Tag: 3BL

As the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games capture global attention, a powerful local gathering in Burien highlighted the inspiring connection between elite adaptive athletes and the veterans in our own community. Comcast and the Seattle Sports Commission partnered to host a Paralympic Games Watch Party at the Northwest Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), bringing together Paralympic legends from Washington, local veterans, and community leaders to celebrate resilience, competition, and the transformative power of adaptive sports.

The event welcomed more than 40 attendees, including veterans from the VA Puget Sound Spinal Cord Injury Unit, leaders from Seattle-area sports organizations, members of regional chambers of commerce and business advocacy groups, and Seattle Sports Commissioners. Together, the group gathered to watch Team USA compete in Wheelchair Curling and to hear firsthand stories from athletes who have competed at the highest levels of adaptive sport.

Celebrating the Paralympic Movement

The event opened with remarks from Joy Cochran, President of Northwest Paralyzed Veterans of America, who welcomed guests and reflected on the organization’s mission to empower veterans living with spinal cord injuries and diseases.

Comcast Vice President of Government Affairs Carl Gipson followed with remarks highlighting the company’s longstanding commitment to accessibility and inclusive storytelling. He also shared Comcast’s pride in serving as an Official Partner of Team USA and LA28, reinforcing the company’s continued support for athletes and the global Paralympic movement.

“Sharing the Paralympic Games with the paralyzed veterans here today is especially meaningful because these athletes embody the same resilience, determination, and strength that we see in our veteran community,” said Gipson. “We’re proud to partner with Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Seattle Sports Commission to bring these inspiring moments to life and ensure veterans can experience the power of the Paralympic movement together.”

Beth Knox, President and CEO of the Seattle Sports Commission, echoed the importance of adaptive sports in creating opportunities for recovery, independence, and connection within communities.

Stories of Perseverance from Paralympic Athletes

One of the highlights of the event was a fireside chat moderated by Alex Webster, Director of Sporting Events Development for the Seattle Sports Commission. The discussion featured former Washington athletes. Lindi Marcusen and Taylor Swanson, U.S. Paralympic Silver Medalists who shared personal reflections on their journeys as elite adaptive athletes.

Both athletes spoke candidly about how sport became a powerful force in their lives after life-changing injuries – helping them rebuild confidence, pursue new goals, and connect with a global community of athletes. They also emphasized the importance of visibility for Paralympic sports and the role events like this play in inspiring veterans who may be exploring adaptive recreation as part of their rehabilitation.

For many veterans in attendance, the stories resonated deeply. Several shared how watching Paralympic athletes compete serves as a powerful reminder that injury does not define a person’s potential.

Experiencing the Paralympic Winter Games with Xfinity and Peacock

Following the conversation, guests gathered to watch Team USA compete in wheelchair curling using Xfinity’s innovative technology.

With features and technology like Fan View and Multiview, Xfinity delivers customers the most innovative and immersive sports viewing experience available anywhere. Xfinity is the ultimate destination to watch every moment and every medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

To commemorate the occasion, Comcast distributed more than 50 Xfinity-branded Team USA gift bags to attendees, including PVA members and patients from the VA Puget Sound Spinal Cord Injury Unit.

Strengthening Community Through Sport

Beyond celebrating competition, the watch party served as an opportunity to strengthen connections between athletes, veterans, and community leaders across the region.

Adaptive sports continue to play a meaningful role in rehabilitation and community building for many veterans. By bringing together Paralympians and local veterans, Comcast created space for inspiration, shared experiences, and new opportunities for engagement.

As the Paralympic Winter Games continue, Comcast remains committed to helping audiences experience these remarkable moments—whether through community events like this one or through platforms like Xfinity and Peacock that bring the excitement of the Team USA directly to viewers at home.

Together with partners like the Seattle Sports Commission and Northwest Paralyzed Veterans of America, Comcast is proud to celebrate the athletes, stories, and communities that make the Paralympic movement so powerful.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

If spring cleaning your closet feels satisfying, scrubbing your budget might feel downright transformative. Just like clutter tends to accumulate in the corners of your home, unused subscriptions, autopay traps and shifting expenses gather quietly in your financial life. If you’ve felt financially strained, a seasonal audit isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.

