Tag: 3BL

August 26, 2024 /3BL/ – Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have today published a joint interoperability mapping resource that gives a detailed overview of alignment between the TNFD Disclosure Recommendations and metrics and the GRI Standards.

Over the past two years, the TNFD and GRI have worked closely together to support the development of each other’s guidance – notably GRI input into the TNFD Recommendations published in September 2023, and TNFD input into the recently published GRI Biodiversity Standard.

Responding to feedback from market participants, the TNFD and GRI have developed a guidance document and correspondence table to help GRI’s 14,000 reporters globally align with the TNFD Recommendations, and assist TNFD adopters in their sustainability reporting according to GRI Standards.

The mapping underscores the high level of alignment achieved between the TNFD Recommendations and metrics and the GRI Standards reporting requirements and datapoints, including:

The use of consistent nature-related concepts and definitions, including the five direct drivers of nature and biodiversity loss, as defined by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).The reference and incorporation of GRI’s materiality approach focusing on impacts in the TNFD Recommendations and guidance, following the TNFD’s flexible approach to materiality. The TNFD LEAP approach has been designed to help organizations report in line with both impact and financial materiality.All the disclosures in GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 are reflected in the TNFD Recommendations. All of the TNFD Recommendations are reflected in the GRI Standards, except those exclusively covering nature-related risk and opportunity identification and assessment.Strong consistency between the TNFD core global disclosure metrics and the related metrics in the GRI Standards. A first mapping of the TNFD sector metrics and the relevant GRI Sector Standards also highlights consistency at this level.The TNFD LEAP approach – guidance for identifying and assessing nature-related issues – is referenced in GRI 101. It pinpoints where impacts on biodiversity are most likely to be present and significant and provides guidance on measuring changes in the state of nature.GRI 101 uses the TNFD definitions and criteria when considering an organization’s location in or near ecologically sensitive areas.

Bastian Buck, Chief Standards Officer at GRI, said:

“The ongoing collaboration of GRI with the TNFD has resulted in this detailed mapping tool, supporting thousands of organizations worldwide that already report their biodiversity impacts using the GRI Standards. This resource enables them to seamlessly integrate the TNFD recommendations, allowing for simplified, single-source reporting. GRI and the TNFD will continue to cooperate to prevent the need for double reporting and ensure organizations can transparently and accountably disclose their impacts.”

Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer of City Developments Limited (CDL), TNFD Taskforce Member and GRI Supervisory Board Member said:

“Nature risks are business risks that should be measured and disclosed in a more robust manner. Having adopted the GRI 304: Biodiversity (2016) since 2017 and as the first Singapore company to publish disclosures aligned with the TNFD Recommendations in 2024, CDL understands the importance of measuring and managing our nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities for long-term resilience. As we look towards adopting the new GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 in our upcoming sustainability reports, we welcome the interoperability between TNFD and GRI to harmonize the global sustainability reporting landscape.”

Tony Goldner, Executive Director of the TNFD said:

“The release of today’s mapping from GRI and the TNFD will further support market participants needing, or wanting, to report on their nature-related dependencies and impacts leveraging GRI Standards and metrics and in line with the TNFD Recommendations. We look forward to continuing to work with GRI to provide clear, practical support to market participants in their internal assessment and external reporting needs.”

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent not-for-profit organization and standard-setter that is the architect of the common global language used to assess and report on environmental, social, and economic impacts. GRI provides standards, tools and training that enable organizations of all sizes to harness the skills, capabilities and data they need to create sustainable, long-term value and unlock positive change in the world.

In January 2024, the GRI published GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024, a major revision to its earlier Biodiversity Standard, which is aligned to the TNFD Recommendations released in September 2023.

The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is a market-led, science-based and government-backed initiative providing organizations with the tools to act on evolving nature-related issues. It was launched in June 2021 with the support of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group and financial support from a number of governments and philanthropic foundations.

International Olympic Committee news

In a spectacular, star-studded Closing Ceremony, Paris handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles as the host of the Olympic Games in 2028. But the LA28 Games are already creating benefits for their host communities, drawing on the legacy of Los Angeles 1984.

