Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods and its Farmer John and Saag’s Brands Donate Nearly 90,000 Pounds of Protein to California Wildfire Relief Efforts

Oct 27, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Smithfield Foods and its Farmer John and Saag’s brands have donated nearly 90,000 pounds of protein to the Redwood Empire Food Bank in California. The donation is part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program committed to alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, and will help victims of the ongoing wildfires throughout Northern California.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Carnival Horizon Dreamscape LED Atrium Sculpture to Feature Artwork Created by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Patients

Oct 27, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Carnival Cruise Line announced that the massive LED “Dreamscape” atrium sculpture on the new Carnival Horizonwill feature colorful, custom-designed artwork created by patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® when the 133,500-ton ship debuts in Europe in spring 2018.

Education

Connecting with My Cohort: the Best Part of My Amgen Scholars Experience

Oct 27, 2017 10:20 AM ET

When I was first asked to blog about the most valuable part of the Amgen Scholars Program for me this past summer, I had no idea how to respond. How could I choose from the many great opportunities I had been given? Maybe I should talk about being able to experience life as a graduate student working full time in a lab.

Events, Media & Communications

Microsoft’s Brad Smith Highlights Business Leadership at the BSR Conference 2017

Oct 27, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith addressed the audience at the BSR Conference 2017 with a speech highlighting the need for the technology sector to think about embracing technology as a cause to protect people.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Arrow Electronics Employees Join with Salesforce as Hunger Heroes

Oct 27, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Employees from Arrow Electronics and Salesforce partnered together as “Hunger Heroes” at the Food Bank of the Rockies earlier this month.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Volunteer Travels to Disaster-Affected Areas to Rescue Animals, Reunite Them With Their Owners

Oct 27, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

One Employee’s Unique Approach to Doing Good – With a Camera, a Tail, & a Flex-Work Culture

Oct 27, 2017 9:35 AM ET

It started with a dare and a tiger suit, and has become a special way for the kids at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas to play along via social media and become a part of the Tiger Team.

Innovation & Technology

These Talented Young People Are Driving Positive Social Change Around the World

Oct 27, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Finding new ways to get students excited about science, to reduce food scarcity, and to improve access to decent and affordable housing — these are just some of the challenges that teams of young people from around the world tried to address as participants in the BeChangeMaker (BCM) initiative developed by the HP Foundation and WorldSkills International.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Case Study: Sustainability Reporting Driving All-Round Improvement

Oct 27, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Sustainability reporting has a foundational role in how Codelco, a Chilean mining company, conducts business. We interviewed Paul Maidstone, Corporate Director, Environmental Compliance at Codelco, who is convinced of the power of non-financial reporting in the development of companies, countries and regions.

Research, Reports & Publications

De Beers Partners to Hold Conference That Shines Light on Conservation Research

Oct 27, 2017 9:30 AM ET

More than 200 conservationists, scientists, academics, students, nature lovers and activists heard about the latest developments in a series of research presentations at the 8th Oppenheimer De Beers Group Research Conference.

Sustainable Development Goals

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi: Our Sustainability Journey

Oct 27, 2017 9:25 AM ET

PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi discusses Performance with Purpose.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FORTUNE Magazine Recognizes Sodexo for Its Commitment to People With Disabilities

Oct 27, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, was included on FORTUNE magazine’s annual “Change the World” list for its commitment to and leadership in hiring and supporting employees who have disabilities. The list recognizes companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more that have made a positive social impact through their core business strategy. Sodexo ranked 47th on the list.

Media & Communications

The Boston Consulting Group Releases Study: Total Societal Impact – A New Lens on Strategy

Oct 27, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Recognized by CECP: The CEO Force for Good as “Top Quartile,” Leading Global Brand in Social Investment

Oct 27, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In the largest, most robust, industry-leading and internationally-recognized research of corporate social engagement, CECP: The CEO Force for Good, in association with The Conference Board, found in their annual Giving in Numbers report that Merck is a leader in corporate social

Innovation & Technology

Circles and Connected Living Team up to Bring Combined Services and a Mobile App That Connects Families and Offers VIP Treatment With a Personal Concierge

Oct 27, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Circles, a global concierge service provider and part of the Sodexo Group, a world leader in Quality of Life Services, today announces a partnership with Connected Living, the nation’s leading connector of Seniors with family, friends and communities. This partnership comes together in Connected Living’s mobile platform and enables family members to have a private secure communication channel using location-based features to connect with and to take care of their loved ones, while also providing users with a highly personalized “white glove” concierge service.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays | Gamechangers: Alpha Exchange

