Tag: 3BL

This quarterly newsletter showcases how Truist Foundation supports Truist Financial Corporation’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities through strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Click here to sign up to receive the newsletter via email.

Truist Foundation by the Numbers

Last year was full of growth, change, and inspiration. Check out our 2024 End of Year Impact Report to see how we helped fuel nonprofits and make our communities more resilient.
Learn about our 2024 impact

Building Back Communities 

Learn more about our recovery efforts in Kentucky, Western North Carolina, and Southern California.
Read about our recovery efforts 

Inspire Awards: Mark Your Calendar! 

We’re announcing our finalists in April, and don’t forget to save the date for our big event on November 12. 
See the full timeline

The Latest in Truist Foundation Grantmaking

See our new partnership announcements and how we’re working together with innovative nonprofits.
Learn about our partners 

Seeking to revolutionize and decarbonize the agricultural machinery market, CNH brand, Case IH, presents its ethanol-powered machinery project.

“Case IH has been investing for years in alternative propellants, and we have seen that ethanol is the best solution, especially for Brazil, and for several factors: it is a fuel produced by our customers and widely used in the country, and that does not require new investments in infrastructure and logistics by producers”, explains Christian Gonzalez, Vice President of Case IH for Latin America.

The first phase of the project was presented during Agrishow 2024, when the brand announced and exhibited the prototype of the ethanol-powered engine for sugarcane harvesters.

The use of ethanol as a possibility to supply agricultural machinery brings several benefits. It is a renewable fuel that reduces carbon emissions, factors that contribute to the environmental and regulatory goals of the agricultural environment, such as the CBIOS (decarbonization credits) market.

Studies show that, when the complete life cycle of fuels is analyzed, ethanol provides a reduction of up to 90% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil fuels. In addition, it can reduce operating costs with transportation and logistics and have fewer price fluctuations in relation to petroleum products.

Case IH bets and believes that the future of agricultural machinery is ethanol, a sustainable fuel, easy to invest in by rural producers and that Brazil is one of the major producers. Therefore, the sugarcane harvester is the beginning of a project that will have a portfolio of machines powered by the fuel.

Click here to read the full story.

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual on March 11, 2025

MILWAUKEE, March 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual announced that 17 of its advisors were recognized on Barron’s prestigious list of the nation’s top 1,200 financial advisors.

“I am so proud of these advisors, and their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the clients they proudly serve,” said John Roberts, Northwestern Mutual’s chief field officer. “Our trusted expert advisors and teams help Americans protect what they have already built while also creating future prosperity. Their approach to planning – integrating risk management and wealth management – can deliver superior financial outcomes over the long term¹. The dedication they have with their clients and leadership in their communities underscore the example they set and the positive impact they create.”

The Barron’s ranking evaluates thousands of applications based on a variety of factors including assets under management, revenue generated, regulatory record, practice quality, philanthropic efforts and more.

Northwestern Mutual’s field force of more than 8,000 full-time financial advisors continues to grow larger, more productive, and more reflective of the growing marketplace they serve. The company’s trusted advisors also rank among the most credentialed, as Northwestern Mutual topped the industry with the most CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS®, according to a leading news source for financial advisors and wealth management professionals.

About Northwestern Mutual 

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With nearly $700 billion of total assets² being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $38 billion in revenues, nearly $2.4 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE® 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2025.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company^® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

¹Independent research analysis from EY Study (2021) established that a comprehensive, personalized planning approach (combining permanent life insurance, investments, and income annuities), can produce superior outcomes over the long-term, as compared to an investment-only approach.

²Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual.

Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors [March 10, 2025]. Based upon data as of 9/30/2024. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Media Relations, 1-800-323-7033

Despite incremental steps forward, the number of women working in technology today remains significantly lower than their representation in the broader workforce.

To bridge this gap, AEG’s Supplier Diversity team hosted its third annual “Women in Technology” Panel on March 26, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, with the aim of inspiring female college students to enter the tech industry. The event was held during Women’s History Month with the aim of celebrating and exploring the achievements, challenges and possibilities for women in technology.