Making sport more accessible for young people

The Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984 delivered a sporting legacy to the city long before the Games even began, and have kept the local population active for decades since. The LA84 Foundation – founded with the surplus from the 1984 Games operations budget – has upheld this legacy by continuing to engage local youth in sport. Between 1984 and 2017, the foundation reached over 3 million young people, with a strong emphasis on female participation in sport, which has resulted in 42 per cent of participants being girls and women.

The PlayLA programme, funded by the IOC and the LA28 Organising Committee, and developed by the LA City Recreation and Parks Department, funds quality sports activities that are accessible and affordable to young people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages. Since 2018, the programme has supported more than 500,000 young people.

Witnessing firsts in gender equality

The Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984 marked a significant milestone in Olympic history for female athletes’ participation, demonstrating to the world that athletic excellence knows no gender. These were the Games that saw the organisation of the inaugural Olympic women’s marathon, as well as exclusively female disciplines – synchronised (now known as artistic) swimming and rhythmic gymnastics. Female athletes also competed for the first time in the 3000m and 400m hurdles, road cycling and shooting. With 23 per cent female participation, the 1984 Games set an Olympic record at the time.

Over the past four decades, progress toward gender equality in sport has accelerated both on and off the field of play. For Paris 2024, the IOC ensured gender equality by establishing an equal 50:50 quota for female and male athletes.

Venue legacy

LA28 organisers are taking full advantage of the flexibility provided by the IOC to create Games that fit the city. In line with the IOC’s requirement to prioritise existing and temporary infrastructure, LA28 has adopted a “radical reuse” approach, by not building a single permanent venue.

Of the 26 venues used for Los Angeles 1984, 21 are still active, hosting diverse sporting, cultural and leisure events accessible to all athletes. Among these, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stands out as a true Olympic landmark, having hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1932 and 1984 Games, as well as track and field events.

Other initiatives

The social, economic and environmental legacies of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984 are wide ranging and diverse. The Games pioneered a financial model through sponsor partnerships that became a model for future Games editions; cultivated a youth movement to educate young people on the Olympic values and involve them in Games-related activities; facilitated neighbourhood engagement on a volunteer basis; and implemented clean-up projects across Los Angeles; as well as planting more than 20,000 trees and bushes.

When most people think about the living legacy of the 1984 Summer Olympics, they point to the LA84 Foundation and our work to remove barriers so that all youth have access to the benefits of sports and play.

Renata Simril
President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation

“But this is just one of the many economic and social legacies left by those Games. Technology, innovation in the sponsorship model, lifting Los Angeles as a world class cultural centre following the Arts Festival, youth sports and play equity are all gifts from those Games that still endure to this day. My hope for LA28, would be that we build off of this legacy and align around the Olympic Movement’s core vision of building a better world through sports.”

Los Angeles 1984: an influential legacy

A new financial model which became a template for future editions of the Olympic Games and a turning point for women in sport are two of the key legacies of Los Angeles 1984 – an edition which inspired a cultural step-change for the Olympic Games that can still be felt decades later.

Legacy overview

August 26, 2024 /3BL/ – My Green Lab is thrilled to announce the launch of its Accelerator Partner Program, a new initiative designed to recognize and support sustainability consulting services and organizations within the health sector. Understanding the importance of industry collaboration for achieving climate targets and creating a resilient, net-zero world, the Accelerator Partner Program will provide participating organizations with the essential resources and recognition needed to advance their sustainability efforts.

The program offers a variety of benefits for participating organizations to enhance their knowledge of green lab best practices while supporting clients in achieving their lab sustainability goals. Benefits include access to My Green Lab education and training programs, market endorsement from My Green Lab, certification program discounts, privileged access to My Green Lab’s training materials, and the right to use the Accelerator Partner designation as part of business development and outreach.

“The Accelerator Partner Program is a great resource for organizations seeking to solidify their commitment to lab sustainability,” said Ryan Arnold, VP of Investments and Partnerships at My Green Lab. “Our program not only equips organizations with invaluable resources to build their knowledge and skills, but it also grants industry recognition for their proficiency in green lab practices.”

