WK Kellogg Co Supports Soil Health Education and Farmer Innovation Through the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund

WK Kellogg Company — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:30:00 -0400

At WK Kellogg Co, we believe healthy soils are the foundation of resilient farming communities, thriving ecosystems and a more sustainable food system. Through our support of the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund, we are helping expand opportunities for soil health education, farmer-led innovation and youth engagement initiatives across Nebraska.

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund is working to strengthen the future of agriculture by investing in projects that advance regenerative agriculture, soil biology, water stewardship, biodiversity and hands-on agricultural learning. Together, these efforts are helping producers, students and communities explore practical approaches that improve soil health, strengthen farm productivity, protect natural resources and build resilience for future generations.

One example of this impact is Battle Creek High School FFA member Claire Schmidt, whose award-winning agriscience research demonstrates the leadership and innovation emerging from the next generation of agricultural stewards. Schmidt won the Nebraska State Agriscience Competition in the Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems category with her project, "Optimizing Nitrogen Application to Maximize Crop Yield, Economic Returns, and Soil Health." Supported through funding from the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund and an anonymous donor through Nebraska Community Foundation's Youth Engagement Grant, her research showed how optimized nutrient management can improve economic returns while supporting soil health and protecting water quality.

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund continues to invest in farmers, educators and community organizations working to advance soil health knowledge and adoption throughout Nebraska. By supporting locally driven solutions and practical on-farm learning opportunities, these investments help create agricultural systems that are productive, environmentally responsible and economically sustainable.

Here at WK Kellogg Co, we are proud to support this work alongside other donors and community partners who share a commitment to sustainable agriculture, natural resource stewardship and agricultural education.

As a result of this collective investment, the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund will increase its maximum grant award to $2,500 for the next two grant cycles, creating additional opportunities for farmers, educators and students to pursue innovative soil health projects that deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.

"We're proud to support the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund and its efforts to expand opportunities for soil health education and innovation," said Sarah Ludmer, Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg Co "Healthy soils are foundational to resilient farming communities, thriving ecosystems and a sustainable food system. Investing in soil health helps create opportunities for farmers today while supporting future generations of agricultural leaders."

Supporting initiatives like the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund reflects WK Kellogg Co's broader commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and building resilient communities through its Feeding Happiness sustainable business strategy. By investing in soil health education, farmer innovation and youth leadership, WK Kellogg Co is helping create positive outcomes for people and the planet while supporting the long-term sustainability of the agricultural systems that help feed communities across the country.

Smile Train Earns Top Recognition From Leading Charity Evaluators for 2026

Smile Train — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:05:00 -0400

Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, has once again earned top recognition from leading nonprofit evaluators Charity Navigator, Candid, and GreatNonprofits for 2026. These renewed ratings reflect Smile Train’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, financial stewardship, and the meaningful impact of our work for children and families affected by cleft conditions globally.

For donors, partners, and supporters, these recognitions serve as trusted signals of Smile Train’s effectiveness and responsible management. They demonstrate that the organization operates responsibly and remains focused on delivering sustainable solutions through its global network of local medical partners.

Each recognition highlights a different aspect of nonprofit excellence. Charity Navigator recognizes nonprofits that demonstrate strong financial health, accountability, and measurable impact. Candid, formerly known as GuideStar, highlights organizations that provide comprehensive, transparent information about their mission, programs, goals, and results. GreatNonprofits is based on reviews and stories from volunteers, donors, and community members, reflecting the real-world experiences of those who know our work best.

Together, these honors strengthen confidence among supporters and reinforce Smile Train’s reputation as a trustworthy organization. For many donors, independent evaluations like these play an important role in understanding how nonprofits operate and making informed decisions about where to give.

“These recognitions are a reflection of the dedication and collaboration of the entire Smile Train community,” said Elyse Taub, Chief Development Officer at Smile Train. “Every team member, partner, volunteer, and supporter contributes to the accountability and impact that these ratings represent. These achievements belong to everyone who helps advance our goals.”

As Smile Train continues working toward a future where every child born with a cleft has access to the care they need to live a healthy, full life, these renewed recognitions reaffirm the organization’s commitment to excellence.

To learn more about Smile Train’s work and global impact, visit www.smiletrain.org.

SLB Earns Top Score on 2026 Disability Index for Fifth Consecutive Year

SLB — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:35:00 -0400

For the fifth consecutive year, SLB has earned a top score on the Disability:IN 2026 Disability Index^®, a leading benchmark that measures disability inclusion and accessibility practices.

This year, SLB has been recognized on the index as one of the World's Top Disability Inclusive Businesses, a distinction that highlights SLB's disability inclusion efforts, including global best practices and locally led initiatives.

“This year’s Disability Index shows that leading companies are embedding disability inclusion into the core of how they operate. It's shaping how businesses design products, build trust and drive innovation. The companies leading today are the ones building more adaptable, resilient and future-ready organizations,” said Jill Houghton, president & CEO, Disability:IN.

The index measures performance across a range of disability inclusion practices, including employee resource groups (ERGs), accessibility of buildings and digital content, accommodation processes, disability inclusion training and employee support programs.

“We are proud to be recognized in the Disability Index again this year and named one of the world’s top disability-inclusive organizations," said Carlos Sarmiento, director of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at SLB. "The index provides data-driven insights to help assess inclusion in the workplace and identify actions to drive progress. Focusing on workplace inclusivity creates opportunities and builds a culture where all employees can contribute and thrive."

Supporting these efforts is SLB’s ThisAbility Network, an ERG that provides a global community for employees with disabilities, long-term health conditions and caregiving responsibilities. The network provides opportunities for employees to share experiences, access peer support and promote learning across the organization.

This recognition follows SLB’s inclusion earlier this year on the 2026 Forbes Accessibility 200 List, an annual ranking focused on accessibility and disability inclusion.

Learn more about SLB’s inclusive culture here and in the company’s Sustainability Report.

Whirlpool Foundation Announces 2026 Sons & Daughters Scholarship Recipients

Whirlpool Corporation — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Celebrating 74 Years of Investment in Education, the Foundation Awards up to $585,000 in Financial Aid to 20 Future Leaders Across 11 U.S. Communities.

The Whirlpool Foundation recently announced that it has awarded 20 scholarships to the students of Whirlpool Corporation employees through the Sons & Daughters College & Vocational Training Scholarship Program. The scholarship program is in its 74th year.

These scholarships celebrate the best and brightest among high school seniors across Whirlpool Corp. locations - including the company’s 10 U.S. manufacturing communities. The Whirlpool Foundation provides these scholarships through a competitive process in which children of more than 20,000 U.S. employees are eligible to apply.

“We have seen firsthand how these awards make a tangible difference, providing the educational foundation these students need to launch their chosen career paths.”

“We are proud to invest directly in the future of America's next generation of leaders through this long-standing scholarship program,” said Traci Robinson, managing director of the Whirlpool Foundation. “We have seen firsthand how these awards make a tangible difference, providing the educational foundation these students need to launch their chosen career paths.”

The students listed below have been selected to receive a 2026 scholarship.