The multi-disciplinary panel brought together female tech leaders from various businesses who discussed their career journeys, offered valuable perspectives on overcoming obstacles, and shared their thoughts on how to fostering diversity and inclusivity in tech with female students from the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.

The panel discussion was led by Diana Lovati, Chief Information Security Officer at AEG, and featured Trina L. Marlow, Enterprise Risk & Experience Officer, Iron Bow, Heidi Loera, Digital Director, TelevisaUnivision and Ashley Hall, VP Ticket Sales & Services, LA Galaxy.

The discussion aimed to empower the next generation of women in technology by providing the students with the opportunity to gain valuable insights on the career pathways, networking opportunities and to learn about the impact that AI is expected to have on technology roles in the future.

“Representation matters. When young women see leaders who look like them in tech, they realize that these careers are not only possible but achievable,” said Diana Lovati. “AEG’s “Women in Technology” Panel is about opening doors and fostering ambition. Empowering women with the right tools and opportunities not only benefits them individually but strengthens the industry as a whole.”

The event was sponsored by LA Kings partner, IronBow, and lunch was provided by Boldyn.

TORONTO, March 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, announced that the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has officially been awarded Evergreen Certification by the Council for Responsible Sport for the second time, reflecting the event’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and its leadership in sustainable race management.

As part of the event’s growing list of environmental initiatives, the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has achieved zero waste status, with over 90% of event-related waste diverted from landfills. To achieve this goal, race organizers, Canada Running Series, ensured waste reduction and diversion measures were in place through all stages of race planning and implementation, including sending almost 4,000 kg of organic waste to a commercial composting facility to ensure its proper disposal. Additionally, nearly 2,000 kg of discarded clothing was donated to local charities, while 3,769 kg of leftover food was redirected to local food programs to help address local food insecurity. The marathon also transformed 150 kg of heat sheets into a park bench through their partnership with Green Event Ninjas and GreenWell Plastics. The bench will be donated to a local community space for use by the public.

“Canada Running Series is dedicated to putting on premier running events that leave a meaningful impact beyond race day, and our hope is that with this Evergreen Certification, the marathon can set a benchmark for responsible event management while demonstrating that large-scale races can be both high-performance and low impact,” said Charlotte Brookes, Race Director of Canada Running Series. 

Environmentally conscious decisions are carefully considered through all facets of the event, from selecting sustainable venues, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place to host the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo, down to the implementation of policies banning all single-use plastic water bottles. The event sourced local produce for the 5K race, such as apples from an Ontario-based farm in Newcastle, to provide participants with fresh, locally grown food post-race. A plogging event was also held along the Martin Goodman Trail ahead of the marathon in partnership with Trans Canada Trail, directly combining running with environmental stewardship to create lasting impacts beyond the race itself.

The marathon’s 2024 edition marked the introduction of the Green Bib Program, allowing participants to forgo receiving a race shirt and medal in favor of a donation to sustainability focused charities. In its inaugural year, 6.7% of participants opted in, raising over $20,000 for Trees for Life and Trans Canada Trail through the Green Bib Program, and contributing to the $72,000 raised across all Canada Running Series races in 2024.

“Sustainability has always been a major focus for TCS, and we are proud to work with Canada Running Series to implement innovative solutions to create a greener event,” said Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, TCS Canada. “When we became the title sponsor of the event, we pledged 32,000 person-hours to set a new standard for environmentally responsible racing. It has been incredible to witness how much the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has been able to accomplish on this front.”

“Sustainability is just one way we aim to show the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s broader commitment to positive community impact, and we are proud to lead the way in environmental responsibility while also championing inclusivity and engagement in sport,” continued Brookes. “The Women’s Training Program and Women’s Panel continue to promote gender equity in the sport, and our Athletes With Disabilities (AWD) Program works toward accessibility for all. We are dedicated to making a meaningful difference for both runners and the city we call home.”