Recent national data shows that financial uncertainty remains common, even as some economic indicators improve. For instance, 55% of U.S. adults are concerned about their financial decisions, and 59% of Americans reported that high prices for essential goods are their top financial stressor.¹ Against this backdrop, a thoughtful review of your expenses can be one of the most effective ways to regain control.

Think of your budget as a living document. It’s meant to flex as life does. But many people tend to set a budget once and never revisit it, even though their needs and income evolve over time, even within a single year.

This habit can leave consumers unprepared for surprises. According to the 2025-2026 Aflac WorkForces Report®, 44% of U.S. adults said they would not be able to handle an unexpected $1,000 medical bill.² Similarly, the Federal Reserve found that 37% of adults cannot fully cover a $400 emergency expense with cash or its equivalent, often turning to credit or borrowing instead.³

Inaccurate or outdated budgets can make these financial shocks even harder to manage, but regular budget audits can help you track these improvements, plug spending leaks and make sure your money is aligned with your goals and not disappearing into digital subscription oblivion.

So grab your metaphorical gloves — here’s why a budget dusting and cleaning matters and how to do it without excess stress.

5 budget spring-cleaning tips to help strengthen your finances

1. Dust off your spending categories (they’ve probably shifted).

Prices on essentials like food, housing and insurance have climbed in recent years. Many Americans still feel these effects, with inflation named a top concern for 41% of households.⁴ Review your last three months of statements to compare what you think you spend with what you actually spend.

You might discover that your grocery bill has quietly grown or that your gym membership hasn’t been used since you set your New Year’s resolutions … in 2025. Reallocating funds based on current reality helps ensure your budget reflects the world you’re living in today, not last year’s.

2. Build (or rebuild) your emergency cushion.

Emergency savings can be a cornerstone of financial resilience, and it’s one area where many people need reinforcement. According to the Federal Reserve, the share of adults who have at least three months of expenses in rainy day funds has ticked up slightly in recent years but still remains below 2021 levels at just 55%.⁵

Start by aiming for one month of expenses, then gradually work toward three to six months. Think of this as the financial equivalent of cleaning out your gutters before storm season — you’ll be glad you did.

3. Prepare for life’s curveballs with the right financial protections.

Even the most careful budgeter can’t predict everything, but insurance can help soften the blow. Supplemental insurance, for example, provides payments when you face unexpected medical events or accidents, helping cover out-of-pocket costs that your major health insurance might not fully address.

Pairing supplemental insurance with an updated budget can give you two layers of defense to help protect your savings and your financial stability.

4. Tidy up your debts with a strategy you’ll actually stick to.

Debt can often grow in the shadows like those dust bunnies under the bed. About 41% of U.S. adults carry credit card debt,⁶ and credit card APRs remain near historic highs, with interest‑bearing accounts averaging about 22.30% as of late 2025.⁷

Consider using the avalanche method (tackling the highest interest rate first) or the snowball method (eliminating the smallest balances first). Whichever feels more motivating is the right choice — behavioral momentum matters as much as math.

And if your debt balances have changed recently, adjust your budget to reflect new minimum payments so there are no surprises.

5. Refresh your goals and make them practical.

Financial goals should be as dynamic as your life. According to a recent Fidelity study, 64% of Americans are setting financial resolutions this year, with rising everyday prices and unexpected expenses topping their list of concerns for 2026.⁸

This spring, once you’ve cleaned out your closets and garage, take some time to revisit your goals and confirm they still match your priorities. Are you saving for a vacation? A down payment? A medical procedure you’ve put off? Update contribution amounts, timelines and savings categories accordingly. Are you prepared for that unexpected medical bill?

A goal that felt exciting a year ago may not fit your needs today, and that’s okay. Adjusting is part of staying financially nimble.

The bottom line

Spring cleaning your budget doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little time and attention, you can uncover hidden expenses, strengthen your safety net and chart a more confident financial path forward. Taking these proactive steps — such as regular check-ins, improved emergency savings and thoughtful use of tools like supplemental insurance — can help lighten the mental load.

