Tag: 3BL

At Comcast, we believe innovation begins with imagination. As a global media and technology company, we reach hundreds of millions of people through world-class connectivity, platforms, and memorable content and experiences. This November, we ignited creativity and curiosity among the next generation of innovators at Universal Epic Universe, our newest and most technologically advanced theme park.

In partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX), we welcomed nearly 200 college and high school students from across the country to the first Inspiring Future Innovators Summit — a multi-day experience designed to spark ideas, build technical skills, and show students firsthand how creativity can open doors to careers in technology and entertainment.

Guided by mentors from Comcast and UDX, students participated in a design challenge where Universal Epic Universe was their innovation lab — and where gaming, storytelling, and thrill design were powered by their imagination.

This extraordinary group of future innovators included 40 students from our partners CodePath and Urban Arts, two organizations paving the way for creators and technologists. CodePath is transforming higher education to build an AI-native workforce of engineers, CTOs, and founders, while Urban Arts uses digital game design and creativity as a pathway to college and career success.

“This experience gave our students an inspiring space to focus on ideation and connect their ideas to both the guests who will enjoy them and the engineers who bring them to life,” said Chris Coleman, Chief Product Officer at CodePath. “The summit opened doors for students from all different zip codes and showed them that they belong in exciting, industry-leading roles.”

After the design challenge, which focused on identifying new ways to enhance the guest experience, it was impressive to see student teams pitch their ideas to industry leaders including Tom Geraghty, Vice President, Digital Innovation at Universal Destinations & Experiences; and Jody Keller, Vice President, Advanced Technology, Media and Immersive Experiences, Universal Creative. The students combined AI and design to create tech-driven solutions that were both creative and practical, and the feedback they received from the senior executives provided valuable insights into the fast-paced world of immersive technology.

The summit concluded with an advice-packed conversation during The Power of Innovation at Our Company fireside with Chris Crayner, EVP and Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Universal Destinations & Experiences; and Fraser Stirling, Global Chief Product Officer at Comcast. Together, we discussed how innovation drives everything we do — from broadband and entertainment to gaming and immersive park experiences. As Fraser explained, innovation is not only about finding ways to do things smarter or cheaper, it’s about how you’re using that to generate value, new opportunities, and customer experiences.

After the fireside, the conversation continued with the Careers in Technology and Innovation panel featuring Tom Geraghty; Anisha Vyas, Director of Projects at Universal Creative; and Paul Palaganas, Director, Engineering, Technology and Product, Global Product at Comcast, and moderated by Gwyneth Gaul, VP of Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy at Comcast. Students walked away with practical steps for jump-starting their careers in engineering, technology, and design.

The Inspiring Future Innovators Summit builds on Comcast and UDX’s shared commitment to expand access to technology and innovation through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to advance digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities.

“Students are seeing careers that didn’t exist a year ago — and imagining those that will emerge in the next five or ten years,” said Philip Courtney, CEO of Urban Arts. “From coding and computer science to arts and digital media, Comcast’s family of companies offers an incredible menu of creative tech opportunities. The access they get here is transformative.”

The summit was more than an event — it was a launchpad for imagination, collaboration, and building what’s next. Together with our partners, we are fueling curiosity and opening doors for the young people to earn jobs as the creators, technologists, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Dalila Wilson-Scott is Executive Vice President and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer for Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

NEW YORK, December 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Franklin Templeton was recognized in the 2025 Best Places to Work in Money Management awards announced by Pensions & Investments (“P&I”). The firm was included in the Super Employers category for those with 1,000+ employees. Franklin Templeton’s specialist investment manager Clarion Partners, LLC, a leading real estate investment manager, and ClearBridge Investments, a leading global equity manager, were also recognized in the Large Employers category for those companies with 100 to 499 employees.

Presented by Pensions & Investments, the global news source of money management and institutional investing, the 14^th annual survey and recognition program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the money management industry.

