Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

Innovative Your CSR at this Workplace Giving Conference

Apr 5, 2017 7:10 AM ET

Amidst this time of political tumult, emotions are running high and companies are caught in the crossfire. For corporate social responsibility (CSR) and HR managers, it can be difficult to understand how to leverage volunteer and giving programs in ways that respond to current events without being overly reactive to them.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo Delivers a Slice of Mindfulness to Pizza Lovers Seeking Flavorful, Healthy Pies

Apr 4, 2017 6:30 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader of Quality of Life services, today announces the launch of Make It Mindful, an interactive tool that invites consumers to create the next Mindful Pizzetta. With Make it Mindful, consumers can choose from more than 50 toppings and enter their creation for a chance to win free lunch for a year—plus see their dish featured at Sodexo cafés in September 2017.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Values-Aligned Collaboration Unleashing Financial Health

Apr 4, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Many organizations are throwing aside the “go-it-alone” mentality in favor of working together to address complex challenges and scale their innovations.

Environment

Time To Filibuster, Buster!

Apr 4, 2017 4:45 PM ET

his week on Sea Change Radio we speak with UC Irvine professor, Rick Hasen, about the fight over the appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the nation’s highest court. We delve into the intricacies of the filibuster, and wrestle a bit over whether this is the appropriate time for Democrats to use it.

Education

June 15 New Date Locked In: Introduction to Corporate ESG for Investment & Finance Professionals Certification

Apr 4, 2017 3:45 PM ET

Lecturers include leading experts in the sustainable investing field and the participants will come away with an understanding of why ESG matters, and how to apply ESG to corporate valuations, reputation, risk, opportunity and other aspects of financial analysis.

Social Impact & Volunteering

National Rebuilding Month: Rebuilding Together Affiliates Impact

Apr 4, 2017 3:00 PM ET

During #RebuildingMonth, Rebuilding Together affiliates are planning to complete over 1,700 rebuilding projects, including homes and community centers across the country.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GSK is Proud to Support the Movement to Build a Healthier Community in East St. Louis, IL

Apr 4, 2017 2:30 PM ET

“The State of the Movement is strong,” declared Montez Holton, a junior at East St. Louis Senior High School, referring to the East Side Aligned collective impact “movement” in East St. Louis, IL. Working across sectors and organizations, the East St. Louis community has come together to help young people feel safe and secure in their community, be ready to succeed in school and work and empower them to create change.

Innovation & Technology

Avnet Launches ‘Reach Further’

Apr 4, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Highlighting its ongoing mission to help customers navigate an ever-changing technology landscape, Avnet (NYSE: AVT) today introduced “Reach Further,” its new global branding campaign. Reach Further reflects Avnet’s corporate transformation as well as the collaborative relationship with the company’s customers in navigating the complex process of bringing new technology to the marketplace.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Confessions of a Data Cynic

Apr 4, 2017 2:00 PM ET

I didn’t want to believe; in fact, I’ve spent years fighting it. People go on and on about the power of data and I just didn’t see it. I come from a world where skill in design and creativity can make almost anything work, and creating words isn’t frowned upon—or at least that’s what I told myself. I figured that I could sell my Corporate Responsibility story with words and pictures and do just fine—until I had one of those painful “Aha” moments.

Diversity & Inclusion

From the Marine Corps to PayPal - Finding Purpose After Service

Apr 4, 2017 1:15 PM ET

PayPal manager Heather Holcomb, a former U.S. Marine, knows how challenging re-entering civilian life can be while searching for the next career path. After spending four years in the military, Heather, 29, hoped her experience would be a straight shot to a job in communications technology. Unfortunately, she struggled to gain traction. Without a degree in applied technology or engineering, her hands-on experience didn’t seem to resonate with employers. To bridge the gap, she joined BreakLine, an immersive educational program designed to help veterans transition from military jobs to fulfilling private sector careers in finance and technology.

Environment

JetBlue Kicks Off Tenth Annual ‘One Thing That’s Green®’ Campaign With A Green City Vote Inviting Customers and Crewmembers to Choose Their Favorite City to Win a Green Space

Apr 4, 2017 12:35 PM ET

As part of JetBlue For Good, the airline’s corporate social responsibility platform, “One Thing That’s Green” highlights JetBlue’s commitment to environmentalism and encourages customers and crewmembers to undertake one green initiative in their daily lives to help reduce their carbon footprint. JetBlue is leading by example with activations online, onboard, in its local communities and at its home terminal - T5 - at New York’s JFK Airport.

