Tag: 3BL

Promoting Sustainability and Limiting Supply Chain Impacts

Southwire’s supply chain emissions are not within our direct control; however, they contribute to our overall greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Therefore, we need to collaborate with our suppliers to support mutual climate progress and address emissions from our upstream activities. Copper and aluminum are at the root of our business, and we are dedicated to sourcing them responsibly.

Nearly all of Southwire’s metal suppliers belong to the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), a CEO-led leadership organization created to improve sustainable development performance in the mining and metals industry. The ICMM encourages stakeholder communication—including with the government, international organizations, local communities, and others in the supply chain—to ensure companies can meet all environmental and social regulations.

We also require that our suppliers comply with our Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy guidelines and adhere to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). The principles encompass human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption and drive the advancement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We also conduct Responsible Sourcing audits on suppliers in certain parts of the world.

Upholding Human Rights

Respect for human rights is a fundamental Southwire principle that aligns with our commitment to Doing Right. We expect our suppliers, contractors, and team members to uphold the human rights of all individuals associated with their organizations, and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking, forced labor and child labor. We define our obligation to protect human rights in our Human Rights and Prevention of Human Trafficking Policy and strive to continually enhance our performance.

Increasing Supplier Diversity

We include everyone at Southwire, both within our workforce and in our supply chain. By working with small and diverse suppliers, we gain access to unique perspectives and solutions that can help us boost innovation and industry competitiveness. In the process, we’re able to invest in our Southwire communities, in alignment with our tenets of Building Worth and Doing Right.

Through our Supplier Diversity program, we engage with small and diverse businesses owned and operated by women, minorities and veterans. We use a questionnaire to assess new suppliers on ethics, compliance and sustainability topics, including those related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As we identify qualified suppliers, we assist them in achieving certification and provide them with opportunities to participate in bids.

To identify and engage diverse suppliers, we participate in conferences, seminars and other industry events. We also work with organizations that advocate for small and diverse businesses, including the Greater Women’s Business Council and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC).

The Copper Mark

In 2023, our facilities in Denton, Texas; Bremen, Ind.; and Lafayette, Ind. were awarded The Copper Mark certification. The Copper Mark is the leading assurance framework for promoting the responsible production, sourcing and recycling of metals. Its criteria for certification covers a variety of sustainability topics, including community impact, employee health and safety, gender equality, working hours, GHG emissions, energy consumption and more. In the future, we plan to certify all Southwire facilities that process copper in the U.S.

“Receiving The Copper Mark at our manufacturing plants in Denton, Bremen and Lafayette is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to Southwire’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Southwire. “It also speaks to the dedication our team members have to our five core tenets of Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth, which these facilities demonstrated throughout the assurance process.”

Ethics & Compliance

Our Supplier Code of Business Conduct sets forth our standards and expectations for suppliers, and all are subjected to our Due Diligence process. We also engage suppliers by sending quarterly newsletters to them regarding our Ethics & Compliance program, and encourage them to report questions and concerns through our Doing Right Helpline.

To learn more about how Southwire upholds its five tenets of Sustainability, read our 2023 report here.

Promoting Sustainability and Limiting Supply Chain Impacts

Southwire’s supply chain emissions are not within our direct control; however, they contribute to our overall greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Therefore, we need to collaborate with our suppliers to support mutual climate progress and address emissions from our upstream activities. Copper and aluminum are at the root of our business, and we are dedicated to sourcing them responsibly.

Nearly all of Southwire’s metal suppliers belong to the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM), a CEO-led leadership organization created to improve sustainable development performance in the mining and metals industry. The ICMM encourages stakeholder communication—including with the government, international organizations, local communities, and others in the supply chain—to ensure companies can meet all environmental and social regulations.

We also require that our suppliers comply with our Responsible Minerals Sourcing Policy guidelines and adhere to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). The principles encompass human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption and drive the advancement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We also conduct Responsible Sourcing audits on suppliers in certain parts of the world.

Upholding Human Rights

Respect for human rights is a fundamental Southwire principle that aligns with our commitment to Doing Right. We expect our suppliers, contractors, and team members to uphold the human rights of all individuals associated with their organizations, and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking, forced labor and child labor. We define our obligation to protect human rights in our Human Rights and Prevention of Human Trafficking Policy and strive to continually enhance our performance.

