Tag: 3BL

Electronic payment systems make it easier than ever to manage money—but they also present opportunities for cybercriminals. Electronic Payments Fraud occurs when criminals exploit online banking tools, merchant payment systems, and peer‑to‑peer platforms such as Zelle® and PayPal® to steal funds or sensitive financial information.

Understanding how these fraud schemes work is the first step toward protecting yourself. Below KeyBank is sharing information about the most common types of electronic payment fraud, how they occur, and steps you can take that can help safeguard your accounts.

Common Types of Electronic Payments Fraud

1. Stolen Online Card Information

What it is
Fraudsters steal debit or credit card details and use them to make unauthorized purchases or obtain cash advances.

How it happens
Criminals may:

• Hack into online platforms where card data is stored
• Use phishing emails or texts to deceive victims into revealing card information
• Employ social engineering tactics or card‑skimming devices to capture account details

2. Wire Fraud

What it is
Victims are tricked into sending money directly to a fraudster via wire transfer—often with little chance of recovery due to the speed of these transactions.

How it happens
Scammers frequently impersonate trusted individuals or legitimate businesses and fabricate urgent scenarios (such as legal issues, emergency payments, or compromised accounts) to pressure victims into sending funds immediately.

3. Account Takeover (ATO)

What it is
A fraudster gains unauthorized access to an account and uses it to conduct fraudulent activity. While financial accounts are common targets, email, e‑commerce, and social media accounts are also at risk.

How it happens
Account takeovers often result from:

• Phishing emails or fake login pages
• Malware infections
• Reused passwords across multiple websites—especially if one of those sites has been compromised

4. Payment App Fraud

What it is
Victims are deceived into sending money through payment apps such as Zelle® or PayPal®, believing the recipient is a trusted person or legitimate business.

How it happens
Fraudsters may:

• Impersonate known contacts
• Create fake profiles or spoof account details
• Exploit urgency or emotional manipulation to prompt quick transfers

Protecting Yourself: KeyBank’s Fraud Prevention Best Practices

Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk. KeyBank strongly recommends the following safeguards:

• Never share sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers with unknown or unverified sources
• Create strong, unique passwords with at least 15 characters, mixing upper‑ and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on all eligible accounts
• Monitor your accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions or unusual activity
• Review your credit report on a routine basis to detect suspicious changes
• Only enter payment information on trusted websites and avoid unfamiliar checkout pages
• Avoid clicking suspicious pop‑ups, links, ads, or email attachments, especially from unknown senders
• Use secure Wi‑Fi networks when accessing financial accounts
• Shred documents containing personal or financial information before disposal
• Stay informed about emerging fraud tactics and cybersecurity best practices
• KeyBank clients: Activate account alerts through online and mobile banking to receive real‑time notifications of account activity

What to Do if You Suspect Fraud

If you believe you may be a victim of electronic payments fraud, contact your bank immediately. Early action can help limit losses and protect your accounts.

KeyBank clients should contact the KeyBank Fraud Client Service Center at 1‑800‑433‑0124. Dial 711 for TTY/TRS.

To learn more about fraud prevention tools, resources, and safe banking practices, visit the KeyBank Fraud Protection Center at Key.com/fraud.

 

^{This document is designed to provide general information only and is not comprehensive nor is it legal advice; particular situations may require additional actions. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. KeyBank does not make any warranties regarding the results obtained from the use of this information. All rights reserved. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names referenced in this material are the property of their respective owners.}

^{Zelle and the Zelle-related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC, and are used herein under license. Venmo is a registered trademark of PayPal, Inc.©2026 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved. KeyBank Member FDIC. CFMA #260513-4465728}

May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World marked its 13th participation in the 10KM Tribuna FM Race, the largest 10K race in Brazil and one of the fastest in South America, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to community engagement, healthy living and local investment.

This year’s race brought together approximately 25,200 participants in Santos, with DP World fielding a team of 520 runners — placing the company among the five largest teams in the competition.

Promoting Health, Well-being and Community Connection

More than just a race, the 10KM Tribuna FM is an annual celebration that reflects DP World’s broader sustainability strategy, “Our World, Our Future,” and its commitment to community engagement as one of its seven responsible business priorities. The initiative also supports UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

The company’s participation in the 10KM Tribuna FM Race began in 2012, when a small group of fewer than 20 enthusiastic DP World employees joined the event.