From global headquarters in Benton Harbor, Mich.:

Logan Bellinger, child of Ryan Bellinger
Juhi Bhatt, child of Aarti Mutatkar
Samara Kiwale, child of Christopher Kiwale (Vocational)
Elijah Neidlinger, child of Jason Neidlinger
Audrey Rodewald, child of Marci Rodewald
Pihu Sahai, child of Tiru Sahai
Ethan Sherrod-Watkins, child of Asia Wimbush-Sherrod

From manufacturing operations in Amana, Iowa:

Shreeya Shetty, child of Shekhar Shetty

From manufacturing operations in Cleveland, Tenn.:

Masyn Gladson, child of Jamie Gladson
Ian Morgain, child of Patience Morgain

From manufacturing operations in Clyde, Ohio:

Matthew Kreh, child of Michael Kreh
Taliyah Farris, child of Talib Garrett

From manufacturing operations in Findlay, Ohio:

Neeti Barot, child of Trushna Brahmbhatt

From manufacturing operations in Greenville, Ohio:

Gavin Stachler, child of Shawna Stachler

From manufacturing operations in Marion, Ohio:

Miley Corbin, child of Carla Bollinger
Patience Delaney, child of Aleyna Brodman

From manufacturing operations in Ottawa, Ohio:

Madeline Liebrecht, child of Greg Liebrecht

From manufacturing operations in Tulsa, Okla.:

Lilia Benoit, child of Jean-Francois Benoit

From other U.S. locations:

Sara Barragan Ferrer, child of Adriana Ferrer (Florida)
Cooper Wey, child of Bill Wey (North Carolina)

The Sons & Daughters College & Vocational Training Scholarship Program has provided more than 2,600 scholarships and honor awards totaling over $18 million, with 86 scholarship and award recipients currently attending colleges, universities and vocational schools across the U.S. Children of any full-time Whirlpool Corporation employee at the director level and below are eligible. Students pursuing a 4-year degree will receive $30,000 over 4 years and students working toward a 2-year vocational degree will receive $15,000 over 2 years toward their respective educational costs. Students must maintain a 2.8 grade point average to maintain their scholarship.

Whirlpool Foundation
Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. "House" supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and "Home" focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.

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With Three Businesses of His Own and a Day Job, This Yum! Facilities Supervisor Isn’t Horsing Around

Yum! Brands — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Yum! Brands

When Dan Shacklett first agreed to help finish a fence on Angie Clark’s Kentucky farm, he thought he was lending a hand. He didn’t realize he was stepping into a future that would include thousands of feet of fencing, three horse-related businesses and, eventually, a wedding.

“She had 16 unfenced acres, so I went to help,” Shacklett said. “I didn’t know I was going to put up 2,700 more feet of fence all by myself. That’s how I knew it was love.”

This fall, Shacklett will marry Clark, and together they run Royal Creek Farm, where they board horses, manage a breeding program and build custom pieces for the equestrian community. Their third venture, Red Oak Customs, grew out of Shacklett’s lifelong ability to make and fix things. He builds everything from picture frames and signs to horse tack trunks and show-ready barn setups.

That hands-on skill also serves him in his day job at Yum! Brands, where Shacklett is a building and facilities supervisor at the company’s Restaurant Support Center (RSC) in Louisville, Kentucky. His role is part project manager, part problem solver, making sure his team knows that his door is always open if they have a personal issue or need advice.

Shacklett’s days are long, starting at 3:45 a.m., tending to the horses before hitting the gym and then sitting down at his computer by 5:30 a.m. He tries to leave the office around 3 p.m., then heads straight to Royal Creek Farm. There, he feeds the horses, checks the creek and makes sure debris hasn’t caught in the fencing or gates. After that, he heads to the garage to work on customer orders for Red Oak Customs. By 8 p.m., he stops to eat dinner, watch the news and get a few hours of sleep before doing it all again.

Foaling season can make that already full schedule even more unpredictable. There have been times Shacklett called his coach, Yum! Corporate Services Manager Royce Blevins, to say he’ll be late — not because he overslept, but because a foal was arriving.

“Dan is an early riser. If he's not in the office by 6 a.m., it's because he's bringing a magnificent foal into this world!” said Blevins. “He's not only a great building engineer, he's an excellent horseman!"

For Shacklett, the farm is less a hobby than a return to his roots. He grew up on a 150-acre farm where his family raised tobacco, cattle and four Belgian draft horses (the kind of big, sturdy horses people often compare to Clydesdales). Those early years shaped the way he sees animals and the way he approaches work.

“A horse is just a big dog,” he said. “You just have to be easy with them and talk to them. They’re like big puppies that eat a little more.”

Shacklett has always been drawn to work that requires his hands. Before joining Yum! eight years ago, he worked in conveyor maintenance, served as a contractor in Afghanistan helping train and manage local workers and worked as a machinist. Long before any of that, he was the kind of kid who took things apart just to understand how they worked.

“If I couldn’t figure out how to get it back together, then I’d get whipped,” Shacklett said. “So you figure out real quick how to put it back together!”

That practical mindset has carried into every part of his life, from managing facilities projects at the RSC to building the infrastructure at Royal Creek Farm from the ground up. He is quick to point out that the horse world is not all polished arenas and blue ribbons. Show horses may be in the ring for only 10 or 15 minutes, but getting them there takes months of training, travel, care and planning.

Still, he wouldn’t trade the long days. His favorite part is simple: being with the horses. Each has its own personality, from the retired Hackney Road pony named Whiskey to Bocelli, a boarded horse with torn retinas who relies on Whiskey to help guide him back from the creek.

“Wherever Whiskey goes, Bocelli goes with him,” Shacklett said. “Sometimes Bocelli can get down to the creek by himself, but he can’t always find his way back up the hill. Whiskey will go out there, nudge him and bring him back. It’s sweet.”

That connection is what keeps Shacklett going, even on five hours of sleep. The farm is demanding, but it also gives him something he can’t always find in the middle of a busy workday: quiet focus.

“If you have a bad day, you can go out there and mess with the horses, and the stress goes away,” he said. “You’re focused on them — how they’re doing, what they need. That’s my stress relief.”

For Shacklett, that balance is possible because of the support he feels at Yum!. He says his team knows his phone is always on and that he’ll answer if there’s an issue. In return, he appreciates the flexibility to manage the occasional early-morning foal or farm emergency.

“They know if there’s an issue, I’ll answer the phone,” Shacklett said. “We’re very flexible.”

It is a fitting arrangement for someone whose days are built around responsibility — to his team, the building, the animals and the future he and Angie are building together. What started as a fence line has become a life stitched together by work ethic, craftsmanship and care.

10 Nature-Inspired Startups Selected To Drive the Next Wave of Biomimicry Innovation

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:40:00 -0400

SEATTLE, July 27, 2026 /3BL/ - The Biomimicry Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a Nature Positive, inclusive, and regenerative world inspired by nature’s genius, is proud to announce the ten startups selected for the 2026 Ray of Hope Accelerator. Now in its seventh year, the Ray of Hope Accelerator continues to be one of the world’s leading programs supporting nature-inspired entrepreneurs working at the intersection of biomimicry, climate, and innovation.

Selected from a competitive global applicant pool, the 2026 cohort represents the breadth and depth of what becomes possible when founders look to nature not as a backdrop, but as a guide. Over the course of the program, each startup will receive $15,000 in non-dilutive funding, and access to over $50,000 in resources and expert support. Additionally, each startup will participate in a Nature Retreat, and receive mentorship from leaders across science, deep tech, entrepreneurship, and impact investing.

“Each cohort we welcome into the Ray of Hope Accelerator is a testament to what happens when brilliant, committed founders stop asking ‘how do we fix this?’ and start asking ‘how would nature solve this?’” says Biomimicry Institute CEO, Amanda Sturgeon. “The 2026 cohort embodies that shift. These ten startups are not just inspired by the living world, they are learning from it, rigorously and humbly, and building solutions that have the potential to reshape industries. We are proud to walk alongside them.”

