Tag: 3BL

There does not have to be a tradeoff between building a sustainability strategy and a strong bottom line. Trane Technologies is proof. Following on the heels of our third consecutive year of 20%+ earnings per share growth in 2023, we have also managed to reduce our absolute energy use by 4% as we’ve simultaneously grown our business. These successes didn’t happen in isolation but are the direct result of our strategy for sustainability. We are showing that you can be a growth company, meet your big sustainability commitments and add value to your customers by helping them meet theirs.

A clear strategy

We launched Trane Technologies over four and a half years ago. From the onset, our investors really valued our focus as a climate innovator and our clear investment strategy, but our sustainability trajectory had already been set more than fifteen years before. We embraced regulation early on, using it as a catalyst for new ideas. We made the decision to relentlessly invest in sustainable innovation despite market risks and industry performance. Now, 100% of our portfolio is focused on sustainability and reducing energy intensity.

Our thermal management systems in our commercial HVAC portfolio are 70% more efficient than they were even five to six years ago. That doesn’t happen in one or two years. It comes from creating a clearly defined strategy and sticking to it. For example, transport markets are currently down in the Americas. Are we still investing in that business? Absolutely. We want to be ready when those markets recover, not starting again from scratch. We maintain a strong market position because of our consistent investment in sustainable innovation. Sustainability is not an offshoot of our strategy. It is the strategy and what’s driving our financial performance.

A growth culture

The way we continue our growth trajectory is by continuing to deeply embed it into our company culture. We seek to foster a culture built on our purpose, diverse in perspective that can grow with our business. To build a culture of growth, you have to have a clear long-term direction. Our consistency is our strength. When you change your strategy and then shift it again in one or two years, it’s disruptive and not in a good way. It can lead to a lack of buy-in from employees and them wondering where you’ll head next. I believe people know what we stand for and because of that, they can rally behind our mission.

Another important piece is encouraging and seeking out diverse perspectives. We believe the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our team members strengthen our business and increase innovation, resulting in better financial performance and business decisions. With the rate of change in our industries, a collaborative environment with diversity of thought is a requirement to keep up. That’s why we’ve worked to have our 2030 Sustainability Commitments—including our commitment to create Opportunity for All—as a central part of our operating system.  

We are creating an inclusive, uplifting culture where people feel they belong and can boldly share their ideas, and we invest in the well-being and career development of our team members so they can thrive. Because of this, we see stronger retention rates than our industrial peers. Having people who want to stay at the company allows us to actively promote from within. And growing with people that already know our mission and direction allows us to keep moving at speed toward our goals. 

Unlocking value for customers

The world is getting warmer. Laws and regulations are requiring our customers to decarbonize. We have the solutions and the people to help them on that journey and address 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions in the process.

Our customers look to us as trusted advisors to help them balance short- and long-term financial, operational and sustainability goals. I believe our product portfolio, direct sales and service workforce and transport and residential dealer networks are second to none. Together, we can partner with our customers to achieve their decarbonization goals, reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and grow our business.

But first, we have to help our customers overcome the misconception that sustainability is more expensive. For example, our hybrid electric Thermo King© Advancer unit in Europe is 30% more efficient than our previous unit. While the initial cost may be more, the total cost of ownership will be less over time, and paybacks are very attractive and accretive to the bottom line. In markets with regulations and fines, sustainability can even help avoid costs. As a CFO, I can appreciate the value of lower operating costs and acknowledging that there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff between sound financial returns and fulfilling commitments to decarbonization.

Sustainable growth

Sustainability is about the long game, and so is growth. This company has a reputation as a strong operator, dedicated to continuous improvement. We are known for credible action on climate and the very real way that our employees are committed to our purpose. We are seeing this consistency translate into growth.

One of our top analysts phrased it this way: “Right place, right time, right culture to capitalize.”

I want us to be thankful for where we are today but always hungry for more. That’s how we’re going to continue to grow the good we can do and advance our business.

We have bold ambitions with many challenges yet to overcome. Even with the advancements we’ve made already, we still have the opportunity to disrupt ourselves through continued innovation. With our strategy, culture and value offering, we are showing that a sustainability growth company is both possible and profitable.

Discover more about our sustainability strategy in our 2023 ESG Report.

SLAUGHTER, La., August 22, 2024 /3BL/ – A team from Entergy’s River Bend Station rolled up their sleeves and got to work recently during the second annual Slaughter Elementary School Beautification Day.

Employees trimmed trees, painted parking lots, beautified buildings, installed new playground equipment and more, in an effort to give back to the community.

