Tag: 3BL

HERSHEY, Pa., October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – The Hershey Company has inaugurated three public primary schools in Côte d’Ivoire, a leading cocoa-producing country. The projects, which include the construction of one new school and renovation of two existing schools, were funded by the company as part of a tripartite agreement with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Oversight Committee for Actions to Fight Child Labor, Trafficking and Exploitation (CNS), chaired by First Lady Dominique Ouattara, and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI).

Part of Hershey’s ongoing commitment to cocoa-growing communities, the inauguration of the three Côte d’Ivoire schools will help provide children access to high-quality education and support the families that make its products possible.

“Supporting children’s education has been a central part of Hershey’s mission since our founding more than 130 years ago,” said James Turoff, senior vice president and general counsel at Hershey. “Today, we’re continuing this work by helping expand the education system in cocoa-farming communities. Our hope is that having greater access to a quality education can set generations of children on a path to fulfilling and productive lives.”

“These projects demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protect children,” said ICI Executive Director Matthias Lange. “Constructing or renovating school buildings, canteens and accommodation for teachers is critical to reducing barriers to school enrollment and providing infrastructure that benefits the whole community.”

The construction and renovation of the primary schools in Gly, a village in the Lôh-Djiboua region of Côte d’Ivoire, is part of a broader collaboration between Hershey, the Ivorian government and non-governmental organizations. In April 2023, Hershey signed an agreement with CNS and ICI to fund the construction of 12 primary schools (72 classrooms) by 2025 in cocoa-producing communities that currently lack school infrastructure.

“The investment in these schools by Hershey reflect our shared commitment to ensuring our children have access to modern facilities that will enable them to have a bright future,” said Mme. Ouattara, who has been a strong advocate of children’s rights and well-being for nearly 30 years.

The completion of the three Gly schools marks a significant milestone in Hershey’s commitment to create a more resilient supply chain and improve the livelihoods of cocoa-farming families. It is also part of Hershey’s broader efforts in Côte d’Ivoire, including its Income Accelerator program to improve the incomes of cocoa farmers and environmental preservation initiatives, particularly in the Mabi-Yaya Nature Reserve in southeastern Côte d’Ivoire.

About The Hershey Company 
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to doing the right thing for its people, planet, and communities. Hershey has more than 20,000 employees in the U.S. and worldwide who work daily to deliver delicious, high-quality products. The company has more than 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries that drive more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.

For over 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly and ethically. The candy and snack maker’s founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through equitable access to education.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com.  

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From Manual Sample Processor to Bio-Analytical Instrument Technician

Nearly 7 Years with Quest 

Esoteric Region – Memphis, Tennessee

Q: How long have you been at Quest and what was your first role? 
Jessie: I started at Oxford Immunotec as a temp/contract position on the manual sample processing team before our site was acquired by Quest. I was promoted from the processing line to the project team, where we developed the automated process that replaced the manual processing of our samples. Now I am a Bio-Analytical Instrument Technician. My team maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs the equipment essential to the automated process

Q: What did you initially want out of your career? 
Jessie: I wanted a career in science to help people and be part of the innovations that improve lives.

Q: How has what you wanted changed over the years? 
Jessie: From processing samples to contributing to a more efficient process to fixing equipment, the ways I serve our patients and the lab as a whole has evolved.

Q: Did you ever take any risks with taking on a new role and, were you encouraged to move into different roles or did you move on your own? 
Jessie: With every new role comes risk: not fitting with the team, not being the right person for the job, not performing to standards. There has always been encouragement by leaders to work toward goals, personal and professional. I had a great team to learn and grow with in each position.

Q: What tools or offerings from Quest did you utilize to help you in your career progression? (tuition reimbursement, EMPower trainings, etc) 
Jessie: Encouragement from human resources and leaders to pursue open positions and to take advantage of tuition reimbursement opportunities. Being honest about my strengths and what roles those would best fit has really helped me along the way.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who desires more from their current career? 
Jessie: Take a real look at yourself, what you are good at, and where you see yourself in 5 years. You may surprise yourself! Don’t be afraid to reach for beyond the here and now.

