Tag: 3BL

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies for 2025. This is the eighth consecutive year the company has made the list, ranking as one of the top four gas and electric utilities for the fourth year in a row.

“Delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities is at the core of everything we do,” said Lynn Good, Duke Energy’s chair and CEO. “Being recognized by our industry peers, directors and analysts in Fortune’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our employees who drive innovation and power the communities we serve every day.”

To determine the industry rankings, executives, directors and industry analysts are independently surveyed and companies are rated on nine attributes: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products/services, and global competitiveness.

Recent company performance highlights:

Prioritizing grid reliability – In 2024, smart, self-healing technology helped to avoid more than 2.3 million customer outages across Duke Energy’s six-state service area, saving around 11 million hours of total outage time. More than 75% of those benefits were achieved during major storms. Around 60% of Duke Energy customers are served by self-healing and automated power restoration technology, with a goal of serving 80% or more over the next few years.

Supporting our communities – Duke Energy and its foundation marked the milestone of investing more than $22 million since 2019 to support nonprofits and local organizations on the front lines of disaster preparedness and response. The support centered on strengthening community resilience and safety with Duke Energy Foundation grants focused on delivering immediate relief in times of crisis and equipping first responders with advanced tools, customized training and life-saving equipment to boost readiness

Preparing for the future – We experienced robust economic development growth in our service territories across a diverse set of industries, including batteries, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, data centers and more, which will lead to meaningful load growth and economic benefits for the communities we serve. Through 2028, we are projecting average overall load growth of 1.5% to 2% per year.

Duke Energy

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

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and advanced nuclear.

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

Contact: Cedric Page 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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In this episode of ESG Talk, Amy Brachio, global vice chair of sustainability at EY, and Michael Goldhaber, a senior research scholar at New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, join the show with Alyssa Zucker. Listen in as they explore how shareholder advocacy is evolving on environmental and social issues and what it means for companies.

Listen Now

Looking for more? Subscribe to the ESG Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

ESG Talk is brought to you by Workiva, the world’s only unified platform for financial reporting, ESG, audit, and risk. Learn more at workiva.com.

International Olympic Committee news

The Olympic atmosphere always provides something different compared with other sporting events. Athletes often say that the Olympic experience is one that will be unique from any other they go through across their career, and spectators know how special the Olympic Games are.

Our role at the IOC Coordination Commission for the XXV Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is to support the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) as much as we can to help their vision come to life. Every organiser is different, but each of them adapts their strategies alongside the IOC framework when putting together their edition of the Games.

I was part of the evaluation commission when the Games were awarded to Milano Cortina back in 2019. From the start, Milano Cortina 2026 has had a very strong awareness of Olympic Agenda 2020 and how to create Games that are suited for the future within their context.

Once a host has been selected, the OCOG makes an agreement with the IOC about the specifications of the upcoming Games in the form of a host contract. We support them in fulfilling that contract and allow them to put their own unique mark on the Games. These Winter Games were awarded just before the launch of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and Milano Cortina 2026 is very much aligning with its objectives as well.

Sustainability will, of course, be a major focus. A large part of their concept is to use the venues that they already have and not to build any new ones that don’t have a legacy prospect to them.

This is all just part of being a more sustainable organiser compared with the past when it was more common to build a lot of new venues and not know exactly how much they were going to be used after the Games.

The OCOG had the great opportunity to send a large delegation to Paris 2024. There is, of course, a difference between Winter and Summer Games, but there are many takeaways from Paris which can be transformed and applied to Milano Cortina’s concept. Paris 2024 was really good at finding solutions to sustainability issues, doing things that had never been done before. Naturally, Milano Cortina will implement according to the context of their project, but as we move from the planning phase into the operational phase, the learnings on different topics and issues from previous Games will be really helpful.

This is, to me, one of the beauties of the Olympic Movement – the way the Games are set up, each edition will have something to offer the next, be it winter or summer. We already know that the 2030 Olympic Winter Games will be in the French Alps, and they will probably look at Milano Cortina 2026 and hopefully be able to learn a lot.

I think that spectators will be treated to an amazing event, too.

A lot of the disciplines will have areas dedicated to the fan experience, and the OCOG knows that it will be a unique challenge compared with simply being in one big city. We are very aware that at every venue we need to create that Olympic atmosphere. For the fans at home, they can expect it to be much like Paris, with technology, broadcasting and social media tying the Games together online.