“Slaughter Elementary is grateful for the partnership with Entergy’s River Bend Station volunteer group. Their support provides a jumpstart to a strong beginning for a great school year for SES employees, students and families,” said Jenny Thornton, Slaughter Elementary School principal. “Entergy’s participation in this event shows our community members, teachers, support staff, students and families that they care about the future of our school.”

Community engagement and civic responsibility are fundamental to the culture of Entergy. With a steadfast dedication to giving back, employees’ volunteer efforts are making a tangible difference in the lives of those around them.

“We’re incredibly proud of our team’s volunteer efforts,” said Phil Hansett, River Bend Station site vice president. “Their dedication goes beyond providing customers with clean energy. They’re also committed to serving their communities and they demonstrate it time and again. They show up for our friends and neighbors in need.”

This was the second year Entergy team members have participated in the school’s annual event.

Women are the unsung heroes of crisis, yet they are grossly overlooked when it comes to dialogue and decision-making. After surveying more than 13,000 women in 15 countries since 2020, CARE found that 91% led or actively participated in community response. They provide meals and shelter, advocate for change, and work to make communities safer by offering health services and diversifying incomes for their families.

That’s in a context where the number of women impacted by war is rising rapidly. In 2022, 600 million women lived within 50km of an armed conflict. That’s 15% of all women in the world. It’s also more than double the level from the 1990s. And it’s a context where women are locked out of many leadership forums. Of 18 peace agreements signed in 2022, only 1 was signed by a local women’s organization.

Despite their outstanding contributions, women remain largely unrecognized and undervalued. Only 0.04% of media mentions about conflicts since 2013 discuss women leaders, and 95% of coverage excludes women. This lack of representation perpetuates their trauma and challenges. To address these issues, we must prioritize recognizing and valuing women’s leadership. Women often step up as first responders and community builders, but they face significant safety risks that could impact them and future generations. We need to create an environment where women can thrive as leaders, receive support, and feel safe speaking up.

How are women leading?

Women are first responders. When conflict breaks out, women take action. They immediately start organizing responses in their community, without waiting for outside actors. 91% of women CARE spoke to are leading or participating in community groups that respond to crisis. “Women at the community level are volunteering, providing services, being nurses, being teachers, moms at home, teachers at home.” —Woman, UkraineWomen provide shelter, food, and safety. 79% of women are finding ways to make communities safer and 71% are sharing health information with others. “I was able to overcome my silence and I was the first to mobilize the women. Our voices were heard by the authorities, who agreed to patrol every night to prevent men from entering our houses. This was my greatest achievement; I was not afraid or slowed down by anyone. I spoke in public and in front of everyone in order to defend our rights.” —Woman, NigerWomen become breadwinners and lead their families. In 2023, 46% of the women CARE spoke to in conflict countries diversified their income, 43% took care of their families, and 40% used their savings to cushion shocks. “… Women are fulfilling the role men used to perform in the past.” —Woman, SomaliaWomen support their communities. Women build powerful networks of solidarity to support each other in conflict, and they deploy those networks to support whole communities. 40% of women are using savings to help others. “In the face of threat and scarcity, I found strength in solidarity. With no money but a determination to help, I built a network of women who believe in sharing what we have. From baby kits to essentials, we redistribute aid not just among ourselves, but to other woman-headed households that we know couldn’t access aid when distributed.” —Woman, GazaWomen provide health and care services. Women are serving as the front lines of health and care response, whether that is formal or informal, paid or unpaid. Women are key to ensuring that health systems have some resilience in conflict. Since CARE started surveying women in conflict zones, 71% of women have been active in healthcare, especially in sharing health information with others.

What does CARE do to support them?

