ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

[VIDEO] Benevity User Conference 2016: Cora McNeil, UnitedHealth Group on Employee Engagement

Apr 13, 2016 1:20 PM ET

In this video filmed at Benevity's Goodness Matters User Conference, Cora McNeil, Senior Program Manager in the Office of Social Responsibility at UnitedHealth Group, describes how giving and volunteering can enhance overall employee health.

Environment

5 Ways Renters and Urban Dwellers Can Go Green - Whirlpool Corp. Institute of Home Science

Apr 13, 2016 1:00 PM ET

One of the biggest myths about "going green" is that you have to make a major investment to make a difference.

Health & Healthcare

Bringing the Doctor to the Doorstep in Mexico City

Apr 13, 2016 12:45 PM ET

Increased urbanisation has fuelled the consumption of processed food and beverage, rich in sugar, fat and sodium.[3] Simultaneously, city dwellers have experienced a decrease in the time available for food preparation and physical exercise, which drives the rapid increase in levels of overweight, obesity and related diseases in Mexico City.

Health & Healthcare

SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands – Join GOJO in Supporting the WHO’s Annual Global Campaign

Apr 13, 2016 12:35 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Celebrates Service Driven Employees

Apr 13, 2016 12:00 PM ET

At Timberland, there is a strong sense of pride among employees for the company’s established heritage of environmental and social justice, which is rooted in a long-standing commitment to service. This dedication to service is still alive today. President Stewart Whitney and the Timberland community recently celebrated a group of its employees at a special event recognizing the group’s outstanding commitment to service with an induction into the company’s “40’s Club” program. The program, which was conceived to infuse volunteerism into the company’s DNA and culture, honors employees who serve all of their 40 paid community service hours each year.

Events, Media & Communications

5th GRI Global Conference 2016

Apr 13, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Join GRI and up to 1,500 sustainability leaders from around the globe to exchange leading-edge knowledge on best practices, innovations and trends that are empowering sustainable decisions and changing the world.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Every Superhero Needs a Sidekick

Apr 13, 2016 11:00 AM ET

April 28 is National Superhero Day, and all month long CureSearch will empower companies and individuals to #PowerUp and support real superheroes, children’s cancer fighters and survivors.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It’s Time Responsible Business Became Business as Usual

Apr 13, 2016 11:00 AM ET

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a group of graduate students about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and my own career in social impact. The discussion was stimulating and the students asked probing questions. After the session, a young woman approached me and said that she would love to have a job like mine and change the world, to give away a company’s money to support worthy causes. My heart sank. In my experience, CSR can be a powerful force to transform corporate culture and align business activities with social benefit. While pure philanthropy remains an important component of CSR, the field has evolved beyond giving.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Winners of National Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest for Public Schools Selected to Participate in the 2016 White House Science Fair

Apr 13, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Two of the five National Winners of the 2016 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest will present their projects at the sixth and final White House Science Fair, hosted by President Barack Obama, today.

Social Impact & Volunteering

I Am

Apr 13, 2016 10:35 AM ET

Children in foster care face stereotypes that simply aren’t true. These children are not trouble makers, too old or unable to live with a family; they are not unadoptable. Children come into care because they have been abused or neglected. Through no fault of their own, they are removed from their homes.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Measuring the Impact of Volunteering and of Volunteers

Apr 13, 2016 10:35 AM ET

LBG Canada Relationship Manager, Jennifer Eldridge, on measuring the impact of volunteering and volunteers using the Impact Measurement Framework.

Education

Zoe Weil: Sustainable Education

Apr 13, 2016 10:15 AM ET

What's the purpose of schooling? Reading, writing and 'rithmetic, right? Well, our guest today begs to differ.

Research, Reports & Publications

General Mills Reports Progress on Global Responsibility Commitments

Apr 13, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Today, General Mills released its 2016 Global Responsibility Report, which outlines the company’s goals and progress in the areas of health and wellness, sustainability, workplace and community engagement. This marks the 46th year General Mills has shared a report with stakeholders and the community.

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta Names Tyler Scriven as Director

Apr 13, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta announced Tyler Scriven as director. The startup accelerator program is entering its inaugural year in Atlanta and is presented in partnership between Techstars and Cox Enterprises.

