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This blog is part of our focus on Cisco employees who are “Striving for Sustainability” by finding opportunities to integrate sustainability in their day-to-day work.

At Cisco, we have been focusing on evolving from a linear economy that extracts resources and eventually wastes them, to a circular one that finds new uses for products and their inputs. ​By understanding the environmental impacts of our products, we can make informed decisions to reduce the resources used and determine how to extend the life of our products.

That brings us to Sripriya Narayanan, a senior product manager based in India who works for Cisco’s Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) business unit, which focuses on industrial routers, switches, and access points. She has collaborated with Cisco’s Circular Design team to develop a series of industrial routers with Circular Design Principles at the core. I recently sat down with her to learn more about her story:

When did your interest in sustainability begin?

Sripriya: My journey towards sustainability began in my childhood in India, surrounded by my parents and grandparents, who lived what we now call a sustainable lifestyle. Their approach was simple: buying only what was necessary, avoiding plastic, minimizing waste, and embracing a holistic, minimalist lifestyle. This simplicity deeply influenced me. Another influence is my love for nature and spending time in natural settings. Being in nature taught me the importance of preserving its tranquility and beauty for future generations.

When I moved to the United States after starting my career at Cisco, I began volunteering with an environmental nonprofit in San Jose called Our City Forest. There, I trained as an arborist and earned a certification in tree planting. On weekends, I led community groups, including children and parents, in tree planting activities across Santa Clara County. This experience sparked my passion for environmental advocacy.

Can you tell us about your professional and educational journey so far?

Sripriya: My journey began as a software engineer at Cisco, where I progressed to a lead engineer and technical leader. While I enjoyed my work, I realized that to drive change, I needed to transition to the business side where decisions impacting sustainability were made. To facilitate this, I pursued an MBA. I chose Berkeley’s Haas School of Business due to its focus on sustainability and the active Net Impact Club. This club allowed me to engage with industry influencers and educate my peers, many of whom were CEOs or VPs attending evening and weekend classes. Collaborating with these key industry figures was enriching, as it enabled us to collectively promote sustainable practices.

During my second year at Berkeley, I transitioned into product management at Cisco, a natural progression aligning with my goals. I joined the industrial IoT business unit as a product manager, leading the industrial routing portfolio. This role involves end-to-end management, from defining the product to launching it and engaging with customers as well as managing its end-of-life. The industrial IoT business unit was crucial to me, as it allowed direct interaction with industry leaders in sectors like utilities, manufacturing, oil and gas, and transportation. The convergence of IT and OT is a focus for industries and critical infrastructure providers. Cisco leverages its direct interactions with business leaders to explore how it can enable best practices, including sustainability, across networks from enterprise to industry spaces, all while maintaining trust and addressing both internal product challenges and external factors. It was a chance to influence sustainability on a larger scale, fulfilling my ambition to integrate circularity practices into the business realm.

How are you incorporating circularity in your role as a product manager?

Sripriya: Embracing modular design has become imperative, especially in our industrial IoT business unit, where customers expect long-lasting products, unlike the enterprise sector with frequent refresh cycles. Modularizing components allows for standardization across business units, offering flexibility and reducing redesign costs. This approach also aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing waste and resource usage.

While developing our next-generation products, I prioritized Circular Design Principles. Inspired by sustainability advocates and my own passion, I collaborated cross-functionally to integrate modular components and improve energy efficiency for utility clients concerned with energy consumption.

I also initiated more packaging sustainability efforts, eliminating excessive foam and adopting materials with a lower environmental impact from manufacturing or end of life. This was achieved through collaboration with Cisco’s packaging sustainability team. At this point of my career, I was promoted to a senior product manager position and was chosen as a leader to drive sustainability initiatives for our entire Industrial IoT business unit.

Looking to the future, I will continue to drive sustainability initiatives for Cisco Industrial IoT in partnership with the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) and Engineering Sustainability Office (ESO) teams.

What benefits have you observed from implementing Circular Design Principles?

Sripriya: Implementing Circular Design Principles offers numerous advantages, particularly in extending product lifetimes. Traditionally, businesses focused on frequent product refreshes to achieve their goals. However, by adopting a circular design mindset allows us to foster innovation without the necessity to launch new products every few years. This shift in perspective is not only beneficial for our company but also resonates across various industries, including the enterprise B2B sector.

