Tag: 3BL

As a medical oncologist who has practiced in three different countries, Dr. Maria Alice Franzoi is well acquainted with various healthcare systems and has a keen interest in researching patient-centered care models and innovative digital healthcare tools.

“I really think that technology can help us move the healthcare system to be more proactive,” says Maria.

With support from the Gilead Research Scholars Program (RSP), Maria is utilizing a remote monitoring program to help improve cancer care and decentralize it from hospitals to primary care settings. Her project has already been implemented for people living with breast cancer in dozens of centers in Europe, helping to enhance the quality of life of patients.

Gilead looks beyond its own labs to advance scientific innovation and address unmet needs in oncology. Since 2008 the company has invested in the RSP as a way to support early-career investigators like Maria and Katherine Chiappinelli, an assistant professor at George Washington University whose research through the RSP focuses on ovarian cancer. Katherine is advancing her work with epigenetic therapies in the hope it could lead to treatments that activate the immune system to fight ovarian cancer.

Likewise, Dr. Neil Vasan, a physician-scientist and assistant professor at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, is leading work that focuses on understanding oncoproteins in cancer cell signaling, particularly rare PIK3CA mutations. He’s developing a “PIK3CA mutation playbook” to guide clinical decisions for breast cancer treatment.

“Funding is important for a couple of reasons,” he says. “It’s recognition that your ideas are exciting and have the potential to change the world.”

Gilead’s oncology pipeline currently spans 30 clinical-stage programs and has more than 20 potential assets across most tumor types, with a focus on those with high unmet need.

Watch the video above to learn more about Gilead’s ongoing efforts to support innovative research in oncology.

Originally published by Gilead Sciences.

DENVER, April 15, 2025 /3BL/ – The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a $55-million technology program funded by Wells Fargo & Company and coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), announced the recipients of a pool of $750,000 in pilot funding as part of its inaugural Scalable Tech Track. The awards aim to address demand-side barriers to energy technology adoption by supporting large-scale, high-impact pilots across industries and sectors.

The Scalable Tech program awarded funding to five organizations for pilots of innovative energy technologies with expert support from NREL researchers. The projects include retrofitting HVAC systems, improving school air quality and energy use, optimizing data center cooling, and modernizing aging building infrastructure.

“The projects selected for this inaugural cohort embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation,” said Sarah Derdowski, IN2 program manager at NREL. “By integrating an ecosystem approach with scalable drop-in solutions, these pilots aim to demonstrate how energy technologies can address pressing resiliency and infrastructure challenges while establishing replicable pathways for widespread impact.”

Awarded Pilots:

• CBRE received $150,000 to install and test Blue Frontier*’s rooftop HVAC system on a Delaware property. NREL researchers, including the scientist behind the liquid desiccant technology, will closely monitor the project.
• Coconino County secured $55,000 to implement Rensair’s air quality solutions and Komfort’s low-energy lighting at Ponderosa High School in Flagstaff, Arizona.
• Digital Realty will use $125,000 to partner with Hayzel for data center chilling improvements in Santa Clara, California.
• Galvanize Real Estate received $200,000 to work with EnKoat* and Alpen High-Performance Products on a building retrofit in Pedricktown, New Jersey.
• The University of Colorado Boulder will implement INOVUES’ advanced window technology in aging campus buildings with $220,000 in funding.

*Denotes graduates of previous IN2 cohorts.

Pilots launched in early 2025 and will conclude within six months, demonstrating the program’s focus on rapid results and actionable insights to advance adoption. By targeting scalable energy solutions for the built environment, IN2 equips participants with resources, peer collaboration, and third-party validation.

A panel of judges chose organizations based on their feasibility, impact, pilot readiness, and dedication to knowledge sharing. Each project aims to drive meaningful progress toward energy solutions while fostering broader adoption of innovative technologies.

“Effective adoption of energy innovation requires scalability,” said Jeffrey Schub, head of sustainability at Wells Fargo. “These pilot projects represent a critical step in bridging the gap between promising advanced, and often cost-saving, technologies and widespread adoption. By connecting these industry leaders with resources and expertise, we’re helping them be successful as they pursue their energy and resiliency needs.”

