Tag: 3BL

By Kyndle Huey

Regions’ Technology, Operations, Digital and Data interns have spent the summer honing their skills in cybersecurity, infrastructure, analytics and … landscaping?!

“Our internship program is more than just a way for college students to gain work experience, it’s also an opportunity for us to introduce them to Regions’ culture and values, which includes putting people first and enjoying life,” said Viviana Valenzuela, Technology, Operations, Digital, and Data Emerging Talent Program Manager.

“One way we do this is this is by introducing What A Difference A Day Makes, Regions’ volunteer program, and volunteering with a local organization.”

So, on July 25 for National Intern Day, the interns came together at Birmingham, Alabama’s Avondale Park to do some light landscaping around the park’s rose garden. The effort was coordinated with Friends of Avondale Park, a volunteer organization with over 150 members that supplements the work of the City of Birmingham’s Parks and Rec department to care for one of the most unique and widely used parks in the city.

Our internship program is more than just a way for college students to gain work experience, it’s also an opportunity for us to introduce them to Regions’ culture and values, which includes putting people first and enjoying life.

Viviana Valenzuela, Technology, Operations, Digital, and Data Emerging Talent Program Manager

“The day’s terrific work with a group of volunteers from Regions allowed us to do necessary mulching and care to nurture this rose garden through the warmest months of summer,” said John Forney, president of the board of Friends of Avondale Park and longtime neighborhood resident.

“We enjoyed working with the interns, who were a willing and impressive group. They immediately formed teams and coordinated efforts among themselves. I quickly learned that their abilities, friendliness and eagerness to contribute exceeded my expectations.”

Despite the day’s inclement weather, the group’s sunny attitude helped make the day a success.

“I collaborated with my intern friends and everyone came together and helped out the community,” said Brooks Trebeje. “I really enjoyed my time.”

Part of Regions’ Emerging Talent program, the internship program offers college students the chance to gain invaluable knowledge of our workplace and culture, and many go on to start their professional journey as full-time Regions associates after graduation.

Read more about Regions’ associates and their volunteer work in our communities

Hometown HeroesBuilding a Foundation of PossibilitiesRegions Bank Teams Celebrate Financial Literacy Month by Sharing the Good

Women continue to be underrepresented when it comes to founding companies. To illustrate, a 2020 study revealed that in Germany, for example, only 11.9 percent of start up founders were women1. This also has a negative impact on Boehringer Ingelheim, as it results in a lack of talented women and capable external partners. To address this issue, we conducted the Top Female Founders summer school in 2023.

Elisabeth Krahulec, Head of Unit Funding, was impressed by the enthusiasm for this training project. “The interest surpassed our expectations. Over two hundred women applied, and one hundred of them from more than fifty countries took part in the summer school.” The participants trained for three weeks online and for one week in Vienna. Their task involved developing a business case connected with a real need in the healthcare sector, for example health literacy.

The project attracted international attention. It was supported financially by the European Union’s EIT Health program, and the Institute’s network was also of great assistance in running the summer school.

“The summer school was a win-win situation,” explains Peter Bencsik, Sustainable Development & Innovation Manager. “The participants acquired new skills for their entrepreneurial ambitions. And Boehringer Ingelheim benefited from new, intensive contacts in line with our MORE HEALTH and MORE POTENTIAL targets. Word has also spread about our commitment in this area, and the promotion on social media by participants has enhanced our image with decision-makers. We are therefore looking forward to running this project again in 2024.”

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Find out more about Boehringer Ingelheim’s global sustainability initiatives, ranging from creating more sustainable healthcare solutions and community engagement with impact to environmental stewardship in Imagine: our sustainability story hub

Find out more about the Top Female Founders Summer School, 2024 here.

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1 Female Founders Report 2021: Only a few women found companies – but if they do, they do so successfully

Imagine this: a lifetime of hard work poured into a small business, a dream realized brick by brick. You’ve weathered economic storms, outpaced competitors, and built a loyal customer base. But what if, in an instant, a natural disaster – a hurricane, a wildfire, a flood – could sweep it all away

Approximately twenty-five percent of small businesses never recover from such catastrophes. That’s not a statistic; it’s a heart-wrenching reality for countless entrepreneurs. But it doesn’t have to be yours.