Since 1947, Franklin Templeton has cultivated a workplace defined by innovation, opportunity, inclusion, and high performance. The firm provides comprehensive programs, benefits, and development resources that support employees at every stage of their careers. Rooted in a culture of entrepreneurial drive, collaboration, and partnership, Franklin Templeton continues to enhance the employee experience by expanding growth initiatives, encouraging volunteerism and participation in its business resource groups, and prioritizing overall employee well-being.

“As their employees attest, the companies named to this year’s Best Places to Work list demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a strong workplace culture,’’ said P&I Editor-in-Chief Julie Tatge. “In doing so, they’re helping their employees, clients and their businesses succeed.’’

“We are honored to be recognized once again as one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management by P&I,” said Jenny Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton. “Our culture is driven by our people, who bring our values to life through their innovative thinking, collaborative spirit, and professional excellence. Their work empowers us to deliver solutions that meet the needs of our clients today while helping them prepare confidently for what lies ahead.”

“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and inspired,” said Penny Alexander, Chief Human Resources Officer at Franklin Templeton. “Our employees drive our success every day, and we remain focused on delivering opportunities that help them grow, thrive, and make meaningful impact for our clients and stakeholders.”

Pensions & Investments partnered with Workforce Research Group, a research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to conduct a two-part survey process of employers and their employees.

The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 20% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 80% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies.

For a complete list of the 2025 Pensions & Investments’ Best Places to Work in Money Management winners and profiles of the top firms across size categories, go to http://www.pionline.com/BPTW2025

Franklin Templeton did not pay an entry fee for the program.

About Franklin Templeton
Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,600 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.67 trillion in AUM as of November 30, 2025. The Company posts information that may be significant for investors in the Investor Relations and News Center sections of its website, and encourages investors to consult those sections regularly. For more information, please visit investors.franklinresources.com.

About Pensions & Investments

Pensions & Investments, owned by Crain Communications Inc., is the 52-year-old global news source of money management and institutional investing. P&I is written for executives at defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds, as well as those at investment management and other investment-related firms. Pensions & Investments provides timely and incisive coverage of events affecting the money management and retirement businesses. Visit us at www.pionline.com.

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. This material may not be reproduced, distributed or published without prior written permission from Franklin Templeton.

The views expressed are those of the investment manager and the comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as at publication date and may change without notice. The underlying assumptions and these views are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region or market. There is no assurance that any prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets will be realized. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative nor a guarantee of future performance. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Any research and analysis contained in this material has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes and may be acted upon in that connection and, as such, is provided to you incidentally. Data from third party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton (“FT”) has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. Although information has been obtained from sources that Franklin Templeton believes to be reliable, no guarantee can be given as to its accuracy and such information may be incomplete or condensed and may be subject to change at any time without notice. The mention of any individual securities should neither constitute nor be construed as a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any securities, and the information provided regarding such individual securities (if any) is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. FT accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user.

Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered outside the U.S. by other FT affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulation permits. Please consult your own financial professional or Franklin Templeton institutional contact for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.

Issued in the U.S. by Franklin Templeton, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906, (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236, franklintempleton.com. Investments are not FDIC insured; may lose value; and are not bank guaranteed.

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Media Relations: 
Beverly Khoo 
(929) 773 4670
beverly.khoo@franklintempleton.com

Originally published by Newsweek

As the company’s chief sustainability officer and senior vice president, Jackowski has successfully helped the multinational card services corporation grow its net revenue while decreasing its environmental footprint—an achievement for which she was recognized as one of the most influential climate leaders of 2024, according to TIME magazine. 

Under Jackowski’s leadership, Mastercard returned to this year’s Newsweek ranking of America’s Most Responsible Companies, produced in partnership with data firm Statista, climbing up five spots from last year’s seventh position to No. 2. The company also held onto its title as the most responsible company in the financial industry. 

