Tag: 3BL

LINCOLN, Neb., June 30, 2025 /3BL/ – New data shows that last year, nearly one-third of the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree planting work in cities and towns was related to addressing extreme heat.

“Communities are struggling to endure the pressures of rising heat and they’re reaching for trees as a way to cope. This data is a validator of trees in their role as critical infrastructure. In our world’s cities, trees are a ‘must-have’, not just a ‘nice-to-have’,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “As the rate of extreme heat increases, so must our response. The Arbor Day Foundation is focused on leveraging the latest data and technology to help reach communities in need. Alongside our global network of planting partners, we’re meeting the moment with action.”

The new data analysis from the Arbor Day Foundation revealed last year’s 115 heat-related projects resulted in more than 52,000 trees planted or distributed with the specific aim of creating cooling. These trees were brought into front yards, back yards, city streets, parks, playgrounds, and school campuses across 27 U.S. states and seven additional countries.

Trees planted in cities and neighborhoods have the power to reduce life-threatening heat by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and improve air quality worsened by the heat.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the last 10 years have been the hottest years on the planet, with 2024 being the hottest ever recorded. The rising heat has proven deadly. The National Weather Service estimates extreme heat accounts for more deaths annually in the U.S. than every other natural disaster combined. Additionally, extreme heat is proven to increase hospitalizations related to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.

In total in 2024, the Arbor Day Foundation planted or distributed a combined 1.5 million trees across 409 tree planting projects in cities and towns. In addition to extreme heat, projects helped to improve air quality, support disaster recovery efforts, establish food forests, and grow green spaces in undercanopied areas. The work was accomplished in collaboration with 235 local planting partners in 46 U.S. states and 28 countries.

Click here to learn more about how the Arbor Day Foundation leverages data, science and mapping to focus its work in communities where extreme heat has a disproportionate impact.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., June 30, 2025 /3BL/ – Global nonprofit alliance Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) today released its Annual Report, a comprehensive recap of transformational progress in 2024. Marking a pivotal year defined by reinvention, strategic alliances, and system-wide action, the nonprofit organization reaffirmed its position as a leading force driving collective sustainability efforts in the consumer goods industry.

“In 2024, we didn’t just rebrand: we refocused,” said Tamar Hoek, Cascale Board Chair and Senior Policy Director Sustainable Fashion at Solidaridad. “Our members are calling for more clarity, better alignment, and faster progress. This report highlights the steps we’ve taken together, how we’re convening the industry in more focused, effective ways, and where we must go next.”

A Year of Strategic Milestones and Growth

Cascale’s bold repositioning as a catalyst for “A New Era of Unified Impact” set the tone for a year of major advancements, including:

• Accelerating Tool Development: Key updates to the Higg Index, including the rollout of Higg FEM 4.0, advanced the measurement of environmental performance across supply chains.
• Scaling Partnership with Worldly: Strengthened integration of Cascale’s Higg Index tools, exclusively licensed to Worldly, the leading platform for sustainability data and analytics in consumer goods supply chains, enabled more streamlined sustainability data management.
• Advancing Decarbonization Leadership: The Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) grew to 57 members, with a potential CO₂ reduction of 419,607.92 tCO₂e. Cascale also launched the first-ever Industry Decarbonization Roadmap, in collaboration with the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) and Reset Carbon.
• Elevating Data Alignment in Decent Work: The commencement of a strategic process of discussion and due diligence culminating in the purchase, by Cascale, of select assets of Better Buying Institute, in February 2025, marking a significant milestone in supporting the advancement of responsible purchasing practices across the consumer goods industry, to achieve Cascale’s Decent Work for All.

“2024 was about unity in purpose,” said Cascale CEO Colin Browne. “Through industry-wide initiatives, deeper stakeholder engagement, and policy innovation, we laid a foundation for the next phase of impact.”

Global Policy & Public Affairs Expansion

Cascale significantly expanded its global policy presence in 2024:

• Published the Global Policy Priorities paper, jointly developed with Cascale’s Public Affairs Strategic Council, and held policy roundtables in Brussels, Copenhagen, and Paris.
• Collaborated with the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) on a joint vision statement and launched a secondment with the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to help shape emerging sustainability reporting standards.
• Delivered over a dozen educational initiatives, including webinars, deep dives, and legislative updates for its 676+ engaged newsletter subscribers.