Acknowledging their expertise in green lab principles, this initiative allows partners to offer consulting and implementation services that align with the My Green Lab Certification program and its recommendations. Recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab Certification is globally recognized as the gold standard for sustainability best practices in laboratories.

“We’ve already seen tremendous value from being part of the Accelerator Partner Program,” said Dr. Samantha Gordine, Sustainability Solutions Lead at Arcondis. “Access to My Green Lab’s vast educational resources and their endorsement of our green lab expertise has enhanced our efforts in helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We have been able to help implement more effective green lab practices, leading to improved efficiencies, cost savings, and a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship across our client base.”

The Accelerator Partner Program offers four levels of partnership to accommodate organizations of various sizes and budgets: Bronze (nonprofits and small organizations with fewer than five full-time employees), Silver (ideal for small or local organizations), Gold (suitable for national organizations), and Platinum (designed for global organizations). Initial Accelerator Partners include Arcondis and Triumvirate Environmental.

My Green Lab believes this program will foster robust partnerships that will help move the health sector toward a greener, more sustainable future. “The Accelerator Partner Program will allow us to amplify our collective impact, drive significant improvements in lab sustainability, and expedite the transition to greener practices across the industry,” continues Arnold.

For more information about the Accelerator Partner Program, contact sponsorship@mygreenlab.org.

About My Green Lab

My Green Lab® is a nonprofit environmental organization with a mission to build a global culture of sustainability in science. The organization is the world leader in developing internationally recognized sustainability standards for laboratories and laboratory products—bringing sustainability to the community responsible for the world’s life-changing medical and technical innovations. Laboratories are some of the most resource-intensive spaces in any industry, but they don’t have to be. By introducing a new perspective and proven best practices within a carefully crafted framework, My Green Lab has inspired tens of thousands of scientists and lab professionals to make positive changes in their labs by reducing the environmental impact of their work.

For media requests, contact Namrata Jain at namrata@mygreenlab.org.

For more information about My Green Lab, visit mygreenlab.org. 

CORONA, Calif., Aug. 23, 2024 /3BL/ — Monster Energy is proud to announce its sponsorship of the fifth annual Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Bowl presented by USAA. This prestigious event, organized by the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans find rewarding careers after their service, will showcase competitive gaming while raising awareness and funds for veteran employment.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful and impactful event for another year,” said Dan McHugh, CMO of Monster Energy. “Monster is proud to contribute $500,000 in support of this cause. This partnership underscores our dedication to assisting veterans in their transition to the workforce.”

This year, the Call of Duty Endowment is celebrating fifteen years of Endowment impact, and the 125,000+ veterans who they’ve placed in jobs across all major industries since 2009. The average starting salary of these veterans placed by the Endowment’s partners is $70,000, two times the national starting average salary. Last year at C.O.D.E. Bowl IV, Monster Energy’s contribution resulted in 809 veterans receiving high-quality jobs, creating an economic impact of over $57 million in first-year salaries.

C.O.D.E. Bowl V, scheduled for August 28th, 2024, will feature prominent military esports teams from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada going head-to-head for the coveted C.O.D.E. Bowl trophy. This year, in addition to the C.O.D.E. Bowl trophy, Monster Energy will be recognizing one outstanding player who has demonstrated a relentless pursuit of victory, and who Unleashed the Beast in the competition, with the “Monster Energy MVP” award.

Monster’s involvement in C.O.D.E. Bowl V, presented by USAA, along with its partnership with the Call of Duty Endowment underscores the company’s commitment to creative positive change in the community. By aligning with the Call of Duty franchise and its devoted fanbase, Monster Energy continues to champion core values of competition, camaraderie, and veteran support.

Fans can watch the tournament unfold live on August 28th on YouTube and Twitch following the Call of Duty: Next event. It comes just weeks before the fall premier of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which will make its debut on October 25th, 2024.

For more information about Monster Energy, visit www.monsterenergy.com and follow Monster Energy on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

© 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

ABOUT MONSTER ENERGY
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the tradition, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy, including all of its drinks, at www.monsterenergy.com.