Mastercard has appeared on America’s Most Responsible Companies every year since Newsweek began publishing the ranking in 2021. This year has been Mastercard’s highest performance to date. 

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

CHICAGO, December 8, 2025 /3BL/ – For the eighth consecutive year, the Motorola Solutions Foundation hosted Global Months of Service, an annual volunteer-a-thon for Motorola Solutions employees. The 2025 event set a new record, with volunteers logging more than 65,000 hours, marking a nearly 400% increase since 2020.

Held annually in September and October, this grassroots initiative empowers employees to lead volunteer projects, engaging colleagues to make an impact locally and virtually. This year, more than 60 Global Months of Service team captains identified and partnered with nonprofit organizations, engaged their teams and drove meaningful change in communities around the world.

In the spirit of friendly competition, the team that drove the highest volunteer participation and engagement was awarded the opportunity to direct a $50,000 USD grant from the Foundation to a charitable organization. 

This record-setting year was powered by more than 350 volunteer experiences in 42 countries, with each project advancing the Foundation’s mission to actively create safer cities and thriving communities. Highlights from the campaign include: volunteers beautifying a local hospital site in Krakow; packing 50,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger in Penang; supporting foster youth alongside Be a Resource (BEAR) Houston; and assembling disaster relief kits for the American Red Cross in Fort Lauderdale.

“Service is in our DNA — it’s not just what we do, it’s who we are,” said Wesley Barden Touhy, executive director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We are proud to turn this commitment into action, rolling up our sleeves to help our communities build the equitable, thriving futures they deserve.”

2025 Global Months of Service project highlights

• Addressing food insecurity: Teams packed nearly 70,000 meals for Feed My Starving Children in Illinois and packed more than 300,000 meals packed for Rise Against Hunger across Australia, Ireland, Malaysia and Singapore.
• Environmental and conservation efforts: Motorolans spearheaded a World Cleanup Day event, with more than 1,300 employees participating in over 20 in-person cleanups around the world.
• Supporting health and welfare: Volunteers participated in a Hope Kit Packing Event for the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Texas, sorted medical supplies for Project C.U.R.E. in suburban Chicago, wrote cards to combat loneliness, donated blood, packed disaster relief kits and mapped nearly 30,000 square feet for the American Red Cross’ Mapswipe campaign.
• Honoring first responders: In recognition of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, more than 200 Motorolans across four locations packed meals with 9/11 Day. Additionally, more than 50 employees across Illinois participated in a “Planting a Safer World” volunteer event, designing and planting cooking herb pots for local fire departments in recognition of National First Responders Day.
• Supporting the next generation of innovators: Engineers at the company’s Krakow office led Ozobots STEM kit workshops for local children through the Siemacha Foundation. In Penang, more than 40 employees refurbished LEGO Robotics kits for students participating in Penang Science Cluster (PSC) STEM programs.

“There is an incredible energy when Motorolans unite for Global Months of Service,” said Reema, Motorola Solutions team captain. “It’s a chance to step away from our daily roles and focus on giving back and connecting with our communities. How we show up for those in need reflects the incredible culture of our company.”

The Motorola Solutions Foundation extends sincere gratitude to all employee volunteers and charitable organizations who joined this record-breaking campaign. This ongoing commitment underscores Motorola Solutions’ dedication to giving back to communities and strengthening its mission to build a safer future.

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

DALLAS, December 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Mary Kay Inc., a global champion for women’s empowerment, is turning pink into purpose through its Pink Changing Lives^® Program to raise awareness and funds to support life-changing programs advancing cancer research, support survivors of domestic violence, protect our planet’s most precious resources, and create opportunities that help women and their families thrive. Since 1996, the multi-faceted Pink Changing Lives® Program has donated over $230 million in monetary and in-kind donations to improve the lives of women and their families in communities around the world.

