Tag: 3BL

Comcast NBCUniversal has been named a 2024 Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD). The distinction recognizes companies with the highest performance in disability inclusion practices and policies across areas including strategy, talent sourcing and metrics, climate and culture, people practices, and workplace tools and accessibility. Recipients were announced as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that value the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities.

Comcast NBCUniversal’s longstanding commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion is reflected in initiatives such as its MyAbilities Employee Resource Group, trainings to educate employees about disability inclusion, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services for employees and guests at Universal theme parks and Xfinity Retail stores. The NOD recognition also represents more than a decade’s worth of work to make Comcast NBCUniversal products, technology, services, and experiences more inclusive — demonstrated in breakthrough product and service innovations such as the Xfinity Large Button Voice Remote and providing live audio description on NBC’s Olympics and Paralympics broadcasts.

The 2024 Leading Disability Employers are determined based on data provided by taking the NOD Employment Tracker™ – an assessment tool that helps companies understand how their key business practices correlate to improved hiring, retention, and advancement outcomes for people with disabilities.

Stephan Pierre & Flavia Venturoli

We’re committed to continuing our work, building on our legacy, and setting new benchmarks for what our ERGs and Dow can achieve.

This year is the milestone 25th anniversary of Dow’s Global African Affinity Network (GAAN), our Employee Resource Group (ERG) for colleagues of African heritage and allies. It’s a time to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment.

A quarter of a century ago, a small group of visionary employees came together with a shared goal: to cultivate an inclusive workplace that connects colleagues better to one another and to company leadership through networking, mentorship, and representation at all levels.

Chartered in 1999, GAAN, formerly known as the African American Network (AAN) , was the second ERG established within Dow. From there, GAAN has grown into a global force, encompassing a network of >5,000 members across 20 chapters—transcending continents, cultures, and backgrounds. It’s served as a beacon for growth, advocacy, and empowerment for Dow employees, helping to shape a culture that values everyone’s contributions.

GROWTH

Supporting professional growth

Career development has been a strategic pillar of GAAN from day one. We provide resources and opportunities for participants to advance their careers, including mentorship and sponsorship programs, and networking events like the BEST Symposium. This work ladders up to business outcomes. GAAN’s legacy programming has paved the way for Dow’s current day talent and supplier diversity strategies—ensuring our company is well-positioned to support the needs of our customers through teams that offer innovative global perspective with a pulse on consumer trends.

ADVOCACY

Understanding the importance of ERGs in promoting inclusion and diversity

GAAN has been an advocate for change, both within our company and in the broader community. Through the work and connections of this ERG, we’ve championed policies that promote equity, and we’ve partnered with external organizations to extend our impact. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the call for social justice across the world 2020, GAAN was instrumental in the development of Dow ACTs, our framework and multi-million-dollar pledge to address systemic racism and inequity.

EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment through inclusion

Inclusion is at the heart of GAAN’s mission. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and valued, breaking down barriers and building bridges across our company. Over these first 25 years, GAAN’s initiatives have ranged from professional development to cultural awareness to community service, all designed to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Looking Forward: The Future of Dow’s Global African Affinity Network and ERGs

To the GAAN founders and all participants, past and present, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your passion has taken the vision of our ERG to heights we couldn’t have imagined 25 years ago.

As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re also looking forward. The world is changing rapidly, and GAAN is evolving to meet new challenges and capture new opportunities. We’re committed to continuing our work, building on our legacy, and setting new benchmarks for what our ERGs and Dow can achieve.

A call to action What has Dow’s ERG GAAN meant to you?

If you’ve been involved in GAAN, we invite you to share this article to your social media. Let us know what GAAN has meant to you over the years. We look forward to reading about your personal experience.

