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Nasdaq

A Trusted Benchmark for Sustainability Reporting Software Buyers

The Verdantix Green Quadrant: ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software (2025) is a definitive industry benchmark that evaluates the 21 most prominent vendors in the ESG and sustainability software market. The report is based on a rigorous methodology that includes:

• Two-hour live product demonstrations with pre-set scenarios.
• A 107-point questionnaire covering 14 functional capabilities and 10 momentum categories.
• Interviews with software customers and insights from a global survey of 400 ESG decision-makers.

The Green Quadrant framework helps sustainability leaders, ESG controllers, and CFOs identify the most capable and future-ready platforms to meet evolving regulatory, investor, and operational demands.

Nasdaq Recognized as a Leader

Nasdaq is proud to be named a Leader in the 2025 Verdantix Green Quadrant for ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software. This recognition reflects the strength of our software solutions—Nasdaq Metrio™ and Sustainable Lens®—which are designed to help organizations streamline reporting, enhance disclosure quality, and drive sustainability performance.

Nasdaq’s Key Sustainability Reporting Product Strengths

1. Benchmarking (Score: 2.5/3.0)

Nasdaq’s benchmarking capabilities, powered by Sustainable Lens, were the highest in the market. The platform enables:

• Peer benchmarking across Nasdaq’s universe of over 11,000 organizations.
• Disclosure quality analysis aligned with frameworks like CSRD and IFRS S2.
• Gap analysis on high-priority topics and an understanding of your company’s relative performance.
• Drill-down access to source documents and citations for assurance-ready reporting.
• Generative AI to surface disclosure trends, outliers, and best practices.

2. User Interface (Score: 2.0/3.0)

Nasdaq Metrio’s user interface was recognized for its intuitive design and accessibility:

• Supports seamless adoption across global teams.
• Simplifies complex sustainability workflows with a clean, user-friendly experience.
• Enhances day-to-day usability for both sustainability professionals and cross-functional stakeholders.

3. Data Management (Score: 1.9/3.0)

Nasdaq Metrio offers a secure and scalable foundation for ESG data management:

• Granular data sorting and internal tagging by location or framework.
• XBRL tagging and framework-based filtering.
• Certified controls for data privacy and security.

Why Nasdaq Is a Trusted Partner for Sustainability Transformation

1. Customer Size (Score: 2.0/3.0)

Nasdaq’s solutions are trusted by large enterprises across sectors, reflecting our ability to scale with complex, global organizations.

2. Market Vision & Strategy (Score: 2.0/3.0)

Nasdaq’s roadmap is built around:

• Integrating software and advisory services.
• Aligning sustainability reporting with financial-grade rigor.
• Investing in AI and analytics to support forward-looking sustainability planning.

3. Deal Structure (Score: 2.0/3.0)

Nasdaq offers flexible, enterprise-friendly deal structures that support:

• Modular deployment options.
• Bundled software and advisory services.
• Scalable pricing models for organizations at any stage of sustainability and climate reporting maturity.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Here’s what sustainability leaders are saying about their experience with Nasdaq Metrio and Sustainable Lens:

“[Nasdaq Metrio] pages provide pictures of the performance every month, We know that doing this prevents us from having long appearances of performance that are not in line with objectives. This performance data is powerful enough that our team can take action and we can save on our cost of production.”

 Corporate Director, Energy Efficiency, Manufacturing

“One of the benefits of using AI-powered tools as opposed to conducting more traditional desktop research is to really save time and remove potential human error and bias. By leveraging an AI-powered tool like Nasdaq Sustainable Lens, companies can conduct benchmarking and regulatory gap analysis in seconds rather than weeks or months.”

Senior Sustainability Program Manager, Technology

“Our number one reason we got [Nasdaq Metrio] was for audit and assurance. It’s a very robust tracking of the audit log where you can see exactly who entered what, what was changed, tracking changes on it, year-over-year reporting, some auto calculations that are done there and then all the tools to approve and review. Being able to load up all the backup documentation and have it stored in the reference library year-over-year is great.”

