Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Cargill’s LinkedIn by Eliza Clark, Vice President of Sustainability, Cargill Food, and Heather Pfahl, CARE’s Managing Director of Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Systems.

• Farmer livelihoods and supply chain resilience are deeply connected.
• Long-term progress depends on market access, local leadership and community-led systems that continue beyond project funding.
• CARE and Cargill’s PROSPER III initiative shows how private sector-NGO partnerships can support stronger communities and more resilient supply chains over time.

Akua Laadi, 34, is a mother of four from the Achiase community in Ghana. Before joining a local savings group and receiving training in baking and business management, she relied primarily on seasonal cocoa farming to support her family. Today, she runs her own bakery business, earns additional weekly income and is training two young women in her community.

Akua’s progress is meaningful on its own. It also reflects a broader lesson CARE and Cargill have learned over time: lasting progress depends on whether communities can keep building long after a project ends.

For more than 65 years, CARE and Cargill have partnered across agricultural communities around the world. Through that work, we’ve seen that durable outcomes depend on whether farmers and communities are connected to reliable markets, supported by strong local institutions and equipped with the knowledge and tools to adapt over time.

Read the full blog on lessons learned through our partnership here.

Originally published on Cargill’s LinkedIn by Eliza Clark, Vice President of Sustainability, Cargill Food, and Heather Pfahl, CARE’s Managing Director of Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Systems.

• Farmer livelihoods and supply chain resilience are deeply connected.
• Long-term progress depends on market access, local leadership and community-led systems that continue beyond project funding.
• CARE and Cargill’s PROSPER III initiative shows how private sector-NGO partnerships can support stronger communities and more resilient supply chains over time.

Akua Laadi, 34, is a mother of four from the Achiase community in Ghana. Before joining a local savings group and receiving training in baking and business management, she relied primarily on seasonal cocoa farming to support her family. Today, she runs her own bakery business, earns additional weekly income and is training two young women in her community.

Akua’s progress is meaningful on its own. It also reflects a broader lesson CARE and Cargill have learned over time: lasting progress depends on whether communities can keep building long after a project ends.

For more than 65 years, CARE and Cargill have partnered across agricultural communities around the world. Through that work, we’ve seen that durable outcomes depend on whether farmers and communities are connected to reliable markets, supported by strong local institutions and equipped with the knowledge and tools to adapt over time.

Read the full blog on lessons learned through our partnership here.

Motorola Solutions has been named one of America’s Most Charitable Companies by Newsweek, ranking #24 overall out of 300 designees, and #4 within the technology industry. 

This recognition reflects a deep commitment to service, brought to life through the Motorola Solutions Foundation. The company’s purpose is to help build safer communities, and that promise extends well beyond technology. It shows up in the people, places and causes the company supports around the world. Here’s what that looked like in 2025:

• 187 grants awarded across 22 countries, totaling $10 million to support first responder programs, and tech and engineering education.

• More than 126,000 volunteer hours logged by employees in 42 countries, with over $2.5 million awarded through employee giving programs.

• More than $275,000 donated to support communities recovering from natural and human-made disasters worldwide.

Behind every number is a person, a partnership and a community made stronger through a commitment to service and public safety. Motorola Solutions is grateful to its employees and partners who turn shared values into real-world impact, every single day. 

For a closer look at this work in action, read more about employee volunteerism and grant partnerships.

Motorola Solutions has been named one of America’s Most Charitable Companies by Newsweek, ranking #24 overall out of 300 designees, and #4 within the technology industry. 

This recognition reflects a deep commitment to service, brought to life through the Motorola Solutions Foundation. The company’s purpose is to help build safer communities, and that promise extends well beyond technology. It shows up in the people, places and causes the company supports around the world. Here’s what that looked like in 2025:

• 187 grants awarded across 22 countries, totaling $10 million to support first responder programs, and tech and engineering education.

• More than 126,000 volunteer hours logged by employees in 42 countries, with over $2.5 million awarded through employee giving programs.

• More than $275,000 donated to support communities recovering from natural and human-made disasters worldwide.

Behind every number is a person, a partnership and a community made stronger through a commitment to service and public safety. Motorola Solutions is grateful to its employees and partners who turn shared values into real-world impact, every single day. 

