Tag: 3BL

Our culture of giving is one of the defining aspects of life at Gen. All over the world, our team members find myriad ways to get involved with the causes they care about, from in-person volunteering to virtual skills sharing to targeted donation campaigns and more.

This spirit of service was on full display over the past year of business. Between April 2024 and March 2025, more than 67% of our global workforce took part in our Giving@Gen program, our highest participation rate to date. Team members logged upwards of 8,300 volunteer hours and donated nearly $153,000 to 1,710 nonprofits.

To celebrate these milestones, we’re taking a moment to recognize our employees for making such a positive impact. Thanks to their passion and dedication, we’re proud to see our culture of giving continue to grow and thrive.

Coming Together to Make a Difference

In-person volunteering is one of the ways our team members contribute to their local communities. In addition to organizing company-wide events such as our Global Volunteer Week and holiday giving campaigns, we empower our local sites to find opportunities that resonate with their employees.

For example, volunteers at our Dublin office partnered with a local elementary school for Time to Read, a nationwide literacy program that aims to address disparities in education. As part of the program, volunteers took a group of students to their local library and later welcomed them to the Gen office to learn Cyber Safety skills and more about what we do each day.

“I volunteered with Time to Read not only because I love working with kids but also because encouraging them to engage with reading is such a great opportunity,” said Márcio Barros, a web producer at Gen Dublin. “I wish I had something like this when I was a kid.”

Efforts at other sites include a “Girls in Tech” event in March at our Chennai, India office. There, team members welcomed students from nearby colleges for a day of in-depth cybersecurity training, with the aim of expanding the talent pool for the country’s growing tech industry. This office has the highest giving program participation rate across the company and holds regular events to support nonprofits such as Bhumi and Team Everest.

Additionally, nearly 100 team members at our U.S. sites in Mountain View, CA, Tempe, AZ, and Plano, TX, spent a March afternoon assembling and decorating “superhero boxes” of essential items, creative toys and art supplies designed to empower children in the foster care system in collaboration with Foster Love.

Making a Deeper Connection

In addition to in-person volunteering and donations, our team members volunteer to serve on boards and put their day-to-day skills to use for causes they care about.

Utam Reddy, our Head of Partnership Sales for North America, joined the board of the Center for Child Protection, an organization based in Austin, Texas, that provides healing and prevention services for abused children.

“Being on the board has been a great way to donate my time and skills to an important nonprofit in my community,” said Reddy. “I attend monthly board meetings and serve additional time on the finance/audit committee, and I appreciate Gen’s donation that I can give back to the Center.”

Our work with HBCU Heroes pairs Gen mentors from across the company with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to offer career advice and skills development as they prepare to enter the professional world. This skills-based volunteering offering allows Gen team members to share their expertise both with the HBCU students and each other. Volunteers first undergo training from our People & Culture team and Talent Acquisition partners to enhance their abilities to set the students up for professional success.

This practice of peer-to-peer skills volunteering has continued across the company. Bogomil Shopov, Program Management Director of Digital Trust Service, is currently leading a global community of remote volunteers through workshops on how to use OpenStreetMap. Together, they participate in challenges such as mapping freshwater resources and underrepresented rural areas to enhance resource management, environmental conservation and data-driven decision-making.

Employees also lend their expertise to our nonprofit partners. Iskander Sanchez-Rola, our Director of AI and Innovation, spoke on a webinar hosted by TechSoup supporting our targeted product donation campaign to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), and team members across the company can volunteer through Career Connect from Discovery Education to give virtual presentations about their jobs to classrooms around the country.

All of our Giving@Gen efforts are designed to empower our teams to use their skills, time and passions to make a positive impact. We’re grateful to our employees for an incredible year of service and are excited to continue to offer exciting giving opportunities in the years to come.

These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.  

May 22, 2025 /3BL/ – An international alliance of humanitarian and medical organizations is announcing the launch of a new initiative to protect kidney and dialysis patients in crisis settings around the world.

The Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative—a collaboration among Direct Relief, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the European Renal Association (ERA), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN)—aims to ensure continuity of care for people with serious kidney conditions during disasters, conflicts, and in regions where access to essential health services is limited.

The initiative brings together global clinical expertise in nephrology with on-the-ground experience in humanitarian logistics to help sustain kidney care when health systems are disrupted or overwhelmed.

Kidney patients—particularly those receiving dialysis or post-transplant care requiring essential medications—are especially vulnerable in emergencies. Regular access to treatment is essential for survival, and any interruption can quickly become life-threatening. The initiative seeks to address that risk through coordinated action, including emergency support for clinics and hospitals, provision of essential medicines and supplies, and training for healthcare workers operating under strained conditions.