Increasing Supplier Diversity

We include everyone at Southwire, both within our workforce and in our supply chain. By working with small and diverse suppliers, we gain access to unique perspectives and solutions that can help us boost innovation and industry competitiveness. In the process, we’re able to invest in our Southwire communities, in alignment with our tenets of Building Worth and Doing Right.

Through our Supplier Diversity program, we engage with small and diverse businesses owned and operated by women, minorities and veterans. We use a questionnaire to assess new suppliers on ethics, compliance and sustainability topics, including those related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As we identify qualified suppliers, we assist them in achieving certification and provide them with opportunities to participate in bids.

To identify and engage diverse suppliers, we participate in conferences, seminars and other industry events. We also work with organizations that advocate for small and diverse businesses, including the Greater Women’s Business Council and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC).

The Copper Mark

In 2023, our facilities in Denton, Texas; Bremen, Ind.; and Lafayette, Ind. were awarded The Copper Mark certification. The Copper Mark is the leading assurance framework for promoting the responsible production, sourcing and recycling of metals. Its criteria for certification covers a variety of sustainability topics, including community impact, employee health and safety, gender equality, working hours, GHG emissions, energy consumption and more. In the future, we plan to certify all Southwire facilities that process copper in the U.S.

“Receiving The Copper Mark at our manufacturing plants in Denton, Bremen and Lafayette is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to Southwire’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future,” said Burt Fealing, executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Southwire. “It also speaks to the dedication our team members have to our five core tenets of Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth, which these facilities demonstrated throughout the assurance process.”

Ethics & Compliance

Our Supplier Code of Business Conduct sets forth our standards and expectations for suppliers, and all are subjected to our Due Diligence process. We also engage suppliers by sending quarterly newsletters to them regarding our Ethics & Compliance program, and encourage them to report questions and concerns through our Doing Right Helpline.

To learn more about how Southwire upholds its five tenets of Sustainability, read our 2023 report here.

SLB is among the 2024 Reuters Sustainability Awards finalists in the Net Zero: Supply Chain Decarbonization category.

The Reuters Sustainability Awards celebrate leadership in sustainable business. The supply chain decarbonization category showcases sustainable supply chain practices and highlights how companies are managing and transforming their supply chain to reduce GHG emissions. Finalists were selected from over 700 entries in 17 categories, with seven finalists in the supply chain decarbonization category.

“We are honored to be recognized in this category. It’s a reflection of the teamwork across our organization,” says Gwenola Boyault, vice president, Planning and Supply Chain, SLB. “Key supply chain initiatives like our Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) program and integrating environmental scoring into our tender process have helped our suppliers advance to the next level of climate action maturity. I’m thrilled to see these efforts being acknowledged.”

The SLB supply chain organization plays an important role in helping to reduce emissions by engaging and enabling its value chain on the low-carbon journey. The company’s approach to sustainability flows throughout the value chain, empowering employees and partnering with its customers and suppliers.

“Our performance has been driven by the focus from our organization in understanding how to reduce emissions through efficiencies, job design, and alternative energy solutions. As we continue our journey, technology will be fundamental to helping SLB, our customers, and our supply chain on a low carbon path,” says Mikki Corcoran, vice president of Sustainability, SLB.

Learn more about SLB’s sustainable supply chain here and in the company’s Sustainability Report.

Originally published in Quest Diagnostics’ 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

We provide each of our patients with high-quality, individualized care, whether they come to Quest for regular monitoring or once-a-year testing.

We’ve evolved our customer-first approach through listening to our patients’ feedback and adjusting our service offerings where possible. In 2023, we took key steps to improve the patient experience through updating technology on our website and in PSCs and incorporating health equity and accessibility in our services, products, and communications.

Improving training on patient care

New training and development programs for our PSRs in 2023 focused on:

ExperienceOur front-of-house training helps PSRs learn how to act as facilitators, providing additional check-in support and waiting room management in our PSCs at the busiest times of day.HospitalityOur Everyday Excellence Hospitality training provides patient-centric education to support phlebotomists’ communication skills in creating a welcoming environment for patients.AccessibilityOur Managing Every Patient’s Needs training equips PSRs with the skills to better recognize the needs of patients with impairments, disabilities, or limited English proficiency. More than 90% of PSRs completed this training in 2023.