In Germany, Mary Kay has a long-standing partnership with the Reiner Meutsch FLY & HELP Foundation having supported the building or refurbishing of 10 schools in Africa and now expanding its global impact to South Asia with the inauguration of a school in Sri Lanka.

Recently, Mary Kay Germany and FLY & HELP completed the renovation of the 11^th Mary Kay School providing a new chapter in early childhood education for Dankotuwa, a small town in Sri Lanka’s Northwestern Province. With the inauguration of a refurbished preschool that will serve approximately 50 children aged 3 to 5, this represents a significant step toward improving access to education in some of the world’s most underserved regions and countries.

Dankotuwa, located in the Puttalam District, has long struggled with extreme poverty, limited infrastructure, and a lack of access to quality early education. Until now, more than 35 preschool-aged children were attending classes in a structurally unsafe building. The rehabilitated facility now offers a safe, nurturing, and sustainable learning environment fully equipped to accommodate 50 children with two classrooms, restrooms, and a playground.

The Sri Lankan government has officially recognized the school, committing to provide qualified teachers and cover ongoing operational costs. In addition, the government has donated the land for construction, underscoring its support for long-term educational development in the region.

This initiative was made possible through a partnership with Hemas Holdings PLC and generous funding totaling €42,000. Construction was completed in record time, and the school inauguration took place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in a heartfelt ceremony attended by Elke Kopp, General Manager of Mary Kay Germany, Reiner Meutsch, founder of the FLY & HELP and 31 Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors.

Elke Kopp, General Manager of Mary Kay Germany, shared her thoughts at the inauguration: “Seeing the joy on the children’s faces today is a powerful reminder of why we do this. Education is the foundation of opportunity, and at Mary Kay, we are proud to champion a project that uplifts and empowers not only children but entire families and communities in Dankotuwa. This initiative is a vital part of our commitment to driving both social impact and economic sustainability for the people of Sri Lanka, creating lasting change that helps future generations thrive.”

Reiner Meutsch, former managing partner of a tour operator, once traded his office desk for the cockpit of a small plane—and changed countless lives in the process. In January 2010, he became the tenth German to fly around the world in a small aircraft, visiting aid projects in Ghana, Rwanda, India, Indonesia, and Brazil along the way. To support those projects and many more, Meutsch founded the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP in 2009 with a mission to give children access to education. Through donations and partnerships, the foundation builds schools in developing countries around the world.

“I’ve spent much of my life traveling for work, focused on tourism and destinations,” Meutsch says. “But behind the beauty of many of these places, I saw children growing up without access to education or opportunity. That’s what inspired me to take action – to help build schools and open doors to a better future. Every new school isn’t just a building – it’s a true beginning, and I’m deeply grateful to partner with Mary Kay to bring these beginnings to even more children around the world.”

A commemorative plaque was unveiled, honoring the 31 Top Sales Directors from Mary Kay Germany and Switzerland who were present at the opening. The plaque reads:

In Honour and Gratitude of the Visit by Mary Kay Germany and their Independent Sales Directors to 

Piyawara Matikotuwa Preschool, 23 September 2025.

According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, 251 million children and youth were out of school as of October 2024. This preschool is more than a building – it’s a beacon of opportunity for children and families in Dankotuwa. By providing access to early education, the project empowers parents to work, enables older siblings to attend school, and lays the foundation for a brighter future.

To learn more about Mary Kay Pink Changing Lives® efforts around the world, read the latest impact in the 2025 Sustainability Report.

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About Mary Kay
One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

About Reiner Meutsch FLY & HELP Foundation
What began with five school projects during Meutsch’s world flight has grown into a global movement. Today, FLY & HELP has completed over 1,000 school projects, investing around 50 million euros to create educational opportunities for thousands of children across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Further information and opportunities to donate can be found on the foundation’s website at www.fly-and-help.de.