The 2026 cohort was evaluated by a 20-member Selection Committee whose expertise spans science, deep tech, entrepreneurship, investing, and beyond. Their guidance ensures the Ray of Hope Accelerator remains rigorous and grounded in identifying ventures with both scientific credibility and real-world potential.

Meet the 2026 Ray of Hope Accelerator Cohort

BioWraptor, Inc., United States of America – Utilizes tardigrade-inspired synthetic peptides to protect perishable biomolecules from heat and degradation, eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive cold-chain logistics.

DisperseBio Ltd., Israel – Redefines biofilm and biofouling control through biomimetic peptides inspired by nature. Its breakthrough technology tackles over $100B in annual industrial and maritime damage by activating microbes’ natural, sustainable dispersal pathways instead of relying on toxic biocides.

Fungi Life Corporation, Colombia – Leverages a cell-free formula to replicate the natural biochemical strategy that fungi use to emulsify and break down complex hydrocarbons, accelerating oil spill and soil remediation without introducing live microbes into the environment.

Mireta Urban Dynamics LLC, United States of America – Translates the 500-million-year-old network intelligence of slime molds into generative design algorithms that help planners build highly resilient, resource-efficient city infrastructure.

PhysaFlow, Inc., United States of America – An edge-native AI platform that leverages the universal design principles of biological flow networks to progressively unlock the estimated 30–40% of AI data center capacity currently stranded—reducing power, cooling, and water consumption while increasing workload capacity, all within existing infrastructure to address global AI demand.

Renovenergy S.A.S, Colombia – Develops cost-effective green hydrogen electrolyzers using bioinspired silicon electrodes that are inspired by the nanoscale geometry of mitochondria to achieve high electron-transfer efficiency without relying on scarce precious metals.

Semion Corp, United States of America – Makes plants defend themselves by restoring natural defense mechanisms lost during domestication. Rather than targeting pests directly or genetically modifying crops, they activate plants’ own immune responses, enabling crops to repel pests, attract natural enemies, and become more resistant to diseases.

Terrament, Inc., United States of America – Builds underground gravity storage in existing mines to tackle the growing energy crisis driven by data centers and aging infrastructure, using a patented, cable-free conveyance system inspired by the metachronal wave motion of caterpillars to support massive payloads across extreme vertical drops.

WAVR Technologies, Inc., United States of America – Builds atmospheric water harvesting technology, inspired by the Australian tree frog’s ability to extract water directly from air, to bring water resilience to the world’s most resource-constrained industries.

Xatoms Inc., Canada – Utilizes proprietary AI and quantum chemistry to design novel, visible-light-activated photocatalysts that mirror the solar-powered chemistry of photosynthesis to destroy persistent water contaminants without chemicals or toxic byproducts.

“I was deeply impressed by the caliber and creativity of this year’s Ray of Hope Accelerator applicants. What stood out most was the strength of the science, the clarity of their potential impact, and the thoughtful ways these startups are translating nature-inspired ideas into scalable solutions for global challenges.” – Tak Sing Wong, 2020 Ray of Hope Participant (spotLess Materials), and current Biomimicry Institute Board Member.

This announcement is an invitation to investors, partners, mentors and advocates to join this growing community and support these founders in reshaping what the future can look like when nature leads. These ten startups step into the program carrying not only their own vision, but the momentum of every founder who has come before them, and the conviction that nature’s 3.8 billion years of innovation holds the answers we all need right now. To follow the journey of the 2026 cohort and stay connected to the work, follow The Biomimicry Institute on LinkedIn and subscribe to the newsletter.

About the Ray of Hope Accelerator

Now in its seventh year, the Ray of Hope Accelerator has supported more than 60 nature-inspired startups across six cohorts, building a global portfolio that look to the living world for solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. The program is made possible through the continued support of keystone partner The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, alongside the EcoShift Collective.

To learn more about the Ray of Hope Accelerator and the 2026 cohort, click here.

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About the Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by Janine Benyus in 2005, on a mission to create a nature positive, inclusive, and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius. The Biomimicry Institute is embarking towards a ten-year vision to dramatically scale the impact that biomimicry is having on some of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Since its founding in 2005, the Institute has worked to spread the practice of looking to the solutions developed by living organisms over billions of years to provide insight and inspiration for effective, efficient, and sustainable innovations and approaches to addressing our own challenges. As the Institute embarks into their third decade, they are fully committed to work across sectors and disciplines to spread the wisdom of nature-inspired, actionable solutions across our world. For more information, visit www.biomimicry.org.

Media Contact

Jen Fredette
The Biomimicry Institute
media@biomimicry.org

Fifth Third Receives 'World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business’ Recognition

Fifth Third Bancorp — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:25:00 -0400

CINCINNATI, July 27, 2026 /3BL/ - Fifth Third (NYSE: FITB) has been named a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business by The Disability Index^®, recognizing the Bank’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities through inclusive workplace practices, accessible banking solutions and community partnerships.

The recognition reflects Fifth Third's commitment to creating opportunities for employees to grow their careers, contribute their talents, and reach their full potential.

“Creating an environment where all employees feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed helps us better serve our customers and communities. We are honored to be recognized by Disability:IN for the progress we continue to make,” said Nancy Pinckney, chief human resources officer for Fifth Third.

An initiative of Disability:IN, The Disability Index is the world’s leading third-party benchmarking tool for evaluating corporate disability inclusion and is used by hundreds of leading companies across the globe. It provides data-driven insights to assess performance, identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement over time.

This recognition builds on Fifth Third’s broader commitment to responsible business practices. Earlier this year, Ethisphere named Fifth Third one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for the seventh time.

“Inclusion is about ensuring every individual has the opportunity to participate, contribute and thrive,” said Nate Bennett, chief inclusion officer for Fifth Third. “Whether through our people, our products or our community partnerships, we are committed to expanding access and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”

Fifth Third’s commitment to disability inclusion extends across its workforce, community partnerships, suppliers and customer offerings. By advancing accessibility and inclusion, Fifth Third is helping ensure employees, customers, suppliers and communities have greater opportunities to achieve their goals and financial well-being.

Fifth Third is a leading partner of Project SEARCH, a one-year program that helps high school students with disabilities transition into the workforce. Since the program’s inception in 2005, Fifth Third has trained more than 425 individuals, including 29 current employees, helping expand access to meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Fifth Third’s commitment to inclusion is reflected in its network of 11 Business Resource Groups, which help foster belonging, strengthen community connections and drive business innovation. Open to all employees, these groups create opportunities to share perspectives and experiences while contributing to a workplace where employees can thrive.

Fifth Third was also the first bank to design a checking account for the Achieving a Better Life Experience program, or ABLE. These accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save and invest assets for disability-related expenses.

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About the Disability Index

The Disability Index^® is the leading benchmarking tool for advancing disability inclusion in business worldwide. Trusted by over 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine opportunities for progress through data-driven actions and outcomes.

An initiative of Disability:IN, participation is open to companies operating in countries around the globe. Learn more at DisabilityIN.Org.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that's as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we've been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it's one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is to be the one bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

CONTACT

Amanda Nageleisen (Media Relations)
amanda.nageleisen@53.com

Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)
matt.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345

Recognized Today, Building What Comes Next

Leidos — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:05:00 -0400

At Leidos, strategy and values aren’t just aspirational — they show up in the work. A series of recognitions this year, across business performance, being a great place to work, and community investment, reflects what that looks like in practice.

For the eighth year running, Leidos ranked No. 1 on the Washington Technology Top 100, the definitive measure of scale in the federal technology market spanning digital infrastructure, systems integration, telecommunications and professional services.