Circular design can support faster innovation by building on existing products rather than starting from scratch. This approach reduces operational costs and capital expenses, as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, by minimizing the use of natural resources. Furthermore, designing products in a modular way facilitates take-back and reuse, which can reduce financial pressures on both our customers and our supply chain management.

From an environmental standpoint, circular design reduces waste and improve energy efficiency. During product use, energy efficiency is crucial. Our collaboration with the CSO team on a comprehensive product life cycle analysis highlighted that the majority of GHG emissions occur during the use phase. Therefore, integrating energy-efficient features in product design is essential for reducing emissions.

How are Cisco’s Industrial IoT innovations helping customers transition to more circular models?

Sripriya: It’s essential to address our customers’ current business challenges while providing them with easy ways to leverage new innovations without completely replacing their existing products. Cisco’s Industrial IoT solutions underscore energy efficiency and support circular practices, enhancing sustainability in product management.

With a circular design approach, we enable our customers to save the expense of buying completely new equipment every time their requirements change, which also eliminates the resources and energy required to create new equipment across manufacturing, shipping, and logistics. By upgrading or repairing just the individual modules, customers extend the product’s lifetime, reduce materials that are disposed of prematurely, and help conserve resources.

Customer stories that showcase how Cisco IoT solutions have helped them with their goals can be found here.

Do you do anything in your personal life to promote circularity? If so, what advice would you give others?

Sripriya: In my personal life, I strive to promote circularity by adopting a minimalist lifestyle. This journey began during my time in the United States, where I focused on purchasing only essential items and using reusable bags for grocery shopping to avoid plastic waste. Choosing an electric or hybrid car over a traditional gas-powered vehicle was another significant step that I took, as well as taking public transportation.

Recently, I relocated to India to be closer to my family and care for my aging parents. Here, I’ve noticed significant challenges regarding waste management and environmental awareness. While there is growing awareness about plastic pollution in some countries, in India, this understanding is often limited to certain urban areas.

Despite these challenges, I aim to influence my community by advocating for simple lifestyle changes that reduce consumption and promote responsible living. Encouraging people to consider the necessity of their purchases and seek better, more sustainable options is key. It’s about making conscious choices and recognizing that there are always alternatives that are better for the environment.

I also believe in leading by example and sharing knowledge with others to inspire them to become environmental advocates. By fostering discussions about sustainability, I hope to contribute to a more responsible and environmentally conscious world. These small actions in my daily life reflect my commitment to promoting circularity and encouraging others to do the same.

View original content here.

At Griffith Foods, we proudly celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th, honoring the invaluable contributions of women while cultivating an inclusive and authentic environment.

Our HR leadership team can be seen here showcasing this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, which highlights the urgency of dismantling systemic barriers and biases—both personal and professional. It’s a call to drive meaningful change through bold, decisive steps.

Together, let’s champion progress, empower women, and take action toward a more inclusive world. How will you Accelerate Action in 2025?

About Griffith Foods
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

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To mark the milestone, the Whirlpool Women’s Network (WWN), hosted a fireside chat with Kristin Day, Vice President of Operations and Manufacturing for NAR Manufacturing, and Roxanne Warner, Sr. Vice President and Corporate Controller.

See the original content here.

About Whirlpool Corporation

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

In 2019, Somchai, a Thai native, was 21 years old and faced a double threat to his long-term health and wellbeing. He was living with hepatitis B (HBV) and with advanced HIV.

“Since both viruses are bloodborne and transmitted in similar ways, coinfections can be quite common,” says Dr. Anchalee Avihingsanon, the lead clinical researcher at the Thai Red Cross AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Centre where Somchai sought treatment.

Anchalee is all too familiar with the prevalence and effect of coinfections as nearly 20% of the patients she sees are living with both HBV and HIV.

“We must acknowledge that HBV-HIV coinfection represents a major global public health challenge that increases morbidity and mortality beyond either infection alone,” she says.

HIV-HBV coinfection rates can reach 25% in areas where both viruses are endemic, such as in Asia. In some parts of Asia, HBV is endemic with a projected 70% of the population showing serologic evidence of current or prior infection.

When Somchai first met Anchalee, he felt extremely fatigued and was also worried about what his diagnosis could mean for his partner’s health.

