Tag: 3BL

NEW ORLEANS, February 3, 2025 /3BL/ – Fortune magazine has recognized Entergy among the top utilities on its World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2025. Entergy was recognized by industry peers for its commitment to innovation and social responsibility, its long-term investment value and global competitiveness. This is the first time Entergy has been selected as a finalist for inclusion on this prestigious list.

“It is truly an honor to be named one of the most-admired electric utilities by Fortune magazine,” said Drew Marsh, chair and CEO of Entergy. “This ranking is a recognition of our 12,000 employees who provide exceptional service to our customers and communities each day as we deliver safe, reliable, affordable and cleaner energy solutions for everyone.”

The World’s Most Admired Companies list serves as a definitive benchmark for corporate reputation and the most respected companies worldwide since 1997. To determine the rankings, company executives, directors and financial analysts are independently surveyed to rate companies that command the strongest reputations in their own industries and beyond. The rankings are based on an extensive evaluation of nine key attributes, including innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness.

Entergy’s inclusion on the 2025 World’s Most Admired Companies list builds on the company’s recent recognitions as a top utility in economic development for the 17th year from Site Selection magazine and the ninth year in a row as an honoree of The Civic 50 and the utilities sector leader for the second straight year. The Civic 50 is Points of Light’s prestigious list honoring the top companies leading the way in employee volunteerism and community investment in the United States. Entergy was also ranked as one of the top 100 Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital.

Recent performance highlights include:

Investing in grid reliability – Entergy is making responsible investments to strengthen the energy grid and continue delivering reliable power to our customers. The company is prioritizing projects that meet our reliability and sustainability goals, while reducing restoration times and outage costs. Most importantly, a more resilient system will ensure a safer restoration effort for our workers.
 Partnering on economic development – Entergy is a leader in fostering economic growth in the communities we serve. Leveraging our strong partnerships and resources, we’re able to support companies in finding suitable site locations, breaking ground and building or expanding their businesses to create economic value for our region. In 2023, Entergy helped secure more than $33 billion in capital investments and helped create more than 5,100 new direct jobs throughout our four-state service area.
 Supporting our communities – The company has invested more than $70 million in shareholder funds since 2022 to support nonprofit organizations and programs dedicated to helping those in need within our communities. The support centered on utility bill payment assistance for low-income customers, poverty solutions and energy efficiency programs. The company also recently committed $20 million to support workforce development and empower students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities located in the Entergy region.
 Advancing the clean energy transition – Entergy’s commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, along with our commitment to helping customers meet their clean energy goals, will help advance a diverse portfolio of modern, cleaner power generation technologies.

More information about the World’s Most Admired Companies list is available on Fortune’s website.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability, resilience and growth of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a founding partner of the Host Committee for Super Bowl LIX that will be played Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the home of Entergy’s corporate headquarters. The company has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.

Contact

Media inquiries: Cristina del Canto|504-576-4238|mdelcan@entergy.com

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Newsroom

PITTSBURGH, February 3, 2025 /3BL/ — The University of Texas at Austin Athletics and DICK’S Sporting Goods announced an exclusive multi-year brand sponsorship that names DICK’S as the “Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the Texas Longhorns.”

In addition to co-branding with the iconic Texas Longhorns logo in DICK’S marketing campaigns, the sponsorship includes prominent student-athlete influencer marketing activations through name, image, and likeness (NIL) collaborations, including game sponsorships across various Longhorns sports, and activations at Bevo Blvd. The agreement was secured on behalf of Texas Athletics by its multimedia rightsholder Longhorn Sports Properties, the locally-based team of Learfield – the leading media and technology company powering college athletics.

“We are really excited to sponsor The University of Texas Athletics,” said Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Entertainment & Sponsorships at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Austin is home to one of the best fan bases and some of the most elite athletes in the country. We look forward to making meaningful connections within the community, celebrating with Longhorn Nation and working with Texas’ student-athletes through a multitude of different NIL opportunities.”

With the agreement, Longhorn student-athletes from various men’s and women’s sports will have an opportunity to promote the DICK’S brand through in-store appearances and unique content on various social media channels and the Longhorn Network (LHN) streaming platform.