Invest in equality. CARE recognizes that women are overwhelmingly the first responders in any crisis or emergency, but also that women’s voices are least heard. CARE’s Women Lead in Emergencies is a proven and scalable programming model to enable grassroots women’s groups to address barriers to their participation so that they can take the lead in design and delivery of humanitarian assistance. Since 2018, CARE and partners have worked with the WLiE model in 22 countries. In 2020, this included CARE and partners working directly with 804 women’s groups in Colombia, Mali, Niger, the Philippines and Uganda.Prioritize safety. Our ‘Do no harm’ approach delivers programming across all sectors that: facilitates safe access to goods/services; is responsive to gender-based violence risks; and doesn’t increase the likelihood of gender-based violence.Strengthen livelihoods in crises. CARE’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model offers a promising alternative. It empowers communities by creating local savings groups where people can save and borrow money from each other. This not only helps them survive emergencies but also builds long-term resilience.Place local women responders at the center. The Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) at CARE Philippines doesn’t just treat gender as a checkbox but as a key differentiator. The HPP champions gender sensitivity through CARE-designed Rapid Gender Assessments, leading to responses that are gender-aware and sometimes even transform the way communities view and address gender imbalances . Through the HPP, CARE Philippines has been able to channel 76% of its humanitarian expenditure directly to its partners by simply pre-authorizing partners to access funds for rapid assessments and distributions.Focus on women’s voices. CARE’s Her Voice Report 2024 represents the voices of 9,517 respondents (7,208 women) from 12 countries and shows that women report climate change, food insecurity, and conflict as the top three crises that negatively impact livelihoods, their ability to feed their family, and safety. For 10 years, CARE has been doing Rapid Gender Analysis that showcases women’s needs in crisis and helps plan better responses.Change the narrative. Conflict zones are often portrayed as scenes of despair. While the challenges are undeniably real, this narrative misses a crucial element: the power and resilience of women leaders. By amplifying the voices of women leading progressive action in conflict zones, we can rewrite the narrative and build a future where their courage, resilience, and leadership are recognized and celebrated.

Want to learn more? 
Read the report, or check out the solutions brief.

In 2007, Southwire released its first official sustainability report. 17 years later, we continue to uphold and make progress on our core tenets. The sustainability reports have become an almanac to our forward thinking as a company. Recently, Southwire has released the 2023 sustainability report, which shares progress on Southwire’s commitment to our teams, communities and to the environment.

The report, 85 pages in total, presents the company’s most substantial impacts on the five core tenets of sustainability: Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth. Read the full report here.

“The promise of an all-electric future in North America is here – a movement toward an electrified economy that leverages renewable sources of power to meet society’s evolving energy needs,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s President and CEO. “At Southwire, we are taking a leadership position to ensure we are part of the conversation and the solution toward a sustainable, electrified future.”

The 2023 sustainability report highlights progress toward Southwire’s strategic sustainability goals:

• Living Well: Safety Achievement

In 2023, we achieved a total recordable injury rate (TRIR) of 0.77, a historical best performance and ahead of our target of 0.8.We attribute our success to a strong investment in our proactive safety culture, the hard work of our team members and best-in-class risk prevention processes and tools.

• Doing Right: Ethisphere Achievement 

We met our goal to achieve recognition on World’s Most Ethical Companies list a year ahead of our target, joining a competitive group of 136 companies worldwide.Achievement is based on an intensive review process of each organization’s reputation and ethical practices.Success is attributed to Southwire’s major investment in a robust Ethics & Compliance program, including in our ONE Southwire culture. Thank you to our team members for Doing Right and speaking up!

“We are excited to announce the progress we’ve made towards our sustainability goals, especially the honor of being recognized by Ethisphere as one of its World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2024,” said Burt Fealing, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer.” These initiatives reflect the hard work of our team members as they continue to lead with purpose and do business the right way.”

• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Statement

This year’s report includes our first public climate risk report in alignment with the TCFD framework including:

Climate-related risks and opportunities that are material to Southwire.Their impacts on the organization’s business strategy.

Beyond the 2023 Southwire Sustainability Report, Southwire is proud to further our commitment to our sustainability goals through the 2023 Sustainability Fact Sheet, which provides an overview of the company’s progress towards our 2023 goals and initiatives.

To view Southwire’s 2023 Sustainability Report or 2023 Sustainability Fact Sheet, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.

In 2007, Southwire released its first official sustainability report. 17 years later, we continue to uphold and make progress on our core tenets. The sustainability reports have become an almanac to our forward thinking as a company. Recently, Southwire has released the 2023 sustainability report, which shares progress on Southwire’s commitment to our teams, communities and to the environment.

The report, 85 pages in total, presents the company’s most substantial impacts on the five core tenets of sustainability: Growing Green, Living Well, Giving Back, Doing Right and Building Worth. Read the full report here.

“The promise of an all-electric future in North America is here – a movement toward an electrified economy that leverages renewable sources of power to meet society’s evolving energy needs,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s President and CEO. “At Southwire, we are taking a leadership position to ensure we are part of the conversation and the solution toward a sustainable, electrified future.”

The 2023 sustainability report highlights progress toward Southwire’s strategic sustainability goals:

• Living Well: Safety Achievement

In 2023, we achieved a total recordable injury rate (TRIR) of 0.77, a historical best performance and ahead of our target of 0.8.We attribute our success to a strong investment in our proactive safety culture, the hard work of our team members and best-in-class risk prevention processes and tools.