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Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
newsroom.marykay.com/
972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com

Kim Allman, Head of Corporate Responsibility & Public Policy | Impact Blog

At Gen, AI is central to our mission to build a safer digital world. It helps to deliver smarter, faster protection for millions of people worldwide. We’re also using our AI expertise to help people understand, navigate, and benefit from the power of AI, specifically young people in communities around the world.

From classrooms to community events, Gen is helping to shape a more informed and empowered future, powered by AI.

Driving Conversations on AI and Digital Citizenship

This fall, Gen co-sponsored Shaping the Future: AI Education and Workforce Development, an event in Washington, D.C., exploring how educators and companies can prepare students for an AI-driven world. Along with Discovery Education and IBM, I shared how Gen integrates AI responsibly across our products and operations and how we’re investing in education to help families, teachers, and young people use AI safely and confidently.

I also joined Discovery Education’s Empowering Digital Citizens: A Classroom Initiative for Responsible Online Engagement webinar, which is part of its Digital Citizenship Initiative. This event for teachers highlighted how AI intersects with online safety, media literacy and digital responsibility.

Iskandar Sanchez-Rola, one of Gen’s AI experts, connected directly with educators in another Discovery Education session, answering their questions about how AI works and what it means for their future. Representatives also joined the webinar from the organization #HalfTheStory, the leading youth nonprofit advancing digital wellness through play-based, youth-led, evidence-informed programs. Harveer Saini, who works on the group’s Digital Civics Academy, shared accounts from teenagers about the various ways AI and other technologies are shaping their daily lives, elevating the voices of those young people who often encounter the immediate effects of the technology revolution.

The virtual event, part of Discovery Education’s first-ever Futures Fair, reached more than 600 students across 20 classrooms, and the Futures Fair garnered a total audience of more than 13,000 students through both virtual and in-person events.

Expanding AI Education Through Global Partnerships

Together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), we’ve brought digital safety education to young people in more than 100 countries. Our flagship Surf Smart 2.0 program is a badge-earning course that helps empower girls and young women with digital safety skills. This program was recently updated to include content on understanding AI and using it responsibly.

Participants now explore where AI shows up in their online lives—from lifestyle recommendations to chatbots and voice assistants. They discuss how AI shapes what they see, how to think critically about information on their screens and how to spot misinformation. The curriculum also looks at appearance pressure and digital wellbeing, encouraging participants to reflect on how edited images and algorithms make them feel, how to set boundaries with their devices and how to protect their wellbeing while staying connected.

Our partnership with Discovery Education also continues to grow with new AI-focused content launching soon as part of the My Digital Life series. This digital literacy program, created in collaboration with Norton and the National Afterschool Association, gives students practical insights about online safety and media literacy.

The new animated series introduces Artie Fischal, a fictional character who helps students explore how AI can generate text, images and audio. Through stories and classroom-ready resources, students see both the creative potential of AI and the need to pause, ask questions and check sources before they act.

Leading Responsibly in the AI Age

For Gen, AI isn’t just a tool— it’s a responsibility. We design, test, and deploy AI to help protect people from fraud, scams and other online threats. And through AI education, partnerships and community engagement, we share our insights to help young people, families and communities better understand AI and use it responsibly. 

 

For more information on how we reach individuals, families and our communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, visit our 2025 Social Impact Report.

Originally published by IEEE Spectrum
By Dina Genkina

In their lab in Newark, Del., the Chemours team has placed several high-power servers in tanks filled with a proprietary, specially formulated fluid. The fluid is dielectric, so as not to cause shorts, and it’s also noncorrosive and designed to boil at the precise temperature at which the chips are to be held. The fluid boils directly on top of the hot chips. Then the vapor condenses on a cooled surface, either at the top or the back panel of the tank.

That condenser is cooled with circulating facility water. “All we need is water sent directly to the tank that’s about 6 degrees lower than our boiling point, so about 43 °C,” Marshall says. “The fluid condenses [back to a liquid] right inside of the tank. The temperature required to condense our fluid can eliminate the need for chillers and other complex mechanical infrastructure in most cases.”

