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In a world where economic disparity often correlates along racial lines, the need for racial equity is more pressing than ever. This conversation is not only a social imperative but also a business necessity. At its core, the Racial Equity Fund initiated by Cadence in collaboration with RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) seeks to address these disparities by focusing on systemic change. This blog post explores how this fund contributes to reducing racial inequity, why it matters, and how other companies can get involved.

Racial Equity as a Social and Business Imperative

Racial equity is about more than just fairness; it’s about creating a society where people have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of race. Promoting racial equity isn’t merely an ethical decision for businesses—it’s a smart business move. Studies show that companies with diverse teams outperform those with homogeneous ones, resulting in better financial growth and product innovation.

In today’s interconnected world, consumers increasingly expect brands to take a stand on social issues. Aligning corporate strategies with social justice can enhance brand loyalty and attract a broader customer base. Thus, investing in racial equity can lead to both social progress and economic gain.

Understanding the Racial Wealth and Information Gap

The racial wealth gap is a stark reality. Data shows that the median wealth of white families is substantially higher than that of Black and Latinx families. This disparity hinders economic mobility and perpetuates cycles of poverty. However, the wealth gap is not the only barrier; there’s also an information gap that limits access to financial resources and opportunities for people of color.

Many lack the knowledge or connections necessary to secure loans or investments. Bridging this gap requires systemic change and support from both public and private sectors. By creating pathways to access capital and information, we can empower communities to build sustainable wealth and break down barriers to success.

The Role of the Cadence and RBC Partnership

In response to these challenges, Cadence partnered with RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) to launch a racial equity fund to reduce these gaps. This partnership underscores the power of collaboration in tackling complex social issues. The Cadence Racial Equity Fund focuses on investments that promote community development, such as supporting education, housing, and small businesses owned by people of color.

“We value our partnership with Cadence on this initiative aimed at reducing racial disparities in income and wealth within the United States,” said Ron Homer, chief strategist, U.S. Impact Investing at RBC Global Asset Management. “For more than 25 years, the Access Capital Investment Strategy has helped people of color attain the American dream of wealth creation through homeownership and small business development.”

Real-World Impact of the Cadence Fund

One way Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM has aimed to support community development was by supporting a woman- and Black-owned early childhood education center based in Phenix City, Alabama. Dr. Kendyl Tarver dreamed of opening a childcare center in her hometown. Through Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM, Dr. Tarver was able to found the Kreative Learning Academy (KLA). According to the center’s website, its mission is to “integrate a learner-centered curriculum design with traditional manners and values” while fostering cultural diversity and creating a lifelong interest in learning.

Kreative Learning Academy (KLA) was started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. During this time, Dr. Tarver, like many small business owners, struggled to find employees willing to work in person. “Having a daycare during the pandemic was so stressful.” Dr. Tarver faced many challenges in keeping her business open during this first year, leading her to apply for a small business loan to improve her financial situation and lessen the stress of running the business daily.

The small business loan for Dr. Tarver was made possible through Cadence’s partnership with RBC GAM. Dr. Tarver has a passion for working with children, and after applying and receiving approval for the loan, she was better positioned to financially support and grow her business as she needed in the short term. As the pressure of managing KLA abated, she was able to look to the future and discovered that her vision over the long term was to become an entrepreneur. She appreciates the partnership between RBC GAM and Cadence. RBC GAM is focused on growing this impact investing partnership by helping Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) gain broader access to capital markets to support their capital needs and origination efforts in underserved communities and, ultimately, small business owners like Dr. Tarver.

Seeking Corporate Partners for Broader Impact

For the Cadence Racial Equity Fund to reach its full potential, expanding its network of corporate partners is crucial. By inviting other companies to join or create similar funds, Cadence aims to amplify the impact of these initiatives. Corporate involvement can significantly increase both the scope and effectiveness of efforts to address racial inequities.

Companies that participate can leverage their resources to support underserved communities, driving both social and economic benefits. With a collective effort, the ripple effect of these investments can lead to substantial advancements in racial equity on a global scale.

A Call to Action to Engage

The Cadence Racial Equity Fund is committed to bridging the racial wealth and information gaps through strategic investments and partnerships. Addressing these inequities can pave the way for a more equitable society and unlock economic potential for all.

Whether you’re an investor, a business professional, or a community member passionate about social change, you have a role in this movement. Explore opportunities to get involved, support initiatives that resonate with you, and advocate for policies that drive racial equity.

Together, we can significantly impact and contribute to a future where everyone has equal access to opportunities and success. If you’re ready to be part of this change, consider supporting the Cadence Racial Equity Fund or initiating similar efforts in your community.

To learn more, please listen to our discussion with Moor Insights & Strategy Hot Desk Podcast host Melody Brue.