Your finances deserve a fresh start just as much as your home does. So while you’re opening the windows and shaking off the dust, be sure to also give your budget the seasonal refresh it deserves. Your future self will thank you.

^1,4,6 Moneywise (2025, Feb. 11). 54 eye-opening personal finance statistics and facts in 2025. https://moneywise.com/research/personal-finance-statistics

² Aflac WorkForces Report® (2025), page 24. Workplace benefits trends: Executive summary. https://www.aflac.com/docs/awr/pdf/2025-overview/2025-aflac-awr-executive-summary.pdf

³ Federal Reserve (May 2025). Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2024 – May 2025. https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2025-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2024-savings-and-investments.htm

⁵ Federal Reserve (2025, May 28). Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking: Adults who have 3 months emergency savings. https://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/sheddataviz/emergency-savings.html

⁷ Federal Reserve (2026, Feb. 6). Consumer Credit – G.19. https://www.federalreserve.gov/Releases/g19/current/

⁸ Fidelity (2024, Dec. 11). Fidelity’s 17th Annual Resolutions Study: Americans Preparing For a Year of ‘Planning with Purpose’. https://newsroom.fidelity.com/pressreleases/fidelity-s-17th-annual-resolutions-study–americans-preparing-for-a-year-of–planning-with-purpose-/s/fc3d5689-e2a4-433b-8048-d56053f283e0

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.  

Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.

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At DP World in Peru, progress toward gender equity is no longer a future goal — it’s already measurable.

Over the past five years, the company has increased women’s participation in operational roles by 367% and grown female representation in leadership positions by 41% — a significant shift in an industry historically defined by low female participation.

Building on that momentum, DP World recently hosted “Women Moving the World,” a panel discussion that brought together leading voices from across Peru’s trade, shipping, and agriculture sectors to explore how greater inclusion can strengthen the industry and drive national development.

A platform for leadership and real-world perspectives

The event convened prominent leaders whose careers reflect the evolving role of women in global trade:

• Teresa Mera Gómez, former Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism for Peru, offered a policy and economic lens on how diversity supports more competitive and resilient trade ecosystems.
• Gloria Barandiarán, Deputy General Manager at Evergreen Shipping Agency (Peru) S.A.C., shared insights from the shipping sector and the importance of representation across maritime operations.
• Roxana Nolte, Commercial Manager at Agrícola Don Ricardo — one of Peru’s leading agricultural export companies — provided a perspective from the agribusiness sector, highlighting how a diverse logistics workforce enables Peru’s global competitiveness.

Together, the panelists explored how creating more inclusive workplaces is not only a social priority, but also a business imperative — one that drives innovation, improves decision-making, and strengthens supply chains.

Turning momentum into measurable impact

While the panel underscored how far the industry has come, it also highlighted the importance of sustaining that progress through action.

At DP World in Peru, gender equity efforts are part of a broader sustainability strategy that connects workforce development, environmental innovation, and community impact. In 2025 alone, the team: 

• Inaugurated six digital classrooms at the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción school, benefiting more than 300 students and contributing to over 3,000 students reached through education initiatives to date.
• Received the Best Good Practices in Social Sustainability award from the Sustainability Observatory of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for its Emprende DP World program — an initiative that has supported the growth of more than 300 micro and small enterprises (MYPES) in Callao, including more than 50 entrepreneurs.
• Reduced its carbon footprint in Peru by approximately 22%, cutting emissions from nearly 13,000 tons of CO₂ to a projected 9,700 tons by the end of 2025 — advancing toward its broader goal of a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

A stronger industry through inclusion

As Peru continues to strengthen its position in global trade, the path forward is increasingly clear: diversity and sustainability are not separate priorities — they are mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term growth.

Through initiatives like “Women Moving the World” — and tangible progress across education, entrepreneurship, and decarbonization — DP World is helping shape a more inclusive, more resilient logistics sector across Peru. One where opportunity expands alongside impact, and where a more diverse industry is ultimately a stronger one.

Learn more about how DP World is advancing gender equity and sustainability across Latin America.  

Whirlpool Corporation is celebrating Habitat for Humanity International’s 50th anniversary, marking five decades of building homes, communities and hope across more than 60 countries. As one of Habitat’s longest-standing corporate partners, Whirlpool Corp. reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable housing for families in the U.S. and around the world and support for Habitat’s “Let’s Open the Door” global campaign.