On August 24th, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin will be roaring onto the Daytona International Speedway with a message louder than any engine: prepare for the unexpected. His car will be a high-speed billboard for a lifeline: the Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) program.

Funded by FedEx and powered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, R4R is a safety net for small businesses. It’s like having a pit crew ready to jump in when disaster strikes. By completing a simple disaster preparedness checklist – available in both English and Spanish – you could be eligible for a $5,000 grant if a disaster hits your area.

Imagine that money repairing the damage, restocking shelves, or covering payroll. It’s fuel for your business to keep racing forward.

Every second counts in a race, and every minute counts in a disaster. Don’t let a crisis catch you off guard. Register for the R4R program today. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving. Because in the high-stakes game of business, preparedness is the ultimate victory.

Visit the R4R website now and start building your resilience. Your business deserves a fighting chance.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Our supply chain can provide significant access to small and diverse businesses—from the everyday actions of our associates to our long-term partnerships as a global asset management firm. In recognizing U.S. Black Business Month as we do every August, T. Rowe Price reflects on our goal to grow collaborations with Black small businesses and entrepreneurs. We recognize that supplier diversity is a business imperative, essential for our business and cultural growth.

Supplier diversity is integral to our mission of supporting the communities where our associates live and work. For instance, in Baltimore, we made a conscious effort to use local resources in the construction and buildout of our new headquarters. Leveraging our partnership with the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, we were able to identify certified, locally owned, diverse, and small businesses to provide interior and exterior products and services, including the supply and installation of workspace furniture.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, there are 3.5 million Black-owned businesses operating across the country. Corporations should leverage these strategic, prosperous partnerships within their communities. In addition to creating opportunities for diverse and small businesses, these partnerships bring sustainable, community-driven thought leadership to key business strategies.

Corporations need to engage with suppliers who meet core capabilities and provide the best price, product, and service. Diverse ownership is a bonus. Suppliers want corporations to see them as a competitive source. It’s the responsibility of corporations to create access and ensure fair consideration of all suppliers.

Our Supplier Diversity program is designed to promote an inclusive procurement mindset that encourages the consideration and use of diverse and small suppliers in the T. Rowe Price corporate supply chain. We achieve this by integrating supplier diversity in our business and sourcing practices to generate efficiency, promote innovation, develop sustainable partnerships, and increase opportunities for the diverse and small business community.

We urge other corporations to invest in supplier diversity while also inviting diverse and small businesses to explore our supplier diversity and sustainable procurement initiatives. Register your business with us at troweprice.supplierone.co.

Taco Bell blog

Taco Bell International is home to over 1,100 restaurants in 31 countries outside the US. From building the brand in new markets, to disrupting the food industry with culturally relevant innovations, our international teams embody the Restless Creativity spirit in their efforts of taking the Taco Bell magic worldwide. As we head into what we’re calling “The Summer of International,” we’ll be sharing their personal journeys, exciting adventures overseas, and career growth stories that have quite literally taken them across the globe.

Charles S. works out of our London Restaurant Support Center as Director of Finance and Development.

On the daily, you could say he has two main roles…

“I look after our Franchisees’ Profit and Losses, making sure they are healthy and keep getting even better via a variety of initiatives. Second, my role is also making sure that we supercharge our growth both in Europe and in the UK, so I look for pockets of growth in the form of new market entries, but also explore what would help our existing franchisees. Finding potential sites for development, determining the right incentives for the right number of stores with our franchise partners, and welcoming great partners to the system summarizes what I do.”

So, how’d he get here? Let’s take it back to his early years!

“I was born in Paris, France, but spent 10 years of my life in the U.S. between high school, college and later for my MBA in New York! College was a crazy-cool yet eye-opening experience for me as I went to Duke University in North Carolina, which couldn’t have been more different than my high school experience at the Lycée Francais (French high school) in Manhattan, New York. That’s where I got to see the variety of culture the U.S. has to offer…and became a college basketball fan!”