CONTACT: press@monsterenergy.com

KeyBank has partnered with Shiloh Baptist Church in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood to host in-person group financial education sessions as well as one-on-one Financial Wellness Reviews.

The 15-minute Financial Wellness Reviews are designed for individuals to meet with an experienced banker to understand where their finances stand and chart a path to reaching financial goals. Whether you’re looking to build credit, save for a major purchase, or simply improve your financial health, Key’s bankers are here to help.

Money, Me & Key invites all people within our communities to take control of their money and put it to work to support the lives they want to live. These in-person hour-long sessions will dive deep into topics including debt management, mortgage modifications, home equity lines of credit, identity theft, retirement and estate planning. 

All events will take place at Shiloh Baptist Church, 5500 Scovill Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44104.

Money, Me & Key workshops will be held from 12:30PM to 1:30PM on Sunday, September 8, Sunday, September 22, Sunday, September 29, and Sunday, October 6. To register for these in-person workshops, click here.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at June 30, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. © 2024 KeyCorp® All Rights Reserved.

More than four years ago we made a commitment — through The Clorox Company Foundation — to help fight racism and inequality. Some of our financial commitment goes toward supporting Equal Justice Works fellows like Elissa Gray. Elissa is working with the Family Violence Appellate Project to protect the legal rights of low-income domestic violence survivors in California who are facing harmful family court orders but lack adequate remedies to challenge them.

Who is your host organization and what kind of work do they do?

My host organization is Family Violence Appellate Project, a California and Washington state nonprofit legal organization providing appellate-level legal assistance to survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence. FVAP’s legal assistance includes direct representation of survivors in appellate cases, collaboration with pro bono attorneys, policy advocacy, and training and legal support for shelters, domestic violence advocates, and attorneys representing survivors.

What’s the focus of your fellowship?

The goal of my fellowship is to increase access to appellate-level writ review for low-income domestic violence survivors in California. A writ is an order from a higher court commanding a lower court to either do something or stop doing something. My project centers on writ petitions requesting the California Courts of Appeal to intervene when a trial court makes problematic orders for a survivor in their family law case.

Access to writ review is important for survivors because writs are designed for limited “emergency circumstances” where a survivor has no other way to challenge a harmful trial court order, something that happens frequently and can put the survivor in danger.

However, because writs are an emergency remedy, the standard for a successful writ is discretionary, and the appellate court can deny relief without any explanation. Writs also operate on an expedited timeline and are often inaccessible. A writ petition, which lays out the case record and legal arguments for the trial court’s harmful error, should often be filed within 60 days or less from the date of the trial’s court order.

Through direct representation of survivors, community partnerships, and the development of free writ resources for advocates and survivors across California, my goal is to make filing a writ petition a realistic option survivors can not only access but feel empowered to pursue.

What is an example of a case you’ve worked on that illustrates some of the challenges your clients have faced and how your project addresses those challenges?

Recently, I worked on a writ petition in conjunction with another nonprofit legal organization, Bay Area Legal Aid, on behalf of one of their youth clients. It challenged the trial court’s denial of a temporary move-out order as part of the client’s request for a domestic violence restraining order to protect herself and her siblings from the abuse of her mother’s boyfriend. A move-out order would prohibit him from living in the family home rented under a subsidized housing program, but it was repeatedly denied by the trial court, concluding the client did not have the right to seek the order despite living in the home and being named on both the rental agreement and subsidy paperwork. This left the client and her siblings with the choice between housing instability or staying in a home with their abuser.

In response to the filing of our writ petition, the Court of Appeal issued a decision confirming the trial court’s denial of the temporary move-out order was an error and providing guidance on the standard for move-out orders.

This case highlights the urgent need for the accessibility of writ review for survivors of domestic violence, who should have the choice — like this client did — to challenge problematic and harmful decisions with as few barriers as possible.