Albertsons Companies expresses profound gratitude to its associates, customers and partners for their dedication to the Nourishing Neighbors Million Hour Volunteer Rally. Through their collective efforts, over $500,000 worth of volunteer hours have been contributed.

These contributions have provided essential support to food banks and pantries in urgent need of assistance. Volunteers sorted and packed food, delivered meals and assisted administrative tasks, making a significant difference in the lives of those facing hunger.

This initiative has showcased the power of community and the impact of collective efforts in supporting those in need. The unwavering commitment of all involved has made a positive impact in local communities.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

The month of September is always busy in New York City, with gridlock spreading across Manhattan when the General Assembly of the United Nations brings leaders of close to 200 sovereign entities to UN headquarters for plenary sessions and many side sessions. In addition, since 2009 the international nonprofit Climate Group has organized Climate Week NYC alongside the General Assembly to hold events that drive climate action and speed up progress.

This year’s Climate Week NYC had over 900 events held around the city, including a workshop held by G&A Institute and GRI on September 26, “Reporting on the SDGs with Double Materiality.” These events brought together thousands of government representatives, business leaders, and political change makers from all over the world.

What concepts and concrete actions came out of these gatherings? In our Top Story, S&P Global took a close look and shares the “Big 5” ideas coming out of Climate Week NYC that they expect to be at the top of agendas at COP 16 (UN Biodiversity Conference) held recently in Colombia and the upcoming COP 29 (UN Climate Change Conference) starting November 11 in Azerbaijan. 
 

The five big ideas selected by S&P Global are:

Climate and clean energy financing needs to rapidly scale and accelerate. How to scale financing was a major focus at Climate Week, with discussions on using “blended” finance to pool public sector or philanthropic funds with private sector capital. This approach could help steer investments to bridge the growing gap in climate-related financing in developing countries. Public and private finance will be important discussions at COP 29, expected to be “the finance COP”.

Strategies to combat climate change and nature loss go hand-in-hand. Nature loss was a theme of numerous Climate Week gatherings. Physical climate risk and the impacts on developing sustainable food systems were a bigger focus than in previous years, according to S&P. Companies are beginning to recognize the value of ecosystems and how much they depend on nature in their operations and supply chains.

Policy and collaboration are needed to support an equitable transition. The diverse needs of stakeholders can be addressed with more global cooperation, sustainable development, and the reform of international financial systems to support climate initiatives – a central theme of Climate Week discussions. A commitment to watch at the coming COP 29 is how much progress (or not) is made toward establishing a new collective financing goal for developing nations.

Technology and AI will help to drive solutions to climate change and sustainable growth. The buzz at many meetings was about AI as an “enabler” of sustainable outcomes. AI requires energy, which is resulting in “energy poverty” in the developing world as demand rises to record levels. New, clean generating capacity is needed, along with making sure there is the infrastructure needed to support it. Nuclear power may be part of the solution, along with renewable sources.

Disclosure is evolving with more focus on consistency and a rising role for nature. ISSB and TCFD were hot topics of conversation during Climate Week gatherings, in terms of changes in the disclosure landscape for companies. Around the globe, jurisdictions are adopting the ISSB standards or aligning existing frameworks with them (the EU’s CSRD is example). Stakeholders, including key investors, are calling for more climate-related disclosure on issues such as biodiversity and deforestation.

More details of the “Big 5” ideas are in our Top Story, with an abundance of useful information for corporations and providers of capital. The COP 29 and COP 16 gatherings are sure to advance commitment and action on climate change issues, which will create opportunities for the private sector. The G&A team is focused on these big ideas and many more climate-related concepts. Let us know how we can help your company enhance climate disclosure through our guidance and support. Email 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.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, here at GoDaddy.

As a Supervisor in the Website Security and Sales department, I lead a team of customer-facing Guides. We handle inbound calls to answer questions, resolve issues, and match customer needs with appropriate paid solutions.

I have dedicated over 11 years of my professional career to GoDaddy. Before joining GoDaddy, I worked in construction and retail, where I often felt overworked and underpaid. My journey with GoDaddy began in Inbound Sales, a role that initially made me quite nervous as I had no prior experience with internet technology or sales targets.

However, with time and guidance from exceptional mentors, I discovered that sales is a field to take pride in when done correctly. It’s not about persuading someone to make a purchase; it’s about achieving mutual goals and offering something of value that addresses the customer’s needs or helps them reach their objectives. This shift in mindset allowed me to view sales as a means to take control of my own destiny. By honing my skills, I realized I could significantly influence my outcomes and income.

This newfound perspective enabled me to plan a trip to Peru and purchase a new car, marking personal milestones I once thought unattainable.