Q: Which of our 5Cs do you connect with most, and why? (Customer First, Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Curiosity) 
Jessie: Continuous Improvement-nothing successful stays the same. Processes need to improve to better serve our customers, and personnel becoming more efficient at those ever-changing processes is essential to that success.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share? 
Jessie: I am grateful for the opportunity to grow with Quest and look forward to future changes at our site and the company as a whole.

We are determined to lead our industry in the complex work of reducing GHG emissions and in enabling our customers and consumers to understand and value the investments we are making.

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and accelerating the clean energy transition are crucial to creating a more sustainable future. Industrial decarbonization requires significant changes in each of what energy sources we use, how we use them, and how we inform customers of what they are buying.

At Dow, we understand and embrace our responsibility to protect the climate, building on almost twenty years of emissions reductions and as embedded in our Path2Zero. To reach our goal, we are increasing the use of clean energy and investing in sustainable manufacturing technologies at our sites, enabling us to verifiably and visibly deliver low emissions products that help our customers meet their sustainability needs.

Increasing the use of clean energy

Energy is crucial to our operations. To make our products, we import and use approximately 10 gigawatts of energy to produce heat, power and steam from more than 80 gas turbines, steam turbines, and boilers, and nearly 200 furnaces at 25 major manufacturing sites worldwide.

An important tool for our emissions reduction efforts is the use of renewable energy. Through renewable power purchase agreements in Europe, Latin America and North America, we are supporting our customers’ ability to reduce their value chain emissions, while supporting the continued development of clean energy markets.

In 2023, we sourced more than half of purchased electricity from renewables such as wind, solar and hydroelectric, contracting a capacity of greater than 1,000 megawatts, and recently were named to the EPA’s Green Power Partnership National Top 100 list. These technologies will remain an important part of our decarbonization strategy in the future. However, our manufacturing operations need reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy around the clock, which means we must also look beyond renewable energy to support our operations.

Investing in next-generation manufacturing technologies

Low-emissions sources such as hydrogen, advanced nuclear, and natural gas connected to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) also are required for the energy transition to realize a low-GHG-emissions future in manufacturing.

That is why we support policies that accelerate the development of all forms of clean energy, modernize the transmission grid, and support the industry’s deployment of energy-efficient manufacturing processes. We are making investments in these technologies as part of our Decarbonize & Grow strategy to drive long-term growth and reduce GHG emissions.

We also are building the world’s first net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility at our Fort Saskatchewan site in Alberta, Canada. In this project, Dow will become one of the first industrial users of hydrogen technology to power our operations at scale. Our planned use of hydrogen and CCUS at the site will help reduce emissions at the site by approximately 1 million metric tons (MT) annually of CO2e, while tripling our manufacturing capacity at the site. This decoupling of our emissions growth from our manufacturing growth is a significant step on our path to achieving our emissions reduction targets. Across the globe, we also are working with our suppliers and customers to reduce our Scope 3 emissions.

In 2023, we signed a joint development agreement with X-energy, a leading developer of advanced nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation, to deploy zero-emissions advanced small nuclear technology at our Seadrift, Texas, site by early next decade. The proposed project would provide the site with safe, reliable, low-GHG-emissions power and steam and is expected to reduce site emissions by approximately 440,000 MT of CO2e per year.

We are determined to lead our industry in the complex work of reducing GHG emissions and in enabling our customers and consumers to understand and value the investments we are making.

The above examples are a few ways we are helping our customers by providing low-emissions products enabled by our decarbonization efforts. We calculate product carbon footprints using the Carbon Footprint Ledger methodology, which is based on current standards, such as ISO14067 and the GHG Protocol Product Standard and industry guidelines. We are confident that verifiable purchase of low-emissions products will help accelerate investment in these new technologies at Dow and across our value chains.

Engineering News Record (ENR) has named Veolia the top environmental firm in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row – a recognition of Veolia’s global leadership in sustainability and ecological transformation.Veolia was recognized as the top company in three specific market segments: Hazardous Waste, Water Treatment/Supply and Wastewater Treatment

BOSTON, October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Veolia, the world leader in delivering environmental services in water, waste and energy, has received the top ranking in an annual listing of the largest U.S. environmental services companies compiled by Engineering News Record, a prominent industry trade publication.