International Olympic Committee news

As the Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin, the Worldwide Olympic Partners are playing a fundamental role in making the Games a success. In our “Road to Paris” series, these Partners talk about some of the essential support they are providing and reveal their excitement at helping to shape an unforgettable Olympic experience for fans and athletes alike. Here, we speak with Thierry Jupsin, the Vice President of Brand Marketing for Bridgestone in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

How excited is Bridgestone to be part of the Olympic Games Paris 2024?

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are such powerful and inspiring platforms that unite people around the world through emotion, inclusivity and sustainability. Each of these areas is core to Bridgestone and part of our vision to create value for society as a sustainable solutions company. Through our support for Paris 2024 and the world’s greatest athletes, we are excited to celebrate these shared values with our company, our communities, and our customers.

What makes an Olympic partnership so appealing?

The Olympic Games are the biggest sporting event in the world. This means they provide a powerful platform that connects with people across all markets. The emotions of the Games also create a lot of natural opportunities for human-to-human connection and impactful storytelling about what really matters to us. We believe in the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to unite, excite and inspire people across all borders, abilities and backgrounds. The Olympic and Paralympic movements are working day after day to create a better world through sport and beyond the field of play. This, for us, is extremely important because it really aligns with our mission at Bridgestone to serve society and create a more sustainable world for future generations. This is where we can again create an authentic connection.

How is Bridgestone specifically supporting Paris 2024?

We are very proud to be supporting Paris 2024 athletes and operations with our products, services and solutions. We are contributing a variety of tyres, performance products and services at the Games. The company is also helping to support and enhance the experience for all athletes, staff, fans and visitors.

As the official tyre of the Games, we will be providing premium tyres and tyre-related maintenance services for more than 1,000 vehicles, and we are also supporting road safety education and tire safety awareness through an e-learning module for nearly 4,000 volunteer drivers.

Bridgestone is also helping to supply more than 600 bicycles for athletes, volunteers and staff to use across Paris 2024 venues and in the Olympic Village. After the Games, we have partnered with Ville de Paris to donate approximately 500 of the bikes locally to community organisations.

And a number of athletes competing at Paris 2024 will also help demonstrate how Bridgestone innovation and premium performance extends beyond tyres. This includes the nearly 3,500 high-performance golf balls we have provided for the tournament practice range, and the numerous adaptive athletes from the United States and Japan who will use Bridgestone rubber and equipment during competition at the Paralympic Games.

Why is working with athletes important for Bridgestone?

Bridgestone’s work with global athletes is designed to inspire people of all backgrounds and abilities to overcome adversity and chase their dreams. We partnered with 40 Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls to represent the brand as Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors for Paris 2024, and they were all selected based on an alignment of values with the Bridgestone brand. We have been honoured to work with this inspiring team of athlete ambassadors who are making an impact both on and off the field, and we will be proudly cheering for them during the Games.

As part of the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Human Rights Coalition‘s People Positive Palm project, The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a pivotal Training for Trainers (TOT) session at Lombok Raya Hotel, Mataram City, focused on pre-departure orientation (PDO) for Indonesian Migrant Workers (IMWs).

This training follows the successful completion of the PDO module development in 2023. The TOT saw participation from 64 individuals (35 men and 29 women), including government officials, non-government organizations, and local community representatives.

Key Highlights of the Training

The training spanned three days with distinct focus areas:

9-10 July: Government officials attended, primarily instructors from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) and Office of Manpower in both West and East Nusa Tenggara. These instructors are tasked with delivering PDO sessions to migrant workers before they depart for their host countries.11 July: The final day targeted non-government organizations and local community members in West Nusa Tenggara.

The training utilized a participatory methodology, emphasizing its suitability for migrant workers with diverse educational backgrounds. A significant portion of the training was devoted to a comprehensive review of Module II, the Palm Oil Supply Chain under the Occupational Health and Safety module. This included detailed explanations of various jobs within the supply chain, types of employers, job descriptions, and living and working conditions in plantation settings.

Participants practiced developing and presenting a training module, receiving feedback to refine their skills for future PDO sessions.