Ready to jumpstart his career, Charles stepped into the world of corporate finance in Paris.

“The first big part of my career was in corporate finance. I started in Paris doing high-yield debt refinancing, then decided to go full-time focusing on M&A [mergers and acquisitions] deals in Real Estate and Retail. When our son Henri was born, my wife and I quickly realized that the 100-hour weeks were not compatible with being a dad, so, I went to another company and did Finance for them as Director of International Strategy.”

And then came an irresistible offer to join Yum! Brands’ KFC division…which led him to The Bell.

“At my previous company, I had met several Yum! alumni who blew me away and this was a huge part in my decision to join KFC UK, and by the end of 2022, I joined Taco Bell. I am going to let you in on a little secret…Taco Bell is my absolute favorite brand, always has been. Some people dream of working for very specific brands…and for me, it was Taco Bell! The brand accompanied me throughout my teenage and young adult years in the U.S.”

Now, Charles spends his time opening the coolest restaurants around the world.

“It’s honestly a blast. I get to live what Taco Bell can accomplish in Europe, day to day! Taco Bell is the coolest restaurant brand in the world, period. And part of my job is combining the coolest restaurant brand in the world with some of the most culture-rich areas the world has to offer. There is huuuuge customer appetite for our mind-blowingly yummy tacos!

So, if he could choose one international menu item, it would be…

“Spain’s Quesarito, hands down – need I say more?”

Looking to the future of Taco Bell International, Charles is excited to be part of what’s to come.

“In the coming years, we are planning to enter a number of new European markets, and I cannot tell you how proud I am to be part of this journey.”

“It is my responsibility to find sites, develop them and open them. It’s super exciting, frankly quite new for Taco Bell International and a bit daunting…but this goes to show how much Taco Bell invests in International and bets on teams to make bold moves. I love being part of this hugely strategic project.”

BOSTON, August 21, 2024 /3BL/ – Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, today announced its recognition with Communitas Awards for three exceptional projects: “The Power of Trees” campaign; the Cloquet Water Savings Project; and the Somerset Mill Safety Record. These awards highlight Sappi’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation and workplace safety.

The Power of Trees

Sappi’s “The Power of Trees” campaign, recognized under the Corporate Social Responsibility category, showcases the renewable, regenerative and recyclable nature of wood fiber. This initiative educates consumers on the sustainable benefits of trees, aiming to replace single-use plastics and other fossil fuel-derived materials. The campaign has been instrumental in altering consumer perceptions about the use of trees, emphasizing that North America now has more forestland than a century ago and that wood fiber is the remarkable material of the future.

For Sappi’s employees, the video effectively highlights the numerous innovative applications of wood fiber, many of which were previously unknown to them. This realization has not only instilled a sense of pride among the workforce but has also served as a valuable recruitment tool, attracting new talent by showcasing the industry’s sustainable and forward-thinking practices.

“We are honored to receive this recognition for our efforts to showcase the innovative, responsible and sustainable uses of our natural resources,” said Patti Groh, Director of Communication for Sappi North America. “The Power of Trees video is essential in communicating our commitment to sustainable practices, and it has greatly motivated our employees.”

Cloquet Water Savings Project

Under the Sustainability category, the Cloquet Water Savings Project has been recognized for making significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of Sappi’s Cloquet Mill. By implementing innovative treatment programs, the project has successfully reduced total suspended solids (TSS) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the mill’s effluent. These efforts have cut costs and reduced the load sent to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD), contributing to compliance and environmental preservation. “We are pleased that our team at the Cloquet Mill has been recognized for their commitment to clean water in their community, and we hope this project serves as an example to others producing wastewater within the industry that they can achieve similar results through capital investments, innovation and R&D to boost sustainability within their local communities,” said Patti Groh, Director of Communication for Sappi North America.