As the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to balancing elite competition with environmental and social responsibility. With the 2024 Evergreen Certification now secured, Canada Running Series looks ahead to further innovations that will enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and community engagement in the years to come. This year’s weekend will take place October 18-19, 2025.

About TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). It celebrated its 35th edition in 2024. Since 2017, the race has served as the Athletics Canada national marathon championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity participants. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process.

To learn more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

About Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.

Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of over 607,000 consultants in 55 countries and 180 service delivery centres across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today.

TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment. TCS generated consolidated revenues of US $29 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

TCS media contacts:

Corporate Communications & India	Email: corporate.communications@tcs.com Email: saxena.kritika@tcs.com| Phone: +91 22 6778 9999 Email: kimberly.solomon@tcs.com | Phone: +91 22 67789098
Canada	Email: tiffany.fisher@tcs.com | Phone: +1 416-999-2140

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Albertsons Companies, in collaboration with Albertsons Companies Foundation, has been named a finalist for the Best Technology for Good Initiative at the 2025 Halo Awards, presented by Engage for Good. This recognition highlights the Foundation’s collaboration on SummerEBT.org, a platform that connects families to new summer grocery benefits, ensuring that no child goes hungry during school breaks.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

Las Vegas Sands

As part of Women’s History Month 2025, Sands is showcasing insights from successful women throughout the company. Eileen Madigan joined Sands in 2018 as vice president of global interior design. In 2020, she was promoted to senior vice president and oversees global design vision and aesthetics, as well as the management of all design projects. Sands currently has more than 80 design projects at various stages, ranging from existing property upgrades to new developments.

What early experiences helped you build a successful career?

“I always wanted to be an interior designer – I have always been drawn to anything to do with interiors, furnishing and space planning. I completed my Bachelor of Science in interior design at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and based on my senior-year thesis on restaurant design I knew I only wanted to practice hospitality design. I thought hospitality was a very unique offering, with endless creativity combined with structured project requirements.

“My experience spans from doing the work, managing the work, leading the work and large teams, and pursuing the work to landing accounts such as Ritz Carlton and then becoming an associate. As an associate, I began to understand the business aspect of design; that was invaluable experience. I was in Washington, D.C., and exposed to large hospitality brands and large government projects. I had the opportunity to see all project types and all aspects of projects, and I know that’s what makes my experience unique.

“From there, I decided that I wanted to focus on luxury hospitality. I was fortunate to have support from people around me, who gave me ideas on how to define my brand based on my experience and my reputation. I received an offer from Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, an international luxury brand, and this was my segue into traveling the world. I learned how to do projects internationally – in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and South America. Being exposed to diverse cultures, technology, the means and methods of the regions, as well as the legal and financial aspects of these projects was invaluable for my career.

“In my career, I have always gone to where opportunity presents itself. Some people would say it’s very ambitious or courageous to pick up and move, but I find it amazing. I’ve lived in Paris, Hong Kong and Toronto – those opportunities brought me many different perspectives.

“In Paris, I worked on one of the last five historical palaces that was commissioned by King Louis XV. I had once-in-a-lifetime experience collaborating with Carl Lagerfeld, the fashion icon, for Chanel and Fendi couture. When I was at Rosewood, the company was bought by New World Development Company, a large Hong Kong conglomerate. I was asked to bridge the gap between Western and Asian culture and experience by determining how the brand could create a fusion of culture for the new brand launch. In Toronto, I was vice president of creative at Four Season Hotels and Resorts and was able to look at the brand holistically and see how design aesthetic came through in the guest experience throughout their collection of hotels, working very closely with their owners and developers.

“From there, I started my own firm, and a well-known designer called me about an opportunity at Sands. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was the right person, because I didn’t have the experience or knowledge about integrated resort development, gaming or arenas. My initial response: ‘I’m not the right person or right fit.’ What I learned was don’t sell yourself short and don’t say you can’t do it because you can always learn. Don’t ever underestimate the value of your past experience, your future growth, and the vision of where you can go and what you can actually accomplish if you set your mind to it.

