Tag: 3BL

By Ashley Foster

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Regions Bank announced a series of disaster-recovery financial services designed to help people and businesses impacted by devastating severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that affected parts of the Midwest and Southeast from April 2 through April 7.

“For many, recent storms have been life altering; first and foremost, our hearts are with each and every person experiencing loss of any kind,” said Kate Danella, head of Regions’ Consumer Banking Group. “Our teams are part of these communities, and we’re ready to listen to customers’ unique needs and offer solutions to help them get through this time. We’re also offering specific discounts, loan programs and fee waivers as the recovery moves forward. This is a very difficult time, but we’ll get through it together as friends and neighbors.”

For many, recent storms have been life altering; first and foremost, our hearts are with each and every person experiencing loss of any kind.Kate Danella, head of Regions’ Consumer Banking Group

Areas covered by these offers include several communities^[2] in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Additional communities may be added pending further damage assessments. Special options available for a limited time in affected communities include:

• Regions Mortgage Disaster Relief Purchase and Renovation loan programs.^[1]
• Regions will waive ATM surcharges for non-Regions customers using Regions ATMs in the impacted areas^[2] for seven days beginning April 15, 2025.
• Non-Regions ATM fees will be waived when Regions customers use other banks’ ATMs in the impacted areas^[2] for at least seven days beginning April 15, 2025. (Note: Fees charged by other banks or ATM owners may still apply.)
• No check-cashing fees will be charged for FEMA-issued checks when cashed in a Regions branch.^[3]
• Personal and business loan payment assistance is available.^[4]
• Payment deferrals are available for current credit card holders.^[4]
• Business loan payment deferrals of up to 90 days are available, expiring July 15, 2025.^[4]
• One penalty-free CD withdrawal is available upon request (unless within seven days of issuance or renewal) for up to 90 days, expiring July 15, 2025.
• An interest rate discount of up to 0.50% on new personal unsecured loans when customers in impacted areas apply in a branch or by phone^[5]. The offer is available for up to 90 days, expiring July 15, 2025.
• An interest rate discount of up to 0.50% on non-business auto loans when customers in impacted areas apply in-branch or by phone^[6]. The offer is available for up to 90 days, expiring July 15, 2025.
• Customer Assistance:
• For help with personal loans, credit cards, lines of credit, mortgage or home equity line of credit: 1-800-221-7471
• For help with any other banking need: 1-800-411-9393

Customers are also encouraged to visit Regions Bank’s online Disaster Relief Center at www.regions.com/DisasterRelief, as well as Regions’ Customer Assistance Program at www.regions.com/help/customer-assistance-program, for timely information on financial recovery programs, loan assistance resources, and more.

“Our communities matter greatly to us, and our ability to support them during times of rebuilding and recovery helps us create pathways toward renewed stability,” said John Jordan, head of Retail for Regions Bank. “Whether through local Regions branches, our Contact Centers or our website, we are ready to hear from you and help you move forward.”

Additionally, Regions urges both people and businesses to stay informed and safe from fraud, as scammers frequently use natural disasters to access accounts of those in need.

About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $157 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.
 

^{[1] All loans and lines of credit are subject to terms and conditions, fees, documentation requirements, and credit approval.}

^{[2] Offers are available for a limited time and only to individuals and businesses affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding April 2-7 in the following ZIP codes. Other ZIP codes may be added to this list based on updated storm surveys and damage reports: 37010, 37032, 37040, 37041, 37042, 37043, 37044, 38015, 38023, 38039, 38041, 38044, 38053, 38063, 38361, 38370, 38375, 38618, 38642, 38647, 38661 38665, 39153, 39481, 40007, 40011, 40018, 40036, 40051, 40057, 40058, 40075, 40107, 40150, 40245, 40269, 40299, 40342, 40355, 40359, 40363, 40372, 40383, 40601, 40602, 40603, 40604, 40618, 40619, 40620, 40621, 40622, 41008, 41098, 42001, 42023, 42024, 42031, 42050, 42053, 42056, 42086, 42240, 42327, 42371 42748, 46051, 46112, 46278, 47108, 47165, 47260, 47281, 47421, 47446, 47467, 47519, 47527, 47553, 47567, 47581, 47720, 47725, 62246, 62255, 62258, 62264, 62284, 62468, 62918, 62924, 62939, 62940, 62941, 62942, 62949, 62956, 62966, 62970, 62975, 62996, 63021, 63025, 63026, 63088, 63099, 63127, 63740, 63744, 63763, 63787, 63845, 63901, 63902, 63932, 63954, 63961, 63967, 65276, 71866, 72020, 72075, 72112, 72329, 72338, 72350, 72358, 72370, 72395, 72396, 72411, 72415, 72434, 72437, 72447, 72455, 72460, 72501, 72503, 72519, 72527, 72540, 72550, 72553, 72555, 72556, 72560, 72562, 72564, 72567, 72571, 72575, 72579, 72824, 72833, 72834, 72904, 72956, 75426, 75668. Offers may be subject to other exclusions and restrictions and are subject to change without notice. All loans and lines, deferrals, extensions, or forbearances may be subject to required documentation and credit approval. Residency restrictions may apply. Special loan interest rates may be determined by applicant’s credit profile and may not extend to products offered by third parties, such as Avant.}