I really hope that these Games will be something that the Italian population can remember with fondness. I know from having experienced a home Games, at

Lillehammer 1994, that it’s still very much part of our identity, who we are, what we are. If you ask any Norwegian on the street of a certain age about their proudest moments, the chances are that they’ll mention the Lillehammer Games. And I really hope that future Games organisers will create that same feeling, because I think it means a lot for a nation and for the development of sport.

For the future of the Winter Games, Milano Cortina 2026 will surely be a benchmark for how we can do it.

Kristin Kloster is a lawyer and experienced sports administrator. She served as President of the Norwegian Equestrian Federation for 10 years (2003-2012) and a Vice-President of the Norwegian NOC (2011-2019). Since joining the IOC, Kloster has served on several commissions including as Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad (2019-2021) and as a member of the Olympic Solidarity and Sustainability and Legacy Commissions.

Abbott

As a competitive powerlifter, Nathan Zenero has a unique talent for lifting heavy things. He’s also taken on more than a few challenges in his life, including sports injuries and thyroid cancer. But when he received a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the 45-year-old says the weight of diabetes stigma felt even heavier than his previous setbacks.

“There’s a belief that you’re powerless and have no ability to control it,” Zenero says. “I felt an intense sense of shame — shame that I had let myself down, that I had let my family down.”

But thanks to the help of his doctor and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, Zenero overcame the initial shock and learned to use his CGM to his advantage. The Michigan native, girl-dad and husband is now fueled by his newfound control over his health, increased confidence and mission to break diabetes stigma — because, he says, no one should feel the way he felt during his diagnosis.

“Where I was before FreeStyle Libre 3 was a dark place,” Zenero says. “I felt horrible physically, and I because of that, I felt pretty bad mentally. I was concerned about my longevity, and now I feel like I can conquer life.”

Overcoming a Heavy Burden

Diabetes stigma describes the judgment, discrimination and negative attitudes toward people living with diabetes.

“There’s this stigma associated with diabetes that the condition results from someone’s own choices — like eating too much sugar,” says Aleem Kanji, M.D., a board-certified endocrinologist in Houston and Zenero’s doctor. “But that is false, and the stigma that surrounds diabetes really plays a role in people’s mental and emotional health.”

In a U.S. study of 12,000 adults with Type 2 diabetes, 52% said they perceived social stigma from others because of their diabetes1. In turn, diabetes stigma can impair diabetes management, such that, for example, someone might avoid doctors’ appointments2.

Fearing that diabetes might hinder his daily activities or affect his role as a husband and father, Zenero was motivated to work even harder to take control of his health. “I didn’t want to be the guy that people didn’t invite to things because they think I wouldn’t be able to make it to the end of a hike or a workout,” says Zenero.

With the help of his doctor, diet changes and the FreeStyle Libre 3 systems, Zenero was on his way toward achieving his health goals.

“To combat stigma, you have to give people an opportunity to improve,” Zenero says. “The best thing you can do is to trust, have faith and confidence in them that they can change and grow.”

Clarity After the Diagnosis

First, Zenero worked with Dr. Kanji to understand his symptoms. Zenero had digestive issues, but as he learned more about diabetes, he realized he had been experiencing more Type 2 diabetes symptoms than he knew at the time: injuries that were slow to heal, weight gain, thirst and frequent urination.

The next step was controlling his diet and getting his glucose levels under control. Zenero and his doctor turned to FreeStyle Libre 3 for that.

“Dr. Kanji and I agreed that I would use the FreeStyle Libre 3 to monitor my glucose, and that if within seven days, I could show him that I made a certain amount of progress towards a healthy metabolic system, I wouldn’t be put on insulin,” Zenero says. “I watched how everything I ate affected my glucose levels, and in doing so, over the course of seven days, my fasting glucose went down about 40%.”

How Does a CGM Help With Type 2 Diabetes?

CGM systems like Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 system display your glucose levels in real time, so you can make confident choices*1 and lower your hemoglobin A1C*2. Today, more than 6 million people worldwide use Abbott’s portfolio of FreeStyle Libre systems to monitor their glucose levels3.