“Kidney patients rely on consistent, life-sustaining treatment, which can be difficult to maintain when disaster strikes,” said Alycia Clark, Chief Pharmacist at Direct Relief. “This collaboration helps ensure continuity of care by equipping health facilities with the products, training, and coordination required to deliver treatment safely and effectively—even under the most challenging conditions.”

The partner organizations have previously worked together during major emergencies in the United States, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. The launch of this initiative builds on those efforts and establishes a formal structure to improve speed, coordination, and scale in future responses.

“This initiative reflects how much more can be accomplished when organizations combine strengths with a shared commitment to meeting urgent medical needs,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. “By uniting nephrology leaders with expertise in humanitarian operations, this collaboration creates a clear path for delivering kidney care where it’s most at risk of falling through the cracks.”

In addition to emergency response, the Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative aims to contribute to long-term improvements in care by strengthening infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries, expanding clinical education, and advancing patient awareness and disease prevention strategies. Direct Relief will manage medical supply logistics and operational support, while ASN, ERA, and ISN will lead regional efforts through their professional networks and national society partners.

“ASN is thrilled to be part of this new collaboration with ERA, ISN and Direct Relief. Together, we will be able to provide support to patients and their caregivers in regions impacted by both natural and human-influenced events and stretch each organization’s resources further. The support of corporate and foundation sponsors will be instrumental in ensuring that people living with kidney diseases have the best chance to thrive even in extreme circumstances”, said Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD, Chair, ASN’s Humanitarian Kidney Support Program

“Patients with kidney diseases represent one of the most vulnerable groups in disaster settings since their survival depends on functional infrastructure, access to advanced technology and experienced personnel within days (if not hours),” said Professor Mehmet Şükrü Sever, Chair of ERA’s Kidney Relief in Disasters Task Force. The Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative can contribute to life-saving efforts by promoting clinical education, enhancing patient awareness and disease prevention strategies and delivering material support when most needed.

“Kidney patients in many parts of the world already have fragile access to care. When disaster strikes, the risk of interruption or disruption of needed care becomes rapidly acute. This initiative strengthens collaboration between professional renal societies and humanitarian organizations, allowing the ISN to contribute its expertise and help connect local providers with urgently needed support”, stated Prof. Ali Abu-Alfa, Chair, ISN Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group.

Looking ahead, the initiative aims to expand its reach and impact by engaging pharmaceutical and medical device companies, philanthropic foundations, and global health partners to close critical gaps in care and strengthen long-term support for people living with kidney disease—especially in regions where treatment access remains fragile.

###

About ASN

Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 22,000 members representing 141 countries. For more information, visit www.asn-online.org and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram

About Direct Relief

A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources to communities in need around the world—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. The organization holds NABP Drug Distributor Accreditation and is licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 U.S. states. In 2025, Direct Relief received the Seoul Peace Prize in recognition of its global humanitarian impact and effectiveness. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.

About ERA

With more than 28,000 members, the ERA (European Renal Association) is one of the largest and most prestigious nephrology associations worldwide. It supports basic and clinical research in clinical nephrology, dialysis, renal transplantation, and related subjects, dedicated to advancing kidney health through science, education, and networking. Founded in 1963, ERA serves as a leading platform for scientific exchange, professional development, and advocacy in the field of nephrology across Europe and beyond. ERA organises annual congresses, supports fellowships and CME courses, and publishes two leading nephrology journals in Europe: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation and Clinical Kidney Journal (open access). For more information, please visit https://www.era-online.org/

About ISN

The International Society of Nephrology, established in 1960, is a global professional medical association committed to advancing kidney health worldwide through education, grants, research, and advocacy. By collaborating with its members and affiliated national and regional societies, the ISN engages with 30,000 health professionals worldwide to help reduce the burden of kidney diseases and provide optimal health care for patients globally. For more information, please visit https://www.theisn.org/

Logitech Blog

A New Way to Game

Two years ago, while awaiting surgery to address a unique medical condition, 12-year-old Daire Gorman desperately needed to find a new way to game.

And so began a collaboration with Big Life Fix, a Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) program that brought together a team of specialized Irish designers seeking to improve the lives of those in need. Since its premier in 2020, the RTE team has helped disabled athletes, creatives, and professionals find new ways to enjoy old hobbies—and Daire hoped he would be next in line to receive an innovative, life-changing solution to his gaming needs.

For this build, designers from Big Life Fix partnered with both Microsoft and Logitech. This all-star partnership of two of the world’s most prominent computer peripherals manufacturers sought to craft a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gaming rig uniquely fit for Daire’s situation.