^{[3] The FEMA no-check-cashing fee offer is available only to Regions customers; if you are not a Regions customer, you must enroll in Now Banking. No checking account is required to enroll in Now Banking. Regions reserves the right to refuse to cash any check.}

^{[4] May be subject to credit approval. Interest will continue to accrue during the period that the payment is skipped or deferred. For installment loans, deferring or skipping payment may extend the maturity of your loan but will not automatically extend any optional insurance. Forbearances, skipped payments and deferrals (a) may vary by customer, (b) postpone – rather than forgive – certain payment obligations and (c) may require payment in full of the postponed payments at the end of the forbearance or deferral period, in addition to any other amounts that come due, unless you make other arrangements with Regions to resolve the delinquency.}

^{[5] New personal unsecured loan and new auto loan rate discounts may not be combined with other special offers or discounts.}

^{[6] You must have a deposit account with Regions that has been open for at least six months in order to be eligible for an automobile loan. Auto loan rate discount of up to 0.50% includes 0.25% disaster relief rate discount with an additional 0.25% rate discount when you enroll in auto debit payments from an existing Regions checking account. Auto loan rate discounts cannot be combined with other special offers or discounts.}

Previously published by Forbes

While climate risk, social equity and ethical governance used to be peripheral concerns, they are now central to long-term business success. According to GMP Global, delivering profits is no longer sufficient, businesses are now expected to play a meaningful role in shaping a sustainable future. At the same time, technology is rapidly evolving, offering powerful new tools to help companies meet these challenges head on.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out not just as a driver of operational efficiency, but as a catalyst for smarter, more sustainable decision-making.

Continue reading here.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

By Katelyn Armas

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career journey, and what led you to your current role.

Hi, I’m Nate. Like many who have spent decades in the tech industry, my career journey began somewhat by chance. Fresh out of college and uncertain about my next steps, a family member suggested I apply for a role in the Customer Contact Center at GoDaddy. It was a significant improvement over my job at the time, so I decided to take the leap.

I spent several years directly assisting customers, finding immense satisfaction in solving problems and making a tangible impact on their businesses. This daily motivation drove me to grow, and as I sought ways to make a broader impact, I transitioned into leadership within the Contact Center. Leading teams was a rewarding experience, and I enjoyed the challenge of mentoring and empowering others. Over time, I began to see opportunities to drive even greater change, particularly in the tools and systems our teams relied on every day. This realization led me to my current role in Product Management, where I focus on enhancing the tooling that supports our entire Contact Center.

Looking back, my journey has been about embracing challenges and seeking opportunities to create a positive impact. With a mix of curiosity and a willingness to say “yes” to new experiences, I believe this approach has allowed many of us at GoDaddy to advance our careers.

How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work?

Staying motivated is an evolving challenge—what drives you one year might change the next. For me, maintaining motivation comes down to two key factors:

First, a positive attitude and a bias for action. Constantly seeking improvements and witnessing those enhancements take shape make it hard not to stay energized for the next challenge.

Second, the people. The work I do directly impacts colleagues I’ve collaborated with over the years, and knowing that I’m making their jobs easier and more effective keeps me engaged. Seeing the tangible benefits of our efforts—whether it’s a more efficient workflow or a better user experience—is incredibly inspiring.

If you had to describe GoDaddy’s culture in one word, what would it be and why?

Tenacious.

At GoDaddy, the “Go” isn’t just part of our name—it defines how we operate. We are relentless in our pursuit of better solutions, always pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.

Innovation, improvement, and problem-solving are ingrained in our DNA, and we never settle for “good enough” when we know we can do better.