Organizations that were not selected for pilot funding have also gained significant value through their participation in IN2. Several have initiated independent collaborations with NREL, leveraging its expertise to advance their innovative energy solutions. In addition, these organizations are developing white papers, case studies, and other resources to share insights and encourage broader adoption of advanced technologies. These activities reflect the program’s ability to drive impact beyond the funded pilots, fostering progress across the energy ecosystem.

The success of the 2024 cohort has paved the way for a second round of the Scalable Tech Track, anticipated to launch applications in late 2025.

About the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $55-million energy technology program funded by Wells Fargo & Company and coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. IN2 advances innovative energy solutions from concept to commercialization. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge startups and market adopters, IN2 fosters collaboration across a growing ecosystem—convening entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders, and research institutions. Through this networked approach, IN2 accelerates real-world implementation and scaling of transformative technologies in the built environment and infrastructure sectors, driving a more resilient, adaptable future. For more information, visit www.in2ecosystem.com.

Published by Las Vegas Sands on February 4, 2025

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) will contribute nearly $350,000 for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 academic years to the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), continuing its Sands Cares support of the transformational leadership development program for Latino high school students in Las Vegas.

The new Sands Cares funding builds on the previous three-year grant, which provided the seed investment for NHI to establish a presence in Las Vegas and annual support for organizational expenses and student stipends. From 2022 to 2024, Sands Cares funding enabled 97 Las Vegas high school students to complete NHI’s leadership development programs, and over 25 students have returned as volunteers.

Students begin their journey in NHI’s leadership development program as rising sophomores focusing on communication skills as tools for self-advancement and community change through participation in the organization’s Great Debate. As rising juniors, students learn about governance, organizational development and policy design through participation in the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session. Finally, rising seniors participate in the Collegiate World Series, which has a dual focus on preparing students for both college admissions and community leadership.

“Sands has made it possible for us to immerse high-achieving Las Vegas students into our multi-level leadership development training, which progressively prepares them to be successful in the public and private sectors, as well as in their lives as a whole,” Nicole Nieto, executive vice president of NHI, said. “With the new Sands Cares funding, we are focusing on expanding our reach in Las Vegas and equipping more students to make positive impact for themselves and their communities.”

Funding for the 2024-2025 academic year will underwrite stipends for student tuition, travel expenses to competitions, recognition ceremonies, a student civic project, an organizational fundraiser, and a local administrator to manage the program, coordinate with the local volunteer alliance and conduct community outreach. With the Sands Cares support, NHI also plans to hold a one-day leadership program for eighth grade students interested in becoming future candidates for NHI’s high school programs and publish a Las Vegas annual report for parents, schools and community members.

“We have seen the tremendous impact NHI’s curriculum makes on students, and it strongly aligns with our commitment to building a highly capable and diverse workforce of the future,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives, said. “Students leave NHI’s programs with increased confidence, new skillsets and a vision for their futures that supersedes their previous belief systems. It is a remarkable experience, and we encourage local students to take the journey.”

NHI is accepting applications for ninth- and tenth-grade students to enroll in its next program cycle until Feb. 28. Eligible ninth-grade students must have an 85/100 or 3.0/4.0 grade point average, and tenth-grade students must have an 88/100 or 3.2/4.0 GPA. Students from all backgrounds may apply. Students and school officials may contact Regina Legarreta at regina_legarreta@nhimail.com or apply at www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org.

To learn more about the Sands Cares community engagement program and Sands’ priority on workforce development, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/content/uploads/2024/06/LVS-ESG-Report-2023.pdf

About National Hispanic Institute

The National Hispanic Institute was established in 1979 for the purpose of expanding the leadership base of the emerging Latino community through well-designed leadership programs aimed at high-potential, college-bound high school students. Today, the organization consists of various community-based partnerships that include schools, colleges, alumni volunteers, local sponsors and alliance groups that support NHI community and national training initiatives for youth. To learn more, please visit www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org.

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands^® in Singapore and The Venetian^® Macao, The Londoner Macao^®, The Parisian Macao^®, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, and Sands^® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for World and North America, as well as Fortune’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. To learn more, visit www.sands.com. 