“DICK’S is the leading sporting goods store in Texas and the United States with a history of supporting collegiate merchandise programs through innovative retail concepts, best-in-class product assortments and creative national and local marketing programs,” executive senior associate athletics director Drew Martin said. “Now through this sponsorship with The University of Texas, we are excited to enhance that relationship and deliver more Longhorns-branded product to our fan base locally here in Austin as well as throughout Texas and the United States.”

DICK’S will be featured as the game sponsor on numerous occasions for Longhorn men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball throughout the remainder of the 2024-25 athletics year and beyond. During Texas Football home games at Darrell K Royal –Texas Memorial Stadium, DICK’S will serve as the presenting sponsor of Hook ‘Em Herd, a pre-game experience which gives kids the chance to run the length of Campbell-Williams Field in front of more than 100,000 Longhorn fans before kickoff, inspiring younger generations to dream about how sports can change their lives.

On Texas Football gamedays, on-site activations will allow DICK’S to connect with students and fans alike on the famed Bevo Blvd. In the offseason, DICK’S will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Texas Football Coaches’ Clinics for high school coaches across the state.

“We’re thrilled to announce DICK’S Sporting Goods as our Official Sporting Goods Retailer,” said Lucas Motta, Vice President & General Manager of Longhorn Sports Properties. “DICK’S vision around showcasing the power of sports through a year-round approach across our multimedia platforms is a model on how to maximize a sponsorship at Texas.”

Longhorn Sports Properties does not represent the student-athletes themselves but collaborates with corporate sponsors to maximize agreements with the inclusion of student-athlete influencer marketing and the integration of university marks and logos within those campaigns.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods 
DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

About The University of Texas Athletics 
During the past five years, Texas Athletics has won 12 national championships and 54 conference titles. The program has also undergone a comprehensive facilities renovation touching all 21 sports, the largest in the history of college athletics, and a reimagined football gameday experience. During this time, Texas has won three of the last four Learfield Directors’ Cup titles, an annual award given to the nation’s top-performing athletics department. Texas Athletics is one of the few athletics programs in the country that is self-sustaining, generating $7 million annually for the University’s academic enterprises. The program does not use state funding. Texas is a proud member of the Southeastern Conference.

About Learfield 
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand sponsors, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

Media Contact 
DICK’S Sporting Goods – press@dcsg.com

Category: Company

SOURCE DICK’S Sporting Goods

The newest “US Sustainable Investing Trends Report” from the US SIF is Establishing a Baseline Universe for Sustainable Investment & Stewardship. Here are several Key Highlights: 

Market Size and Sustainable Investment (AUM): US SIF analysis, based on submissions to the SEC, records the US market size as $52.5 trillion, of which $6.5 trillion (12%) were identified or marketed as Sustainable or ESG investment.Market Size and Stewardship (AUM): US SIF analysis finds that 79% of the US market AUM, or $41.5 trillion, was covered by a stewardship policy. More research is needed to drill down further within the assets covered by a stewardship policy. Clearly not every asset covered within a stewardship policy receives an action or engagement in any given year.Both of these numbers create a new baseline which will enable us to better understand the market, interrogate policies and practices and replicate analysis of the US sustainable investing assets and US responsible/ sustainable stewardship over time.

US SIF Report provides Insights on Sustainable Investing 

Perceptions on the Growth of Sustainable Investing: 73% of respondents expect the sustainable investment market to grow over the next one to two years; however, only 39% of respondents expect their own organizations to increase sustainable investing.Trends in Sustainable Investing: The evolution of policies and regulations (69%) and the development of market standards (51%) continue to be leading trends, along with a focus on AI and data analytics (65%). The expansion of impact investing (58%) and the growth in subfields of sustainable investing (42%) were also highlighted by respondents.Sustainable Development Priorities: Addressing climate change and the clean energy transition are a clear priority for respondents. Concerns about how this will impact stakeholders are also high on investors’ agendas (Communities, Decent Work & Equality).

Read the full article, which includes the Use of Sustainable Investing Strategies, here – https://greenmoney.com/key-highlights-from-the-us-sustainable-investing-trends-report/

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February 3, 2025 /3BL/ – The U.S. Food Waste Pact, a national voluntary agreement that is focused on reducing waste in the U.S. food system through precompetitive collaboration and data sharing, announced today that Starbucks Coffee Company has become the second Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) to join the Pact.