“Whirlpool Corporation is built on a simple idea: that life at home should be better for everyone,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation and member of the Habitat for Humanity International board. “For 27 years, Habitat for Humanity has been one of our most meaningful relationships in living out that ideal. Their work, and the families they serve, remind us why what we do matters. As Habitat marks 50 years of impact, we are proud to stand alongside them and to keep opening doors for families across America and around the world.”

Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity have worked side by side since 1999. During that time, the relationship has delivered meaningful impact for families across the U.S. and in approximately 50 countries around the world: 

Whirlpool Corp. also supports every Habitat home built in the U.S. and Canada by providing a range, refrigerator and garbage disposal, helping new homeowners reduce major appliance costs, lower utility bills and spend less on food.

The company’s support has grown well beyond appliance donations. The BuildBetter with Whirlpool program has helped build sustainable, affordable homes nationwide and the backing of Habitat’s Cost of Home campaign has contributed to changing more than 300 housing policies for an estimated 10 million people. And in the company’s own backyard, Whirlpool Foundation is supporting Project T, a revitalization initiative targeting working families in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

That same belief in supporting American families also drives Whirlpool Corp.’s commitment to American manufacturing. Whirlpool Corp. is proud to be the only major kitchen and laundry appliance company based and owned in the U.S. The company was founded in America in 1911 and has never left. Today, approximately 80 percent of the major appliances it sells in the U.S. are produced in American factories — three times the industry average. Its industry leadership in U.S. production is made possible by $23 billion spent in manufacturing, labor and logistics over the past decade and, most importantly, by its approximately 20,000 person U.S workforce, including nearly 14,000 manufacturing employees, across 10 factories nationwide.

As Habitat marks this milestone, Whirlpool Corp. looks forward to continuing to open doors for families across America and around the world.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary, visit habitat.org. To learn more about Whirlpool Corporation, visit whirlpoolcorp.com.

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About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas -41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

From site visits to community science fairs, Chemours is helping bring STEM learning to life for students across the communities where it operates. Through hands-on experiences and employee engagement, the company is connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications — inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the next generation of problem solvers.

Chemours Offerman Site Inspires Student Innovation Through Hands-On Learning
Pierce County Middle School’s Jr. Beta robotics team earned praise for an innovative project at the Beta Club convention in Savannah, Georgia—an idea sparked by a visit to Chemours’ Offerman Separation Plant. The field trip gave students an inside look at how minerals are mined and processed, inspiring the team to design a robot that mimicked the process by scooping simulated dirt, transporting it, and depositing it into a miniature dump truck.

“Their project blended engineering with environmental understanding, showing how robotics can help model the careful work involved in mineral sand mining,” said Jr. Beta sponsor Katie Cravey. “Through creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning, the team brought their Chemours experience to life in a fun and innovative way.”

Chemours employees provided hard hats and vests for the students, helping them look the part during their competition. Judges praised the team for its “excellent use of innovation in design,” strong collaboration, and ability to complete the required task. Led by teacher James Wood and supported by sponsors Cravey and Bryany Walker, the group’s achievement reflects the power of experiential learning and community partnership.

Extending STEM Learning Beyond the Site
Chemours’ commitment to hands-on STEM education extends beyond the Offerman site. For decades, the company’s Chambers Works site has proudly supported the Salem County Science Fair.

More than 200 students from across Salem County, New Jersey gathered to participate in the 37th annual Science Fair. Students in grades five through twelve presented projects that applied classroom learning to real-world questions, using the scientific method to explore ideas, test hypotheses, and analyze results.

Chemours volunteers from the Chambers Works and Delaware sites, along with local community members, supported the event by reviewing student projects. Together, they engaged students presenting work across a wide range of topics — from chemistry and engineering concepts to cybersecurity, mental health, consumer science, and biology. Through interviews with judges, students strengthened public speaking, presentation, and critical thinking skills.

Top projects from the Salem County Science Fair will advance to the Delaware Valley Science Fair, where students can compete for scholarship opportunities and further recognition.