“Our top ranking is a meaningful measure of scale in the federal market, but the deeper story is trust,” said Leidos Chief Growth Officer Jason Albanese. “Our customers continue to place their trust in Leidos year after year, mission after mission. They do so because we understand the outcomes they need and bring a clear focus on delivering with speed and precision.”

Leidos also ranked No. 62 on The Wall Street Journal’s inaugural Best Companies for the Future list, a new ranking of the top S&P 500 companies based on AI readiness, talent, innovation, agility, and more. For Leidos, the recognition signals readiness — to lead in AI, adapt to shifting talent needs, and compete in the markets that matter most.

In addition, Leidos also ranked No. 260 on the 2026 Fortune 500™ list, which measures the largest U.S. companies by revenue. That standing reflects the scale and staying power Leidos has built over decades.

“These rankings and recognitions, taken together, speak to the strength of the Leidos business and the confidence our customers have in us to deliver. Through our NorthStar 2030 strategy, we are focused on the markets and technologies that matter most, and we intend to keep earning that confidence.”
Jason Albanese, Leidos Chief Growth Officer

Earlier this year, Forbes named Leidos among America’s Best Companies and America’s Best Large Employers— recognition that the same commitment driving performance in the market also shapes how Leidos invests in its people.

And a top ten ranking by the Washington Business Journal for corporate philanthropy reflects something beyond the balance sheet, that Leidos takes seriously its role in the communities where its people live and work.

“That we’re also recognized as a great place to work and a committed community partner is a huge source of pride for all 50,000 Leidos teammates,” Albanese said.

Southwire’s Project GIFT Hosts Annual Back to School Drive in West Georgia

Southwire — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

On Saturday, July 18, Southwire’s Project GIFT distributed essential school supplies to thousands of K-12 students in the West Ga. community through its annual Back to School drive.

More than 80 volunteers gathered at Midway Church in Villa Rica, Ga., to participate in one of the company’s signature Giving Back events.

Over the course of the morning, more than 3,600 bags of school supplies were given out to community members. An additional 1,000 bags were donated to nonprofit and school partners in the West Ga. region.

“We saw an incredible turnout from the West Ga. Community,” said Kristian Whittington, Southwire’s Director of Giving Back. “Cars were lined up well before the event began, and the line continued throughout the morning as families came to receive the supplies they need for a successful school year. Moments like these remind me why I love the work we do. Watching our volunteers come together to serve this community is truly inspiring, and I'm grateful to work for a company that believes being a good neighbor means showing up, giving back and investing in the places we all call home.”

The West Ga. event was only one of many school supply drives taking place across the Southwire footprint. Over the weekend, similar drives were held in Denton, Texas, Florence, Ala. and Starkville, Miss. Throughout this back-to-school season, 26 Southwire communities will hold similar drives or work with local organizations to help K-12 students in their areas get ready for the academic year.

2026 marks the twenty-second annual Back to School Drive hosted by Project GIFT. Ahead of the event, additional Project GIFT volunteers packed and prepared 30,000 bags of school supplies to be distributed throughout Southwire’s communities.

“One of the things I love most about Southwire is how we give back,” said Kisha Robinson, senior buyer at Southwire who has been volunteering with Project GIFT for 14 years. “I’ve been a part of Back to School, Toys for Tots and disaster relief with Project GIFT. Southwire never wavers; It continues to support its community.”

Southwire’s Back to School giveaway is made possible each year by the generosity of community partners. This year’s presenting partners include CDT Construction, University of West Georgia, RaLin and MedImpact.

Other event partners include Jason Templeton State Farm, Gradick Communications, Heart Wood Products, Phoenix Wood Products, New Leaf Marketing, Times Georgian, 3:16 Healthcare, Tisinger Vance, West Ga. Technical College and Wilson Outdoors.

Southwire and West Ga. Technical College will continue the Back to School spirit in the community with the My Favorite Teacher contest. Through the contest, up to 22 teachers across Southwire’s footprint will each receive $1,000 for their classrooms based on student nominations.

Students can nominate a teacher now through August 1, 2026, by submitting a written or video entry sharing why their teacher should be selected at https://sowire.co/myfavoriteteacher.

Individuals who are not located in the West Ga. area and would like more information about Back to School in their area or about the My Favorite Teacher Content may call the Project GIFT Hotline at 770-832-4729 or send an email to project.gift@southwire.com.

For the latest news and information from both Southwire and Project GIFT, visit southwire.com/sustainability.

MetLife 2025 Sustainability Report: Expanding Access to Financial Services

MetLife — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:40:00 -0400

MetLife

Through digital distribution and local partnerships, we develop solutions to meet customers where they are, expanding access to resources, care and financial support across communities.¹ This approach translates into inclusive, accessible solutions:

MetLife uses “bancassurance” arrangements in several markets to expand financial access and security by embedding insurance within banks. Through bancassurance partnerships, we enable bank customers to seamlessly access insurance, wealth and retirement solutions that support stronger, more resilient financial futures. These arrangements and alliances, such as our joint ventures with leading institutions like Punjab National Bank in India and BIDV in Vietnam, allow us to collectively reach millions of customers. We collaborate closely with our bank partners to build deep product expertise through regular training, helping advance financial inclusion.
Through embedded insurance, MetLife is seamlessly integrating coverage into the purchase of other products or services. As one example, MetLife Xcelerator leverages technology to embed insurance into everyday digital experiences, helping democratize access to protection across Latin America through its partnerships with 31 digital platforms. MetLife Xcelerator continues to expand to address the dynamic demands across the region, recently developing embedded insurance solutions and microinsurance products designed for firsttime insurance users with Grupo Mercado Libre’s fintech Mercado Pago in Brazil and Mexico and with C6 Bank, a leading digital bank in Brazil.

Globally, we develop and continuously improve our products and services to meet the unique needs of our customers and changing demographics. We have products that provide financial protection to a broad range of people, including veterans, seniors, young adults, caregivers and people from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, professional experiences and abilities. Continuing to evolve our offerings helps us capitalize on market opportunities and maintain long-term growth.

Learn more about how MetLife is expanding access to financial services in the MetLife 2025 Sustainability Report

¹ Product availability, features and benefits vary by jurisdiction and regulatory framework.

Wesco Recognized as a 2026 World's Top Disability Inclusive Business

Wesco International — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

PITTSBURGH, July 27, 2026 /3BL/ - Wesco announced today that it has been recognized as a World's Top Disability Inclusive Business based on its performance in the 2026 Disability Index®, the leading global benchmark for disability inclusion in business from Disability:IN.

This recognition reflects the company's continued commitment to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. The recognition highlights Wesco's efforts to advance accessibility, foster belonging and create opportunities for employees across its global organization. It also underscores the meaningful contributions of the company's Business Resource Group ABLE – focused on supporting employees with disabilities, along with caregivers and parents for those with disabilities.

"Creating a workplace where employees of all abilities can succeed helps us build stronger teams, foster innovation and better serve our customers," said John Engel, Wesco Chairman, President and CEO. "This recognition reflects our commitment to ensuring every employee has the opportunity to contribute, grow and help drive Wesco's long-term success."

Wesco's Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play an important role in strengthening both the company's culture and business by helping employees build connections, develop professionally and contribute to a more inclusive workplace. Through programming, networking opportunities, education and advocacy, Wesco’s global BRGs help foster engagement and create opportunities for employees around the world.

Wesco’s ABLE Business Resource Group promotes employee accessibility and inclusion by addressing accessibility barriers in the workplace, providing education and development opportunities regarding disabilities, and supporting employees with disabilities and their families. The group's work helps strengthen a culture where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to contribute their best. For more information about Wesco’s ABLE Business Resource Group efforts, visit ABLE | Wesco.