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Contacts:

Kristin Koca
Sands
702.923.9142
Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Nicole Nieto
National Hispanic Institute
512.740.3918
nnieto@nhimail.com

• Partnership at the 2024 event between Dow, PMMI, Independent Recycling Services and McCormick Place championed circularity, diverting over 284 tons of waste from landfills
• Comprehensive sustainability initiatives included integrating renewable energy, reducing single-use plastics and leveraging AI-powered

MIDLAND, Mich., April 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: DOW) announces the final results from a collaborative effort at PACK EXPO International 2024 – North America’s premier packaging and processing event, and they conclude that sustainability initiatives were a resounding success. Combined efforts diverted 284.88 tons of waste from landfills, achieving a 51% diversion rate. Related initiatives also conserved nearly two million gallons of water and over one million kWh of electricity—equivalent to the annual water usage of roughly 15-20 average American households and the electricity usage of roughly 100—among other environmental savings.

The partnership between Dow, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), event venue McCormick Place and waste management provider Independent Recycling Services achieved notable strides in waste diversion and resource conservation on site. PACK EXPO International, which aimed to improve circularity measures at the event, demonstrated both the industry’s innovation in circularity and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. It also showed that collaboration at every level of planning and execution, in concert with key partners, is instrumental to moving toward the gold standard of fully circular events.

Partners developed and implemented a deliberate and comprehensive strategy to minimize the event’s environmental footprint and promote circularity. Serving as PACK EXPO International’s official Sustainability Partner, Dow worked jointly with companies on the integration of sustainable practices throughout, reflecting the company’s core belief that sustainability is interwoven into the fabric of its operations.

“At Dow, we believe that collaboration is essential for driving meaningful change,” said Izabel Assis, North America commercial vice president, Packaging & Specialty Plastics at Dow. “For the second consecutive year, PACK EXPO International has showcased the power of partnership in advancing circularity within the packaging industry. By working together, we can make significant progress toward our shared sustainability goals. It’s inspiring to see the industry adopt these practices and strive for a circular economy, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going.”

“New partnerships, bolstered by emerging technologies, are transforming how we approach event recycling for the better,” said Cullyn Doerfler, sustainability coordinator at Independent Recycling Services. “The teamwork to improve circularity and sustainability was impressive on its own, and the results highlight just how impactful a unified effort can be. Over the past 47 years, Independent Recycling Services has become one of the leading waste collection and disposal companies in Chicago, and partnerships like this one help us maintain the collaborative and innovative spirit that built our company.”

Beyond traditional recycling efforts, PACK EXPO International 2024 incorporated several innovative sustainability initiatives on site. These included:

• Renewable Energy: McCormick Place’s commitment to purchasing renewable energy certificates offset 100% of the electricity used during the event. Additionally, approximately 1.05 tons of food scraps were processed through Grind2Energy, converting food waste into renewable energy.
• Energy Conservation: Public spaces on the McCormick Place campus prioritize natural light wherever possible. LED lighting has been installed throughout McCormick Place campus, with occupancy sensors that dim or turn off lights when spaces are not in use. These fixtures and lamps use 75% less energy than traditional electric bulbs.
• Reduced Reliance on Single-Use Plastics: Single-use plastic water bottles were de-prioritized in favor of aluminum cans and water dispenser jugs in 2024, further reducing plastic waste.
• Materials Donation: A Materials Donations Program facilitated donations to Salvation Army and Fight2Feed, which consisted of non-perishable food items and booth furniture from PACK EXPO International exhibitors to benefit the Chicagoland area.
• AI-Powered Recycling: McCormick Place conducted a pilot program at PACK EXPO International with a waste sorting technology called OSCAR Sort. The OSCAR Sort technology uses AI to engage with guests in selecting the proper receptacle for their refuse. Attendee engagement was high, and feedback was positive.

“As one of the nation’s largest convention centers, McCormick Place serves as a model for other event sites around the country, and we take that responsibility seriously, as evident through results like what we saw at PACK EXPO International,” said Larita Clark, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). “Our investment in renewable energy, along with our ongoing joint efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources, underscores our dedication to creating a more sustainable future for our city and our events.”

“PACK EXPO International 2024 showed that circularity has become a core business principle for the industry. Results from this event have paved the way for future success at PACK EXPO and beyond,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “PMMI is committed to fostering a more sustainable future, and this partnership has exemplified what that looks like in practice.”

