Tag: 3BL

Client background

For more than 30 years, Northeast Technical Services (NTS), a full-service engineering firm, has provided environmental services to their clients. Today, 50 employees provide consulting, engineering and data management to industrial and governmental clients. To better understand and track the utilization of its employees, NTS implemented Baker Tilly’s Project Intelligence project profitability software to better analyze projects and employee performance as well as improve decision-making.

The business challenge

NTS struggled with a lack of accurate and customizable metrics for managing employee utilization and project profitability. More specifically, NTS’s metrics were being tracked and calculated in Excel because it wasn’t possible to calculate and report on them directly out of Sage Intacct. Because these metrics were kept in multiple Excel files with manual calculations, the company had no single source of truth, and employees would sometimes be working with different sets of numbers. This made it difficult to have effective conversations about performance and goal setting.

While NTS used an employee utilization dashboard, it only showed estimates because Sage Intacct couldn’t factor in certain utilization variables, such as expected employee hours per day and different utilization targets by employee. That caused even more work in Excel and more questions about accurate metrics. Staff saw employee utilization against a utilization target that wasn’t always accurate. This made it challenging to discuss performance with staff and led to a lot of time validating the numbers. If someone was trying to hit a target, it created a less than ideal situation when the data was called into question.

Overall, too much time was spent compiling metrics, doing calculations and trying to discover why employees were seeing different numbers in different places instead of spending that time making decisions based on accurate data.

Strategy and solution

With help from the Baker Tilly team, NTS implemented Baker Tilly’s Project Intelligence, a project profitability software. This provided NTS the reports they needed out of the box, and they no longer need to use the error-prone, out-of-date processes tied to Excel spreadsheets. By implementing Project Intelligence, NTS no longer needs to waste time figuring out who has the right numbers on which spreadsheet. NTS now has real-time, accurate information and has the entire team working with the same data. Not only are all processes taking place within Intacct sparing them the headache of jumping to different applications, NTS estimates Project Intelligence is saving them one to two days of preparation time each month.

Meetings at NTS are now about finding solutions instead of getting bogged down in data accuracy and calculations. In fact, the Project Intelligence dashboards have become integral to NTS’s monthly meetings with project managers and staff. By including Project Intelligence, there is better understanding across the team, as there’s no longer any guesswork about the accuracy of the data they’re using to set the next goal. Project Intelligence also gives NTS leadership the opportunity to be transparent and ensure everyone is on the same page. Project Intelligence has also allowed the team to have more deliberate goals and clear business objectives, and the use of the Project Intelligence dashboards have helped communicate that information to the staff.

Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist to learn more

SAN FRANCISCO, April 15, 2025 /3BL/ – Engage for Good, the leading company empowering corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial social impact partnerships, today announced that CPG company Mammoth Brands, formerly Harry’s Inc., and disaster relief organization Team Rubicon will be recognized as the Corporation of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year, respectively, at The 2025 Halo Awards.

As the first and most prestigious honor for excellence in corporate social impact, The Halo Awards recognize the most innovative and effective partnerships between companies and nonprofits. The Corporation of the Year award recognizes companies that exemplify long-term, strategic and authentic commitment to social good while also driving meaningful business success. As the 2025 Corporation of the Year, Mammoth Brands joins a distinguished list of previous recipients, including Google, CVS Health, REI, P&G and Levi Strauss & Co.

Mammoth Brands’ longstanding commitment to social impact has been central to the company’s DNA since the launch of its first brand, Harry’s, in 2013. To date, Mammoth Brands has donated over $20 million through a network of over 20 nonprofit organizations, including Stop Soldier Suicide, The Trevor Project and BEAM, and helped give over two million people access to quality mental health and wellness resources. Working hand-in-hand with its nonprofit partners, Mammoth Brands has created several first-of-their-kind initiatives, including Team: Changing Minds, one of the largest mental health training networks focused on reaching young men and boys in the U.S. In 2025, the company created Mammoth Good, an impact fund built with the goal of reaching 3.4 million people — 1% of the U.S. population — in the next 10 years.

“We’ve always believed that doing good in the world is good for business, which is why we’ve made social impact a core part of how we operate across our business, brands, and team,” said Andy Katz-Mayfield, co-founder and co-CEO of Mammoth Brands. “Receiving this recognition from Engage for Good is an honor and strengthens our commitment to scaling this work to reach millions more people with resources and programming that make a real impact.”

The Nonprofit of the Year highlights nonprofit organizations that demonstrate best-in-class practices for building successful mutually beneficial corporate partnerships that further its organizational mission and goals. As the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year, Team Rubicon joins notable past recipients, which include The Trevor Project, Save the Children and DonorsChoose.org.

Team Rubicon’s growth over the last five years has been fueled by a combination of cutting-edge technology, over 190,000 volunteers and embedded corporate partnerships. Its partnership with Microsoft enabled the nonprofit to enhance its operational efficiency through digital transformation with the enterprise-grade Volunteer Management System and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service. In 2024 alone, Team Rubicon served 838 communities and reached more than three million people. Nearly 6,000 volunteers responded to disasters, including tornadoes in the Midwest, flooding in the Northeast, wildfires in the West and Hurricane Helene across Georgia and the Carolinas. Strategic collaborations with corporations such as The Home Depot, Under Armour and Ford Motor Company have further strengthened Team Rubicon’s capacity to respond effectively to disasters. Ford, in particular, has committed to supporting Team Rubicon for five years through vehicle donations, monetary investment and Ford Pro fleet services.