Notable Collaborations and Sector Standards

In 2024, Cascale played a central role in convening stakeholders across the supply chain:

• SLCP was independently established, reinforcing Cascale’s focus on decent work and social responsibility.
• The organization initiated partnerships with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Open Supply Hub, and formalized a partnership with Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to harmonize sustainability protocols and promote Higg Index adoption.
• Cascale co-published the Apparel Alliance Supply Chain Taxonomy, a standardized tier classification framework with Textile Exchange, Aii, and ZDHC to streamline impact reporting and enhance transparency.

“The development of a shared perspective of the apparel supply chain tiers will provide clarity to our industry and enhance future communications and tool alignment strategies,” said Joël Mertens, director, Higg Product Tools, Cascale. “We look forward to the continuation and release of this work with our apparel alliance partners.”

Member-Led Programs and Education

Cascale’s 300+ members worldwide played an active role in shaping progress through initiatives like:

• Fashion LEAP for Climate e-learning (25 brand participants).
• GIZ PDP Solar Rooftop Initiative saw 76 participants, where 18 facilities completed feasibility studies and four implemented solar installations.
• Cascale’s flagship Annual Meeting welcomed 600 attendees – more than ever previously recorded for the event.

In 2024, Cascale also launched the “Source of Good” podcast to amplify real-world applications of the Higg Index tools and sustainability leadership around the globe; the podcast was heard in 51 countries.

The report concludes with a message of pragmatic optimism: that bold ambitions require bold collaboration, and that while Cascale can’t transform the industry alone, it will continue convening the people and platforms needed to get there.

“The climate science is clear. With global emissions once again reaching record highs, as reported in the latest Global Climate Change Indicators report, the urgency could not be clearer,” said Lee Green, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Cascale. “At Cascale, we’re committed to supporting our members and partners to drive real change – faster, and together.”

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Yum! Brands

Since its founding in 1997, Yum! and its brands have Served Up Good by investing in initiatives that enable team members, employees and communities to thrive. Yum! remains committed to using its capital – financial and human – to reduce food insecurity and to help individuals gain the skills and capabilities they need to build meaningful careers. This series highlights both the stories of leaders within Yum! who are driving meaningful change and shaping a better future for all, as well as the beneficiaries of the many community impact programs Yum! leads around the world.

KFC Restaurant General Manager Shantel F.’s restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, has raised over $60,000 for the KFC Foundation in the past two years from customers opting to round up their check to the next dollar, making the location the top fundraising KFC in the United States.

The KFC Foundation supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and communities across the U.S. through education, financial and hardship assistance, and community giving programs—including the Kentucky Fried Wishes program, which grants nonprofits $10,000 to make a project on their wish list come true.

Below is a conversation with Shantel about her team’s passion for the KFC Foundation and giving back to the community through Kentucky Fried Wishes.

Why is the KFC Foundation’s community giving program, Kentucky Fried Wishes, important to you?

Last year was the second time my team was given the opportunity to select a nonprofit to receive a Kentucky Fried Wishes Grant as a reward for raising the most funds for the KFC Foundation in the U.S. We chose Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that provides beds to children in need in our area. Getting the opportunity to give back is so important because I want to have a greater impact on my community. My team and I are motivated by the good that is possible through our work and the generosity of our customers – it fuels our work every day.

What is your favorite memory with Kentucky Fried Wishes?

When we presented the $10,000 grant check to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, we did so at their annual “build day.” I attended the event, along with two of my shift supervisors and two team members. That day, we worked with other volunteers to build a total of 200 beds for children in the community. I loved getting to present the check to the organization at this event because we got to see the direct impact of our efforts. Each bed we helped to fund or build meant one less child in Euguene was without a place to sleep. It was inspiring!

What have you learned from this experience?

I’ve learned the importance of sharing the impact of the KFC Foundation and asking our customers for a donation every time they make a purchase. All donations, big or small, can be used to make a difference in the lives of our communities, and giving our customers the opportunity to be part of the impact is important. 

What do you feel when someone mentions Kentucky Fried Wishes?

Proud. When people see that KFC is investing in organizations and causes that matter to them, they want to support that. I see this not from just customers, but from the nonprofits in our area as well. It is cool to see the word get out about what we are doing to support the people of Eugene and becoming known as a restaurant who cares. It makes me feel like I’m making a real impact in my community beyond the service we provide in the restaurant.

Cummins

Cummins Magazine recently brought together Ann-Kristin de Verdier, Executive Managing Director of Distribution Europe, and Thierry Pimi, Vice President of Cummins International Distribution Operations, to discuss the strength of the Cummins business structure, the company’s approach to the energy transition, and plans to leverage diverse talent across the organisation.

Cummins’ new vice president of international distribution operations Thierry Pimi has begun implementing a bold three-pronged strategy for commercial success.