With over 2,700 exhibitors and more than 48,000 attendees, PACK EXPO International 2024 was a powerful platform to showcase the packaging industry’s dedication to sustainability. Dow will continue its commitment as the official Sustainability Partner for PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025, further solidifying the partnership and driving continued progress toward circularity.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components, and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media, and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of packaging and processing to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK México, and EXPO PACK Guadalajara. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, ProFood World, Healthcare Packaging, OEM, Contract Manufacturing and Packaging, and Mundo EXPO PACK. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market, and industry trends to support members’ growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.

Learn more at pmmi.org and packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.

About McCormick Place
McCormick Place is the premier convention facility in North America. Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, approximately 3 million visitors each year attend events at McCormick Place. Home to some of the largest and most attended conventions, meetings, and tradeshows in the world, McCormick Place was designed as one of the first purpose-built convention centers in the United States and is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America. The McCormick Place campus is a convention center campus comprised of the North Building, South Building, East Building “Lakeside Center,” West Building, and the 10,000 seat Wintrust Arena. For more information, please visit: www.mccormickplace.com.

About Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority owns McCormick Place, the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America, the Wintrust Arena as well as the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and the Marriot Marquis Chicago Hotels. Together, the North, South, and West Buildings and Lakeside Center offer 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space. Located along Chicago’s lakefront, McCormick Place features 173 meeting rooms, the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater, and one of the largest ballrooms in the world.

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For further information, please contact:

Eddie Keels
713-416-0500
ekeels@dow.com

In Europe, the increasing focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance in recent years has transformed business priorities and redefined how organizations approach environmental and social responsibility. The ISG Provider Lens™ – Sustainability and ESG report is published annually to explore how IT providers are evolving their offerings to meet growing demand for digital tools that enhance sustainability efforts, regulatory compliance, and corporate social responsibility across industries. In the recently released 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ – Sustainability and ESG report, Lenovo was recognized as a Market Challenger in IT Solutions and Services in Europe.

Download Report

A Market Challenger in IT Solutions and Services quadrant for ISG Provider Lens™ – Sustainability and ESG report

The IT Solutions and Services quadrant evaluates solutions that enhance the sustainability of IT and encompasses the full spectrum of capabilities required to integrate sustainability into the traditional CIO organization, ranging from data center and cloud optimization to green coding and workplace device optimization. Market Challengers are well-established vendors with a strong presence in the market and offer a significant edge over other providers.

Organizations are under increasing pressure to reduce e-waste, lower emissions, and optimize energy use, all while meeting the growing demands of AI and high-performance computing. CIOs and their teams need providers committed to driving more sustainable growth, and Lenovo meets these criteria with a comprehensive portfolio of IT solutions designed to integrate sustainability into every stage of the IT lifecycle. Lenovo’s holistic and innovative approach to its supply chain and manufacturing operations gives customers confidence that they’re investing in sustainable growth. Lenovo embraces circularity with 315 products that leverage post-consumer recycled content, and offers Certified Refurbished devices to extend lifecycles, and Asset Recovery Services (ARS) for secure, end-of-life management.

“The natural resources consumed during the lifetime of workplace devices can often represent a major part of an organisation’s IT emissions, water, waste, and biodiversity impacts. Lenovo’s sustainability offerings help minimise these impacts by using diverse recycled materials in design and manufacturing, operating robust supply chain due diligence programs, and offering carbon offsets for hard-to-abate categories such as air freight.” 
Matt Warburton, Principal Consultant and Sustainability Lead, ISG

As businesses look for ways to enhance productivity, Lenovo’s TruScale as a Service model provides a backbone for scaling resources efficiently without overprovisioning technology infrastructure. AI will be imperative for productivity gains, and companies can power it more efficiently with Lenovo’s revolutionary Neptune^® Liquid Cooling.

Every organization is at a different stage of their sustainability journey, making it crucial to have a provider who can work with you where you are today, as well as offer solutions that will make progress on your goals for tomorrow. This is where AI-powered tools like the Lenovo Intelligent Sustainability Solutions Advisor (LISSA) come in handy — providing actionable insights to make sustainability planning simpler and more effective.

Overall, Lenovo’s ambitious targets, thoughtful design, and continually optimized manufacturing that uses more recycled materials, increases energy efficiency, and promotes a reuse and circular model offer enterprise customers a complete portfolio of end-to-end solutions for device sustainability. These forward-thinking initiatives earned Lenovo recognition in the Market Challenger quadrant through demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable IT practices and helping enterprises achieve their sustainability goals without compromising performance.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a pocket-to-cloud portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

About The ISG Provider Lens™

The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research, and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG’s global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG’s enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services across multiple geographies globally.