Once we set a vision, we commit to seeing it through with determination and resilience. Whether it’s developing new products, enhancing customer experiences, or overcoming unexpected challenges, we push forward with purpose. Our tenacity ensures that we don’t just meet expectations—we exceed them, delivering meaningful results for both our customers and teams.

Can you share an example of how you collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless product integrations?

Working on CRM systems means collaborating with teams across the organization on projects ranging from minor enhancements to large-scale implementations. Each project requires input from Engineering, Operations, Customer Support, Product Management, and sometimes Legal and Compliance teams. Successful collaboration starts with clearly defined goals and well-vetted requirements, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on the desired outcomes. This prevents scope creep and misalignment, helping teams stay focused on delivering value. Equally important is fostering open communication—regular check-ins, shared documentation, and transparent decision-making help identify issues early rather than at the last minute. A robust cross-functional approach ensures each team understands their responsibilities and how their work impacts others, creating a smoother integration process.

Even with thorough planning, unexpected challenges will arise—whether from shifting business priorities, technical limitations, or unforeseen complexities. Adaptability and strong leadership are key to keeping projects on track. A great leader drives progress with a problem-solving mindset, ensuring the team remains focused even when obstacles appear. The ability to pivot, find creative solutions, and maintain forward momentum is what ultimately turns a complex integration into a success. When clear goals, effective communication, and adaptability come together, cross-functional teams can deliver seamless integrations that enhance both business operations as well as the customer experience.

What’s the most challenging yet rewarding thing that you’ve worked on at GoDaddy?

Implementing Salesforce.

Anyone familiar with Salesforce knows how complex and powerful the platform can be. When I first stepped into the implementation process, I had zero experience with Salesforce, yet we were tasked with rolling it out under tight deadlines. This meant simultaneously learning the intricacies of the system while making high-stakes decisions that would eventually impact thousands of employees and, ultimately, our customers.

The challenge wasn’t just about understanding Salesforce itself—it was about translating business needs into a system that could improve efficiency, enhance the customer experience, and empower our teams. We had to navigate countless integration points, customize workflows to align with our specific operational requirements, and ensure a seamless transition without disrupting daily operations. Balancing all of these moving pieces while meeting aggressive timelines required constant problem-solving, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration.

Despite the initial difficulties, the payoff was absolutely worth it. Seeing the system go live, watching our teams leverage new capabilities, and hearing feedback about how it has made their work easier and more efficient was incredibly rewarding. What once seemed like an overwhelming challenge evolved into a powerful tool that enables our Contact Center to provide better service, streamline operations, and adapt to future needs. This experience reinforced my belief that the biggest challenges often lead to the most meaningful growth.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I have a deep passion for storytelling, particularly through writing science fiction. I love crafting new worlds, exploring futuristic concepts, and imagining how technology and human nature might evolve. Writing is both a creative outlet and a way to challenge my own thinking. I’m also an avid reader and enjoy diving into a wide range of genres, from sci-fi and fantasy to history and psychology. There’s something fascinating about exploring different perspectives and ideas, whether through fiction or non-fiction.

When I need to unwind, you’ll often find me watching TV shows or playing video games. I appreciate well-written narratives, whether in a gripping series or an immersive MMO. Video games, in particular, offer a unique blend of storytelling and interactivity that I find incredibly engaging.

Traveling is another passion of mine. I love experiencing new cultures, trying different foods, and stepping outside of my comfort zone to see the world from a fresh perspective. Even if it’s just a weekend getaway, there’s something exciting about exploring new places.

Of course, spending quality time with my family and my dog is a top priority. Whether it’s a casual evening at home or an adventure outdoor, I cherish those moments of connection and relaxation.

Lastly, I have a natural curiosity and a love for learning. Whether it’s picking up a new skill, diving into a documentary, or tinkering with a new technology, I’m always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and challenge myself in new ways.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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MARYSVILLE, Ohio, MAy 7, 2025 /3BL/ – To connect more children to gardens and outdoor play, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening awarded grants to 170 community-level programs under the annual GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant initiative.

From spring through fall, the programs will start or expand youth gardens and green spaces. Selections for the 2025 GroMoreGood grant recipients were based upon the learning impact, including factors such as individual program participants, prior funding and socioeconomic reach, among others.

“We are grateful to partner with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation to support the GroMoreGood Grassroots Grants and bring the transformative power of gardens to communities nationwide,” says Em Shipman, KidsGardening executive director. “This year’s recipients are truly inspiring—restoring gardens after natural disasters, creating inclusive spaces for youth with disabilities and revitalizing community gardens for after-school programs.”