Thierry has identified three core areas of improvement: greater use of technology to improve efficiency and the customer experience; enhanced focus on delivering end-to-end value to the customer; and a drive to create what he calls “the right environment” by building diverse, inclusive and highly motivated teams.

Progress on these three action points is seen as vital to raise the already high bar of Cummins’ service levels and satisfaction among its customers across some of the world’s most important business segments, including data centres, mining, marine and power generation.

“We want to continue to make it easier for customers to do business with us,” said Thierry. “One of the ways to do that is to make sure we are constantly looking to improve our operational efficiencies. For instance, making sure the way we operate in our branches is as universal as possible for a seamless customer experience.

“We are investing very heavily, and Europe, under Ann-Kristin’s leadership, will be spearheading a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that is going to revolutionise the way we do business.”

Ann-Kristin is in full agreement: “I’m tremendously excited about the transformation that’s coming for our processes and the tools available to us across Europe. It will allow our employees to spend more time with customers and unlock real value.”

Thierry, who was born in Douala, Cameroon and who has held a number of strategically important roles within Cummins, now presides over the company’s global Distribution Unit (DBU), a company-owned network of more than 15,000 employees spread across 190 countries and territories operating from around 460 locations.

It is the nature and scale of the Cummins network that makes the brand so attractive, especially to larger, multi-national businesses. “Whether it’s data centres, or power generation, or high-horsepower users, these customers see our network as the biggest plus because of the consistency in the quality and the capability which we have built around the world to support them.”

Ann-Kristin points out that in Europe, many Cummins customers export equipment outside of the region, and there is comfort in knowing there is product available that can fit into their equipment and which meets local needs and regulatory requirements.

“They can also be confident there is service support for their product wherever in the world it is being used, and we also operate a number of global account management contracts, which means we can collaborate more seamlessly than some of our competitors who have mostly independent distributors.

“The fact we’re one company makes doing business a lot more straightforward.”

Turning his thoughts to the great energy transition, Thierry says Cummins’ Destination Zero strategy offers a robust framework “but change will not be like flicking a switch”. Different applications will adopt the transition at different phases.

Ann-Kristin believes the distribution side of Cummins will have a key role to play. “Our customers know we have the expertise to help and guide them,” she says. “When the technology and the product is less mature, support needs are more intense and we provide highly skilled technicians during the ‘infant care’ period.

Thierry is confident Cummins will rise to any challenge presented by the drive toward clean energy, saying the company has earned an enviable reputation for reliability over the past 105 years.

While the competitive landscape is going to keep changing and the needs of Cummins’ customers are bound to evolve, Thierry is adamant one thing will remain constant and that’s the company’s focus on the customer experience.

“We don’t just want to make it easy to do business with the customer, we want to drive the customer loyalty, and we do that by competing on service and the customer experience. The role of our distribution network is to ensure the customer gets the value expected from a premium global brand.”

In Europe, Ann-Kristin’s focus is on making sure Cummins has the right support in every country across the region, “whether we have a local Cummins-owned branch there, or whether we have channel partners, whether it’s sales, application engineering, or aftermarket support”.

Ann-Kristin stresses the importance of stability in the network, knowing that some of the ‘traditional’ products Cummins sells today, particularly high-horsepower engines, could have long working lives.

“With regular servicing and the possibility of multiple rebuild cycles, these engines could be working for 20 years or more. Similarly, we can upgrade the electronics on our generator sets to prolong their life.

“Knowing the distribution network will be there for the full life of the product is really important, and we are fortunate to have some very long-standing and loyal service partners, including a lot of family businesses that go back generations, which also gives our customers added confidence.”

Thierry agrees: “These partnerships are part of the DNA of Cummins. When you find partners that have similar values, it helps to create a culture that sticks.”

The right environment for personal growth

Wherever Thierry Pimi has worked within Cummins, he has developed a reputation as a superb leader of people: someone who can bring the very best out of the individual and collective talent at his disposal.

In Ann-Kristin, he has found a fellow business leader equally committed to creating the best conditions for colleagues to showcase their skills and leadership potential.

“We call it creating the right environment,” says Thierry. “If we want to be the leading power solution provider in the next century and beyond, being able to design and deliver better solutions than our OEMS can do in-house, or than our customer can find from someone else, the key will be to have the most capable talent and skills.

“The world today is a global village, and we’re working on processes that will allow us to move the best and most appropriate talent to wherever they are needed, as seamlessly as we can. 

“I want us to be seen as one single distribution unit rather than a group of regional operations.”