Investing in Sports Development Across Brazil 

DP World has long supported sports development in Brazil through Municipal Tax Incentive Programs for sports and culture, including Promifae and Promicult. Since 2015, the company has invested more than R$11 million in initiatives in Santos, supporting a wide range of disciplines including gymnastics, skateboarding, surfing, canoeing, football, CrossFit, beach tennis, table tennis, artistic gymnastics, futsal, handball and duathlon.

Through these initiatives, DP World promotes sport as a catalyst for inclusion, opportunity and community development, helping expand access to athletic programs for young people and socially vulnerable groups.

Expanding Community Impact Across Latin America Through Sports

Beyond Brazil, DP World continues to leverage sport-driven initiatives to create lasting social impact across the region. In Peru, the DP World Race — a 10K charity run held in Callao — has supported school improvement projects for more than a decade, with proceeds from the event directed toward local schools in the community.

In 2025, the company inaugurated six digital classrooms, along with a modern computer room and tutoring room, at the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción Educational Institution of Callao, benefiting more than 300 local students and expanding access to digital education.

In Chile, the company inaugurated the new DP World Sports and Social Centre in Lirquén late last year— a CLP $150 million (more than US$290,000) community investment.

Built near the company’s port terminal, the 3,400-square-meter facility is the first project of its kind in the area dedicated to sports, recreational activities and community engagement, benefiting employees, families, athletes and local residents alike.

For more insights into how DP World is impacting people and communities visit: https://www.dpworld.com/en/sustainability/people-and-communities

May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World marked its 13th participation in the 10KM Tribuna FM Race, the largest 10K race in Brazil and one of the fastest in South America, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to community engagement, healthy living and local investment.

This year’s race brought together approximately 25,200 participants in Santos, with DP World fielding a team of 520 runners — placing the company among the five largest teams in the competition.

Promoting Health, Well-being and Community Connection

More than just a race, the 10KM Tribuna FM is an annual celebration that reflects DP World’s broader sustainability strategy, “Our World, Our Future,” and its commitment to community engagement as one of its seven responsible business priorities. The initiative also supports UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

The company’s participation in the 10KM Tribuna FM Race began in 2012, when a small group of fewer than 20 enthusiastic DP World employees joined the event.

Investing in Sports Development Across Brazil 

DP World has long supported sports development in Brazil through Municipal Tax Incentive Programs for sports and culture, including Promifae and Promicult. Since 2015, the company has invested more than R$11 million in initiatives in Santos, supporting a wide range of disciplines including gymnastics, skateboarding, surfing, canoeing, football, CrossFit, beach tennis, table tennis, artistic gymnastics, futsal, handball and duathlon.

Through these initiatives, DP World promotes sport as a catalyst for inclusion, opportunity and community development, helping expand access to athletic programs for young people and socially vulnerable groups.

Expanding Community Impact Across Latin America Through Sports

Beyond Brazil, DP World continues to leverage sport-driven initiatives to create lasting social impact across the region. In Peru, the DP World Race — a 10K charity run held in Callao — has supported school improvement projects for more than a decade, with proceeds from the event directed toward local schools in the community.

In 2025, the company inaugurated six digital classrooms, along with a modern computer room and tutoring room, at the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción Educational Institution of Callao, benefiting more than 300 local students and expanding access to digital education.

In Chile, the company inaugurated the new DP World Sports and Social Centre in Lirquén late last year— a CLP $150 million (more than US$290,000) community investment.

Built near the company’s port terminal, the 3,400-square-meter facility is the first project of its kind in the area dedicated to sports, recreational activities and community engagement, benefiting employees, families, athletes and local residents alike.

For more insights into how DP World is impacting people and communities visit: https://www.dpworld.com/en/sustainability/people-and-communities

W. L. Gore & Associates Fabrics business is participating in the expanded Nylon Materials Collective, an industry dialogue forum convened by Samsara Eco.

The engagement brings together outdoor brands, industry associations, and supply chain partners to exchange perspectives on materials management.