One feature of the FreeStyle Libre 3 app that Zenero and his doctor say they both love is the ability to communicate with each other outside of appointments. They use Abbott’s companion app, called LibreView†. Through this secure, cloud-based system, Zenero shares his glucose data with his doctor and will leave questions about glucose patterns he sees or behavior modifications he should take to which Dr. Kanji can answer in real time‡.

“To me, it’s not just a life-saving device — it’s a life-improving device,” Zenero says. “I’m in the driver’s seat, and I have nothing to do but improve.”

The views expressed in this video should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

References

* Among patient-applied sensors.

† The LibreView data management software is intended for use by both patients and healthcare professionals to assist people with diabetes and their healthcare professionals in the review, analysis, and evaluation of historical glucose meter data to support effective diabetes management. The LibreView software is not intended to provide treatment decisions or to be used as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

‡ The user’s device must have internet connectivity for glucose data to automatically upload to LibreView and to transfer to connected LibreLinkUp app users.

1 American Diabetes Association, Stigma in People With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes | Clinical Diabetes, accessed January 10, 2025.

2 American Diabetes Association, Weight Stigma and Diabetes Stigma: Implications for Weight-Related Health Behaviors in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, accessed January 10, 2025.

3 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc. 

4 FreeStyle Libre 3 User’s Manual

Important safety information

Product for prescription only. For Important Safety Information, please visit https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/safety-information.html

Cummins

“Mentoring is about sharing your time and experience to help others grow and succeed,” says Yolanda D.

Yolanda’s career at Cummins Inc. is rooted in a journey of growth and empowerment, both for herself and others. She began her career at Cummins in 2022 as part of the Meritor acquisition then transitioned to Accelera by Cummins in 2023. As a program manager, Yolanda has overseen the design, development and production of ePowertrain products. Today, she’s focused on the launch of Accelera’s BP104E battery product for customers in North America.

Beyond her technical expertise, Yolanda’s passion for mentoring has shaped her journey at Cummins. “Mentoring always finds me,” she says. It all started shortly after joining Cummins, where Yolanda connected with early-career employees through her involvement in community service, eventually leading her to mentor several interns. “It was a natural transition,” Yolanda explains, “to begin talking to colleagues about their career goals and sharing tips I’ve used to grow my own career.”

Her formal mentoring role at Cummins started when she joined the Cummins Black Network (CBN) Employee Resource Group and expressed her interest in becoming a mentor. She was recruited to mentor CBN summer interns, including her first Cummins mentee from East Carolina University, Luc, who was interning at the Jamestown, NY facility.

For Yolanda, mentoring isn’t just about offering advice—it’s about creating opportunities for others to grow. “Mentoring means giving back your time and talents to help others gain from your life experience,” she says. And Yolanda takes this responsibility seriously, seeing it as a way to build strong relationships and support employee engagement within Cummins. “Mentoring helps employees grow in the company culture, build career relationships and stay engaged with their work. It helps people succeed, and that’s what matters most.”

The most rewarding aspect of mentoring, Yolanda shares, is seeing her mentees succeed. “When I see them promoted or land new roles, it’s like a proud parent moment. But it’s even more fulfilling when they, in turn, become mentors themselves.”

Mentoring is a two-way street, Yolanda adds, and it’s not only mentees who benefit. She explains that she’s gained valuable connections and insights from the people she mentors. “Mentoring is reciprocal,” she says. “I’ve been introduced to new opportunities and broadened my network through my mentees. It’s one of the many ways mentoring benefits both the mentor and the mentee.”

Cummins supports mentoring through various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and community service initiatives, creating a network where employees can find guidance and build relationships across the company. “Cummins is a big company, with many leaders and departments, so finding a mentor is crucial to navigating your career here,” Yolanda explains.

Mentoring plays a central role in Cummins’ company culture, helping with retention, career progression and employee engagement. “Mentoring helps people feel supported and more invested in the company’s success,” says Yolanda. “It’s a great tool for developing the next class of leadership.”

Yolanda’s advice to new employees is simple: “Find a mentor early on. Don’t just show up and do your job—make sure you’re building relationships and learning from those around you.”

