ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

CBRE UK Diversity & Inclusion

Nov 27, 2017 10:00 AM ET

CBRE’s Diversity & Inclusion mission is to provide a work environment that attracts, develops and celebrates the professional success of every individual.

Education

255 Schools Advance in Samsung’s $2 Million* National STEAM Contest

Nov 27, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the 255 state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition that challenges students to creatively use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to address real-world issues and inspire change in their local communities. Each year, the program sheds light on societal and environmental problems that affect students in their everyday lives, and empowers them to voice their concerns proactively and unite with their classmates to find a resolution.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Are Retailers Contributing to the Economy?

Nov 27, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Good business has been defined in recent years as companies proactively being responsible and held accountable to their actions. No longer is it enough to develop safe products, recycle, and make charitable donations as the bedrock of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

We’re Inspired

Nov 27, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Inspiration. Tricky to define, but you know it when you see it. And make no mistake…you see a lot of it at Hormel Foods.

The company’s newly coined purpose statement – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ – is all about it, and with good reason. Helping workers feel inspired and free to tap into their inspiration is serious business for the global food company. So is understanding that people are unique and thus, inspired in myriad ways.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Gets a New Leader

Nov 27, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Shundrawn Thomas, the new president of Northern Trust Asset Management, is the first person of color in 128 years in the senior management group at the bank and will help diversity efforts.

"I don't consider myself special per se, but I do know that I have some unique opportunities to have a positive impact."

Education

For the First Time, Technology in the Classroom is Accessible in Nigeria, with the Help of Schneider Electric and Solar Power

Nov 27, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Today, about 1.1 billion people in the world live without electricity. Another billion have unreliable power and 2.8 billion people use coal, wood, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and cleaning. Today, Schneider Electric is transforming the lives of millions of people in Nigeria by partnering with Microsoft and the Lagos State Electricity Board to provide sustainable solar power to over 200 schools and clinics.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Named Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

Nov 27, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Diversity and inclusion are a top priority at Comcast NBCUniversal, and the company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion for our LGBTQ employees. OUT, Comcast NBCUniversal’s LGBTQ-focused Employee Resource Group (ERG), engages people at all levels of the organization, empowering employees to drive exceptional business results while supporting an inclusive, collaborative company culture. The group has grown to over 4,000 members across more than 20 chapters. OUT@NBCUniversal, founded in 1986, was one of the nation’s first LGBTQ-focused ERGs.

Education

Scotiabank Donates $400K to Keyano Education Initiatives

Nov 27, 2017 8:35 AM ET

A $400,000 donation from Scotiabank will go towards sponsoring an annual case competition and bursary program for Indigenous business students at Keyano College.

Diversity & Inclusion

'It's My Aim to Make a Difference' Says De Beers Group's Trizelle Olivier

Nov 27, 2017 8:20 AM ET

Trizelle started at Namdeb in July 2013, working as a temp receptionist. In December that same year, she became permanent as the Human Resources Business Partner.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

NBCUniversal Kicks off 9th Annual “Green Is Universal” Holiday Campaign in Partnership With Arbor Day Foundation

Nov 27, 2017 8:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation is partnering with NBCUniversal for the ninth annual "Green Is Universal" holiday campaign. NBCUniversal will support tree-planting efforts to promote recovery in disaster-stricken areas brought on by the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Energy

Expert Interview With Tracey Dubuque, Onshore Wind Energy Practice Leader

Nov 27, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Tracey Dubuque has worked with Tetra Tech for more than 15 years. She began her career as an engineer working in Tetra Tech’s remediation group. In 2005, she transitioned to working on energy projects, supporting front-end permitting and siting for various wind developers. In 2013, she became the practice leader for Tetra Tech’s onshore wind program.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Carlsberg Group Ready with First Carbon-Neutral Brewery

Nov 24, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Earlier this year, the Carlsberg Group launched a new sustainability programme - Together Towards Zero. One of its four ambitions "Zero Carbon Footprint" is supported by a target to eliminate carbon emissions from all breweries and achieving a 30% reduction in the beer-in-hand carbon footprint by 2030. To achieve the ambitious targets, Carlsberg Group’s breweries will use 100 percent renewable electricity and eliminate coal as a source of energy by 2022.

As part of this journey, Carlsberg Sverige’s brewery in Falkenberg is now fuelled 100% on biogas and green electricity, which reduces the brewery's carbon emissions from thermal energy and electricity to zero.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep North Charleston Beautiful Completes Park Circle Butterfly Garden Improvements

Nov 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Keep North Charleston Beautiful (KNCB) installed a much-needed handicap and wheelchair accessible pathway and seating area in the Park Circle Butterfly Garden this fall, thanks to a 2017 Keep America Beautiful/Lowe's Community Partners Grant.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Microsoft’s World-Class Approach to Employee Engagement

Nov 24, 2017 8:45 AM ET

In this video, Microsoft Philanthropies Director of Employee Engagement Karen Bergin reveals the strategies that elevated their company’s workplace giving and volunteering program to a record 74% participation rate (with 70,000 employees!).