The appointment was for my father-in-law who is almost 92 and legally blind. The lab tech guided him back to his office, helped him into the chair, then assisted him in getting his jacket off. After blood was drawn, the tech said it was an honor to draw the blood of someone who has seen so much history and who has experienced so much life. It was such a simple statement, but my father-in-law beamed with pride when he left. Thank you for not seeing him as a frail old man and for making his day!”

– FEEDBACK FROM A QUEST POST-VISIT SURVEY, WHICH WE SEND TO ALL PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE TESTING AT OUR PSCs

CREATING A STREAMLINED, EQUITABLE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Within our PSCs and digital platforms, we made changes in 2023 to meet more patients’ needs. We’ve made the check-in process at PSCs as seamless as possible with self-serve kiosks that provide wait-time estimates for walk-in and standby patients and offer more than 30 language options. Through MyQuest®, our online results portal, patients can now access test results as soon as they are available, rather than waiting for their physician to share them.

Our commitment to health equity includes how our patients access care and interact with our PSRs and PSCs. In 2023, we worked with state health authorities to update our ordering and scheduling systems to properly capture gender identity. Patients who are interested in doing so are now able to share how they identify in advance of an appointment so PSRs can properly address them during their visit.

INNOVATING TO PROVIDE BEST-IN-CLASS TESTING

Our commitment to continuous improvement fueled our work to innovate and expand testing offerings tailored to specific patient populations to better detect disease and related risk factors. These include:

Apolipoprotein (ApoE) Isoform Test: The ApoE Isoform test assesses a patient’s ApoE status, which can have implications on a patient’s genetic risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. This test can be ordered along with other tests in the AD-Detect portfolio such as the AD Detect Beta-Amyloid 42/40 ratio test for a more robust risk assessment.MRD Testing: In June 2023, Quest acquired Haystack Oncology, a company focused on minimal residual disease (MRD) testing to aid in the early, accurate detection of residual or recurring cancer. Through the acquisition, we will incorporate MRD testing into our blood-based clinical lab services for solid tumor cancers, helping to improve early detection and inform treatment.Novel Psychoactive Substances Panel (NPS): Our NPS tests for 88 compounds and focuses on detecting synthetic or “designer” drugs, fentanyl analogues, and other illicit additives. The panel includes testing for xylazine—a sedative rapidly worsening America’s overdose crisis— along with fentanyl.

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Leroy Abrahams, Regions head of Community Engagement, talks about his leadership role with United Way and how individuals can affect real change in our community by supporting local campaigns.

By Candace Higginbotham | September 18, 2024

United Way campaigns have kicked off across the Regions Bank footprint, and associates are sitting in on informational meetings, watching inspiring videos and hearing from leaders and peers about the importance of contributing to the campaign. For a few weeks this fall, Regions associates are immersed in United Way.

Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions, has been fully immersed in United Way for a year. And he’s fine with that.

Around this time last year, Abrahams was invited to be the area-wide 2024 Campaign Chair for United Way of Central Alabama. In spite of a busy and demanding day job leading Community Engagement at Regions, he readily accepted.

Abrahams has done Regions proud in this high-profile leadership role. Chairman, President and CEO John Turner praised his work at the recent United Way campaign kickoff at Regions Center in Birmingham.

“I’m very proud of Leroy’s leadership in serving as the campaign chair for the area-wide campaign,” Turner said. “It’s a well-deserved honor and it shines a light on our company’s position in our community as a prominent organization committed to doing the right thing.”

We sat down with Abrahams to discuss his role as campaign chair, what inspired him to take it on, what he’s learned and why he encourages Regions associates – and any individual – to support the United Way.

Did you have a history with United Way before accepting the Central Alabama Campaign Chair position?

Like many young professionals, I began contributing to the United Way early in my career, as part of my company’s campaign. But after serving on a Visiting Allocations Team, I was hooked for life. In that capacity, I visited local United Way agencies – often small nonprofits – and reviewed applications for funding. I was part of a decision-making group that evaluated what level of support United Way should provide to a given agency that year. It was really an eye-opening experience for me, and one that I’ve carried with me throughout my career. Having a deep understanding of how United Way works and how they support local agencies – how they are good stewards of the community donations – made me a lifelong advocate for United Way.

Your work at Regions as head of Community Engagement provides a unique view of the economic, health, safety, education, and housing needs of individuals and families across the central Alabama region. How has your professional role influenced your term as United Way campaign chair, and vice versa?