“Gaming’s not [just] a pastime for me,” The 12 year-old explained during a home interview with RTE. “If I have a tough day at school or if I’m feeling really frustrated and tired, I come in here and escape from everything—it’s my holiday.”

Daire is one of seven people in the entire world with Crommelin Syndrome, an extremely rare condition that causes those affected to be born without certain body parts. He’s spent his life without arms from the elbow down, without a femur bone in both of his legs, and with just four toes on each foot.

If you ask anyone around him, though, his personality is what seems to stand out most.

“His condition means he’s quite limited in lots of things,” said Trevor Vaugh on the television program, designer and inventor featured on the Big Life Fix who initially worked with Daire. “He struggles to walk; he doesn’t have his arms; [but] he’s developed this incredible attitude that kind of knocks you back.”

“He’s such a positive, extroverted guy,” added Niall White, Technical Mechanical Engineering Leader at Logitech G. “He never gets down on himself.”

Prior to his operation, Daire played games exclusively with his feet, which as a result have become stronger and nimbler, his toes curled inwards to reach the buttons on his controller.

Despite this arduous positioning of his feet and the near constant pain it causes, Daire still finds profound joy in gaming.

“That console and this controller…they’re my lifeline,” he admitted during an RTE interview, seated with a PlayStation controller between his feet, voice still with a high, boyish timbre. “If something bothers me—frustrates me—this is the place to go.”

Although Daire’s planned surgery intended to straighten his legs and lessen his day-to-day pain, it came at a dire cost: it would limit his ability to hold a video game controller for longer periods of time.

After months of innovation, iteration, and testing, the Big Life “Fixers”, including Logitech Electrical Engineer Shane Phelan, worked together to build Daire a brand-new, custom-made gaming rig. Over twenty individuals worked on the project, culminating in a gaming chair, footpad with pedal controls, and RGB-lit arm cuffs, which Daire controlled through an array of interior buttons. This design allowed Daire to not only utilize his feet but his arms as well, something he wasn’t able to do with his previous gaming setup. The RGBs also enabled him to customize the setup with his own personal flair.

When the team presented Daire with his new rig, he placed his arms into the cuffs, hesitated, wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and wept, overcome with gratitude.

“It’s amazing,” he whispered, through tears and sniffles. “It’s mad!”

“It was mind-blowing what they can do and what they’ve done,” his father added. “For people to give up their free time, to put what they do for a living into our son… I can’t thank everybody enough”

A Rig That Lasts

For a moment, it seemed that Daire’s woes were solved, and he went through with his operation looking forward to a recovery full of rest and gaming. 

Sadly, the joy didn’t last.

Daire’s rig quickly began to show signs of wear and tear. Buttons jammed, and, distressingly, longer gaming sessions left him with immense arm fatigue.

When Logitech learned of the situation, the company sent a team of designers to collaborate with Daire on remedying the situation.

Although they worked tirelessly, replacing and adjusting various parts, with each successive attempt to repair the device, something different seemed to go wrong. It eventually became clear that smaller fixes wouldn’t suffice; a rebuild was needed. Daire, who had patiently waited months for a fix that seemed increasingly impossible, deserved a rig that would last him a lifetime.

That’s when Logitech brought on Anna Hurley, a promising product design graduate from the University of Limerick, who joined Logitech and was given full creative freedom to create a bold new vision for Daire’s new accessible gaming rig.

It was an ambitious project. The team aimed to complete in three months what would normally take a year or more, but Daire had waited long enough.

“I immediately hit the ground running,” Hurley said. “I was able to have a few prototypes ready when I did meet [Daire] a few weeks after I started.”

After digging into the original model, she found that:

Several components on the device, including the footpad and arm cuffs, were not designed to withstand the full strength of arms and feet, which—due to his condition—Daire was forced to employ during every gaming session. This caused buttons, joysticks, and circuit boards to wear down over time—and eventually left the rig in an unplayable state.

Further, even when operating as intended, the cuffs were positioned in such a way that Daire held his arms straight out in front of him, parallel to the floor, while gaming, which led to fatigue and shortened gaming sessions. The footpad panel was also too small for his growing feet, with sharp edges and no area for Daire to comfortably rest.

Finally, the original chair’s frame was connected to a heavy circular ground mat, which was so big that Daire could not get in or out of the chair without assistance. As Daire is now a teenager, independence is important as a feature and function.

Hurley and the Logitech team stripped the original model down to the bone, unpacking each and every design, mechanical, and engineering decision—and going back to the drawing board to create a more durable, accessible chair.

A period of prototyping followed. Daire and his family visited Logitech’s office in Cork for testing, and Hurley, with a can-do attitude, explored a variety of changes to the initial model.