Sustainable Development Goals

Call for Business Tools That Can Be Mapped Against the SDGs

Nov 24, 2017 8:10 AM ET

GRI, the UN Global Compact and WBCSD are inviting further submissions to an inventory, which is part of the SDG Compass, to support organizations in measuring their contributions to the SDGs.​

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The ASPCA Hosts First-Ever Facebook Live-a-Thon for Giving Tuesday!

Nov 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

In honor of Giving Tuesday, a globally celebrated day of giving, the ASPCA is teaming up with Animal Planet and Subaru of America, Inc. to host an all-day Facebook Live Telethon. On November 28, tune into the ASPCA’s Facebook channel for nine exciting and heartwarming segments that will give you a closer look at how we’re changing the lives of animals everywhere with the help of friends like you.

Research, Reports & Publications

LBG Canada Data Stories: LBG Canada Companies Invest $528M in Community in 2016

Nov 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

LBG Canada companies invested $413 million dollars in community, through cash, time, in kind gifts, and program management costs, but they also managed to increase their total footprint by over $115 million through the contributions of their stakeholders.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Names Sodexo SVP Gerri Mason Hall as New Chair

Nov 22, 2017 5:55 PM ET

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation announced that Gerri Mason Hall, senior vice president of human resources services, Sodexo North America, became the new Chair on September 1. As Chair, Mason Hall will lead the Foundation’s efforts to mobilize partners that are developing long-term solutions to end childhood hunger in America based on the belief that no child should be hungry today or risk being hungry again tomorrow.

Social Impact & Volunteering

On Thanksgiving, 1 in 6 Children Wonder If They Are Going to Eat

Nov 22, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Humbled and grateful. These are the two words – and feelings – that keep coming to me as I reflect on my experience with the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. And it’s these words that seem the best description of how I’m feeling this Thanksgiving as I step into my new role as President of the Foundation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

ASPCA Hosts "Cat Friday” Fee-Waived Adoption Event as Part of the Subaru Share the Love Event

Nov 22, 2017 3:00 PM ET

On Friday, November 24, the ASPCA is celebrating its 7th Annual Cat Friday adoption event for the nearly 100 cats and kittens currently available for adoption at the ASPCA Adoption Center. For the first time in its 10-year partnership, the ASPCA will be hosting Cat Friday as a Subaru Share the Love fee-waived adoption event, in support of the ASPCA and the automaker’s longstanding commitment to help animals across the country.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AEG to Serve More Than 2,000 Thanksgiving Meals Throughout Los Angeles Area

Nov 22, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Throughout November, AEG and its affiliates have teamed up with various nonprofit organizations to provide more than 2,000 Thanksgiving meals throughout the Los Angeles community as part of AEG’s Season of Giving, a company initiative that encourages AEG employees to engage in charitable activities and to HOPE. ACT. GIVE. throughout their local communities.

Education

Harrisburg School District Incorporates Computational Thinking Into Its Curriculum to Empower Students with Skills for Future Careers

Nov 22, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Save Room for Dessert

Nov 22, 2017 10:50 AM ET

First, let me dispel a common myth: Nutritionists do enjoy sweets. Dark chocolate is pretty hard for me to resist. And sometimes I just need to make chocolate chip cookies! What I don’t love, however, is the notion of a guilty pleasure. No one should ever feel bad when they’re eating something that tastes good. So I propose taking that phrase out of our vocabulary.

Innovation & Technology

How Nonprofits Harness Artificial Intelligence to Make a Better World

Nov 22, 2017 10:40 AM ET

The idea of access to artificial intelligence (often referred to as “AI” for short) for all is still at a nascent stage. Nevertheless, its potential is limitless – from refugee assistance, to helping students at risk of not completing school, to shortening the response time for teens who are in a personal crisis. During the recent Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, several nonprofit leaders discussed how the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies, such as machine learning, can dramatically improve lives – including those of many who live in the most underserved communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Booz Allen Executive VP Angie Messer Named a Woman of Influence by the Executive Women’s Forum

Nov 22, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Booz Allen Hamilton executive vice president Angie Messer has been named a “Woman of Influence” by the Executive Women’s Forum (EWF). The distinction is given to four women each year in recognition of their “accomplishments and leadership roles in the fields of Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy.” The 2017 awards were given at the 15th Annual EWF National Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona.