Tag: 3BL

The lyrics to one of Bob Dylan’s most famous songs could certainly apply to the new political environment facing corporate sustainability professionals today: “The times they are a-changin’.” Following the actions of the new Trump Administration to pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate change and to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government, many companies are reevaluating their commitments to sustainability and DEI. In some cases, companies have ended DEI programs or are renaming programs to avoid pushback from the Administration and outside groups.

While these challenges may seem overwhelming, the good news is that the business rationale for focusing on sustainability has not changed. Our Top Stories in this issue of the Sustainability Highlights newsletter demonstrate that the value of sustainability is still recognized by CEOs and business leaders, and their efforts will continue even as the way companies communicate about sustainability will adapt to the current political climate.

An article on edie about PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey says that two-thirds of the CEOs surveyed reported that climate-related investments had either reduced costs or had no significant impact on costs to the enterprise. According to the survey, “a clear global trend is emerging: aligning climate-friendly investments with long-term business strategies drives stronger financial performance.”

Another article from edie reports on a recent survey by the Capgemini Research Institute of 2,500 global business leaders, which found that 62% of businesses are planning to increase their sustainability budgets in 2025, by an average of 10.5%. The survey found that companies see sustainability “as a means of weathering persistent challenges such as supply chain disruptions and high energy and commodity prices.”

Contributor David Carlin in Forbes magazine says that based on his conversations with sustainability leaders and executives in the financial sector, he believes “sustainability is not retreating – it is evolving.” He sees three key shifts coming in 2025 that will have big implications for business: first, a move away from high-profile public commitments toward quieter, results-focused action; second, the integration of sustainability into core business functions so it becomes part of the everyday fabric of firms; and last, a stronger focus on sustainability as a driver of economic opportunity and client value.

Technology will certainly play an important role in helping companies achieve sustainability goals that have an impact on the bottom line and help increase revenue. In an article in Tech Informed, experts discuss predictions for green technology advances that will drive energy efficiency in 2025, including the increased use of AI, digitalization of communications, and circular economies.

The G&A team will continue to monitor the impact of the changing political environment on corporate sustainability initiatives and how companies communicate about sustainability. As always, we are available to discuss how our experts can help you navigate today’s challenges and opportunities. Please reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

WASHINGTON, February 10, 2025 /3BL/ – EarthShare launches fiscal sponsorship services to strengthen the environmental movement by fostering collaboration among diverse communities, sectors, and regions, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources for environmental projects across the United States.

What Is Fiscal Sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship is when a nonprofit provides a mission-aligned group or project access to their legal and tax-exempt nonprofit status, allowing the project to skip the labor-intensive and costly steps of having to create and maintain a 501(c)(3) status of their own. A fiscal sponsor can also provide administrative support through financial management, human resources, and legal assistance.

Why EarthShare?

For the past 35 years, EarthShare has worked with individuals and businesses to amplify giving for our network of more than 500 environmental nonprofits. As a result, we’ve mobilized more than $400 million in support for our planet. Backed by a network of some of the best environmental nonprofits, our issue expertise and partner network exceed anything on the market, and it’s continuously expanding. We are building the world’s most robust and inclusive environmental network, with the goal to ensure that lesser-known, grassroots, frontline, and BIPOC-led nonprofits see increased visibility and financial support.

Today, EarthShare is using our years of environmental sector expertise to bring new programmatic work to life. We provide fiscal sponsorship and financial services for environmental projects looking to positively impact both people and the planet.

We’re seeking projects that increase Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in environmental spaces, improving communities through the strategic involvement of those most impacted by environmental degradation. All projects should have a clear understanding of the connection between social and environmental issues.

Is EarthShare the Right Fit?

To learn more about what we’re looking for, potential or existing projects can visit our website or contact Celange Beck, Director of Partnerships, to discuss the project’s possible home at EarthShare.