These events reflect Chemours’ broader commitment to making a difference beyond its walls by advancing STEM education, community safety, and environmental sustainability. By opening its doors and engaging with students in the communities where it operates, Chemours helps spark curiosity, foster innovation, and build connections that strengthen both the workforce of tomorrow and the communities it serves.

Castellum, a leading commercial property company in the Nordic region, has consistently set a bold benchmark for what advancing human health and well-being looks like in buildings and within organizational strategy. Their journey with the WELL Standard (WELL) began as early adopters, demonstrating a long-term commitment that has since scaled to an industry-defining portfolio.

The company’s initial engagement with WELL began in 2017 as part of their vision to set expectations that go far beyond the norm, and to create workplaces where people and enterprises thrive. Castellum’s mission to develop healthy, sustainable workplaces led to the enrollment of nine individual assets through 2021 and achievement of initial milestones like Gold level WELL Core and WELL Certifications. In 2021, this commitment deepened, with Castellum making a strategic shift to integrate WELL into their annual report.¹ This was quickly followed by enrolling 37 properties across Sweden into IWBI’s WELL at scale portfolio program, a commitment that expanded to Denmark and Finland in 2022.

Castellum’s strategic integration of health and well-being across its property portfolio and within its own business has driven continuous elevated performance, yielding significant results. In 2023, their Eden in Hyllie project achieved Platinum level WELL Core Certification, and 7stjärnan in Malmö followed in 2025. Castellum’s evolution is a powerful example for how long-term portfolio integration and a health-first mindset can be woven into core business strategy.

This pioneering journey recently culminated in a remarkable set of achievements at their 7stjärnan property in Malmö, Sweden, which now stands as a triple WELL Certified Platinum milestone:

• The Base Building: Achieved WELL Core Certification at the Platinum level in 2025
• The Anchor Tenant: E.ON achieved WELL Certified Platinum for their Nordic headquarters within the same building shortly thereafter.
• The Owner-Occupier: Most recently, in 2026, Castellum’s own regional office within the building also achieved WELL Certified Platinum.

The success of 7stjärnan is rooted in collaboration. The pathway began in 2019 when Castellum and E.ON aligned early, utilizing the Interiors + Base Buildings alignment tool to ensure seamless coordination across the separate certification efforts.

Lina Brömer, Castellum project manager for 7stjärnan, said: “This is one of the larger projects we have carried out within Castellum, where we have not only certified the building itself but also the office spaces. It has been incredibly exciting to follow the project from the very beginning and to work together with so many dedicated partners. It is therefore particularly rewarding that Castellum in this case is also one of the tenants, and that the project has resulted in three WELL certifications: one for the building, one for E.ON’s office and one for Castellum’s own office. It has truly been a joint effort with high ambitions from property owners, contractors and tenants alike.”

The 7stjärnan building is located in Nyhamnen, a sustainable city district designed with resident and visitor experience at the forefront. The influence of WELL extends beyond the building itself; anchor tenant E.ON shared that the process has influenced their workplace strategy and has led to a more active promotion of well-being to coworkers, by highlighting existing health and well-being-related policies and roles. The building has also received BREEAM-SE Outstanding and was a finalist for the Sweden Green Building Council’s Sustainable Building Award.

Reflecting on these achievements, Eleftherios Zacharakis, Manager of Client Success, EMEA Region at IWBI, remarked, “I’m proud to have been involved in the early advisory stages of this project before joining IWBI, and it’s inspiring to see how Castellum continues to embed WELL across their portfolio at scale.”

Castellum’s persistent effort and inspiring outcomes have set the bar, proving that a comprehensive approach to well-being is the future of leadership in the real estate sector in the Nordics and beyond.

^{(1) Castellum 2024 Annual Report, April 8, 2025: https://storage.mfn.se/e8a0a9e3-9238-42a9-a59a-629f5e32813e/castellum-annual-report-2024.pdf}

View original content here.

Days before The PLAYERS Championship kicked off at TPC Sawgrass, 40 military moms and moms-to-be gathered with their loved ones inside Patriot’s Outpost for a special event. Operation Shower enlisted support from Comcast Business to help celebrate these families and welcome their little ones into the world with surprise after surprise. The organization hosted a big, beautiful baby shower for the moms‑to‑be, creating a joyful moment during such an important time in their lives.