“At Team Rubicon, our mission has always been to serve communities in their greatest times of need — and we know we can’t do it alone,” said Art delaCruz at Team Rubicon. “This recognition as Nonprofit of the Year affirms the power of purpose-driven partnerships. We’re proud to work alongside corporate allies who share our commitment to impact, innovation and service. This honor belongs to every Greyshirt, staff member and corporate partner who stands beside us when disaster strikes.”

“Team Rubicon and Mammoth Brands are proof that excellence in social impact doesn’t come from playing it safe,” said Muneer Panjwani, CEO at Engage for Good. “Team Rubicon has built a volunteer-powered force that responds with military precision and unmatched compassion — and they’ve done it while raising the bar for what’s possible through corporate-nonprofit partnerships that are built on action, not optics. Mammoth Brands has embedded mental health into the DNA of its brand, reaching millions with honesty and care — and scaling that work through smart, sustained nonprofit collaborations that deepen its impact far beyond a campaign. These are bold moves, and exactly what this moment demands from our sector.”

The Halo Awards will take place during the annual Engage for Good Conference, which will be held April 22-24, 2025, at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA. During the conference — sponsored by premier partners TikTok and fintech platform Adyen and silver level sponsors Public Interest Registry, DIRECTV for BUSINESS and Goodstack — attendees will gain practical skills, hear inspiring keynotes on cutting-edge ideas, explore emerging trends in CSR, ESG, corporate philanthropy and connect with forward-thinking leaders across corporate and nonprofit sectors who are shaping the future of collaborative impact.

Mammoth Brands and Team Rubicon will be recognized during The Halo Awards on Thurs., April 24, 2025, at 6:00 pm PST.

For more information or to attend the Engage for Good conference, please register at https://engageforgood.com/conference/.

About Engage for Good

Engage for Good is the leading community of corporate social impact professionals, equipping leaders with the connections, best practices, and support they need to build high-impact partnerships that drive both business and social value.

Our offerings include: (1) The Engage for Good Conference — the premier national event convening leaders from Fortune 100 companies and top nonprofits. (2) The Halo Awards — the first and most prestigious honor recognizing excellence in corporate social impact. (3) A thriving membership of 19,000+ professionals working across CSR, ESG, DEI, philanthropy, and purpose. (4) Consulting services for nonprofits seeking to build or grow successful corporate partnerships. (5) Partnerships to help you reach CSR decision makers with your products and services.

About Mammoth Brands

Mammoth Brands is the largest CPG company built in the last 20 years. Founded by co-CEOs Jeff Raider and Andy Katz-Mayfield in 2013, Mammoth Brands’ mission is to Create Things People Like More with its growing portfolio of category-leading brands: Harry’s, Flamingo, Lume, and Mando. With a proven playbook for scaling online brands into omnichannel leaders, Mammoth Brands is creating a new model—and home—for brands, founders, and talent looking to transform the status quo.

About Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 190,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,200 operations domestically and internationally.

Media Contact
Brandy Patton-Miller

prforengageforgood@bospar.com

• Funding will support home rebuilding, debris removal, mental health services and other community needs
• Grants of $25,000 each awarded to 20 high-impact local nonprofits focused on long-term recovery

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 15, 2025 /3BL/ – As part of its commitment to supporting a full recovery in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy Foundation has announced $500,000 in new funding to 20 local nonprofits.

The organizations receiving funding are meeting expansive community needs, including completing structural repairs, building new homes and rebuilding damaged ones, removing storm debris, providing mental health services, rehabilitating waterways and more.

Making an impact

The Mountain Strong Yancey and Mitchell County Relief Team, which established a field hospital in the aftermath of the storm, is now meeting the community’s long-term needs, including repairing private access roads damaged by flooding.

“This support will have a direct and meaningful impact on our community, allowing us to repair critical access ways and back roads that serve multiple families and connect residents to essential locations including grocery stores, schools and medical clinics,” said Carol Tyler, who serves as the group’s president. “Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of a resilient community, and with this funding, we will be able to ensure safer, more dependable routes for those who rely on them daily.”

Asheville-based GreenWorks is helping property owners who do not qualify for traditional disaster assistance programs remove flood debris.

“Many property owners who still need help with flood debris removal do not have the resources needed to clean up their properties,” said Eric Bradford, director of operations. “Duke Energy’s support will help fill that gap and meet the needs of many residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Helene.”

The big picture

Six months after Hurricane Helene’s impact, Duke Energy continues working to rebuild infrastructure, protect grid reliability and assist customers and communities as they recover.

“In the face of Helene’s historic damage, we have been in awe of the resilience and teamwork of our mountain communities,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “As we work to restrengthen the electric grid in western North Carolina, we will continue joining together with nonprofit partners to help build back our communities piece by piece.”

A video update from Bowman on Duke Energy’s approach to grid restrengthening and long-term recovery in western North Carolina is available here.

Grant recipients

A list of all organizations receiving $25,000 grants can be found below.

• All Souls Counseling Center
   
• Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
   
• Asheville Greenworks
   
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina
   
• Camp Grier
   
• Community Housing Coalition of Madison County
   
• Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
   
• Friends of the Land of Sky Regional Council
   
• Haywood Waterways Association
   
• Henderson Housing Assistance Corporation
   
• Mountain Aid Project
   
• Mountain Housing Opportunities
   
• Mountain Strong Yancey & Mitchell County Relief Team
   
• Riverlink
   
• Rutherford Housing Partnership
   
• Transylvania Habitat for Humanity
   
• United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County
   
• United Way of Haywood County
   
• Western Carolina Rescue Ministries
   
• YMCA of Western North Carolina

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: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DukeEnergyNC

View original content here.

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. 

# # #

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.

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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.