For a closer look at this work in action, read more about employee volunteerism and grant partnerships.

CLEVELAND, August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) today marks the third anniversary of Key Select Checking®, the interest-bearing checking account designed to reward clients for the direct deposits they make to their account. Since its launch three years ago, KeyBank has paid out nearly $7 million in annual cash bonuses to qualifying Key Select Checking clients.

“Three years ago, we set out to build a checking account that rewards clients for banking with Key,” said Josh Miller, Head of Consumer Acquisition Marketing & Product. “Today’s milestone is a testament to the trust our clients have placed in us and to our commitment in making their financial lives simpler and more rewarding.”

A Checking Account Built Around the Client

Key Select Checking was built on a straightforward premise: clients who maintain their banking relationship with KeyBank should be rewarded for it. The account is interest-bearing, meaning balances earn a variable interest rate that is compounded daily, in addition to the annual $100 cash bonus¹.

The account can be opened online in approximately five minutes and comes with a suite of features designed for everyday banking, including:

• Fee-free ATM access² at more than 40,000 KeyBank and Allpoint® ATMs nationwide
• ATM fee rebates³ of up to $6 per statement cycle for cash withdrawals from out-of-network ATMs
• Early Pay⁴: qualifying clients with direct deposit may receive their pay up to two days early
• Key Coverage Zone®⁵ — no overdraft fee from KeyBank if an account is overdrawn by $20 or less at the end of the day
• No-cost check options, with customized and designer options available for a fee

The $25 monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first three statement cycles⁶ for all new accounts, giving clients a seamless start. After that, the fee is waived when clients maintain $3,000 per statement cycle in eligible direct deposits or carry at least $15,000 in combined KeyBank account balances.

Earning the $100 Annual Cash Bonus¹

The centerpiece of Key Select Checking is a $100 annual cash bonus available to clients who meet straightforward direct deposit requirements. Here is how it works:

• After opening an account, clients enter an Evaluation Period, a 12-month-calendar window, that begins on the first day of the second full month following account opening.
• Clients must deposit at least $60,000 in eligible direct deposits over the course of that evaluation period (12 months) to be eligible for the $100 annual bonus
• At least one eligible direct deposit must be received during the final two calendar months of the evaluation period.

Clients who meet these requirements earn the $100 cash bonus, year after year. For clients who regularly direct deposit their paycheck or other recurring income, the requirements are straightforward to achieve, and the bonus resets each year, making Key Select Checking a genuinely recurring financial reward.

The Bonus Tracker: Putting Clients in Control

Last summer, KeyBank launched the Key Select Checking Bonus Tracker, a feature available through the KeyBank mobile app and online banking that gives clients real-time visibility into their progress toward the annual $100 cash bonus.

The Bonus Tracker displays the total amount of eligible direct deposits made to date, as well as the start and end dates of the client’s current evaluation period — so clients can check their bonus status at any time, without having to call or visit a branch.

“Transparency matters to our clients,” said Miller. “The Bonus Tracker is a natural extension of our commitment to putting clients in control of their money. By allowing clients to understand their progress and see where they stand in real time; they can stay informed and potentially make smarter decisions with regard to their finances.”

In its first year, the Bonus Tracker has become one of the most-used features within the Key Select Checking experience, reflecting client demand for clear, actionable financial information at their fingertips.

Three Years of Growing Client Value

Since launch, Key Select Checking has achieved significant milestones that reflect growing client adoption and satisfaction:

• Nearly $7 million in total annual bonuses paid out to qualifying clients
• Consistent year-over-year account growth driven by client referrals and KeyBank’s expanding digital banking presence

These figures underscore KeyBank’s broader mission to help clients achieve financial wellness through products that deliver real, tangible value — not just attractive introductory offers.
 