It reflects the long‑standing focus of the Gore Fabrics business on materials science, durability requirements, and established testing and quality standards.

The participation centers on shared expertise and dialogue, including on chemical and enzymatic recycling approaches, while technology and process decisions remain subject to Gore Fabric’s established performance requirements and evaluation processes.

Source: New partnership connects a network of more than 260 outdoor brands and welcomes Burton, W. L. Gore & Associates, Black Diamond Equipment, Red Wing Shoe Company and Big Agnes.

About Gore Fabrics
Gore introduced GORE-TEX® Fabric to the outerwear industry more than 45 years ago and continues to develop performance apparel technologies. Gore’s Fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages.
https://www.gore-tex.com and https://www.goretexprofessional.com/

About Gore
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments – from outer space to the world’s highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 13,000 Associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $5 billion.
For more information, visit gore.com.

# # #

^{Products listed may not be available in all markets.
GORE, GORE-TEX, Together, improving life and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.
© 2026 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.}

Gore Fabrics Business Media Contacts

Molly Cuffe
W. L. Gore & Associates
mcuffe@wlgore.com

Monika Lischke
W. L. Gore & Associates
mlischke@wlgore.com

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is reaffirming its commitment to supporting service members, veterans, their families and caregivers through a comprehensive approach that spans health care access, community‑based solutions, purpose‑driven engagement and economic opportunity.

Guided by research and informed by close collaboration with nonprofit and community organizations, CVS Health takes a comprehensive approach to supporting the military-connected lifecycle. From the moment someone chooses to serve through relocations, transition from service, seeking employment or entrepreneurship, caregiving, and long-term well-being, the company focuses on meeting military-connected individuals and families where they are. This approach reflects CVS Health’s belief that lasting impact comes from listening, understanding unique challenges, and delivering coordinated solutions that support stability, opportunity, and health over time.

“CVS Health is uniquely positioned to support the military community because we have a broad presence in communities across the country where service members, veterans, and their families live and work,” said Len Shankman, Executive Vice President and President, Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness at CVS Health. “By listening first and responding to real needs, we are expanding access to care, easing the challenges of relocation, and creating pathways to purpose and economic stability so military-connected families can thrive at every stage of life. Through our Service Made Simpler campaign, we are also helping ensure families are more aware of and connected to the resources and support available to them.”

Addressing the Entire Military-Connected Lifecycle

CVS Health works alongside organizations such as the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to support military families and caregivers through health care access, research-informed insights, and long term support. Through TRICARE and MinuteClinic®, CVS Health also helps expand access to convenient, trusted care for eligible service members, veterans, and their families.

Listening and Showing Up with Tailored Community Solutions

In military-connected communities, CVS Health is using research and local insights to design evidence-based programs that reflect the realities families face during transitions. In North Carolina, with plans to expand to additional states this year, initiatives include MFAN’s Pantry Restock Program, community-based support developed with Hope For The Warriors, and volunteer-led efforts that bring CVS Health colleagues directly into community support efforts.

Fostering Purpose, Connection, and Well-Being

Recognizing that a sense of purpose is essential to health, CVS Health invests in programs that help veterans and military spouses continue serving their communities. Working with organizations such as the Travis Manion Foundation, Team Red, White & Blue, Soldiers to Sidelines, Armed Services Arts Partnership, CreatiVets and Vets4Warriors create opportunities for connection, physical wellness, creative expression, and peer support. CVS Health also supports military families through organizations like Our Military Kids, which provides activity grants to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and combat-injured veterans, helping them stay connected and maintain stability during periods of deployment and recovery.

Creating Economic Stability Through Workforce Development and Entrepreneurship

CVS Health goes beyond traditional veteran employment by investing in entrepreneurship and supplier engagement. By working with organizations such as Hiring Our Heroes and Hire Heroes USA, the company supports career readiness and employment pathways, while work with the Duke Veterans Transition Research Lab helps advance research on veteran workforce transitions and economic outcomes.