"Being named as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business is meaningful because it reflects the collective efforts of employees across our global company," said Darryl Castellano, Wesco Vice President of Global Inclusion, Diversity and Engagement. "We remain committed to creating an environment where people can bring their full selves to work and have the support they need to grow and succeed."

The Disability Index® is trusted by more than 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine opportunities for progress through data-driven actions and outcomes. Companies scoring at the highest proficiency levels earn recognition as World’s Top Disability Inclusive Businesses, signaling leadership and progress to employees, customers and partners.

“The future of business will be defined by how well companies design for a broader range of people and experiences,” said Jill Houghton, Disability:IN President and CEO. “Accessibility is a catalyst for innovation. Companies using the Disability Index are applying that mindset to drive progress across their business.”

In addition to the recognition, Wesco will participate in the annual Disability:IN Global Conference July 27-30 where participants will engage with peers and industry leaders to explore emerging opportunities and best practices related to accessibility, inclusion, talent and innovation in the workplace.

About the Disability Index

The Disability Index® is the leading benchmarking tool for advancing disability inclusion in business worldwide. Trusted by over 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine opportunities for progress through data-driven actions and outcomes. An initiative of Disability:IN, participation is open to companies operating in countries around the globe. Learn more at DisabilityIN.Org.

About Disability:IN

Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Together with the world’s leading companies, Disability:IN drives progress through initiatives, tools, and expertise that deliver long-term business impact. Are You IN?

About Wesco
Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with approximately $24 billion in annual sales in 2025 and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 21,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and significant digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, technology companies, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates more than 700 sites, including distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and sales offices in approximately 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

Corporate Communications Contact
Jennifer Sniderman
Vice President, Corporate Communications
jennifer.sniderman@wescodist.com

Entergy Is Protecting Customers While Powering Innovation, CEO Says at White House Event

Entergy Corporation — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:40:00 -0400

^{Watch Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh’s remarks and the entire event above}

NEW ORLEANS, July 24, 2026 /3BL/ - Earlier today, Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh highlighted how the company is protecting its customers while powering innovation, creating opportunity and economic growth for its communities.

“In Louisiana, we were honored to partner with Governor Landry to win the transformational Meta data center for Richland Parish,” Marsh said. “This effort that we’ve undertaken in Louisiana is a great example of the state working together to bring business and communities together to protect existing customers and to move with speed to win the AI race.”

The White House today announced the expansion of its Ratepayer Protection Pledge, building on the success America’s electric companies have had prioritizing reliability and affordability for all customers. Entergy has signed the pledge.

Marsh joined President Donald Trump, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Meta President and Vice Chair Dina Powell McCormick, other elected officials, and utility and data center company executives on stage in support of the pledge.

“In Louisiana,” President Trump announced, “public school teachers in Richland Parish are getting as much as $50,000 in bonuses this year thanks to a $27 billion project by Meta that will also save local residents $2.6 billion on their electricity bills.”

Entergy supported the initial March unveiling of the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge, where technology companies committed to pay their fair share for energy infrastructure needed to power data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities and other large load customers.

The Ratepayer Protection Pledge creates a fair deal for everyone, while helping protect American consumers, grow our economy and lead the world in Artificial Intelligence and the high-tech industry.

Marsh continued by saying, “Our Fair Share Plus pledge is modeled after the Ratepayer Protection Pledge that the Trump administration put in place and it will deliver approximately $7 billion of benefits to [all Entergy] customers over the next two decades.”

“The White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, Governor Landry’s recent executive order and our Fair Share Plus pledge are all aligned to ensure that we grow and support this transformational investment opportunity and we do it in a way that creates benefits for all customers. That’s how we win the AI race and responsibly serve all our customers at the same time,” Marsh concluded.

Entergy’s Fair Share Plus pledge protects all customers from risks through contractual conditions designed to prevent undue electricity bill inflation. These customer protections include prepayment requirements, multi-year contract terms, credit and collateral requirements, and early termination penalties. Entergy’s pledge also ensures large-load projects — particularly data centers and other power-intensive facilities — create net benefits for everyone we serve. These customers must pay the full costs for service and contribute additional value that lowers costs for our existing customers on the grid.

Learn how Entergy is protecting its customers and bringing big benefits to our communities at Entergy.com/DataCenters.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We’re also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at Entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.

Media inquiries:
Neal Kirby
504-576-4238
nkirby@entergy.com

View original content here.

Closing the Loop on Home Furnishings

Cascale — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:15:00 -0400

Furniture has traditionally been difficult to repair or recycle, with many products ending up in landfills at the end of their useful life.

For Cascale Corporate member Dunelm, a publicly-traded company that is one of the UK’s largest home furnishings retailers, that industry reality sat at the heart of a more specific business challenge. Sourcing and manufacturing account for approximately 60 percent of the company’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions — and without consistent, comparable data across a growing supplier base – it is difficult to know where to act first.

In response, Dunelm developed its Good & Circular approach to sustainability — a commitment to rethinking how products are designed, sourced, used, and recovered. Central to that strategy is a data-driven approach to supplier engagement: rather than relying on spend-based emissions estimates, Dunelm adopted Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) through its Better Manufacturing program to build a credible, comparable picture of environmental performance across its supply chain. In this case study, we go deeper on how Dunelm used circular design, supplier collaboration, and Higg Index data to reduce environmental impact and create products that last longer.

Key Takeaways

Identified sourcing and manufacturing as approximately 60 percent of Scope 3 emissions and launched the Better Manufacturing programme to address it — adopting Higg FEM as the shared measurement framework across Tier 1 suppliers.
Achieved 84 percent Tier 1 supplier Higg FEM completion in FY25, reaching target a month ahead of schedule despite supplier base growing 6.4 percent year-on-year.
Completed Higg FEM assessments across its own UK made-to-measure manufacturing sites in FY2025, expanding environmental performance measurement beyond its supply chain.
Designed the Full Circle Sofa to extend product life through modularity, repairability, and recyclability.
Embedded circularity into its broader Good & Circular sustainability strategy through takeback, repair, and lower-impact materials.

A Common Framework for a Complex Supply Chain

Dunelm launched its Better Manufacturing program in FY24, adopting the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) as the shared measurement framework across its Tier 1 supplier base. Part of the Higg Index — a suite of frameworks and methodologies stewarded and governed by Cascale and delivered globally through Worldly’s technology platform — the Higg FEM enables suppliers to assess, track, and improve performance across key environmental areas, including energy, water, waste, and carbon.

Rather than developing a proprietary assessment system, Dunelm chose an industry-standard tool — one that suppliers could share with other brands, reducing duplication and lowering the barrier to adoption.

As Lisa Ly, senior sustainability manager at Dunelm, explained on Cascale’s Source of Good podcast: “For our suppliers, having one tool that can be shared among other brands and retailers is a huge benefit. Before we even started, we did a bit of a survey to figure out how many of our suppliers were already using it, and it was like 15 percent of our Tier 1. So that gave us confidence.”

In FY25, Dunelm extended Higg FEM to its own UK made-to-measure manufacturing sites — enabling the company to identify operational hotspots firsthand and share best practice solutions directly with its supplier base. To further support supplier capability, Dunelm hosted an in-depth renewable energy webinar in partnership with climate consultancy South Pole, covering renewable electricity market trends, green tariffs, on-site options, and PPAs. The company also launched a quarterly supplier newsletter and engaged specialist partner Verisio to strengthen Tier 2 visibility through Worldly’s Facility Data Manager (FDM).