Realizing the profound impact my mentors had on my life is what truly drew me to leadership. I aspired to pass on that same influence to others. After spending two years on the phones, I seized my opportunity when I was promoted to Inbound Lead. Since then, I have served as a Supervisor or Lead in at least four different departments, witnessing numerous changes within the company. Each stage in this journey has been an invaluable opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

Reflecting on my experience, I can honestly say that discovering GoDaddy changed my life. GoDaddy provided me with the chance to acquire valuable skills, the tools to take charge of my career, and the flexibility to pursue my passion for travel. It’s also where I met my wife! I am profoundly grateful for all the opportunities this company has unlocked for me, and I eagerly anticipate even more in the future.

What has been one of your proudest moments at GoDaddy?

Honestly, I feel like I’ve been a part of many things I can take pride in during my time at GoDaddy. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with great teams on important projects, win contests, and help others achieve success and advance their careers.

However, if I were to highlight one story that has always stayed with me, it would be this one: years ago, I worked with an overnight Sales team. This shift typically struggled with sales, and most people attributed it to the unsociable hours. But I wanted to change that narrative.

The team held a huddle almost every night, so I began sharing small sales tips or tactics during each huddle and challenging them to try these out that night. Once a few team members began achieving sales using my tips, the team started eagerly anticipating these sessions. They even began referring to it as “Cal’s Corner.” Over time, this transformed the team’s dynamic. Instead of discussing how challenging it was to sell to customers calling in the middle of the night or how tired they felt, they talked about the new strategies they were trying and fostered creativity together.

I certainly didn’t achieve this alone, but within a couple of months, that team had the highest sales per day of any team in the department, regardless of shift.

What truly makes me smile, however, was a particular night (which happened to be Halloween). I arrived to find all the team members wearing jackets. I didn’t think much of it until, at the end of our huddle, after I shared my sales tip for the night, they all took off their jackets to reveal matching shirts they had made with a picture of me on them that said, “I grew up on Cal’s Corner.”

It was completely unexpected and one of those truly special moments when I knew, without a doubt, that I was making a positive impact.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in the Care department?

Starting out in Care can be challenging, with much to learn and often feeling like you’re “drinking from a fire hose.” One thing I have always appreciated about GoDaddy’s culture is the willingness and eagerness of people around you to help, so be open to it. By seeking, accepting, and implementing feedback, you will learn and grow more than you ever thought possible. It may be uncomfortable at times, but it’s worth it.

How do you approach motivating your team members to reach their full potential?

For me, effective leadership begins with truly understanding my team members. Firstly, it’s essential to recognize that everyone possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, and having a deep awareness of these traits is crucial to realizing their potential. Secondly, I firmly believe that genuine motivation stems not from external incentives like money or awards, but from engaging in work that aligns with one’s personal values and inspires pride. To comprehend what drives someone and what they cherish in their work, you must invest time in getting to know them. Once you achieve this understanding, you can unlock their hidden superpowers.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

While I wouldn’t necessarily call it a motto, I strive to stay focused on what I can control. Each day, I ask myself, “What are the one or two things I can accomplish right now that will have the most significant impact on my goals?” Once I’ve identified and completed those tasks, I pose the question again.

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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International Volunteers Day is observed globally on December 5th each year. This date offers a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of volunteers and to reflect on the impact of volunteerism on society. Read more about Jazz’s community engagement and volunteerism in the latest Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report.

In celebration of Travel Tuesday and Giving Tuesday on December 3– Expedia announced that for every booking made on it’s US, CA, and UK sites, a donation of $5 (up to $1M) will be made to the Made to Travel™ Fund, *a donor-advised fund at Percent Impact Foundation. This initiative supports nonprofits that remove barriers to travel, and to date, have awarded over $2.5M in grants.

These grantees empower underserved travelers, ensuring they feel safe and welcome as they explore the world. This program supports Expedia Group‘s commitment to making travel more inclusive and accessible for all.

Learn more here: https://www.expedia.com/see/made-to-travel-fund

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

In this video, let’s meet Tyra Barry, and learn how working at Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories gives Tyra the freedom to spend quality time with her daughter while making her feel empowHERed!

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

Discover your career at Saint-Gobain North America here

Watch the Saint-Gobain video series empowHERed 

About Saint-Gobain

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

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

To support its culture of giving back to the communities in which is operates, each month Clorox recognizes teammates who volunteer their time to serve their communities with the Helping Hands Award. Clorox’s first Helping Hands Award winner is Dan Kellenberger, vice president and general manager for its CloroxPro business. Here’s what he shared about his experience as a volunteer.

What inspires you to volunteer with your organization, and how long have you been volunteering?  

I began volunteering more when I started working at Clorox 23 years ago. I remember early on volunteering at the Alameda County Community Foodbank and seeing firsthand how volunteer contributions made a real difference in people’s lives. That felt good and inspired me to do more.

Can you share a memorable volunteer experience?  