“My experiences through all of the years of travel, all of the amazing projects and all of the people I have met led me to where I have been in the last seven years. I don’t think I would have been as prepared or successful in this position without all of those experiences.”

What has driven you to remain at Sands?

“I have had incredible support from our chairman and the president and COO through very difficult decision-making and projects, as well as in giving me the resources and freedom to develop the design experience and create the methodology and process.

“It’s also about the people. The DNA of people at Sands is that they work hard and they’re incredibly intelligent and on top of their game. I also think the organization is very collaborative. It’s a big organization, and you could get lost in trying to get your bearings or learning where to go – all of the colleagues want the best for everyone and support each other. This is why Sands is so successful.

“Also, we enjoy what we’re doing. We’re delivering exceptional design and projects that exceed the expectations of the industry. We’re enjoying the amazing journey.”

What are your ideas for empowering women in their careers?

“I think really understanding your strengths and weaknesses and being honest with yourself is key to your personal growth – seeing how you fit into the organization, how you define your value and how you need to build relationships and allies.

“A lot of people, and maybe women more so, keep their heads down and work really hard. I was certainly one of them, and you can continue to get the promotions and recognition. But, if you really want to pivot and make significant strides in your career, you have to continue to keep learning and developing your mindset and skills. What got you here isn’t going to get you there.

“It’s also not just about working hard – you need to be an advocate for yourself and have the courage and confidence to stand up and say I want that next promotion. The more you can justify the contributions you have made for the company or situation, the more you will start to be seen as someone who has leadership and courage. It can be very hard to get your voice heard, but never give up because it will come. You have to consistently demonstrate your value.

“If I could give any insight, it’s that there will always be change in your life and career. You will have to embrace it, open your mind and keep moving forward. You have to be able to be flexible. Learn the business and financial aspect of your department. Understand how to find your place and your value within the organization.

“It’s also important to make a plan for yourself. I took the time in my career to build a plan and encourage everyone who works for me or who I mentor to have the outline of a plan with goals. And if you don’t meet all the goals, it’s okay. But if you don’t have a plan and an idea of your goals, it’s easy to get distracted. You won’t be as passionate or focused, or you’ll work on things that you might think are important at the time, or most of all, you might miss a future opportunity. I can’t encourage having a plan enough. I didn’t realize that until halfway through my career.

“Also, the more you can articulate your value proposition clearly in three sentences and what you want in your future professional goals, people will remember you and encourage other people to contact you for opportunities. Someone once said to me, ‘It’s not about who you know; it’s about who knows you.’ Those words have been a testament to the success of my career and landed me in my current position.

“Finally, always drive for excellence and think big. When you drive for excellence, it puts you above the bar in the competition, and everyone around you will see that you have very high expectations of yourself and what you do. When you think big, you will become BIG. If you think small, you will continue to limit yourself in thinking small. Do not underestimate your future, and embrace change, growth and learning.  Your career has endless opportunities waiting for you!”

This Women’s Month, Bacardi shines a spotlight on Global VP Emma Fox, who, having helped bring a fresh take to the world of Spritz with the ST-GERMAIN Spritz, was recently appointed to also lead Global Marketing for MARTINI, one of the most iconic brands in the world of drinks. 

The growing trend for lighter tasting cocktails, that are lower in alcohol, has helped the rise of the Spritz. In the 2025 Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, the Spritz was ranked as number three in the list of most popular cocktails with only the Mojito and Margarita more popular. Now, with her new responsibility for helping to drive the growth of MARTINI and the introduction this summer of the brand’s new signature drink, the MARTINI Bianco Spritz, Emma Fox is truly championing the Spritz occasion.

What’s a typical day like for you? 