About EarthShare

With a vision of everyone supporting a healthy planet, EarthShare amplifies impact through a variety of tools, programs, and educational content to engage businesses, individuals, and nonprofits alike. We make it possible for a larger, more inclusive community to help solve the environmental crisis. Our programs welcome new advocates into the fold, streamlining and enhancing efforts to create positive change by enabling more people to work together for a just and sustainable world. Learn more at: EarthShare.org.

Contact 
Celange Beck, Director of Partnerships 
celange@earthshare.org

-ENDS- 

Mold is a persistent issue that can lead to costly property damage, liability concerns, and complex insurance claims. Without proper risk management, mold-related losses can escalate, impacting both policyholders and insurers. This webinar will explore the key factors driving mold growth—substrate, moisture, and temperature—and the critical steps for prevention and control. With a focus on insurance implications, we’ll examine policy considerations, claim trends, and risk mitigation strategies, along with real-world case studies illustrating best practices and lessons learned.

By attending, you’ll gain insights into:

How to identify and mitigate conditions that contribute to mold growth.The distinction between water intrusion (a property concern) and mold (a pollution condition) in claims assessment.Proactive mold prevention strategies to reduce claim frequency and severity.Case studies showcasing claim management challenges during remediation.How advanced technologies like leak detection systems can help lower risk exposure.

Whether you’re involved in underwriting, claims management, or loss prevention, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to better assess, prevent, and manage mold-related risks.

Join us on February 25th at 1 PM ET.

Can’t make it live? Register now and receive access to the on-demand recording after the webinar.

Register Here!

KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation have awarded the West Side Market $1.5 million towards its Transformation Project. The gift includes support for the renovated East Produce Arcade, which will honor KeyBank’s commitment to the community, along with funding for food access education and programming to be developed with the new arcade’s launch.

The landmark gift comes as KeyBank celebrates its bicentennial and marks the first major corporate contribution to the Market’s $68 million masterplan project. KeyBank joins the George Gund Foundation and an array of government sources including the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio as strong supporters of West Side Market’s future.

“We are so proud to support the West Side Market and its mission to provide fresh, healthy food to Cleveland’s diverse communities,” said Kelly Lamirand, KeyBank Cleveland Market President. “This investment is about more than revitalizing a historic landmark; it’s about strengthening access to resources that empower individuals and families here in our hometown of Cleveland. By contributing to this transformation, we’re helping ensure the Market remains a vital part of our community for generations to come.”

“KeyBank’s 200-year legacy is built on a commitment to supporting the communities we serve and driving positive change,” said Eric Fiala, KeyBank Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO, KeyBank Foundation. “Our investment with the West Side Market reflects that dedication by enhancing access to fresh produce for many of Cleveland’s families and creating new opportunities for small businesses that call the Market home. We are honored to play a small role to ensure this historic landmark continues to serve as a vital resource for decades to come.”

“We are thrilled by KeyBank’s generous support,” says Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director of Cleveland Public Market Corporation, the nonprofit entity managing the Market and the masterplan. “KeyBank is a leader in the greater Cleveland community and its belief in West Side Market is pivotal as we look to transform the Market. The East Arcade is an essential part of this transformation – as access to fresh and healthy produce is a critical element to provide a well-rounded shopping experience for customers from all backgrounds.”

Of the Market’s 800,000 annual visitors, more than 25% qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits and utilize those benefits while grocery shopping at West Side Market. Through community partnerships and program development, the Market will create new and expand existing food access and education programs, many of which are centered around the importance of providing fresh produce for our neighbors with low incomes. Upon completion of the masterplan, the current East Arcade will be named in honor of KeyBank and will be home to the Market’s produce vendors.

“KeyBank’s support is a major step toward achieving our ambitions to make the West Side Market far more than it was ever imagined to be,” said David Abbott, President of the nonprofit’s board of directors. “Not just a wonderful place to visit and shop, but also a positive force throughout our region. It’s all part of the Market becoming the best in America.”