Eventually, here’s what the team settled on: 

The original footpad, which was originally less than a foot in length, grew significantly, containing stronger materials and a larger padded space on which Daire could rest his feet. This new design also removed the arm cuffs entirely, replacing them with the familiar joysticks Daire already used for his electric wheelchair. Lastly, Hurley swapped the circular foundation of the original chair with a smaller flat panel, allowing Daire to use any chair he’d like and, more importantly, climb in and out of the rig on his own.

As a personal touch, the Logitech team also included a large Liverpool crest, Daire being a massive fan of the team.

“Daire is such a fun-loving kid, and he was so adaptable with everything we gave him.” Hurley exclaimed after completing the build.

“Anna took on everything really, really quickly,” said Mona Sharma, Logitech Senior Industrial Designer and Anna Hurley’s Mentor throughout this process. “She was bright, conscientious, organized, and got what we needed done and more.”

Christmas Comes Early

On December 20th, 2024, Niall, Anna, and several other members of Logitech’s design team made the drive north from their Cork office up to the Gorman residence to deliver the new and improved gaming rig. It was a four-hour journey through the heart of Ireland—past large cities, quaint villages, dewy farmland, and eventually into the sleepy country town that Daire calls home.

Once installed, Daire’s new rig—with its smaller footprint, red paint, and Liverpool crest, perched amongst a sea of Liverpool merchandise and signed jerseys—there’s an overwhelming sense that this updated model was just that: his.

“Oh, wow!” Daire gasped, eyes lit up as he piloted his electric wheelchair across the room towards the new device. “That’s UNREAL!”

With an impossibly large grin, Daire got settled, placed his feet on the improved footpad, and rested his arm on the new joystick, the same trusty component he used to control his wheelchair. Then, he began to play.

He had no issues whatsoever.

“I barely got a word from him after that!” explained Hurley, who watched on from afar as Daire indulged himself in a round of FIFA. “He was just engulfed in the game…and that’s what we wanted out of all of this.”

“It was such a pleasant experience,” she said, reflecting on the entire process. “Daire is fantastic, well-mannered, and super polite—and his family was so supportive.”

The Final Fix

To ensure the best possible gaming experience, the Logitech team remains in contact with Daire’s family to continue to monitor and maintain the device should any needs arise.

Learn more about design and innovation at Logitech here.

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2024 Sustainability Report

Sustainability Governance

Sustainability is not a standalone effort. GoDaddy continues to integrate sustainability into the company’s business strategy. Our approach is focused on creating long-term value for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities while minimizing negative impacts on the planet. The roles and responsibilities outlined in our governance model span across the company and our Board of Directors (Board), allowing us to better track progress, make informed decisions, and maintain accountability to our stakeholders.

Board & Executive-Level Oversight

Sustainability oversight is entrusted to our Board and its committees. Our committees aim to ensure GoDaddy addresses its ESG impacts while continuously monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of our sustainability initiatives. The Board works closely with management to ensure sustainability matters are prioritized in our long-term strategy and related risks and opportunities are thoroughly examined ensuring alignment with feedback from our shareholders.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE-LEVEL OVERSIGHT

NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The Nominating and Governance Committee oversees GoDaddy’s sustainability strategy, practices, and programs, including risk mitigation and reporting. The Committee also reviews public disclosures on such matters, including disclosures in our proxy statement and annual sustainability report.

The Nominating and Governance Committee regularly reports to the Board on these topics.

COMPENSATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL COMMITTEE

The Compensation and Human Capital Committee oversees GoDaddy’s talent management and employee engagement through its oversight of our human capital management practices and programs.

The Compensation and Human Capital Committee reports regularly to the Board on these topics.

EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT-LEVEL OVERSIGHT

MANAGEMENT OVERSEES THE PROGRESS OF RESPECTIVE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES AS THEY RELATE TO KEY AREAS OF OUR BUSINESS

Management reports regularly to the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Compensation and Human Capital Committee and provides updates to the Board on GoDaddy’s human capital and sustainability programs and practices, including progress on goals such as our emissions reductions.

Members of our Sustainability Working Group report directly to members of management and senior leaders.

SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP

OUR SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP IS COMPOSED OF LEADERS ACROSS THE COMPANY

The Sustainability Working Group is a cross-functional team of leaders and is chaired by the Corporate Sustainability and ESG Team. The Sustainability Working Group is responsible for driving progress across priority topics and guides and executes the company’s sustainability strategy by managing relevant potential sustainability risks and opportunities. The Sustainability Working Group also supports our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and transparent disclosure.

Double Materiality Assessment

GoDaddy conducts periodic assessments to identify and prioritize the sustainability topics most impactful to our business, our stakeholders, society, and the environment. In 2024, GoDaddy underwent an inaugural Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) which considered the impacts of our operations on people and the environment, and the impacts of sustainability on our company.