Ranked according to reported revenue, Veolia emerged as number one in the publication’s annual list of the “Top 200 Environmental Firms” in the U.S. in numerous market segments, including:

Hazardous Waste ManagementWater Treatment/SupplyWastewater Treatment

Veolia’s top ranking in these categories affirms its status as the leader in the ecological transformation as well as its commitment to resourcing the world, while helping industrial and municipal customers address their environmental and sustainability challenges in energy, water and waste. Specifically, Veolia is improving clients’ energy efficiency, better managing their water and wastewater and recovering value from their waste. In the company’s most recent sustainability report, Veolia reported eliminating 13.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reusing 1.1 billion cubic meters of wastewater and supplying 113 million people with drinking water.

This recognition aligns with Veolia’s recently announced 2024-2027 Green Up strategy. Veolia combines its water, waste and energy businesses to help customers decarbonize, depollute and regenerate resources. The company’s growth strategy leverages its core operations combined with three key boosters: water technologies and solutions, hazardous waste treatment, and bioenergy, flexibility, and energy efficiency. Globally, Veolia’s climate ambitions were recently validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) and Moodys. The company’s sustainability programs have been recognized by external rating agencies including CDP, S&P Global, ISS and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized as the leader once again in providing innovative and vital environmental solutions to millions of people in the U.S. and around the world,” said Fred Van Heems, Veolia North America President and CEO. “North America is one of the world’s fastest growing markets for environmental services, which has produced  a unique opportunity to help customers solve their most complex and important environmental and operational challenges. Guided by our ambitious GreenUp strategic plan, Veolia combines the strength of its technical expertise with a hands-on collaborative approach to innovation and a strong sense of purpose in our work – not only in the United States but worldwide.”

The total combined revenue of the top 200 firms’ environmental services reached a new high of $169.7 billion this year, reflecting increased spending on climate and infrastructure projects around the world.

ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. 
www.veolianorthamerica.com 

ABOUT VEOLIA

Veolia’s ambition is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 218,000 employees on five continents, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for managing water, waste and energy that help to radically change the world. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and renewing them. In 2023, the Veolia group served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) generated consolidated sales of €45.3 billion in 2023. 
www.veolia.com 

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CONTACT
Nate Pepper
Vice President, Communications
(346) 351-0024
nathan.pepper@veolia.com

October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger, a nonprofit leader that works to create a future where everyone is well nourished, today announced the appointment of three new members of its U.S. Board of Directors. The appointees share a passion for Action Against Hunger’s vision of ending hunger in our lifetimes and further enhance the board’s expertise in food systems, public health, and health policy to help the organization address a growing global hunger crisis.

The new members are:

Patrick Cogny is a Senior Advisor and Board Member for companies in the technology transformation and sustainability space. He brings a focus on climate-related issues along with 32 years of experience leading large businesses serving industrial, technology, and services clients around the world. Patrick previously held positions with General Electric and Genpact in France, Belgium, Eastern Europe, and the USA.Alain Karaoglan has deep financial expertise and currently serves as executive vice president and head of New York Life’s Strategic Businesses. He previously served as chief operating officer for Voya Financial and has held senior roles at companies that include Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, First Boston Corporation, and Bear Stearns.Jess Kwong is a communications strategist with a passion for transforming gender narratives, and she’s eager to tap into her background in journalism and management consulting. She is the Director of Communications at Empower Co., which is building a global voluntary market for social impact focused on women, and an alumna of Princeton University, with a master’s degree and Ph.D. in English from Cambridge University.

“With such diverse experience and deep insight, Action Against Hunger is thrilled to collaborate with the new board members,” said Dr. Charles E. Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger. “Their experience and commitment to positive social change across disparate contexts greatly strengthens our network and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

“We are pleased to welcome such accomplished executives to Action Against Hunger’s U.S. Board of Directors. Their strong skills and diverse perspectives will further enhance the organization’s strong governance and position as a trusted partner to the UN, governments, companies, and local communities around the world,” said Ray Debbane, Action Against Hunger U.S. Board Chair and President and CEO of The Invus Group, LLC, a global investment firm.

Action Against Hunger, which operates in 59 countries, has been recognized for its transparency and governance practices, earning 17 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the highest level of recognition, reflecting the organization’s sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

“Hunger is a crisis, but with conviction, funding and leadership, it is a crisis we can solve,” said Owubah. “The world produces enough food for everyone, so hunger isn’t just an issue of food; it’s an issue of equity. With continued leadership from our Board of Directors, we can help deliver on the promise of zero hunger for all.”

