Tag: 3BL

Jean Ekwa, Strategic Communications & PR Lead, Tech To The Rescue

The power of AI is shaping industries, revolutionizing business, and transforming how we solve complex challenges. But while corporations and governments are investing heavily in AI innovation, many nonprofits risk being left behind—lacking the resources, expertise, or infrastructure to harness AI for impact. How can technology leaders support these organizations?

In a recent Tech for Good Talks podcast, Alice Damasceno, Director of Corporate Citizenship and ESG Communications for Lenovo Latin America, sat down in São Paulo with Ana Camerano from Tech To The Rescue (TTTR), a global nonprofit foundation that connects ambitious nonprofits with technology companies willing to support them with pro-bono solutions. They discussed Lenovo’s vision for AI-driven impact, the company’s approach to corporate citizenship, and how the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab is giving nonprofits the tools and resources they need to integrate AI.

A partnership turning innovation into action

Lenovo and TTTR share a common belief: AI should be accessible and inclusive.

That’s why Lenovo joined TTTR’s AI for Changemakers Accelerator, an initiative backed by other major tech players. The accelerator matches nonprofits with skilled volunteer technologists who help them design and implement AI solutions tailored to their missions.

The Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab takes this support a step further—equipping ten selected nonprofits with cutting-edge Lenovo hardware, AI tools, and expert guidance to help them turn their AI aspirations into real-world impact.

For Lenovo, this collaboration is part of a broader vision to make AI a force for inclusion rather than a driver of inequality. As Alice Damasceno explained in the podcast, Lenovo sees its role in social impact not just as a donor but as a strategic enabler—ensuring that technology is developed and deployed in ethical and equitable ways.

How AI drives social change

For Lenovo, corporate citizenship is more than philanthropy—it is about leveraging technology to serve people and the planet. Alice Damasceno explains that Lenovo’s approach is centered on Smarter Technology for All, ensuring that innovation advances business while addressing critical social and environmental challenges.

During the conversation, Damasceno shared inspiring real-world examples of how Lenovo is applying AI to solve pressing issues:

• Indigenous Language Preservation – Lenovo works to integrate endangered languages into Motorola devices, ensuring that Indigenous communities can access and use technology in their native tongues.
• AI-Powered Assistive Technology – With partners like the Scott-Morgan Foundation, Lenovo develops AI-driven avatars that allow ALS patients to communicate even after losing their ability to speak.
• Disaster Relief Technology – Following natural disasters, Lenovo provides immediate aid and AI-driven tools to help communities recover more effectively.
• AI for Accessibility – A Lenovo project in Brazil uses AI to translate Brazilian sign language (Libras) into text, making digital services more inclusive for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

These examples highlight a fundamental shift in how corporations approach social impact—not just through financial contributions but through strategic, tech-driven interventions that create sustainable change.

The role of corporate citizenship in a changing world

Reflecting on her career in social impact, Alice Damasceno emphasized the growing role of technology companies in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable future.

Corporate citizenship, she explains, is not an afterthought but an integral part of how Lenovo operates—embedding ESG principles, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement into its core business strategy.

“The world’s challenges are complex, but technology can be part of the solution,” says Damasceno. “By engaging employees, partnering with nonprofits, and investing in AI-driven impact projects, we are creating a model where businesses can thrive while driving meaningful change.”

The Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab helps ensure that AI innovation doesn’t remain a privilege of corporations—it becomes a tool for global problem-solving, available to those who need it most.

Looking ahead: how the tech industry can respond

As AI and emerging technologies continue to evolve, the collaboration between corporations, nonprofits, and impact-driven organizations will be critical in ensuring that these innovations benefit society.

This is a long-term commitment for Lenovo—part of its broader Smarter AI for All strategy, ensuring that AI innovation serves people, not just profits. For Tech To The Rescue, this partnership is a blueprint for how corporations and nonprofits can collaborate to make AI a true tool for social transformation.

“If we don’t make AI accessible to mission-driven organizations, we risk deepening the digital divide,” said Damasceno in the podcast. “But when we give nonprofits the right tools, knowledge, and partners, they can solve problems in ways we never imagined.”

