ESG News from Leading Brands

Media & Communications

The Hershey Company Joins Ceres Company Network

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres announced today that The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has joined the Ceres Company Network. As a new member of the Ceres Company Network, Hershey joins more than 50 companies, including dozens of other Fortune 500 firms that recognize the benefits of integrating sustainability into their core business strategies to drive innovation and build long-term resilience.

Education

Illinois High School Students Showcase Robust STEM Knowledge for U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos During 2017-2018 School Year

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Canton, Illinois, is leading the way with science, technology, math and engineering curriculum. Thanks to a grant from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) made possible by Astellas USA Foundation, teachers in Canton High School are changing the shape of STEM education for the next generation. With hands-on and real-world curricular programming and teacher training, students have better access to the tools needed to fuel their imaginations and pursue STEM-related careers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Celebrates Nine Nonprofit Projects With Cross-Country Summer Road Trip

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is charging up and setting out on a cross-country trip to celebrate the completion of its nine new projects. The nonprofit organization will be unveiling $1.3 million in innovative sustainability-related donations to nine nonprofits located across Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Innovation & Technology

SoftBank and GM Join Forces on Large-Scale AV Deployment

Jun 4, 2018 11:45 AM ET

In the next critical move toward the commercialization of autonomous vehicles, this week General Motors announced an historic deal with SoftBank Vision Fund. The world’s largest tech and ridesharing investor will invest $2.25 billion in GM Cruise, our recently formed majority owned subsidiary. With the addition of $1.1 billion from GM, the funds will drive large AV commercialization beginning in 2019.

Innovation & Technology

Multipliers of Prosperity: Status Quo or Game Changer?

Jun 4, 2018 11:35 AM ET

The financial technology, or fintech, revolution is gaining momentum in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region. Fintech investments in MENA totaled $18 million in 2016. In 2017, that figure was surpassed by a single $20 million round raised by the payment platform Paytabs, leading to heightened interest among investors: Wamda Research Lab, for example, puts total 2017 fintech investments in MENA at more than $50 million, a 270 percent year-over-year increase.

Events, Media & Communications

Taproot Foundation Appoints Lindsay Firestone Gruber as President and CEO

Jun 4, 2018 11:30 AM ET

The Taproot Foundation Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Lindsay Firestone Gruber as the organization’s new President and CEO. Gruber has been on staff with Taproot for 14 years and has served as the organization’s Chief Program Officer since 2016.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Impact of Las Vegas Sands and Sands Bethlehem's Investment in Workforce Development

Jun 4, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Sands Academy integrates best practices and the most successful training programs for implementation throughout our regions, creating a standard of excellence across the company. In the United States, one new program exemplifying our dedication to Team Member advancement in the hospitality industry was the new “Leadership Fundamentals” course as part of the Sands Academy Elevate Series, a leadership development program designed for managers and supervisors at The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo & Convention Center.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Six Homes for 6-year-old Boy in Foster Care

Jun 4, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Aiden was just 6-years old and had already been in six different foster homes. That’s when he met a counselor named Craig. Craig could see that Aiden was lacking the love and attention that he needed to thrive. He knew that he and his husband Edward could provide that safe, supportive and loving home. This past April, the family celebrated the one year anniversary of Aiden’s adoption.

Environment

INFOGRAPHIC | Learn About Parks for Pollinators

Jun 4, 2018 10:25 AM ET

To address the critical need to increase pollinator habitat for beneficial insects, such as honey bees, monarch butterflies and others, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) have teamed up on a new “Parks for Pollinators” campaign aimed at raising public awareness of pollinator health and encouraging local action through public parks and pollinator gardens.

Health & Healthcare

Leading the Next Frontier of Health | Johnson & Johnson

Jun 4, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Common Impact Expands As Corporate Skills-Based Volunteerism Becomes the New Normal

Jun 4, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Common Impact, a national nonprofit that pioneered corporate skills-based volunteering is expanding its leadership team and introducing new regional models to meet the growing demand of companies who are integrating social and environmental outcomes into their core business practices. Skills-based volunteering has risen in popularity, with CECP research reporting that now more than 54% of companies host a formal program. Companies use skills-based volunteering to engage and develop their employees, who are demanding that social impact be a day to day part of their work.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

TD Seeking Innovative Solutions for a Changing World, Launches the TD Ready Challenge to Prepare People and the Economy for the Future

Jun 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

TD today launched the TD Ready Challenge, an annual North American initiative that has ten $1 million (CDN) grants available to help catalyze innovative solutions for a changing world. The announcement follows the recent launch of The Ready Commitment, a multi-year program targeting CDN $1 billion (US $775 million) in total by 2030 towards community giving.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Gathers Global Brand Innovation Leaders at SB’18 Vancouver

Jun 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® kicks off its largest community gathering today with Sustainable Brands ’18 Vancouver at the Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 2,000 business executives along with their teams from 33+ countries are attending the conference and Activation Hub.

Health & Healthcare

VALLEY FRESH® Products Certified with American Heart Association® Heart-Check Mark

Jun 4, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Hormel Foods announced that the American Heart Association has certified two of the company’s VALLEY FRESH® chicken breast products with the Heart-Check mark to make it easier for consumers to identify heart-healthy foods.