Action Plan and Next Steps

A strategic plan was devised to ensure the PDO modules are widely beneficial to migrant workers:

Integration into National Curriculum: It was agreed that modules 1, 3, and 4 will be embedded in the existing national PDO curriculum for the palm oil sector. Specifically, Module II will be added to BP2MI’s Learning Management System once the new regulation extending PDO training to three days is implemented.Pilot Rollout Support: Collaboration of P3/IOM and BP2MI has brought value and should contienue to help build capacity of PDO trainers that engage around 40-50 workers weekly.Application by NGOs/CSOs: NGOs and CSOs were encouraged to integrate the methods and content of the modules into their socialization programs. Some NGOs with existing programs for assisting migrant workers plan to use these materials to enhance their community information sessions.

This training marks a significant step towards better-preparing Indonesian migrant workers for their roles abroad, ensuring they are well-informed and equipped for their new environments. The collaborative efforts between the CGF, HRC, IOM, BP2MI, government officials, and local organizations underline a shared commitment to the welfare and success of migrant workers.

Join us in supporting the People Positive Palm Project and collaborating to transform labour practices in the palm oil sector. For more information, visit tcgfsocial.com or email.

One of Sands’ essential diversity, equity and inclusion priorities is to create a supportive and nourishing culture that offers growth and development opportunities for all Team Members. A key way this commitment to inclusion and advancement comes to life is through Uni+ed, the Team Member resource group for LGBTQ+ community members and their allies.

“Uni+ed was created to support four core pillars; education, professional development, networking and community engagement,” according to Christopher Melton, who is senior vice president of global premium account management and serves as executive sponsor for Uni+ed. “I think we have largely accomplished what we had set out to do – but I think what Uni+ed has also successfully done is give people a chance to get to know one another, connect in a different way, as well as have a place to be their authentic selves.”

Educational programs to advance professional acumen and community engagement initiatives that benefit local causes as well as unite members have emerged as Uni+ed’s leading offerings.

Developmental sessions have spanned an array of topics such as working successfully in teams, cultivating emotional intelligence for successful interpersonal relationships, and learning about and navigating issues in the LGBTQ+ community via curriculum from The Safe Zone Project. Volunteer engagements have included packing food kits, assembling hygiene supplies and participating in fundraising walks to support local organizations.

Nina Khatami, senior global information governance manager, joined Uni+ed a year ago. “Uni+ed has been a really nice way to connect with people outside of my own department, an opportunity to come together and create connections beyond just day-to-day business interactions. You see people more fully and get so much more perspective about who your co-workers are. It’s really refreshing.”

Khatami also noted the strength of the group’s professional development and education programs, some of which have been replicated for other Sands departments following their rollout through Uni+ed.

“I’m really proud of our professional development programs, which are applicable to anyone,” Khatami said. “One of the first sessions we did was about the five most common dysfunctions of a team, based on learnings from a book by Patrick Lencioni. It was so successful and well-received that other groups and departments have asked the instructor to repeat the session. We get to share this wealth of knowledge so that everyone benefits. It has absolutely enhanced our corporate culture.”

Other education programs offered by Uni+ed have focused on emotional intelligence and the history and experience of the LGBTQ+ community, which included a session on the community’s portrayal in media and pop culture offered during Pride Month 2024.

The group also aims to empower people in being and becoming allies and is planning an allyship session this year.

“Allyship looks different every year,” Khatami noted. “This is a great time to learn more and for people to understand how to support the LGBTQ+ community now.”

For Jack Bonner, senior corporate communications manager, the group’s community engagement and volunteer work has been a highlight. “The most meaningful part of Uni+ed for me has been the volunteer work, because I believe it’s really important to help people when I can. We got to work together as a group to help others, and I also got to know my colleagues a bit more too.”

Community initiatives have included packing food kits for the Just One Project, Southern Nevada’s largest food pantry, by processing food supplies for more than 300 people facing food insecurity in Southern Nevada; participating in Aid for AIDS in Nevada’s (AFAN) AIDS Walk; and volunteering at The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada to assemble kits with hygiene and personal care supplies for distribution to people in need.