ABOUT THE MARKET’S MASTERPLAN

The full masterplan holistically addresses Market operations and opportunities to improve existing facilities and systems, as well as transform previously unused spaces into additional places where visitors and can gather and enjoy their Market experience. Updates and improvements include a major overhaul of the Market’s systems infrastructure, including refrigeration, HVAC, storage access, and power resiliency; a renovated produce arcade, the transformation of the north arcade into a prepared food hall with bar-style seating, a permanent outdoor seating courtyard, teaching and commercial kitchens, and the repurposing of unused Market spaces into additional seating and event areas.

The full plan can be viewed at westsidemarket.org.

ABOUT CLEVELAND PUBLIC MARKET CORPORATION

Cleveland Public Market Corporation strives to make West Side Market the nation’s premier public market by meeting the evolving needs of merchants, customers, and the community. CPMC preserves the city’s public market tradition while making the local food system more accessible, equitable, and diverse.

ABOUT KEYBANK

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

Additional coverage:

West Side Market set for transformation with KeyBank’s $1.5M boost | WKYC-TV

Cleveland’s West Side Market gearing up for significant changes – what visitors and vendors can expect | WJW-TV

Construction on massive West Side Market transformation set to begin this summer | Cleveland.com

Managing supply chains is like conducting an orchestra: it demands artful coordination, precision, and leadership. Supply chain leaders, like conductors, must foster collaboration and harmonize multiple interconnected components to achieve a seamless outcome.

This was the key insight gleaned from the panel I hosted at the North American Supply Chain Executive Summit (NASCES) last fall, “A NASCES24 Speaker Roundtable – A Supply Chain Discussion.”

Unlike musicians, supply chain professionals work with stakeholders who span roles and organizations, each with differing objectives. While finance pushes for cost reductions, sales and marketing may demand speed, and operations might prioritize risk mitigation. It is up to supply chain leaders to carefully balance these competing goals, ensuring efficiency without compromising other interests.

Here are my key takeaways from the panel, which featured supply chain leaders from prominent companies in the high-tech, retail, and consumer products industries.

Leverage Innovative Procurement and Multi-Sourcing Strategies

In today’s dynamic global landscape, change can happen instantly. Businesses must navigate an array of factors, including geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, shifting consumer preferences, intricate regulations, and more. A common theme among the panelists involved leveraging multi-sourcing and digital procurement tools to empower supply chain managers to be flexible when addressing unexpected disruptions.

Multi-sourcing strategies involve diversifying the supplier base to mitigate the risks associated with relying on a single provider. By adopting this approach, businesses can ensure continuous supply and maintain operational resilience. For example, if one supplier faces a disruption, a manufacturing company can quickly shift to another supplier, minimizing downtime and meeting production timelines.

Dynamic sourcing, a strategy that involves the continuous evaluation and adjustment of supplier relationships, enhances agility by allowing companies to adapt to market fluctuations and stay competitive. For instance, a company can procure raw materials from the most cost-effective supplier based on real-time market conditions, driving down costs without impacting product quality or production schedules.

Enhanced supply chain visibility is another crucial benefit. With real-time insights into supplier performance, managers can pinpoint inefficiencies and optimize costs. Additionally, increased transparency improves compliance with regulatory and environmental standards, helping meet ethical sourcing practices and sustainability goals.

Invest in Digital Transformation and AI

Panelists emphasized how supply chain leaders are leveraging AI, using it as a tool to respond quickly to emerging trends. Technology is a superpower when it comes to balancing different priorities — digital platforms, generative AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics provide supply chain teams with centralized visibility. This empowers them to be more agile, strategic, and efficient.

Additionally, advanced platforms that leverage AI can provide real-time data about inventory, shipment, and delivery statuses, which help reduce silos between various stakeholders. This transparency minimizes conflicts and aligns efforts across departments, ensuring cohesive decision-making and a collaborative work environment.