According to estimates from U.S. Food Waste Pact resource partner ReFED, 38% of food produced in the United States goes uneaten or unsold, with the vast majority becoming waste that gets sent to destinations like landfills, incinerators, and sewer systems. This waste has harmful effects on the environment, generating 5.2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, which includes the highly potent greenhouse gas methane. The over 90 million tons of wasted food is equivalent to 149 billion meals, and it is worth about $495 billion annually.

“For the past 50 years, Starbucks has focused on giving back to the communities we serve. We take an innovative approach to reduce food waste, such as through our FoodShare program, where we donate surplus food from our stores to local food banks. We also help strengthen food banks to ensure donations are distributed equitably and sustainably. By participating in the U.S. Food Waste Pact, we work with others in the industry to improve food waste reduction, both within Starbucks and across the sector,” shared Kelly Goodejohn, Starbucks chief social impact officer.

Since 2016, Starbucks FoodShare program has diverted more than 75 million pounds of food from waste streams and donated more than 63 million meals. FoodShare is available in 100% company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada, and food rescue programs operate in more than 30 global markets. Starbucks has a goal to reduce food waste in US operations by 50% by 2030, a goal aligned with many other Pact signatories in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Joining the Pact will bolster Starbucks’ existing efforts through the Pact’s offerings around collaboration and benchmarking.

“Having Starbucks as a signatory of the U.S. Food Waste Pact is a big step forward for the QSR subsector,” said Jackie Suggitt, VP of Business Initiatives & Community Engagement at ReFED. “Starbucks is an industry leader, especially when it comes to food donation and the example that their FoodShare program is setting. Food waste happens across the supply chain, and targeting the QSR subsector broadens our impact and action in reducing food waste systemwide.”

In addition to Starbucks, current U.S. Food Waste Pact signatories across the food system include Ahold Delhaize USA, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Aramark, Bob’s Red Mill, Chick-fil-A, Compass Group USA, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, Health Care Without Harm, ISS Guckenheimer, Lamb Weston, Inc, R&DE Stanford Food Institute, Raley’s, Sodexo USA, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market.

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About the U.S. Food Waste Pact

The U.S. Food Waste Pact is a national voluntary agreement that uses the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to reduce food waste across the supply chain. The Pact works with waste-generating food businesses to collect and analyze data about food waste in their operations, share best practices through precompetitive working groups, and pilot and scale solutions through intervention projects. The Pact is an initiative between nonprofits ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund. For more information about the U.S. Food Waste Pact, visit http://usfoodwastepact.org/.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at stories.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

 

Media Contacts: 
Nia D’Emilio, ReFED 
nia.demilio@refed.org

Susan McCarthy, WWF 
susan.mccarthy@wwfus.org

Originally published on SIA

By Renee Thompson, Wesco International; Chair, SIA Environmental, Social and Governance Advisory Board

In a time where environmental awareness is increasingly prominent in global policymaking, manufacturers worldwide are encountering important regulations aimed at promoting sustainability.

Over the next three years, various key environmental and sustainability product-related regulations will be implemented, necessitating that manufacturers ensure compliance and adapt their operations accordingly.

In this article from the Security Industry Association’s Environmental, Social and Governance Advisory Board, we offer an overview of some of these regulations, as well as their jurisdictions, applicability, scope and thresholds, and share guidance for compliance and adaptation.

Global

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs

Jurisdiction: Various global regions, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and South Korea, and U.S. states including California, Maine and Oregon, among othersApplicability: Manufacturers and producers of electronic goods, packaging, batteries and automotive productsScope: Producers are responsible for the entire life cycles of their products, including take-back, recycling and final disposalThresholds: Dependent on jurisdictionEffective Date: Dependent on jurisdiction

EPR programs require manufacturers to take greater accountability for the environmental impacts of their products throughout their life cycles, which involves not only the initial production stages, but also the collection, recycling and proper disposal of products once they reach the end of their useful life. These programs aim to incentivize producers to design more sustainable and easily recyclable products, ultimately reducing the environmental footprint of manufactured goods.