• Doing Right: Ethisphere Achievement 

We met our goal to achieve recognition on World’s Most Ethical Companies list a year ahead of our target, joining a competitive group of 136 companies worldwide.Achievement is based on an intensive review process of each organization’s reputation and ethical practices.Success is attributed to Southwire’s major investment in a robust Ethics & Compliance program, including in our ONE Southwire culture. Thank you to our team members for Doing Right and speaking up!

“We are excited to announce the progress we’ve made towards our sustainability goals, especially the honor of being recognized by Ethisphere as one of its World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2024,” said Burt Fealing, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer.” These initiatives reflect the hard work of our team members as they continue to lead with purpose and do business the right way.”

• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Statement

This year’s report includes our first public climate risk report in alignment with the TCFD framework including:

Climate-related risks and opportunities that are material to Southwire.Their impacts on the organization’s business strategy.

Beyond the 2023 Southwire Sustainability Report, Southwire is proud to further our commitment to our sustainability goals through the 2023 Sustainability Fact Sheet, which provides an overview of the company’s progress towards our 2023 goals and initiatives.

To view Southwire’s 2023 Sustainability Report or 2023 Sustainability Fact Sheet, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom.

By Kevin, Roy, Chief Public Policy Officer, Shatterproof

Pens, binders, graphing calculator: Check, check, check.

What’s less likely to appear on school supply lists, however, are health-related items for teens and young adults that can help them in the face of the drug epidemic.

Use of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a recent analysis from The Washington Post. The deaths caused by fentanyl are higher than those caused by car accidents, suicides and gun violence.

The recreational drug landscape has changed drastically with the introduction of many synthetic drugs and it has become difficult to know how to educate and prepare youth. Pills and powders are being distributed in hometowns and suburban neighborhoods across America. This is occurring in affluent and middle-class communities as it is in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods.

As a result, deaths involving fentanyl are on the rise in the U.S., spiking 182% in recent years according to the CDC. At least 1,800 teens died from 2019 to 2021 due to a fentanyl overdose. In fact, an average of 22 teens die in the U.S. each week from drug-related fatalities, a death toll driven by fentanyl use, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. These drug-related teen deaths equate to losing a high school classroom full of students each week.

Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment, has information and resources specifically designed to help navigate conversations between parents, caregivers and youth.

Shatterproof has compiled these tips to help equip yourself and your children about the dangers of illicit drug use, what tools are available, where and how to access them, and how to use them: 

1. Promote Good Mental Health

Before a problem ever arises, teach your kids about the safe, tried-and-true ways to manage their mental health, stress life skills and build resiliency. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2021 report recommends habits and routines that support and protect youth mental health. They include:

Take care of your body and mind. Stick to a schedule, eat well, stay physically active, get quality sleep, stay hydrated, and spend time outside. Avoid substances that can ultimately make you feel tired, down or depressed, such as alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and/or tobacco.Learn and practice techniques to manage stress and other difficult emotions. Try to recognize situations that may be emotionally challenging for you and come up with strategies to manage those emotions.Invest in healthy relationships. Social connection is a powerful buffer to stress and a source of wellbeing. But too often in our fast-paced lives, quality time with people gets crowded out. Make space in your life for the people you love. Spend time with others regularly and get involved in group activities, such as recreation and outdoor activities, after-school programs, and mentorship programs.Ask for help. Find trusted adults, friends, or family members to talk to about stressful situations. If you are struggling to manage negative emotions, reach out to a school nurse or counselor, a teacher, a parent or caregiver, a coach, a faith leader, or someone else you look up to and trust.

2. Know the Risks 
It’s a process to educate your children about the real dangers of experimenting with drugs, and it should start when they are young. Kids need to understand that drugs are harmful to their health and can result in death. A study in Pediatrics showed that abstinence for high school seniors improved five-fold over nearly 40 years. Unfortunately, for those who do choose to use drugs, the risks of doing so are greater than ever.

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the equivalent of 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. A one-time experiment with this drug can result in death.Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is being disguised to resemble prescription medications like depressants, ADHD medication and opioids, according to the CDC.Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, so a buyer may think they are purchasing something else, like a sleeping pill or caffeine pill, and end up having a fentanyl overdose.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Laboratory discovered that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2023, 70% now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.Death is not the only risk from illicit drug use. Research shows that individuals exposed to cannabis in adolescence are two to four times more likely to develop a schizophrenia related disorder. Another recent study found even casual marijuana use was “significantly associated” with adverse psychosocial issues among adolescents.