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $191 billion at June 30, 2026.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

###

^{CFMA 260727-4780178}

^{1 Key Select Checking Account is an interest-bearing account. Annual Percentage Yields (APY) are accurate as of July 24, 2026, for zip code 44114. 0.05% APY applies to balances of $0.00-$2,499.99, 0.05% APY on balances $2,500-$4,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $5,000-$9,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $10,000-$24,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $25,000-$49,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $50,000-$99,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $100,000-$249,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $250,000-$499,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $500,000-$999,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $1,000,000 and above. Key Select Checking Account is a variable rate account, rates may vary. Rates and terms may change at the bank’s discretion. Minimum balance to open this account is $50. Fees may reduce earnings.}

^{EVALUATION PERIOD DEFINITIONS}

• ^{New Key Select Checking Account: Your account will be reviewed for eligible deposits during the 12 calendar months following the first calendar day of the second full month after account opening.}

^{$100 BONUS}

• ^{Direct Deposits: To qualify for the $100 bonus, ALL of the following three requirements must be met. Eligible direct deposits:}
  • ^{Must total at least $60,000 during the Evaluation Period.}
  • ^{Are electronic automated clearing house (ACH) deposits. Examples of eligible direct deposits include, but are not limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Deposits made through a teller, ATM, or the KeyBank mobile app are ineligible direct deposits.} 
  • ^{At least one eligible direct deposit transaction (in any amount) must be received within the final two calendar months at the end of the Evaluation Period.}

^{Your account will be reviewed at the end of each Evaluation Period for cash bonus eligibility. Eligibility is based on cumulative direct deposits in the preceding Evaluation Period. Your $100 bonus will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099-INT. Your $100 bonus will be deposited into your checking account within 30 calendar days after the Evaluation Period has expired. If your account is converted into an account type other than a Key Select Checking Account during the Evaluation Period, progress toward the cash bonus is forfeited. Accounts that are closed or in a legally dormant status (legally dormant status is determined by applicable state law) at the end of the Evaluation Period or at the time of the bonus payout are not eligible for the bonus payment.}

^{2 There is no surcharge at KeyBank ATMs. There is also no surcharge at Allpoint ATMs when you use a KeyBank debit card linked to an eligible account. Ineligible accounts include Hassle‑Free Account®, savings accounts, and business accounts.}

^{3 There is no KeyBank fee if you use another bank’s ATM. However, a fee may be charged by the bank that owns the ATM. This fee, as well as any additional non-KeyBank charges or surcharges, will be included with the total withdrawal transaction amount. Your account will receive a refund of other bank’s ATM cash withdrawal surcharges when the withdrawals are made with any KeyBank Debit Mastercard®. The surcharge refund will be credited to your account at statement cycle and will not exceed a total refund of $6.00 per statement cycle. If you close your account or change your account type before the end of the statement cycle, other bank’s ATM cash withdrawal surcharges will not be reimbursed.}

^{4 Early Pay is a service included with your KeyBank consumer deposit account in which KeyBank makes your eligible direct deposits available up to two business days early. Eligible direct deposits include certain transactions such as payroll, government benefits, or similar types of payments. The Early Pay service is dependent on when KeyBank receives information from the payer that the funds are on the way, this could vary, and you may not always receive your funds early. You cannot opt out of Early Pay.}

^{5 Overdraft Item Charges are $20 per item. Charges apply to transactions created by check, in-person withdrawal, recurring debit card transactions, or other electronic means. Overdraft charges will not be imposed on ATM withdrawals or one-time debit card items unless the customer has opted in authorizing Key to pay these items into overdraft and assess a charge. You agree to pay us the full amount of any overdraft on your Account immediately upon demand, together with any additional charges we assess. KeyBank’s approval of overdrafts is a discretionary courtesy. For Consumer accounts: No charges will be assessed when the account is overdrawn twenty ($20) dollars or less at the end of the day. Overdraft charges are assessed on up to three (3) items per day, with the maximum not to exceed $60 per day per account. Overdraft charges may not post on the same day as the transaction which triggers the fee(s). There is a cap of 20 assessed overdraft charges within a monthly statement period. If at the end of the day, your account’s overdrawn available balance is more than $20 for 5 consecutive business days, an additional $20 Recurring Overdraft Service Charge will be assessed. See your accounts Personal Checking Account Fees and Disclosures for additional information and Personal Savings Overdraft Protection Agreement for further information on linking savings account for protection.}

^{6 $25 monthly maintenance fee (waived for the first 3 months). After the three (3) month grace period the monthly maintenance fee can be avoided if either of the requirements are met in a statement cycle:}

• ^{The combined balance in any combination of KeyBank checking, savings, certificates of deposit, retirement deposit, and Key Investment Services LLC (KIS) accounts was $15,000 or more during the statement cycle.}