Director of Sustainability and Shared Services, Utility

To dive deeper into the benefits of deploying built-for-purpose software solutions, download the Forrester Total Economic Impact™ case study of Nasdaq Metrio.

Explore Nasdaq’s Solutions for Sustainability

Nasdaq’s recognition as a Leader in the Verdantix Green Quadrant reflects our commitment to helping organizations meet the highest standards in sustainability reporting and operational performance. To learn more about our solutions and how they can meet your unique needs, request a personalized demo of Sustainable Lens or Nasdaq Metrio today.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

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

I’m currently a Principal Product Manager at GoDaddy, where I lead the charge on our GoDaddy Studio mobile apps: a powerful toolkit for early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses to build, manage, and grow their brand from the palm of their hands.

My career kicked off over a decade ago as a Product Management intern at Info Edge (India) Ltd. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work across a wide range of product environments. At 99acres.com, I experienced what true product ownership means, overseeing end-to-end development, navigating a major product launch failure, and ultimately turning it around. Later, at Expedia, I led global-scale mobile experiences for the Hotels and Packages vertical. It’s been a fulfilling ride, shaped by working with some of the sharpest minds in tech and business.

Academically, I hold a Computer Engineering degree from Aligarh Muslim University and an MBA from FMS, Delhi – two experiences that laid a strong foundation for both technical acumen and strategic thinking.

Outside of work, I’ve played Badminton at the national level in India (yes, I still manage a mean smash on weekends). These days, I try to keep up with my 4-year-old daughter’s questions – some of which would give a TED Talk a run for its money. When it comes to travel, I’m firmly in the “touristy with a side of comfort” camp.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

At GoDaddy, it’s about making a real-world difference; helping people build and sustain their livelihoods through the products we create. With Studio apps, entrepreneurs can launch their products and start accepting payments almost instantly using the Paylinks feature. This tool helps budding entrepreneurs get up and running quickly, and continue to grow their business using the wide array of GoDaddy capabilities. Seeing entrepreneurs use our products is quite rewarding. Plus, collaborating with such passionate and talented teammates makes the experience all the more rewarding.

How do you balance short-term goals with long-term product strategy?

That’s the eternal tightrope walk of product management! It’s easy to get caught in the urgency trap – quarterly goals, stakeholder escalations, that one big shiny feature, losing the sight of the long-term impact your product should create.

Real product impact lies in connecting short-term achievements with a long-term vision. Begin by defining a clear and inspiring north star, ensuring alignment among leadership and all cross-functional stakeholders. Then, translate that vision into measurable OKRs, so each quarter’s objectives contribute directly to the overarching goal. This approach empowers teams to prioritize quarterly initiatives that reinforce the greater mission. When distractions arise, having a well-defined vision and priorities makes it far easier to say “no” or “not now,” keeping everyone focused on what truly matters.

That said, agility is still key. When high-priority short-term asks land on the roadmap (and they do!), we assess and convey trade-offs transparently to all stakeholders, while trying to minimize the risks to the long term goals.

What makes the GoDaddy Studio Product team unique from others that you’ve worked on?

Hands down, it’s the passion and ownership shown by each team member of the wider product development team that differentiates us.

We deeply care about the customers who use our products, and have a great sense of pride in the products we are building.

There’s a genuine commitment to understanding our users and making their experience better every single day.

Are there any resources that you would recommend to others interested in personal development?

Absolutely! Reforge has been a goldmine for contemporary, practical product wisdom. Their case-based approach and community engagement help sharpen both strategic thinking and tactical execution.

Outside of the PM world, I’ve loved reading Thinking Fast and Slow, The Psychology of Money, and Same as Ever. These books unpack how we think, behave, and feel both in work and in life. Often times, that’s where the biggest insights lie. I also recommend reading Why We Get Sick, a book that explores the underlying causes of modern lifestyle-related illnesses and offers practical strategies for achieving a healthier, more energetic life.

What’s your personal mantra?

Balance.