The new appointments to the Board join existing members who include: Ray Debbane (Chair), Thilo Semmelbauer (Co-Chair), Sylvain Desjonqueres (Co-Chair), Dr. Charles Owubah (Secretary and Chief Executive Officer), Christophe Duthoit (Treasurer), Mitra Best, Yves-André Istel, Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge, Amy Schulman, Robert Spatt, Karim Tabet, Sandra Tamer, David Van Zandt, and Burton Haimes (Emeritus).

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

CHICAGO, October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Climate Vault, Inc. today announced the appointment of Dr. Ellen D. Williams to its Technology Experts Chamber (“Tech Chamber”). The panel of world-leading experts, led by former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, is driving the next wave of innovative carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies that will accelerate global carbon removal solutions. Dr. Williams, a globally recognized leader at the nexus of energy technology and policy, brings over 40 years of expertise to support Climate Vault’s mission of verifiably reducing and removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere.

“The rapid pace of climate change demands urgent action, and CDR will be central to achieving net-zero emissions and eventually moving us toward a net-negative future,” said Secretary Moniz. “Ellen brings deep expertise in energy technology and policy, and I am thrilled that she will join Climate Vault’s Tech Chamber as we drive scale for innovative CDR solutions. We worked closely together during her time at ARPA-E – both before and after as well – and I know firsthand the impact of her leadership and vision.”

Climate Vault works to accelerate the deployment of CDR strategies by scaling innovative technologies that can reverse the worst effects of climate change. Through Climate Vault’s RFP for Innovative CDR Projects, the Tech Chamber provides standards guidance that helps Climate Vault select cutting-edge CDR companies to receive its CDR Innovation Award. The award recognizes CDR solutions that demonstrate significant potential for scaling and impact that also align with the Tech Chamber’s rigorous standards for environmental and scientific integrity.

“Ellen is a rock star that fits in perfectly among the other rock stars on the Tech Chamber,” said Michael Greenstone, Co-Founder of Climate Vault and the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics at the University of Chicago. “She has made remarkable contributions at the intersection of energy technology and climate policy, from her pioneering work in nanotechnology to leading efforts to accelerate energy innovation. Her extensive accolades and leadership across academia and government speak to her global influence. She is an ideal addition to the Tech Chamber, and her expertise will be invaluable to helping us advance high-quality carbon removal solutions.”

Throughout her career, Dr. Williams has held influential roles in academia, government, and the private sector. During her time at the University of Maryland, she established a pioneering research program in experimental surface science, exploring fundamental issues in statistical mechanics and nanotechnology. Dr. Williams also founded the University of Maryland Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, where she served as Director from 1996-2009. Notably, she has also served as Chief Scientist for British Petroleum (BP) from 2010 to 2014, and as Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) from 2014 to 2017 under former U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. As Director of ARPA-E, she led efforts to advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies.

“I am excited to join Climate Vault’s Tech Chamber and collaborate with such a distinguished group of leaders in the climate and technology space,” said Dr. Williams. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked to advance pioneering solutions that can make a real impact on climate change. I’m eager to contribute to Climate Vault’s mission and help drive the development of solutions that will make a lasting difference.”

Climate Vault has currently “vaulted” over 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 allowances from compliance markets with the support of more than 50 institutional partners and individual donors. These vaulted allowances have reduced the expected damages from climate change by more than $285 million, based on the United States Government’s social cost of carbon. These immediate carbon reductions will ultimately be transitioned into permanent removals as part of Climate Vault’s first-of-its-kind integrated carbon reduction and removal program.

Earlier this year, Climate Vault recognized two outstanding project developers—Carbon Lockdown and Octavia Carbon—with the 2023 CDR Innovation Award. This was the first time the Tech Chamber’s rigorous standards for CDR solutions had been met. Together their approved CDR projects have the potential to capture up to 15,000 metric tons of CO2.

Climate Vault is currently preparing to launch its third round of the RFP program with the Tech Chamber’s support in November of this year. Interested applicants can sign-up now for first access to the RFP once it becomes available.

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About Climate Vault, Inc.

