional due diligence. Understanding flood risk ensures informed investment strategies, mitigating liability, insurability challenges, and marketability concerns for properties and portfolios.

Beyond Standard Requirements: The Case for Climate Projections

Traditional Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) often rely on historical flood data, but this fails to account for climate-driven risks. By integrating UK Climate Projections (UKCP) scenarios, investors can anticipate fluvial, pluvial, and coastal flood impacts, ensuring assets remain insurable, financially viable, and compliant with evolving regulations such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS S2), previously the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Key Considerations for Investors and Developers

• Fluvial, Pluvial, and Coastal Risks – Understanding diverse flood risks ensures effective asset protection and strategic investment decisions.
• Regulatory Evolution & Market Dynamics – UK policy shifts demand climate resilience strategies for sustainable investments.
• Insurance Feasibility & Asset Value Implications – Flood-exposed properties face higher premiums, reduced liquidity, and exit strategy limitations.

Leveraging Flood Maps for Smarter Site Selection

Modern Flood Maps, including those from the UK Environment Agency and other geospatial providers, offer vital insights into flood zones, historical flood extents, and modelled projections. These visual tools help developers and investors make informed decisions about site selection and risk exposure. However, Flood Maps alone are not sufficient for due diligence. They should be used alongside bespoke flood risk assessments and other relevant third-party reports that account for future climate scenarios and site-specific variables such as elevation, soil type, and drainage capacity. By combining mapping with relevant analytical assessments, stakeholders can avoid undervaluing, or overexposing assets.

Mitigation Strategies for Resilient Investments

• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – Critical for insurance and investment viability, SuDS reduce flood risk while enhancing environmental sustainability.
• Resilient Site Design & Adaptive Infrastructure – Flood-resistant materials, elevated structures, and site drainage enhancements protect assets from climate-driven risks.
• Financial Risk Modelling for Investors – Incorporating flood exposure into financial forecasting supports accurate valuation and market positioning.

The Role of Flood Risk Assessments in ESG and Sustainability Reporting

Flood risk has become a key disclosure topic in ESG frameworks. Investors and publicly traded companies are expected to report climate-related risks, including flooding, in alignment with IFRS S2, CDP, and other global reporting standards. A thorough flood risk assessment supports transparency and demonstrates proactive risk management. These insights can also help companies meet stakeholder expectations and avoid reputational harm tied to climate inaction or underreported liabilities.

Who Needs a Flood Risk Assessment?

While commonly associated with large residential or commercial assets, flood risk assessments are essential across many sectors: retail, logistics, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and more. Transactions involving data centers, infrastructure assets, even brownfield with a view to redevelop in the future and often require flood risk evaluation, especially where Flood Maps demonstrate uncertainty or indicate moderate to high flood potential. Lenders, pension funds, and insurers may request an FRA during due diligence to assess long-term viability and ensure assets are not exposed to unmanaged risks.

Impact on Insurability, Site Value, and Long-Term Viability

Flood exposure influences capital investment, portfolio performance, and asset liquidity. Poor flood resilience can lead to:

• Higher financing costs due to lender risk concerns.
• Decreased asset attractiveness for institutional investors.
• Challenges in securing property insurance and market valuation stability.

Linking FRAs to Transaction Support

Flood risk isn’t just a consideration; it is a transactional necessity. A thorough FRA ensures:

• Clear risk evaluation for buyers and sellers.
• Transparent insurance feasibility for investment decisions.
• Strategic positioning of assets in evolving financial landscapes.

The Antea Group UK Advantage

At Antea Group UK, we provide specialist flood risk advisory, supporting investors, asset managers, and lenders with:

• Comprehensive flood assessments tailored for transactions.
• Climate resilience risk modelling to inform financial decisions.
• Data-driven insights to protect asset liquidity and investment viability.
• SuDS integration and resilience-based flood mitigation strategies.

Flood Risk Assessments Key Takeaways

• Flood risk is a financial risk – Climate-driven flooding impacts asset value, insurance availability, and investor confidence.
• Standard Flood Maps are not enough – They must be supplemented with bespoke, forward-looking flood risk assessments that incorporate climate projections.
• Flood Risk Assessments are critical for transactions and future development – From supporting acquisitions and divestments to securing planning permission, FRAs play a pivotal role.
• Mitigation strategies protect asset value – Tools like Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), resilient design, and adaptive infrastructure are essential for long-term viability.
• Flood risk assessments support ESG reporting – They align with frameworks like IFRS S2 and demonstrate climate resilience to stakeholders.
• Investors across all sectors benefit – FRAs are essential not only for large developments but also for logistics, retail, data centers, and institutional portfolios.