Somerset Mill Safety Record

Recognized in the Ethics in Business category, the Somerset Mill’s remarkable safety record is a testament to Sappi’s unwavering commitment to workplace safety. The mill achieved nearly 5 million hours without a lost time injury in 2023. This accomplishment reflects the success of Sappi’s dedication to safety, including robust training programs and a culture of safety that empowers employees to take ownership of their well-being.

“‘Safety starts with me’ is more than a motto—it’s a core value at Sappi,” said Groh. “Our safety record at Somerset Mill is a result of relentless focus and dedication from every employee and contractor. We are committed to maintaining and enhancing our safety standards to ensure a safe and secure working environment for all.”

For more information on Sappi’s award-winning initiatives and commitment to sustainability and safety, please visit https://www.sappi.com/.

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About Sappi North America, Inc. 

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. Our four diversified businesses – high-quality Graphic Papers, Dissolving Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers – deliver premium products and services with consistent quality and reliability. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers are used for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Pulp, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers. We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. 

Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. www.sappi.com 

About the Communitas Awards

The Communitas Awards honor excellence in corporate social responsibility and community service. These awards recognize organizations that are committed to creating sustainable, impactful changes in their communities and industries.

Contact

Haley Sinacole
Account Executive
Matter Communications
1 978 518 4508
sappi@matternow.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif., August 21, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) published its annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, detailing progress toward its strategic Corporate Responsibility goals in 2023. AMD focuses its efforts on key issues that have the greatest impact on its business and society, determined through an ESG materiality assessment[i], including environmental sustainability; digital impact; diversity, belonging and inclusion; and supply chain responsibility.

“We are in the midst of a major inflection point in the computing industry, and it is more important than ever to put our values into action and align our efforts with some of the biggest challenges facing our world, including addressing climate change and energy demand, enabling advancements in science and medicine, and respecting human rights,” said Justin Murrill, director of Corporate Responsibility at AMD. “At AMD, we continue to deepen collaboration with partners and peers to address these important issues and responsibly drive our industry forward.”

Key highlights from 2023 include:

Advancing Environmental Sustainability

Through a holistic approach to chip design centered on performance and energy efficiency, AMD delivers a broad range of compute engines for end-to-end AI infrastructure. Innovations like the chiplet architecture AMD pioneered can address sustainability challenges during product use as well as in the manufacturing process. For instance, producing 4th Gen AMD EPYC™ CPUs with up to 12 separate compute chiplets instead of one monolithic die saved ~132,000 metric tons of CO2e in 2023 through avoidance of wafers manufactured, 2.8x the annual operational CO2e footprint of AMD in 2023, and 4.9x the water use of AMD operations in 2023[ii]. AMD also continues to make progress on its goal to deliver 30x energy efficiency improvement for processors and accelerators powering servers for HPC and AI training from 2020 to 2025, and AMD solutions power more than half of the top 50 most energy efficient supercomputers on the latest Green500 list.AMD designs AI and high-performance computing to help customers and partners tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges while achieving their sustainability goals. As AI becomes the dominant workload, AMD solutions are helping data center operators modernize their infrastructure to address space and power challenges. For example, a single 4th Gen EPYC™ server can replace five legacy servers, reducing rack space by 70% while consuming 65% less energy[iii].Across its operations, AMD has reduced carbon emissions 24.5% since 2020. In 2023, AMD sourced 40% of its energy used from renewable sources, up from 18% in 2020. In the supply chain, AMD foundry partners reduced total water withdrawals from wafer manufacturing by increasing recycled water use by 34% (2022-2023).

Accelerating Scientific Research and STEM Education

Since 2020, more than 150 universities, research institutions and non-profit organizations have received donated AMD technology through the AMD AI and HPC Fund and STEM initiatives, benefiting approximately 61 million people through scientific research and education.[iv] As part of these efforts, in 2023, AMD made donations to institutions working in areas such as AI and Machine Learning systems and applications research, incorporating AI in scientific applications and various HPC and AI teaching and training initiatives.The company also continues to expand STEM education with the AMD Learning Labs program and established a new lab at Maynooth University in Dublin, Ireland. In addition to technology and funding, AMD employees around the world provide mentoring and hands-on learning with students through a variety of programs and events.