Thierry revealed that he and Ann-Kristin had been working together on a multi-faceted programme to develop the skills of leaders and supervisors. The programme covers themes such as how to deliver constructive feedback, how to foster open communication, and how to be authentic and vulnerable. These skills and others form the basis of Cummins leadership behaviours.

Taking inclusiveness to a new level

Cummins has taken heart from being voted among the top 100 companies in Europe for building an inclusive workforce through its focus on diversity.

The influential Financial Times Diversity Leaders list for 2024 placed Cummins at number 76, helped by the launch of the Cummins Powers Women initiative.

While encouraged by the top 100 position, Thierry believes Cummins can go a lot further, helped by being committed to valuing difference.

“This is really the frontier today of where we are going,” says Thierry. “We are going beyond diversity and inclusion by admitting difference in the room. Valuing difference is about us getting to a point where we value, recognise and appreciate what’s unique and different about the other person.

“This is not just superficial. We are going beyond the cosmetic and beyond even the traditional understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion to a really new place, and that is something that makes me proud to be part of Cummins.”

Ann-Kristin says valuing difference is a core component of Cummins’ recruitment strategy. “Europe is inherently diverse, with so many different languages and cultures, but we can always do better at valuing differences.

“We must keep asking ourselves if we are doing enough to develop people at all different levels of the company, and with a broad set of skills and capabilities so they have opportunities across the region.”

Thierry Pimi

Before taking up his position as head of international distribution in July 2024, Thierry Pimi led the Cummins business in Africa Middle East. Before that, he ran Cummins Southern Africa distribution business.

Thierry is a mechanical engineer who joined Cummins in 2008 in the Corporate Strategy team at Columbus, Indiana where he led several projects involving growth, profitability, divestiture and acquisitions.

In 2011, he was appointed Africa Mining Territory Manager, and in 2014, he assumed the role of General Manager of Cummins North and West Africa Regional Operations, overseeing the deployment and consolidation of company-owned entities in Morocco, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

Thierry is a staunch supporter of promoting local talent and has unleashed diverse and capable teams across the regions in which he has worked, combining seasoned industry leaders with exciting new hires equipped with strong local knowledge and solid regional culture.

He cites his mother and Nelson Mandela as his two most important role models.

Ann-Kristin de Verdier

Building strong relationships with regional distribution partners and driving business growth has been a recurring theme throughout Ann-Kristin’s career, which started in Sweden at Ericsson.

Her experience encompasses product development, project portfolio management, strategic marketing, sales and service operations.

Ann-Kristin currently leads a Europe-wide sales and service organisation that includes 15 wholly- owned distributors and more thar 200 local dealers. 

Ann-Kristin has an MSc in Automation Engineering from Chalmers, an MSc in Computer Science from Imperial College and an MBA from Stanford.

This article is part of the 2025 Edition Cummins Europe Magazine, to read more European articles click here

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 30, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education, the creators of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world, today announced significant enhancements to the online, adaptive literacy program DreamBox Reading. These improvements broaden DreamBox Reading’s coverage to support all PreK-5 learners and expand educators’ abilities to develop students’ foundational skills and confidence in reading through personalized instruction.

DreamBox Reading by Discovery Education starts young readers off right with a highly engaging, systematic approach to literacy aligned to the Science of Reading. Built on the company’s patented Intelligent Adaptive Learning platform, DreamBox Reading captures data from student answers, strategies, and behaviors to personalize learning in real time.

This adaptivity ensures that students are met where they are with just-right instruction and fun activities. Using DreamBox Reading, students develop proficiency over foundational skills through learning experiences built around their own progress, performance, productive struggle, and age-appropriate play.

Among the latest enhancements made to DreamBox Reading are: 

• Expanded Access to Adaptive, Personalized Learning for Older Readers: DreamBox Reading now supports grades PreK-5, thanks to recently added content. The expanded solution includes more essential concepts and topics critical for learning to read, including foundational skills such as phonics, decoding, guided reading, and language skills such as vocabulary, spelling, word learning strategies, and more.
• Enhancements to the Student Experience: A new, motivating, age-appropriate learning environment has been created to engage upper elementary learners.
• Improved Teaching and Learning Supports: New professional learning and supports for PreK-5 educators are now available to maximize classroom impact.

DreamBox Reading by Discovery Education is certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based ESSA Tier IV standards as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This research and more can be found here.  

The enhancements to DreamBox Reading follow several product and content enhancements made to Discovery Education’s award-winning solutions and announced earlier this year. Taken together, the product improvements for Back-to-School 2025 empower teachers to create personalized learning experiences for all learners with inquiry, excitement, and exploration that will hold students’ attention while challenging them academically.