Community engagement and volunteerism have been inspiring aspects for Melton as well, and the volunteer service at The Center, where Melton serves on the board of directors, was a stand-out. “The energy and fun that came from Team Members that day was so special for me,” he said. “Days like that show how much Sands cares about our community, and it’s just a wonderful experience to have with your colleagues outside of our workplace.”

Bonner also sees the positive impact and cohesion cultivated through Uni+ed’s events and experiences. “I think Uni+ed and employee resource groups like it really help Team Members form bonds that might not exist otherwise. Uni+ed makes our corporate culture stronger and lets people see tangible support for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Looking ahead, Melton is working with the group to find ways for Uni+ed to build on its success and encourage more Team Members to participate. The group is planning a social outing to celebrate members’ recent professional achievements and advancements and an educational session to assist with public speaking skills. Members also will attend The Center’s Honorarium, the organization’s annual gala fundraising event, on behalf of Sands.

“I would love to see more people who don’t necessarily consider themselves allies right now come to our programs to learn how important their support can be,” he said. “I also hope that Team Members who are still in their journey to come out know they have a welcoming workplace where they can find compassion and encouragement.”

Melton also wants people to know that Uni+ed has support at the very highest levels of the company to grow in ways that can best support the needs of the community.

“While Uni+ed is very much run and directed by the group’s members, our leadership team wants to ensure that the group remains vital and responsive to what members might need or want to do. Uni+ed has given our Team Members a chance to come together, get to know one another, but it also demonstrates Sands’ support for the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.”

To learn more about Sands’ workplace and community DEI initiatives, read the latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resources

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you currently do at GoDaddy?

I’m a Lead Researcher on the Global Research & Insights Team (GRIT) here at GoDaddy. Over the past ten years, I’ve had the opportunity to dive deep into a variety of customer journeys and product experiences. I’m passionate about connecting the dots between our research, customer data, external insights, and my own experiences as a business owner who uses lots of GoDaddy products. From security solutions to domains and website builders, I’ve worn many hats at GoDaddy, and I love the challenge of understanding our customers’ needs and making recommendations.

What inspired your entrepreneurial spirit?

When I was a kid, my father had a small computer software business that took over the basement of our house. It wasn’t successful, but I grew up around computers in the 80s. Then as an adult, I was exposed to the tech startup community while getting a PhD in Biomedical & Health Informatics from the University of Washington. After graduation, I considered joining an early stage health tech startup, but I thought it was too risky at that point in my life. I decided to join GoDaddy as a Researcher and put off this dream until it made sense for me.

Outside of work, you have a healthcare communication app. Would you mind sharing more about it and how it came to be?

The seed for my business was planted many years ago. In 2007, a few students and I won a student grant while at the University of Michigan School of Information. We proposed building a physician expertise sharing app called Casepedia. Fast forward to the pandemic, and a dear friend of mine who is a successful pediatric dentist and entrepreneur noticed that dentists were joining Facebook groups to share expertise. We decided to co-found a startup called CaseDrive to focus on solving clinician communication challenges, a topic I studied extensively in grad school. Since starting our business, we’ve identified a significant gap in the market, most recently for electronic medical record vendors and smaller healthcare organizations struggling with patient-facing and internal communication inefficiencies.

How has GoDaddy assisted you in building out your company?

We’ve bought tons of domain names. I’ve built three websites through GoDaddy. They’re quick and easy to get up and running, so we can focus on customer needs and product delivery! We have email accounts and Microsoft 365 through GoDaddy. We use Domain Pay Links and the low GoDaddy Payments rates, which I feel are unique offerings to evangelize.

What have you learned from your side hustle that you have been able to apply to your work at GoDaddy?

It’s so easy to have empathy for our small business customers, since I am one! I feel every pain point and delight every time something goes well. I have (often strong) opinions on tons of customer discovery, product, and account management flows. I love seeing changes in our experiences since product, marketing, and UX are truly listening to what us employee entrepreneurs have to say. I also understand the business and strategy side of GoDaddy on a deeper level than I did before.

What advice would you give to others who are looking to start a side hustle while working full-time?

Building a successful venture takes time. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You have to truly enjoy the journey to keep going when things get challenging – and they will.

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