Stephan Pierre
Senior Manufacturing & Engineering (M&E) Project Director
Global GAAN Co-Chair

Flavia Venturoli
Commercial Director, Dow Consumer Solutions
Global GAAN Co-Chair

About the authors

Stephan Pierre is a Senior Manufacturing & Engineering (M&E) Project Director with Dow. He is also the current Global Co-chair of GAAN. Stephan has been with the company for 34 years, serving in a range of M&E leadership roles. He lives and works in Louisiana and enjoys spending time with his family.

Flavia Venturoli is a Commercial Director for Dow Consumer Solutions and also the current Global GAAN Co-Chair. Flavia has been with Dow for 24 years, holding a variety of supply chain, marketing, and commercial leadership positions. She lives in Brazil and is a passionate advocate for racial inclusion.

The Chemours Washington Works Nature Trail is among the most loved natural treasures in the greater Parkersburg, West Virginia area. In fact, a local publication described it as a “hiking hidden gem.” Open to the public, the site’s nature trail offers diverse wildlife habitats and serves as an outdoor educational site for the surrounding communities. In late October, the trail officially opened its Outdoor Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Classroom and dedicated it to outgoing U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, III, for his shared passion for advancing and expanding access to education to create opportunity, unlock potential, and drive prosperity in West Virginia.

Chemours has pledged to invest $50 million by 2030 in safety and sustainability programs in communities near its sites and to broaden access to STEM education as part of its Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals. With roots in the community going back more than 75 years, the building of this outdoor classroom is Washington Work’s latest investment in the local area and offers a safe place for community members and students to learn more about STEM and the environment.

Initially established in 1992, employee and retiree volunteers host school, Boy Scouts of America, local garden, and bird-watching groups each year for guided education and work projects. The Washington Works integrated approach to managing and enhancing the trail includes creating and maintaining various wildlife habitats on the manufacturing site and adjacent land. The program directly supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, offers 2.72 miles of networked nature trails, and learning programs geared to all ages.

In 2022, the Washington Works nature trail achieved Certified Gold status by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)—the highest level of certification—while five additional Chemours sites have also received certification.

Originally published on HBISustains.com

In 2004, Berlei partnered with the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (BCNA) with an aim of raising awareness and support for those diagnosed with breast cancer. For the last few years, every October, the Pink Bra Collection launches, and $10 from each product sold is donated to BCNA to help those impacted.

In 2005, My Care Kits (MCKs) were introduced and distributed. These thoughtfully curated packages include a Berlei post-surgery recovery bra for support during the initial 12 weeks after breast cancer surgery and during radiation, along with soft forms and essential resources to navigate a challenging time.

To date, $15 million has been raised to support those affected by breast cancer, and 220,000 MCKs have been distributed around Australia.

“My Care Kits serve as a stepping stone during a healing journey,” said Demi Ross, brand manager – Berlei Marketing. “This year, we are excited to expand the reach of the MCKs and introduce a new recovery bra design.”

Available in black or nude, these bras are made of soft viscose bamboo, with spacious pockets for soft forms, front and back closures for easy dressing, and a flexible band that accommodates any dressings or tubes around the surgery area.

At HanesBrands, we are contributing to improving the lives of at least 10 million people by 2030. Read more about our sustainability goals.

Nonprofits are tackling a variety of critical issues like female empowerment, mental health, and wealth building for underserved groups. But scaling impactful programs remains a challenge. In 2024, 71% of nonprofits have seen an increase in demand for their programs and services, while 42% report a lack of adequate finances or resources.

To address these challenges, Truist Foundation recently donated $4 million in grants to 11 nonprofits across the country that are using innovative programs to create career pathways and support small businesses in underserved communities. This concentrated impact aligns with the Foundation’s strategic pillars: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

“Proximity to a community’s challenges is a leading indicator of whether the proposed solutions are relevant, effective, and sustainable,” says Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “We’ve found that nonprofits often best understand the communities they’re operating in, and by partnering together, Truist Foundation can have a more meaningful impact.”