Conclusion: Why Proactive Flood Risk Assessments Matter

For investors, flood risk directly impacts financial performance, transaction success, and long-term asset viability. By embedding climate resilience into Flood Risk Assessments, businesses can secure investment stability, insurance feasibility, and portfolio integrity. At Antea Group UK, we help clients navigate flood risk with confidence, ensuring their assets remain marketable, insurable, and financially viable in a changing climate.

Questions about navigating flood risk? Our experts are here to help. Reach out today!

When disaster strikes, World Central Kitchen sets up food kitchens serving hot, delicious, and nutritious meals to those who have lost everything. They have served millions of meals around the world. FedEx provides World Central Kitchen with donated transportation support. This support ensures that critically needed materials and cookware reach, with speed and efficiency, devastated and often remote locations. The relationship is a testament to the power of collaboration, where logistics meets compassion. 

Nowhere is this spirit of compassion more wonderfully captured than at the World Central Kitchen headquarters. There, a vibrant wall mural stands as a permanent tribute. It depicts a FedEx truck laden with supplies, while a FedEx plane soars overhead. The imagery specifically recalls relief efforts in Maui after the tragic wildfires, a powerful reminder of how their forces converged to help a community in despair. 

Having its iconic trucks and planes portrayed in such a meaningful way is truly an honor for FedEx. It’s not just a painting; it’s a meaningful acknowledgement of a relationship built on shared values and a commitment to serving humanity. The mural serves as a daily inspiration, a visual representation of the bond between two organizations dedicated to delivering not just goods, but hope.

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

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Aug. 18, 2025 /3BL/ – A new series of “Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks” are purpose-built for users with vision, mobility and hearing disabilities. These kiosks, developed by digital display leader LG Electronics USA with feedback from noted accessibility consultant Tech for All (TFA), mark another step forward in LG’s ongoing commitment to create a “Better Life for All.”

The announcement comes as the country commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a historic milestone in advancing the rights of people with disabilities. LG’s new Gen 2 kiosks reflect the spirit of the ADA by going beyond compliance to deliver technology that is genuinely inclusive and empowering, according to Peter Kim, B2B Strategic Alliance Team Leader at LG Electronics USA.

“Technology should empower everyone,” said Kim. “By collaborating with Tech for All and working alongside people with disabilities throughout testing and development, accessibility isn’t treated as an add-on – it’s embedded in the DNA of these kiosks.”

Unlike many kiosks retrofitted to meet accessibility standards, LG’s Gen 2 kiosks (KC3P-M series) were designed intentionally with inclusion at their core. TFA started working with LG in April 2024, collaborating from initial design sketches through prototyping, avoiding costly late-stage hardware changes.

“Getting the accessibility in early is key. It’s very hard to go back and fix things,” said TFA’s Systems Accessibility Director Michael O’Hare. “It’s hard enough on a digital platform, but it’s very difficult on hardware…if you get something wrong, you’ve got to re-engineer it. That early engagement was key for this project.”

The Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks are available in 22- and 27-inch screens, with high-brightness, low-reflectivity displays designed for visibility in diverse lighting conditions. They support both portrait and landscape modes, and are offered in three hardware versions: countertop, fixed-height pedestal, and motorized height-adjustable pedestal. The adjustable option especially benefits wheelchair users and people of varying heights, allowing comfortable, independent use.

Built to accommodate a wide range of accessibility needs, LG’s kiosks support a variety of assistive hardware and peripherals. These include advanced assistive technologies such as Vispero’s JAWS^® for Kiosk screen reader for audio navigation, Storm Interface’s tactile AudioNav™ keypads (6- and 9-key layouts) and SoundHound AI’s voice interface for hands-free commands. The kiosks also support Epson receipt printers and modular barcode/QR scanners, while a webcam accessory is in development to expand functionality.

Building on this foundation, the kiosk suite offers platform flexibility across diverse sectors and applications, including compatibility with Kokomo 24/7^® for health and safety management in education and clinical settings. Their modular, accessible design fits retail, transit, healthcare and hospitality environments.

This is TFA’s first involvement in kiosk hardware from the concept stage. O’Hare explained that while other available products may meet basic accessibility, LG’s Gen 2 solutions go beyond compliance to address real-world user needs. Continuous feedback and refinements during what was a highly collaborative development process resulted in a user-friendly final product.