According to a recent case study by Chemours researchers, two-phase immersion cooling is more cost effective than single-phase immersion or single-phase direct-to-chip in most climates. For example, in Ashburn, Va., the 10-year total cost of ownership was estimated at US $436 million for a single-phase direct-to-chip setup, $491 million for a single-phase immersion setup, and $433 million for a two-phase immersion-cooling setup, mostly due to lower power requirements and a simplified mechanical system.

Continue reading here.

In this story, you will find:

• Making an Impact Together: Henkel employees unite across North America to make a difference in their communities and create meaningful change.
• Hear from Our Volunteers: Mariana Salva and Lisa Henry share what it means to them to give back through Henkel.
• See Video Snapshot: of our employees’ volunteer actions during Henkel’s annual Community Impact Day.

Making an Impact Together

At Henkel North America, our purpose unites us: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This commitment extends beyond our products and innovations; it’s reflected in the everyday actions of our team members who give back to their communities with heart, teamwork and compassion.

On this year’s Annual Community Impact Day, employees came together to create lasting change—supporting over 50 nonprofit organizations and contributing 30,000+ volunteer hours to pack thousands of care kits, diapers and boxes of groceries for people in need, as well as spread mulch, gravel, and topsoil to help maintain public parks, and much more.

Whether we’re getting our hands dirty, coordinating resources or otherwise collaborating to improve the lives of others, Henkel employees are united by a shared passion to make a difference. That spirit extends well beyond one day, as teams and individuals continue volunteering year-round to support causes close to their hearts and contribute to a better world.

To further these efforts, Henkel’s Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative provides financial and in-kind donations to nonprofits chosen by our employees and retirees, along with paid time off for those who volunteer. For more than 25 years, MIT has supported the causes closest to our people’s hearts.

This International Volunteer Day, Henkel celebrates our employees’ volunteerism and recognizes the powerful impact they make in communities across North America.

Hear From Our Volunteers:

Volunteering together isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building stronger connections, creating shared purpose, and making a real difference in our community as a team. But we don’t just strengthen our community—we strengthen each other.

Mariana Sava, Plant Administrator

Community Impact Day provides a meaningful opportunity to give back to our local community and to connect with team members we might not normally work with. Dedicating a day to volunteer our time at an organization that matters to us personally also allows us to make a difference beyond our everyday roles and create lasting impact.

Lisa Henry, Consumer Category Development Manager
 

by Lindsay Wright, Director, Affiliate and Partner Communications

This year’s Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) collected data from suppliers in the 12 months leading up to April 2025, the latter part of which coincided with the introduction of the U.S. trade tariffs.

The findings reveal notable variations in how suppliers are experiencing purchasing practices across the value chain, portraying uneven progress on responsible purchasing on the part of global brands and retailers.

Regional Findings, At a Glance

Suppliers in North America are struggling to get paid for orders, which is negatively affecting their cash flow and sustainability. But on the plus side, they are reporting better, more accurate and timely forecasts from their suppliers.

In the APAC region, suppliers reported fewer issues with payment and terms but reported weaker design and development practices on the part of their buyer customers. This is in part because of too few samples being converted into orders – wasting valuable time and resources.

These mixed experiences suggest that progress on responsible purchasing is uneven. They are likely due to a combination of factors – they may be as much about the types of product buyers are sourcing and the partnership models they adopt with their suppliers as they are to geography and geopolitical unrest. But they underscore the need for companies to take a more consistent, systems-based approach to improving purchasing practices and embedding fair and predictable working relationships throughout their supply chains.

Understand Supplier Regions, Balance Your Supply Chain

Companies benefit hugely from understanding how suppliers’ experiences of their purchasing practices are shaped by local contexts and business environments, and can learn from higher-performing regions. Thus, they can act accordingly, directing support to those facing persistent challenges for a more balanced and sustainable global supply chain. Those that actively subscribe with Better Buying receive confidential scores and reports, with detailed, granular data specific to their own business, and recommendations as to how they can make improvements, working with their suppliers to co-create solutions to shared business challenges.