The ISG Provider Lens™ quadrants are created using an evaluation matrix containing four segments (Leader, Product Challenger, Market Challenger and Contender), and the providers are positioned accordingly. Each ISG Provider Lens™ quadrant may include service providers that ISG believes have strong potential to move into the Leader quadrant, known as a Rising Star.

For more information visit isg-one.com/research/isg-provider-lens.

About ISG Research™

ISG Research™ provides subscription research, advisory consulting and executive event services focused on market trends and disruptive technologies driving change in business computing. ISG Research™ delivers guidance that helps businesses accelerate growth and create more value.

ISG offers research specifically about providers to state and local governments (including countries, cities, as well as higher education institutions. Visit: Public Sector

For more information about ISG Research™, visit research.isg-one.com.

About ISG (Information Services Group)

ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis.

Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data.

For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.

Say hi to Dave Cook, our Senior Sustainability Leader who is making a difference through our methods of recycling, working toward a circular economy, and more. Hear about his experience in this week’s Innovation Spotlight, and tune in every week to hear from more of our talented Owen’s Corning innovators.

MADRID, April 14, 2025 /3BL/ – The Food Changemakers Awards, held in Madrid, were created by the Spanish organization KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub to recognize international figures with the greatest impact on the future of food.

Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, won the 2025 Social Impact Award for his initiative that promotes food as an educational tool among young people, while Californian entrepreneur Julia Collins received the Climate Impact Award for her leadership in the decarbonization of the food sector.

The first edition of the Food Changemakers Awards also honored Spanish Chef, Ferran Adrià, for his academic and mentoring work at the Madrid Culinary Campus (MACC), the gastronomic training center mentored by the president of el Bulli Foundation and Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz.

Beatriz Jacoste, CEO of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, highlighted that “The Food Changemakers Awards recognize the impact of exceptional professionals, brilliant minds whose work and vision bring us closer to a future with good food for everyone. These role models are a cornerstone of our community, which aims to connect people with the greatest capacity and willingness to drive positive impact in the agri-food sector. We’ve spent seven years creating opportunities among these leaders to accelerate the transformation of the food system.”

Stephen Ritz and Julia Collins, Social Impact and Climate Impact Awards

Alongside the Spanish chef, the awards also recognized New Yorker, Stephen Ritz, with the Food Changemaker Prize in the Social Impact category for his work promoting sustainable and healthy eating among vulnerable youth through his platform Green Bronx Machine. Ritz received the award from the General Director of the NGO Acción Contra el Hambre, Manuel Sánchez-Montero.

Says Ritz: “From our humble corner of the globe, we are determined to change the world, one child at a time, one classroom at a time, one school & one community at a time. I am humbled that Action Against Hunger recognizes our impact locally and globally. Be it our acclaimed Green Bronx Machine Classroom Curriculum, Green Bronx Machine KIDS! on YouTube, our award-winning documentary, Generation Growth, or our work with Babylon Micro Farms and Tower Garden, this recognition serves to remind all of us that the greatest natural resource in the world is the untapped potential residing in low-status and marginalized communities – we are the heroes we are waiting for – and we are and will continue to be the change we wish to see and be in the world. Children first always!”, said Stephen Ritz.

“At Acción Contra el Hambre, we are proud to recognize the work of people like Stephen Ritz and to share with him the conviction that a world without hunger is possible. Thank you for reminding us that change begins with an idea, but multiplies when we work together,” explained Manuel Sánchez-Montero, General Director of Acción Contra el Hambre.

Meanwhile, Californian Julia Collins was awarded the Food Changemaker Prize in the Climate Impact category. The organization valued her innovative vision in leading the decarbonization of the food industry through her platform Planet FWD, which specializes in accessible, rigorous, and transparent environmental impact analysis and measurement processes for the food and hospitality industries. Additionally, Collins has held leadership roles in various food businesses and continues to support women entrepreneurs and other groups through her role as an investor in triple-impact initiatives.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the KM ZERO Food Changemakers Award for Climate Impact. This recognition celebrates our work at Planet FWD to decarbonize the food industry and move toward a more regenerative future. Thank you to KM ZERO for amplifying this mission and connecting us with a European community committed to transforming the food system”, Collins emphasized.