Operation Shower’s mission is to host fun-filled baby showers for military families to ease the stresses of deployment and separation. Comcast Business sponsored the golf-themed event and provided the new parents with brand-new laptops.

Two of the parents being celebrated, Kindal Cochran and Durell Bennett, were thrilled to learn that every family in attendance would be receiving a new laptop, courtesy of Comcast Business. Both Naval servicemembers, serving 12 and 15 years respectively, the couple is expecting a baby boy. Their energy was contagious.

“It’s wonderful to feel love from people who don’t even know you, they just appreciate you,” Cochran said. “Receiving the laptop is amazing. I’m currently finishing up my bachelor’s degree in business management & administration and starting another course soon, so this will really help me.”

Another expectant mother, Savannah Bathis, attended the event with her niece. She and her husband both serve in the Navy. Her husband is currently deployed in the Middle East. She saw the new laptop as another way to connect with him.

^{Naval Servicemember Savannah Bathis celebrates her new laptop as she prepares for her family addition.}

“Since my husband won’t be home when I give birth, I’m hoping this laptop will help me stay in touch with him,” Bathis said. “I’ll be handling a lot on my own, and having this will make it easier to find support and resources.”

Michelle Oyola McGovern, Vice President of Government Affairs at Comcast Florida, attended Operation Shower and spoke about Comcast Business’s gift for the moms in the room.

“The person who needs to be connected more than anyone is a mom. Moms need to be able to connect with their spouses overseas. They need a laptop to upload and share baby pictures,” McGovern said. “Taking care of the moms is just as important as taking care of the babies.”

The families at Operation Shower went home with everything they could need for their new babies including baby bouncers, diaper trash cans and strollers.

^{Gifts piled up for military moms at Operation Shower.}

Comcast Business technicians Ken Merritt and Brandon Booth joined Operation Shower to help families unable to bring all their gifts home in their car. They loaded up Comcast Business trucks with items and personally delivered them to their residences.

Days before The PLAYERS Championship kicked off at TPC Sawgrass, 40 military moms and moms-to-be gathered with their loved ones inside Patriot’s Outpost for a special event. Operation Shower enlisted support from Comcast Business to help celebrate these families and welcome their little ones into the world with surprise after surprise. The organization hosted a big, beautiful baby shower for the moms‑to‑be, creating a joyful moment during such an important time in their lives.

Operation Shower’s mission is to host fun-filled baby showers for military families to ease the stresses of deployment and separation. Comcast Business sponsored the golf-themed event and provided the new parents with brand-new laptops.

Two of the parents being celebrated, Kindal Cochran and Durell Bennett, were thrilled to learn that every family in attendance would be receiving a new laptop, courtesy of Comcast Business. Both Naval servicemembers, serving 12 and 15 years respectively, the couple is expecting a baby boy. Their energy was contagious.

“It’s wonderful to feel love from people who don’t even know you, they just appreciate you,” Cochran said. “Receiving the laptop is amazing. I’m currently finishing up my bachelor’s degree in business management & administration and starting another course soon, so this will really help me.”

Another expectant mother, Savannah Bathis, attended the event with her niece. She and her husband both serve in the Navy. Her husband is currently deployed in the Middle East. She saw the new laptop as another way to connect with him.

^{Naval Servicemember Savannah Bathis celebrates her new laptop as she prepares for her family addition.}

“Since my husband won’t be home when I give birth, I’m hoping this laptop will help me stay in touch with him,” Bathis said. “I’ll be handling a lot on my own, and having this will make it easier to find support and resources.”

Michelle Oyola McGovern, Vice President of Government Affairs at Comcast Florida, attended Operation Shower and spoke about Comcast Business’s gift for the moms in the room.

“The person who needs to be connected more than anyone is a mom. Moms need to be able to connect with their spouses overseas. They need a laptop to upload and share baby pictures,” McGovern said. “Taking care of the moms is just as important as taking care of the babies.”