“Evidence shows that too many students in grades 3-5 have not yet mastered foundational reading skills,” said Lance Rougeux, Discovery Education’s Senior Vice President of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Engagement. “The latest enhancements to DreamBox Reading were made in response to educator feedback and empower educators to deeply engage these students in reading and put them on a personalized path to future success.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Discovery Education  
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

Contact 
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com

At Inogen Alliance, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. As a global network of EHS, ESG, and sustainability consulting firms, our strength lies in combining local expertise with global insight to support clients worldwide. Our recent and upcoming events highlight the power of this collaboration in action, bringing together associate companies across continents to address pressing environmental and compliance challenges.

Jointly driving a green future for enterprises in Vietnam 

Hosted by Anew (China) & Cleantech (Vietnam) | May 30, 2025 | Hanoi, Vietnam 

In a powerful example of regional collaboration, Inogen Alliance associates Anew and Cleantech co-hosted an in-person event titled “Jointly Drive Green Future for Enterprises in Vietnam.” The conference welcomed representatives from multinational enterprises operating in Vietnam, with a focus on the latest trends and regulations in EHS & sustainability management.

The event began with an introduction to Inogen Alliance’s global-local model and core values; Respect, Trust, Collaboration, and Integrity, demonstrating how our network delivers tailored solutions through trusted local partners.

Key sessions included:

• Vietnam EHS Regulatory Update 2025 – Guidance for Chinese enterprises on upcoming compliance changes
• Industrial Wastewater Recycling – Advanced technologies and cost-saving strategies
• UL 2799 Certification – Insights into achieving zero waste to landfill
• Global Zero Waste Trends – Aligning with international certification standards
• VOC Removal Technologies – Practical solutions using Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers
• Expert Panel Discussion – Real-world experiences and strategies for sustainable enterprise development in Vietnam

The event was a strong reflection of our mission to empower enterprises with local knowledge and global support – helping businesses build greener, more compliant operations in Southeast Asia.

Upcoming webinar: the global EHS compliance challenge 

July 3, 2025 | 10:00 AM (UTC+1) | Online Webinar

Register Here

“The Global EHS Compliance Challenge: From Blind Spots to Full Visibility” is our upcoming global webinar focused on helping multinational organizations better understand and manage local EHS compliance across borders.

When headquarters rely solely on reports and policies, critical blind spots can arise, especially when operating across diverse regulatory environments. This 45-minute session will uncover common pitfalls and share real examples from companies navigating global EHS complexity.

What to Expect: 

• Why HQs often misjudge their compliance visibility
• Lessons from US, Japanese, and German HQs on overcoming regulatory differences
• Identifying high-risk vs. low-risk operations
• Moving from fragmented tools to centralized, audit-ready systems
• Live demo + expert insights from the Inogen Alliance network

Featured Experts: 

• Alizabeth Aramowicz Smith – VP, Antea Group (USA)
• Hiroshi Tachikawa – Managing Director, Propharm Japan
• Jannis Faupel – Senior Consultant & Partner, Baden Consulting (Germany)
• Theresa Schmidt – Senior EHS Consultant, HPC AG (Germany)
• Róbert Szücs-Winkler – CEO, denxpert (Hungary)

Join us to learn how companies like Vantage Data Centers, REWE Group, and Eglo are transforming their global EHS compliance strategies with the support of Inogen Alliance associates.

Register Here

By Kim Borges

“Who would’ve ever thought I’d walk out of prison and the Bureau of Justice would give me funding?”

There’s nothing conventional about Shawntelle Fisher – including her ideas.

When Regions gave me that $25,000, they didn’t know that 25 million dollars later, I would still be doing this.
Shawntelle Fisher, founder and CEO of the SoulFisher Ministries

In 2019, Fisher pitched the unique concept of employer workshops for justice-involved people to an independent judging panel to earn a $25,000 grant from Regions Bank. And at this year’s Regions Bank Community Convening in St. Louis, Fisher addressed the audience of 100-plus nonprofit leaders about the exponential growth her nonprofit The SoulFisher Ministries has realized since.

“When Regions gave me that $25,000, they didn’t know that 25 million dollars later, I would still be doing this,” she said. “We were really just getting on our feet; we were still struggling getting people to believe that people with criminal records were worth investing in.”

Not anymore.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance has been a believer since 2018, investing millions to support SoulFisher’s AGAPE Reentry program and Successful Second Chances program focusing on workforce development, job search assistance and job placement for people transitioning back into the community following incarceration.