The 2025 recipients span 44 states across the country and anticipate connecting more than 38,000 youth with garden-based learning opportunities. For a full list of GroMoreGood Grassroots grantees, visit GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant Winners.

“This year was notable with the number of unique proposals that reflected the challenges and opportunities many communities are facing,” said Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We’re confident these grantees not only will help foster a growing appreciation for gardens and green spaces, but also create positive experiences grounded in their many environmental, health and wellness benefits.”

Awards were distributed to the winners at the end of March 2025.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation
The mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next generation, and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. For more information, visit www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.

About KidsGardening
KidsGardening is a national nonprofit organization creating opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening. They provide grants and original educational materials to more than 2.7 million kids across the country. For more information and to support their work, visit www.kidsgardening.org.

For media inquiries: Katherine Dickens Director, ESG and Social Impact
katherine.dickens@scotts.com

Beth Saunders KidsGardening Marketing and Communications Director
beths@kidsgardening.org

View original content here.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, MAy 7, 2025 /3BL/ – To connect more children to gardens and outdoor play, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening awarded grants to 170 community-level programs under the annual GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant initiative.

From spring through fall, the programs will start or expand youth gardens and green spaces. Selections for the 2025 GroMoreGood grant recipients were based upon the learning impact, including factors such as individual program participants, prior funding and socioeconomic reach, among others.

“We are grateful to partner with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation to support the GroMoreGood Grassroots Grants and bring the transformative power of gardens to communities nationwide,” says Em Shipman, KidsGardening executive director. “This year’s recipients are truly inspiring—restoring gardens after natural disasters, creating inclusive spaces for youth with disabilities and revitalizing community gardens for after-school programs.”

The 2025 recipients span 44 states across the country and anticipate connecting more than 38,000 youth with garden-based learning opportunities. For a full list of GroMoreGood Grassroots grantees, visit GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant Winners.

“This year was notable with the number of unique proposals that reflected the challenges and opportunities many communities are facing,” said Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We’re confident these grantees not only will help foster a growing appreciation for gardens and green spaces, but also create positive experiences grounded in their many environmental, health and wellness benefits.”

Awards were distributed to the winners at the end of March 2025.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation
The mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next generation, and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. For more information, visit www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.

About KidsGardening
KidsGardening is a national nonprofit organization creating opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening. They provide grants and original educational materials to more than 2.7 million kids across the country. For more information and to support their work, visit www.kidsgardening.org.

For media inquiries: Katherine Dickens Director, ESG and Social Impact
katherine.dickens@scotts.com

Beth Saunders KidsGardening Marketing and Communications Director
beths@kidsgardening.org

View original content here.

By Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

We are in an era of unprecedented medical innovation. Scientists are making remarkable progress to diagnose and treat diseases, bringing new hope to patients across the world. Unfortunately, these breakthroughs fail to reach everyone due to barriers to care.

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, is committed to changing that. Building on our legacy of expanding access to healthcare, we’ve launched a new strategic framework to strengthen sustainable health service delivery for regions of the world that are medically underserved and heavily burdened. We have zeroed in on four areas to meet critical needs: Adult Cancers; Pediatric Cancers and Blood Disorders; Excellence in Clinical Trials; and Neuropsychiatry.

As we strive to improve health outcomes, building local healthcare capacity is the foundation of our strategy. We do that by forging partnerships with community-based groups, public institutions, and other local stakeholders. Here is a snapshot of how the BMS Foundation is translating our strategy into lasting impact in each of our focus areas:

1. Accelerating Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, but early detection can dramatically improve survival rates. The BMS Foundation’s Multinational Lung Cancer Control Program (MLCCP) builds on over a decade of work in the U.S. to strengthen local healthcare system capacity and scale community-based screening.

The Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening (QUILS) program through the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and the University of Colorado Cancer Center is a testament to the power of this approach. QUILS empowers Kentucky healthcare providers to better evaluate high-risk patients and educates communities about the importance of early detection. In just ten years, QUILS has transformed Kentucky’s lung cancer screening rate from among the lowest nationwide to the second highest, driving a remarkable 10% decline in late-stage diagnoses.

Guided by our success in Kentucky, we recently expanded the program into Mississippi and Nevada. By improving access to lung cancer screenings in these heavily burdened regions, we have an opportunity to transform health outcomes and save lives.

2. Boosting Local Capacity to Combat Pediatric Diseases

The second pillar of the BMS Foundation’s strategy – addressing pediatric cancers and blood disorders – has roots in our decadeslong efforts to support children in sub-Saharan Africa. Alongside partners, we mobilized at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to train tens of thousands of healthcare workers and improve health outcomes.