The real question isn’t whether nonprofits should use AI—the question is whether the tech industry will step up to ensure they can.

Watch the full conversation here

In the bustling city of Dubai, the spirit of community and generosity came alive during a recent FedEx Cares volunteer event. This particular initiative was dedicated to packing hundreds of care packages filled with essential food items for those in need. The event was held at one of FedEx’s busy facilities, where the volunteers ingeniously repurposed the conveyor belts normally used for sorting packages for delivery.

A group of enthusiastic FedEx team members gathered, ready to make a difference. They were greeted with a variety of supplies, and with a shared sense of purpose and excitement, the volunteers got to work.

The conveyor belts, usually busy with parcels destined for customers worldwide, had been transformed into assembly lines for the care packages. Volunteers lined up along the belts, each assigned a specific task. The belts moved steadily, and with teamwork and coordination, each care package was filled with love and care.

The atmosphere was electric with a sense of camaraderie. Laughter and chatter filled the air as volunteers worked side by side. Every now and then, a cheer would erupt as boxes were completed and sent down the line. High-fives were exchanged frequently, and huge smiles were a constant sight.

As the last of the care packages were sealed and stacked, the team paused to celebrate their achievement. Group selfies captured the moment, with everyone beaming proudly. The sense of accomplishment was palpable; they had come together to make a significant impact on their community.

With the task complete, the care packages were carefully loaded onto FedEx delivery vehicles. These vehicles, usually carrying commercial packages, were now filled with boxes of hope and support. The volunteers watched with satisfaction as the vehicles departed to deliver the care packages to their destinations across the city.

The celebration continued with a sense of fulfillment and joy. The FedEx team had not only leveraged their logistical expertise but had also reinforced the power of community and collaboration. It was a day marked by brilliant teamwork, heartfelt efforts, and the knowledge that their actions would bring comfort and relief to many.

A few hours later, the volunteers dispersed, carrying with them memories of a day well spent. The FedEx Cares event in Dubai was a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when people come together with a common goal. It was a day of giving back, of making a difference, and of spreading kindness in the heart of the city.

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

While some government regulators are reducing or eliminating sustainability reporting requirements, a wide range of industry trade groups and organizations continue to develop reporting standards and best practices to help businesses achieve sustainability targets. In our Top Stories this issue, we look at efforts in four very diverse industries: electronics, agriculture, real estate, and snow sports.

Electronics – The Global Electronics Council (GEC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable electronic technology. GEC manages the EPEAT ecolabel, a free resource for procurement professionals to identify and select more sustainable products. Since its launch in 2006, purchases of over 2.7 billion EPEAT products have generated cost savings exceeding USD$34 billion and a reduction of over 341 million MT of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The EPEAT ecolabel also provides a resource for manufacturers to demonstrate that their products confirm to the highest sustainability standards. In a press release included in our Top Stories below, GEC announced that it has added enterprise data storage products as a new category under the EPEAT ecolabel, which will help enable more sustainable data centers.

Agriculture – In the agriculture sector, corn producers have been focused on improving the sustainability of on-farm production in the U.S., including water use, energy use, land use, soil erosion, and GHG emissions. According to Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a multi-stakeholder organization, corn production in the 40 years since 1980 has required 44% less land, 56% less water and 55% less energy per bushel grown, while producing 48% less GHG emissions and 40% less soil erosion, measured in tons of soil per acre.

To provide traceability of U.S. corn sustainability across international supply chains, the U.S. Grains Council (USCG) introduced the Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP) in 2023. The USGC also created the Sustainable Corn Exports electronic database though which exporters can request a Record of Sustainability validating that a shipment meets CSAP standards. According to an article below from CME Group, to date more than 18.2 MT of U.S. corn product has been exported carrying a Record of Sustainability.