Empowering People and Communities

AMD empowers employees to do their most impactful work, supported by opportunities for development, engagement and belonging. Driven by these efforts, in the 2023 AMDer Survey, 92% of employees said AMD creates an environment where people of diverse backgrounds can succeed.In 2023, AMD launched Advancing Women in Tech, a comprehensive learning experience designed to empower, retain and support AMD women in technical careers. The program was completed by over 230 women in its inaugural year and is expanding with additional cohorts in 2024. AMD also welcomed its first cohort of veterans through the Hiring our Heroes program in 2023.AMDers around the world logged over 25,000 hours of volunteer time through individual and team-based activities throughout 2023.

Collaborating Across the Value Chain

AMD cultivates strong partnerships across its value chain and carefully selected manufacturing partners to advance human rights, environmental sustainability and supply chain resilience. In 2023, AMD expanded due diligence efforts to mitigate adverse impacts to human rights where possible, including additional responsible minerals due diligence. Aligned to the company’s goals, 84% of AMD Manufacturing Suppliers had Responsible Business Alliance audits between 2020-2023.[v]AMD continues to work closely with suppliers to expand education and resources on environmental and human rights issues. Over the last three years, 95% of AMD Manufacturing Suppliers across Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan that work with labor agents to recruit migrant workers have attended the RBA Forced Labor Prevention workshop.

Learn how AMD chiplet architecture innovations are advancing sustainability

To learn more about these and other Corporate Responsibility updates, explore the full 2023-24 CR Report here.

AMD prepared this year’s report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. In addition, the report includes climate-related disclosures included in the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as well as relevant disclosures in applicable Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards. AMD also annually reports to CDP on climate change and water, as well as reporting on how AMD is making progress in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Supporting Resources

Explore research enabled by the AMD AI and HPC FundRead more about data center modernization with AMD EPYC

About AMD

For more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership high-performance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) website, blog, LinkedIn and X pages. 
 

[i] We include certain disclosures, reports, and information on various environmental, social, and corporate responsibility-related matters on our website (collectively, our “ESG Materials”). Our ESG Materials may contain information that is significant; however, any significance should not be read as necessarily rising to the level of the definition of materiality used for the purposes of our compliance with reporting requirements, including the U.S. federal securities laws, even where we use the word “material” or “materiality” in our ESG Materials (including where we use it in connection with our materiality assessment) or in other materials issued in connection with the matters discussed in our ESG Materials. We have used definitions of materiality in the course of creating our ESG Materials and the goals and metrics discussed therein that do not coincide with or rise to the level of the definition of materiality used for the purposes of our compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws. Moreover, given the uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions inherent in the matters discussed in our ESG Materials, and the timelines involved, materiality is inherently difficult to assess far in advance. In addition, given the inherent uncertainty of the estimates, assumptions and timelines associated with the matters discussed in our ESG Materials, we may not be able to anticipate in advance whether or the degree to which we will or will not be able to meet our plans, targets or goals.

[ii] AMD estimation based on defect density (defects per unit area on the wafer), chip area and n-factor (manufacturing complexity factor) to estimate the number of wafers avoided in one year. Yield = (1 + A*D0)^(-n) where A is the chip area, D0 is the defect density and n is the complexity factor. The area is known from our design, D0 is known based our manufacturing yield data, and n is a number provided by a foundry partner for a given technology. The calculations are not meant to be precise, since chip design can have a large influence on yield, but it estimates the area impact on yield. The carbon emission estimates of 132,064 mtCO2e were calculated using the estimated number of 5 nm wafers saved in one year, based on the TechInsights’ Semiconductor Manufacturing Carbon Model. Comparison to AMD corporate footprint is based on AMD reported scope 1 and 2 market-based GHG emissions in 2023: 46,606 mtCO2e. Water savings estimates of 1,110 million liters were calculated using the estimated number of 5 nm wafers saved in one year times the amount of water use per 300mm wafer mask layer times the average number of mask layers. Comparison to AMD corporate water use is based on AMD 2023 reported value of 225 million liters. 