Anchalee’s long-standing career as a physician working in the community helped her address his concerns and build trust with Somchai – just as she has done with her other patients.

“They know I have their back because I’m very active within the community and among healthcare professionals to improve the management of coinfections and dispel misinformation,” she says.

Fortunately, treatment options that were limited when she first began working in this area in 2008 have also since changed. These days her research is focused on driving the availability of data within those communities acutely impacted by HIV-HBV co-infections.

“We must continue to seek new scientific evidence to provide better care,” says Anchalee. “People working toward eliminating formidable public health challenges, such as HIV-HBV coinfections, know that an epidemic somewhere is an epidemic everywhere.”

In the meantime, Somchai, is grateful that he’s been able to do better since those early days when he first met Anchalee in the clinic. “It’s been more than five years and I’m getting the help I need thanks to my doctor.”

Originally published by Gilead Sciences.

In this latest blog, Lee Green, Cascale’s Vice President, Communications & Marketing, explores how Cascale’s event experiences have evolved to focus on purpose-driven content, values-aligned partnerships, and low-impact, inclusive design. He highlights how these changes are creating opportunities for more meaningful conversations and connections, reshaping event experiences to encourage participation in transformative discussions, foster impactful relationships, and contribute to the broader sustainability movement.

Read the full blog, titled: Want to Build, Attend a Sustainable Event? Consider Cascale’s Event Experience

Have you considered how the future of economies depends not on boardrooms, but on the critical role of ports? Ports have transitioned from mere gateways for goods into vital economic engines, driving global and regional growth through trade facilitation, job creation, and industry integration. Few companies exemplify this transformation better than DP World—a leader in reimagining port operations and global logistics connectivity. 

But what makes ports such essential economic hubs, and how can they address challenges such as trade disruptions, sustainability requirements, and digital transformation? In this article, we examine these questions and highlight innovative strategies that are shaping the future of global logistics. 

Economic Powerhouses Driving Regional Development 

Ports play a crucial role in both local and global economies, acting as essential arteries that drive trade, boost industrial growth, and create jobs. For example, in the European Union alone, the maritime industry supports over 940,000 jobs, with ports being key to maintaining the seamless flow of goods across borders. 

Today, ports are much more than transit hubs. They’ve become central to complex logistics networks, connecting markets worldwide. This evolution has made them essential for addressing trade imbalances and strengthening economic resilience. 

Take DP World as an example—our strategically located ports serve as vital trade corridors, speeding up exports, cutting lead times, and linking businesses in emerging markets to the global economy. 

A standout example is our DP World Santos in Brazil. As one of the largest and most modern port compounds in Latin America, it is strategically located on Barnabé Island in the Port of Santos, the busiest container port in the region. With seamless access to sea, road, and rail networks, DP World Santos plays a crucial role in connecting international trade to Brazil’s economic heart, São Paulo. The terminal has an impressive annual capacity of 1.2 million TEUs, boasting 653 meters of wharf and a developed terminal area of 207,000 square meters. 

Tackling Industry Challenges with Innovative Solutions 

Ports hold immense economic potential, but they are not without challenges. How they address these obstacles will shape their efficiency and relevance in the decades to come. 

Geopolitical Shifts and Trade Tensions 

The global trade landscape is constantly evolving, with political uncertainties and trade disputes creating instability in supply chains. Ports that build flexible, diversified trade routes can better handle these disruptions. 

With partnerships and operations spanning six continents, DP World has created a resilient network that ensures trade continues despite geopolitical challenges, offering businesses the reliability they need. 

Environmental Sustainability 

Global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, meaning ports must adopt greener solutions—not just for the planet, but to remain competitive. Integrating renewable energy, electrified equipment, and eco-conscious practices is essential. 

We’re ahead of the curve with initiatives like hybrid and electric cranes, solar energy projects, and reducing fuel consumption. Our “Our World, Our Future” strategy sets clear goals for sustainable operations, meeting global expectations while appealing to investors focused on ESG. 

Infrastructure Upgrades to Handle Future Trade 

With rising trade volumes and the era of mega-ships, ports must upgrade their infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels and heavier cargo loads. However, these upgrades come with significant costs and require innovative support models.