The families at Operation Shower went home with everything they could need for their new babies including baby bouncers, diaper trash cans and strollers.

^{Gifts piled up for military moms at Operation Shower.}

Comcast Business technicians Ken Merritt and Brandon Booth joined Operation Shower to help families unable to bring all their gifts home in their car. They loaded up Comcast Business trucks with items and personally delivered them to their residences.

Originally published on Fast Company

I’ve always found that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. For me, one of those places was the printed pages of Fast Company. I used to read it cover to cover every month. It had this way of mixing business, creativity and innovation that made me stop and think, “How can we do something like this?” To me it was more than just a magazine: It was a monthly dose of possibility I could adapt and apply to our own work.

One particular issue featured a story about Nike and its approach to sustainability.

Continue reading on Fast Company

As geopolitical tensions escalate across the Middle East, including the evolving impacts of the Iran conflict, multinational organizations operating in the region are facing a new level of complexity. From disruptions to airspace and supply chains to workforce safety concerns and regulatory obligations, businesses must quickly adapt to an environment defined by uncertainty.

For companies with operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and broader Middle East region, this moment reinforces a critical reality: resilience is no longer optional, it is a core business function.

Drawing on insights from Inogen Alliance Associates Redlog and Terra Nexus, this article explores how organizations can navigate conflict-related disruption while strengthening long-term operational resilience, workforce protection, and business continuity.

 

Duty of Care, Workforce Risk, and Operational Readiness

Insights from Randall Shaw, Redlog

With over two decades of experience operating in conflict-affected regions, Redlog has observed how rapidly crises reshape business operations—and how preparedness can define outcomes.

Duty of Care in the GCC: Legal and Operational Imperatives

Across the GCC, labor laws clearly establish employer responsibility for employee safety. In times of regional conflict, this duty of care extends beyond the workplace to include:

• Safe transportation and travel risk management
• Remote work environments
• Real-time alignment with government directives and emergency protocols

For multinational organizations, this means integrating legal compliance with proactive risk management, ensuring that safety is embedded into both policy and day-to-day operations.

 

The Overlooked Risk: Mental Health and Workforce Stability

While physical safety often takes priority, the psychological impact of conflict on employees is equally critical. As conflicts persist, employees face stress—from personal safety, family concerns and job security. Industry leaders are expanding mental health support to ensure employees feel safe and supported both during this time of conflict and when they return to work. That ensures a clear focus on ongoing and future well-being.

Employees across the region are navigating:

• Personal safety concerns
• Family and relocation uncertainty
• Job security anxiety

Leading organizations are responding by:

• Expanding mental health programs
• Offering confidential counseling and resilience resources
• Establishing regular communication and check-ins

This focus not only supports employee wellbeing but also protects productivity, engagement, and long-term retention.

 

How Multinationals Are Responding: Scaling Safety and Security

Our clients across sectors—from technology to manufacturing—are leveraging global experience to strengthen local operations. Key actions include:

• Enhancing first aid, fire safety, and emergency response readiness
• Updating spill response and contingency planning
• Strengthening physical security and surveillance systems
• Improving governance and crisis management frameworks

These measures reflect a broader shift: security is no longer a reactive function—it is a strategic business priority.

 

Strategic Actions to Strengthen Business Continuity

To navigate ongoing and future disruptions, Redlog recommends the following:

• Expand workforce preparedness through additional safety training. Provide first aid and fire/life safety training to additional staff, as this not only enhances preparedness but also boosts employee confidence in handling incidents
• Scale mental health and resilience programs. Implement regular check-ins, offer confidential counseling hotlines, provide resilience workshops, and foster peer-support networks. These measures help reduce stress and ensure employees feel supported both during the crisis and when returning to normal operations.
• Conduct security gap assessments to assess the current security readiness. This helps pinpoint vulnerabilities, prioritize improvements, and ensure alignment with both regulatory and best-practice benchmarks. Ultimately, it guides the organization in creating a clear roadmap for enhanced security.
• Perform legal compliance audits to reduce regulatory risk. This audit helps uncover any legal or regulatory gaps, ensures alignment with local and international laws, and provides a clear action plan for mitigation – ultimately reducing legal exposure and strengthening operational trustworthiness
• Update emergency response and spill cleanup plans aligned with evolving threats and local authority guidance. Incorporate local authority instructions—whether at the workplace, during transit, or at home—to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and real-time guidance. This ensures that employees and operations remain aligned with regional safety protocols, enhancing overall preparedness.
• Adopt global security frameworks in the list below. These systems provide structured frameworks to assess risks, ensure business continuity, enhance data protection, and align security practices with global standards. By adopting them, organizations can systematically identify gaps, strengthen resilience, meet legal obligations, and foster trust with clients and stakeholders.
  • ISO 22301 (Business Continuity)
  • ISO 27001 (Information Security)
  • ISO 28000 (Supply Chain Security)
  • ISO 31000 (Risk Management)
  • And frameworks like COSO, NIST, GDPR

