Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Our Company is Two-Thirds Women. Here’s Why That Makes Us Successful.

Jan 23, 2019 9:35 AM ET

#RealTalk only works when it’s followed by #RealAction. So when we started the Real Talk Lunch Series at Aflac for women in the IT group to gather and frankly discuss their workplace experiences, we made sure senior female executives were there. I was one of those executives and it was an eye-opening experience for me. By sitting in on those sessions, I learned which issues to raise up and champion on behalf of the women in our workforce. I’m happy to report we’ll be expanding the program to the entire company later this year.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

HPE Sustainable Technologies and Climate Strategy Lead World Rankings

Jan 23, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tyson Foods Tops FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies List for Food Production

Jan 23, 2019 9:05 AM ET

For the third straight year, Tyson Foods, Inc. ranks No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s list of the World's Most Admired Companies in the Food Production category.

The annual survey, conducted by Fortune and Korn Ferry, is given to top executives, directors and financial analysts, to identify the companies that have the strongest reputations within their industries and across all industries.

“This is a great honor. We’re very proud of our company and the team members who contribute to our continued success,” said Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “Growth is at the center of our strategy, which includes driving innovation of value-added food for our customers and consumers, while also expanding our international footprint.”

Sustainable Development Goals

Now showing: The (Neighborhood) Transformers

Jan 23, 2019 9:00 AM ET

What happens to an underserved, low-income neighborhood when a nearly 70,000-square-foot cinema complex moves in? According to Maya Cinemas founder Moctesuma Esparza, the answer is a cascading effect of new jobs, economic growth, neighborhood revitalization, and a strengthened sense of community. “The movies bring people together,” said Esparza. “But for underserved neighborhoods — particularly Latino neighborhoods — local movie theaters have all but disappeared, leaving a void in what was once a wonderful communal experience.” Visit Wells Fargo Stories to watch the video: https://stories.wf.com/now-showing-neighborhood-transformers/

Green Infrastructure

Tree City USA: Strengthening Urban Forests Across America

Jan 23, 2019 8:00 AM ET

With the support of our members and partners, the Tree City USA program has strengthened and sustained urban forests across the country. From the Gulf of Alaska to the Gulf Coast, more than 153 million Americans are living in Tree City USA towns and cities that pay particular attention to tree planting, management, and care.

Events, Media & Communications

Video: “The Green Wall” at Barclays Increases Environmental Awareness

Jan 23, 2019 8:00 AM ET

We unveiled “The Green Wall” at Barclays Center as part of our partnership with Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets to engage and inspire environmental stewardship in the local community.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Arrow Electronics Again Tops Industry Ranking in FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies List

Jan 23, 2019 7:30 AM ET

This marks the 19th time Arrow has appeared on the list that is based on input from industry executives, directors and analysts. “Arrow is honored to be included once again on this prestigious list of top companies and seen as the most respected by those in our industry,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Arrow.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

UPS Achieves Prestigious Spot on CDP's Climate Change "A" List

Jan 23, 2019 3:15 AM ET

UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced the company has been highlighted as a global leader for its corporate climate action efforts by CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project).

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

SC Johnson Announces Global Partnership with Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Jan 23, 2019 12:05 AM ET

Today, SC Johnson and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation announce a global partnership reflective of their mutual passion and dedication to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. SC Johnson joins the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s nine existing Global Partners including Intesa Sanpaolo, Danone, Google, H&M, Nike, Phillips, Renault, Solvay and Unilever in driving forward market leading circular economy initiatives at scale.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

VMware Named to Forbes Best Employers for Diversity 2019

Jan 22, 2019 8:05 PM ET

VMware has been named to Forbes' 2019 list of Best Employers for Diversity. VMware celebrates the power of human difference by purposely building an inclusive culture. The company empowers women in tech, is committed to equal pay for equal work, and hosts a number of employee-driven resource groups designed to help participants engage in different communities and develop as leaders.

Environment

WildAid CEO Peter Knights

Jan 22, 2019 7:45 PM ET

Have you ever seen one of those ads with a celebrity like Jackie Chan or Leonardo DiCaprio beside a beautiful, rare animal? If so, there’s a good chance it was promoting a WildAid campaign. This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak with the CEO of WildAid, Peter Knights, about the organization’s mission to protect endangered species.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Las Vegas Sands Named to Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” List

Jan 22, 2019 5:10 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in Fortune’s annual list of the world’s most respected and reputable businesses, repeating 2017 and 2018 appearances on the list of global corporate leaders. Created by industry peers, analysts and leaders, Sands has made the list a total of six times over the past seven years.