Sustainability was a hallmark of the entire gala, with the trophies awarded to winners made from bioplastic derived from coffee grounds, designed by the pioneering Spanish company in 3D printing and sustainable materials development, Lowpoly.

An initiative born from Europe’s largest food think tank

This first edition of the Food Changemakers Awards was held in Madrid, at the gastronomic venue Tramo, following the first 2025 working sessions of Europe’s largest food think tank, The Food Changemakers. This group, composed on this occasion of over 100 experts, executives, and leading voices connected to the agri-food sector, was founded by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub. It worked throughout the day before the awards ceremony with the goal of establishing the foundations for real and long-term change in the current food system, influencing both private sector activity and public policies.

The inauguration of this new think tank session featured the participation of the Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), through its director Mónica Martínez; Ángel Niño, Councilor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Madrid City Council; and Felipe Turell, CEO of Proyectos Conscientes.

In the words of Ángel Niño, Councilor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Madrid City Council: “In Madrid, we support industries of the future, and there is no doubt that the food industry is one of the most important in an economy like Spain’s. The world will reach around 10 billion people by 2050, and we need our industries to be competitive. Investing in innovation in this area means ensuring efficiency and sustainability in production systems.”

The 2025 Food Changemakers Awards, as well as the meeting of the global leaders’ group in food system transformation, is an initiative by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, with institutional sponsorship from Madrid Emprende, Madrid Food Innovation Hub, IMIDRA, ICEX, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Embassy of the Netherlands. It also has the support of Familia Martínez, Unilever, Helados Estiu, Vicky Foods, CAPSA FOOD, Huevos Guillén, CEYLAN, Profand, and Grupo Arancia, with collaboration from Proyectos Conscientes and Acción Contra el Hambre, among other entities.

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About KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub:

Our Foundation is dedicated to the transformation of the food system through a global community of industry leaders and change agents. Together they are working on innovations that have a positive impact and promote a more sustainable food model that benefits both people and the planet. For more information, please visit: https://www.kmzerohub.com/en

About Green Bronx Machine:

Green Bronx Machine is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed non-profit that builds healthy, equitable, and resilient communities through inspired education, local food systems, and 21st Century workforce development. Dedicated to cultivating minds and harvesting hope, their school-based model incorporates urban agriculture and Tower Garden supported by their whole-school curriculum aligned to key school performance indicators to grow high performing schools and happy, healthy children. Reaching over 1,000 schools nationally and serving over 325,000 students daily, Green Bronx Machine was named a 2024 Fast Company Most Innovative Company and also offers an online educational platform, complete with instructional videos, free lesson plans, and downloadable teacher resources: Green Bronx Machine KIDS! The organization is presently featured in an award-winning documentary, Generation Growth, which highlights their expansion and success in communities across the nation. Individuals or groups interested in hosting a “Generation Growth” in-person or virtual screening or learning about additional ways to partner with Green Bronx Machine’s mission can contact Stephen Ritz at Stephen.Ritz@greenbronxmachine.org or 917.873.6449.

DP World has been named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Work in Ecuador, according to the prestigious ranking by Great Place to Work®, a global authority on workplace culture. This marks the first time the company has earned a place among the top 10 in the country, making it the only port terminal in Ecuador to receive this distinction.

The recognition was announced at an awards ceremony held in Quito, where DP World was ranked #9 in the “More than 500 employees” category, alongside leading companies from various industries. This milestone underscores the company’s continued commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do,” said Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. “This achievement reflects the workplace culture we’ve cultivated over the past five years—one built on collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect. We will continue to prioritize our employees’ well-being and empower them to thrive.”

The recognition highlights DP World’s holistic approach to talent development, which includes initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion, empowering women, professional growth, and local hiring. The company also integrates sustainability into its business strategy, supporting high-impact programs in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

DP World’s flagship operation, its deepwater port in Posorja, is widely recognized as Ecuador’s leading port terminal, distinguished by its cutting-edge infrastructure, operational efficiency, and world-class safety standards. In 2023, the terminal became the first port in Ecuador to earn the Great Place to Work® certification, based on direct feedback from employees.