Ahead of Target, Across a Growing Supplier Base

In FY25, Dunelm achieved 84 percent Tier 1 supplier completion of the Higg FEM self-assessment — reaching its target a month ahead of schedule, despite its supplier base growing 6.4 percent year-on-year.

Improved data quality is now enabling a transition away from spend-based Scope 3 estimates toward primary facility-level data, giving commercial teams greater visibility to make more responsible sourcing decisions. Scope 3 emissions increased just 1 percent against 4 percent sales growth in FY25 — an early signal of progress on decarbonization relative to business growth.

Looking ahead, Dunelm is actively encouraging suppliers to develop decarbonization roadmaps supported by Higg FEM data and ongoing training through its dedicated supplier platform.

Building Products That Last

Beyond measurement, Dunelm is applying sustainability principles to product design — recognizing that reducing environmental impact requires thinking about the full product lifecycle, not just manufacturing emissions.

One example is the Full Circle Sofa, introduced in 2024. Developed collaboratively with suppliers, its modular design allows customers to replace individual sections rather than the entire sofa. A staple and glue-free frame makes components significantly easier to separate and recycle at end of life — directly addressing one of the most persistent barriers to furniture recyclability.

Dunelm’s rug takeback program accepts rugs from any brand for cleaning, repair, and refurbishment before donating them through charitable partners. Community repair workshops further encourage consumers to extend product life rather than replace items prematurely.

Together, these initiatives reflect Dunelm’s Good & Circular approach to sustainability — a commitment to rethinking how products are designed, sourced, used, and recovered.

Measurement as a Foundation for Progress

Dunelm’s experience shows how a shared, industry-aligned measurement framework can accelerate supplier engagement, improve data quality, and support more responsible sourcing decisions — at scale and ahead of target.

By choosing Higg FEM over a proprietary system, Dunelm reduced adoption barriers, leveraged existing supplier familiarity with the tool, and created a common language for continuous improvement across its value chain. As Dunelm continues to build on this foundation — extending measurement into its own operations, deepening Tier 2 engagement, and embedding circularity into product design — the Better Manufacturing program provides a credible, data-driven platform for meeting its SBTi-validated targets: a 50 percent absolute GHG reduction by FY30 and net zero by FY40.

Not a Member? Explore Membership

GoDaddy 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report: People & Culture | Learning & Development

GoDaddy — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Originally published in GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report

Learning & Development

We believe everyone has a unique way of learning and growing.

We foster a culture of continuous learning and development that helps employees build skills and grow their careers. When our people grow, they tend to be more engaged in their work and are better equipped to help our entrepreneurs succeed, creating shared success across our company.

Our Learning and Development strategy is built around three pillars: align, connect, and grow. These pillars guide how we design programs that support our people, strengthen collaboration, and build the capabilities needed to meet our business priorities.

Employee Learning

Learning at GoDaddy is designed to be practical, accessible, and shared. We empower employees to take ownership of their development while learning alongside one another and applying new skills in real work. Our approach centers on learning by doing. Employees are encouraged to explore new tools, including AI tools, build confidence through hands-on experience, and grow capabilities that support both their careers and our business.

We also invest in learning that delivers lasting value beyond GoDaddy, offering education reimbursement and credentialed opportunities that support continued learning and long-term growth.

Technology & Community for Continuous Learning

GoLearn, our learning management platform, anchors our learning ecosystem as a single destination for employee development, providing access to thousands of courses. Through on-demand courses, microlearning, certification programs, curated learning paths, and content from trusted partners, employees can build skills in ways that fit how they learn.

Learning is strengthened through connection. Using GoLearn and our #learning_connect Slack channel, employees share courses, recommend content, and learn together in topic-based communities, helping embed learning into daily work.

Investing in Our Care Teams

We offer focused development programs for Customer Care Teams, helping our Guides build the skills and confidence needed to deliver strong customer experiences. These include Elevate, a leadership program focused on operational excellence and people leadership, and the Care & Services Learning Summit, an annual event centered on leadership, coaching, and change management.

We also help Guides earn academic credit for the work they already do. Through our partnership with Rio Salado College in Arizona, U.S.based Guides completing our sales training program earn a CCL Web Hosting: Customer Service certificate with six transferable college credits toward an associate in applied sciences degree. In 2025, more than 170 employees enrolled, earning more than 1,000 total college credits.

EXPANDING EMPLOYEE CAPABILITIES WITH AI
Our AI training helps employees build confidence, fluency, and practical skills to use AI in their everyday work, supporting productivity and creativity while enabling better customer experiences. Training includes learning across GoDaddy-built AI-powered tools such as GoDaddy Content as a Service (GoCaas) and GABI.
These offerings are reinforced through AI office hours led by internal experts and our “Moments of Spark” video series, which features short, two -to-three-minute tutorials focused on practical, how-to applications of AI.
For more information on AI and our employees, visit the Responsible AI section of the report.

Leadership Training

We believe that strong leadership drives engaged teams and better outcomes. In 2025, we expanded access to leadership development through a new external training partner, giving all leaders access to courses that support both foundational and advanced skills. We also offer additional pathways for leaders to continue building their skills, including:

New Manager Onboarding: A required multi-week program that introduces new managers to GoDaddy’s values, expectations, and practical tools for success.
GoDaddy Leadership Development Program: A structured course series focused on core leadership skills, including leading virtually, navigating change, coaching, and delivering effective feedback.
Self-paced Leadership Training: Press Start, Leadership Arcade is our self-paced, on-demand learning program focused on leadership soft skills and connection across the GoDaddy community.

Employee Performance

Being “Better Every Day” is central to how we approach performance, growth, and open communication. Our mid-year and year-end reviews focus on goal setting, career development, peer feedback, and selfreflection, helping employees track progress and keep growing. To further support fair and consistent advancement, we use a proactive promotion flagging process that applies consistent, company-wide criteria to identify employees who may be ready for their next step. This reduces reliance on subjective identification, helps mitigate bias, and supports more equitable career advancement.

We also encourage employees to explore opportunities across teams and functions, giving them the chance to build new skills, gain diverse experiences, and deepen their understanding of the business.

75/100
We achieved an average score of 75/100 on the question, “I have good opportunities to learn and grow at GoDaddy.”

27%+ Million
More than 27% of global hires were filled by internal candidates in 2025.

Learn more about GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report.

About this Report

The GoDaddy 2025 Global Stakeholder Impact Report details our progress toward our corporate sustainability goals, strategies, and initiatives in support of our overarching purpose and values. Unless otherwise noted, this report reflects our corporate sustainability performance across our global operations covering the fiscal year period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. To demonstrate our commitment to transparent communication regarding our sustainability progress, we routinely share updates through our website and our annual reporting. We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback on this report by contacting ESG@GoDaddy.com.

This report references the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, includes select Sustainability Accounting Standards Board metrics for the Internet Media and Services sector, and the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures. We also disclose our contributions and progress toward priority UN SDGs. For additional information on how we align with these frameworks and key indicators demonstrating our sustainability performance, please refer to the Frameworks & Metrics section.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy, the world's largest domain name registrar, helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company's AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy's expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

The Ray Deploys Natural Capital at WSDOT’S Scatter Creek Site

Ray C. Anderson Foundation — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:40:00 -0400

Through The Ray's ongoing collaboration with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), they've recently deployed advanced natural capital solutions at the Scatter Creek Rest Area, demonstrating how active transit corridors can perform double duty for local ecosystems and public infrastructure.