[iii] SP5TCO-022B: As of 02/28/2023 based on AMD Internal analysis using the AMD EPYC™ Bare Metal Server & Greenhouse Gas Emission TCO Estimation Tool – version 8.22, estimating the cost and quantity of 2P AMD EPYC™ 9654 (96 core/CPU) powered server versus 2P Intel® Xeon® Platinum 8130 (28 core/CPU) based server solutions required to deliver 380 total virtual machines (VM), requiring 1 core and 8GB of memory per VM. 

Environmental impact estimates made leveraging this data, using the Country / Region specific electricity factors from the ‘2020 Grid Electricity Emissions Factors v1.4 – September 2020’, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency ‘Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator’.

This scenario contains many assumptions and estimates and, while based on AMD internal research and best approximations, should be considered an example for information purposes only, and not used as a basis for decision making over actual testing. 

For additional details, see https://www.amd.com/en/claims/epyc4#SP5TCO-022B.

[iv] The time period for the Digital Impact goal includes donations made after January 1, 2020 and initiated by December 31, 2025. “Initiated” is defined as AMD and the recipient organization reaching an agreement on an AMD donation, which must be delivered by July 30, 2026. Reported data includes: direct beneficiaries defined as students, faculty, or researchers with direct access to AMD-donated technology, funding, or volunteers; and indirect beneficiaries defined as individuals with a reasonable likelihood of receiving research data formulated through AMD-donated technology and potentially gaining useful insights or knowledge. AMD conducts annual surveys with recipient organizations to estimate direct beneficiaries, and in the case of the AI & HPC Fund, indirect beneficiaries as well. To address gaps and/or inconsistencies in survey responses, AMD uses an economic-based impact assumption to estimate the total number of indirect beneficiaries (not applied to direct beneficiaries) by dividing the total market-value of donations in a given years by the total reported indirect beneficiary values from recipients’ surveys for the same year. The data shows the ratio is 1.08 on average for the 3 years of data available (2021, 2022, 2023). Therefore, AMD assumes for every $1M USD of market-value donated, approximately 1.08 million people will indirectly benefit. AMD also assumes that the annual estimated indirect beneficiaries in year 1 continues to reach additional individuals in year 2 and year 3, but at a reduced rate. The impact depreciation rate assumes year 2 beneficiaries amount to 50% of year 1 estimates, and year 3 beneficiaries amount to 25% of year 1 estimates. AMD goal calculations are third-party verified (limited level assurance) based on data supplied by recipient organizations, which is not independently verified by AMD, and AMD economic-based impact models based on data supplied by recipient organizations.

[v] AMD calculations are third-party verified (limited level assurance) based on data supplied by our Manufacturing Suppliers, which is not independently verified by AMD.

Contact:

Sarah Feller
AMD Communications
(512) 574-5583
sarah.feller@amd.com

Suresh Bhaskaran
AMD Investor Relations
408-749-2845
suresh.bhaskaran@amd.com

KeyBank announced an investment of $450,000 in the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) to bolster its Advanced Masonry Pre-Apprenticeship Program (AMP). The program is designed to empower individuals facing barriers to employment and other marginalized populations to find living-wage careers or another opportunity that moves them forward in life.

AMP is a hybrid training model for skill development in the trade industries. The primary goal of the program is to identify promising talent within TIP’s masonry program and provide them with specialized training alongside experienced professionals. This strategic approach expedites the transition from training to employment.

“The Advanced Masonry Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides an opportunity to fill in-demand positions across greater Pittsburgh, while building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves,” said Vic Laurenza, KeyBank Western Pennsylvania Market President. “KeyBank is so proud to support this program and the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh on their mission of removing barriers to resources and training for our community members. We believe everyone – regardless of their situation – deserves a chance at a successful future and quality training is just one of the many building blocks for that success.”

“Our hybrid training program provides our students with a supportive learning environment while encouraging employers to invest in a new generation of skilled professionals,” said Donta Green, Executive Director of TIP. “Employers can establish a talent pipeline with TIP, allowing them to develop relationships with promising students who may become valuable employees.”