The Heart-Check Food Certification Program is designed to help consumers make informed choices about the food they purchase. The easy to identify mark means the food has been certified to meet Heart-Check nutrition requirements that limit saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugars, and promote consumption of beneficial nutrients.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark & Project 24: Mendwan, India

Jun 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As part of Planet Water Foundation’s Project 24, Xylem Watermark sponsored the deployment of an AquaTower at the Govt. Ashram School in Mendwan. Thirteen Xylem employees volunteered to help build the AquaTower and teach the students about water hygiene. With the intervention of Xylem Watermark and Planet Water Foundation, access to clean, safe water will be a reality.

Health & Healthcare

What Humana’s Bold Goal Means to Me and My Team

Jun 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Every day, I try to “Take 10” – a well-being break Humana, my employer, actively encourages all of its employees to do. Depending on my day, my “Take 10” might be some stretches at my desk or a walk with my team. No matter what my well-being break is, it makes me feel connected to a larger sense of well-being and purpose. That purpose, the vision and goal of improving ourselves and our local communities, is deeply entrenched at Humana.

Green Infrastructure

Expert Interview with James Costello, Marine Structures Expert

Jun 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

James Costello has more than 30 years of experience in structural and marine design. A registered professional engineer, Mr. Costello’s expertise includes the design and retrofit of buildings, locks, dams, bridges, tunnels, and marine structures and extensive design work for floating and float-in structures.

Education

Drip Drop, How Do Trees Make Flooding Stop?

Jun 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Natural disasters often strike without warning and wreak havoc wherever they land. A city can never be fully prepared for natural devastation, but there are measures they can put in place that will help reduce the impact. One of the easiest and cheapest tools a city can use is its urban forest. A thick, urban forest can reduce the environmental and economic impact of heavy storms.

Diversity & Inclusion

LA Galaxy Host Fifth Annual Pride Night

Jun 1, 2018 7:15 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy hosted its fifth annual Pride Night, one of the longest-running Pride Nights in professional sports, on Wednesday, May 30 at StubHub Center in a match presented by Spectrum SportsNet. As part of Pride Night, the LA Galaxy featured various in-game activations to celebrate the LGBTQ community of Los Angeles, including an LA Galaxy Pride Night Noisemaker giveaway upon entry to the stadium.

Research, Reports & Publications

Announcing the 2018 Cone/Porter Novelli Purpose Study

Jun 1, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Purpose isn’t just the latest marketing buzzword or moment-in-time tactic. Not only do Americans expect companies to lead with Purpose, they are ready to reward these companies in a variety of ways. In fact, companies that lead with Purpose will stand to build deeper bonds with existing consumers, expand the consumer base and enlist those brand advocates to share the brand message.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue - Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

Jun 1, 2018 4:55 PM ET

Join LBG Canada companies on June 5, 2018 in Calgary, as we discuss community investment's role in a diversity and inclusion strategy. Nikki King, Plant Manager & Community Relations Lead at Iron Mountain, joins panelists that include leaders influencing corporate thinking on abilities, LGBTQ inclusion, Action 92 and Indigenous inclusion, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Events, Media & Communications

Lessons Learned At Engage For Good 2018

Jun 1, 2018 4:15 PM ET

With a theme of ‘Creating Change in Changing Times,’ discussion focused on how companies and nonprofits can generate compelling brand Purpose in today’s environment of rising consumer and employee expectations. With notable speakers like The Obama Foundation’s Michael Strautmanis, REI’s Laura Swapp and Save the Children’s Carolyn Miles and a series of educational breakout sessions, #EFG18 combined inspirational conversations with actionable insights for practitioners.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Global HOPE – Our Journey One Year Later

Jun 1, 2018 4:00 PM ET

How do you treat 11,000 new cases of pediatric cancer annually with only five pediatric oncologists? With those numbers, it’s not surprising the mortality rate for pediatric cancer in Botswana, Malawi and Uganda in southern and east Africa is as high as 90 percent.

Environment

One Year Later, Companies and Investors Are ‘Still In’ the Paris Agreement

Jun 1, 2018 2:50 PM ET

Since its launch in June 2017, the We Are Still In coalition has doubled in size and grown in clout, becoming a national movement of nearly 2,800 leaders strong, including 1,800 companies and investors, working together to uphold America’s promise to meet the U.S. goals of the Paris Agreement. The signatories, which also include governors, mayors, tribes, cultural institutions, faith organizations, colleges and universities, represent 160.2 million Americans and more than $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy.

Innovation & Technology

Astellas Oncology C3 Prize® Returns for Third Year with Focus on Improving Cancer Care in Underserved Regions of the World

Jun 1, 2018 1:45 PM ET

Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") have announced the launch of the third annual Astellas Oncology C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care), a global challenge aimed at inspiring non-treatment ideas that may improve cancer care for patients and their loved ones. This year's challenge will focus on solutions for cancer care in low- and middle-income countries, which bear a disproportionate burden of the global cancer epidemic.