Targeted Wildlife Support: The project demonstrates how federally protected species (in this case, the regionally threatened Mazama pocket gopher) can safely coexist with active transportation corridors.

Botanical Design for Ecological Health: Custom-engineered native seed mixes were specifically adapted to the site's unique soil profile. Deep-rooted plants anchor the roadside, optimizing natural stormwater runoff, and providing long-term forage for local pollinators.

Smart Environmental Monitoring: The Ray and WSDOT integrated PheNode® automated sensor systems from Agrela Ecosystems. The on-site units continuously stream microclimate data, allowing the team to track real-time soil and weather conditions as the habitat develops.

Read the full story here.

KeyBank Foundation Supports New Patient Care Initiative With a $300,000 Grant to Syracuse Community Health

KeyBank — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The KeyBank Foundation is committing $300,000 to Syracuse Community Health (SCH) to support wraparound patient care programs through the new Thrive Together family wellness initiative.

Addressing the Root Causes of Health Challenges

Thrive Together is a modern, integrated care initiative designed to enhance patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs by aligning medical care, behavioral health, and social care support services. Grounded in a patient-centered model, the project will bring patients and SCH staff together as true partners in care planning and delivery. Using cost-analysis software, SCH will be able to align resources more effectively, monitor value-based performance, and reinvest savings into services most needed by patients, especially those facing complex health challenges and unmet social needs.

“Too many families face barriers that make it difficult to access the care they need. Thrive Together helps close those gaps by connecting patients with critical resources and support, creating a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities across Central New York,” said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. “This initiative is about meeting people where they are and ensuring they have access to the care, resources, and advocacy they need to thrive. We’re proud to partner with Syracuse Community Health to support a program that addresses the root causes of poor health and creates stronger outcomes for patients and families.”

Transforming Patient Care

Syracuse Community Health’s mission is to provide quality healthcare services to all individuals with a commitment to those who might otherwise be excluded from the healthcare system, while remaining cost-effective, efficient, and competitive.

As a wellness and care coordination framework, Thrive Together will incorporate practical supports such as nutrition counseling, mindfulness, and health literacy, into individualized care plans while addressing critical social care needs, including housing, transportation, and income stability.

Improving Outcomes for Patients and Families

For patients, the project is designed to strengthen management of chronic conditions, address health-related social needs (HRSNs), reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospitalizations, increase completion of preventive screenings, and improve maternal and child health. It will also foster health literacy, enabling patients to feel confident in asking questions, making informed decisions, and advocating for their own care.

At the community level, these changes will help reduce strain on emergency and hospital systems, promote earlier intervention, and contribute to a healthier, more stable population.

"Equity in healthcare means giving every person the precise resources, care, and support they need to attain their highest level of health by addressing their unique challenges," said Alexandria Pisarczyk, Syracuse Community Health Chief of Business Development and Strategy Officer.

“Creating healthier communities starts with investing in the whole person. Syracuse Community Health's Thrive Together initiative recognizes that lasting wellness is shaped by many factors beyond a medical diagnosis, including access to reliable support systems, health education, and community resources,” said Tamika Otis, KeyBank Syracuse Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer. “We're proud to support an approach that empowers individuals and families, strengthens community well-being, and helps create a healthier future for Syracuse.”

Shaping the Future of Central New York

This latest investment builds on KeyBank’s broader history of community-driven philanthropy, economic mobility initiatives, and inclusive banking investments. Since 2017, KeyBank has invested more than $821.8 million in Syracuse and Central New York, supporting affordable housing, small business and home lending, and transformational philanthropic initiatives.

Learn more about how KeyBank helps clients, teammates, and communities thrive by making meaningful investments in the places it’s proud to call home.

Vets With Nets Creates Memorable Day on the Water for Veterans in Detroit

Marathon Petroleum — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:05:00 -0400

Key Points

Vets with Nets welcomed 375 veterans for a day of fishing, connection and appreciation on Lake Erie.
Detroit refinery employees, including members of the site’s HONOR employee network group, supported the event as boat captains and on-shore volunteers.
The event helped veterans spend time outdoors, share stories and connect with others, with MPC volunteers proud to help make the experience possible.

Vets with Nets brought hundreds of veterans together for a day of fishing, connection and appreciation, with Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) volunteers from the Detroit refinery helping support the annual event on and off the water.

Employees, including members of the site’s HONOR employee network group, volunteered at the annual Vets with Nets event. Four MPC employees volunteered as boat captains and joined the broader group of more than 170 boats, helping take veterans out on Lake Erie for a day designed to recognize their service and create a memorable experience.

This year’s event welcomed 375 veterans. Despite rough conditions that caused some smaller boats to return early and others to stay ashore, 92 boats brought fish to the weigh station, with a total of 1,480 fish tallied.For one veteran, the experience left a lasting impression.“Between the laughs, the stories and just being out on the water, it was exactly the kind of day we all needed.”“What started with a little uncertainty ended up being one of the most fun days we’ve had in a long time,” the veteran shared. “Between the laughs, the stories and just being out on the water, it was exactly the kind of day we all needed. You made us feel welcome, and your generosity didn’t go unnoticed.”

On shore, volunteers for MPC and its midstream component MPLX also hosted a booth and handed out giveaways to guests. The refinery’s Maintenance Director Jason Harmon, who helped organize MPC’s participation, said the event is meaningful because it offers employees a tangible way to show appreciation for veterans.

“We don’t take lightly the sacrifices veterans have made,” Harmon said. “We wanted to show our gratitude in a meaningful way, investing time and energy to help ensure they enjoyed their time on the water and have a successful fishing trip.”

How Innovative Sovereign Financing Is Supporting Conservation, Climate and Communities in The Bahamas

NatureVest — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:20:00 -0400

As interest in debt conversions for nature continues to grow globally, so does the need for detailed case studies that help sovereigns, financial stakeholders, and conservation practitioners understand how these structured transactions come together.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has pioneered a sovereign debt refinancing model, under the Nature Bonds Program, that helps countries unlock sustainable long-term financing for national conservation and climate priorities while advancing their financial, economic, and development goals. Since launching its Nature Bonds Program, TNC has successfully closed six Nature Bonds transactions – unlocking ~$1 billion for conservation, communities and climate, raising more than $2 billion of new financing, and refinancing more than $3 billion of existing debt.

Over the past decade, TNC has built an interdisciplinary team of dedicated finance, legal, science, safeguards, and trust fund experts to advance this growing asset class. Drawing on TNC’s deep technical expertise in originating, structuring, negotiating, and executing debt conversions, we have published a new case study on The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project for Marine Conservation. The publication provides an in-depth overview of the financial structure and credit enhancement package, how funding was unlocked, and the role of the conservation trust fund.

The innovative project refinanced $300 million of The Bahamas’ external sovereign debt, creating $132 million of funding to improve ocean conservation and management over 15 years. Building on earlier Nature Bonds transactions, this project introduced a first-of-its-kind credit enhancement package that combined private guarantees and insurance with a public-sector anchor guarantee. In this instance, in collaboration with TNC, the IDB played a pivotal role in de-risking the transaction by crowding in a co-guarantee from Builder’s Vision and co-insurance from AXA XL.

Read the case study to dive deeper!

With thanks to all who helped make this possible, including Government of The Bahamas, Inter-American Development Bank, Builders Vision, AXA XL, Standard Chartered, Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF), Bahamas National Trust, and many others. And congrats to the many colleagues across TNC that worked so hard to achieve this win for nature and for The Bahamas.

Learn more about the TNC Nature Bonds Program and watch out for more news as our project pipeline continues to grow.