Real Estate – developers are working to meet the demands of companies for new sustainable buildings, including LEED-certified buildings, and upgrades to existing buildings. Developers and investors are tapping into green financing tools to raise capital to help meet this demand and boost returns. According to an article in Urban Land Magazine, an estimated $1.5 trillion in green, social, and sustainability-linked bonds and other mechanisms are being raised annually around the world. In addition to traditional green bonds and loans from banks, funding structures for energy upgrade projects are being utilized including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Energy/efficiency as a Service (EaaS).

Snow Sports – The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has developed a Sustainability Communication Guide to help ski industry professionals enhance their sustainability communication and avoid falling into the use of so-called greenwashing practices. A press release from FIS, included below, describes 10 actionable steps in the guide which aims to provide a practical framework for building trust and driving meaningful engagement. The steps include assessing sustainability performance using a five-point scale, setting communication goals, prioritizing transparency, and breaking down complex terms to ensure sustainability messages are easy to understand.

The G&A team is available to assist companies in a wide range of industries with incorporating best practices for setting sustainability goals and for sustainability reporting and disclosure. For more information contact us at: info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Steering the commercial vehicle industry into the future requires not only creativity but innovation. The Shyft Group is up for the task, leveraging smart manufacturing technology to aid in their quest to reinvent the wheel. Since implementing Rockwell Automation’s Plex Enterprise Resource Planning in 2021, The Shyft Group has acted with precision and speed to develop commercial-grade electric delivery vehicles for their last-mile delivery customers – companies that pickup packages from a central hub and deliver them right to the customer’s doorstep.

“The industry was looking to move to commercial grade EVs, but when we went to find a chassis that you need for a vehicle like that, there wasn’t one available,” explained Andy Anderson, vice president & CIO, The Shyft Group. “So, we built our own from the ground up, as well as the body on top of that, and became a full OEM of EV delivery trucks.”

With its Blue Arc™ EV brand, The Shyft Group is steering the commercial vehicle industry into the sustainable future. They’ve used their 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing custom commercial chassis and truck bodies to develop electronic vehicle solutions for last-mile delivery.

Plex Enterprise Resource Planning has powered The Shyft Group’s ability to accelerate innovation. For their latest development, an electric delivery truck, they went from concept to functioning vehicle in just nine months. Their quick Plex implementation helped set the tone for the expedited pace.

“Plex came into play because we needed a solution where we were able to use a system in real time, and not have everything on spreadsheets and disparate communication,” said Nicci Kew, ERP Manager, The Shyft Group. “We were able to create our Plex environment in two weeks, which included supplier purchase orders, pricing, parts information, receiving and receipts, accounts payable and some inventory information.”

A well-known delivery company has already provided an initial order for 150 vehicles. The order reflects a shared commitment to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution through the adoption of commercial-grade EVs.

“These are fully electrified, lighter weight vehicles so fleets can deliver more packages. With the lighter weight, these vehicles have a longer range – over 220 miles – which is perfect for those last mile delivery companies,” Anderson said. “Drivers pick up the packages, do their runs, and bring the trucks back to charge overnight.”

Learn more about how The Shyft Group has used Plex to charge ahead with its quest to electrify the delivery vehicle segment and why it was named the 2023 Plex Innovator Impact Award winner.

Guided by its mission to improve human health and quality of life by transforming how therapeutics and materials are discovered, Schrödinger is dedicated to driving measurable impact through its Corporate Sustainability strategy.

Schrödinger’s third annual Corporate Sustainability Report details the company’s progress on its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments and highlights its dedication to its VALUE² strategy, which is grounded in the principle of shared value:

“When we add value to the world, we create value for our company, and when we build value for ourselves, we generate value for the world.”

Throughout 2024, Schrödinger made significant strides in its ESG initiatives, including: the achievement of LEED® green building certifications for key facilities; the continued development of innovative solutions in drug discovery and materials science; and the publication of critical policies to enhance transparency and governance.

2024 Report Highlights

Environmental

• Schrödinger reported its baseline Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which were externally assured, marking a key milestone toward setting science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative by the end of 2025.
• The company’s facilities in Framingham, Seoul, and Tokyo earned LEED® green building certifications in 2024, advancing its commitment to occupying more environmentally sustainable spaces.
• Schrödinger launched an initiative to develop a computational solution for predicting toxicology risks earlier in the drug discovery process, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Through its computational platform, Schrödinger enabled partners to design sustainable catalysts that reduce the energy required for chemical reactions, contributing to a reduced environmental footprint. 