Looking ahead, Yolanda is excited to continue her mentoring journey and inspire the next generation of leaders at Cummins. She also plans to find a new mentor for herself, seeing it as an opportunity to further grow and expand her network. “Mentoring isn’t just for those early in their careers—it’s valuable at every stage,” Yolanda says.

For Yolanda, the beauty of mentoring lies in the shared growth, the mutual respect and the lasting connections it creates. “It’s about helping each other, learning from each other and succeeding together,” she says.

Yolanda’s commitment to mentoring is an example of how Cummins fosters a culture of empowerment, collaboration and continuous development. It’s a philosophy that has shaped her own career and is helping others find success at Cummins every day.

It is estimated that about 1 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel like your life, and the lives of those around you, have been flipped upside down. 

In honor of #WorldCancerDay, we’re participating in the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)‘s Upside Down Challenge to rally behind the unique voices of every patient and family member impacted by cancer and help bring much-needed awareness to this challenging disease. 

Learn how you can get involved today and use the hashtag #UnitedByUnique

About Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing potentially life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide. Please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com for more information.

CNH brand, CASE Construction Equipment’s innovative CASE 580EV, the industry’s first in-production electric backhoe loader, has recently received the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® award.

The 580EV represents a major leap forward in electric construction machinery, combining the robust capabilities of its diesel equivalent with all the environmental and operational benefits of electric vehicle technology. Zero emissions and minimal noise make the model an ideal solution for urban construction, utilities and other services teams who want to work more productively while minimizing carbon footprints.

The GOOD DESIGN® awards, administered by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd, is one of the longest-running and most respected awards programs for contemporary design. Each year, the program celebrates the most innovative industrial, product, and graphic designs produced around the world.

The CASE 580EV, which has been recognized for its exceptional industrial design, seamlessly blends form and functionality to create an unparalleled operator experience.

Complimentary Webinar

Navigating CBAM: A Comprehensive Update for EU Importers and Global Exporters

Tuesday, February 25 | 4:00 PM CET (10:00AM ET, 7:00AM PT)

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is moving forward from the transitional phase to full implementation in 2026, marking a major milestone for global exporters and EU importers. Companies producing affected commodities designated for import into EU countries must streamline data collection, transition from default values to actual and verified GHG emissions and adopt CBAM-approved methodologies.

Starting this year, the new CBAM Registry portal allows for the streamlining of reporting, and EU importers will be able to apply to become authorized CBAM declarants in preparation for the mandatory purchase and surrender of CBAM certificates to the European Competent Authorities.

For producers outside the EU and EU importers, collecting data in the correct and appropriate formats from all production facilities has been harrowing at best, and navigating the regulation remains an ongoing challenge. As compliance with the regulation moves towards full implementation, many questions remain.

Join SCS Consulting Services’ Mohammad Abdel-Razek, CBAM Technical Director, Tarik Bellahcene, SCS Global Services Director of Business Development in Europe, and Umang Patel, SCS Global Services LCA Practitioner on Tuesday, February 25th at 4:00 p.m. CET (10:00 a.m. ET, 7:00 a.m. PT) for a 45-minute discussion on building out a corporate CBAM compliance strategy. We’ll focus on:

Overview of the CBAM RegulationWhat is new under CBAM in 2025 and coming in 2026GHG Emissions Reporting: Lessons learned while moving from default values to actual valuesConnect multiple chain of suppliers efficiently using the SCS E-Compass SuiteCBAM Verification Requirements: Preparing for verified reporting in 2026How to build a CBAM compliance roadmap and action plan

15 minutes will be allotted at the end of the presentation for Q&A.

Register Here

For inquiries, contact:

Tom Ehart
Senior Director, Corporate Marketing, SCS Global Services 
tehart@scsglobalservices.com

Covia is proud to recognize the critical impact our team members make, both through their work and their dedication to their communities. Today, we spotlight Robert Knight, Director of Enterprise Applications and IT Architecture, whose leadership in technology implementation and optimization has helped position Covia for future growth and innovation.

From Code to Covia: A Journey Back Home

With 35 years of IT experience, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge to his role at Covia. His journey began as a COBOL programmer at a hardwood lumber company, where he gained comprehensive IT experience in a small department. His career path led him through diverse industries, managing IT operations for a men’s fashion company before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, to join an automotive parts company.