Our DMA approach was informed by leading global standards and best practices. During the assessment, we conducted robust research and engaged internal and external stakeholders to identify, assess, and prioritize sustainability-related impacts, potential risks, and opportunities across our entire value chain. This included an assessment of potential climate-related risks and opportunities using a climate scenario analysis. Through this analysis, we evaluated different hypothetical future

climate scenarios to understand how potential climate-related risks and opportunities might affect our operations. For more information, please refer to the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures section.

By conducting the DMA and assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities, we better understand our sustainability impacts and can proactively manage and address risks and pursue opportunities. The results help guide our decision-making and strategic sustainability planning, focusing on the key sustainability topics most relevant to our business and value chain. This enables us to create and protect long-term value for our company and stakeholders and helps ensure we’re making a positive impact.

Corporate Sustainability Approach

In 2024, we strengthened our sustainability framework by aligning our initiatives to four strategic pillars that are the foundation of our comprehensive corporate sustainability management and disclosure approach. Through the DMA, we identified 13 priority sustainability topics, which span the four pillars.

CUSTOMERS & COMMUNITIES

• Community engagement
• Customer experience
• Inclusive entrepreneurship

PEOPLE & CULTURE

• People-centered strategy
• Employee attraction, retention, and development
• Employee wellbeing

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS

• Trust and safety
• Corporate governance
• Cybersecurity
• Data privacy
• Responsible AI

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Climate change
• Energy

In addition, we identified seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) against which we believe we can make the most meaningful impact. These SDGs are central to our efforts to promote sustainable development, and we regularly review them to ensure the SDGs align with our corporate sustainability objectives. Each year, we disclose how we are contributing to our priority SDGs in the Frameworks & Metrics section. As signatories of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), we support the UNGC’s Ten Principles.

To learn more, read our 2024 Sustainability Report.

About This Report

This GoDaddy 2024 Sustainability Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching corporate mission and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2024. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual Sustainability Report. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector, and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please refer to the Frameworks & Metrics section.

International Paper has released our first TNFD report, reaffirming our commitment to sustainability and transparency. By integrating nature-related financial disclosures, we’re continuing our commitment to building a better future. Get it here: https://www.internationalpaper.com/reports

International Paper (IP) is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, employing more than 65,000 team members and serving customers around the world from operations in more than 30 countries. With a long legacy of forestland ownership, and as one of the world’s largest users of wood fiber, we are deeply connected to the natural world and forest ecosystems. We know that working forests support biodiversity conservation by providing diverse habitats that support a wide range of plant and animal species. Water and forest resources are essential not only for production processes but also for maintaining the broader ecosystem

Our sustainability reports have been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards  and have consistently tracked our progress toward these goals and  targets since 2019.This report aligns our reporting practices with the Taskforce on Nature related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, enhancing transparency in communicating our ongoing actions to protect nature. The TNFD framework provides a comprehensive approach for organizations to assess, report, and act on nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities. As an early adopter of this framework, we pledged to make our first disclosure for the 2024 financial year, a commitment announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2024. To learn more about sustainability at IP, visit our website.

About International Paper 
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com

May 21, 2025 /3BL/ – AEG Europe was named one of the Top 25 Most Inspiring Workplaces in Europe. The recognition, which was presented by the Inspiring Workplaces Awards, celebrates organizations that demonstrate a genuine commitment to putting people first. Unlike traditional rankings that focus solely on employee survey data, these awards evaluate organizations across six core pillars: Culture & Purpose, Leadership, Wellbeing, Inclusion, Employee Voice, and Employee Experience—offering a more comprehensive view of how companies create inspiring work environments.

With previous honorees including DataArt, Mastercard and Philip Morris International, AEG Europe’s inclusion on this prestigious list is a powerful validation of the company’s ongoing efforts to create a dynamic, inclusive, and purpose-driven workplace.

“This recognition is a huge testament to our people and the culture we’ve built together,” said Kirstie Loveridge, EVP of People & Culture for AEG Europe. “We’re proud to be recognized not just for what we do, but for how we do it—by empowering our colleagues, fostering a sense of belonging, and continuously raising the bar.”

In addition to the overall Top 25 distinction, AEG Europe also received special recognition in three key categories:

• Inspiring Culture – Celebrating the values-led, collaborative workplace environment that employees actively help shape.
• Inspiring Inclusion – Acknowledging the impact of the company’s five Employee Network Groups and its commitment to meaningful, systemic change.
• Inspiring Employee Voice – Recognizing how AEG Europe uses platforms like its internal colleague survey to gather honest feedback and act on it, creating a culture of transparency and trust.