Educate your children about these risks and ensure they do not have access to obtain these substances online or through any other unreliable source. Encourage them to adopt a healthy game plan for their life. Here are several resources for doing so:

“Fentanyl – Get the Facts” – Shatterproof created this four-part video series to educate viewers about who is at risk and how to safeguard themselves and loved ones.“Real Deal on Fentanyl” – Shatterproof served as an issue advisor on this national Ad Council campaign to address America’s overdose crisis, helping young Americans understand the danger and prevalence of fentanyl, which includes lesson plans for middle and high school youth. The campaign also shows drug dealers stepping in as teachers – or “substitute dealers” – to educate students about the fentanyl crisis through the lens of their everyday class subjects, such as chemistry.Fact Sheet on Cannabis – Developed by the Yale School of Medicine with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the fact sheet outlines the risks of psychosis from cannabis.

3. Understand How to Spot and Treat Overdose 
Despite knowing the risks, some will still use drugs. This means that we need education on how to save lives. Opioid overdose reversal medications, such as Naloxone (brand name, Narcan) and nalmefene, are easy-to-use medications that can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes. On pharmacy shelves, you might see Narcan or RiVive. With a prescription, additional options are available, like Kloxxado, Zimhi and OPVEE.

These medications block the deadly effects of opioids, like fentanyl, in the body. These life-saving medications should be onsite on school campuses.

How to Obtain Overdose Reversal Medications

Narcan is available without a prescription in all 50 states. Check a retail pharmacy shelf or ask a pharmacist how to get Narcan.Look for resources from your local health department; use the map at  HarmReduction.org; check community-based programs, based on your state; or select your location on the Next Distro website. A pharmacist or a community health organization can help you understand what is available in your location.

Shatterproof has a Narcan training video available on its website. Before administering, the CDC recommends calling 911 immediately. Try to keep the person awake and breathing and lay the person on their side to prevent choking.

How to Spot an Overdose 
Understanding the common signs associated with different types of drug-related fatalities and taking immediate action can mean the difference between life and death.

Shatterproof outlines how to spot an overdose on its website, along with the various actions to take in the event of an overdose depending on the substance consumed.If your child is experiencing distress, people around them must be able to recognize the signs of an overdose — especially unresponsiveness, slow or erratic breathing, and blue lips and fingertips — and call 911 and administer Narcan.

Encourage your children to surround themselves with trustworthy people who understand that Good Samaritan laws offer protection in most states, should something go wrong. Good Samaritan laws create legal protections for people who call for help in the event of an overdose to encourage and protect bystanders who may otherwise not be willing to call for fear of being arrested for drug-related crimes.

If your child or their friend is living with addiction, it may also be necessary to educate them about access to other tools to prevent death, including fentanyl test strips. These small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs and drug forms, like pills, powders, and injectable substances, according to the CDC. While a useful tool to prevent accidental drug-related fatalities, not all fentanyl test strips can be trusted. It is important to purchase fentanyl strips from health departments, community organizations or other trusted sources.

4. Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe at Home 
It’s important for adults to keep prescriptions drugs secure. Nearly half of prescription drug misuse begins with a family member or loved one, not an illicit drug source. Additionally, remove high-alcohol-content mouthwashes and inhalants such as aerosol cans, paints and glues.

It can be terrifying when your child is using drugs. When they use heroin, fentanyl or other prescription opioids, however, the fear is even greater because they pose a much higher risk of a fatal overdose. While you work on connecting your child with treatment, there are things you can do to help diminish the risk for an overdose:

Have a safety plan. While not endorsing the use of substances, it’s important to accept your child may experiment and focus on reducing harmful consequences. Discuss a safety plan with your child as a precautionary measure to help reduce the opportunity of an accidental overdose. Additionally, let your child know that you care and you want to stay involved in their life in a positive way.Educate your child about the risks of overdosing. If your child has been abstinent from using opioids for any period of time, regardless of the reason, they will then be at a greater risk of overdosing if they return to the substance. A change in tolerance can happen as a result of detoxing, completing a treatment program, being in jail or prison, prematurely discontinuing certain forms of medication-assisted treatment, or simply choosing not to use substances. As a result, your child’s “usual” dose could turn life-threatening. It’s important to have ongoing conversations about the risks associated with lowered tolerance as part of the overall safety plan.Wave the red flags related to combining opioids with other substances. People who use opioids often do so in combination with other substances such as stimulants (e.g., cocaine, meth) and depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, alcohol, sleep medications), placing them at greater risk of death. In combination, these substances can tax the heart and the respiratory system, greatly compromising your child’s health. It is imperative to educate your child about these dangers.