I love that no day is ever the same. In my new role as Global VP for MARTINI & ST-GERMAIN, one day I can be out talking to our commercial leaders about their plans for the coming year and the next I can be meeting the owners of beautiful bars in cities like Paris, Madrid or London, or speaking to our fabulous MARTINI team in Italy, about the harvesting of our botanical ingredients for our classic MARTINI vermouth. 

When you started in marketing, did you picture yourself here? 

I have enjoyed a varied career in the hospitality industry. It’s always a place I’ve enjoyed, whether I’ve been working behind the bar or in front of it. 

Working for Bacardi, it’s a real privilege to know our drinks are part of special moments in people’s lives, both big and small, and I am in awe of the amazing talent working in bars who create these beautiful experiences for people to enjoy. It really is an art form and it’s personal! 

What is your favorite thing about your job? 

What I love about Bacardi is that as a family-owned company it’s deeply personal, from the relationships you build to the results you deliver. And I love that I get to work with so many different people in many different roles across the Bacardi business and across the world. We treat Bacardi like our own business and each of us can make a real difference.

There is also nothing more exciting than seeing great work go out the door and make a difference to our business. When I’m sitting in a bar and I hear someone order a cocktail made with ST-GERMAIN or MARTINI or friends discover a great drink with MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante, it genuinely makes my day. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? 

I’ve had a lot of good and not so good advice, but these four stand out for me… 

1. You don’t need to dim other people’s light to shine. 

2. We spend a lot of time working together so surround yourself with people you trust and value.

3. The best teams are ones that have a mix of talents, experiences and background. We should not be carbon copies of each other, if we want to understand the world around us.

4. Keep it simple. The best ideas in the world won’t get off the page if no one understands them. 

If you could enjoy a spritz with any historical figure, who would it be and where? 

Since I’m new to the wonderful world of MARTINI I would love to travel back in time to the 1860s and enjoy a spritz or two with the brand’s founders, entrepreneur Alessandro Martini and master herbalist Luigi Rossi, at the home of MARTINI in Pessione, Italy. Imagine the stories! 

What is your proudest career achievement? 

The journey on ST-GERMAIN is something I’m truly proud of. It’s been a transformational time for the brand and for me personally – it’s really helped me define the type of leader I want to be. Looking forwards, it’s the honor of beginning a new era for MARTINI, a true drinks industry icon. Cheers! 
 

– ENDS –

^{Please drink responsibly.}

^{Media contact}

^{Andrew Carney, Corporate Communications Director, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean
acarney@bacardi.com}

^{About Bacardi Limited 
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.}

^{About MARTINI}

^{One of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI® is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality vermouths and sparkling wines. The award-winning, vibrant and bittersweet taste of the MARTINI range is the result of secret blends of more than 40 botanicals sourced from the finest locations across the globe. First created in 1863 in Turin, Italy, the MARTINI portfolio today includes: MARTINI Bianco, Rosso, Fiero, Rosato & Extra Dry, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante & Floreale, MARTINI Asti, Prosecco & Rosé Extra Dry. For more information, please visit www.martini.com.}

^{MARTINI AND THE BALL & BAR LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS.}

^{About ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur 
ST-GERMAIN is a French liqueur made using fresh, wild, handpicked elderflower blossoms. ST-GERMAIN brings a dash of inspiration and a touch of something playful and unexpected to your favorite cocktail, be that a Hugo Spritz, Margarita, Elderfashioned, Royale or a creation of your own design. The fresh, wild elderflowers help give ST-GERMAIN its distinctive sweet, bright and light taste that is unforgettable once tasted: indulgent, yet delicate with a sweetness, and hints of honeysuckle and pear. Gently blended in France using the Savoir-Faire of our Master Liqueurist and Master of Botanicals, ST-GERMAIN is acclaimed for its uncanny ability to add a universally delicious twist to any cocktail. ST-GERMAIN has received some of the highest accolades in the spirits industry and has been heralded as one of the most influential cocktail components of the last decade. Please visit: www.stgermainliqueur.com.}

 

^{ST-GERMAIN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND VIE PARISIENNE EN BOUTEILLE ARE TRADEMARKS.}

^{MARTINI and the ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur brands are part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.}

Carrissa Dowdy, Manager, Product Formulation, was invited to speak to the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) group as part of their Women’s Empowerment Series. Local NBC5 news anchor, Deborah Ferguson, champions the program and invited Carrissa to sit down for a candid conversation about being a woman in STEM.