Headquartered in London, AEG Europe is a subsidiary of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. AEG Europe’s extensive portfolio of live entertainment and sports assets across the region includes: an array of best-in-class venues, such as The O2 and Eventim Apollo in London; Barclays Arena in Hamburg; Uber Arena, Uber Platz and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin; and Accor Arena in Paris; as well as renowned music festivals, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park in London and Rock en Seine in Paris. Our venues host some of the world’s best sports events and are home to prestigious sports franchises, including AEG’s own Berlin Eisbären ice hockey team at the Uber Arena. For more information about AEG Europe, click here.

HOUSTON, May 21, 2025 /3BL/ – Today at the ESF North America conference in Houston, SCS Global Services (SCS) unveils Carbon Assured, a new third-party certification for the greenhouse gas intensity and reduction in carbon dioxide equivalents of a chemical material. Underpinned by SCS Standards’ SCS-115 Certification Standard for Product Carbon Intensity and Reduction for Chemicals and Co-products, the certification is for any organization that wishes to demonstrate and transparently communicate to customers and stakeholders both the carbon intensity and any carbon intensity reduction of their products containing chemicals.

Carbon Assured has a baseline calculation method following ISO 14067:2018 and Together for Sustainability guidance. The standard recognizes five decarbonization pathways broken out in elective modules. The first three modules are now operational with the last two coming later this year. The levers are as follows:

• Renewable Electricity 
• Bio feedstock and Recycled Content 
• Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage 
• Renewable Energy 
• Asset Efficiency Improvement

“This groundbreaking new certification is just what the chemicals industry, and the consumer-packaged goods industry that relies on them, have been waiting for,” said Scott Coye-Huhn, Vice President of SCS’ Energy, Biomaterials and Circularity division. “Giving organizations a credible way to message consumers about the work they are doing to decarbonize helps build brand loyalty.”

Carbon Assured is for all members of the supply chain who produce or process gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels, chemicals, polymers or plastics and the products made from them. It also applies to operators and suppliers of products or solutions to reduce the carbon intensity of fossil materials such as renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, biobased materials, recycled materials and carbon capture utilization and storage.

To learn more about Carbon Assured Certification visit this page.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

###

Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced the successful conclusion of the FedEx Library Program for FY25 which aims to enhance reading conditions in underprivileged and rural areas. The program covered 40 schools and communities across China, benefiting nearly 9,000 children and teachers. It significantly enhanced the reading conditions in disadvantaged locations and contributed to providing access to education in hard- to-reach areas.

This year, the FedEx Library Program established 40 reading rooms and book corners in 10 schools across Henan, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Tianjin, Anhui, and Shanxi, donating more than 12,000 books. Additionally, 900 reading kits were provided for 24 schools and communities, thanks to the support of FedEx employee volunteers. The company’s China team also donated nearly 700 second-hand books to 3,000 students in another seven rural primary schools as reading resources. The program provided nearly 100 volunteer hours contributed by over 70 FedEx China team members, enhancing reading environments for children and teachers while supporting cultural revitalization in rural areas.

“Since entering into the Chinese market in 1984, FedEx has been committed to connecting China with the global market while leveraging our network and resources to support the communities where we live, serve, and work,” said Poh-Yian Koh, senior vice president of FedEx and president of FedEx China. “The FedEx Library Program fully utilizes our expertise to bridge the cultural gap in different regions and support development in rural areas. Our achievement reflects the values of ‘teamwork’ and ‘taking care of each other’ that define who we are, inspiring us to work toward a brighter and more vibrant tomorrow for all.”

Launched in 2012, the FedEx Library Program has made remarkable accomplishments across China, reaching 52 schools and communities. Over the past decade, FedEx has established 20 reading rooms and 193 book corners in dozens of deprived areas, and 57,550 books have been donated benefiting more than 19,000 children and teachers.

FedEx team members around the globe are encouraged to come together to ‘Drive forward. Give back’ by volunteering and participating in countless acts of service.

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

By Candace Higginbotham

“Being there for people is extremely important to me,” said Kay Goke, Regions associate who was recently named winner of this year’s Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award.

And Goke is more than just ‘there’ for her Shreveport, Louisiana-area community. She puts her life on the line every day to protect and serve her neighbors and works tirelessly to support military families.

Goke is a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) for the Haughton Fire Department, taking emergency calls on nights and weekends, or whenever she’s not working in her full-time position as Digital Experience Researcher in Regions’ Technology, Operations, Digital and Data division.

She volunteers at the Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning as an EMT test proctor and is actively involved in the Junior Firefighter Program, which educates youth about careers in fire service.