At Regions, our Community Engagement priorities are focused on three areas: economic and community development, education and workforce readiness, and financial wellness. We believe that emphasizing these specific areas that complement our combined expertise and talent allows us to best serve our communities.

United Way shares these priorities, along with other areas of focus that are vital to our communities, including health and wellbeing, mental health, nutrition, senior services and crisis response. By providing leadership support to United Way, I’m able to help reach the community in ways that we don’t have the capacity for at Regions.

You’ve talked before about the United Way’s ability to address a full circle of needs. Would you elaborate on that?

I’ve used this example many times, but let’s say your cause of choice is education and you want your hard-earned dollars to go toward making sure children in our community have opportunities to learn and succeed in life. That’s an honorable and understandable commitment. But how can young kids learn to read in an environment where there’s housing instability? How much focus can they have when there’s food insecurity – when they’re hungry? These factors, along with others impacting families such as physical and mental health, job insecurity and others, directly impact a child’s ability to learn and get the most out of their educational experience. The United Way provides funding for all those wraparound services that are essential to educational attainment.

What have you learned about United Way that you didn’t already know?

United Way doesn’t just solve a temporary, immediate problem. It empowers people and gives them an opportunity to get at root causes of problems and then is available to provide longer-term solutions. That holistic approach to support can make a real difference in people’s lives and affect real change in our society.

What would you say to anyone new to United Way or hesitant about supporting the organization?

I would recommend that anyone – and everyone – experience United Way for themselves. Go volunteer at a local agency and witness first-hand the passion and commitment these skilled professionals give to the community. And see the gratitude of the individuals and families who benefit from their services.

I would also suggest that people who may be skeptical about supporting a large nonprofit organization do some research and see where the contributions go in the local community. Look at the annual reports, read about the agencies and local United Way leadership and evaluate at the overall impact. Also, Candid’s GuideStar is a helpful tool to research nonprofits. This third party provides information on financials, leadership, mission and strategy of community organizations.

Finally, I highly recommend serving as a United Way Visiting Allocation team member. I mentioned before that I had the opportunity to do that early in my career and it really solidified my commitment to the United Way. In the course of the last year, serving as chair of the central Alabama campaign, I’ve talked with many people who considered themselves skeptics until they spent time with agencies, looking at their programs and their financials and helping determine where the funding goes.

Regions is one of two Fortune 500 companies in Alabama and naturally has a leadership position in its headquarters city. How does Regions’ influence impact the local United Way campaign?

Regions Bank has a culture of giving – and that, frankly, has more impact on our community than the number of employees or our financial performance. I’m honored to serve as campaign chair this year, but I’m not the first – nor will I be the last from Regions. The bank has a long legacy of sending strong associates to serve as Loaned Executives each year, in our headquarters city and throughout the footprint. Our leaders serve on United Way boards, our associates serve on Visiting Allocation teams, our teams volunteer with local agencies. And most importantly, our associates support United Way financially. Regions is consistently one of the top United Way donor companies, and I’m proud that our associates put our mission and values to work each year by showing up for this campaign.

What will you take away from this experience?

I came into the role feeling like I know my community, but I’ve been consistently surprised and delighted by the generosity and spirit of goodwill of the civic and corporate leaders, agency partners and community members during my tenure as campaign chair. Birmingham is truly a special place.

To read about how Regions and United Way teamed up ensure students and teachers have a great start to the new school year, visit Doing More Today. For more information about United Way of Central Alabama, visit their website. To find out more about the local United Way chapter in your area, click here.

Building upon more than 70 years of local collaboration, Dow and Ducks Unlimited embark on a multi-year, multi-national partnership.The initial projects include restoration of a wildlife refuge in Michigan, U.S.A., habitat conservation in Alberta, Canada, and developing publicly available tools.This follows the announcement of Dow’s new Water & Nature strategy, including a target to conserve 50,000 acres by 2050.

MIDLAND, Mich., October 2, 2024 /3BL/ – With a shared commitment to supporting healthy ecosystems, Dow (NYSE: DOW) and Ducks Unlimited (DU), a recognized world leader in conservation, are announcing a new multi-year collaboration to positively impact water and nature ecosystems throughout North America. Their work together will aim to restore habitat and enhance biodiversity through impactful planning and innovative solutions.