Environment

Bacardi's 'No-Straw' Movement Aims to Reduce Plastic Straw Waste

Apr 13, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Partnering With You to Do Good Things: Old Mutual Publishes Positive Futures Plan

Apr 13, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Old Mutual’s purpose is to help its customers thrive by enabling them to achieve their lifetime financial goals, while investing their funds in ways which create a positive future for them, their families, their communities and the world at large.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Are Your Products Exposing Children to Toxic Chemicals?

Apr 13, 2016 8:10 AM ET

Washington’s Department of Ecology, released a study last month on children’s accessory products that contained concerning amounts of cadmium and lead. The chemical levels in the 27 different products tested were in violation of Washington’s Child Protection Act, which aims to mitigate hazardous proportions of chemicals and metals in child merchandise.

Education

Teenage Filmmakers at Ghetto Film School Screen Their Thesis Project, "El Coche Rojo"

Apr 13, 2016 8:00 AM ET

This year's class of Ghetto Film School Fellows recently screened the family drama they shot on location in Spain, "El Coche Rojo," at a Paley Center for Media event in New York sponsored by 21st Century Fox. GFS teaches filmmaking to young people from communities traditionally underrepresented in Hollywood, and its Fellows Program gives the students the chance to create an entirely original short film. 21CF is a longtime supporter of Ghetto Film School and works hand-in-hand with the organization to provide new avenues into the entertainment industry.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Food Waste: The Harvest is Just the Beginning

Apr 12, 2016 9:15 PM ET

We waste one-third of our food. That is, quite simply, a failing grade.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Discovery Communications and VolunteerMatch Partner to Inspire Volunteerism

Apr 12, 2016 6:25 PM ET

Discovery Communications, a purpose-driven company built on satisfying curiosity, entertaining and inspiring global audiences, is extending its partnership with VolunteerMatch, the web’s largest volunteer engagement network, as a national media partner to raise awareness and drive volunteerism. Coinciding with the 42ndNational Volunteer Week (April 10-16), the partnership kicks off with a national Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign. The PSA begins airing this week across all of Discovery’s 13 U.S. networks. To learn more, visit discovery.com/volunteermatch.

Environment

GM Recycles Water Bottles to Make Chevy Equinox Part

Apr 12, 2016 4:55 PM ET

General Motors is turning its employees’ recycled water bottles into a new life: noise-reducing fabric insulation that covers the Chevrolet Equinox engine. The bottles – collected from five of its Michigan facilities – are also being turned into air filtration components and insulation in coats for the homeless community.

Diversity & Inclusion

At White House Event Sodexo Announces Exceeding Leadership Gender Balance Goals

Apr 12, 2016 4:20 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that it exceeded its 2015 goal to have women comprise at least 25 percent of its top 200 leadership positions globally by 6 percentage points; achieving 31 percent. The company made the announcement at a White House Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable, where it also announced higher targets of 35 percent by 2020 and 40 percent by 2025.

Events, Media & Communications

Taproot Foundation Convenes Corporate Social Responsibility Leaders and Pro Bono Providers for the 5th Annual U.S. Pro Bono Summit, April 13th & 14th, Los Angeles

Apr 12, 2016 4:00 PM ET

This week the Taproot Foundation is convening the 5th annual U.S. Pro Bono Summit in Los Angeles, a two-day convening of cross-sector leaders who are committed to connecting business professionals who volunteer their time and expertise (pro bono) to nonprofit organizations who benefit from this support to achieve their missions. These skilled volunteers are filling gaps in areas like marketing, finance, IT, and HR for under-resourced social change organizations across the country. The Summit is a forum to share best practices and challenges to ensure delivery of high-quality pro bono service and is generously supported by pro bono enthusiasts and advocates KPMG LLP, Prudential Financial, Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros.

Environment

Ortho Brand Announces Plan to Eliminate Neonics from All its Outdoor Products

Apr 12, 2016 3:50 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Jordan Spieth’s Masters Meltdown Can Teach Us How to Handle a Bad Day at the Office

Apr 12, 2016 3:05 PM ET

On Sunday, golfer Danny Willet of England earned his first Masters win at Augusta National. It was a great day for Willet, whose wife had given birth to the couple’s first child just twelve days before.