The company continues to invest in programs that help veterans and military spouses start, grow, and sustain small businesses—connecting them to training, certification, and real opportunities within CVS Health’s supply chain. In 2025 alone, CVS Health spent $292 million with veteran small businesses, supporting long-term economic mobility for families and strengthening the communities they serve. Support for organizations such as The Rosie Network, the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), the National Veteran-Owned Business Development Council (NVBDC), and the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce help entrepreneurs access training, certification, and retail pathways.

“Our commitment to the military community is not limited to a single initiative or moment in time,” Shankman added. “It is embedded in how we connect care, research, community, and opportunity, and in how we honor service through lasting support.”

For more information about CVS Health’s support of veterans, service members, and military families, visit CVSHealth.com.

###

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact

Ethan Slavin
SlavinE@cvshealth.com

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Every year in May, we celebrate the life of a woman whose vision reshaped not only the beauty industry, but the very idea of what entrepreneurship could look like for millions of women: Mary Kay Ash.

Born in 1918 in Texas, Ash did not just build a company – she built a movement. When she founded Mary Kay Inc. in 1963 with $5,000 of her life savings, she was responding to a workplace reality that consistently undervalued women. Rather than accept it, she rewrote the rules.

A Pioneer of Women’s Entrepreneurship Through Direct Sales

Mary Kay Ash championed the idea that every woman deserves the chance to build something of her own — on her own terms. She believed women could and should have the option start their own business and choose when and how they work. Her direct-sales model gave women the flexibility to build businesses on their own terms, often from their own homes, at a time when such opportunities were rare. She understood the hard work behind direct sales.

She famously said: “Nothing happens until somebody sells something.” That simple truth is still the foundation of our business, guided by the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Mary Kay Ash fostered a pathway to independent entrepreneurship that evolves with the needs of women and consumers at every stage of their lives. She also was the primogenitor of influencer marketing who understood the critical importance of people’s influence in sales. Her philosophy was simple yet radical: empower individuals, reward effort, and cultivate leadership from within.

A Legacy Recognized Among America’s Greatest Innovators

Even decades after her passing, Mary Kay Ash’s impact continues to be recognized at the highest levels. In 2026, Mary Kay Ash ranked #54 on Forbes 250: America’s Greatest Historic Innovators list¹, a distinction celebrating individuals whose ideas forged the American dream and who left an indelible mark on modern America. Mary Kay Ash is featured among visionaries such as Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, etc.

She has also been recognized by Direct Selling News among the legacy innovators who built the direct selling channels. Learn more: Direct Selling’s History of Innovation at Scale.

To be included among such titans underscores what many have long known: her influence extends far beyond cosmetics. She helped redefine opportunity, leadership, and the power of believing in oneself.

Mary Kay Ash was also:

• Named one of the “25 Most Influential Businesspersons of the Past 25 Years” by PBS and Wharton School of Business (2004) and was featured in the “Great American Entrepreneur” Series at the Smithsonian Institute (1988).
• The only woman out of 20 profiles to be named one of “Forbes Greatest Business Stories of All Time” (1996), along with Bill Gates, Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, and Walt Disney.
• Posthumously honored for her humanitarian efforts as one of only five recipients of the inaugural Humanitarian Rose Award from The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc. (TPPCF) at Kensington Palace. The Foundation was founded to celebrate the charitable legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales.
• Received the Golden Plate Award for Business from the American Academy of Achievement. Other recipients include Steve Jobs, Ted Turner, Oprah Winfrey, William Hewlett, Gloria Vanderbilt, Philip H. Knight, Ralph Lauren, and Charles Schwab.

Mary Kay Ash was truly an iconic woman, a visionary! She was committed to enriching women’s lives. That was her passion and the WHY behind her namesake company – to offer opportunities to women that they would otherwise not have had, and that allowed them to work independently, setting their own schedules. She was a true Texan: down-to-earth, with a great sense of humor. She had grit and worked tirelessly for her vision of making the world a better place. She lived and led by the Golden Rule: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Teaching Women to Believe in Themselves

At a time when many women were told to think small, she encouraged them to think boldly. She famously emphasized recognition, confidence, and self-worth, creating a culture where women were elevated and celebrated for ambition rather than discouraged by it.

Her company’s mission to “enrich women’s lives” was not just branding – it was operational. Creating leadership opportunities, she inspired and gave women resources to flourish and advance their business. She imagined a community where women could connect, enjoy great products, grow in confidence, and ultimately realize their potential. By building a business. Of their own.