Fire service is a big part of her life. But it’s not her only passion.

As a 17-year military spouse, Goke is also committed to serving her community – and country – through military support programs. She’s an active member of the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, which helps the community better serve the airmen at the local Barksdale Air Force Base. And she recently launched the first Regions Military Support Community in the Shreveport area, which brings together bank associates with a desire to assist military personnel at Barksdale and their families.

Goke’s life of service doesn’t end there. She serves in a leadership role for Camp Spark, a local youth camp, where she’s currently helping launch a Regions Next Step^® financial wellness program for the high-school students who participate.

With that level of dedication, it’s not hard to believe that Goke reported a whopping 555 hours of volunteer time last year.

To honor the tremendous positive impact her service brings to the local community, Goke was presented the Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award at the recent Chairman’s Club event, where Regions leadership gathered to celebrate the company’s top performers.

“Kay, I appreciate all you do to make a positive difference in your community while shining a light on our core values,” said Chairman, President and CEO John Turner as he presented the award to Goke. “Your story is an example for all of us, it is our honor to raise awareness of your incredible service – while also sharing with you our deep and sincere gratitude.”

The Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award is Regions’ highest honor for service to the community. The award is given to an associate whose volunteerism and outreach has made a lasting impact and has put into action the company’s mission to make life better for the communities it serves.

Recipients are selected by a cross-functional committee made up of Regions associates across several markets who review hundreds of high-impact submissions each year and make the very difficult decision to pick just one winner.

Named after longtime Regions associate Lee Ann Petty, who served as volunteer services coordinator in Regions’ Community Engagement division, the first award was presented in 2023 and Goke is the third honoree.

Goke recalls that serving others has been part of her life as long as she can remember. “My family was very service oriented,” she said. “My mom worked for the municipal government for around 40 years, so I get much of my calling for service from her.”

But ironically, it was during her career at Regions where she found her passion for firefighting.

After joining the bank in 2013, Goke obtained her four-year degree and has held a number of key positions in the company, including the Regions Social Media Customer Care team based in Birmingham, Alabama.

She put her professional skills to work by volunteering as a public information officer for the Montevallo Fire Department, just south of Birmingham. She soon realized she would be a more effective communicator for the department if she had a better understanding of the firefighter role. She underwent training and she was hooked.

Goke served the Montevallo department on a volunteer basis until early 2024 when her husband, Jonathan, a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, was relocated to Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. Goke has experienced a number of deployments over the years, including a move to Europe for a period of time. But this one was different.

“The move from Montevallo was hard,” Goke said. “Because of my work as a volunteer firefighter, I was very attached to the community and the department. I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to continue my service.”

After some research, she found the Haughton fire department, which turned out similar in many ways to the Montevallo department. Right away, she knew it was a good fit.

“Many volunteer firefighters don’t stay long, due to the requirements and demands,” said Haughton Fire Chief Jimmy Holland, “That’s not the case with Kay. She makes us better because she’s always working to do more.”

Holland explained that Haughton is a combination department, with both career and volunteer personnel. Though Goke is a volunteer, she has just as many certifications, credentials and experience as many full-time firefighters.

Goke approaches her career at Regions with the same energy and enthusiasm.

“Kay is a delight to have on the team,” said Krissy Scoufis, Digital Research and Innovation Manager. “She has strong customer-centric experience from prior roles in the contact center, Marketing and HR. She brings energy and care into every task. I’m thrilled and honored to be part of her journey.”

“My volunteer work has actually enhanced my professional career at Regions,” Goke said. “I’ve gained more confidence and am more sure of myself now than I was before.”

Though her current role is remote, she quickly engaged with the Regions’ Shreveport market teams and the local community. She immediately reached out to Northwest Louisiana Market Executive Denny Moton and the Louisiana Impact Network to introduce herself and get plugged in to local activities.

“Kay and I clicked immediately,” Moton said. “I was excited about getting her involved in our local community and with bank activities. I thought I was going to have to spend time introducing her and getting her engaged, but she has blazed her own trails and we’ve been able to follow in her footsteps.”

Just as quickly, Goke immersed herself in the military community, which has always been a big part of her life. Launching the Regions Military Support Community was a personal project that she’s very proud of.

“I’m a military spouse who has moved around quite a bit, without family or friends close by, and I know how important it is to have a support system,” she said.

And becoming a member of the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide support for personnel stationed at the base, was another significant accomplishment. The group serves as an advocacy organization and liaison between civilians and base command, ensuring communication and cooperation between military leadership and community groups and civic leaders.