DP World is actively investing in future-ready facilities. In North America, DP World’s expansion in Canada highlights the importance of its largest container terminal network in the country. These facilities play a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s trade routes and supporting businesses, contributing to economic vitality across Canada. 

Cybersecurity Risks 

The digital transformation of supply chains has exposed ports to new risks. Cyberattacks targeting maritime networks and port operations can disrupt trade, damage trust, and cost billions. DP World is tackling this head-on by partnering with global cybersecurity leaders and investing in advanced technologies. Their proactive approach sets a strong example of how ports can mitigate these growing threats and ensure operational resilience. 

By addressing these challenges with innovation and foresight, the port industry can unlock its full potential and continue to drive global trade forward. 

Adapting to Digital Transformation 

The integration of technology into port operations is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Digital solutions like blockchain technology, IoT sensors, and automation improve efficiency, transparency, and speed, turning manual tasks into seamless processes. 

DP World is at the forefront of port digitization, deploying its logistics platform, Cargoes, to provide real-time visibility into cargo movement and leveraging IoT-enabled smart sensors for operational efficiency. These advancements don’t just streamline processes; they enhance supply chain resilience and customer satisfaction. 

Ports as Central Hubs for Economic Resilience 

The cumulative efforts of a well-functioning port create cascading benefits for entire regions. Investments in port innovation improve trade connectivity, attract foreign investments, and enable surrounding businesses to flourish. Ports with advanced technologies and a focus on sustainability also serve as powerful tools for economic resilience in the face of volatility. 

With 80 ports across six continents, DP World is much more than a service provider—it’s a partner in growth. By combining its infrastructural expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions, DP World is helping nations realize the full potential of their ports to strengthen regional economies. 

The Call to Action 

The role of ports in bolstering global economies isn’t just about logistics; it’s about collaboration, innovation, and vision. Whether it’s adopting greener policies or making investments to build smarter infrastructure, the maritime industry is at the forefront of transformational opportunities. 

At DP World , we view ports as gateways not only to goods but to economic prosperity. Are you ready to join the conversation on the future of global trade? Follow us and discover how we’re making global connections more efficient, sustainable, and impactful.

Mastercard

Tanya Van Court was about to learn a lesson that would change her life. In 2001, after earning her master’s in industrial engineering from Stanford University, Van Court was vice president at a broadband internet provider in Silicon Valley. In her time at the company, she had watched as the value of her stock options soared to $1 million. Then the tech bubble burst. Her holdings lost 98% of their market price in one day.

“I thought, ‘Tanya, that was a fatal mistake,’” she recalls. “But I didn’t know if there was anything I could have done differently, because I hadn’t been taught the basics of personal finance.” 

What she did know was that she never wanted this to happen again, not to her or anyone else. That’s what inspired Van Court to create Goalsetter, a family finance app that puts education first. Goalsetter, a veteran of Mastercard’s Start Path startup engagement program, allows parents to schedule allowance payments, which kids can save, invest or spend via a Mastercard debit card. The app also offers interactive content — such as videos, memes and games — designed to make learning about money fun. 

Yet in recent years, Van Court has grown concerned about another group: college students, standing on the precipice of careers, salaries and adult responsibilities. And as a Black woman, Van Court was particularly worried about Black graduates, who must navigate systemic economic barriers (for every $100 of wealth held by white families, black families have only $15) while also disproportionately saddled with student loan debt — four years after graduation, Black students owe an average of 188% more than white students.

At Mastercard, Dawn Boudwin, a director on the Community and Belonging team, was thinking about the same challenges, but from the opposite direction — she knew some of Mastercard’s customers wanted to boost financial literacy among college students to put them on the path to financial health but struggled to find the right approach. 

So she reached out to Van Court to create the Financial Freedom Project, a virtual money management boot camp for college students. Because of Mastercard’s strong relationships with Atlanta-area Historically Black Colleges and Universities, they chose Spelman and Morehouse Colleges and Clark Atlanta University for the pilot. In a series of online classes, Van Court and her team taught 88 students how take control of their finances and achieve their long-term goals. 

“Wherever you get your degree, you should leave school prepared for real life, and basic financial education can help set everyone up for success,” Boudwin says. “We heard anecdotally on campuses, ‘We don’t even know where to find this type of information.’ There was an appetite for it, and it wasn’t being met.” 