Empowering Communities: Pilot programs for emerging solutions

Truist Foundation’s funding is helping organizations launch pilot programs designed to test innovative solutions in their respective communities. One standout example is Project Equity, which focuses on transitioning businesses to employee-owned companies in Atlanta, Birmingham, and Miami. Doing so provides wealth-building opportunities for low- and moderate-income workers, including in communities of color.

Project Equity uses detailed data analysis to identify regions with a high density of low- and moderate-income workers and legacy businesses. This analysis guides their outreach and engagement strategies, ensuring they effectively target the communities that can most benefit by transitioning to employee ownership.

“Our data analysis helps us understand the unique characteristics of each region, allowing us to tailor our messaging and build awareness effectively,” says Evan Edwards, chief executive officer of Project Equity. “Truist’s funding has been crucial in broadening and deepening our awareness-raising efforts and developing partnerships in key regions.”

In Miami, for example, Edwards discovered that using terms like “co-ops” wasn’t effective due to cultural perspectives of many local residents. Truist’s funding helped Project Equity adjust their language to better connect with the local community.

Expanding Impact: Scaling existing nonprofit programs

Truist Foundation is also committed to scaling existing programs to expand their reach and impact.

For example, LiftFund provides affordable small business loans and technical assistance to underserved communities. This approach not only gives small business owners access to capital—it also equips them with the tools needed to manage their finances effectively and sustain growth through one-on-one business counseling, workshops, and webinars.

“Truist Foundation’s grant helps us enhance our capabilities and our capacity in a couple of different ways,” says Amy Hereford, chief executive officer at LiftFund. “The grant is used for our Dream Makers Fund, a revolving business loan fund, which allows us to offer lower interest rate loans, and supports educational programs and community outreach in Florida.”

So far, Truist Foundation’s funding has helped five businesses, including a pressure washing business and a carpentry business. The pressure washing business received a 0% interest loan to purchase a truck and trailer, allowing the owner to begin work and plan for future expansion. The carpentry business also received a 0% interest loan to purchase additional equipment and hire more help as the business grows.

The grant funding also helps LiftFund engage with community partners to amplify impact. By collaborating with local chambers of commerce, development groups, and other nonprofits, LiftFund can broaden its reach and support more small businesses.

By helping organizations launch and scale programs, Truist Foundation is empowering nonprofits to create lasting change in communities nationwide.

Learn more about how Truist Foundation is helping nonprofits expand their work.

Read the full press release: Truist Foundation fills gap, distributes grants to pilot and scale nonprofit solutions nationwide

Originally published on GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., November 4, 2024 /3BL/ — For years, word-of-mouth has played a critical role in the marketing success of small businesses. New data from GoDaddy suggests that recommendations from friends, family and co-workers are being replaced by influencers in terms of importance to younger consumers.

The GoDaddy survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers in September shows that while both Gen Z and Millennial customers are starting to behave differently than traditional shoppers, that doesn’t mean they are trending in the same direction.

Approximately 4 in 10 Gen Z consumers (41%) trust a product or service posted by an influencer over an ad from a business, whereas nearly 5 in 10 Millennials (46%) trust an ad from a business more.

Among both generations, when asked the likelihood of buying an item from a post on social media, posts from friends ranked low on the list.

Gen Z is more likely to buy something an influencer recommends, with friends coming in last.

An influencer’s post (57%)A post from a business I follow (54%)An ad in my feed (49%)A friend’s post (40%)

Millennials are more influenced by the businesses they choose to follow, with influencers and friends holding the least weight.

A post from a business I follow (57%)An ad in my feed (51%)A friend’s post (48%)An influencer’s post (44%)

“Knowing that Gen Z consumers trust social media ads more than recommendations from friends is a game-changer if this is your target audience,” said Alycia Leno, director of marketing at GoDaddy. “Insights into how each generation shops, especially on social media, will empower small businesses to rethink their strategies and using the right tools will maximize their businesses social media marketing.”