Events, Media & Communications

Volunteers and Corporate Sponsors Needed for Fairfax CASA’s 7th Annual Run for the Children 8K Race & 3K Run/Walk

Apr 4, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Since its inception in 2010, the Fairfax Run for the Children has become a “must-do” event for runners, families and businesses across Northern Virginia. On average, this race attracts nearly 1,000 runners and walkers, 250 volunteers, and raises almost $85,000 each year to support Fairfax CASA’s advocacy work with abused and neglected children in the community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Adoption Recruiter’s Story Comes Full Circle

Apr 4, 2017 12:00 PM ET

When Edna Green walked into a Wendy’s Restaurant for her first job more than 20 years ago, she never could have guessed how the restaurant company and its founder Dave Thomas would change her life and the lives of dozens of children in foster care.

Health & Healthcare

Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam Continues Company’s Streak with a Perfect Score of 100 on United States Public Health Inspection

Apr 4, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam joins sister-ship ms Eurodam this year by earning a perfect score of 100 on a routine United States Public Health (USPH) inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health & Healthcare

Providing Patients with Global Health Resources

Apr 4, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Education

50 New School Beehives Funded by Whole Kids Foundation® and The Bee Cause Project

Apr 4, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation and The Bee Cause Project announced 50 new school beehive grant recipients.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Final Week to Nominate Volunteers for Virginia’s 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Awards Program

Apr 4, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Cox Communications, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, is accepting nominations for Virginia’s 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes program at CoxConservesHeroes.com through 5 p.m. EST on April 10.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Donates $500,000 to Rescue and Relief Efforts in Peru

Apr 4, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Scotiabank is donating $500,000 USD to help with the rescue, relief and recovery efforts in Peru following the recent flooding and landslides. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the events.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Atlas Copco Compressors and Light Tower Win Red Dot Design Awards

Apr 4, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Atlas Copco, a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, has won two prestigious Red Dot Design Awards for 2017 for portable compressors and a LED light tower.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: How to Heal the Ocean

Apr 4, 2017 10:30 AM ET

The environment wins as the fishing net pollution is reduced. The fishing villages win with access to micro-finance, a cleaner environment, and a bit of extra revenue. Interface wins by increasing the recycled content in its supply chain. Pure triple bottom line goodness.

Education

CITGO and the Boston Red Sox to Promote STEM Education at Fenway Park

Apr 4, 2017 10:30 AM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation and the Boston Red Sox are taking science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to the baseball diamond this year. CITGO and the Red Sox have announced that they will host two STEM Days this year for Boston-area students to help their classroom STEM lessons come alive.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PNC Foundation, Donorschoose.Org Team up to Fund Hundreds of Pre-K Requests for Resources, Experiences

Apr 4, 2017 10:20 AM ET

The PNC Foundation today funded hundreds of pre-K classroom requests as part of a new $5 million grant to DonorsChoose.org to provide teachers with enhanced classroom resources and experiences to inspire their students’ love of learning.

Environment

National Keep America Beautiful Initiative Reports 60 Percent Reduction of Cigarette Litter in Participating Communities

Apr 4, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Keep America Beautiful today announced an average 60 percent reduction in cigarette litter in communities that implemented its Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in 2016, a 10 percent increase over the 2015 program results. The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, now it its 15th year, is the nation’s largest program aimed at reducing cigarette litter.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Momentum Grows for Gender Lens Investing

Apr 4, 2017 10:05 AM ET

In the world of Sustainable and Impact Investing, few ideas have captured the imagination as quickly as Gender Lens Investing (“GLI”). In just the past few years, the number of Gender Lens solutions has grown rapidly. The premise of this approach is that every investment has a gender dimension and that understanding it uncovers both overlooked opportunities and hidden risks. GLI solutions are about investing for gender balance, inclusion and equity. GL investors are betting that all of society – both women and men alike – will reap social and economic dividends from women’s equality. Equally important is the passion this topic has generated among people interested in aligning their wealth with values. This also bodes well for the creation of new products and solutions.

Innovation & Technology

Smart Cities Will Depend on Smarter Movement of People and Goods

Apr 4, 2017 10:00 AM ET

One of the challenges in smart city transportation is to be able to go from point A to point B, while reducing the number of cars on the market, and also being able to use existing public transportation.

Maryline Daviaud Lewett, Business Development Manager, Black & Veatch, discusses how cities are partnering with the private sector to optimize these services.