The uphill journey to financial literacy

Today, students using Goalsetter’s educational platform achieve, on average, an 83% mastery of financial concepts. “By the time these kids are out of their parents’ houses, they are truly ready for the world,” she says. 

But how ready is the typical college student? To find out, last year Goalsetter administered a 12th-grade-level financial quiz to students at Stanford, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Spelman, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University. At each school, the average score hovered around 50%. 

“We must find ways to deliver financial education to these kids on their own time. The more Americans we can put on solid financial footing, the stronger our communities will be.” 

Tanya Van Court

The results reminded Van Court of her own hard road to financial literacy. “They’re getting prestigious degrees, but if you don’t come out of college knowing exactly what to do with your first paycheck, you’re already behind,” she says. “The right instruction can give students at these institutions a shot at developing generational wealth. You can’t live the dream if you don’t speak the language.”

Changing the game

Fortunately, higher education has been shown to bolster financial resilience for graduates: About 30% of students at HBCUs move up at least two income quintiles from their parents by age 30 — nearly double that of students at other colleges and universities. Van Court wondered whether additional financial education could multiply that impact. And, if so, which behavioral nudges would motivate them most? 

Thus, the bootcamp was born. Using content adapted from the Goalsetter curriculum, Van Court and her team led the students through ten Zoom workshops, devoting each half-hour session to a different core concept, such as investing, debt management and retirement planning. They also offered on-demand access to recordings of the classes on their website. 

By the end of the bootcamp, the participants had improved their financial literacy scores by an average of 29.4%. Their confidence improved in step: 73% reported feeling comfortable making investments through an app, compared to 32% before the course began. The results also showed a similar positive shift in confidence around choosing a savings product — 49% pre-survey compared to 85% post-survey. 

These findings can help Mastercard’s customers inform and evolve their financial literacy programs and enable the integration of Goalsetter and its white-label app, Boudwin says, as well as strengthen the company’s own on-campus financial literacy efforts through its Master Your Card initiative. “We can really tailor how we’re showing up to make sure we’re giving students the information they really need, to have the greatest impact on their financial management behaviors.” 

Now Van Court wants schools around the country to draw inspiration from these results to prevent financial literacy from getting lost in the shuffle of lab reports and term papers. 

“We must find ways to deliver financial education to these kids on their own time,” she says. “The more Americans we can put on solid financial footing, the stronger our communities will be.” 

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Down payments and closing costs. Both typically involve large numbers that can cause doubt to creep into the minds of homebuyers and add to the rising costs of purchasing a home. In fact, KeyBank’s 2025 Financial Mobility Survey found that many believe owning a home is not an attainable goal for themselves nor the average American. Survey respondents also said financial education can help them be more confident in the home-buying process.

This Fair Housing Month, we’re highlighting ways to make homeownership more accessible and sustainable for all. While the market for homeownership in America remains tricky to navigate, your bank can be a helpful resource when it comes to down payments and closing costs.

Down Payments

Conventional wisdom says it’s best to make a 20 percent down payment when you buy your home. While this can help you lock in better interest rates and lower your monthly payment, you need to consider your individual financial situation and needs. Some strategies that can help lower your down payment include:

Consider Homes that are Priced Below Your Budget: Even if you’re pre-qualified for a specific loan amount, you may find that a lower home price gives you breathing room month to month. For long-term homeownership success, consider not only your down payment, but your monthly payments, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and closing costs — which can amount to approximately 2–5 percent of the purchase price of your home. Smaller down payments may require you to get private mortgage insurance (PMI), which would increase your total regular mortgage payments.

Going under budget gives you flexibility for home repairs or other financial emergencies. Many experts recommend saving between approximately 1 and 3 percent of your home’s value each year for routine maintenance.

Time It Right: The homebuying process can take time— if possible, begin to prepare months in advance from when you want to move in. If you know you’re going to apply for a mortgage within the next few months, forgo opening new lines of credit, whether via a credit card or loan. This can negatively impact your credit score, which can increase interest rates and, ultimately, how much you’ll need to spend.

Know Your Loan Options: Many banks and financial institutions offer loans with low or no down payment. KeyBank’s Key Community Mortgage lets buyers of owner occupied properties take advantage of low and no down payment options, making qualifying easier than you might think.