United States

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Jurisdiction: United StatesApplicability: Manufacturers, importers and processors of chemical substancesScope: Regulation of chemical substances to ensure they do not pose unreasonable risksThresholds: Substance-specific thresholdsEffective Date: Upon completion of safety assessments and findings by the Environmental Protection Agency

The TSCA requires manufacturers to report and test chemicals used in their products. Compliance involves ensuring that all substances meet safety standards and do not pose health or environmental risks.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) – Expanding to Sustainability

Jurisdiction: California, United StatesApplicability: Companies doing business in CaliforniaScope: Disclosure of environmental impact and sustainability practicesThresholds: Companies with gross revenues exceeding $25 million or handling the data of 50,000 or more California residentsEffective Date: Jan. 1 following the calendar year in which thresholds are met

While traditionally focused on consumer privacy, the CCPA is expanding to include sustainability disclosures. Manufacturers must provide transparent information about their environmental practices and product sustainability.

European UnionEU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan

Jurisdiction: European UnionApplicability: All manufacturers operating within EU member statesScope: Focus on reducing waste, promoting recycling and encouraging the use of sustainable materialsThresholds: Variable based on industry and product typeEffective Date: Based on EU member state, with key milestones set for 2025 and beyond

The European Union’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan aim to transform the EU into a resource-efficient and competitive economy. Key aspects include enhancing product durability, reparability and recyclability. Manufacturers must align with these principles to ensure market access within the EU.

EU Ecodesign and Energy Labeling Regulations

Jurisdiction: European UnionApplicability: Manufacturers of energy-related productsScope: Minimum energy performance standards and labeling requirementsThresholds: Specific energy efficiency thresholds based on product categoriesEffective Date: Varies by product category, with progressive implementation starting in 2024

These regulations require manufacturers to design products that consume less energy and provide consumers with information on energy consumption through labelling. Noncompliance can result in market exclusion and significant penalties.

UK and EU Plastic Packaging Tax

Jurisdiction: United Kingdom and European UnionApplicability: Manufacturers, importers and consumers of plastic packagingScope: Tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled contentThresholds: Vary by country, with specific rates set for complianceEffective Dates:UK: April 2022EU:Varies by member state with key milestones starting in 2025

The Plastic Packaging Tax aims to reduce plastic waste and encourage the use of recycled materials in packaging. Manufacturers and importers must ensure that their plastic packaging meets the required recycled content thresholds to avoid taxes. Failure to comply can result in financial penalties and market restrictions. This regulation is part of a broader effort to promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste within the UK and EU.

Tips for Compliance and AdaptationConduct Comprehensive Regulatory Audits

Manufacturers should regularly conduct audits to identify applicable regulations and ensure compliance. Understanding the specific requirements of each jurisdiction helps in aligning practices accordingly.

Invest in Sustainable Product Design

Adopting sustainable design principles, such as using recyclable materials and improving energy efficiency, can help manufacturers meet regulatory standards and reduce environmental impact.

Implement Robust Supply Chain Management

Ensuring that suppliers adhere to environmental regulations is crucial. Establishing stringent supply chain management practices and requiring compliance certifications from suppliers can mitigate risks.

Leverage Technology and Innovation

Utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and blockchain can enhance transparency and traceability in product life cycles, aiding in compliance and sustainability efforts.

Engage in Continuous Training and Education

Providing ongoing training for employees on environmental regulations and sustainability practices ensures that the entire organization is aligned with compliance objectives.

Finally

The global environmental and sustainability landscape is evolving rapidly, with new regulations set to come into effect over the next three years and beyond. Manufacturers must stay informed about these changes and proactively adapt their operations to ensure compliance. By embracing sustainability and leveraging innovative strategies, manufacturers can not only meet regulatory requirements, but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

Working on or through some of or all of these? Here are some resources to lend a hand.

Sustainable Fitch – ESG regulation tracker, typically updated semiannuallyCorporate Disclosures – Sustainability online news and analysisTrellis – ESG news and events

Sign up for the SIA Update Newsletter

Renee Thompson, director of global sustainability and environmental compliance at Wesco International, serves as chair of SIA’s Environmental, Social and Governance Advisory Board.

Originally published on Principal.com

At Principal®, community matters.

That means our team members help ensure prospective interns feel comfortable interviewing, support students looking to break into our fields of expertise, and mentor rising talent. Many of us consider it part of our jobs.

Senior software engineer Angela certainly does. Ahead, she shares her experiences finding her path and helping forge paths for others, too.

When did you join Principal, and what’s your role today?

In college, I interviewed for exactly two internships. One interview process was extremely intimidating. The other—at Principal—was essentially a conversation about why I was excited about tech and what I’d like to bring to the table. Clearly, I took the Principal internship.