For almost everything in life, there is a minimum and maximum limit where things are in the “good range”. Whether it’s ambition vs. contentment, speed vs. quality, or screen time vs. swing time with my daughter – most things in life operate best within a “good range.” Recognizing that range for your context, and understanding the trade-offs involved in veering off, is crucial.

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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by Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau

To the far south, in the icy ancient waters around Antarctica, the largest climate catastrophe in the history of our planet is unfolding, potentially devastating our planet for generations to come, but you’ve probably never heard about it. Krill, the small but mighty lynchpin for the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem and the food that feeds the entire global marine food web, are being taken from their natural habitat at enormous rates primarily for one really stupid reason: the mass production of Omega-3 supplements. Ripped out of the water and away from the diets from keystone species like whales, dolphins, and penguins, these krill are mashed up in massive industrial processors, compressed down into tiny gel capsules destined for the health section of your local pharmacy.

The demand makes total sense: as our planet teeters on the brink of climate catastrophe, human health trends increasingly turn to nature in search of resilience. Omega-3 fatty acids, long hailed for their cardiovascular and cognitive benefits, have sparked massive global demand. Yet the irony could not be starker: in seeking to heal ourselves, we are wreaking havoc on the health of one of Earth’s most critical ecosystems.

But there is another way — an answer that does not come at the cost of abusing the Southern Ocean to trigger ecological collapse. SeaVoir, a pioneering venture in the rising tide of the blue economy co-founded by my husband, Philippe Cousteau, and I, offers a bold, necessary alternative: an algae-based Omega-3 supplement that honors both human wellness and oceanic integrity. In doing so, SeaVoir’s goal is not only to change the supplement industry — we hope to chart a course toward a future where the health of people and the ocean move forward together.

Read their full article here – https://greenmoney.com/saving-our-southern-ocean-one-algae-based-omega-3-supplement-at-a-time

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The buzz around AI in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) is deafening. From generative design suggestions to intelligent layout optimization, AI promises to revolutionize the way we build semiconductors. But for all the excitement, one inconvenient truth remains: AI is only as good as the data you feed it.

In semiconductor design, data is vast, complex, hierarchical—and often messy. Applying AI to an unstructured sea of legacy files, undocumented IP cores, or inconsistent naming conventions doesn’t unlock innovation; it amplifies confusion.

Before your design teams can take advantage of AI-enhanced workflows, they need a foundation built for structure, traceability, and automation. That foundation is Keysight SOS.

Why AI Needs More Than Algorithms

Let’s get something straight: AI isn’t magic. Whether it’s machine learning, deep learning, or foundation models fine-tuned for engineering, the outputs are only as reliable as the inputs. And in electronic design, those inputs are more than numbers—they’re the entire corpus of your design files, version history, IP usage, verification metadata, tool-generated logs, and more.

In other words, AI-enhanced design workflows demand not just a lot of data—they demand the right kind of data:

• Contextualized: What tool generated the file? What process node is it associated with?
• Structured: What IP blocks does this design reuse? How are they linked?
• Verified: Is this version validated, or still in development?
• Accessible: Can the AI model—or your own team—even find and parse it?

If you don’t have a design data management platform enforcing this discipline, you don’t have AI-ready data. Full stop.

The Hidden Data Challenges in EDA

Many design teams still rely on general-purpose version control systems like Git or Subversion. While these tools work well for software development, they collapse under the weight of semiconductor workflows:

• Gigabyte-scale binary files: Git chokes on large GDSII, OASIS, or simulation result files.
• Lack of hierarchy awareness: Dependencies between IP blocks are invisible.
• Inconsistent metadata: File names don’t capture process nodes, PDKs, or usage history.
• Poor traceability: There’s no clear link between a schematic, its verification results, and its integration into a SoC.

Now imagine trying to train an AI model to recommend IP reuse, debug verification failures, or generate constraints from schematic intent. Without structured data, you’re asking the model to find insights in a haystack made of other haystacks.