Funding for this enhanced partnership was made possible by the Dow Company Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dow which strives to promote social change and address global challenges through charitable contributions aligned to building thriving communities, equitable access to STEM and skilled trades and a more sustainable future for all.

The organizations have outlined initial projects spanning the next three years:

The restoration effort of key acreage in the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, one of Michigan’s largest managed wetland complexes located at the confluence of Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass and Flint Rivers, aims to increase biodiversity, improve water quality and enhance flood storage capacity for improved resiliency.On the Saginaw Bay, a coastal marsh restoration effort known as the Bayshore Birds Project will help filter nutrients and sediment from the surrounding agricultural landscape, helping create a larger wetland footprint and providing extensive habitat for waterfowl and wildlife.In the Prairie Pothole Region of Alberta, Canada, the primary breeding area for North American waterfowl and other grassland-dependent birds, a conservation effort will substantially expand upon the high-value wildlife of the nearby Ellis Bird Farm.Additionally, they plan to develop publicly available tools that support long-term success in sustainable land use planning and management.

“Ducks Unlimited is a recognized world leader in conservation and their expertise in how to realize ideal conservation outcomes offers tremendous value when exploring nature-based solutions for our sites and communities,” says Andre Argenton, chief sustainability officer and vice president of environment, health and safety at Dow. “We are on an ambitious journey, and we need organizations such as Ducks Unlimited to come alongside us. Holistic climate protection is about working beyond our own operations—collaboration is critical.”

Over 70 years ago the first collaboration between the Organizations took place through a local DU chapter in Texas and Dow employees from a nearby site. Over the past several decades, local collaborations have continued through the dedicated efforts of DU members and Dow employees. Most recently, Dow and DU came together to drive sustainability and conservation in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, benefitting wildlife and waterfowl habitat, water quality and outdoor recreation across approximately 2,030 acres of coastal freshwater wetlands between Cameron Prairie and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dow, Inc., whose unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship is making a profound impact on the restoration of our vital water resources and natural habitats for wildlife and waterfowl,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO, Adam Putnam. “Their investments not only strengthen the resilience of our ecosystems across North America but also support the communities and wildlife that depend on them. Collaboration is key to ensuring that these precious landscapes thrive for generations to come.”

In the past few months, both Organizations have made milestone announcements related to natural resource conservation. In May, Dow announced a new Water & Nature strategy and targets that include a robust sustainable land management approach and habitat conservation commitments. That same month, DU announced a milestone achievement of delivering one million acres of conservation across North America in a single year (2023).

About Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 18 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign, North America’s most extensive campaign dedicated to landscape conservation.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

###

For further information, please contact:

KayLeigh Mitchell 
Sustainability Communications Coordinator 
Ducks Unlimited 
kmitchell@ducks.org

Alicia Harpham 
Corporate Communications Advisor 
Dow 
aharpham@dow.com

October 2, 2024 /3BL/ – Cargill and CARE recently announced a one-year extension of the She Thrives program, piloted in Dak Lak’s Buon Ho District in 2022. The program has significantly improved the livelihoods of rural smallholders – particularly women and ethnic minorities in the region. Cargill’s contribution of US $200,000 (around 5B VND), for the program extension through August 2025 will continue to benefit the 15,000 people who have taken part in the program over the past two years.

“Our first collaboration with CARE in Vietnam through the She Thrives program has seen proven results. We aim to continue advancing interventions that enable the project participants to become more self-reliant, with stronger access to markets and integrated into national programs. The extended phase will deepen support for women and ethnic minority communities, ensuring sustainable development and economic resilience in the region”, said Nguyen Ba Luan, Country President of Cargill in Vietnam.

Inaugurated in Hanoi in November 2022, jointly by Cargill and CARE in partnership with the Community Development Center (CDC) and the People’s Committee of Buon Ho District, the program set out to achieve three goals.

The She Thrives initiative conducted trainings in farming techniques, financial management and group management skills, provided seed funding, breeding stocks, feed and veterinary medicine to farmers in the region. So far, 250 farmers (190 women) reported increased income as a result of these initiatives and the additional production scale of chicken, indigenous pigs, goats and collective selling, with goats and coffee currently, yielding the highest monthly income in last two years. Program participants have used their additional income to buy more livestock and renovate animal shelters to further increase the scale of production as well as support their children’s education and health care.