Even though Gen Z and Millennial shoppers may differ in who they trust while scrolling through feeds, they still see the value social media and social ads offer.

Most Gen Z (55%) and Millennial (47%) consumers regularly rely on social media to discover new products every, or nearly every time.More than half of Gen Z (53%) and Millennial (57%) customers are served an ad that results in them taking action at least every week.Nearly 3 in 10 Gen Z (28%) and Millennial (32%) consumers find social media ads helpful to learn about new products and/or businesses.

These findings show that small business owners need a good grasp of their audience, or they risk wasting time and spending money unnecessarily. By understanding how each generation prefers to shop on social media, entrepreneurs can target customers more directly and see better results faster.

Entrepreneurs can lean on online tools to maximize every social media post and ad. Digital Marketing from GoDaddy leverages the intuitive features of GoDaddy Airo™ and GoDaddy Studio to create custom AI-generated content, schedule social media posts, create digital ads, access helpful analytics and more. These cost-effective tools are readily available to small businesses of any size, with any budget, to help attract new customers and increase sales.

To learn more about GoDaddy and its products, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

by Woody Tasch of Slow Money

I begin with a question: Why, when it comes to our own money, do we keep acting as if global capital markets and institutional investment products are all there is? Why do keep thinking that fiscal prudence is synonymous with giving almost all our money to people we don’t know very well, for them to invest in things they often don’t understand very well, in places half-way around the world that are virtually invisible to us?

For the past 15 years, I’ve been steward of an unusual process of public experimentation, collaboration and shared learning. Under the loose banner of the ‘slow money’ movement, $100 million has flowed to over 1000 small, diversified organic farms and local food businesses via volunteer-led activities in dozens of communities. In this fertile field, seeds of a replicable, local 0% lending model have sprouted. There are now five “SOIL” groups (Slow Opportunities for Investing Locally) in the U.S. and one in Israel, using donated capital to make 0% loans, to the tune of over $4 million in aggregate to some 150 farms and food businesses.

The beauty of this model is that it not only solves a bunch of securities hurdles and enables grassroots participation, but also creates permanently recirculating, slowly growing pools of community-controlled capital. We are learning that social capital has real value. Collective intelligence, applied locally and directly, can be put to work in ways that are tangible and remarkably productive.

Read Woody’s thought-provoking and practical Impact Investing article here – https://greenmoney.com/impact-investing-and-deep-intention

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Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Part of Pete Bardonaro’s job as a Small Business specialist sales manager is understanding the unique needs of his clients and finding solutions for those needs.

That concept also carries over to his work as president of the Englewood Little League in the Dayton, Ohio area and its Challenger Baseball League, which is an adaptive league for children with disabilities.

The Challenger league has boys and girls as young as 4 and up to 22 years old if they’re still in high school. Bardonaro and other league officials create special equipment, such as a mechanical bat that players can swing by pushing a button, to enable players to participate.

Bardonaro’s story is part of our Beyond the Banker series highlighting things that U.S. Bank colleagues do in addition to their jobs at the bank. Click the link above to watch a short video featuring Bardonaro and some of the Challenger Baseball League players. 

SAN FRANCISCO, November 4, 2024 /3BL/ – Across a six-state region, 33 nonprofits received a total of $6.4 million in grant funding from Wells Fargo’s Invest Native Initiative (5:00) to strengthen housing access and affordability, small business growth, financial health, and sustainability in Native communities. The funding is part of Wells Fargo’s two-year effort focused on collaborating with Native organizations and communities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

“We continue to listen and learn from the leaders already doing the work in Native communities,” said Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “With philanthropic investment in the mission, staff and capacity of Native-serving and Native-led organizations, we can help create positive outcomes for families, small businesses, and communities – respecting the culture, expertise and traditions within Tribal communities. With these grants, Wells Fargo delivers on its $20 million Invest Native commitment and will continue to support locally-led efforts that advance prosperity in Native communities.”