Level Up Your Demand Forecasting

When dealing with an unpredictable business environment, panelists shared how they are increasingly relying on accurate demand forecasting for stakeholder alignment. Leveraging AI-powered predictive analytics enables them to anticipate demand fluctuations and adjust their strategies accordingly. This foresight fosters trust and ensures that all internal stakeholders are working together toward collective objectives.

Panelists highlighted that this can also ensure that each team is supported in their daily tasks. For instance, manufacturing teams can receive adequate stock, finance teams can avoid excess inventory costs, and operations can maintain smooth workflows. Predictive analytics turns forecasting into a strategic advantage, enabling companies to address potential issues proactively and reduce risks.

Achieving Supply Chain Harmony

Competing stakeholder priorities don’t have to create friction. By investing in AI, implementing dynamic sourcing, and adopting cloud-based procurement platforms, supply chain professionals can turn these challenges into opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The result is a supply chain that is not only efficient and productive, but also resilient and adaptable — a true asset to every stakeholder involved.

The key to harmonizing stakeholder priorities lies in leveraging advanced technologies and adopting innovative strategies. With the right tools and mindset, supply chain leaders can transform challenges into opportunities, creating a supply chain that is agile, efficient, and able to meet stakeholder needs.

SAP Business Network is specifically designed to address many of the issues and challenges discussed. It provides the necessary tools to seamlessly connect buyers and suppliers, streamline procurement and supply chain processes, and ensure that every stakeholder thrives in rapidly changing markets. By investing in such technology, businesses can build a future-ready supply chain that drives resilience and long-term value.

To learn more about these insights and hear the full discussion from supply chain executives at leading companies, I encourage you to watch the recording from the North American Supply Chain Executive Summit. You’ll gain valuable perspectives on how industry leaders are navigating complex supply chain challenges and balancing diverse stakeholder priorities in today’s dynamic business environment.

Val Blatt is chief revenue officer for SAP Business Network at SAP.

LOS ANGELES /3BL/ — DaVita, a comprehensive kidney care provider, has activated its emergency response plan as devastating wildfires spread across Southern California. DaVita’s emergency response plan includes:

Accounting for patients and teammates (employees), assessing facilities in the affected areas and identifying safe shelters.Transferring patients to centers that can safely provide dialysis treatment.Providing patients with relevant medical information—including prescription, dietary instructions and fluid restrictions—should they need to dialyze at a different center.Coordinating with other dialysis and health care providers to help ensure continuity of care for all patients.Welcoming anyone in need of dialysis treatment at our centers that remain open.Installing air scrubbers in centers located in the affected areas.Holding regularly scheduled check-ins with local teams to help coordinate the safety of those impacted.

“During this rapidly evolving situation, our top priority is patient and teammate safety,” said David Brown, group vice president at DaVita. “We’re working diligently to maintain center operations and, in the event of a temporary closure, we’re continually assessing and evaluating the area for additional centers with capacity to treat patients. We’re grateful to the first responders and their tireless efforts to aid and protect our communities.”

More than 80,000 Californians currently receive dialysis—a life-sustaining treatment for patients with end stage kidney disease. If you need dialysis care, call DaVita at 1-800-400-8331 for help locating an open center. Patients and their family members can also visit newsroom.davita.com for a regularly updated list of open DaVita centers. For urgent medical needs, dial 9-1-1.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Kidney Disease

Kidney patients on dialysis should add several items to their emergency kit that will help meet their needs if an emergency happens and they need to evacuate. The kit should include the following:

Emergency phone numbers for doctors and dialysis centers, including alternate nearby dialysis centersAt least three days’ worth of any medicines needed as well as a list of medicines and the dosage amountFor patients with diabetes, a week’s worth of supplies (syringes, insulin, alcohol wipes, glucose monitoring strips)At least three days’ worth of emergency food

Place these items in a container or bag that can be carried easily if evacuated or moved from home. Rotate the emergency kit’s stock to make sure supplies are not past their expiration dates.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit https://www.davita.com/education/ckd-life/emergency-preparedness-for-people-with-kidney-disease.