On her birthday month, we do not just remember Mary Kay Ash – we reflect on what she made possible.

For every woman who started a small business, took control of her financial future, or believed in herself a little more because someone said she could – that is her legacy in action.

And perhaps that’s the most powerful innovation of all.

Did You Know:

• In 1969, Mary Kay Ash introduced the “career car” concept to her independent beauty consultants, making the pink Cadillac an iconic and synonymous symbol with the Mary Kay brand.
• In 1968, Mary Kay Cosmetics became one of the first companies on the New York Stock Exchange chaired by a woman. In 1985, Mary Kay returned to a privately held company.
• At Mary Kay Inc., 60% of Executive team, 62% of R&D Scientists, 81% of Global Brand, Marketing & Design team, 63% of Global Workforce, and 57% of leadership positions in the top 10 markets are held by women².
• In 2026, Mary Kay is present in 40 markets around the world.

Learn more about Mary Kay Ash here.

***

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #
 

¹ Alex Knapp and Michael Noer, Forbes Staff. (February 12, 2026). “America’s 250 Greatest Historic Innovators.”  https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2026/02/12/forbes-250-americas-greatest-historic-innovators/

² Source: Women Representation & Leadership at Mary Kay (2025).

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party sustainability certification and verification, has been approved as a Validation and Verification Body (VVB) for the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) TREES program. The designation authorizes SCS to independently validate and verify jurisdictional REDD+ programs seeking to issue carbon credits on the ART Registry.

ART TREES (The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard) is widely recognized as a high-integrity jurisdictional REDD+ crediting standard, designed to address key environmental and social risks that have historically been associated with REDD+ Programs, including leakage, baseline setting, and social and environmental safeguards. The standard enables national and subnational governments jurisdictions to generate high-quality carbon credits at scale for verified reductions in deforestation and forest degradation.

Credits issued under TREES must pass a rigorous third-party audit process — conducted by approved VVBs — to confirm that emission reductions meet the program’s measurement, monitoring, reporting, and safeguards requirements. As a result, ART-issued credits are designed to meet the expectations of leading corporate buyers, including hyperscalers and multinational companies, looking for high-quality, large-volume solutions aligned with carbon market integrity standards.

SCS brings more than four decades of environmental verification expertise to this work, with a strong track record supporting complex jurisdictional and national-scale REDD+ programs. Its GHG verification team has conducted validation and verification activities of scores of large-scale projects under the Verra standards (Verified Carbon Standard, Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard, Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard), the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and the BioCarbon Fund’s Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes, in more than 15 countries, including Indonesia, Madagascar, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. SCS combines deep technical expertise with global reach, supported by auditors fluent in local laws, customs, and languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Swahili. The organization holds accreditation through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), providing ongoing quality assurance of its audit practice.

“ART TREE’s approval of SCS as a VVB reflects the depth and rigor of our team’s work across the world’s most complex jurisdictional REDD+ programs,” said Christie Pollet-Young, Vice President of Climate, SCS Global Services. “We look forward to supporting the integrity and credibility of REDD+ markets through this new role with ART.”

ART is administered by Winrock International and maintains a public registry of verified programs, credit issuances, retirements, and cancellations. SCS’ addition to the list of approved VVBs reflects the growing demand for high-quality, third-party verification as the jurisdictional forest carbon market matures.

For more information about SCS GHG Forestry verification services, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainable-forestry.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media Contact 

Rachel Barnhart  
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations  
SCS Global Services  
Email: rbarnhart@scsglobalservices.com 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party sustainability certification and verification, has been approved as a Validation and Verification Body (VVB) for the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) TREES program. The designation authorizes SCS to independently validate and verify jurisdictional REDD+ programs seeking to issue carbon credits on the ART Registry.

ART TREES (The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard) is widely recognized as a high-integrity jurisdictional REDD+ crediting standard, designed to address key environmental and social risks that have historically been associated with REDD+ Programs, including leakage, baseline setting, and social and environmental safeguards. The standard enables national and subnational governments jurisdictions to generate high-quality carbon credits at scale for verified reductions in deforestation and forest degradation.