Closing Costs

Closing costs are a necessary part of the homebuying process, but they don’t have to be a stumbling block to purchasing your dream home. Ways to reduce closing costs include:

Talk to the seller: If a seller is looking to sell their home faster, they may also be willing to cover the closing costs. Doing so could be mutually beneficial, as there are specific tax benefits that the seller may be able to take part in. A seller may also be willing to cover closing costs if you pay full price for a home or if you purchase the house as-is, without requesting any specific fixes.

Shop around: For some of the items on that laundry list of fees, you can shop around to find your own best price. These include the home inspection, title search, homeowners’ insurance, and — depending on certain factors including your state laws — title insurance. You’ll receive a list of approved vendors from your lender, but you can choose others that meet the lender’s criteria.

Finance the fees: Another potential way to reduce the closing costs that you’ll pay upfront is to roll some of them into your mortgage loan amount so that you pay them over time instead. Some lenders provide this option through special programs targeting first-time homebuyers as well as those who are refinancing a home. Depending on your lender, expenses eligible for a rollover may include origination fees, credit report fees, appraisals, title insurance, courier fees, and other administrative costs.

KeyBank Mortgage Loan Officers are great resources and can help you navigate the homebuying process. They have information on home lending opportunities and programs to help you get started on the journey to homeownership. Also, KeyBank’s Mortgage Affordability Calculator can help you figure out a comfortable loan and payment amount. Don’t forget to consider all the parts of a mortgage loan – down payment, principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance and possible PMI.

Our professionals at KeyBank are here to support you at every step of your homebuying journey, from planning to celebrating your success.

About the KeyBank 2025 Financial Mobility Survey: This survey was conducted online by Schmidt Market Research in September 2024, polling 1,000 Americans, ages 18 – 70, with sole or shared responsibility for household financial decisions, who own a checking or savings account. The survey sought to gain insight into financial resiliency and explored respondents’ spending and savings habits, levels of financial confidence and financial resiliency, economic sentiment, and impacts of societal trends and pressures over the prior year.

This is designed to provide general information only. All credit products are subject to collateral and/or credit approval, terms, conditions, availability and subject to change. ©2025 KeyCorp. All rights reserved. CFMA #250404-3134828

NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All home lending products, including mortgage, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, are subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all home lending products are available in all states. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance are required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees, and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice.

NMLS #399797. Equal Housing Lender. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. KeyBank extends credit secured by residential real estate without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status.

• A total of 19 community colleges will receive $500,000 in grant awards
• Additional $100,000 will support the Forward Fund to expand access to training opportunities for students
• Duke Energy’s ongoing commitment to workforce development totals more than $6.6 million over the last five years

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy Foundation today announced $500,000 to support 19 North Carolina community college programs that are creating a pipeline of skilled workers who will help meet the energy industry’s growing workforce needs. A $100,000 grant will also support the Forward Fund to help students in Southeastern North Carolina attain high-wage employment opportunities.

As North Carolina continues to deploy modern energy infrastructure and meet the needs of a growing state, Duke Energy Foundation is investing in programs that will build the next generation workforce and create access to training and job skills that fit community needs. These grants are part of Duke Energy’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, which totals more than $6.6 million over the last five years.

“As our state and industry continue to grow, North Carolina’s community colleges are helping us meet the moment,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “As technologies change and we modernize our energy fleet, we want talent here in the state to help us support our communities and build a smarter energy future for customers.”

Durham Technical Community College received a $25,000 grant to enhance its Electric Line Technician Training program.

“Duke Energy’s continued commitment to Durham Tech ensures we are connecting skilled individuals to good jobs like electric line technicians,” said Durham Technical Community College President J.B. Buxton. “We are proud to be one of the few locations in the state that offers a pathway to these in-demand positions that communities rely on to keep the lights on.”

A full list of community colleges receiving funds, along with grant recipient quotes, can be viewed, here.

For the first time, Duke Energy Foundation is also making an investment in the Forward Fund (TFF). TFF provides zero-interest loans to cover essential life expenses like transportation and child care, allowing students to focus on school full time. TTF participants are enrolled in short-term training programs directly connected to regional employer demand and high-wage employment opportunities. Repayments begin after participants earn a minimum salary requirement and are cycled back into the fund for loans to future learners.