Mr. Y Tuen Niê from Ea Drong commune, a participant in the goat farming project, said: “Thanks to the new techniques, my goats have gained 5-7 kilograms in just one and a half months, nearly triple the weight gain of the traditional method. This shortens the time to market and improves my return on investment.”

Additionally, the program focuses on improving women’s and ethnic minorities’ access to resources such as financial inclusion and women’s leadership. In the pilot phase, the She Thrives project established 21 Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLAs) groups with 275 members (211 women), who received seed funding and saved as much as US$12,914 (~VND 323 million). The extended program will continue to support these VSLA groups. On average, each group member accesses a loan of approximately US$100 (VND 2.5 million) to invest in production including buying goat breeds, grass-cutting machines, and renovating shelters for animals which have led to further expansion of their businesses.

The program also works to enhance market access for traditional enterprises by improving operational efficiencies and marketing strategies. Significant progress has been made, with livestock groups aligning their farming methods to meet market demands, such as raising fattened goats for commercial sale and introducing new breeds such as Boer goats. The handicraft group’s technical skills have improved, leading to higher demand for goods and increased income from a more diverse range of indigenous products. Additionally, the coffee purchasing group has secured better prices through commitments from buyers, benefiting many households in the region. This model shows potential for expansion across other value chains.

Ms. H Nônh Kriêng reported that her one-woman enterprise is currently at full capacity. “There are so many people coming to me and ordering my woven products. It’s hard to meet the deadlines sometimes, so I have reached a point where I am looking to invest in additional help and additional sewing machines to service my customers.”

Reflecting on the project at an evaluation meeting in May, Mr. Đặng Gia Duẩn, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Buon Ho District, said: “The government and people of Buon Ho District greatly appreciate this project by Cargill, CARE, and Community Development Center (CDC) is proud to have contributed to the She Thrives project. Its success would not have been possible without our partnership with CARE, the stellar implementation by CDC, and the strong support from the district government. I am inspired by what we have achieved and look forward to further contributing to the sustainable development and empowerment of local communities and look forward to this continuing in the next twelve months as She Thrives continues to bear fruit.”

Cargill has a long-standing commitment to Vietnam, with a history of making positive impact for local communities since 1995. Through She Thrives, Cargill continues to demonstrate its dedication to addressing the immediate needs and challenges faced by rural smallholder farmers, women and minorities. By empowering farmers and fostering sustainable practices, Cargill not only supports economic development locally but also contributes to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Cargill will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Vietnam in 2025.

For media inquires, please contact: media@cargill.com and usa.media@care.org.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members—including our 1,400 colleagues in Vietnam—innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About CARE

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In 2023, CARE worked in 109 countries, reaching 167 million people through more than 1,600 projects. To learn more, visit www.care.org.

Albertsons Companies is excited to share an interview with John Bernardo, Manager for Food Donation and Food Waste Diversion, discussing a groundbreaking study from Johns Hopkins aimed at enhancing food rescue efforts. Dive into Bernardo’s innovative insights here to learn more about the company’s Fresh Rescue Champions and the impactful work being done at Albertsons Cos. to help improve food rescue and make a meaningful difference in our local communities.

Read the Fresh Rescue Champions Project Final Report.

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

Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

Over the last decade, podcasting has exploded in popularity, with over 3 million podcasts available catering to every type of listener. As a global connected technologies leader with a rich musical heritage, HARMAN understands the power music has to bring us together, as well as how superior sound can enhance all kinds of listening experiences, including podcasts. That’s why we launched Audio Talks – a podcast that explores music and audio from every angle and unites people through the power of music.

Over the past four years and nine seasons, Oisin Lunny, music journalist, audio enthusiast, and host of Audio Talks, has connected with musical legends, audio scientists, car audio innovators, and more to give listeners a peek behind the scenes of the industry. In honor of International Podcast Day, and the tenth season of Audio Talks currently airing, catch up on these recent episodes:

Next-Generation Bluetooth: Exploring Auracast

Auracast, a groundbreaking Bluetooth broadcast capability, is transforming audio experiences across devices. Recorded live from IFA Berlin, guests Chuck Sabin from Bluetooth SIG and Mikael Herje from HARMAN joined Oisin to unpack Auracast and its technology that enables any device to broadcast a Bluetooth audio signal to an unlimited number of receivers. Listen to find out what makes Auracast a game-changing technology that will simplify lives, and get the inside scoop on the new JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds with full Auracast functionality.