Students were captivated with her inspiring journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame and the perseverance required to thrive in a male-dominated field. The opportunity not only showcased Carrissa’s exceptional career achievements but also showed students the many ways career paths can twist and turn. Her powerful message reinforced the importance of resilience and confidence in pursuing careers in science and leadership.

“It was truly inspiring to meet these bright young women and share my story,” said Carrissa. “Seeing their excitement and determination reminded me of why I am passionate about encouraging the next generation of women in STEM. This is just the beginning for them!”

The event was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on the students and reminding us all of the importance of representation, mentorship, and empowerment. Mary Kay remains committed to inspiring the next generation of young women in STEM through mentoring, grants, and providing opportunities to nurture their curiosity.

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Sideline Report

Hundreds, if not thousands, of marathons are organized across the globe each year, but just seven are designated World Marathon Majors: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Sydney (added in 2024) and Tokyo. Runners who complete the Original Six Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) join an exclusive club and earn the running community’s highly sought-after Six Star Medal. Fewer than 5,400 Americans have earned Six Star Medals. One of them is now DICK’S Sporting Goods Field Marketing Manager Jessica Gillman.

“It’s been a long road,” Gillman said. “It wasn’t always easy, and often wasn’t linear, but I never gave up.”

Gillman was a lifelong athlete but only started running in 2017, a year after having her first son. A day before the Ogden Half Marathon in Utah, Gillman was offered a bib to run. Despite not training, she said sure.

“It was actually miserable,” Gillman admitted. “I just kept thinking ‘Why in the world would anyone do this?’”

After finishing the race though, Gillman started thinking about what the experience would be like if she did take the time to train for a marathon. She signed up for the 2018 New York City Marathon, but once again, didn’t have a great time.

“I trained, but I wouldn’t say I trained well,” Gillman said.

Instead of hanging up her running shoes, Gillman decided to try again. She registered for the 2019 London Marathon and committed to a training regimen, which she said changed everything.

“Ogden and New York were learning curves,” said Gillman. “For London, I trained right and had a blast!”

With a newfound love of marathon running and two Abbott WMM under her belt, Gillman set her sights on earning the Six Star Medal. A few months after London, she ran the Chicago Marathon.

Following a COVID-19 cancellation and second pregnancy, Gillman ran the historic Boston Marathon in 2022 – just seven months after giving birth to her daughter.

“I had to run in 2022, or I would need to requalify,” Gillman said. “So, I put a lot of pressure on myself because no one wants to run Boston poorly.”

Gillman finished the marathon but suffered bursitis in her Achilles tendon. The injury required a treatment of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and forced Gillman to defer the Berlin Marathon while she recovered.

In September 2024, one year after giving birth to her third baby, Gillman ran the Berlin Marathon. Then, it was time for her final WMM: the Tokyo Marathon.

Gillman traveled to Tokyo with her oldest son, now 8 years old, to cheer her on.

“All his life he’s known his mom does races,” said Gillman. “I wanted him to be at the finish line and see me achieve my goal.”

On March 2, 2025 – eight years, three pregnancies, a serious injury and a global pandemic after her journey began – Gillman earned her Six Star Medal by finishing Tokyo in 3:20:23.

“It felt really, really good,” Gillman said. “This goal helped me find balance and a sense of self amidst the chaos of motherhood and working full time.”

While Gillman said her marathon days are over for now, she said there’s always going to be something in her future from a fitness and sport perspective.

“Maybe an IRONMAN,” Gillman laughed. “We’ll see!”