All participants of AMP will receive wrap-around support services including: case management, trauma-informed counseling, financial literacy, career awareness skills, and other support unique to their individualized service plan. Upon completion, pre-apprentices will earn 350 credit hours toward their four-year apprenticeship program and a starting wage of $28/hour plus benefits.

Located in the Homewood community of Pittsburgh, TIP has graduated more than 700 men and women since 2013. Graduates have entered into jobs with self-sufficient wages, meeting a growing need for skilled tradespeople in the bricklaying, masonry and carpentry fields.

Since 2017, Key has made community investments totaling more than $525 million in Western Pennsylvania which supports low to moderate income individuals and neighborhoods through lending for affordable housing, small businesses, mortgage and transformative philanthropy.

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.

ABOUT THE TRADE INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH 

The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) is a non-profit organization providing tuition-free vocational training opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment and those who need additional support to begin their careers. Students learn core masonry and carpentry skills and leave TIP with good-paying jobs. TIP is located in the Homewood community of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2013, the Trade Institute has engaged and empowered over 800 men and women throughout Allegheny County to meet a growing need for skilled tradespeople.

ESG-Labeled Bond Issuance Has Declined, but Quality Has Improved

After a rapid ascent, issuance of ESG-labeled bonds has fallen back recently, even as we’ve observed that the overall quality of the market has improved (Display). That’s an intriguing combination—with an explanation.

We’ve analyzed over 11,000 ESG-labeled bonds, comparing each bond’s stated intentions at the time of issue with actual performance 12 months later (for example, how the bond’s proceeds were allocated across different projects, and the ESG impact of those projects).

Using three criteria—disclosure, plus ambition of and credibility versus targets—and employing more than 20 underlying factors with different weightings, we calculated a quality (or strength) score for each bond, enabling us to compare them across issuers, universes and vintage years.

The surge in strength scores aligns with our experience: weaker issues are coming to market less frequently, so the overall quality of the new-issue market is rising and greenwashing seems less of an issue. We also believe that much of the improved strength is a result of diligent active investors guiding issuers to develop stronger ESG-labeled bond structures.

Our own engagements* offer examples. A global utility company issued sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) with ambitious targets, which it missed. Our discussions with management revealed the reasons were both temporary and outside their control. We commended their ambition and supported further SLB issuance. Also, a European consumer company’s SLB targeted substantial scope 3 emissions reductions—even though many peers only disclose scopes 1 and 2.

*AB engages companies where it believes the engagement is in the best interest of its clients.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams. Views are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

The Social Impact Partner Spotlight series highlights various Cisco non-profit organization partners that are helping transform the lives of individuals and communities. This blog features Cisco’s partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust, highlighting the amazing work these organizations are doing to support and nurture the creativity, resiliency, and leadership of youths worldwide. 

International Youth Day 2024, celebrated on August 12, shines a spotlight on the boundless potential and innovative spirit of young people across the globe. This year’s theme, ‘Youth for a Sustainable Future,’ underscores the critical role that young individuals play in driving positive change and fostering more sustainable development. As we honor their contributions, the Cisco Foundation and its partners also recognize the importance of empowering youth with the tools and opportunities they need to build a brighter, more inclusive world for all. Learn more about the incredible work the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust are doing in this space.

Raspberry Pi Foundation

“Young people need to be protagonists in this world increasingly impacted by digital technologies. Our goal is to empower all young people to understand and shape these technologies, so they can use them for solving the problems they care about.” —Phil Howell, Chief Technology and Product Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation enables young people to realize their full potential through the power of computing and digital technologies, reaching millions of learners every year. With the Foundation’s support, young people build the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to explore computing, engage and create with digital technologies, and use these technologies for social good.

In partnership with Cisco, we’ve improved our support for young people who are taking their first steps in learning to code. Through Code Club World, a free platform for learners as young as age 9, over 400,000 young people worldwide have engaged in simple block-based activities. Learning with Code Club World takes place at home, as well as in over 40 countries in the extensive global network of Foundation-supported, free, in-person Code Clubs.