Know that drug use happens in every community no matter a person’s demographics, background or political affiliation. Don’t dismiss your child’s drug use as a rite of passage, a phase or recreational use. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It is crucial to raise awareness and educate children, parents and educators about the real risks of fentanyl-laced pills and how to stay safe while we work toward a future where no one has to lose their life to a preventable drug-related fatality.

For more information, visit shatterproof.org

Covia is investing in the future of the mining and mineral industry by working to educate, empower, and provide real-world experience to the next generation. Over the past two years, Covia has revitalized our internship program – offering students across the country a chance to learn from expert mentors in disciplines across the organization.

With summer coming to a close, we want to look back and highlight our 2024 class of interns. Read on to learn more about Covia’s internship program, our interns’ capstone projects, and what we have planned for the next generation of Covia employees.

Covia’s Internship Program

Covia’s internship program relaunched in 2023 – featuring a new 10-week educational course, weekly discussions and networking opportunities with industry experts, and a capstone project that encapsulates their experience and what they learned. Two of the interns from that class have since become full-time members of the Covia team.

This year, Covia welcomed 10 college students from across the country to our team. The students were recruited from a selection of the best mining, business, and engineering programs in the U.S., including Michigan Tech, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Virginia Tech. Over the past three months, we have watched our interns grow and flourish as they contributed to various operations and departments across Covia.

In addition to the educational and practical elements of the program, interns are encouraged to connect with fellow interns, network with guest speakers after Thank Goodness It’s Internship Friday (TGIIF) events and collaborate with each other through a dedicated channel on Covia’s intranet. Covia team members from the plant level to senior leadership helped these young professionals prepare for their future careers – from practical experience to building up their LinkedIn and networking skills.

TGIIF: Thank Goodness It’s Internship Friday

The TGIIF events were an important part of this year’s internship program – giving interns the chance to learn from and connect with Covia experts like former Covia intern and current plant manager, Brent Fremont.

“I was thrilled to be a part of the Internship Program. Having been an intern myself, it means a lot to me to see the next generation experience Covia and to have the chance to share my knowledge and experiences with these bright young people.”

During their final TGIIF, interns were tasked with putting together a final project to highlight what they’ve learned and accomplished throughout the program.

Intern Spotlight: Victoria Oginski

Victoria Oginski, who is pursuing a degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of California, Berkley, was a product development engineering intern at our Fort Smith, Arkansas, plant this past summer. Her capstone presentation highlights two major projects she worked on during her internship under the guidance of her mentor, Joe Azucena, Development Engineer.

The first project was dedicated to optimizing the amount of grinding aid for the plant’s mill. The second project involved waste reduction and recycling management. Her research and data helped the plant find significant savings over one month, with the potential for much more through further recycling measures.

Intern Spotlight: Cayleigh Ana Kruse

Cayleigh Ana Kruse, who is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at East Carolina University in North Carolina, was an intern at our Huntersville, North Carolina, office.

During her time at Covia, Cayleigh Ana attended numerous meetings with Covia’s sales and marketing teams. One meeting that really stood out was with the marketing team from Mexico, where they chatted about a new opportunity for Covia: the hobby-ware ceramic line.

During the conversation about naming, Cayleigh Ana paid attention to the naming guidelines and came up with a few suggestions of her own—one of which was chosen as the name for Covia’s new ceramic line.

Like Victoria and Cayleigh, each intern was deeply involved with the work of the Covia team during their time with the company. At the end of the program, each intern summarized their experiences and learning when they presented their capstone project to an audience of Covia executives. One theme that clearly emerged was that the interns valued the chance to contribute in meaningful ways—and their Covia colleagues valued their insights and perspective.

Shining a Light for the Next Generation

We are grateful for the incredible work and dedication of this year’s class of interns. We look forward to the future innovations that these talented students will bring to the mining and mineral industry upon graduation.

As this year’s program concludes, we also look forward to the next class of Covia interns. Covia is always looking for talented individuals to join our talented team. Whether you are a college student looking for a summer internship in 2025 and beyond, or if you are an industry professional looking for an organization that empowers its team to succeed, consider checking out our careers page to find an opportunity near you.

Taco Bell blog

IRVINE, Calif., August 9, 2024 /3BL/ – Taco Bell Foundation and nonprofit partner Ashoka announced today the top changemaker in the second Ambition Accelerator Summit, hosted at Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, Calif. Victoria Lamar pitched Securing Degrees, a national scholarship coaching platform that helps students alleviate the financial burden of higher education, winning the challenge and receiving a $25,000 social impact grant.