Roblox Rockstars: Unleashing Creativity Through Music in the Metaverse

JBL Land on Roblox adds a new element of creativity to the virtual world, where Roblox players can customize their own sound for unparalleled self-expression. This episode dives into the immersive world of JBL Land on Roblox that brings music and gaming together to connect with the new digital-first generation. Antonina Filonenko, Social Media Manager for JBL Land and Roblox Lead at HARMAN; Tim Van der Wiel, Founder at GoSpooky; and Annabelle aka Robuilds, a renowned Roblox influencer, shared their insights on how brands can revolutionize virtual engagement and reach new audiences.

The Art of Noise at SFMOMA

The “Art of Noise” exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art covers over 100 years of the connection between sonic and visual experiences. Joseph Becker, Associate Curator of Architecture and Design at the SFMOMA, joined Audio Talks to discuss how design influences the way we experience music. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of this immersive audiovisual journey, featuring artifacts from classic album artwork to innovative sound installations and vintage audio tech.

The Sonic Sculptor: Merging Art, Music and Tech

Musician, marketer, and entrepreneur Akshai Sarin joined Audio Talks to share how he fused art, music, and technology throughout his journey in the music industry. Discover how he turned an entire cruise ship into an interactive, playable sonic sculpture through his groundbreaking creation SonoKinesis, which transforms unexpected and everyday objects into dynamic musical instruments.

Parallel Lives: From Olympic Dreams to Music Streams

A former Olympic-level snowboarder and former COO of Tidal both join Audio Talks reflect on their partnership and creative new business model in the modern music business. Able Heart, former Olympic-level snowboarder turned music producer, and Lior Tibon, CEO & Co-founder of Duetti and former COO of Tidal, found their paths intersecting through Duetti’s support for independent artists. Find out how Lior pioneered a new approach to financing in the music industry and how their collaboration has supported Able as he scaled his career. This reflection on a creative new business model in the modern music industry is a must-listen for any aspiring musician or entrepreneur.

Since 2020, Audio Talks has brought listeners together through the power of music and is now in its 10th season. Listen to past episodes of Audio Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podigee, and stay tuned for new episodes, released bi-weekly on Thursdays.

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Recently, Marathon Petroleum’s Marine Transportation and Catlettsburg refinery hosted over two dozen West Virginia University graduate students for a day of learning and exploration.The students engaged with Marathon Petroleum employees, gaining valuable insights into the company’s operations and culture.The visit included insightful presentations, tours of the refinery and marine facilities and a memorable lunch aboard the Marine Vessel Galveston Bay.

In September, Marathon Petroleum’s Marine Transportation and Catlettsburg refinery hosted 28 graduate students from West Virginia University’s (WVU) Master of Science in Industrial Relations Human Resources (IRHR) program. The day was packed with learning and exploration, featuring engaging presentations on human resources (HR) and refining, along with tours of the refinery and marine facilities.

The students had the chance to dive into Marathon Petroleum’s operations and connect with a diverse range of employees. The visit is part of a long-standing tradition. In fact, many of the West Virginia University graduates who are now part of Marathon Petroleum’s HR team once made the same trip to Catlettsburg during their student years.

“We’ve been hosting these students for a decade now,” said Tiphani Massie, HR business partner at the Catlettsburg refinery. “Many of our current HR professionals are WVU IRHR grads who remember the 3.5-hour bus ride from Morgantown for this tour. It clearly made a lasting impression.”

One of those graduates, Kevin Noreen, now an HR business partner for Marathon Pipe Line, reflected on his own experience.

“I was in their shoes back in 2015, visiting the refinery and marine transportation facilities as a WVU student,” said Noreen. “The operational insights were fascinating, but it was meeting the HR staff and front-line employees that left the biggest mark. Their dedication and pride were inspiring, and it made me want to be a part of that culture.”

The day also featured a memorable lunch aboard the Marine Vessel Galveston Bay as it cruised the Ohio River, rounding out another successful visit.

“We always look forward to showcasing our team and operations to the West Virginia University IRHR graduate students,” said HR Director, Marine Transportation, Chet Smith. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of Marathon HR professionals.”