About DaVita Inc. 
DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 20 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey—from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping to support transplantation, from acute hospital care to dialysis at home. As of September 30, 2024, DaVita served approximately 265,400 patients at 3,113 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,660 centers were located in the United States and 453 centers were located in 13 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care industry to adopt an equitable and high-quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Media Contact:
Matthew Clyburn
matthew.clyburn@davita.com 
(860) 944-8653

International Olympic Committee news

In the framework of the PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme, the IOC Olympic Studies Centre (OSC), with help of its Grant Selection Committee, has selected four research projects based on their academic quality and link with Olympic studies.

The selected candidates and their chosen projects are:

Ellie GENNINGS (GBR)
Research project: A Concept Mapping Study of High-Performance Adolescent Athlete’s Perspectives of Safety in Sport
Bournemouth University (GBR)Catalina MELENDRO BLANCO (COL)
Research project: From hegemonic Global North perspectives towards Global South realities: Exploring sport leaders’ views towards an intersectional sport safeguarding strategy
Canterbury Christ Church University (GBR)Monica NELSON (USA)
Research project: Strength in Difference?: Examining sex- and gender-based training practices in women’s Olympic Weightlifting
University of Waikato (NZD)Mikaela SPRINGSTEEN (USA/EST)
Research project: Rating and Ranking in the Pursuit of Perfection on Ice
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)

The chosen candidates benefit from a grant which allows them to carry out their research project and, if relevant, to consult the Olympic Studies Centre’s resources in Lausanne (Switzerland). The results of their research must be submitted to the OSC at the end of 2025.

35 candidates from 20 countries and 5 continents applied

For this 26th edition of the programme, 22 applications were submitted by doctoral students and 13 by early career academics.

Background of the programme

The PhD Students and Early Career Academics Grant Programme is one of the two research programmes that has been organised by the OSC, aiming to support Olympic-related academic research since 1999. It contributes to promote the presence of Olympic studies in the universities by reaching out to the next generation of professors.

What is the selection process?

The grant holders were selected by a committee composed of academic experts who are renowned for their involvement in Olympic studies and of OSC representatives. The selection committee for the 2025 edition of the programme comprised the following academic members: Mahfoud Amara (Qatar University, Qatar), Dikaia Chatziefstathiou (Canterbury Christ Church University, Great Britain), Angela Schneider (Western University, Canada), Tracy Taylor (RMIT University, Australia) and Paul Wylleman (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium).

Other research grant opportunities

University professors, lecturers and research fellows who have completed their doctorate and who currently hold an academic/research appointment covering the period of the grant are eligible to apply to the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme. The call for applications for the 2025-2027 edition is now open and the deadline for submitting applications is 27 January 2025.

This programme aims to promote advanced research by established researchers with a humanities or social sciences perspective in priority fields of research identified by the IOC.

The full list of research projects funded by the Olympic Studies Centre since the creation of its grant programmes in 1999 is available here.

For more information on the Olympic Studies Centre and its programmes and services, visit its website or contact studies.centre@olympic.org. To discover the full OSC’s collections including 40,000 publications and 1.5km of IOC historical archives, visit the Olympic World Library.

The Olympic Studies Centre is the official centre of reference for Olympic knowledge. Its missions are to make Olympic knowledge accessible, foster and support education, teaching and research among students and academics and stimulate the dialogue between the academic community and the Olympic Movement.

Cummins

As alternative fuels and vehicle technologies gain traction, the role of components within these technologies is evolving. In battery electric vehicles (BEVs), power electronic components are critical to vehicle functionality and efficiency. Understanding their impact and potential is essential for businesses adopting BEVs or navigating the future of sustainable transportation.