AI in EDA: Use Cases That Depend on Data

The promise of AI in semiconductor design is real—and transformative. But nearly every promising use case breaks down without data management:

AI Use Case	Why Structured Data Is Required
Intelligent IP reuse recommendations	AI needs searchable metadata, version history, usage context
Schematic-to-layout auto-suggestions	Needs a corpus of paired schematic-layout examples
Root cause analysis for verification failures	Requires links between test data, design versions, and change history
Generative constraints or floorplans	Dependent on clean, consistent design records
Design rule enforcement	Needs accurate, normalized representations of prior violations and fixes

The Prerequisite: Organize Before You Optimize

So where does this leave most teams?

Caught between excitement for AI and the reality of design chaos.

You can’t skip ahead. You can’t buy your way out with a black-box ML plug-in. You have to do the unglamorous but mission-critical work of structuring your design data and IP libraries. That means:

• Centralizing design data in a platform purpose-built for IC development
• Enforcing version control that understands hierarchies and IP reuse
• Tracking dependencies automatically
• Standardizing metadata across projects and sites
• Securing sensitive IP with role-based access and compliance logging
• Managing large data files without duplication and smart caching for fast local access

That’s what Keysight SOS delivers—and why you need it now.

Introducing Keysight SOS: The AI-Ready Data Management Platform

Keysight SOS is not another Git wrapper. It’s a purpose-built platform designed from the ground up for the demands of chip design workflows, including:

Scalable Performance for Massive Data Sets

SOS handles gigabytes-to-terabytes of hierarchical design data efficiently, using symbolic links and optimized caching. It enables you to store once, reuse everywhere, and avoid redundant downloads across global teams.

Hierarchical Awareness and Dependency Tracking

Unlike flat version control systems, SOS understands how changes ripple through a design. A tweak to a PLL core? SOS tracks every project and IP that depends on it—and triggers the right alerts and workflows.

Real-Time Traceability

Every version, test result, and integration point is automatically tracked. You’ll know who changed what, why, when—and what else was affected.

Enterprise-Grade Security

Granular access control means only the right people can touch the right files. SOS supports encryption, compliance reporting, and full audit trails.

Native Integration with EDA Tools

SOS is natively integrated with major design and verification tools. This means changes made in your toolchain are automatically reflected in the SOS platform—with no extra overhead for your engineers.

Why SOS, Why Now?

Because the EDA industry is pivoting. AI-enhanced workflows will soon become the competitive baseline—not a bonus. And they’ll only be as good as your data infrastructure.

If your team is still managing design files with homegrown scripts or general-purpose tools, your AI potential is capped. You won’t be able to:

• Train models that deliver reliable, context-aware insights
• Leverage AI-based verification or floorplanning tools
• Deploy data-driven reuse strategies across global teams

In short: no structured data = no AI-enhanced design flow.

Keysight SOS: Complete Control of Your Design Intelligence

Keysight SOS gives you full visibility, structure, and control across your design environment—from IP reuse and metadata indexing to dependency tracking, verification alignment, and enterprise-wide collaboration. It delivers:

• A unified, searchable IP catalog
• Smart dependency tracking across projects
• Collaboration tools for design review, verification, and change approval
• Graphical tools for visual diff and change propagation
• AI-ready, enterprise-wide design observability

This is the infrastructure you need—not only to organize your design environment today, but to enable intelligent, AI-assisted workflows tomorrow.

From Legacy Chaos to AI Readiness: A Transition Plan

Getting AI-ready doesn’t happen overnight. But the transition becomes practical with the right roadmap:

Stage	Action	Tools
Baseline	Centralize design files and IP in Keysight SOS	SOS
Normalize	Enforce naming conventions, metadata standards, and access controls	SOS
Automate	Link design stages to verification, validation, and release workflows	SOS
Analyze	Enable search, query, and insights on usage, reuse, and regressions	SOS
Learn	Feed clean data into AI models or EDA plug-ins	SOS + 3rd-party tools
Optimize	Apply AI-enhanced workflows across schematic, layout, and validation	Integrated stack

The first step—centralization and normalization—is what unlocks the rest.