In 2016, these joint efforts evolved into a new program, Global HOPE, to address staggering mortality rates for pediatric cancer and blood disorders in the region. Since then, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine Global Health, with our support, have trained more than 7,000 healthcare workers – including 35 of the first hematology-oncology specialists on the continent – and provided care to more than 26,000 children.

The next phase of our pediatric work in sub-Saharan Africa will combat another threat: sickle cell disease (SCD), which is responsible for over 500 daily child deaths in the region. Simple life-saving interventions can treat SCD, but access to care is virtually nonexistent in non-urban areas. Leveraging the local infrastructure we have helped build for over 25 years, our new initiative is equipping local health systems and integrating SCD interventions into local primary care systems.

3. Transforming the Clinical Trial Landscape to Improve Health Outcomes

Clinical trials are crucial in enabling new treatment options for patients. To ensure everyone can benefit from therapeutic breakthroughs and to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment, it is essential that patients enrolled in these trials be representative of the epidemiology of the disease being studied. However, that is too often not the case.

The BMS Foundation-established Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) is working to address that discrepancy, training the next generation of clinical trialists in high quality clinical trials and community engagement. Through these efforts, the Winn Awards program is working to improve participation in clinical trials to drive better health outcomes for all communities.

4. Opening New Pathways for Critical Mental Health Services

The rate of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in the U.S. is significantly higher in jail and prison than in the general population, with 44% of people in jail and 37% of incarcerated individuals living with mental illness. Almost half of Americans with SMI and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders have had contact with the criminal justice system.

Mental health diversion programs are a promising alternative to direct patients away from the criminal justice system and toward community-based mental health services. There is tremendous opportunity to expand the capacity of diversion programs across the country – and that’s exactly what the BMS Foundation’s newly launched program area will help facilitate. We will be supporting innovative community-based programs that can open new pathways to care and deliver better health outcomes for people with SMI.

Expanding Access to Care to Improve Global Health

At the BMS Foundation, we believe a healthier world is attainable and achievable. But access to care remains unequal. We must create more sustainable systems of health service delivery to eliminate barriers to care.

As we embark on our next chapter, our evolved strategy is designed to transform how care is delivered for areas that are medically underserved and heavily burdened by disease. Driven by a commitment to create lasting impact in the communities we serve and bolstered by robust partnerships, we are determined to bridge gaps in care and drive positive health outcomes for people in need of support – today and for years to come.

To learn more, visit the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation online.

By Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

We are in an era of unprecedented medical innovation. Scientists are making remarkable progress to diagnose and treat diseases, bringing new hope to patients across the world. Unfortunately, these breakthroughs fail to reach everyone due to barriers to care.

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, is committed to changing that. Building on our legacy of expanding access to healthcare, we’ve launched a new strategic framework to strengthen sustainable health service delivery for regions of the world that are medically underserved and heavily burdened. We have zeroed in on four areas to meet critical needs: Adult Cancers; Pediatric Cancers and Blood Disorders; Excellence in Clinical Trials; and Neuropsychiatry.

As we strive to improve health outcomes, building local healthcare capacity is the foundation of our strategy. We do that by forging partnerships with community-based groups, public institutions, and other local stakeholders. Here is a snapshot of how the BMS Foundation is translating our strategy into lasting impact in each of our focus areas:

1. Accelerating Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, but early detection can dramatically improve survival rates. The BMS Foundation’s Multinational Lung Cancer Control Program (MLCCP) builds on over a decade of work in the U.S. to strengthen local healthcare system capacity and scale community-based screening.

The Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening (QUILS) program through the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and the University of Colorado Cancer Center is a testament to the power of this approach. QUILS empowers Kentucky healthcare providers to better evaluate high-risk patients and educates communities about the importance of early detection. In just ten years, QUILS has transformed Kentucky’s lung cancer screening rate from among the lowest nationwide to the second highest, driving a remarkable 10% decline in late-stage diagnoses.

Guided by our success in Kentucky, we recently expanded the program into Mississippi and Nevada. By improving access to lung cancer screenings in these heavily burdened regions, we have an opportunity to transform health outcomes and save lives.

2. Boosting Local Capacity to Combat Pediatric Diseases

The second pillar of the BMS Foundation’s strategy – addressing pediatric cancers and blood disorders – has roots in our decadeslong efforts to support children in sub-Saharan Africa. Alongside partners, we mobilized at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to train tens of thousands of healthcare workers and improve health outcomes.