Bringing the three parts of her life together – her career at Regions, her volunteer firefighter work and her military support role – is a lot to juggle. But it fulfills her, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Goke credits a strong support system, with caring managers and mentors, including Clara Green, head of Regions’ Inclusion, Belonging and Impact; Ryan King, head of Talent Acquisition and others, who saw her potential and helped guide her life and career.

“Having support is critical for me to be able to do all this,” she said. “The supportive team at Regions, the team at the fire department and my supportive team at home – they make it possible for me to make a real difference in my community.”

According to Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions, Goke is truly living Regions’ mission and values and sets an inspiring example for all associates. “Kay’s dedication to saving lives and helping people in need reflects a life of generous, selfless service,” Abrahams said. “That’s what the Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award is all about and I’m so pleased and proud to honor her work.”

In recognition of Goke’s service, Regions is making a $2,500 donation to the Haughton Firefighters Fund. She will receive a commemorative plaque and five bonus vacation days – to take time for herself after dedicating so much time to others.

When asked what motivates and inspires her, Goke said she relies on a special quote that has become her guiding principle: “At the end of my life when I stand before God, I want to be able to tell him, ‘I used every talent you gave me.’”

International Olympic Committee news

The two reopenings reflect the core of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda: a commitment to making the Games more than a celebration of sport, but rather a catalyst for long-term social, economic and environmental change.

“What we’re seeing with the reopening of these two sites is that legacy isn’t theoretical, it’s physical, social and visible in the lives of people who now have access to places they didn’t before,” says Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability and Legacy.

Paris 2024 was the first Games fully shaped by the principles of Olympic Agenda. Legacy was built in from the start, through smart venue planning, local partnerships and a focus on long-term benefits for communities. Today that promise is becoming visible: in reopened hillsides, new trails and extended parkland.
Marie Sallois IOC Director for Sustainability and Legacy

Élancourt Hill: a viewpoint reclaimed

Élancourt Hill, at 231 metres above sea level, is the highest natural point in the Paris region. Until recently, few locals had ever been to the top. Once a sandstone quarry, later a landfill and eventually rehabilitated in the 1980s, the site remained fenced off for decades — inaccessible and forgotten.

For the Games, the hill was transformed into the Olympic mountain bike venue. Riders tackled a technical course designed to take advantage of its steep inclines and dramatic views. Spectators watched from grassy slopes and purpose-built stands, with the skyline of Paris — including the Eiffel Tower — visible on the horizon.

Now, the barriers are gone. Reopened to the public in May 2025, Élancourt Hill is no longer just a venue. It’s a 52-hectare public space, with mountain bike trails of varying difficulty, walking paths, a free-access pumptrack, picnic areas and panoramic viewpoints. For a department like Yvelines, with fewer major urban parks than central Paris, this is an important boost to the quality of life of its residents.

Parc Georges-Valbon: expanding the green heart of Seine-Saint-Denis

Further east, in the heart of Seine-Saint-Denis, Parc Georges-Valbon is undergoing its own transformation. At over 400 hectares, it’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe — but until now, parts of it were disconnected or underused. A 13-hectare patch of land on its northern edge, known as the Terrain des Essences, was previously a military fuel depot, closed off and heavily contaminated.

That land has been cleaned up, restored and integrated into the park. The new section, with natural habitats, walking paths and biodiversity zones, not only expands the park, but also improves its accessibility, thanks to new mobility links.

During the Games, Parc Georges-Valbon served as one of Paris 2024’s official fan zones, drawing tens of thousands for concerts, community events and big-screen Olympic broadcasts. Its expansion now cements it as a permanent green refuge in one of France’s most densely populated and least green departments.

First Games aligned with Olympic Agenda

Paris 2024 were the first Games fully aligned with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, which set a path towards more sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games. Olympic Agenda calls on future hosts to maximise positive impact while minimising their environmental footprint, for example, by reusing existing venues wherever possible, accelerating infrastructure that benefits residents, encouraging physical activity, and embedding legacy planning from the earliest stages of Games planning.

With 95 per cent of venues either existing or temporary, Paris 2024 was structured to act as a catalyst for long-term change, with strategic investment focused on Seine-Saint-Denis, one of France’s youngest, most diverse and most disadvantaged departments, long underserved in terms of transport, sports infrastructure and green space.

A third of the Olympic venues were in the department, including the new Aquatics Centre, the Olympic Village and major celebration zones, strategically located to serve the local community, creating more access to housing, sports infrastructure and green spaces.

“As the one-year anniversary of the Games approaches, the reopening of Élancourt Hill and Parc Georges-Valbon offers a powerful answer to a fundamental question: what do the Games leave behind?” says Sallois. “In Paris, they leave behind greener and more connected communities, and we’re only just beginning to see that long-term impact take shape.”