The keys to developing smarter transportation infrastructure lie not only in the physical world of roads, rail and bridges, but also in the invisible world of data — specifically, open mobility data, which is the aggregated data that transit agencies make publicly available. This data tracks stoplight timing, traffic patterns and transit routes, and can be used by everyone from transportation officials looking to redesign routes to software companies developing new navigation applications.

Over the past three years, NPower requests for cyber security talent have been mounting. It is clear this is not by coincidence and it is crucial we address the need.

In 2014, we partnered with Symantec in the launch of their Symantec Cyber Career Connection (Symantec C3) program. The Symantec C3 program targets the under-employment of young adults (ages 18 to 29), specifically women and minorities, as well as veterans.

Symantec has been an incredible partner to NPower, sharing our vision that students need a mix of skills to be successful in the professional world, and that there is a huge opportunity to open the doors for an underutilized talent market while strengthening the future of the industry.

Kansas City’s Smart Sewer program is the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history.

The program employs a network of sensors—including sonar and radar technology—to accurately track real-time sewer overflows and optimize the use of its existing sewer system.

Kansas City is among a handful of American cities like Cincinnati and South Bend that are responding to chronic problems with sewer overflows by adopting the latest in smart tech to access real-time data to direct wastewater to existing stations. The new method saves money and protects the major waterways.

Last week, we released a blog post on some of our favorites communities of practice that bring diverse professionals together across sectors to achieve maximum business and social value in their communities. As a follow-up, I had the pleasure of interviewing May Malik, Director of Public-Private Partnerships at NYC Service who has an infectious passion for service and a unique vantage point from her role in the public sector.

Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite in the United States, announced that Points of Light has named Aflac to its 2018 Civic 50 list. According to their website, Points of Light is the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the communities in which they do business. The award recognizes Aflac as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid took home two titles from the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) 2018 Drive Revolution green vehicle competition, including the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year, and for the second year in a row, the Northwest Family-sized Plug-in Hybrid of the Year.

The Spark Program connects schools in the Chicago community with corporate partners to immerse middle schoolers in workplace mentorships based on skills and interests.

“These mentorships go beyond educational aspects. Spark Mentors often have a big influence on the social and emotional development of these adolescents,” said Principal of Frazier International Magnet School, Charlette Broxton, “we are very lucky to partner with corporations, such as Tyson Foods, through the Spark Program.”

Tyson Foods has been a partner with the Spark Program since 2015, and with Chicago Public Schools closing out the year, it only made sense to have our Spark students join us for this summer celebration.

For the 19th year in a row, the octogenarian CEO of Berkshire Hathawayauctioned off a lunch date to raise money for Glide, an anti-poverty organization in San Francisco, California. When the auction closed late Friday, the winning bid topped $3.3 million according to the online event hosted by eBay for Charity.

Antea Group spotlights inspirational Bob Karls in a disarming and passionate snapshot of his career.

Eight finalist teams from around the world have been announced for nature-inspired climate change design solutions in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, sponsored by the Biomimicry Institute.