Previously, we discussed the role of software across vehicle technologies and the benefits it offers OEMs. This article delves into the role of electronics in BEVs.

Power electronics and their role in BEVs

The core of a BEV is its high-capacity battery pack, which powers the electric motor. Unlike gasoline engines, BEVs convert electrical energy directly into mechanical energy with high efficiency and low emissions, enabling smooth, quiet operation and rapid acceleration. With fewer moving parts than diesel vehicles, BEV drivetrains are simpler, requiring less maintenance and reducing mechanical downtime.

Power electronics include components that convert and control electric power in BEVs to ensure optimal performance and driving experience. A key example is the electronic control module (ECM), which functions similarly in diesel and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Acting as the command center, power electronics manage electricity flow between the battery, motor, and other systems, converting stored energy into the precise forms needed for propulsion and auxiliary systems.

In BEVs, power electronics enable instant torque and responsive acceleration through components like inverters, converters, and controllers. These systems handle high voltage and current demands while safeguarding against power fluctuations, critical for battery longevity and vehicle safety.

Beyond functionality, power electronics support the broader goal of reducing emissions. By efficiently managing power, they help BEVs travel farther on a single charge, minimize energy waste, and promote sustainable transportation.

Integration of power electronics in hybrid and BEVs

Power electronics are vital in hybrid and BEVs, managing electrical flow to optimize performance and extend battery life. They convert the battery’s Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) for the motor and reverse the process during regenerative braking. This maximizes efficiency, balances the load, and prevents power surges that could harm the battery.

Commercial vehicles, like electric buses and delivery trucks, gain significant advantages from power electronics. Heavy-duty electric trucks ensure precise torque control on varied terrains. In electric buses, they efficiently distribute power between driving and auxiliary systems, such as air conditioning, enhancing passenger comfort.

Cummins Inc. is advancing power electronics to improve energy consumption and vehicle range. These refinements enable commercial vehicles to travel farther, charge faster, and use energy more efficiently, making them cost-effective and practical for fleets. Such innovations are critical for cleaner, more sustainable commercial transport.

Considerations for power electronics in BEVs

Maximizing the benefits of power electronics in BEVs requires innovation and adaptability. As BEVs evolve with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), power electronics must support not only efficiency but also safety and real-time reliability.

Cost is a key factor. Efficiently designed power electronics can lower BEV development costs by optimizing energy use and reducing the need for costly cooling systems. This is especially critical for commercial BEVs, where operational efficiency directly impacts profitability.

With the industry shifting to higher voltages for better efficiency and performance, power electronics must ensure safe voltage management. Cummins addresses this shift by rethinking thermal management, electromagnetic compatibility, and component packaging, making BEVs more viable and aligned with environmental goals.

As BEVs advance, power electronics remain central to enhancing efficiency, reliability, and adoption, paving the way for a sustainable future in transportation.

Cummins is at the forefront of innovative transportation and heavy-duty operations and Accelera™ by Cummins – the zero-emissions business segment of Cummins – is at the forefront of supplying and integrating zero-emissions technologies to decarbonize the world’s hardest working industries. For more information about BEV and FCEVs, visit accelerazero.com.

For the fifteenth year in a row, Whirlpool Corporation has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune. Whirlpool Corp. was once again selected for this honor due to the company’s performance, management, products, and commitment to the communities around the world where the company does business.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Fortune as one of the most admired companies. This recognition is the result of incredible employees around the world and their tireless commitment to improving life at home for consumers.”

“It is an honor to be recognized by Fortune as one of the most admired companies,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “This recognition is the result of incredible employees around the world and their tireless commitment to improving life at home for consumers.”

The World’s Most Admired Companies list highlights organizations most respected by their peers, with executives emphasizing financial stability, innovation and leadership. Fortune collaborated with Korn Ferry on this survey – the two organizations analyzed 650 companies and surveyed more than 3,300 executives to measure reputation based on nine different attributes, including each firm’s effectiveness in conducting business globally, its ability to attract, develop, and keep talent, its value as a long-term investment, its innovativeness, its use of corporate assets, and its responsibility to the community and environment.