Founded at the University of Chicago, Climate Vault pioneered the world’s first integrated carbon reduction and removal program in order to knock out carbon in days, not decades. Its solution neutralizes organizations’ carbon footprints through government-regulated markets, so the impact is verifiable, auditable, and quantifiable. Climate Vault’s innovative methodology ultimately advances cutting-edge carbon removal technologies to take emissions out of the atmosphere for good and make an immediate, enduring difference for the planet. Learn more at www.climatevault.org.

This year, the Cadence Giving Foundation (CGF) launched Fem.AI to achieve a more inclusive tech sector, and the inaugural Fem.AI Summit that took place on October 1 was a luminary in a world where technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The summit not only excelled in its mission to enlighten, empower, and mobilize stakeholders across various industries on the issue of gender disparity in high tech and AI, but was a celebration of innovation, diversity, and empowerment.

As we reflect on the moments that made the summit unforgettable, it’s clear that the event was more than just a meeting of minds—it was a movement for change!

Shaping Tomorrow Together

Cadence’s president and CEO, Anirudh Devgan, stated, “Women’s talent and perspectives are crucial to shaping the future of AI.” Devgan’s words epitomized the driving force behind the first-ever Fem.AI Summit which brought together innovators, educators, business leadership, and investors across industries to create an ecosystem that ensures women can fully participate in the AI revolution and burgeoning AI economy.

The energy of pioneers ready to collectively disrupt the status quo filled the air, and as the day-long summit began, it became clear that we were part of something truly groundbreaking. The event’s lineup of speakers held discussions that went beyond the technical aspects of AI, emphasizing the vital importance of diversity in technology. Such insights were lent by leading voices from MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, who set the stage for inspiring discussions with speakers like Dr. Joy Buolamwini, Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO of Moms First and Girls Who Code.

Included in this lineup of leading figures was Dr. Chelsea Clinton, Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, who left us with her hopes for the future of women in AI:

“I’m hoping because of company-wide commitments like what we’re experiencing here today thanks to Cadence, that the people who will be part of designing [future technologies] will have a different group of people around the proverbial table or the computer screens doing that… and that women will be more integral into the conceptualization and then the actualization of AI-driven enterprises.”

The hopes and visions for women in AI cannot manifest in a vacuum, they must be achieved with the support of individuals and systems from education all the way to the upper echelons of leadership. It is with this understanding, that Fem.AI is committed to investing in women at every stage of their STEM journey.

Breaking Barriers

It is with this ideal that we were honored to hear from women breaking through barriers of gender, race, and class in achieving pinnacles of success in areas of science and technology. Dr. Sarah H. Chen, Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford and Thriving Stars Scholar at MIT, Niki Karanikola, Machine Learning Engineer and Break Through Tech AI Scholar at MIT, and Katya Echazarreta, NASA’s first Mexican Astronaut, showcased the resilience and determination that drive progress within and beyond our industry. Through their stories of persevering despite all odds, we were reminded that supporting students in STEM can create generational change with impacts beyond the realms of AI and technology.

The final speaker at the Cadence Fem.AI Summit, the trailblazing Brandi Chastain, Founder of Bay FC, World Cup Champion, and Olympic Gold Medalist, left us with a powerful reminder that when faced with this opportunity: “Our purpose needs to be intentional” especially in building the future of technology and AI where “diversity is not something to be afraid of, but something to be embraced.” Echoing this sentiment, summit attendees left the event reminded of the crucial role we collectively play in ensuring women are part of this tech revolution.

Moving Forward

While the summit may have concluded, its impact will continue through individuals, companies, and communities aspiring to achieve an equitable tech sector. This is just the start, and we must take collective action now. We hope that you will join Cadence to ensure that we clear the path and catalyze women’s role in the AI revolution!

Meet Our Partners

Our partners are making Fem.AI’s vision a reality through their important work advancing women in technology, including fostering STEM excellence in higher education, launching STEM careers, and achieving gender diversity in leadership. Learn more about the important work of each of our partners by visiting their pages:

Break Through TechLast Mile Education FundFast ForwardGenerationVC IncludeGlobal Semiconductor Alliance

Join the Fem.AI Alliance

Joining the Fem.AI Alliance signals that your company or institution is committed to evolving the AI workforce. By increasing the representation of women in AI, we aim to broaden the talent pool and the perspective so that AI represents us all. Through the Fem.AI Alliance, companies and institutions can share best practices, guidance, and inspiration. Since its launch, companies like the Equinix Foundation, NetApp, NVIDIA, Unity Technologies, and Workday have joined the Alliance in their commitment to Fem.AI’s work and mission.