Continued funding from BJA has put us on the trajectory to be the national organization we’ve envisioned from the beginning.

“Continued funding from BJA has put us on the trajectory to be the national organization we’ve envisioned from the beginning,” said Fisher. “Just seeing that application was a motivator for something possible – to just do it and don’t look back.”

What else has Fisher been doing?

“Where do I start?” she said. “There are so many exciting things going on. The program Regions funded is still active and thriving. It’s becoming a pillar in the community around workforce development.”

The six-year journey represents more than organizational growth; it’s also involved significant personal reflection.

“Even when I was in prison, I was still a leader, just not the positive influence in my own community like I am today,” said Fisher. “I had everything in me to do what I’m doing today; all I needed was the support and guidance.”

Someone who’s delivered valuable support to Fisher and SoulFisher? Eric Madkins, Regions Community Development manager in Missouri.

These aren’t just services, these are lifelines restoring dignity, reducing recidivism and creating pathways to lasting success.

“Eric is our longest-serving board member,” said Fisher. “He’s been our treasurer; he’s our current vice-chair. Eric is ever present. When you see us, you see Eric. It’s an honor to have Regions supporting him through his service.”

Through his involvement, Madkins has seen the impact Fisher and team are making.

“These aren’t just services, these are lifelines restoring dignity, reducing recidivism and creating pathways to lasting success,” said Madkins. “People deserve the chance to rebuild their lives, and The SoulFisher Ministries makes that possible. I’m beyond proud to support an organization opening so many doors for our community.”

Despite all her success, Fisher will tell you opening those doors doesn’t always come easily.

“I still face challenges because I’ve been incarcerated,” Fisher said. “I’m doing things the world didn’t think I could do; that I didn’t know I could do. I just have to stay focused and remember God called me to do this. If it were easy, anyone could do it. It’s difficult but rewarding work.”

Seeing others thrive motivates Fisher to keep doing more – and to keep thinking unconventionally.

“We’re doing amazing work in St. Louis and lives are being changed because of it,” she said. “We believe restoration is possible and success is real.”

“Whenever I’m having conversations in the community and find out someone is doing something interesting, I say, ‘Do you want to come do that with our kids?’”

Through that one strategic move, Shawntelle Fisher introduced something new to SoulFisher’s six afterschool sites five years ago.

The Black Squares Chess Club, led by nonprofit Dream Builders 4 Equity, is focused on increasing access to chess to youth ages 6 to 18.

For youth served by SoulFisher, it’s become more than a hobby; it’s a passion.

“They’ve become chess wizards at all six sites,” said Fisher. “They absolutely love it, and it’s helps inspire their confidence. When the world tells them they can’t play chess, they know differently.”

Originally published o NRG Energy Insights

From potential power loss to property damage, extreme weather events can often stir up a lot of challenges and cause feelings of concern, stress, and uncertainty. However, despite its seemingly unpredictable nature, our teams work year-round to prepare for all kinds of severe climate – with the ultimate goal of protecting and supporting our customers. In this series, we will provide a comprehensive look at NRG’s extreme weather strategy, kicking things off with an introductory breakdown from Jon deJong, Manager, Load Analytics & Meteorologist.

Jon, what is load forecasting?

In its simplest sense, load forecasting is used to predict how much electricity and natural gas gets used based on different types of weather and customer characteristics. This can be for an entire region, like ERCOT, or for a group of customers, like our residential customers in Houston. We use historical data to help predict what the future may look like.

This is important because what we do supports system reliability and helps ensure that NRG’s supply meets the demands of our customers through typical and extreme weather conditions.

How do we define an extreme weather event?

NRG services customers across the U.S. and Canada, so we understand our customers are exposed to unique weather patterns, transmission systems, and structural differences specific to their respective regions. In other words, what constitutes as an extreme weather event in one location, may not have the same impact in a different location.

During Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the extremely cold temperatures across Texas may not have been seen as significant compared to the winter weather typically seen in colder regions. However, the bitter cold and wintry precipitation that Texas received impacted generation, natural gas, and transmission facilities, resulting in an unprecedented disruption of electric service.

The load forecasting team is constantly monitoring weather patterns and paying close attention to situations that show signs of impacting a large geographical area over a long period of time with difficult conditions. Heat waves or winter storms that affect multiple cities over the course of several days are a good example of this. There are exceptions (like hurricanes, which tend to severely affect a small area over a short window), but, in general, these events place prolonged strain on the grid, making them particularly important to watch.