Real-World Proof: 50% Design Time Reduction at Allegro

Take Allegro MicroSystems as an example. By adopting Keysight SOS across business units, they transformed siloed design practices into a centralized, traceable environment.

The result?

• 55% of all IP is now reused from known-good templates
• Design cycles reduced by up to 50%
• Over 200 IPs and 150 projects managed with enterprise-wide consistency

This is not theory. It’s operational excellence, in action.

Final Word: The AI Revolution Will Favor the Prepared

AI in EDA is coming fast. But it will favor the prepared—not the most hyped.

If your data is siloed, undocumented, and disorganized, AI tools will deliver underwhelming, unreliable results—or fail entirely. But if you build the foundation now, with structured, contextualized, secure design data, you’ll be first in line to reap the benefits of true AI-enhanced workflows.

The time to organize is now. The time to implement Keysight SOS is now.

Request a trial today.

Because without structured data, there is no intelligent design flow.

Originally published on Nielsen Insights

Riding the wave of cultural influence

In recent years, K-pop hits have topped U.S. music charts and streaming platforms have made popular Asian media like anime more accessible. As the fastest-growing population in the U.S., Asian Americans—many of whom have family and friends abroad—are leading these trends in the U.S. For brands, earning and maintaining the AANHPI community’s trust isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have.

• 29%
  More than a quarter of Asian Americans live in a home with two or more generations—creating deep connections to culture.

  ^{Source: American Community Survey, 2022}

• $1.4T
  AANHPI consumers in the middle income bracket grew 16% from 2009-2022, and the community’s buying power is $1.4 trillion dollars.

  ^{Source: Pew Research, 2024; Selig Center for Economic Growth}

• 53%
  More than half of Asian Americans have a higher appreciation for brands that advertise in media that reflects their culture/ethnicity.

  ^{Source: Nielsen Attitudes on Representation Study, 2025}

Setting trends across the U.S.

In this year’s report, we explore how Asian American audiences are creating cross-cultural connections and driving trends among broader consumers in the U.S. 

• Tech trendsetters
  AANHPI audiences are enthusiastic about technology—including streaming—and turn to apps and social media for everything from shopping to entertainment.
• Retail influencers
  Asian Americans are digital-first shoppers who are adopting retail media and leading beauty trends around skincare and haircare.
• Growing sports fans
  AANHPI sports fans are embracing Asian athletes, helping to drive interest in sports at home and around the world.

Connecting with the future of the consumer market

By understanding the cultural nuances that resonate with AANHPI consumers, brands can position themselves to create leading-edge marketing that appeals to the broader U.S. market. The what, where and how Asian Americans connect with brands and media isn’t just about the AANHPI community; it’s about understanding the future of the U.S. consumer market.

Download the report

Sofidel

The 11th edition of the school project by Regina (Sofidel Group) and WWF Italia has concluded.

113,278 students participated throughout Italy. Lombardy, Veneto,
Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany were the regions with the largest participation.

The educational path “ Mi Curo di Te ” has involved over 990,000 children and young people in eleven editions, helping them to understand, study and express their creativity around an urgent and priority theme such as safeguarding the Planet .

PORCARI, Italy, August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – 10 schools are the winners of the eleventh edition of “Mi Curo di Te”, the free environmental education programme promoted by Regina (Sofidel Group) and WWF Italia.

Participation in the 2024-2025 edition of the school project was high: 113,278 students from 1,126 primary schools throughout Italy, for a total of 5,149 classes, took part in the educational program to learn to “Act According to Nature” and submitted a total of 1,080 works to try to win the prizes up for grabs. Lombardy with 164 schools, Veneto with 135, Emilia-Romagna with 104 and Tuscany with 103 are the regions that saw the widest participation in the program.