Credits issued under TREES must pass a rigorous third-party audit process — conducted by approved VVBs — to confirm that emission reductions meet the program’s measurement, monitoring, reporting, and safeguards requirements. As a result, ART-issued credits are designed to meet the expectations of leading corporate buyers, including hyperscalers and multinational companies, looking for high-quality, large-volume solutions aligned with carbon market integrity standards.

SCS brings more than four decades of environmental verification expertise to this work, with a strong track record supporting complex jurisdictional and national-scale REDD+ programs. Its GHG verification team has conducted validation and verification activities of scores of large-scale projects under the Verra standards (Verified Carbon Standard, Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard, Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard), the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and the BioCarbon Fund’s Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes, in more than 15 countries, including Indonesia, Madagascar, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. SCS combines deep technical expertise with global reach, supported by auditors fluent in local laws, customs, and languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Swahili. The organization holds accreditation through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), providing ongoing quality assurance of its audit practice.

“ART TREE’s approval of SCS as a VVB reflects the depth and rigor of our team’s work across the world’s most complex jurisdictional REDD+ programs,” said Christie Pollet-Young, Vice President of Climate, SCS Global Services. “We look forward to supporting the integrity and credibility of REDD+ markets through this new role with ART.”

ART is administered by Winrock International and maintains a public registry of verified programs, credit issuances, retirements, and cancellations. SCS’ addition to the list of approved VVBs reflects the growing demand for high-quality, third-party verification as the jurisdictional forest carbon market matures.

For more information about SCS GHG Forestry verification services, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainable-forestry.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media Contact 

Rachel Barnhart  
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations  
SCS Global Services  
Email: rbarnhart@scsglobalservices.com 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 21, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party sustainability certification and verification, has been approved as a Validation and Verification Body (VVB) for the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) TREES program. The designation authorizes SCS to independently validate and verify jurisdictional REDD+ programs seeking to issue carbon credits on the ART Registry.

ART TREES (The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard) is widely recognized as a high-integrity jurisdictional REDD+ crediting standard, designed to address key environmental and social risks that have historically been associated with REDD+ Programs, including leakage, baseline setting, and social and environmental safeguards. The standard enables national and subnational governments jurisdictions to generate high-quality carbon credits at scale for verified reductions in deforestation and forest degradation.

Credits issued under TREES must pass a rigorous third-party audit process — conducted by approved VVBs — to confirm that emission reductions meet the program’s measurement, monitoring, reporting, and safeguards requirements. As a result, ART-issued credits are designed to meet the expectations of leading corporate buyers, including hyperscalers and multinational companies, looking for high-quality, large-volume solutions aligned with carbon market integrity standards.

SCS brings more than four decades of environmental verification expertise to this work, with a strong track record supporting complex jurisdictional and national-scale REDD+ programs. Its GHG verification team has conducted validation and verification activities of scores of large-scale projects under the Verra standards (Verified Carbon Standard, Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard, Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard), the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and the BioCarbon Fund’s Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes, in more than 15 countries, including Indonesia, Madagascar, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. SCS combines deep technical expertise with global reach, supported by auditors fluent in local laws, customs, and languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Swahili. The organization holds accreditation through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), providing ongoing quality assurance of its audit practice.

“ART TREE’s approval of SCS as a VVB reflects the depth and rigor of our team’s work across the world’s most complex jurisdictional REDD+ programs,” said Christie Pollet-Young, Vice President of Climate, SCS Global Services. “We look forward to supporting the integrity and credibility of REDD+ markets through this new role with ART.”

ART is administered by Winrock International and maintains a public registry of verified programs, credit issuances, retirements, and cancellations. SCS’ addition to the list of approved VVBs reflects the growing demand for high-quality, third-party verification as the jurisdictional forest carbon market matures.

For more information about SCS GHG Forestry verification services, visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainable-forestry.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

Media Contact 

Rachel Barnhart  
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations  
SCS Global Services  
Email: rbarnhart@scsglobalservices.com 

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey to date.

I began my career managing corporate wellness events across the country, which gave me the opportunity to travel to every state in the U.S.—except Alaska (I’ll get there one day)!. Along the way, I met incredible people and gained valuable experience working with diverse teams and organizations.