The prize funding will enable the Atlanta-based initiative to expand and provide additional resources to students aged 17 to 22, especially those from underrepresented communities. Since 2018, Securing Degrees has assisted over 4,000 families in securing $20 million in scholarships, ensuring debt-free education. Students on the platform are provided access to experienced coaches who help identify scholarships, craft compelling narratives, and meet application deadlines.

“Participating in the Ambition Accelerator program has been a transformative experience,” said Victoria Lamar, the 2024 Ambition Accelerator grand prize recipient. “The support and resources provided are empowering me to drive meaningful change and will allow me to take Securing Degrees to the next level. I’m excited to see the positive impact Securing Degrees can make with the help of the Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka.”

After receiving over 370 applications from young people across the country, the Taco Bell Foundation invited the top 50 changemakers, including Victoria, for an immersive experience at Taco Bell’s headquarters this week. These Summit Semi-Finalists were granted the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills by participating in workshops focused on storytelling, community building, networking, and more. Each Semi-Finalist received $1,000 in seed funding for their social ventures, and five finalists were invited to a pitch competition. The grand prize recipient of the pitch competition received $25,000 in addition to previous competition awards and a Taco Bell gift card, gifted by Taco Bell Corp. The other four finalists were awarded an additional $5,000 each to further develop their projects.

“We created Ambition Accelerator to elevate the voices of our future leaders,” said Julie Davis, Global Chief Legal Officer, Taco Bell & Executive Sponsor, Taco Bell Foundation. “By fostering a supportive network and providing essential tools over the past few days, we hope these bright, socially motivated individuals will feel empowered to continue their work and make a difference in their communities.”

In addition to Securing Degrees, the other projects selected to participate in the pitch competition included:

Farms for Thought: Farms for Thought combats food deserts by deploying autonomous vertical farms in schools. Through partnerships and innovative technology, the program aims to improve access to healthy food, promote education, and empower communities.Elevate the Navajo Nation: Navajo youth face challenges such as substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence, hopelessness, and lack of guidance. To address these issues, multi-generational Navajo leaders have created Elevate Navajo, a program that provides mentorship to help youth navigate these challenges. The program aims to build long-term, life-changing relationships, equipping Navajo youth to thrive and contribute to their community.Every Kid Gets a Robot (EKGAR): Founded in 2019, The STEAM Connection is a 501(c)(3) charity led by youth and minorities, dedicated to democratizing technical education for Indigenous youth through robotics by providing free access to cutting-edge solutions. The STEAM Connection has created Every Kid Gets A Robot (EKGAR), an educational robotics kit that costs less than $20 to produce. It’s provided free of charge to K-12 students, boosting their technical skills by 70%. So far, EKGAR has reached 45,000 youth.SignAll: Less than 0.1% of the hearing population understands sign language. SignAll is an AI-based sign language translation app that provides real-time translations by leveraging a mobile device’s camera at the person signing, helping to break down barriers in communication.

To narrow down these breakthrough ideas and select the winner, Taco Bell Foundation invited a panel of judges to deliberate including:

Kim Malek, Founder & CEO, Salt & StrawStephen Green, Founder, PitchBlackChris White, EVP of Brand Partnerships, The SpringHill CompanyNeil Borkan, Taco Bell Franchisee & Chairman, Taco Bell FoundationSG Ellison, Taco Bell Franchisee & President of Diversified Restaurant Group and A&C VenturesTim Bergevin, Vice President of Entertainment & Community Marketing, Taco Bell

“Meeting the participants and witnessing the connections they have made over these past few days is incredible,” said Tia Johnston Brown, Executive Director of Ashoka’s Youth Venture. “The Ambition Accelerator Summit embodies Ashoka and the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to empower individuals to pursue their passion. These young people are already changing the world.”

Funded by Yum! Brand’s $100 million Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, Ambition Accelerator is dedicated to creating pathways for a more equitable and inclusive society. The inaugural Ambition Accelerator India Summit will be taking place in September in Bengaluru.

About Taco Bell Foundation

Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of America’s young leaders. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $188 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.

About Ashoka

Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world’s biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into national, regional and global social impact. For over 40 years, Ashoka has supported over 4,00 social entrepreneurs in 90 countries with solutions addressing society’s most pressing issues. Ashoka’s vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where every individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit ashoka.org.

I only wish I had started my career at Quest about 10 years earlier.