Five primary schools won – through a draw – a shopping voucher worth 800 euros for the purchase of educational materials :

• Borgo Cimerone Capital (Sonnino, Latina)
• Peter Scuderi (Linguaglossa, Catania)
• St. George (Pavia)
• Italo Calvino (Novate Milanese, Milan)
• Falerna Railway Station (Catanzaro)

Another 5 primary schools in Pistoia, Caserta, Gragnano (Naples), Cassano Magnago (Varese) and Ragalna (Catania) were awarded, again through a draw, a kit of Regina products.

Biomimicry, a discipline that studies the behavior and characteristics of plants, animals, and ecosystems to improve and make human activities and technologies more sustainable, the central theme of this year’s edition, intrigued and engaged primary school students. Guided by their teachers and with the support of their families, children learned to ask themselves “What can we learn from nature?” instead of “What can we take from it?” through in-depth worksheets, practical activities, and web games, and they delved into Goal 12 of the UN 2030 Agenda “Responsible consumption and production.”

The educational path “Mi Curo di Te” has accompanied the school year of young Italian students for eleven years to discover the major themes linked to the protection of the Planet and sustainability.

The school project by Regina (Sofidel Group) and WWF Italia will return in September 2025 with a new edition.

Download the press release

On Aug. 3rd and 4th, hundreds of golfers traveled to Benton Harbor, Mich. from across the U.S. and multiple international locations to participate in the 22nd Whirlpool Community Charity Golf Event. The event raised more than $3.2 million for Berrien County youth organizations this year.

The event was hosted at multiple Southwest Michigan golf courses (Harbor Shores, Point ‘o Woods, Hawkshead, Orchard Hills, Chikaming and the Dunes Club), and 884 golfers participated across both days, a record number for the event. In addition to golf, attendees were able to attend a Fireside Chat with PGA Tour Champions golfer Justin Leonard and former Detroit Lion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, as well as a silent auction.

“For more than two decades, the Whirlpool Community Charity Golf Event has brought hundreds of people to our community, and more importantly, profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of youth in our area,” said Pam Klyn, president of Whirlpool Foundation. “Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers, participants, and the generous donations from our sponsors, this event serves as the single largest fundraiser for vital youth organizations, enabling them to provide essential services and foster a brighter future for the young people of Berrien County. We believe that investing in our youth is an investment in the future of our entire community.”

In the twenty-two years of the event, more than $37 million has been raised for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan, First Tee of Benton Harbor, and the local public school foundations of Benton Harbor, Lakeshore and St. Joseph. The event positively impacts 10,000 youth in Southwest Michigan each year.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

The following is an excerpt from Southwire’s 2024 Sustainability Report. To read the full report, click here. 

As a family-owned business, we are always considering how to position future generations for success. Much of the answer lies in operating sustainably; we prioritize efficiency, strive to act as stewards of the natural resources we use and take intentional steps to reduce our climate impacts.

In 2024, we deployed our new Sustainability Playbook across all of Southwire’s facilities, guiding our teams on sustainability fundamentals, including key culture, technology and programmatic initiatives. Supported by local Sustainability Champions, each site will implement universal initiatives from the playbook within the next few years. To upskill our teams, we implemented customized sustainability training to Southwire engineers and developed the curriculum for additional training to come.

Driving Energy Savings

Southwire has embarked on an enterprise-wide journey focused on energy use avoidance, and this was a focal point of our sustainability work in 2024. Building on initiatives launched in 2023, we engaged our largest facilities — covering approximately 67% of Southwire’s energy consumption — in Kaizen events that included detailed assessments, site-specific training and energy treasure hunts. This enabled sites to implement customized energy roadmaps to guide their efforts in the coming years.

Leveraging Renewables

In addition to making our operations more energy efficient, we continue to invest in renewable energy sources to power our sites. In 2024, we signed a contract to install a new solar system at Southwire’s North Campus in Carrollton, Georgia, that we expect to be completed in late 2025 or early 2026. This builds on similar projects in recent years, including our contract with the Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative utility to provide our Carrollton Southwire Continuous Rod (SCR®) plant with 100% renewable electricity. Southwire has also contracted with Constellation Energy to provide environmental attributes in the form of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) associated with the Texas-based Rayos del Sol solar installation, and we are under contract with Georgia Power for a renewable energy supply program that commenced in 2025.