Fifteen years later, I’m still here, on the software engineering track.

I think of myself as a full stack engineer. I do a lot of modernization: balancing the use of old tech with new, and moving into more cloud-based platforms.

What excites you about the work?

It’s thrilling to be learning something new. It’s also humbling to have been here for so long and continually be introduced to new concepts.

How else have you gotten involved at Principal?

I consider my engineering work my “day job.” Another big part of my job is working with students getting into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM].

For example, a group of us run a coding project for a STEM conference at a nearby university—specifically for girls, non-binary individuals, and allies—helping apply computer science in the context of, say, a game or fashion.

I also work with middle- and high-school students in the Principal Community Learning Center, mostly on Python. I know a few students from the program are pursuing tech professionally now.

How have you helped support others in tech at Principal? 

Full circle from where I started, I co-chair our intern recruiting program. I like making sure our interview process still feels comfortable, while also helping identify potential and shaping what a successful coding program looks like.

I’m also involved in the global mentorship program. I’m on my third matchup!

And how have you been supported?

On an individual level, I’ve worked with my own mentors—especially early in my career—to navigate where to push. By that I mean going beyond “getting assignments done” to gather new information and work more proactively.

I’ve also found opportunities and support in the Global Women’s employee resource group—from book clubs to leadership training sessions to various subgroups that allowed for networking.

What’s your advice for someone looking to break into tech?

Just start. If it brings you joy and you enjoy the problem-solving of it, you’ll begin to see more patterns and get more efficient. The hardest part is just getting started.

Principal® is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also prohibit harassment on these bases.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov) 

If at any stage of the employment application process you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947. Read our employment policies for more information. 

Recruitment fraud is a scheme that offers fictitious job opportunities to people. This type of fraud is normally done through online services such as bogus websites, social media, or through unsolicited emails/SMS texts claiming to be from Principal or Principal employees. Only applicants who have filled out an official application on our career site (careers.principal.com) will be considered for employment opportunities. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application process. If you receive a communication (e.g., LinkedIn message, Facebook Messenger, SMS text, personal email, etc.) asking for money or personal financial information, don’t engage or respond. Please contact our Human Resources team at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947, and your local law enforcement. For more information, review our recruitment fraud information.  

You can find our U.S. workforce privacy notice here. 

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

4003393-112024

Previously published by Connectivity

As 2025 approaches, Keysight Technologies’ sustainability experts have put together some short trends for the year ahead. The insights cover how AI, renewable energy, and government incentives are set to impact sustainability efforts next year.

1. Data management will drive the sustainability sector to embrace AI

AI will increasingly be deployed to streamline global sustainability regulatory reporting. The technology’s ability to consolidate, analyse, and output large volumes of data in multiple output formats will speed the distribution of sustainability disclosure, while supporting accuracy, auditability, and transparency. In 2025, AI algorithms will start to optimise processes for profitability and sustainability, while driving more standardised global regulatory reporting.

– Michele Robinson – Director Corporate Social Responsibility

Continue reading here.

Kidney transplant is the ideal treatment for those with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) who are eligible for, and interested in, this potentially life-saving procedure. Yet traditionally, the path to transplantation has been long, complex and frustrating for patients and healthcare providers alike. Recently, a committed community of providers in the Kansas City region dedicated themselves to proving that it doesn’t have to be that way.

In early 2021, DaVita dialysis providers initiated an audit of their operations, seeking ways to better support transplant access. This process revealed critical gaps in communication between dialysis centers and their nearby transplant providers.

“Everybody [in the kidney health community] wants to achieve the same goal, what’s best for the patient,” explains Cheryl Matlack, DaVita’s division lead social worker in the region. “But dialysis centers and transplant facilities didn’t necessarily have the right processes in place to support those shared goals as effectively as they could.”

Matlack and other leaders involved knew that no matter how deep their commitment, DaVita couldn’t bridge this chasm alone. Transforming communication would take changes on both sides. “It wasn’t necessarily easy at first,” Matlack recalls. “Both sides had to be ready to hear what they weren’t doing perfectly, and really listen to what the other side needed.”

So, they reached out to transplant centers to form collaborative workstreams, including The University of Kansas Health System (The Health System), HCA Midwest Health Research Medical Center (Research Medical Center) and Saint Luke’s Hospital Abdominal Transplant and Multispecialty Clinic (St. Luke’s).