Click here to see the full list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.”

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the last-remaining major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

Abbott

Four out of 10 people living with diabetes miss appointments due to shame1. How can we change that?

A lot of things we commonly hear about diabetes may be based on misconceptions or stereotypes. In fact, nearly 40% of people living with diabetes will tell you1 — this chronic condition is not taken seriously enough.

And that can have a real impact on a person’s health.

When Jenny Geraci received her diabetes diagnosis, it shook her to her core. She remembers staying home all day just to process the news. But when she tried to explain that to the people in her life, they reacted as if nothing had changed at all.

“It was a life-changing thing for me, and it was brushed off,” she said. “I felt like no one cared about my personal medical challenge.”

Sometimes what isn’t said about diabetes can hurt, too.

Fortunately for her, “as I opened up, they understood more over time.”

As courageous as Geraci was, many others in her situation don’t open up — too concerned about what family or friends might think of them.

One in six American adults and hundreds of millions of people around the world who live with diabetes face barriers to receiving care1.

If we all could see the world through the eyes of the millions of people living with diabetes, it would be an eye-opener, for sure.

We’d see that living with diabetes requires daily health management — and can come with a daily barrage of misconceptions.

Let’s Rise Above the Bias

As a leader in diabetes health tech, Abbott has been fostering these conversations for more than a decade. Now, we feel it’s time to turn up the volume.

Our new initiative, “Above the Bias,” is all about supporting people living with diabetes and clearing away some of the roadblocks they face. We kicked things off with the release of a new film with the same name, putting viewers in the shoes of someone trying to manage their condition.

Together, we’ll address what we continue to hear from people living with diabetes1:

Nearly 70% believe there is stigma associated with their condition.Almost 25% have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends out of embarrassment or concern.Forty percent have skipped or missed a doctor’s appointment due to shame.

Even if you’ve never seen or experienced this bias at play, its impact is very real. Consider Jonathan Reyman’s stressful story about simply trying to administer a dose of insulin.

“One time I had my needle out on a bathroom sink and someone asked me if I was ‘shooting up,’ ” he said. “I felt annoyed. I was trying to be discreet.” By sharing more knowledge and more experiences — more broadly — we can help reduce stigma, create understanding and empower those living with diabetes to access the care they need.

Correcting Common Myths About Diabetes

We can’t debunk every myth about diabetes, but we can name some of them in hopes of starting a positive dialogue.

It’s not anyone’s “fault” for living with diabetes.Diabetes is not contagious.Not everyone living with diabetes uses or needs insulin.Plenty of people living with diabetes are athletes or have active lifestyles.People living with diabetes can eat sugar.

To that last point, Dawn Culver-Henkel — who, like Jenny, lives with Type 2 diabetes and uses Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system — said any discussion of diet can quickly turn into a discouraging one.

“A lot of these interactions, I think, are around food,” Culver-Henkel said. “The real issue, I find, is about weight and not the disease.”

What Can We Do to Make a Difference?

So how can we help support those living with diabetes in our community? There are little things we can do every day for our friends’ and families’ health.

We know that 70% of people with diabetes feel that supportive comments boost their motivation to manage their health1. With that in mind, using person-first language, avoiding judgement and blame, celebrating small wins and asking open-ended questions are all things we can do daily to help diminish the impacts of diabetes bias.

Reyman, meanwhile, can focus on what really matters: Enjoying life and living it on his terms.

“I have (diabetes) under control,” he said. “I’m probably going to live to a ripe old age, and whatever happens won’t be because of diabetes.”

References

1 Data on file. Research conducted by Savanta on behalf of Abbott between May and August 2024 was executed in three distinct phases among people with diabetes across Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S.

Important safety information

FreeStyle Libre Systems

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