How does extreme weather impact energy systems?

Each region is structurally prepared for the type of extreme weather they typically face. Plants in northern regions, for example, are built to withstand extremely low temperatures. These guidelines have been set in place by regulators and influenced by past events. While there is still a chance that a weather event can have an unprecedented effect, NRG works hard to ensure our facilities abide by standards that help us deliver reliable power to our customers.

It’s important to note that the impact of severe weather, though, is not limited to NRG and our domain.

When rough weather blows into town, it can also affect pipelines, meters, power lines, and other types of transmission and distribution infrastructure, disrupting the energy system’s ability to deliver power to customers. While suppliers, like NRG, do not have an active role in preparing these areas of the energy system for extreme weather, we coordinate with grid operators to make sure they have information about our facilities so that they get an accurate picture of how the overall grid is holding up.

In short, our load forecasting team is continuously watching weather, monitoring demand patterns, and working with our colleagues at the plants to help them deliver reliable power to the grid. Especially, as extreme weather is becoming an increasingly frequent phenomena and energy demand continues to grow, understanding severe climate events is crucial.

Along with load forecasting, NRG takes proactive efforts to assess risks and develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of weather events. In our next installment of Weathering the Storm, we will explore the innovative approaches our teams are implementing to ensure the reliability of energy supply in the face of an unpredictable climate. Stay tuned!

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance is once again seeking proposals from nonprofits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) as part of its Access Capital program to invest in emerging developers.

The Access Capital program provides financial contributions to nonprofit organizations that are focused on developing, maintaining or expanding their technical assistance or training to better support developers.  

Recipients will be selected through an application process where nonprofits submit proposals describing how they could use additional capital for technical assistance or a training program with the goal of building capacity for developers. Once proposals are submitted, Impact Finance will select three to five recipients. Organizations with both existing and new programs are encouraged to apply.  

“Capacity-building and technical assistance programs are a vital first step for emerging developers,” said U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance senior vice president Torrence Moore. “The Access Capital program supports organizations that are providing these opportunities for developers, helping them learn, network and gain skills as they grow their businesses and ultimately get ready to take on capital.”

This will be the fifth year of the program. From 2021 to 2024, Impact Finance awarded $1.2 million to 19 organizations. 

The deadline to apply is July 31, 2025, and the next round of financial contributions will be distributed in the fourth quarter of 2025.  

For more information or to obtain a copy of the request for proposals, email BusinessImpactGroup@usbank.com.

Originally published on 3M News Center

From technological advances to globalization and economic uncertainty, the pace of change has never been faster.

3M recently completed an in-depth study to understand what technologies will most influence the future of how we live, work, and interact within our communities.

Six major technology themes rose to the top: AI and computational technology; immersive technology; nanotechnology; energy technology; environmental technology; and electronics technology. These technologies will fundamentally help drive future material and digital science advancements, moving us from what’s here today, to what comes next.

“Out of 80 anonymized proposals, through ranking and rating, 30 prominent technologies were identified and clustered under these six technology themes” explained Ben Watson, R&D strategy leader, Corporate Research Labs, who led the ‘Technologies for the Future’ team effort.

3M’s innovations align with the six major technology themes and are expected to drive future material and digital science advancements, moving us from innovations for today to what’s next. 

“3M’s pursuit of creative ingenuity and our culture of global collaboration allows us to constantly redefine the boundaries of materials science,” says John Banovetz, executive vice president and chief technology officer at 3M. “Our deep expertise enables us to tackle current challenges in mobility, safety, workforce dynamics, and energy, and to envision a future shaped by groundbreaking innovations.”

AI, computational technology and nanotechnology: A new age of innovation is coming to shape the Future of Mobility 

With 1.3 billion vehicles on the road, mobility and how we get around is a constant driver for change and innovation. The steady growth of the EV market has been a key driver for materials innovation across the automotive industry, influencing everything from batteries and interiors.

What the world needs now

3M is addressing challenges in the automotive industry through innovations in thermal management and battery materials, adhesives, and display technologies. For instance, 3M Glass Bubbles make composite materials lighter, 3M battery solutions include thermal management materials that help dissipate heat and insulate components and 3M adhesives enable efficient disassembly of EV battery packs, reducing waste and facilitating recycling. Additionally, 3M optical films improve in-cabin displays and vehicle connectivity, boosting efficiency and safety.

AI will make finding materials, like new nanocomposites, even easier. We expect these new materials to help drive efficiency, reducing overall vehicle costs while improving usability and performance.