Jaime Bartley, director of nursing at The Health System transplant center, and Wendy Cundiff, organ transplant coordinator for TUKHS, noted that while their team had already had a relationship with the DaVita care teams, the collaboration Matlack and the rest of the DaVita team put forth made sense:

“There was a willingness to share more information, understanding that we could make a difference in streamlining it,” Cundiff says. “These conversations made it clear that transplant is important to DaVita. They are invested in getting people on the waitlist.”

“When you have that relationship that’s based on collaboration, you can have that level of open conversation,” Bartley says. “Questions like, ‘What do we need? Can we do this better? How?’”

New ways of working began at the senior level, with leaders from both sides establishing a regular cadence of meetings to share ideas and information. Transplant centers in the area invited DaVita representatives to events and workshops to help improve cross-functional understanding. Out of these collaborations, a new protocol — the “pipeline call” — was born.

Pipeline calls are routine points of contact where front-line clinical social workers and transplant coordinators can talk through patients’ needs and status upstream, far before they reach the transplant waitlist. This is just one example of process standardizations that remove obstacles and solve problems on the transplant journey.

“Before pipeline calls, our transplant center was taxed with mailing out spreadsheets with evaluation statuses,” says Marilee Clites, RN, BSN, the transplant director for Research Medical Center. “Now, both parties have the opportunity to directly communicate.”

“As a result of the calls and countless emails, I feel like the DaVita social workers are part of our transplant team family,” says Scott McClure, RN BSN, the transplant outreach coordinator for Research Medical Center. “I can always rely on them to help our patients get the best, most compassionate care.”

The dedicated time provided the structure for both sides to discuss details about why a patient might be “stuck” in the transplant journey. “The new structure gave social workers the opportunity to ask specific questions about their patients’ evaluation status, instead of relying solely on patient update letters, which were difficult to keep up-to-date in real time due to the nature of mailed correspondence,” Michelle Goldston, LMSW, transplant education representative for St. Luke’s says.

“We have recognized that this two-way communication is so valuable,” Cundiff says. “They recognize our needs; we’re recognizing their needs — for the same goal.”

In addition to process and communications improvements, greater collaboration fueled expertise on all sides, especially in the complex process for transplantation.

“It’s really led to a huge uptick in knowledge,” explains Matlack. “When each side understands the other’s job more clearly, it creates opportunities for mutual support and solving problems together.”

One specific example illustrates this vividly: Many transplant centers require colonoscopy as a prerequisite before a patient can be evaluated, but it’s not something patients are commonly aware of. This requirement often popped up as an unexpected stumbling block, slowing or even stalling the transplant journey. With greater shared understanding of common requirements, the colonoscopy step can be identified and communicated farther upstream, empowering the patient to get ahead of the process and stay on track.

Sreelatha Katari, MD, medical director of the kidney transplant program at St. Luke’s, shares that it’s also helped the teams communicate and act on care needs for transplant eligibility:

“The St. Luke’s transplant team can recommend that the dialysis social worker identifies patients who need physical therapy and help get that ordered,” Dr. Katari offers as an example. As a potential result: “Their candidacy for kidney transplant improves and shortens the workup time for transplant.”

While some of the improvements activated in the Kansas City region may seem simple, their impact has been profound. Recently, the team at The Health System published a research poster illustrating some of the progress their team has made with the DaVita team. In the poster, the The Health System team reported that the collaboration has helped double the transplant referral and evaluation rates, while the rate of placements on the transplant waitlist has increased 400% from DaVita facilities when compared to overall referrals, evaluations and listings. [1]

DaVita, seeing the advancement these new processes and methods have helped create, is now looking to create similar opportunities with transplant centers nationwide. But more than just a shift in protocols, this case illustrates the power of a shift in mindset. Says Matlack,

“It used to be understood that the job of dialysis was to keep patients healthy so they would be ready for a successful ‘hand-off’ to transplant, but now we see the dialysis team as a critical partner in supporting the whole journey. Even though some caregivers work in dialysis and some in transplant, we’re really all on one team — the patient’s team.”