Grantees share that Invest Native funding is anticipated to deliver tangible community outcomes, including:

Producing 156 homes for purchase and 102 rental homesServing an estimated 2,000 small businesses, including more than 1,500 sole proprietor businessesSupporting businesses in creating 322 jobs and preserving 477 jobsFacilitating debt reduction for 1,000 participants, with total debt reduction exceeding $1 millionProviding financial counseling or coaching to more than 8,000 Native peopleTraining of 27 community-based organizations on climate resiliency topics

In addition, Invest Native supports strengthening nonprofits and coalitions by building their capacity to serve. As an example, Mountain Plains Community Development Corporation leveraged its grant funds as seed funding and reports providing more than $1.5 million in loans to small businesses. A different grant supported the hiring of executive directors for two additional Native-led, Native serving housing coalitions in Montana and in the Southwest. A capacity-building grant in South Dakota supported the development of a new housing subsidiary for the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, which helps Native people become homeowners.

Wells Fargo is working with Enterprise Community Partners and its Native-led and experienced Tribal Nations team to provide strategic guidance, technical assistance and training, peer convening, and program evaluation to maximize the impact of the initiative.

“It is exciting to see how the grantees leverage Invest Native support to fulfill needs in their communities by expanding services, furthering their geographic reach, and building new programs,” said Jennie Rodgers, Enterprise VP and Rocky Mountain, Tribal Nations, and Rural Communities Market Leader for Enterprise Community Partners. “We’re honored to continue supporting Wells Fargo as they forge ahead in supporting collaborative, creative, resilient Native-led work.”

The 33 organizations that received funding in 2024 include:

Arizona

Arizona Native Asset Coalition CorporationChange LabsHonor WaterNááts’íilid InitiativeNahata Foundation, Inc.Nalwoodi Denzhone CommunityNative Public MediaRed Feather Development GroupSeeds of Harmony, Inc.

Montana

Kids Co-op, MontanaNACDC Financial Services, Inc.Native American Development CorporationPlenty Doors Community Development CorporationSalish and Kootenai Housing AuthoritySalish Kootenai College

New Mexico

Native Community CapitalNavajo Townsite Community Development CorporationNew Mexico Community CapitalPueblo of Acoma Housing AuthorityPueblo of Jemez Housing AuthoritySouthwest Tribal Housing Alliance

North Dakota

Sacred Pipe Resource CenterSAGE Development Authority

South Dakota

Akiptan, Inc.Black Hills Community Loan Fund, Inc.Buffalo Nations Grasslands AllianceFour Bands Community Fund, Inc.Lakota FundsMazaska Owecaso Otipi FinancialOyate Teca ProjectSicangu Community Development CorporationSouth Dakota Native Tourism Alliance/Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming

Wind River Development Fund

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial 3 © 2024 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. For public use. Member FDIC. Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 34 on Fortune’s 2024 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

Media Contact Information
Erin Devaney, 704-635-0690
erin.devaney@wellsfargo.com

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Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Spain, achieving an impressive 15th position in the overall ranking. This is a significant leap from our 71st position last year, showcasing our continuous commitment to people creating a positive and rewarding work environment.

Por segundo año consecutivo, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Iberia ha sido reconocida como una de las 100 mejores empresas para trabajar en España, logrando un impresionante puesto número 15 en el ranking general; un salto significativo de 56 puestos desde nuestra posición del año pasado en el puesto número 71. Además, Jazz ocupa el tercer puesto más alto entre las compañías farmacéuticas que aparecen en la lista Top 100.

Elaborado por la revista de negocios Actualidad Económica, este ejercicio de clasificación anual se deriva de un cuestionario preparado en colaboración con consultores y expertos en Recursos Humanos. Se centra en la experiencia del empleado e incluye categorías como: Gestión del talento; Remuneración y compensación; Medio ambiente; Responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC); y Formación.

Continue reading here / continúa leyendo aquí.