^OR

• ^{You have eligible direct deposits totaling at least $3,000 during each statement cycle.}

^{Investment products are offered through Key Investment Services LLC (KIS), member FINRA/SIPC and SEC-registered investment advisor.}

^{Insurance products are offered through KeyCorp Insurance Agency USA, Inc. (KIA). KIS and KIA are non-bank affiliates of KeyBank National Association (KeyBank).}

^{Non-Deposit products are:}

^{NOT FDIC INSURED•NOT BANK GUARANTEED•MAY LOSE VALUE•NOT A DEPOSIT•NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY}

^{KIS, KIA and KeyBank are separate entities, and when you buy or sell securities and insurance products you are doing business with KIS and/or KIA, and not KeyBank.}

CLEVELAND, August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) today marks the third anniversary of Key Select Checking®, the interest-bearing checking account designed to reward clients for the direct deposits they make to their account. Since its launch three years ago, KeyBank has paid out nearly $7 million in annual cash bonuses to qualifying Key Select Checking clients.

“Three years ago, we set out to build a checking account that rewards clients for banking with Key,” said Josh Miller, Head of Consumer Acquisition Marketing & Product. “Today’s milestone is a testament to the trust our clients have placed in us and to our commitment in making their financial lives simpler and more rewarding.”

A Checking Account Built Around the Client

Key Select Checking was built on a straightforward premise: clients who maintain their banking relationship with KeyBank should be rewarded for it. The account is interest-bearing, meaning balances earn a variable interest rate that is compounded daily, in addition to the annual $100 cash bonus¹.

The account can be opened online in approximately five minutes and comes with a suite of features designed for everyday banking, including:

• Fee-free ATM access² at more than 40,000 KeyBank and Allpoint® ATMs nationwide
• ATM fee rebates³ of up to $6 per statement cycle for cash withdrawals from out-of-network ATMs
• Early Pay⁴: qualifying clients with direct deposit may receive their pay up to two days early
• Key Coverage Zone®⁵ — no overdraft fee from KeyBank if an account is overdrawn by $20 or less at the end of the day
• No-cost check options, with customized and designer options available for a fee

The $25 monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first three statement cycles⁶ for all new accounts, giving clients a seamless start. After that, the fee is waived when clients maintain $3,000 per statement cycle in eligible direct deposits or carry at least $15,000 in combined KeyBank account balances.

Earning the $100 Annual Cash Bonus¹

The centerpiece of Key Select Checking is a $100 annual cash bonus available to clients who meet straightforward direct deposit requirements. Here is how it works:

• After opening an account, clients enter an Evaluation Period, a 12-month-calendar window, that begins on the first day of the second full month following account opening.
• Clients must deposit at least $60,000 in eligible direct deposits over the course of that evaluation period (12 months) to be eligible for the $100 annual bonus
• At least one eligible direct deposit must be received during the final two calendar months of the evaluation period.

Clients who meet these requirements earn the $100 cash bonus, year after year. For clients who regularly direct deposit their paycheck or other recurring income, the requirements are straightforward to achieve, and the bonus resets each year, making Key Select Checking a genuinely recurring financial reward.

The Bonus Tracker: Putting Clients in Control

Last summer, KeyBank launched the Key Select Checking Bonus Tracker, a feature available through the KeyBank mobile app and online banking that gives clients real-time visibility into their progress toward the annual $100 cash bonus.

The Bonus Tracker displays the total amount of eligible direct deposits made to date, as well as the start and end dates of the client’s current evaluation period — so clients can check their bonus status at any time, without having to call or visit a branch.

“Transparency matters to our clients,” said Miller. “The Bonus Tracker is a natural extension of our commitment to putting clients in control of their money. By allowing clients to understand their progress and see where they stand in real time; they can stay informed and potentially make smarter decisions with regard to their finances.”

In its first year, the Bonus Tracker has become one of the most-used features within the Key Select Checking experience, reflecting client demand for clear, actionable financial information at their fingertips.