[1] 2023 The University of Kansas Health System; Wendy Cundiff, BSN, RN; Jaime Bartley, MSN,RN, NE-BC, CCTC; “A Winning Combination: Teaming Up to Enhance the Transplant Process;” Presented at The Organization for Donation and Transplant Professionals NATCO 48th Annual Meeting, August 2023

Did you know that Henkel North America employs approximately 8,000 employees in more than 70 sites across the U.S. and Canada? Collectively, these sites support two business units: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands.

Our #AViewFrom series features select locations, sharing information and facts about our sites across Henkel North America.

Tightly sealed windows, flooring that stays put, and element-resistant siding that looks beautiful are all made possible with the sealants and adhesives produced at Henkel Adhesives Technologies’ Mentor, Ohio facility. This is a site on the move, running seven days a week, powered by a dedicated team working to manufacture the products construction pros and do-it-yourselfers depend on. Learn more in this #AViewFrom segment.

Near the shores of Lake Erie, one of the United States’ Great lakes, sits Henkel’s 196,000 sq. ft. Mentor, OH site, where about 140 employees manufacture construction adhesives and sealants for the company’s Consumers & Craftsmen (ACC) business. Marketed under the LOCTITE®, OSI®, and LEPAGE® brands, among others, this facility produces over 44 million cartridges of solvent-free and solvent-based adhesives and sealants annually to support North American professional and retail customers. The products are used for various kitchen and bath, window, door, flooring, and siding applications and are essential for preventing air and moisture ingress, securing flooring materials, and protecting against water damage on exterior siding.

“Our operation is highly complex and requires extreme precision,” explains Plant Operations Director Joseph Perdue. “Unlike facilities serving industrial customers, where the material is filled into large drums, we produce point-of-sale cartridges in more than 20 different bulk formulations for 5 different brands. Consumers expect each 9.5 oz-tube of material to look and perform the same – every time.”

Our team of operators, quality control professionals, maintenance and engineering specialists, and product development experts are dedicated to making sure every formulation is mixed, filled, and packaged to exacting standards and that product consistency is bar none. Our exceptional reputation depends on it.

Joseph Perdue, Plant Operations Director

Like its water-based sealant and adhesives sister plant in LaGrange, GA, the Mentor, OH site has been in existence since 1984 and joined the Henkel manufacturing footprint in the early 2000s following the company’s acquisition of OSI Sealants. The high-volume operation runs 24 hours a day Monday through Friday, with partial weekend production as well. Mentor was recognized in 2013 as Henkel’s best global plant and, in 2019, was the recipient of significant capital investment to upgrade equipment and drive manufacturing efficiency. This year, two new high-speed filling lines were installed, helping to increase capacity, and freeing valuable resources for high-changeover production, such as Mentor’s color-matched sealant lines.

Protecting natural resources is a hallmark of the Henkel Mentor plant, which is a carbon-neutral operation and a zero-waste-to-landfill site. No water is used in production processes here, and the team strives to significantly reduce manufacturing waste. With its color-matched line, for example, changing over the sealant colors means the first several tubes post-changeover will result in a mixture of the previous color and the new color. Instead of scrapping this material, the company sells its ‘rainbow caulk’ at a reduced price compared to its color-specific varieties. For applications where the sealant will not be visible, this is a perfect solution for waste reduction and consumer cost savings.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mentor facility manufactures products that are specifically designed to color match various construction and design materials such as paints, windows and doors. More specifically, the plant produces hundreds of color-matched OSI® brand sealants for color-coded products made by well-known construction material and supply manufacturers with a Color ID system to help find the perfect color match.

The Mentor plant’s color matching capability and Color ID system gives customers and consumers options to match to existing building materials and supplies from well-known suppliers.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engagement with the local community is central to Mentor’s success and demonstrates its commitment to supporting area initiatives. Recently, the plant’s focus has been to create awareness of the types of jobs available at the manufacturing facility and in various support functions. In September, a team of employees attended a career fair at the Case Western Reserve University to promote Henkel jobs and internships. In October, as part of the Mentor plant’s Manufacturing Day activities, employees participated in the local high school’s “Think Manufacturing” career fair where Senior Manufacturing Engineer Scott Schwickerath, Administrative Assistant Amia Martorana, and Packaging Operator Katy Shaffer, connected with students to discuss the variety of career opportunities at Henkel. The Gen Z crowd was all ears and had plenty of questions. Hopefully, some of them are inspired to take the next step!