“The collaboration, the back-and-forth review process, and being able to influence the design was really beneficial to both sides,” said O’Hare. Speaking to LG’s intent, he noted it was clear from the start that they were committed not only to meeting requirements, but to making a difference in the lives of the people who would be using the kiosk. “That was evident from the start,” he said. “It’s another step forward for accessible products.”

For more information on LG’s Gen 2 Self-Ordering Kiosks, click here. For high-resolution images, click here.

# # #

About Tech for All
Tech for All has deep expertise in applying universal design principles to solve complex accessibility challenges, including those presented by kiosks and other self-service systems. The company’s sole mission is to help its clients successfully address the challenges of making their products, services, websites, kiosks, and mobile apps accessible for all, including people with disabilities. It serves diverse industries and supports clients in the full range of accessibility needs, from audits to content remediation, coding support, product design consulting, training, and developing accessibility strategies and roadmaps. At the heart of Tech for All are the exceptionally talented, skilled, and experienced consultants who develop accessibility solutions and support successful implementation. Many of Tech for All’s experts are living with disabilities themselves. Each of Tech for All’s project teams includes seasoned consultants who bring specialized knowledge, capabilities, and solid experience to the task at hand. For more information, please visit www.tfaconsulting.com

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA serves commercial display customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG’s U.S. Media Entertainment Solution B2B division delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. Eleven-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA Inc., headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a leading smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60-billion from consumer electronics, home appliances, HVAC solutions and vehicle components. For more information, please visit www.LGSolutions.com. Stay up to date with @LGforBusinessUSA on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact: 

LG Electronics USA
John I. Taylor
+ 1 202 719 3490
john.taylor@lge.com

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hi, I’m Natalie! I’m currently a Senior HR Operations Analyst at GoDaddy, but my journey here started back in 2020 as an HR Operations Intern. At the time, I was studying Human Resources Management and Business Analytics at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, and the internship felt like the perfect intersection of both disciplines. After completing the internship, I joined the team full-time in 2021. Since then, I’ve graduated from the University of Iowa and relocated to Southern California, where I’m now based. My time at GoDaddy has been full of learning, growth, and the chance to work on meaningful projects that bring people, process, and technology together.

What real-life problems does your team solve?

I help support our HR teams that in turn support GoDaddy’s employees, primarily through our ServiceNow platform. When an employee reaches out to an HR representative using our Get Help portal, they are doing so through avenues that myself or other members of my team helped pave with close partnership among our HR and ServiceNow Engineering teams.

I’ve found my niche in HR Operations within reporting, taking data housed in ServiceNow, visualizing it in dashboards, and further analyzing that information. I analyze various types of data to answer questions such as: “How long does it take our HR Partners to resolve employee inquiries?”, “Are employees satisfied with the answers they receive?”, and “Which types of inquiries require multiple steps to resolve, and how can we streamline these processes?” My team’s goal is to make the bridge between our employees and HR Partners as seamless as possible, and I help surface the data that paints that picture.

What has been your most significant learning experience within the past year?

I’ve been leaning into the experimentation mindset that has really picked up speed company-wide. Embracing this has helped me become more courageous and creative in my work.

I’ve learned that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to simply give an idea a shot rather than overthink it. Overthinking tends to stall progress, while trying and learning from what doesn’t work keeps things moving. Not everything works the first time, and that’s okay!

How has HR Operations evolved in recent years?

I’ve seen HR Operations evolve significantly since I joined GoDaddy, especially as our workforce continues to grow globally. Our team plays a central role in making sure HR processes are both efficient and consistent across the regions we support. One of our biggest challenges and opportunities is creating a seamless experience for employees, regardless of their location. To do this, we have to design systems that are both intuitive and scalable, while considering local legislation and customs. It’s one of the many elements that makes working within the HR Technology space complex yet rewarding.

What aspects of GoDaddy’s company culture do you appreciate the most?

I feel there’s a strong spirit of collaboration at GoDaddy and a shared willingness to help each other out to reach better outcomes. People are super approachable, curious, and genuinely invested in producing meaningful work.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I love diving into the arts and music scene. I’ve been oil painting for a few years and recently started exploring ceramics, as well. Taking art classes has become one of my favorite ways to express myself and connect with the creative community here in San Diego. As for music, I don’t play any instruments and I save my singing for solo car rides, but I’m a dedicated concertgoer. If one of my favorite bands is in town, there’s a good chance I’ll be there.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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