Social

• Schrödinger launched its first company-wide Volunteer Month, during which every office globally participated in local community service activities.
• The company strengthened its focus on education by working directly with teachers through its Educator’s Week program, adding computational tools to school curriculums, and supporting STEM education initiatives.
• Building on its commitment to employee development, Schrödinger introduced programs aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of its managers and embedding inclusion across its business.
• Schrödinger continued to support critical health and innovation initiatives, including funding small molecule, nonhormonal contraceptive research to meet the needs of women and girls worldwide. 

Governance

• Schrödinger adopted its Global Human Rights Policy, reinforcing its dedication to ethical practices and responsibility.
• The company published its first formal Environmental Policy, further detailing its commitments to sustainability and outlining methods for achieving its goals.
• In line with its commitment to transparency and integrity, Schrödinger strengthened corporate governance with updated and responsive policies addressing evolving regulations and identified gaps.

Schrödinger’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report references the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals and Software & IT Services standards. Access the report here.

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Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career journey, and what led you to your current role.

Born and raised in the Midwest, my husband Max and I relocated to Arizona after the holidays in 2019. I had been offered a role with GoDaddy on the HRIS team and was eager to escape the freezing temperatures after a long winter. I began working in the Gilbert office as a Time and Absence Analyst on the HRIS team until the pandemic was in full swing and transitioned to working from home. Over the next two years, I worked on the Project team to implement Workday time and absence in twelve countries and supported business as usual work within People Operations. In early spring of 2022, Max and I welcomed our wonderful daughter, Nora. The following year, in the spring of 2023, I began managing the HRIS team and delved into the performance and benefits modules within Workday. Over the last two years, our incredible team has collaborated to complete many remarkable projects while enhancing our knowledge both internally and with other teams.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending weekends at the local farmer’s market, exploring the Southwest, taking Pilates classes, spending time outdoors with my family and giving lots of love to our foster dog(s)!

How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?

I am lucky enough to work in an environment that is always evolving. Our HR leadership team is consistently encouraging us to experiment and be bold. Whether it is changing how the system works by adding new functionality, fixing bugs, or completing implementations, I rarely do the same thing from week to week.

I am fortunate to show up every day and work with an incredible team that embodies GoDaddy’s values. Their dedication motivates me to excel in my role.

I appreciate being able to take advantage of our Global Wellness Days to reset and recharge. Knowing that I have time to be present with my family allows me the clarity to focus on my work and support my team.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends in HRIS, and how do you incorporate those into your work?

Workday has many great resources for users. We review and implement changes from the product releases twice a year in partnership with various teams and also gather information from Workday Community. My team maintains strong partnerships with all of our internal stakeholders. Through regular meetings and frequent Slack messages, we stay informed about various global changes. One day, it might be a new parental leave plan in the United Kingdom; the next, it is altering our performance cycle based on feedback from our partners.

What advice would you offer to professionals seeking to advance their careers in the field of HRIS?

Stay curious and commit to continuous learning. In my experience with GoDaddy, by the time (I think) I have mastered one process, I am always challenged by a new one. It’s important to listen to and collaborate with your teammates, organizational partners, and field experts. By understanding their desires, concerns, and motivations, you can more effectively support them and provide solutions that align with the long-term goals and vision of the organization.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

This might change the next time you ask, but a quote from Salvador Dali has stuck out to me in my personal life and at work – “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it”. I work to make sure the “what ifs” never stand in the way of trying or doing something new.

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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Whirlpool Foundation and The Washing Machine Project’s winning employee engagement program exposed Whirlpool Corp. employees to the global washing divide and created an opportunity to help address it. Sixty percent of the world’s population relies on washing clothes by hand, largely due to lack of access to reliable electricity and water. This unpaid labor disproportionately impacts women and girls. In 2024, Whirlpool Corp. employees participated in “Washout” events, hand washing clothes and helping them understand how the majority of the global population does laundry. Employees also volunteered to assemble manual washing machines for The Washing Machine Project.