In 2016, these joint efforts evolved into a new program, Global HOPE, to address staggering mortality rates for pediatric cancer and blood disorders in the region. Since then, Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine Global Health, with our support, have trained more than 7,000 healthcare workers – including 35 of the first hematology-oncology specialists on the continent – and provided care to more than 26,000 children.

The next phase of our pediatric work in sub-Saharan Africa will combat another threat: sickle cell disease (SCD), which is responsible for over 500 daily child deaths in the region. Simple life-saving interventions can treat SCD, but access to care is virtually nonexistent in non-urban areas. Leveraging the local infrastructure we have helped build for over 25 years, our new initiative is equipping local health systems and integrating SCD interventions into local primary care systems.

3. Transforming the Clinical Trial Landscape to Improve Health Outcomes

Clinical trials are crucial in enabling new treatment options for patients. To ensure everyone can benefit from therapeutic breakthroughs and to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment, it is essential that patients enrolled in these trials be representative of the epidemiology of the disease being studied. However, that is too often not the case.

The BMS Foundation-established Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) is working to address that discrepancy, training the next generation of clinical trialists in high quality clinical trials and community engagement. Through these efforts, the Winn Awards program is working to improve participation in clinical trials to drive better health outcomes for all communities.

4. Opening New Pathways for Critical Mental Health Services

The rate of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in the U.S. is significantly higher in jail and prison than in the general population, with 44% of people in jail and 37% of incarcerated individuals living with mental illness. Almost half of Americans with SMI and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders have had contact with the criminal justice system.

Mental health diversion programs are a promising alternative to direct patients away from the criminal justice system and toward community-based mental health services. There is tremendous opportunity to expand the capacity of diversion programs across the country – and that’s exactly what the BMS Foundation’s newly launched program area will help facilitate. We will be supporting innovative community-based programs that can open new pathways to care and deliver better health outcomes for people with SMI.

Expanding Access to Care to Improve Global Health

At the BMS Foundation, we believe a healthier world is attainable and achievable. But access to care remains unequal. We must create more sustainable systems of health service delivery to eliminate barriers to care.

As we embark on our next chapter, our evolved strategy is designed to transform how care is delivered for areas that are medically underserved and heavily burdened by disease. Driven by a commitment to create lasting impact in the communities we serve and bolstered by robust partnerships, we are determined to bridge gaps in care and drive positive health outcomes for people in need of support – today and for years to come.

To learn more, visit the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation online.

At the recent Functional Fabric Fair Day 0 Sustainability Workshop in Portland, Joleen Ong, senior director of brand and retailer membership at Cascale, led a session and joined a panel of industry experts to discuss various models of how suppliers and brands can work together to achieve shared sustainability goals. The event brought together sustainability practitioners who presented a pragmatic approach to foundational topics, while providing updated guidance on recent trade developments.

Ong opened the session, “Finding (or not finding) Business Value in Sustainability”. The session continued with a panel discussion moderated by Jill Dumain, founding partner, Fractal CSOs, and included panelists Gerhard Leitner, head of business unit shirting and technics, Getzner Textil AG; Jennifer Ryan, owner, Ryan Imports; and Matthew Guenther, vice president corporate sustainability, TAL Apparel Ltd.

Ong began her presentation by giving an overview of Cascale’s origins and its vision to pre-competitively convene stakeholders across the industry to develop a common approach to measuring sustainability. She highlighted Cascale’s growth in membership and ongoing evolution, and noted its strategic pillars — Combat Climate Change and Support Decent Work for All — as critical to the organization’s vision of a global consumer goods industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

After an overview of Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools, Ong shared how they were developed, in collaboration with members, to help measure and understand sustainability performance and identify areas for improvement. She noted Cascale’s ongoing commitment to evolve the tools, as science improves and industry challenges deepen, to support its members and the wider consumer goods industry.

Ong delved into challenges facing the industry, including audit and assessment fatigue facing organizations as a result of overlapping and redundant audits and data requests, inconsistent audit standards, and difficulties in prioritizing remediation, among others. She shared solutions that could help address these challenges, including consolidating audits, where brands and organizations can collaborate to harmonize audit standards, and reducing the frequency and overlap of audits.

Ong emphasized the need to shift from a traditional audit-driven approach to a due diligence-based strategy for managing supply chain risks. She encouraged brands to adopt smart auditing practices, including the use of predictive analytics during the pre-screening of new manufacturing partners to identify higher-risk areas or known issues. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all audit model, she advocated for a more targeted deployment of audits. Joleen also outlined the benefits of audit convergence, such as clearer corrective action guidance for suppliers, increased wages for workers, and cost savings that can be reinvested into workplace improvements.