Three Years of Growing Client Value

Since launch, Key Select Checking has achieved significant milestones that reflect growing client adoption and satisfaction:

• Nearly $7 million in total annual bonuses paid out to qualifying clients
• Consistent year-over-year account growth driven by client referrals and KeyBank’s expanding digital banking presence

These figures underscore KeyBank’s broader mission to help clients achieve financial wellness through products that deliver real, tangible value — not just attractive introductory offers.
 

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $191 billion at June 30, 2026.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

###

^{CFMA 260727-4780178}

^{1 Key Select Checking Account is an interest-bearing account. Annual Percentage Yields (APY) are accurate as of July 24, 2026, for zip code 44114. 0.05% APY applies to balances of $0.00-$2,499.99, 0.05% APY on balances $2,500-$4,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $5,000-$9,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $10,000-$24,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $25,000-$49,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $50,000-$99,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $100,000-$249,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $250,000-$499,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $500,000-$999,999.99, 0.05% APY on balances $1,000,000 and above. Key Select Checking Account is a variable rate account, rates may vary. Rates and terms may change at the bank’s discretion. Minimum balance to open this account is $50. Fees may reduce earnings.}

^{EVALUATION PERIOD DEFINITIONS}

• ^{New Key Select Checking Account: Your account will be reviewed for eligible deposits during the 12 calendar months following the first calendar day of the second full month after account opening.}

^{$100 BONUS}

• ^{Direct Deposits: To qualify for the $100 bonus, ALL of the following three requirements must be met. Eligible direct deposits:}
  • ^{Must total at least $60,000 during the Evaluation Period.}
  • ^{Are electronic automated clearing house (ACH) deposits. Examples of eligible direct deposits include, but are not limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Deposits made through a teller, ATM, or the KeyBank mobile app are ineligible direct deposits.} 
  • ^{At least one eligible direct deposit transaction (in any amount) must be received within the final two calendar months at the end of the Evaluation Period.}

^{Your account will be reviewed at the end of each Evaluation Period for cash bonus eligibility. Eligibility is based on cumulative direct deposits in the preceding Evaluation Period. Your $100 bonus will be reported to the IRS on Form 1099-INT. Your $100 bonus will be deposited into your checking account within 30 calendar days after the Evaluation Period has expired. If your account is converted into an account type other than a Key Select Checking Account during the Evaluation Period, progress toward the cash bonus is forfeited. Accounts that are closed or in a legally dormant status (legally dormant status is determined by applicable state law) at the end of the Evaluation Period or at the time of the bonus payout are not eligible for the bonus payment.}

^{2 There is no surcharge at KeyBank ATMs. There is also no surcharge at Allpoint ATMs when you use a KeyBank debit card linked to an eligible account. Ineligible accounts include Hassle‑Free Account®, savings accounts, and business accounts.}

^{3 There is no KeyBank fee if you use another bank’s ATM. However, a fee may be charged by the bank that owns the ATM. This fee, as well as any additional non-KeyBank charges or surcharges, will be included with the total withdrawal transaction amount. Your account will receive a refund of other bank’s ATM cash withdrawal surcharges when the withdrawals are made with any KeyBank Debit Mastercard®. The surcharge refund will be credited to your account at statement cycle and will not exceed a total refund of $6.00 per statement cycle. If you close your account or change your account type before the end of the statement cycle, other bank’s ATM cash withdrawal surcharges will not be reimbursed.}

^{4 Early Pay is a service included with your KeyBank consumer deposit account in which KeyBank makes your eligible direct deposits available up to two business days early. Eligible direct deposits include certain transactions such as payroll, government benefits, or similar types of payments. The Early Pay service is dependent on when KeyBank receives information from the payer that the funds are on the way, this could vary, and you may not always receive your funds early. You cannot opt out of Early Pay.}

^{5 Overdraft Item Charges are $20 per item. Charges apply to transactions created by check, in-person withdrawal, recurring debit card transactions, or other electronic means. Overdraft charges will not be imposed on ATM withdrawals or one-time debit card items unless the customer has opted in authorizing Key to pay these items into overdraft and assess a charge. You agree to pay us the full amount of any overdraft on your Account immediately upon demand, together with any additional charges we assess. KeyBank’s approval of overdrafts is a discretionary courtesy. For Consumer accounts: No charges will be assessed when the account is overdrawn twenty ($20) dollars or less at the end of the day. Overdraft charges are assessed on up to three (3) items per day, with the maximum not to exceed $60 per day per account. Overdraft charges may not post on the same day as the transaction which triggers the fee(s). There is a cap of 20 assessed overdraft charges within a monthly statement period. If at the end of the day, your account’s overdrawn available balance is more than $20 for 5 consecutive business days, an additional $20 Recurring Overdraft Service Charge will be assessed. See your accounts Personal Checking Account Fees and Disclosures for additional information and Personal Savings Overdraft Protection Agreement for further information on linking savings account for protection.}