Robert spent 12 years in the Peach State, but a desire to move back to be closer to family meant it was time to head back to Northeast Ohio. “Our family made the decision to move back to Cleveland, leaving Atlanta to return to our former home,” Robert explained.

Shortly after moving back to Ohio, he found an opportunity at Covia. His decision to join Covia in July of 2023 was more than just a good fit, it closed the circle on a childhood connection.

“I don’t know if it’s fate or destiny, but I grew up in Chardon,” Robert said. “My dad drove a truck for a local company that hauled sand from Covia’s BESTSAND plant when I was a kid. When I went out to do a plant tour after I started, I saw the familiar trucks still hauling out of there. It brought back such fond memories.”

Streamlining Systems for Success

In his current role, Robert oversees the teams responsible for implementing and supporting Covia’s business-critical applications. At the heart of these systems is the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which touches every aspect of operations from maintenance to sales and accounting.

One of Robert’s key achievements has been leading the rationalization of Covia’s application landscape. “When I came here, there were several different systems with overlapping uses,” he explained. “It was my job to reduce our total cost of ownership and complexity of our application landscape while making it easier to support and less expensive to operate.”

The successful cloud reimplementation of the ERP stands out as a particular point of pride. While Robert joined on day one of the go-live, he emphasizes how his team’s work led to minimal business disruption. Other projects like the rationalization of shipping systems helped standardize processes for loading out and shipping. Robert and his team have helped streamline various aspects of Covia’s business and position the ERP system for growth, allowing it to scale with Covia’s future needs.

“We’re developing our plans and cadence to keep everything current,” Robert shared. “There are additional phases that we’re planning for 2025 to make enhancements and modifications that touch every aspect of our business.”

Looking to Build a Smarter Future

Robert’s vision extends beyond day-to-day operations to include emerging technologies. By exploring new technologies and tools, Robert’s team’s plan is to help departments and individuals work smarter, not harder.

Robert highlights the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors as one example of how new technology can enhance operational efficiency. These sensors can gauge vibration and other factors that can predict issues and alert team members to improve operational safety and avoid downtime.

Artificial Intelligence is another notable focus for Robert and his team. Software vendors are introducing AI technology to create new opportunities for businesses in just about every industry. Robert is embracing AI and evaluating its potential to make Covia more agile.

“We’re able to shift gears and make changes as they come,” Robert shared. “By staying current, we can make software enhancements more rapidly to support the business as both technology and our business evolve.”

The Power of Giving Back

Outside of work, Robert finds joy in family, sports, and maintaining an active lifestyle. Since 2017, he and his wife have been actively involved in supporting The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They attended their first ShamRockin’ for a Cure event in Atlanta, and the experience inspired them to get involved.

“We met a bunch of great people, and it just breaks your heart when you listen to their stories of people being born with cystic fibrosis and breathing issues,” Robert said. “My wife and I feel very blessed that all our children and grandchildren are healthy, and we wanted to give back.”

While Robert and his wife now live in Cleveland, they still stay close with all the families they met and participate where they can. The Knights were also able to share their passion with Covia, and we are proud to support their work and help build a bright future for those impacted by cystic fibrosis.

Robert’s combination of technical expertise, industry experience, passion for social impact, and personal connection to Covia’s roots makes him a valuable leader in driving the company’s digital transformation and supporting people across the country.

For more information about Covia’s Cybersecurity efforts, visit our ESG Report (Covia – 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report).

Across North America, women at Saint-Gobain take the lead in Making The World A Better Home. They are manufacturers, innovators, scientists, engineers, and executives, all playing a vital role in shaping our industry.

In this video, meet Julie Chau, Facilities Engineer and Maintenance Supervisor, who never thought she’d embark on a manufacturing career. Watch as she takes us through her inspiring journey and shows us that anything is possible!

Saint-Gobain is an industry leader with thousands of talented team members who are dedicated to one unified purpose: Making the World a Better Home. With more than 145 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, there are so many robust and fulfilling career opportunities available. You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a wide range of businesses, cultures, and experiences.

About empowHERed

Saint-Gobain North America’s empowHERed series features the women in manufacturing of Saint-Gobain North America. Whether they work in product innovation, engineering, on the product line, or in development, they are making an impact in manufacturing. Discover your career at Saint-Gobain North America.

Watch the full empowHERed video series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050