Back in 2021, Better Buying collected data from suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and expected to see big falls in the scores awarded to buyers. We were surprised to see that companies that had subscribed with the surveys year over year had still managed to make some improvements, even during this difficult time. The BBPPI data shows that the same is largely true during the era of tariffs. While both the overall and category scores have fallen slightly, those companies that have subscribed with Better Buying year over year have continued to make improvements. Three companies in particular have made big improvements, including one that increased its overall score by 10 points between 2023 and 2025.

Understand Issues Affecting Your Supplier Regions: Act Accordingly

Companies that are serious about human rights due diligence have a platform that enables their suppliers to share their experiences anonymously, giving buyer companies access to deep, granular insights that they can use, in partnership with their suppliers, to build region-specific, targeted strategies for future-proofing their supply chains.

To find out about how to subscribe for the 2026 BBPI, contact Leonie Abraham, vice president of business development, Cascale Better Buying. For a deeper dive on this data, join us for the “Better Buying 2025 Insights: Navigating global volatility and defining the next steps for better purchasing practices” webinar on December 9 with Innovation Forum.

Key Takeaways

• 01

  Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more Americans have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million commitment.

• 02

  Powered by Comcast Business, Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide.

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2025 /3BL/ – Comcast announced it is launching five new Flagship Lift Zones this fall in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, St. Paul and Federal Way, WA, bringing free WiFi, advanced technology, workforce training and digital skills programming to even more neighborhoods across America. Lift Zones, Comcast’s nationwide initiative to ensure more people in more communities have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million cash and in-kind investment. These commitments build on successful Flagship Lift Zones launched in Atlanta, Houston, and Oakland in 2024, and pave the way for opening five additional flagships by the end of 2026, including locations in Pennsylvania and Florida.

“We’re not just building networks – we’re building pathways to opportunity. Our $50 million Lift Zones commitment enables more people to access the internet and the tools they need to succeed – whether that’s applying for a job, attending a virtual class, or launching a business – we’re creating a future where everyone can participate in today’s digital economy.”

Dalila Wilson-Scott

Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer,
Comcast Corporation and President
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide. Each Flagship site is developed in partnership with a trusted local organization and includes:

• Technology upgrades and digital skills training
• Dedicated grant funding for local programming
• On-site Digital Navigators to assist with internet access, devices, and digital literacy

In addition, Flagship Lift Zone sites receive Xfinity’s free high-speed 6GHz WiFi. Xfinity delivers fast, reliable WiFi experience with multi-gig speeds, low-lag connection for gaming and streaming, the capacity to connect hundreds of devices, and unbeatable wall-to-wall WiFi coverage.

Flagship Locations Opening This Fall

• Chicago, IL – The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood features a recently opened, state-of-the-art 76,000-square-foot hub for workforce training and economic empowerment.
• D.C. – At Building Bridges Across the River at TheARC, this location will expand workforce development programs, and builds on Comcast’s $1 million commitment to serve as the connectivity partner for the 11th Street Bridge Park, a joint initiative with the District Department of Transportation.
• Philadelphia – Located at Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), this Lift Zone will support job training in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and digital media.
• St. Paul – At Hmong American Partnership, the Lift Zone will enhance job skills training and employment services in high-demand sectors like healthcare and IT.
• Federal Way (Seattle area) – Partnering with El Centro De La Raza, Comcast’s investment will support bilingual education, small business support, and digital skills training.

Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. This commitment is helping to expand internet access, deliver digital skills training, and drive economic mobility. Through thousands of community partnerships and programs across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky, we are working to ensure everyone can benefit from being connected to the internet. This includes programs such as Comcast RISE.