About ten years later, I was approached by GoDaddy at the perfect moment, just as I was starting a family. I stepped into a role where I could help small businesses grow their presence on social media. While I had always enjoyed working with large corporations, the opportunity to support small businesses and watch their growth year over year was especially meaningful.

I joined the Marketing Services Premium team as an Account Manager, where I spent five years working closely with clients and building strong relationships. During that time, I advanced into a Team Lead role and truly valued the collaboration and impact our team made for so many businesses. When the account management team was eventually eliminated, I knew I wanted to continue my journey with GoDaddy.

I stayed proactive, exploring new opportunities within the company, and was excited to step into a role in Commerce Account Management when it became available. This position has allowed me to expand my impact by helping businesses grow not only through marketing, but by leveraging the full suite of GoDaddy products. It’s been exactly the challenge I was looking for, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed being part of this team ever since.

How do you stay connected to your customers’ evolving needs as their businesses change and grow?

I stay connected to my merchants by building a strong relationship from the very beginning. As soon as they’re assigned to my book, I reach out to introduce myself as their direct point of contact for anything GoDaddy-related and look for an opportunity to provide immediate value. That early support helps establish trust and sets the tone for an ongoing partnership.

From there, I maintain consistent communication—typically reaching out at least every other month to share relevant updates, check in on their business goals, and follow up on any challenges they may be facing. I also make sure they’re connected with the right resources quickly, so issues are resolved efficiently and they can stay focused on running their business.

Beyond day-to-day support, I prioritize listening to their feedback and advocating for their needs internally.

Our role allows us to be a true voice for our merchants, and as a team, we’ve helped drive meaningful improvements based on their input.

It’s incredibly rewarding to see those changes make a real impact on their experience and support their continued growth.

How do you keep up with e-commerce trends so you can be a valuable resource for your customers?

I stay current on e-commerce trends through a combination of team collaboration and ongoing learning. As a team, we regularly share insights, emerging trends, and real-world merchant experiences so we can proactively bring relevant ideas to our customers.

One example is the growing use of surcharging as businesses look for ways to manage rising costs in a challenging economic environment. While many merchants are initially hesitant to pass fees on to their customers, we’re able to provide context around how widely this approach is being adopted and help them evaluate whether it makes sense for their business.

By staying informed and having these consultative conversations, I’m able to offer practical, timely guidance that helps my customers make informed decisions and adapt as their businesses evolve.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their online business, what would it be?

If I could give one piece of advice to someone just starting a business, it would be to prioritize building a strong online presence from day one. A user-friendly, well-designed website is essential—it’s often your first impression and a key factor in turning visitors into customers.

Just as important is making sure people can actually find you. Investing in marketing, especially social media, can make a huge difference. While it may seem time-consuming at first, many businesses thrive because of the visibility and connection they build through those platforms.

No matter what you sell or where you operate, having a consistent and intentional online presence will set the foundation for long-term growth.

How has GoDaddy supported your personal growth and learning initiatives?

GoDaddy has played a huge role in my personal growth by consistently challenging me to learn and expand my skill set. I’ve had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of a wide range of GoDaddy products, especially in my current role, where I’m trained across the full suite and regularly speak to merchants about how to use them effectively.

Because GoDaddy offers so many solutions, this experience has allowed me to become more well-rounded and confident in identifying the right tools for each business. I’m able to better understand my merchants’ needs and provide solutions that truly support their growth, no matter what challenges they’re facing.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, my time is mostly spent with my family. I’m a mom of two, and even though they’re still young—5 and 7—they’re already very active in sports. My daughter, Charli, is on a traveling all-star cheerleading team and also performs as a ballerina in local recitals. My son, Huxley, plays both soccer and baseball, so our schedule is always full and constantly on the go.

In addition to family life, I recently took the leap into starting my own baking business, The Rustic Belle. Working with so many business owners inspired me to build something of my own, and GoDaddy has been a great resource in helping me get it off the ground—from building my website to supporting marketing and payments.

Between family, sports, and running a growing business, I definitely stay busy, but I genuinely enjoy it all.

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