For media inquiries:

Rachel Winters
Deputy Director, Global Media
The Nature Conservancy
Email: rwinters@tnc.org

Global Consumer Goods Member Community Grows

Cascale — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:55:00 -0400

Cascale is pleased to welcome four new members to its membership community in the second quarter of 2026.

Spanning brands, retailers, and manufacturers across AMER, APAC, and EMEA, these organizations join a network of more than 300 corporate and affiliate member organizations working toward a more equitable and restorative consumer goods industry.

Organizations that joined Cascale between April and June 2026 include:

Shahi Exports — Manufacturer, Corporate Member
Bemis Associates — Manufacturer, Corporate Member
Pepco Poland (part of Pepco Group N.V., WSE: PCO)— Brand & Retailer, Corporate Member
Celio France — Brand & Retailer, Candidate Member

The new members join at a time when consumer goods companies face intensifying pressure to demonstrate credible progress — from regulators tightening due diligence and reporting requirements, from customers, and from supply chains that overlap across the same countries and facilities. Those pressures are largely shared, and Cascale’s belief is that the response should be coordinated as well.

Cascale membership is built around that logic. Organizations bring their hardest operational questions to peers who have already worked through them, and take on the systemic challenges collectively, drawing on industry data, expert guidance, and training to move from measuring performance to improving it. The work runs in both directions: the frameworks and methodologies Cascale stewards and governs are shaped by the organizations that use them, and members set priorities through Cascale’s councils, task forces, and governance bodies. For manufacturers in particular, that is a route into industry decision-making that has not always been open.

Cascale will support the new members’ participation across its programs, events, and member-led initiatives throughout 2026 and beyond.

Please join us in welcoming Bemis Associates, Shahi Exports, Pepco Poland, and Celio France to the Cascale community.

Interested in learning how Cascale membership can support your organization’s sustainability journey? Explore what membership offers and find out how you can be part of driving industry-wide change.

How Sustainability Trends Are Changing the Way We Design Our Kitchens

Caesarstone — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:30:00 -0400

In 2026, sustainability continues to be a major value system that impacts the way we design our kitchens. Designers and homeowners are increasing their alignment with eco-friendly brands and products, while embracing design trends that project environmental wellness. While this isn't confined to the kitchen, the room in which we cook our foods and nourish our families is perhaps closest at heart to our growing concern for the planet.

Bringing eco-friendly materials into the kitchen

When measuring kitchen design sustainability, eco-friendly material use is an important parameter. According to Idit Maayan Zohar, Caesarstone's Chief Marketing Officer, it has become an essential part of the material selection process:

"In certain markets, for example in Europe, North America and Australia, choosing a sustainable material for home and kitchen design goes almost without saying. Designers and homeowners do their research, examining potential materials in terms of their incorporation of recycled elements, lifecycle assessments, and more."

Incorporating sustainable materials can be accomplished in a number of ways. For starters, when designing a kitchen with wood elements – from flooring and cabinetry to butcher blocks – some wood solutions are more eco-friendly than others. Traditional wood is often unsatisfactory from a sustainable perspective, but alternatives such as natural cork and bamboo fare much better in that department, and can be used for flooring, cabinetry and more – with dazzling effects. Wood lovers can also use reclaimed wood – which was used in previous structures – to design modern kitchens instead of going to waste.

Speaking of material, countertops play an important role in kitchen design. Luckily, homeowners can choose high-quality surfaces for their kitchens, islands and splashbacks that are mostly made from recycled materials. Caesarstone's ICON™ collection, for example, features a dazzling array of designs for today's modern kitchens, which are made with ~85% recycled materials, including recycled industrial glass. Caesarstone ICON's advanced fusion surfaces open up breathtaking design possibilities in terms of depth, dimension and color play, due to their unique material composition.

"Caesarstone ICON™ is made primarily from post-industrial recycled glass", says Ido Winer, Caesarstone’s Head of Materials & Research. "We chose this option over post-consumer recycled glass because it creates a balance between sustainable values and the high-quality raw materials our surfaces require. Our industrial glass originates from local factories situated relatively close to the Caesarstone ICON™ production site, which reduces transportation and lowers our carbon footprint."

Energy efficiency in the kitchen

Sustainability is synonymous with energy and resource conservation, and today's kitchens can practice eco-efficiency in so many ways. Here are several prominent examples:

Low-flow faucets and smart taps can save significant amounts of water, without compromising on elegant design.
High-quality LED lighting not only saves a ton of electricity, but also comes in a dizzying array of designs, from sleek spotlights to vintage light bulbs.
The power of natural light can be harnessed to flood kitchens with wonderful sunlight, reducing electricity use. Appropriated window size and placement, which takes the kitchen's geographic direction into account, can do wonders in this regard.
Ventilation: Optimized airflow can reduce energy consumption in the kitchen (AKA: less AC!). Smart window design and demand-control fans can not only minimize electricity use, but also improve air quality.
Recycling systems: Many of today's sustainable kitchens include a designated storage space for waste sorting prior to recycling. Designers can position these systems far from sight, in a cabinet or a large drawer.
Durable countertops: Countertop durability translates into an eco-friendly edge. Long-lasting surfaces mean less replacements, less maintenance and less hassle that requires transportation and installations. It's that simple.
Transportation emissions: From wood to ceramics, locally sourced materials ensure delivery that emit less greenhouse gases and waste less energy.

Biophilic design: Kitchens filled with nature

Sustainability and environmental friendliness are associated with nature, and in recent years, nature has become an indoor staple, galvanizing kitchens and other spaces with vibrant energy. Recognizing nature's positive effects on human well-being, home design trends have responded with countless nature-inspired trends. Suffice to say, kitchens are leading the way – embracing green wellness in design and beyond.

Large windows and skylights: If you're living in the countryside, in the suburbs, or even in the city overlooking a park, large kitchen windows can open a gate into some of that wonderful outdoor greenery. Skylights bring ample natural sunlight into the kitchen, and perhaps more importantly, situate a slice of blue sky (or starry night tapestry) right above your cooking station.
Plants and herbs: Herbs and kitchens go hand in hand, and recent design trends are amplifying this joyous connection to the max. Alongside herbs gardens on kitchen windowsills, the internet is flooded with ideas for possible plant assortments in kitchens – from wall, beam and ceiling installations to dedicated shelving.
Countertop shades: Rocks and stones are an important part of nature, and nothing brings their allure into the kitchen better that work surfaces. Today's countertops feature colors and designs that offer dazzling interpretations of natural stone. Caesarstone's Porcelain Collections feature designs that capture the imperfect, unrefined beauty of natural stones and minerals such as onyx, travertine and fossilized elements. Caesarstone ICON™ surfaces include designs inspired by sea foam and seaweed, oxidized patina and clay, and luxurious Calacatta marble.

Choosing beauty, with responsibility

When it comes to kitchen design, many eco-conscious homeowners prefer purchasing products from companies that are transparent about their sustainability actions, and which actively promote environmental protection through considerate production processes.

To understand whether a product is actually aligned with their environmental values, consumers often seek labels and verifications. Once such example is lifecycle assessment (LCA), a systematic method that evaluates a certain product's end-to-end environmental impact – from its raw material beginnings to its disposal methods.

"At Caesarstone, we know that many of our consumers are interested in understanding what our surfaces are made of, and what happens to them once they are dismantled", says Idit Maayan Zohar. "I am happy to report that as of today, after recently adding 68 porcelain models to our EPD-certified portfolio in 2026, we now offer a total of 139 certified models. Additional EPDs are expected for more Caesarstone ICON™ models in the coming months, so there's a lot to look forward to."