“The Forward Fund is thrilled to receive this grant from Duke Energy Foundation to expand access of our customized, student-centered financing to students enrolling in proven Electrical Lineworker programs in Southeastern North Carolina and across the state,” said Meaghan Dennis, founder and chief executive officer. “Our zero-interest loans cover tuition, fees and life expenses for students during the program, removing the financial hurdles that may prevent them from enrolling or graduating. We’re excited to be part of the workforce solution for high-wage energy careers in the state.”

Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

Contact: Garrett Poorman
24-hour media line: 800.559.3853

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OAKLAND, Calif., April 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Sustainability is facing an unprecedented confluence of political, economic, social, technological and environmental forces that are disrupting the profession and urgently require a new approach to events and collaborative problem solving. Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz Group) is launching Trellis Impact 25, providing attendees access to three leading conferences in one location to accelerate innovative solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. Trellis Impact 25 brings together VERGE, Bloom, and GreenFin and will be held October 28-30, 2025, at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA.

• VERGE empowers professionals decarbonizing and future-proofing their organizations and supply chains through climate technologies.
• Bloom convenes leaders and innovators driving cutting-edge tools, business strategies, and partnerships to protect and regenerate nature.
• GreenFin equips professionals with strategies to harness the power of capital for the transition to a clean economy.

“Rather than tackle each sustainability challenge individually, we believe it can be more impactful to address them in concert,” said Eric Faurot, CEO of Trellis Group, “And that by doing so we can help unlock newfound synergies and business opportunities thereby accelerating positive impact.”

Approaching its 25th anniversary, Trellis Group is the trailblazer and leader in sustainability events, digital media, and networks. Since its inception, sustainability has experienced constant flux and weathered numerous periods of challenge and change. The current moment is marked by headwinds that threaten to disrupt innovation and distract from the profession’s goal of driving impact. Sustainability is also facing a contraction, layoffs, and a proliferation of events that are seen as decentralized and performative. Trellis Impact 25 helps sustainability teams with efficiency by cutting down on travel and creating a center of gravity to address decarbonization, climate tech, biodiversity, and the finance to pay for it all, under one roof.

Among the topics to be covered at Trellis Impact 25 across VERGE, Bloom, and GreenFin: Carbon, Deploying Clean Energy, Industrial Decarbonization, Transport, Startups & Innovation, Nature-Positive Strategy, Nature Tech & Data, Regenerative Agriculture & Forests, Nature Finance, Transition Planning & Finance, Corporate Reporting & Disclosure, Climate-Aligned Investment, and Commercial Impact.

“The Walton Family Foundation values bringing a range of perspectives together—including grantees and key private sector partners. Addressing complex challenges like protecting rivers, oceans, and the communities they support requires collaboration. Trellis Impact 25 presents a key opportunity to advance our strategy this year.” Ted Kowalski, Colorado River Initiative Lead and Senior Program Officer, Environment Program.

Trellis Impact 25 is launching with the early support of more than a dozen leading companies and organizations, including L’Oréal, Amazon, Constellation Energy, Target, US Bank, Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Ceres, CDP and more.

At Trellis Impact 25, attendees will gain actionable insights from curated sessions, and the opportunity to connect with focused communities in addition to corporate leaders, NGOs and solutions providers across all three events.

“I want to congratulate [Trellis] on this move, since I think it is not only a smart business decision but helps create a more collaborative and unified climate movement – which is so important at this time. Kudos to you all for taking action, creating space for diverse conversations and for the opportunity to partner together.” Jenny Morgan, Senior Market Development Manager at Tradewater.
Professionals interested in learning more can visit the Trellis Impact 25 website.

Sponsorships for Trellis Impact 25, VERGE, Bloom, and GreenFin are still available. For more information, contact Natalie Rasmus, natalie@trellis.net. Speaker nominations are open until May 9 for VERGE, Bloom, and GreenFin. Select media are invited to attend for free. To apply for a press pass, contact Amelia Marinai, amelia@trellis.net.

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Trellis Group empowers professional communities to confront the climate crisis. Trellis (formerly GreenBiz) is sustainability’s leader in digital media, networks, and events for 25 years running, and continues to drive the agenda as the center of gravity for leaders and doers focused on positive impacts for business and the planet. https://trellis.net/about-us/