Globally, DP World has been recognized as a Great Place to Work in 31 countries, including Ecuador—affirming the company’s focus on building a strong corporate culture across all its locations.

Additionally, DP World was recently named the #1 Employer Brand in the port industry for the fifth consecutive year by Ferias 360, following an evaluation of more than 2,000 companies in areas such as brand reputation, organizational culture, and employee conditions.

These recognitions reflect DP World Ecuador’s dedication to creating a workplace that champions excellence, fueled by its people, advanced technology, and a long-term vision that drives value for communities, the environment, and the nation.

Today, Covia is pleased to recognize two individuals who have demonstrated their core values by going Above and Beyond. In the middle of challenging circumstances, each demonstrated the values that drive Covia’s success.

Recently, a major winter storm in Ontario knocked out power to both of Covia’s NSO plants and 400,000 homes in the surrounding area for several days. This outage crippled operations and prevented customers from picking up dozens of orders needed to keep their productions running.

NSO team members worked quickly and safely to restore some vital services and to support electrical contractors working to re-establish power. Their commitment to the team and doing the right thing helped expedite repairs. Many employees came to work once power was restored even though they had no power at their homes.

Covia is proud to see the way the team pulls together to respond to challenging events like this. Unfortunately, several natural disasters have affected Covia’s plants and communities in recent years, and teams have shown remarkable resilience and determination to help each other and their communities.

At NSO, Amy Cox, Customer Service Manager, and Jeremy Cox, Maintenance Manager, demonstrated Covia’s values in their actions.

Amy demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Covia’s customers. As soon as the power went out, Amy immediately began rerouting customer trucks, working with operations to assess product availability, and maintaining communication with customers and the sales team—all while managing these tasks from her home, which was without power, heat, internet, or water, and ensuring the safety of her family and beloved farm animals.

“Amy’s dedication to our customers made a huge difference,” said Mark Styers, SVP, Commercial. “Because of her quick action, we had virtually no impact to our customers despite the severity of the storm’s damage.”

Leveraging his extensive network within Hydro One (the provincial utility) and the contractor community, Jeremy ensured that a contractor was on site the very next day following the storm to begin repairs, while also being physically present to oversee ongoing activities. 

One of the plant’s residents, an owl that had nested in one of the power poles that had been damaged, required special care. There was concern that this would cause another delay in restoring power back to the facility, but the team “sistered” the pole to allow the owl to remain in place unaffected. 

Mark Oskam, SVP, Operations, said, “Given the extent of the storm, recovery efforts are still underway. Thanks to the team’s work to provide access for the utility company and Jeremy’s efforts to make sure a contractor was on site right away, we were up and running at Nephton the following day and Blue Mountain the day after.”

Thanks to Amy and Jeremy’s proactive measures, along with the efforts of the whole team at Covia’s NSO plant, they were able to work through the impacts of the storm without missing a beat.

Covia would like to extend a special thank you to Amy and Jeremy for going above and beyond. Their extra effort to do the right thing for Covia’s team, customers, community and the environment demonstrates how living by their core values is built into the Covia way.

Covia recognizes that the NSO team collectively going Above and Beyond to help through this severe weather event and are pleased to call out Amy and Jeremy as specific examples. 

Complimentary Webinar:

Understanding the EU CSRD: Deep Dive into the Omnibus Bill and Relations Between CSDDD & CSRD

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT)

Register Here

The EU Omnibus Bill is intended to streamline the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, amongst other components of the Green New Deal. In this webinar, we will take a comprehensive look into the proposed changes and offer insights into how the changes may impact companies that have begun their planning and implementation towards meeting the existing laws. We will cover how the CSDDD and CSRD are connected and how to incorporate both into your sustainability strategy and reporting efforts.

Join SCS Consulting Services’ CSRD Program Manager, Marie Blazy, and Managing Director, ESG Consulting, Bonnie Holman on Wednesday, April 30th at 5:00 p.m. CET (11:00 a.m. ET, 8:00 a.m. PT) for a 45-minute webinar that takes a deep dive into the EU Omnibus Bill and how the changes relate to the CSDDD and CSRD. We’ll discuss:

• Content of the Omnibus proposal and progress to date
• Next legislative steps at EU and national levels
• What should companies be doing in this period of uncertainty: Risks and opportunities

15 minutes will be allotted at the end of the presentation for Q&A.

Register Here