^{6 $25 monthly maintenance fee (waived for the first 3 months). After the three (3) month grace period the monthly maintenance fee can be avoided if either of the requirements are met in a statement cycle:}

• ^{The combined balance in any combination of KeyBank checking, savings, certificates of deposit, retirement deposit, and Key Investment Services LLC (KIS) accounts was $15,000 or more during the statement cycle.}

^OR

• ^{You have eligible direct deposits totaling at least $3,000 during each statement cycle.}

^{Investment products are offered through Key Investment Services LLC (KIS), member FINRA/SIPC and SEC-registered investment advisor.}

^{Insurance products are offered through KeyCorp Insurance Agency USA, Inc. (KIA). KIS and KIA are non-bank affiliates of KeyBank National Association (KeyBank).}

^{Non-Deposit products are:}

^{NOT FDIC INSURED•NOT BANK GUARANTEED•MAY LOSE VALUE•NOT A DEPOSIT•NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY}

^{KIS, KIA and KeyBank are separate entities, and when you buy or sell securities and insurance products you are doing business with KIS and/or KIA, and not KeyBank.}

While kidney transplant is the optimal treatment path for end stage kidney disease (ESKD), complex logistical, financial and educational barriers can often stand in the way for many patients interested in pursuing it.

The process can require rigorous medical, financial and emotional preparation. Clinical social workers help with this. In addition to guiding patients to successful transplantation, they help drive systemic efficiencies that can help reduce long-term costs and help increase access to life-saving transplant care.

The Critical Role of Social Workers as Educators and Supporters

Getting on and staying on the transplant waitlist requires understanding health information and needs, persistent advocacy, the ability to navigate complex healthcare systems. Social workers play a foundational role in this process by helping:

• Support Navigating the Process: Educating patients on the medical and logistical requirements of receiving a transplant, helping to resolve or mitigate anxiety or ambivalence the patient may be experiencing.
• Address Social Drivers of Health: Identifying and mitigating barriers such as transportation, financial instability or lack of caregiver support that could disqualify a patient from transplant eligibility.
• Provide Encouragement: Advocating for patients and helping  take an active role in their care, which supports adherence and long-term outcomes.

A Personal Perspective on the Transplant Journey: Angela Laino

In January 2026, Angela Laino made the profound decision to become a living donor.

“I just felt like that was my purpose,” Laino says. “It really was on my heart, like something was driving me in that direction.”

Laino was already familiar with the impact living donation can have on kidney patients. As a DaVita social worker, she has supported patients in pursuing their own kidney transplant goals — educating them on the process, connecting them with transplant centers, talking through the potential to find a living donor and more.

In addition to supporting patients directly, Laino collaborates with transplant champions across DaVita and divisional lead social workers. By sharing updates on transplantation and discussing the potential impact on patients, Angela and others collaborate on ways to support field social workers in their work with transplantation and help provide the tools they need for success.

“Education — for patients and for care teams — is an ongoing dialogue,” Laino says. “Now, I lean on my personal experience in addition to the experiences I’ve had working with patients.”

By integrating her lived experiences with clinical expertise, Laino is dedicated to creating connection that resonates with patients.

“There are quite a few myths that exist around transplant — many of them are what we call modifiable barriers. These can include age, weight, tobacco use or previous cancer diagnoses,” Laino shares. “We educate in a variety of formats to help dispel those myths.”

Addressing these modifiable barriers through targeted clinical techniques, DaVita social workers are providing a scalable health model — keeping patients on track for transplant and helping address clinical and non-clinical risks for high-cost acute care.

