Client News Feed

Leading by Example: California Mom Teaches Daughters the Importance of Giving Back

Social Impact & Volunteering

Plenty of little girls aspire to be like Disney princesses – beautiful, magical and strong. Laura Giron’s daughters, ages 10 and 11, have been taught since toddlerhood that real magic and beauty comes from giving time and compassion to people in need through volunteer service.

New Community Center in Detroit a Model of Sustainability

Green Infrastructure

A network of local and global businesses are collaborating with the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) to transform a long-vacant apartment complex in Detroit’s lower North End into a multi-functional community space that will become one of the most sustainable, energy-efficient buildings in Detroit.

Three Quality of Lifehacks for a Healthier You at Work

Health & Healthcare

You might not think of your workplace as a health hazard, but the effects of sitting all day at the office, grabbing a handful of candy as you walk by your coworker’s desk every day, and not drinking enough water are just a few of the unhealthy habits that can take a toll on your health. Here are three Quality of Lifehacks that can make for a healthier you in the workplace and a more productive workday.

ILFI and the International WELL Building Institute™ Partner on “Crosswalk” to Align Two Ratings Systems

Environment

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) and the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™), have agreed to work collaboratively to promote the design, construction and operation of healthy and restorative buildings. The two organizations will work together to identify opportunities to align the two rating systems, coordinate events and education offerings, and promote building practices that significantly raise the standard of what buildings should be.

Preparing Professionals for Career Focus on Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Sustainability and Sustainable & Responsible Investing

Media & Communications

Important elements of the Governance & Accountability Institute mission are to share knowledge, perspectives and information about the opportunities in corporate responsibility, including career paths to success, and to do the same for men and women interested in sharpening their focus in the financial community, with the continuing embrace of ESG approaches by investment firms of all types ("sustainable investing").

Reinventing Mindsets to Guarantee a More Diverse & Inclusive Future

Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusion is a state of being valued, respected and supported – it’s about focusing on the needs of every individual and ensuring the right conditions are in place for each person to achieve their full potential. For this to function within an organization, inclusion must be reflected in its culture, practices and relationships that are in place to support a diverse workforce. In other words: if diversity is the mix, then inclusion is finding a way to get the mix to work well together.

Restoring the Meaning of Memorial Day

Social Impact & Volunteering

Enjoying a day away from the office with a few hotdogs, cold drinks and a lot of sun makes for a great Memorial Day, but that isn’t exactly what the day is all about. In 2003, I left my family, friends, and future wife for an active duty deployment in the United States Army. In 2005, I left my wife of 1 month for a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq that would last over a year. Our Forward Operating Base (FOB) would often go on “Comms Blackout,” usually meaning a soldier on our FOB had been killed or seriously injured and their family was being officially notified.

VMware Wins Corporate Responsibility Award

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

We’re proud to announce that VMware has won the Overall Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award by the National CSR Awards. The National CSR Awards celebrate business excellence and innovation in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability across a broad range of disciplines including Carbon Impact, Community Development, Staff Welfare, Energy, Education and Leadership. The Awards are judged by a panel of twenty-four distinguished individuals, all who have experience in the many areas of a responsible business.

Winners Announced for the Global Sourcing Council’s Sustainability-Focused 3S Awards

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Global Sourcing Council (GSC), an association of global sourcing professionals dedicated to guiding businesses towards adopting sustainability principles and responsible sourcing practices, is proud to announce the winners of the 2017 3S Awards, held May 17th in New York City.

Cross-Sector Collaboration Launches Study on How to Build Purpose into the Work of People, Teams, and Organizations

Research, Reports & Publications

CECP: The CEO Force for Good has joined forces with Imperative and PwC US to launch a multi-year initiative examining how leading companies can harness the power of purpose in a corporate setting, and use it to positively impact employee performance, productivity, tenure, and fulfillment. From Engagement to Purpose: A CECP-Imperative-PwC Initiative is being kicked-off at the 2017 CECP Summit: Brave Leaders, Bold Moves May 23-24, 2017 in NYC, which will bring together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies.

Consumers Energy Investing Nearly $440 Million to Enhance Safety, Reliability of Natural Gas System

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Focusing on safety and reliability, Consumers Energy is spending nearly $440 million this year to modernize its natural gas system.