Oct 27, 2017 8:40 AM ET

The New York Accelerator launches its latest programme next week, welcoming the next cohort of start-ups to its 13-week mentor-driven experience. The Accelerator, run in partnership between Barclays and Techstars, offers fintech entrepreneurs unprecedented access not only to a leading world bank, but also to Techstars mentor and investor relationships. The programme ends with ‘Demo Day’ – an opportunity to pitch to the influential tech community. Barclays also runs Accelerators in locations in London, Tel Aviv and Cape Town.

Environment

Environment and Sustainability: Drivers of Opportunity | Q&A With Karen Clarke-Whistler

Oct 27, 2017 8:10 AM ET

TheFutureEconomy.ca: What has changed in the corporate world in terms of sustainability over the last decades and how can Canada strike a balance between being resource based and developing our economy sustainably?

Media & Communications

A Look Into Fair Trade

Oct 26, 2017 8:30 PM ET

Fair Trade Certified works unlike any other ethical label by enabling direct economic benefit for farmers, workers, and fishermen. Find out more and follow us on social media to celebrate the power of Fair Trade.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Incorporating Inclusive Growth

Oct 26, 2017 6:45 PM ET

There's no shortage of opinion on how governments can reduce economic and social disparities, but what about the private sector? The long-held belief that focusing on the environment and society is at odds with making a profit is increasingly being challenged.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Named Outstanding Corporation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in South Carolina

Oct 26, 2017 6:20 PM ET

Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the U.S., today announced that the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Central South Carolina named the company its Outstanding Corporation in honor of National Philanthropy Day, which it is celebrating today. Aflac was nominated for the award by Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

IFF Confirms Global Sustainability Leadership with EcoVadis “Gold” Status, CDP A Rating

Oct 26, 2017 5:15 PM ET

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris:IFF), a leading innovator of sensory experiences that move the world, confirmed its global leadership position in corporate sustainability, earning a “Gold” status rating by EcoVadis and maintaining its leadership level by CDP.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Alliance Data Donates $1 Million to Nationwide Children's Hospital

Oct 26, 2017 5:05 PM ET

Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS) today announced its Columbus, Ohio-based card services business, a premier provider of branded private label, co-brand and business credit programs, presented a $1 million gift to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, building on the company’s nearly two decades of support for the healthcare institution.

Events, Media & Communications

Community Investment Program Success Includes Measurement at the Design Stage

Oct 26, 2017 4:10 PM ET

Gabriela Polanco-Sorto, the Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsbility at LoyaltyOne, will share recent experience relaunching a community investment program specifically designed to engage employees at the Toronto conference Inside Out: A Transformative Approach to Community Investment. Her remarks will specifically address how thinking 'measurement' at the design stage enhanced overall program design.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini, Hey Violet, Why Don’t We, Ayo & Teo, Jacob Sartorius and More Join Host Nick Cannon for Nickelodeon HALO Awards 2017, Concert Event Celebrating Kids Who Are Helping and Leading Others, Sunday, Nov. 26, at 7 P.M. (ET/PT)

Oct 26, 2017 3:55 PM ET

Some of music’s most popular stars—Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini, Hey Violet, Why Don’t We, Ayo & Teo and Jacob Sartorius--are coming together for the Nickelodeon HALO Awards 2017, a one-of-a-kind concert special honoring four young leaders who are changing their communities and the world by “Helping and Leading Others” (HALO). Led by host, creator and executive producer Nick Cannon, the one-hour musical event will also feature Nick stars: JoJo Siwa (Lip Sync Battle Shorties), Lizzy Greene (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn), Ricardo Hurtado (School of Rock), and Daniella Perkins and Owen Joyner (Knight Squad). The Nickelodeon HALO Awards 2017, held at New York’s Pier 36, will be simulcast Sunday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), across Nickelodeon, TeenNick and Nicktoons.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Eight Sodexo-Operated College Dining Programs Named to Daily Meal’s Best Colleges for Food List

Oct 26, 2017 3:45 PM ET

The Daily Meal named eight Sodexo-operated dining programs to its list of Best Colleges for Food in 2017. Liberty University premiered on the list at number three and was praised for sourcing locally-grown produce and humanely-raised meat.