Energy

Why Salesforce, Gap, Bloomberg, and Others Are Teaming up to Buy Solar

Jan 22, 2019 3:55 PM ET

It sounds like the opening line of a sustainable businesses nerd joke: Bloomberg, Salesforce, Gap Inc., Cox Enterprises, and Workday walked into a solar purchasing agreement together.

Media & Communications

Entrevista con Lori Michelin, CEO y Presidente del World Environment Center (WEC), y Francisco Suárez, Presidente Anterior del Consejo Directivo del WEC, Sobre el Fomento de Soluciones con Empresas Para Abordar el Desarrollo Sostenible

Jan 22, 2019 3:00 PM ET

La Sra. Michelin y el Sr. Suárez discuten el trabajo de sostenibilidad global del WEC y su misión de promover la sostenibilidad en asociación con las compañías miembros del WEC, los gobiernos, las instituciones multilaterales y académicas, y otras ONGs.

Media & Communications

An Interview With Lori Michelin, CEO & President of the World Environment Center (WEC), and Francisco Suarez, Former Chair of the Board of WEC, on Fostering Solutions With Business to Address Sustainable Development

Jan 22, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Ms. Michelin and Mr. Suarez discuss the global sustainability work of WEC and its mission to advance sustainability in partnership with WEC member companies, governments, multilateral and academic institutions, and other NGOs.

Education

Exploring New STEM Opportunities Beyond Guam

Jan 22, 2019 1:40 PM ET

I had a wonderful time as an Amgen Scholar! I had a wonderful mentor, Dr. Ellen Rothenberg. She paired me with a postdoc, Dr. Hiroyuki Hosokawa, and a lab technician, Maile Romeo-Wolf. With all mentors, I learned a lot throughout the summer. My project for the summer was studying early T cell development by determining phenotypes through transcription factor knockouts using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The significance of the project is to deepen the understanding of how T cells develop because they are important players for our immune system.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Named One of Fortune’s "World’s Most Admired Companies" For Second Consecutive Year

Jan 22, 2019 1:15 PM ET

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has been named to Fortune magazine’s 2019 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies for the second year in a row. Duke Energy was ranked 5th among gas and electric utilities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PNC Named Among Corporate Knights’ 2019 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World

Jan 22, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Corporate Knights released its 15th annual list of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations in Davos today, following a rigorous analysis of some 7,500 companies with US$1B+ in revenues. The Global 100 is an annual project initiated by Corporate Knights, the company for clean capitalism.

Health & Healthcare

Advanced Technologies That Keep UPSers Safe

Jan 22, 2019 11:55 AM ET

UPS drivers travel millions of miles every day, and our goal is for all of our drivers to make it home safely. That’s why UPS works hard to remain an industry leader in safety, ensuring our drivers are fully trained and prepared every time they get behind the wheel.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Consumers Energy Donates $100,000 to Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

Jan 22, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Consumers Energy has donated $100,000 to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund to help military veterans pay their heating bills this winter. The gift is the largest single donation in the 73-year history of the trust fund, which operates within the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, according to Lindell Holm, MVTF director.

Education

Orlando Science Center Students Become Pilots With Lockheed Martin Technology

Jan 22, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) donated Prepar3D licenses valued at more than $32,000 to the Orlando Science Center kicking off the annual Otronicon conference furthering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the Central Florida community.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Follow the Money: Sustainability Goes Mainstream

Jan 22, 2019 11:00 AM ET

In the last two decades, sustainability reporting has gone from an exercise for the largest companies to a necessity to attract investors and meet local and international regulation. But the main benefit of sustainability reporting remains that companies best understand their impacts and can improve their bottom line along with the world around them.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Can a Legacy E-commerce Brand Help Revive Brick-and-mortar Retail?

Jan 22, 2019 10:30 AM ET

E-commerce pioneer eBay believes its new boot camp "Retail Revival" could boost beleaguered storefronts.

Diversity & Inclusion

Hallmark Fosters Diversity in Entertainment Industry

Jan 22, 2019 10:05 AM ET

Thanks to partnerships with organizations committed to advancing the careers of talented individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, capabilities and experiences, Hallmark’s collective Kansas City-based businesses saw a 20 percent increase in full-time diversity hires in salaried positions during the last year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

2019 Outlook: Building Nonprofit Capacity Through Pro Bono Service

Jan 22, 2019 10:05 AM ET

There is a fundamental paradigm shift on the horizon in a company's role in society. Last year started with what has become a rallying cry from Larry Fink of BlackRock who stated that the firm would be looking at both its financial and societal performance when making investment decisions. And already in 2019, this idea of a fundamental shift in the way of doing business has moved from the headlines of the social sector press to mainstream publications.