Mark Murray: California Recycling in Decline

Environment

In 2013 California boasted a recycling rate of 85%. In 2017 that number is now 79% – that is the first time it has dipped below 80% since 2008. Why is the most populous state in the union moving in the wrong direction on this important indicator?

First-of-its-Kind Oyster Shell Recycling Program Launches in Alabama

Environment

The Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) and Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), a leader in the recycling and waste services industry, are pleased to announce a partnership in support of the Alabama Oyster Shell Recycling Program, the first-of-its-kind in the local area. Funded through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the program helps to support the sustainable growth and rehabilitation of oyster harvests in Alabama, as well as the livelihood of the fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ecocentricity Blog - Front One: Zero Waste

Environment

Despite being inefficient, waste has permeated our lives. At a high level, I see a few reasons for that.

Living in a Materiality World

Research, Reports & Publications

As part of our sustainability strategy process, UPS recently conducted a comprehensive materiality assessment to gain insight into key sustainability issues important to our stakeholders, both inside and outside our company.

Duke Energy and YMCA Team Up to Give Back

Social Impact & Volunteering

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Duke Energy is finding ways to give back during the month of May through projects across the Charlotte area.

From Wireless to Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging: The Evolution of Qualcomm Halo [Video]

Innovation & Technology

The future of urban mobility is connected, autonomous, electric, and wireless. And Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI) is one of the companies leading the charge — figuratively. Qualcomm Halo, our wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) technology, is a simple and efficient way to charge electric vehicles (EV), helping drive a cleaner and smarter future for urban mobility.

Sanofi North America Highlights Commitment to a Healthy Planet In Recognition of Earth Day

Environment

One of the cornerstones of Sanofi’s Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy is creating and maintaining a Healthy Planet. Because the environment we live in directly affects our health, Sanofi cares for the planet by reducing our carbon, waste and water footprint. For instance, by 2020, Sanofi is committed to achieve a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions*, and a 25% reduction in water consumption, compared to 2010.

Why Bloomberg Philanthropies’ James Anderson Tops Our List Of The Most Creative People In Business 2017

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

When James Anderson arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, in October 2014, the city was in the midst of an immigration crisis. Tens of thousands of Africans, having fled the poverty and conflict of their native countries, now resided in the southern neighborhood of Neve Sha’anan. In less than a decade, the area’s population had grown fourfold, resulting in overcrowding, unemployment, and cultural rifts between some members of the migrant community and native Israelis.

Expanding Our Global Collaboration with PayPal

Innovation & Technology

In 2017–18, we’ll continue our work with PayPal, running FinTech investment-readiness programs in the US, Latin America, India and for the first time — sub-Saharan Africa

9 Brands Rewriting Their Sustainability Strategy by Embracing the Circular Economy

Environment

Today, product companies are facing increasing pressure from both business and consumer stakeholders to create more responsible products, while also contending with tightening environmental regulations.

KFC India Aims to Provide 20 Million Meals by 2020

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

As part of the global initiative to create awareness and raise funds to provide meals for underprivileged children, KFC India has set a target of providing 20 million meals by 2020.

Knocking Down Myths: Challenging Unconscious Bias in Chile

Diversity & Inclusion

Because the human brain has to process an incredibly large amount of information, we rely on previous experiences, patterns, and assumptions to efficiently make decisions. Typically, this works to our benefit — such as when we automatically swerve to avoid an obstacle while driving.

Heels and Hosiery: Lucy Choi and Bianca Miller-Cole on “Taking Risks”

Diversity & Inclusion

Shoe designer Lucy Choi and entrepreneur Bianca Miller–Cole were the guests of honour last week at an evening of inspiration hosted by the Barclays Win Gender network. “It’s important to take risks in life,” says shoe designer Lucy Choi. “If you believe and feel passionate about what you’re doing, then go for it.”

How to Tell Your Corporate Philanthropy Story with Authenticity

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

During Women’s History Month in March, the JetBlue Foundation (who, as luck would have it, is a Versaic client) hosted 75 girls between the ages of 8 and 12 to learn what it’s like to “Fly Like a Girl” at a hangar in New York’s JFK airport.