I was looking for a new job when I saw a medical courier for SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories (SBCL) come into a doctor’s office where I was a patient. Who knew that it would lead me to my career, which would turn into now 32 years in the medical service profession!

I started my journey with our company as a route service representative (RSR) for the first few years of my career, then was promoted to an Advanced RSR for a few more years, then to Dispatcher, Trainer, and Group Leader.

I became a supervisor during the time the Quest acquired SBCL and have been in the role for the last 25 years.

I have been a part of many integrations during my career as we continued to grow our company and experienced many positive business relationships along the way. Those relationships aren’t just with our employees, but with our clients in the north Dallas-Fort Worth and northeastern Texas areas.

I have had the pleasure of working closely with many others in various departments, including Patient Services and other leaders throughout our Southwest Region and others. What stands out to me is our teamwork with other Logistics leaders. We also feel a part of the lab and we come together to celebrate success.

What I would say to anyone who is interested in becoming an RSR or joining our company would simply be this: We work in service of our patients. If that sounds like a good fit for you, you can get personal fulfillment in your career.

The responsibility is yours to take initiative to learn, grow daily and apply yourself so that you are ready to follow the career path as opportunities present themselves.

I appreciate that I get to share my experiences with others as they join our company, supporting and encouraging them to do their best for those we serve. It must come from the heart when you interact, support, and do your best to lead as an example to others. You hope that you have made a positive difference to someone along the way.

Above all, be happy in what you choose to do.

Schneider Electric

The urgency of climate change is not a prediction on a graph. It’s a real and present danger impacting communities worldwide. Our response needs to be a fair and inclusive energy transition — one that leaves nobody behind.

We’re all in this together

Climate change doesn’t respect borders. Smoke from North American wildfires can cloud skies in Europe and melting glaciers in Greenland threaten coastlines in Bangladesh. The World Bank estimates climate change could displace over 200 million people by 2050. Climate disasters, like droughts or flooding, will see entire communities disperse worldwide to find safer homes.

The burden, however, isn’t equally shared. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates 3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in highly vulnerable contexts, especially those in poverty or with limited access to basic services and resources.

Rural communities, often reliant on agriculture and local water resources, face severe challenges due to climate change. But they’re not the only ones affected. Over half the world lives in urban areas, where they face expanded health risks from extreme heatwaves and air pollution that exceeds World Health Organization guidelines.

What’s more, climate disasters have caused deep economic losses globally. Just as the world is interconnected, so are its effects — impacting environmental, social, and economic fronts. Consequently, our response must also be systemic.

Energy at the core

When solving a complex problem, it’s often useful to identify a common denominator. Take energy, the main contributor to global warming, responsible for around 70% of carbon emissions, yet an obstacle to livelihoods, development, and well-being in many parts of the planet which still lack reliable access to energy.

Considering the projected two billion increase in population and 50% increase in electricity demand by 2050, more people will need access to energy in the future. But as these figures rise, so does the skills gap: with a predicted shortage of 2.8 million electricians worldwide and only 24% of the energy sector comprised of women. The ramp-up of energy skills will be critical to our net-zero transition. A systemic approach requires more investments in clean energy, more accessible solutions, and more people with energy skills.

Three combined levers for action

Local innovation: Impact funds empower local communities to develop solutions for their ecosystems. Schneider Electric has invested in more than 50 such companies to date. One example is Reseau Eco Habitat in France, helping low-income households perform sustainable building renovations and escape energy poverty. Another is Xurya Daya, an Indonesian solar leasing service whose beneficiaries have already saved the equivalent of 97,000 tons of CO2 emissions.Clean and affordable energy: Reliable electricity is crucial for development. Solar, microgrids, and software solutions can transform communities. In India, Schneider Electric’s projects have brightened the lives and prospects of remote villages like Pandry by installing solar-powered irrigation, charging, and lighting solutions.Empowering people: The right investments and solutions won’t suffice unless we also let people master their future. By weaving energy management and entrepreneurial training into our efforts, we unlock the full potential of people – particularly the youth. In Africa, Schneider Electric provides training equipment to technical schools, upskilling students in sustainable solutions.

A chain reaction to access the future

We’re all part of a chain of impact that will decide our planet’s fate. Creating access to the future is an imperative for Schneider Electric, and one that expresses our purpose to “bridge progress and sustainability for all”. To achieve this, our initiatives work together to create a holistic approach.

The result: building resilient and sustainable communities globally – in every sense of the word. This is how we create immediate and lasting positive impact for generations to come.