Meanwhile, we installed solar-powered EV charging systems at our Carrollton Corporate Headquarters and distribution center in Fontana, California. Unlike standard EV charging stations that are connected to the electrical grid, these stand-alone units use an integrated solar panel and battery, along with two charge ports. That makes the systems more flexible, as the units can be relocated if needed. The project is currently in the pilot phase as we explore whether these off-grid systems can meet our charging requirements. If it is successful, it will support our aspiration to bring more EV charging stations to our manufacturing plants, distribution centers and large offices in the next several years.

To learn more about Southwire’s sustainability initiatives and to read the full 2024 Sustainability Report, visit https://www.southwire.com/sustainability.

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, August 11, 2025 /3BL/ – The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® is proud to announce a powerful new chapter in its decades-long mission to end domestic violence through a renewed partnership with The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline)—the nation’s leading resource for survivors and those seeking to support them. Together, they will launch a nationwide initiative focused on trauma-informed education, community engagement, and life-saving tools to help individuals recognize and respond to domestic abuse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 women in the U.S. will experience domestic violence in their lifetime¹, yet many still don’t know where to turn for help. This collaboration directly addresses that gap.

“Domestic violence has no place in our homes, workplaces, or communities, and yet it affects every zip code, every income bracket, and far too many lives,” said Michael Lunceford, President of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® Board of Directors. “This partnership is about more than raising awareness. It’s about equipping people with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to act—honouring Mary Kay Ash’s vision of a world where all women feel safe, supported, and heard.”

The $70,000 grant from the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® will support the development of a comprehensive suite of co-branded, public service materials available free of charge:

• Three webinar trainings led by The Hotline’s highly trained, expert education team.
• A six-part educational video series on key topics including trauma-informed communication, safety planning, and how to support someone experiencing abuse.
• Downloadable toolkits and conversation guides designed for easy sharing online, in the workplace, and at community gatherings.

As the only national, 24/7 hotline dedicated to domestic violence survivors and support systems, The Hotline has fielded over 7.5 million contacts since 1996². Their deep expertise in survivor-centric care, advocacy, and culturally responsive training makes them a natural partner for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s mission of creating a safer world for women and their families.

“This collaboration comes at a time when survivors need connection more than ever,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline. “The Mary Kay Ash Foundation’s unwavering support allows friends, family members, even co-workers to meet people where they are—with empathy, resources, and life-saving information. Together, we’re helping individuals and communities lean into difficult conversations with compassion and strength.”

The initiative officially launches this August with a series of three live virtual training sessions, open to the public and facilitated by The Hotline. Topics will include recognizing abuse, building trauma-informed communication skills, and creating survivor-informed communities of care.

To learn more about the initiative or access domestic violence support materials, the full suite of resources will be housed on the Mary Kay Ash Foundation website and promoted through its social media platforms. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

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

About The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline® is the nation’s leading resource for survivors of domestic violence and individuals who support them. Offering free, confidential, and trauma-informed support 24/7/365 via phone, chat, and text, The Hotline has responded to over 7 million contacts since its founding in 1996—serving as a lifeline for survivors across the U.S. and its territories (nearly 3,000 contacts daily). All services are available in over 200 languages and are rooted in survivor-centered care, covering safety planning, emotional support, and connection to local resources.

# # #

Mary Kay Ash Foundation®
newsroom.marykay.com
972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com

¹CDC, Preventing Intimate Partner Violence, 2023
²The National Domestic Violence Hotline – 2024 Annual Impact Report

The way we work has changed. Offices now stretch from skyscrapers to spare bedrooms, and employee well-being is no longer just a nice-to-have experience, it’s a business essential.

But let’s be honest: it’s easy to overlook comfort when your “office” is your kitchen table. As hybrid and remote models become the norm, creating environments that support physical comfort and mental wellness is key. That’s where smart ergonomics and the WELL Building Standard™ come in, not as extras, but as essentials.

Together, they offer a roadmap to healthier, more engaged, and more productive teams.