Driving System-Wide Value Through Patient Education

When patients are adequately prepared for a transplant, the healthcare system benefits as a whole. Effective social work intervention can help support:

• Reduced Time to Wait List: Proactive education helps patients complete evaluations faster with increased trust. Studies have shown that effective education increased understanding of the evaluation process and waitlist placement while also reducing concerns about waitlist placement.
• Improved Transplant Survival Rates: Educated patients are more likely to adhere to complex post-transplant medication regimens, reducing the risk of rejection and costly readmissions.
• Optimized Resource Use: When social workers can address social drivers of health early, they can strategically help reduce risk of emergency interventions and lower the cost of care.

“At DaVita, we go beyond education. With our training, we are positioned in our centers to provide behavioral health interventions for our patients so they can break down barriers to transplant,” Laino shares.

This includes supporting patients through motivational interviewing, assessing their readiness for change and advocating for them so they have a good understanding of the expectations in the transplant journey.

“For example, if I have a patient who uses tobacco, I can provide counseling and resources to help the patient stop tobacco use,” Laino says. “If a patient needs to meet a certain goal weight to be evaluated for transplant, I collaborate with the clinic dietitian. I will also use clinical interventions, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused brief counseling interventions. It is all about meeting the patient where they are and supporting them in meeting their goals. We work to empower our patients, so that they can be successful in the goals they set for themselves.”

The Systemic Value of Transplant Care

Ultimately, the journey from dialysis to a successful kidney transplant is not achieved through clinical intervention alone. It requires a holistic care model where social workers are empowered to act as educators, advocates and skilled clinicians.

By creating access to multidisciplinary care, DaVita is working to increase access to transplant for every eligible patient.

August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – As demand grows for market-based solutions that address climate change, biodiversity loss and growing fiscal pressures facing many countries, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is expanding its impact investing and nature finance team, NatureVest. This expansion reflects TNC’s commitment to advancing innovative financing solutions that deliver conservation, climate, community, economic, and fiscal benefits while maximizing emerging opportunities to scale impact.

Since its launch in 2014, NatureVest has built a portfolio representing more than $4 billion in committed capital across more than 25 countries, demonstrating how well-structured investments can support ecosystems, strengthen community resilience and generate competitive financial returns. To support this momentum, NatureVest has appointed Jennifer (Jen) Louie as Managing Director of Nature Finance, alongside two new senior roles supporting its innovative sovereign debt and climate-finance projects. Together, these additions strengthen NatureVest’s existing ability to source, structure and close transactions across its strategic areas.

Jen brings more than two decades of experience spanning investment management, private credit, debt capital markets and impact investing, including leadership roles at Closed Loop Partners and across emerging markets in Africa and Asia. As Managing Director of Nature Finance, Jen leads the teams responsible for sourcing and advancing new opportunities across private impact investing and sovereign debt solutions and emerging climate-finance initiatives.

A key component of this work is supporting the pipeline for TNC’s Nature Bonds Program, which pioneered the debt conversion model that helps countries unlock sustainable long-term financing for nationally aligned conservation and climate priorities while advancing their financial, economic, and development goals. To date, TNC has successfully closed six Nature Bonds projects now in implementation in Seychelles, Barbados, Belize, Gabon, The Bahamas and Ecuador. Over the past decade, TNC has built an interdisciplinary team of dedicated finance, legal, conservation and climate science, trust fund and safeguards experts to advance this growing asset class. As interest in debt-for-nature and related sovereign debt transactions grows globally, TNC continues to advance a pipeline of potential debt conversion opportunities around the world, drawing on TNC’s deep expertise in originating, structuring, negotiating and executing these debt conversions.

To support this growing body of work, NatureVest has also recruited Matthew Newman as a Director, Sustainable Debt, where he will lead large-scale sovereign debt transactions across emerging markets to mobilize capital for climate and nature at scale. Matthew brings nearly a decade of experience in impact investing, development finance and transaction advisory within emerging markets, including roles at ISF Advisors and Impact Investment Exchange, where he designed and structured blended finance solutions across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In addition, Heather Bateman recently joined NatureVest as a Director, Impact Investments, Green Climate Fund, where she will lead efforts to develop, structure, and advance investment opportunities that leverage Green Climate Fund resources in support of climate resilience. Heather brings more than 15 years of experience in global finance, impact investing, and international development advisory, including from her most recent role as Investment Director at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, where she led debt and credit guarantee transactions with financial institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

“For more than a decade, NatureVest has helped demonstrate that conservation outcomes and investment outcomes can go hand in hand,” said Cat Burns, Managing Director of NatureVest. “We’re expanding our team to build on that foundation and scale the next generation of finance solutions that meet the moment.”