Visit Fem.AI to get involved today or contact Fem.AI@cadence.com.

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Principal® Foundation philanthropic philosophy

The road to financial security is not a universal path. It is a unique, personal journey.

Our approach 

Principal Foundation is committed to removing barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering more people to build financially secure futures. Principal Foundation is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity.

Our grantmaking supports organizations whose work focuses on building people’s wherewithal to pursue financial security and expands access to the resources they need to reach their goals.

Specifically, our funding champions programs that address essential needs and promote financial enablement of individuals and small businesses.

Essential needs 

When individuals’ essential needs are met, they have a sense of security, allowing them to focus on education and skill development and participate in the workforce, all of which are pathways to financial security. Therefore, we fund programs that provide food, shelter, and disaster and crisis relief around the globe.

Financial enablement 

Grantmaking by Principal Foundation around financial enablement seeks to nurture a healthy ecosystem by funding programs that create and foster the conditions necessary for economic development. Our grants in this area fall into three categories: small business support, financial health and well-being research, and social and cultural connections.

Small businesses represent 99% of all companies nationwide that have paid employees, and they play a vital role in boosting local economies.1 As such, small businesses are a pathway to financial security for many. We fund organizations that help create a vibrant support network for small businesses, which provides the financial and technical assistance they need to thrive and keep their owners and employees on the financial security journey.

The more we understand the barriers individuals face on the road to financial security, the better we can identify ways to clear the path and accelerate progress. We continue to invest in research that explores financial health and identifies policies, practices, and products that the financial sector, employers, and policymakers could adopt to better serve groups facing financial insecurity around the world.

Research demonstrates that when communities are connected to the arts through social and cultural institutions, it creates fertile ground for economic and human development. Social and cultural institutions unify communities, boost local economies, spark innovation, and improve academic outcomes. That’s why we fund programs that expand access to social and cultural connections.

Principal® Foundation community investments

Our actions and performance in 2023

In 2023, Principal Foundation provided more than $18 million to our communities around the globe. The missions of these recipient organizations fall under at least one of our focus areas.

$18M total community investments in 2023

Stories of Impact2 

Nutrition security: WesleyLife Meals on Wheels 

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels received funding to aid with the expansion of a new campus for their programs. This project tripled the organization’s capacity to prepare and serve 3,000 nutritional meals per day to home-bound adults in central Iowa. The new facility includes the nation’s only hydroponic garden associated with a Meals on Wheels location. This program is more than just providing a hot meal: The new facilities have on-site multigenerational programming designed to help combat isolation among older adults.

Housing security: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans 

Housing security is an important part of the journey to feeling financially secure, and this is especially important for veterans. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans received a grant from Principal Foundation to address this very issue. Their vision is for every veteran in Minnesota to have access to services and support to avoid homelessness and achieve sustainable housing. In 2022, they provided $3.4 million in direct financial assistance, provided comprehensive services to over 1700 individuals and families, and in total 427 veterans became housed.

Disaster relief: Maui Economic Disaster Relief: Maui Economic Development Board 

A disaster can have detrimental impact on the journey to financial security. While hygiene products, food and water are quick to arrive in impacted areas, financial resources that fuel recovery often lag. Principal Foundation therefore concentrates our disaster relief on supporting long-term recovery efforts. For example, following the Maui wildfires, Principal Foundation provided funds to the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) to launch the Maui Business Recovery Fund, which distributed emergency funds to 95 small businesses to use as they saw fit to support their recovery efforts.

Small and midsized (SMB) business support: Washington Area Community Investment Fund Inc. (Wacif) 

Fostering the SMB ecosystem is a fundamental part of the mission of Principal Foundation. When entrepreneurs and SMBs thrive they create a stronger community. Wacif’s mission is to promote equity and economic opportunity in the underserved neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C. region. Wacif’s work has resulted in 5,216 jobs created or retained, 665 hours of technical assistance given, and over $24.8 million loans and grants distributed. Over $13.8 million in total capital was given specifically to support women of color entrepreneurs.