To promote onward progression, Cisco supports the Foundation’s development of a text-based coding tool for Python and HTML/CSS/JavaScript. This Code Editor is designed especially for young people and supports mobile and tablet devices, as well as low-bandwidth internet connections to remove barriers to access.

Participants from Code Club can take part in Coolest Projects, which is a celebration of young digital creators and the cool things they make with technology. This year more than 7,000 young people from 43 countries took part. Their innovative projects included Net Zero Home, by Reyansh, Advith, and Aditya from India, which featured a model residential building, designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. It is inspiring to see young people using digital skills to create projects that matter to them.

Together, Cisco and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are giving thousands of young people opportunities for the future by enabling them to progress their coding skills anywhere, and on any device.

How Raspberry Pi Foundation is making a difference:

Since its launch, over 100,000 learners have engaged with the Code Editor worldwide as part of the Foundation’s free coding projects for young people.Last year, the Raspberry Pi Foundation reached 1.2 million learners through online learning on our Projects site.40% of young people who access the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s in-person coding clubs are girls.

How to get involved:

You can help young people learn to code and get creative with technology by volunteering at a Foundation-supported Code Club near you or starting a new one.By donating to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you will ensure more young people all over the world gain the digital skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

Digital Opportunity Trust

“Digital Opportunity Trust empowers young people in Africa and the Middle East by providing platforms and resources to amplify their voices and turn their ideas into impactful actions. Through digital literacy and 21st-century skills, DOT supports their initiatives and engagements, enabling them to become change-makers who lead transformative projects, driving positive change and fostering inclusive digital economies in their communities.” 
—Janet Longmore, Founder and CEO, Digital Opportunity Trust

Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) has been instrumental in mobilizing young people to lead climate awareness and community action across Africa and the Middle East. With the generous support of the Cisco Foundation, DOT launched its inaugural climate project, “Mobilizing Young People as Leaders of Climate Awareness and Community Action.” This initiative harnesses the energy, creativity, and urgency of youth to build grassroots resilience to climate change. At its core is the DOT Climate program, an experiential learning experience for youth leaders, known as Climate Champions. These champions are equipped with a climate curriculum and community placements to empower them to work alongside people in climate-vulnerable communities, increasing their ability to survive and thrive in a changing climate. Learn more about Climate Champions in this video.

In the program’s first year, DOT collaborated with experts to develop an innovative four-week curriculum that blends intensive education on climate science with training in mindfulness, digital skills, climate advocacy, and social innovation. Additionally, DOT and its partners created a custom toolkit enabling Climate Champions to guide small-scale climate action projects in their communities using participatory action research (PAR). The cohort of Climate Champions comprised 19 recent university graduates from Lebanon and Tanzania, who, after completing the curriculum, engaged 14 communities and reached over 600 community members. They faced various challenges but ultimately succeeded in helping communities identify and address their most pressing environmental needs, demonstrating the potential for local solutions to global problems.

How Digital Trust Opportunity is making a difference:

19 Climate Champions from Lebanon and Tanzania engaged with 14 communities, reaching over 600 community members86% of community members indicate an increase in climate-related knowledge while 78% indicate greater motivation to actThe DOT Climate program impacted 624 people, with 365 women and 259 men participating100% of Climate Champions can confidently explain the science of climate change and its impact on vulnerable communitiesMore than three-quarters of the Climate Champions felt confident in inspiring others through their optimism by the end of the program, a significant increase from less than a quarter at the start

By collaborating with DOT and local communities, participants can help amplify efforts to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability practices.

How to get involved:

Volunteer as a Mentor: Professionals can share their expertise and experiences by mentoring young Climate Champions. This guidance helps develop essential skills and confidence needed to lead impactful projects in their communities.Participate in Local Environmental Projects: Individuals can get involved in local climate action initiatives supported by DOT. Whether it’s organizing community clean-ups, planting trees or conducting awareness campaigns, participating in these activities can make a significant difference.

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