“The challenges facing our world today require solutions that bring together diverse stakeholders, expertise and sources of capital,” said Melissa Weigel Benn, Managing Director, Strategy & Capital Raising at TNC. “Working with fund managers, sovereign nations, capital providers, credit enhancers, trust funds, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, TNC designs innovative approaches that align financial and conservation objectives. From private impact investment strategies to sovereign debt solutions, we see tremendous opportunity to help mobilize capital and build on our track record to meet the growing demand for practical, scalable nature finance solutions.”

Looking ahead, this new leadership will help scale TNC’s impact, deepen strategic collaborations, and pursue emerging opportunities.

 

Media Contact

Rachel Winters
Deputy Director, Global Media Relations
The Nature Conservancy
Email: rwinters@tnc.org

AMSTERDAM, August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party sustainability certification and verification for more than 40 years, today announced that Elena Schmidt will join the company as Managing Director of SCS Europe, effective January 2027.

Schmidt brings 18 years of experience in sustainability and decarbonization to the role, having worked as an auditor, standard setter, innovator, market enabler, government advisor, and industry partner. She joins SCS Global Services from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), where she served as Executive Director and led the organization through a period of significant growth and transformation.

During her tenure at RSB, Schmidt oversaw the establishment of the RSB Book & Claim system, now recognized as a best practice adopted across the aviation, shipping, road, and heavy industry sectors. She also advised on the development of sustainability criteria and a certification framework for International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and she led development of the Biomass Balance Standard in collaboration with BASF, now adopted across multiple industries and regions worldwide.

Schmidt currently serves on the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Validation Council and on the Board of the Smart Freight Centre.

“It is an honor to join a company that has embedded sustainability in its mission for more than 40 years,” said Schmidt. “At SCS Global Services, sustainability is not merely a product line among many; it is the company’s purpose.”

Schmidt’s appointment builds on the momentum of SCS Global Services Europe B.V., the company’s dedicated EU-based entity established to help companies navigate the region’s expanding climate and sustainability regulatory landscape, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

“I am eager to establish SCS Europe as a premier certification partner for industry and the public sector, renowned for impartial assessments, scientific expertise, and exceptional quality,” said Schmidt. “Our goal is to assist decision-makers in procurement and investments, ensure compliance with regulatory and voluntary standards, support credible claims, and enhance supply chain resilience through measurable progress in sustainability metrics.”

About SCS Global Services: 

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

Media Contact 

Rachel Barnhart  
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations  
SCS Global Services  
Email: rbarnhart@scsglobalservices.com 

MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has been recognized by the Business Intelligence Group (BIG) with a 2026 Sustainability Product of the Year Award (Physical Category) for its bio-based solvent portfolio for High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Launched in April 2026, the award-winning portfolio is the first-of-its-kind, patent-pending line of bio-based HPLC solvents. The portfolio helps laboratories deliver on average 25.9% lower carbon dioxide equivalents compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based HPLC-grade solvents. Designed as true drop-in replacements, the solvents enable customers to advance their sustainability goals without changing validated methods, modifying instruments or disrupting laboratory workflows.

 

The BIG Sustainability Awards recognize companies, products and teams that are translating sustainability commitments into measurable business and environmental outcomes. This year’s winners represent organizations that are embedding sustainability into the way they design products, operate their businesses, and create long-term value.

Judges said the submission stood out because it, “clearly demonstrated a strong technical innovation with measurable sustainability benefits and a well-defined value proposition.” They also noted it, “delivers a meaningful carbon reduction without forcing laboratories to redevelop validated methods.”

This recognition underscores MilliporeSigma’s commitment to embedding sustainability into product innovation by developing solutions that help customers reduce their environmental impact while maintaining the quality, precision and reliability essential to scientific research and manufacturing.

To explore this year’s BIG Sustainability Award winners, visit the BIG’s website.

Learn more about MilliporeSigma’s Sustainability & Social Business Innovation initiatives.