Barrier removal: United Way Worldwide Ride United Transportation Access 

One of the biggest barriers many people face on their way to financial security is accessing the transportation needed to complete education, receive health care, or to secure or maintain employment. United Way Worldwide received grant funding for their Ride United Transportation Access Program. During their 2022–2023 program year, they provided 154,827 rides, serving 35,183 unique clients across 2,345 cities.

Social and culture connections: Feel Your Best Self (FYBS) 

When a person’s mental health suffers, so does the ability to advance their financial security journey. We seek to address mental health in affirming, nonjudgmental ways through Principal Foundation grantmaking. One such example is collaborating with University of Connecticut’s Feel Your Best Self program, which provides tools for mental wellness to school-age children, families, and committees. FYBS had over 39,000 toolkits downloaded, more than 116,645 YouTube views, won five kids entertainment awards, a Kidscreen Award, and four Telly awards. Employees from Principal worldwide also participated in puppet-making and kit-building events to distribute to local youth.

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

1According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2024 small business employment statistics.

2Impact stories from 2022 grant recipients.

Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc (“Principal® Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal’ operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinc independent, charitabl entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so. © 2024 Principal Foundation.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

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Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Principal® Foundation philanthropic philosophy

The road to financial security is not a universal path. It is a unique, personal journey.

Our approach 

Principal Foundation is committed to removing barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering more people to build financially secure futures. Principal Foundation is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity.

Our grantmaking supports organizations whose work focuses on building people’s wherewithal to pursue financial security and expands access to the resources they need to reach their goals.

Specifically, our funding champions programs that address essential needs and promote financial enablement of individuals and small businesses.

Essential needs 

When individuals’ essential needs are met, they have a sense of security, allowing them to focus on education and skill development and participate in the workforce, all of which are pathways to financial security. Therefore, we fund programs that provide food, shelter, and disaster and crisis relief around the globe.

Financial enablement 

Grantmaking by Principal Foundation around financial enablement seeks to nurture a healthy ecosystem by funding programs that create and foster the conditions necessary for economic development. Our grants in this area fall into three categories: small business support, financial health and well-being research, and social and cultural connections.

Small businesses represent 99% of all companies nationwide that have paid employees, and they play a vital role in boosting local economies.1 As such, small businesses are a pathway to financial security for many. We fund organizations that help create a vibrant support network for small businesses, which provides the financial and technical assistance they need to thrive and keep their owners and employees on the financial security journey.

The more we understand the barriers individuals face on the road to financial security, the better we can identify ways to clear the path and accelerate progress. We continue to invest in research that explores financial health and identifies policies, practices, and products that the financial sector, employers, and policymakers could adopt to better serve groups facing financial insecurity around the world.

Research demonstrates that when communities are connected to the arts through social and cultural institutions, it creates fertile ground for economic and human development. Social and cultural institutions unify communities, boost local economies, spark innovation, and improve academic outcomes. That’s why we fund programs that expand access to social and cultural connections.

Principal® Foundation community investments

Our actions and performance in 2023

In 2023, Principal Foundation provided more than $18 million to our communities around the globe. The missions of these recipient organizations fall under at least one of our focus areas.

$18M total community investments in 2023

Stories of Impact2 

Nutrition security: WesleyLife Meals on Wheels 

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels received funding to aid with the expansion of a new campus for their programs. This project tripled the organization’s capacity to prepare and serve 3,000 nutritional meals per day to home-bound adults in central Iowa. The new facility includes the nation’s only hydroponic garden associated with a Meals on Wheels location. This program is more than just providing a hot meal: The new facilities have on-site multigenerational programming designed to help combat isolation among older adults.

Housing security: Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans 

Housing security is an important part of the journey to feeling financially secure, and this is especially important for veterans. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans received a grant from Principal Foundation to address this very issue. Their vision is for every veteran in Minnesota to have access to services and support to avoid homelessness and achieve sustainable housing. In 2022, they provided $3.4 million in direct financial assistance, provided comprehensive services to over 1700 individuals and families, and in total 427 veterans became housed.

Disaster relief: Maui Economic Disaster Relief: Maui Economic Development Board 

A disaster can have detrimental impact on the journey to financial security. While hygiene products, food and water are quick to arrive in impacted areas, financial resources that fuel recovery often lag. Principal Foundation therefore concentrates our disaster relief on supporting long-term recovery efforts. For example, following the Maui wildfires, Principal Foundation provided funds to the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) to launch the Maui Business Recovery Fund, which distributed emergency funds to 95 small businesses to use as they saw fit to support their recovery efforts.