“We are so humbled and grateful to receive this Halo Award. I’d like to thank Whirlpool Foundation for supporting this work and our employees who generously volunteered their time and talents on this initiative. Together, we hope to reclaim time and improve the lives of women and girls worldwide and open up new opportunities for them.”

“We are so humbled and grateful to receive this Halo Award,” said Rosa Skinner, senior manager of global CSR and community relations for Whirlpool Corporation. “I’d like to thank Whirlpool Foundation for supporting this work and our employees who generously volunteered their time and talents on this initiative,” said Skinner. “Together, we hope to reclaim time and improve the lives of women and girls worldwide and open up new opportunities for them.”

Whirlpool Foundation formally announced its support of The Washing Machine Project in April 2024. In the past year, hundreds of employees engaged in “Washout” experiences in global offices, and more than 300 employees assembled 375 manual washing machines, which were distributed to underserved communities in India, Mexico, Republic of Congo and Ghana.

“This unique engagement program helps Whirlpool employees better understand the daily challenges of those who hand wash clothes,” said Navjot Sawhney, founder of The Washing Machine Project. “We exist to alleviate the burden of hand washing clothes, which can be life-changing. With the support of Whirlpool Foundation and Whirlpool volunteers, we were able to build more manual washing machines to impact more lives.”

The Halo Awards are considered the highest honor of recognition for outstanding corporate and nonprofit partnerships in categories including employee engagement, mental health, education, DEI, and service. Engage for Good is a leading organization that empowers corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial partnerships. Additional nominees at this year’s 23rd annual awards included Mercedes-Benz USA, Edward Jones and Rare Beauty. You can find more information about the Halo Awards at https://engageforgood.com/halo-awards/.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining 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.

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Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

U.S. Bank today announced it has committed to be a partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, to be held in Minnesota from June 20-26, 2026. U.S. Bank is both the Official Volunteer Sponsor and the Official Competitive Cheer Sponsor of the USA Games.

 As the Official Volunteer Sponsor, U.S. Bank will help lead and mobilize more than 10,000 incredible volunteers who are vital to the success of the games. 

 As the Official Competitive Cheer Sponsor, U.S. Bank will support this exciting event, which will take place at Ridder Arena at the University of Minnesota campus. Competitive Cheer was introduced to the USA Games in 2022 featuring 150 athletes and unified partners, and now more than 14,000 cheer athletes and unified partners annually train and compete in the United States.

“Hosting the Special Olympics USA Games here in our headquarters market of Minneapolis is such an honor,” said Reba Dominski, senior executive vice president and chief social responsibility officer for U.S. Bank. “We are looking forward to showing these amazing athletes and their families just how supportive this community is and how excited we are to welcome them to the Twin Cities.”

U.S. Bank joins a growing list of passionate partners for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. As a proud partner, U.S. Bank will also have many of its own employees playing a significant role in supporting the games through volunteering at various venues and helping to champion inclusion throughout the games. 

“We are deeply thankful for U.S. Bank’s collaboration in making the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games a reality,” said Christy Sovereign, chief executive officer of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. “Their contribution empowers us to highlight the incredible human spirit, where competitive cheer and, most importantly, the tireless dedication of our many volunteers will unite to celebrate the extraordinary abilities of our athletes.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will be one of the largest sporting events in the U.S. that year, bringing together thousands of athletes of all abilities, coaches, volunteers and fans from all 50 states. To learn more about the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, please visit 2026specialolympicsusagames.org. 

About U.S. Bank 

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $676 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies and one of Fortune’s most admired superregional banks. Learn more at usbank.com/about. 

About Special Olympics USA Games 

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games—scheduled for June 20-26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine—is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. The USA Games, with co-presenting partners Jersey Mike’s Subs and United Healthcare, will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the ability of over 3,000 incredible athletes from all 50 states as they compete in 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports. As a state with a long history of championing inclusion, the USA Games now bring an unrivaled opportunity to Minnesota to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change.