Ergonomics Isn’t Just About Chairs

Bad posture, poor lighting, and awkward setups, whether in the office or at home, can quickly lead to aches, strain, and burnout. And that hurts more than just your back. Productivity drops, engagement dips, and health costs rise. For example, research shows that poor ergonomics can reduce productivity by up to 40%, while proper ergonomic interventions can cut workers’ compensation claims by 58%.

A few quick fixes won’t cut it anymore. This means going beyond merely providing furniture; it requires training, clear guidance, and a commitment to keeping all employees protected, comfortable, and productive, wherever they work.

Today’s hybrid work reality needs flexible, proactive ergonomic support, for everyone, everywhere.

Enter: The WELL Building Standard

What if your building could actually make people feel better?

That’s the idea behind the WELL Building Standard™, a globally recognized system that helps organizations create spaces designed to improve human health and well-being.

WELL looks at the full picture of how a space affects the people inside it. That includes:

• Air quality and ventilation
• Lighting that supports natural rhythms
• Thermal comfort (because no one does their best work when they’re freezing)
• Noise control, clean materials, water quality, and more
• Even mental health, community, and movement — it’s all connected

It’s backed by science, designed to be flexible, and focused on people, whether you’re designing a new space, upgrading an existing one, or just trying to better support hybrid teams.

WELL certification comes in tiers: Silver (meeting core health and wellness features), Gold (demonstrating enhanced performance), and Platinum (achieving the highest level of human health and wellness benefits), but even starting the process shows employees you’re serious about their health and comfort. And with options like the WELL Health-Safety Rating, you can focus on key operational strategies around cleanliness, emergency preparedness, and building trust, without a full design overhaul.

Real Results: Some large global companies have reported that WELL-certified buildings led to 6% higher cognitive function scores and 16% better sleep quality among employees.

Curious how WELL Certification could give your company an edge in attracting top talent?
Explore this scenario that brings the benefits of WELL to life.

Combining WELL-aligned workspaces and ergonomics support leads to a workplace that feels good to be in and one that stands out in a competitive market.

Where Ergonomics and WELL Work Together

Here’s the best part: WELL and ergonomics aren’t separate strategies — they’re complementary. In fact, WELL includes specific features focused on ergonomic furniture and practices.

Ergonomics is about physical comfort, reducing strain, and improving posture and productivity. WELL adds layers like air quality, lighting, noise control, and mental health support, all of which directly impact how people feel at work.

Together, they reinforce each other. When ergonomic design is paired with WELL-aligned spaces, people experience less fatigue, more focus, and greater job satisfaction. And when employees feel good, they do better work.

Real Results: The Benefits of WELL + Ergo Speak for Themselves

Combining WELL strategies and ergonomic support isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about measurable business outcomes. For example:

• Fewer injuries: Think fewer neck, back, and wrist complaints.
• Better focus: Comfort + good air + smart lighting = clearer thinking.
• Happier teams: People feel valued, and they stick around.

Bringing it to Life: What You Can Do Now

Ready to start? Here are three practical steps to bring ergonomics and WELL principles into your workplace:

1. Offer comprehensive ergonomics checks for both home and office setups: don’t assume a one-size-fits-all solution works. Personalize support to help employees stay safe and comfortable wherever they work.
2. Design with WELL in mind: natural light, quiet zones, thermal comfort, greenery, improved air filtration.
3. Promote healthy habits through structured programs: encourage movement breaks every hour, provide hydration reminders, and create dedicated spaces for mental breaks and meditation.

The Bottom Line: People-First Workplaces Win

If you want a healthier, more productive workforce, it’s time to think beyond the desk. Combine ergonomics with WELL principles and build work environments that support your people, wherever they are, so they feel safe and empowered to do their best work.

Your employees will thank you. And your bottom line will too.

Ready to transform your workplace wellness strategy? Our WELL-certified experts can guide you through a comprehensive assessment of your current environment and develop a customised roadmap for certification. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and discover how WELL certification can become your competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.