There are several, but one that stands out to me was when I was working in the Cleaning Division. We were working with a group called Humble Design, which provides comfortable, furnished living spaces for those transitioning from homelessness. Over the course of a day, we fully furnished an apartment in Oakland and surprised a young family who was transitioning from a shelter. I will never forget the emotions in the room from both the family and volunteers. 

How do you manage your volunteer work alongside your professional responsibilities?  

I actually see volunteering as part of being a professional, not separate. In Clorox Professional, we make sure we host events and encourage everyone to create time and energy to support the causes that matter to them. 

Learn more about Clorox’s commitment to communities in its Foundation annual report.

RAHWAY, N.J., December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has ranked No. 1 on Newsweek’s annual list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for the second year in a row.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and integrity,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. “A firm belief in the importance of operating responsibly is at the heart of who we are as a company, and we will continue to demonstrate this core value as we work to deliver on our purpose of saving and improving lives.”

To determine this year’s list, Newsweek partnered with Statista, a global research and data firm, to analyze 2,000 of the country’s largest public companies by revenue, assessing each across 30 key performance indicators and through a survey of 26,000 U.S. residents.

This year, Merck also ranked No. 1 in its industry on CNBC and JUST Capital’s list of America’s Most JUST Companies and Barron’s list of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies.

Learn more about Merck’s sustainability strategy by visiting merck.com/company-overview/sustainability. 

About Merck 
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA 
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

###

Media Contacts: 
Robert Josephson 
(203) 914-2372 
robert.josephson@merck.com

Michael Levey 
(215) 872-1462 
michael.levey@merck.com

Investor Contacts: 
Peter Dannenbaum 
(732) 594-1579 
peter.dannenbaum@merck.com

Steven Graziano 
(732) 594-1583 
steven.graziano@merck.com

Learn more about Merck’s sustainability strategy: https://www.merck.com/company-overview/sustainability/.

Clean energy project at Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School supports significant energy savings and advances regional decarbonization goals Flexible, resilient power supported by Eaton’s latest microgrid controller and battery energy storage system Eaton highlights electrification projects driving energy resilience and affordability at the Reuters Energy Transition North America 2024 event

PITTSBURGH, December 5, 2024 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton will provide a renewable energy microgrid at Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School in Menasha, Wisconsin, to support affordable, resilient and sustainable power. The system will be the largest of its kind in the state and is anticipated to help the Menasha Joint School District save $190,000 in annual energy costs. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the project aims to achieve net zero energy status and will serve approximately 1,000 students.

“One major goal for the district was to ensure our new facility was an energy efficient and sustainable model conserving taxpayer dollars and natural resources,” said Brian Adesso, director of business services at Menasha Joint School District. “From project visualization to design and installation, Eaton’s depth of expertise and comprehensive solutions have proven invaluable in our journey toward net zero.”

The Menasha Joint School District is constructing Maplewood Intermediate/Middle School from the ground-up to provide a modern and sustainable learning environment that utilizes advanced energy conservation strategies and contributes to regional carbon neutrality goals. Eaton is helping the school build a solar-plus-storage microgrid that incorporates 1.3 megawatts (MWac) of solar PV panels, energy storage and natural gas generators to sustainably generate all the energy required for operations and provide carbon-friendly power. The project demonstrates how Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid approach helps customers build flexible energy systems to manage power far more effectively.

“From the critical community infrastructure to the world’s most demanding industries, we’re proud to provide the safe, sustainable and resilient solutions our customers need to simplify their transition to a low-carbon energy future,” said Nelly Maximous, vice president of energy transition sales at Eaton. “This project is a prime example of how sustainable electrification can support a stronger and greener future. We’re confident our proven expertise and clean energy management solutions will provide long-term value for the region, school district and environment.”

Eaton’s new microgrid controller and battery energy storage system are at the heart of the solution, enabling the school district to manage where, when and how electricity is consumed. The microgrid controller is fully integrated into a switchboard, which is a foundational electrical component used to help power facilities everywhere, making it easier and faster to deploy a microgrid right out of the box. Eaton’s xStorageTM battery energy storage system (BESS) enables the school to strategically store and dispatch energy to maintain uptime and maximize onsite solar consumption to reduce energy costs.

The Menasha Joint School District is pursuing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits to maximize the project’s value. Eaton guided the microgrid design and equipment specifications to effectively address the IRA’s domestic preference requirements. To learn more about Eaton’s expertise and support for navigating the government stimulus funding process, visit Eaton.com/StrongerFuture.

Paul Ryan, Eaton’s general manager of connected solutions and EV charging, delivered a keynote focused on the practical strategies electrifying energy use during the Reuters Energy Transition North America 2024 event in Houston on December 4.

Learn more about Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid approach to the energy transition.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit Eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
Regina@cobblecreative.com