Tomorrow’s possibilities 

“AI-enabled material discovery can help to identify high-performance materials with new applications for battery efficiency and longevity, that can address range concerns by improving the overall performance of EV batteries and power,” says Tom Clausen, Global Lab Director, Computer Science at 3M.

Additionally, we can expect to see the development of ultra-high refractive index nanocomposites, that can help to improve display efficiency, while new passive thermal management materials will reduce the weight and cost of active cooling systems for passenger comfort.

Electronics and environmental technology: Connecting safe work habits with future innovations 

Health and safety are essential for businesses, workers and communities to thrive and safety concerns span multiple environments. In manufacturing and industrial settings, worker safety experts are increasingly turning to technology for new solutions to long-standing risks, like hazard detection and prevention on the job.

What the world needs now

3M has a legacy of developing safety solutions, such as the 3M N95 respirator, which became vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. 3M also offers virtual reality modules for safety training and high-performance reflective road materials to enhance visibility and safety.

Tomorrow’s possibilities

“Advances in AI are enabling smarter factory systems that optimize production, boost efficiency, and enhance safety by monitoring conditions and adapting operations in real-time,” says Brian Brooks, Senior Staff Scientist at 3M.

“Factories will increasingly integrate cyberphysical materials — smart materials that detect changes in temperature, pressure, light, or stress and respond automatically.”

With embedded sensors, microchips, or wireless links, these materials will interact digitally with factory systems, helping ensure workplace safety, efficiency, and security.

“Advanced materials will also be developed for use in extreme environments, to enable durable and reliable components in advanced transportation and energy applications, helping to reduce the risk of failures and helping to keep workers in those environments safe,” says Matt Frey, Senior Staff Scientist in 3M’s Corporate Research Materials Lab.

Energy technology: Advancing tomorrow’s energy economy 

As global demand for reliable and affordable energy surges, countries are accelerating investments in power generation, grid modernization and energy efficiency to meet their energy goals. Accelerated demand is driving an interest in new materials and scalable, efficient solutions for challenges including grid stability and reducing energy loss in the built environment.

What the world needs now

3M is at the forefront of developing materials science innovations that enhance energy security and grid resilience. For example, 3M’s advancements in electrical infrastructure, such as 3M ACCR (Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced) technology, enable the transmission of more electricity over longer distances without the need for new transmission towers. Additionally, 3M’s hydrogen catalyzer technology plays a crucial role in the production of green hydrogen, a clean energy source.

Tomorrow’s possibilities

“We anticipate the continued and accelerated integration of solar energy technologies directly into building surfaces, transforming structures into power generators and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of urban areas,” says Bill Weber, Director of Business Development, 3M Ventures.

Moreover, Silicon Photonics technology can optimize resource use by enabling efficient data transmission with lower power consumption, supporting edge-based AI deployments, and reducing energy demands in data centers and communication networks.

Immersive technology: Bridging skills gaps with technology

The National Association of Manufacturers reports that the skills gap could result in 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030. This gap is driven by changing workforce attitudes, with 75% from a recent global survey viewing manufacturing jobs positively and 74% recognizing the need for enhanced technology skills, but nearly that same amount 70% in the U.S. are concerned that automation will replace those jobs. To combat the labor shortage and challenge concerns around automation, companies are turning to technology like integrated robotics, immersive technology, and AI.

What the world needs now

As a leading global manufacturer and science company, 3M is committed to advancing economic development by supporting job creation and inspiring the next generation of STEM talent through careers in manufacturing. 3M addresses workforce needs directly through our many partnerships and through initiatives like its Manufacturing and Academic Partnerships (MAP) program and its partnerships with SkillsUSA and WorldSkills.

Tomorrow’s possibilities 

“Immersive technologies such as Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) can generate 3D scenes from regular photos and videos. These technologies could greatly improve how we train employees to operate in a physical environment, like a factory setting,” says Kevin Gotrik, Research Specialist, with 3M’s Corporate Research lab

Special materials that can be read by Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) systems can also help create digital versions of real-world objects, track their movements, and display virtual objects, blending physical and digital workspaces for efficiency and safety.

Moving beyond the expected

Jayshree Seth, 3M’s chief science advocate and corporate scientist, emphasizes that while 3M’s analysis targets future technologies, unforeseen breakthroughs can reshape our perception of possibilities. These “wildcards” might involve advances in quantum computing, the convergence of biological and digital technologies, or surprising material discoveries.

By embracing six major technology themes, 3M is not only advancing current progress but also preparing for future innovations. With a focus on collaboration and creativity, 3M is dedicated to making a positive impact and building a better world for all.