CULTURE AND CAREER
“Opportunity is everywhere at this site,” shares Amia Martorana, who worked as a machine operator for two years before becoming the administrative assistant.

If you want to learn, if you’re curious, and have a passion for the business, there are multiple avenues for advancement. And management’s support is extraordinary. I’m also a college student and appreciate being able to simultaneously pursue two goals – education and professional development.

Amia Martorana, Site Administrator

Recognizing and valuing employees has been vital to building Mentor’s unique culture.

When you operate a multi-shift site, traditional all-staff events are difficult to organize. Instead, we do shift-specific appreciation events like summer cookouts and holiday parties, which occur between shifts so that everyone can participate.

Kelli Burns, Site Human Resources Business Partner

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

What’s your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hi, I’m Tareyn and I work as a Manager within Corporate Audit Services. I joined GoDaddy’s Internal Audit team in March of 2022 and I’m located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I started my career in more traditional accounting roles before transitioning into financial planning and analysis and financial control/compliance focused roles. Most of my career has been in the healthcare industry, but a few years ago I decided I wanted to explore options for pivoting into the technology space. And, that’s when I landed here at GoDaddy.

As part of the Corporate Audit Services team, we serve to increase the quality and efficiency of the company’s operations through improving execution, eliminating waste and reducing risk across the organization by providing objective assessments.

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

For me, maintaining a balance is critical. That starts with prioritizing taking care of myself to ensure I’m feeling my best so I can perform at my best. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for both my physical and mental well-being. Given how much time we dedicate to our work, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significant impact it has on our holistic lives. Recognizing this direct relationship is important.

Then, there’s the balance component of feeling engaged in the work I’m doing. Doing the same thing for too long can make me feel mentally stagnant. I’m a big proponent of continuous improvement, so I’m always motivated by the opportunity to learn new things and do something different.

I do my best to be authentic to myself and transparent to my leadership when it comes to my goals and motivations, which helps ensure I’m able to take control to achieve those.

Can you share how internal audit contributes to the success of the organization?

Corporate Audit Services works as an independent assurance and consulting function from within the organization. Our ultimate goal is to affirm GoDaddy’s financials, operations, compliance and internal controls are both adequate and effective. The internal audit function gives assurance both to our board, and the company’s shareholders, that we are performing the way we say we are. But to achieve that overarching objective, we’re working with team members all across the organization each and every day.

Operational audits over specific business processes allow us to understand all the ingredients that go into a given team’s responsibilities and the recipe they use to successfully perform each task. In that process, we work to ensure the recipe is following the standards from within the company, is compliant with any external standards that may apply to it, as well as work to identify general process improvement opportunities. We strive to be sought after partners in the organization, and emphasize our goal is to help make improvements that benefit all of us.

We realize undergoing an audit can feel invasive or disruptive to the day-to-day components of someone’s primary role. To combat that, our team is continuing to work exceptionally hard to shift the culture of internal audit into a resource to help make improvements. Having a standard cadence for updates, self-servicing where we can, and even gathering feedback from auditees on how we can make the experience better are just a few examples of how we’re working to achieve that. When our team members across the company understand we’re all working toward the common goal of making GoDaddy the best it can be, that’s how we all make the organization successful.

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in a career at GoDaddy?

The first bit of advice I have for anyone interested in a career at GoDaddy, or anywhere for that matter, is to understand how the company’s culture and values align with your own. At the end of the day, most people want to work for an organization where they feel included and valued, but that looks different for everyone. GoDaddy is an incredibly diverse organization, with a wide variety of career paths, so chances are you’ll find something in your wheelhouse. And, if you stay true to your professional goals and personal values, you’ll find the right opportunity and the right people to help get you there.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, spending time with family and friends is certainly a big part of my life. I am also a travel enthusiast and lover of all things outdoors; hiking, biking, running, you name it! My husband and I are working toward a goal to visit all the national parks in the U.S., and we’ve done around 20 so far. So, you can usually find me planning some sort of new adventure.

I also serve as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Yinz Run Club, a Pittsburgh running club focused on fostering a community where all are welcome, and every step is celebrated. A lot of people find running intimidating and difficult for a variety of reasons, but we like to challenge that narrative and have a ton of fun in the process. You can check us out @YinzRunClub to see for yourself! It’s extremely rewarding to give back in a meaningful way where my professional experience allows me to support a more personal passion.

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

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