Together, these steps help organizations move from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience planning.

 

Regional Stability, Workforce Mobility, and Economic Resilience

Insights from Nivine Issa, Terra Nexus

While the broader Middle East faces disruption, the UAE continues to play a critical role as a regional business hub, though recent events have highlighted that even the most stable markets are not immune to geopolitical shocks.

Terra Nexus is deeply rooted in the UAE and our focus remains serving the UAE and the wider GCC region, despite recent pressures. Our team and staff are no strangers to such volatility, from previous geopolitical tensions to navigating pandemics. The agility of the people and the government of the GCC will prevail and we will adapt to whatever comes our way

 

The UAE: A Trusted Hub Facing New Pressures

The UAE has long been recognized for its stability, ranking as the world’s most trusted government in 2026 according to the Edelman Trust Barometer. Strong leadership, economic diversification, and effective crisis management have positioned it as a global center for business and talent.

However, recent airspace disruptions and travel interruptions have had immediate ripple effects:

• Delays in global mobility and supply chains
• Workforce displacement and relocation decisions
• Operational slowdowns across industries

 

Workforce Shifts: Staying, Leaving, and Business Impacts

The UAE’s large expatriate population plays a critical role in its economy. In response to recent instability:

• Many professionals are choosing to remain and wait out uncertainty, reflecting long-term commitment
• Others are opting for temporary or permanent relocation, impacting workforce availability

For businesses, this creates challenges in:

• Talent retention and continuity
• Project delivery timelines
• Maintaining operational capacity

 

A Region Built on Adaptability

Despite these pressures, the UAE and broader GCC region have consistently demonstrated resilience.

From the 2008 financial crisis to COVID-19, the region has responded with rapid policy shifts and economic adaptation. Today, initiatives like the UAE’s Economic Agenda D33—focused on non-oil growth—highlight a continued commitment to long-term stability.

As Terra Nexus notes, the region remains:

• A global exporter of talent and expertise
• A hub for innovation and economic diversification
• A market that adapts quickly to external shocks

 

What This Means for Multinational Businesses

Across both perspectives, a clear pattern emerges:

Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is not just a regional issue—it is a global business risk.

For multinational organizations, the impacts extend to:

• Supply chain disruption
• Workforce safety and mobility
• Regulatory and compliance exposure
• Operational continuity

However, companies that invest in preparedness, governance, and workforce support are better positioned to navigate uncertainty and maintain performance.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Iran conflict and broader Middle East instability are creating immediate and long-term business risks for multinationals
• Duty of care obligations in the GCC require organizations to address both physical and psychological employee safety
• Workforce disruption including relocation and stress can significantly impact business continuity and productivity
• Leading companies are strengthening security, emergency response, and governance frameworks
• The UAE remains a resilient business hub, but is not immune to regional volatility
• Proactive strategies such as adopting ISO standards and conducting risk assessments are critical for operational resilience

 

Conclusion: Building Resilience in an Uncertain Region

In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, organizations cannot afford to take a passive approach to risk.

The companies that will succeed in the Middle East are those that:

• Integrate security and business continuity into core strategy
• Balance legal compliance with employee wellbeing
• Leverage global expertise with local insight

By taking a proactive, structured approach, grounded in international standards and informed by regional realities, multinational businesses can not only withstand disruption but emerge stronger, more agile, and better prepared for the future in an evolving global environment.

 

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