In parallel, Ong highlighted how adopting responsible purchasing practices can drive meaningful impact, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Better Buying Institute (BBI) in scaling effective solutions to support these efforts. Cascale recently acquired key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI) to support its objective of advancing responsible purchasing practices across the consumer goods industry. Ong concluded by sharing insights from BBI’s surveys and the Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI), emphasizing their importance in advancing responsible purchasing practices and promoting fair, accountable, and socially just supply chains.

At the recent Functional Fabric Fair Day 0 Sustainability Workshop in Portland, Joleen Ong, senior director of brand and retailer membership at Cascale, led a session and joined a panel of industry experts to discuss various models of how suppliers and brands can work together to achieve shared sustainability goals. The event brought together sustainability practitioners who presented a pragmatic approach to foundational topics, while providing updated guidance on recent trade developments.

Ong opened the session, “Finding (or not finding) Business Value in Sustainability”. The session continued with a panel discussion moderated by Jill Dumain, founding partner, Fractal CSOs, and included panelists Gerhard Leitner, head of business unit shirting and technics, Getzner Textil AG; Jennifer Ryan, owner, Ryan Imports; and Matthew Guenther, vice president corporate sustainability, TAL Apparel Ltd.

Ong began her presentation by giving an overview of Cascale’s origins and its vision to pre-competitively convene stakeholders across the industry to develop a common approach to measuring sustainability. She highlighted Cascale’s growth in membership and ongoing evolution, and noted its strategic pillars — Combat Climate Change and Support Decent Work for All — as critical to the organization’s vision of a global consumer goods industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

After an overview of Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools, Ong shared how they were developed, in collaboration with members, to help measure and understand sustainability performance and identify areas for improvement. She noted Cascale’s ongoing commitment to evolve the tools, as science improves and industry challenges deepen, to support its members and the wider consumer goods industry.

Ong delved into challenges facing the industry, including audit and assessment fatigue facing organizations as a result of overlapping and redundant audits and data requests, inconsistent audit standards, and difficulties in prioritizing remediation, among others. She shared solutions that could help address these challenges, including consolidating audits, where brands and organizations can collaborate to harmonize audit standards, and reducing the frequency and overlap of audits.

Ong emphasized the need to shift from a traditional audit-driven approach to a due diligence-based strategy for managing supply chain risks. She encouraged brands to adopt smart auditing practices, including the use of predictive analytics during the pre-screening of new manufacturing partners to identify higher-risk areas or known issues. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all audit model, she advocated for a more targeted deployment of audits. Joleen also outlined the benefits of audit convergence, such as clearer corrective action guidance for suppliers, increased wages for workers, and cost savings that can be reinvested into workplace improvements.

In parallel, Ong highlighted how adopting responsible purchasing practices can drive meaningful impact, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Better Buying Institute (BBI) in scaling effective solutions to support these efforts. Cascale recently acquired key assets of Better Buying Institute (BBI) to support its objective of advancing responsible purchasing practices across the consumer goods industry. Ong concluded by sharing insights from BBI’s surveys and the Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI), emphasizing their importance in advancing responsible purchasing practices and promoting fair, accountable, and socially just supply chains.

Originally published by TriplePundit

Soil may look like lifeless dirt, but it’s very much alive. A handful of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms that break down organic matter and leave behind nutrients for plants in a symbiotic system called the soil food web. Indigo Ag and Groundwork BioAg aim to harness these natural processes to improve soil health and yields for farmers.

The agriculture sector is transforming as growers look to manage changing weather patterns and feed a rising population while maintaining the health of soils and ecosystems. Two industry leaders — Indigo Ag and Groundwork BioAg — joined forces to accelerate the adoption of sustainable biological solutions for commercial farms. Their collaboration is centered on delivering a comprehensive biological solution designed to enhance soil health, improve crop resilience, and contribute to carbon sequestration in the fight to future-proof agriculture.

We spoke with A.J. Kumar, Vice President of Sustainability Sciences at Indigo Ag, and Yossi Kofman, CEO of Groundwork BioAg, to learn more about their pioneering initiative and the potential impact on the future of agriculture.