Small and midsized (SMB) business support: Washington Area Community Investment Fund Inc. (Wacif) 

Fostering the SMB ecosystem is a fundamental part of the mission of Principal Foundation. When entrepreneurs and SMBs thrive they create a stronger community. Wacif’s mission is to promote equity and economic opportunity in the underserved neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C. region. Wacif’s work has resulted in 5,216 jobs created or retained, 665 hours of technical assistance given, and over $24.8 million loans and grants distributed. Over $13.8 million in total capital was given specifically to support women of color entrepreneurs.

Barrier removal: United Way Worldwide Ride United Transportation Access 

One of the biggest barriers many people face on their way to financial security is accessing the transportation needed to complete education, receive health care, or to secure or maintain employment. United Way Worldwide received grant funding for their Ride United Transportation Access Program. During their 2022–2023 program year, they provided 154,827 rides, serving 35,183 unique clients across 2,345 cities.

Social and culture connections: Feel Your Best Self (FYBS) 

When a person’s mental health suffers, so does the ability to advance their financial security journey. We seek to address mental health in affirming, nonjudgmental ways through Principal Foundation grantmaking. One such example is collaborating with University of Connecticut’s Feel Your Best Self program, which provides tools for mental wellness to school-age children, families, and committees. FYBS had over 39,000 toolkits downloaded, more than 116,645 YouTube views, won five kids entertainment awards, a Kidscreen Award, and four Telly awards. Employees from Principal worldwide also participated in puppet-making and kit-building events to distribute to local youth.

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

1According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2024 small business employment statistics.

2Impact stories from 2022 grant recipients.

Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc (“Principal® Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal’ operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinc independent, charitabl entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so. © 2024 Principal Foundation.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

3783330-102024

SYDNEY, Australia, October 29, 2024 /3BL/ – Asia Pacific’s mining industry can accelerate the adoption of more sustainable water management practices to protect freshwater resources for the local community while ensuring a more resilient and reliable water future, says Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical human infrastructure solutions.

For example in Australia, national science agency CSIRO estimates that mining and other industries use about 20 percent of all water consumed in Australia.

“Proven and readily available water solutions, such as desalination and water recycling, can be designed and engineered to achieve greater energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions for Asia Pacific’s mining sector, offsetting significant strategic risks,” said Mick Scrivens, vice president, director, Australia Pacific, Black & Veatch. “Partnering to implement these solutions will benefit the environment, local communities, mining companies and the industry overall.”

At the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2024, Black & Veatch is convening the conference’s only dedicated session on water management in the mining industry on 30 October.

Hosted by Scrivens and featuring industry leaders and Black & Veatch experts, the session will explore how more resilient sustainability results can be achieved by integrating water planning across all stages of the mine lifecycle. The session also will explore more targeted and affordable investments in appropriate technologies and solutions, and meaningful inclusion of critical stakeholders in the planning and design phases of projects.

Sessions that Black & Veatch leaders will be part of at IMARC 2024 include:

“Where’s the Water Coming From? The Importance of Infrastructure Planning and Delivery”Brady Hays, senior vice president and executive managing director, Fuels and Natural Resources will be interviewed by Corinne Cheeseman, chief executive officer, Australian Water Association“How to Sustainably Manage Water in Mining within Australia”Garrick Field, solutions director, Industrial Water and Mining will convene a panel featuring water leaders from BHP, Legacie, ICMM and the Government of Western Australia.“Getting Projects Out of the Ground and Off the Ground Faster”Jonathan Dunham, associate vice president and managing director, Mining and Metals, will participate in the panel discussion.

IMARC 2024 is taking place 29-31 October in Sydney.

Black & Veatch’s multi-disciplinary capabilities to deliver integrated water and energy solutions span the full project delivery chain and are proven by a track record of diverse projects delivered to utilities, governments and industry. In Australia, Black & Veatch has a strong track record of partnering with clients and communities to deliver quality services to water utilities, including award-winning projects such as the Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Project that supported the nation’s response to the millennium drought.

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Contact Black & Veatch for more information.

About Black & Veatch 
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Media Contact Information: 
EMILY CHIA | +65 6335 6623 | Chialp@bv.com 
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