Client background

The Urban Resource Institute (URI) is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelters and services. URI focuses on the underserved needs of vulnerable populations, providing life-changing services to the New York City metroplex. The work of URI focuses on domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and trauma with the goal of increasing safety, family security and supportive communities.

The business challenge

Not-for-profits often rely on grants to sustain vital services and to finance specific projects or initiatives. In order to continue receiving funding from federal, state and city resources, URI needed to ensure their reporting was timely and accurate. URI’s accounting system was outdated and many of the processes were manual, resulting in time-consuming workloads that were prone to error.

Strategy and solution

Baker Tilly has a strong history of aiding not-for-profit organizations by offering distinctive services that make a significant difference in the community. With this deep knowledge, the Baker Tilly team designed an accounting system to meet the needs of URI. Baker Tilly worked with URI’s finance team to implement Sage Intacct, a cloud-based financial solution. Through collaboration, we created new processes and workflows that not only made reporting more efficient, but also tracked inventory that was not easily quantifiable before.

Results achieved

The URI team now has the confidence in their financial information to make critical decisions on projects and growth trajectory that were not available in the past.

As a result of this project, a purchase request can now be initiated by program team members and approvals can be electronically processed. The system has saved time by eliminating the need to physically track down team members or communicate via email for document approvals. All approvals have been streamlined and can be reviewed via the system’s audit trail.

To uphold excellence, URI continues to update its work processes and has established a service subscription agreement with Baker Tilly. This agreement grants URI unlimited access to consulting services and support for their strategic road map initiatives and operational processes.

For more information about Baker Tilly’s cloud-based solutions, or to learn how we can help your organization transform accounting processes, contact our team.

Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!

It was pure instinct. I didn’t even think.

Paul Manzi was stopped at a traffic light on Mount Prospect Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, when he witnessed the “surreal” scene of a young girl running into the street and around cars as a pit bull chased her, with her mother racing behind desperate to catch up to them.

While a slew of onlookers stood frozen with fear, our service technician Paul jumped into action to come to the rescue.

“When I saw a little 6- or 7-year-old girl getting attacked by an animal, it was pure instinct. I didn’t even think,” Paul said. “I ran to the back of my truck to get a stick, and I saw the umbrella.”

“I think [the umbrella] confuses dogs. I couldn’t believe it worked.

That pit bull tried to get at me, but he couldn’t get around the umbrella.”

-Paul Manzi, PSE&G Gas worker

The umbrella was key. About a year before, during a PSE&G safety training, dog handlers shared that an open umbrella is one of the best tools to use to stop a dog attack.

“I think it confuses dogs. I couldn’t believe it worked. That pit bull tried to get at me, but he couldn’t get around the umbrella,” Paul said, noting that while he had the dog occupied the mother and child ran behind a locked gate. Finally, the dog ran off.

Paul said that while he was searching for something to use to stop the dog, the dog had knocked the girl down and was on top of her. The girl’s mother attempted to pry the dog away but couldn’t. That’s when Paul was able to step in. He shudders to think what could have happened to both had he not been there.

After the dog ran off , Paul checked on the pair and asked if they were okay. The mother could only reply, “No.” He comforted them until an ambulance came, also staying to ensure the dog didn’t return.

“It was quite the week,” Paul said, noting that earlier in the week he responded to shut off gas at a house fire. Another day, he came to the aid of a cyclist he saw get struck by a car. Yet, he will never call himself a hero. “The mother is the real hero here,” Paul said.

“I’m pretty boring,” he said when describing himself and his nearly 19 years of service in PSE&G Gas Operations. “I’m a grandpa of four grandchildren and I think that had a lot to do with me helping that little girl.”

Paul said he’s a member of the PSE&G Safety Council and the company’s strong safety culture also helped him kick into action when needed.

“I went back to the safety council to tell everyone how well the umbrella worked,” Paul said. “Public Service is an amazing company with a great safety culture. Any one of us would have done the same thing.”

We’re grateful for employees like Paul, who jump into action to support members of our communities.

Hear Paul’s story on ABC7 Eyewitness News below.