Harnessing the power of microbes and mycorrhizae

Soil may look like lifeless dirt, but it’s very much alive. A single handful of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms. These bacteria and fungi break down organic matter and leave behind nutrients for plants in a symbiotic system called the soil food web. Healthy soil absorbs more water and atmospheric carbon, building resistance against droughts and reducing global emissions. Healthier soils also grow more resilient crops with better yields, increasing profit for farmers.

Indigo Ag and Groundwork BioAg aim to harness these natural processes to improve soil health and yields for farmers. In particular, their efforts combine Indigo’s expertise in the use of microbes to improve soil and plant resiliency and Groundwork’s innovations in mycorrhizae, or the mutually beneficial relationship between fungi and plant roots beneath the soil.

“The objective of our partnership is to bring the best biological product to market by combining the power of mycorrhizae with Indigo’s microbial endophytes,” Kofman said. “By integrating our unique expertise, we can offer a complete biological solution that increases resistance to environmental stressors, enhances nitrogen fixation, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.”

This breakthrough approach offers more than just improved soil fertility. It also has other significant environmental benefits — including increasing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions from nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, key contributors to agricultural pollution.

“Microbes exist in communities in nature,” Kumar said of the relationship between bacteria and fungi within healthy soils. “Indigo has a strong background in microbial endophyte collection, while Groundwork brings deep expertise in mycorrhizae. By working together, we are creating a holistic solution that provides farmers with more than just a single product. We’re offering them an entire system to improve soil health and crop performance.”

This collaboration supported by the BIRD Foundation aims to benefit both agronomic outcomes and global climate efforts. “The mycorrhizae and bacteria combination enhances carbon sequestration,” Kofman said. “Through the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, we also lower emissions. This dual approach of capturing carbon while reducing emissions has the potential to open up tens of millions of acres in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and beyond for carbon credit markets.”

Farmers often face economic barriers to implementing sustainable or regenerative solutions, as certain practices can require new, expensive equipment. However, adopting Indigo’s biological solution requires minimal changes to their operations.

“The beauty of this product is that it doesn’t require farmers to change their workflows,” Kofman continued. “They purchase the combined product, apply it as they normally would, and immediately start seeing benefits. In addition to agronomic improvements, they can also generate a new income stream through carbon credits.” Because carbon credit revenue is not tied to commodity prices, it provides farmers with a more stable income source while increasing the long-term value of their land.

Breaking barriers in carbon markets

Scaling this solution comes with challenges, particularly in navigating the complexities of carbon markets. “One of the main issues is additionality. Buyers are looking for new solutions that can demonstrate a clear, measurable impact,” Kumar said. “Our product is inherently new, making it an attractive option for those looking to make a meaningful difference.”

Companies seeking to reduce their supply chain emissions tied to agriculture (Scope 3) prioritize solutions that provide a high return on investment, and Kumar believes this initiative fits that demand perfectly. “This is a product that can be deployed at scale, at low cost, and with immediate impact. If companies are looking for high-quality carbon credits, this is a viable pathway to achieving their goals,” he said

Another key consideration for carbon markets is permanence, or how long sequestered carbon remains in the soil. Indigo and Groundwork’s collaboration includes ongoing investigations into the permanence of soil organic matter. “We believe that our product can significantly enhance the long-term storage of carbon in soil, creating a more durable and credible carbon offset solution,” Kofman said.

Kumar agreed, explaining: “Not all soil carbon is the same. Some pools of carbon are more stable and long-lasting than others. If our products can help increase the durability of soil carbon storage, it would be a game-changer for the carbon credit market.”

The road ahead

The initiative is now in its testing phase. “We are at the beginning stages,” Kumar said. “We have identified individual microbial candidates that provide parts of the solution, and we are now conducting compatibility tests to ensure they work well together. Our first field trials are set for this spring, and we are optimistic that we will see strong synergistic effects.”

Kofman is also confident. “We believe the combination of mycorrhizae and bacteria will yield significant benefits. This is all based on science. Mycorrhizae and bacteria have well-documented advantages, and our approach is grounded in rigorous research.”

As the agricultural industry faces growing pressure to adopt more sustainable and resilient farming practices, the partnership between Indigo Ag and Groundwork BioAg presents a compelling vision. By harnessing the power of biological solutions, farmers can enhance crop yields, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and create new revenue opportunities for farmers, while contributing to global climate goals. “This is just the beginning,” Kumar said. “With continued innovation, investment, and collaboration, we can unlock a more sustainable future for agriculture and the planet.”

Learn more about Indigo’s Sustainability Solutions.

Learn more about Groundwork’s mycorrhiza solution and carbon project.

This article series is sponsored by Indigo Ag and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.