In celebration of World Water Day on March 22 and Earth Day on April 22, Xylem hosted the second annual Make Your Mark 30 Day Challenge, a month-long event that encourages employees to engage in efforts to solve global and local water and environmental issues. The 30 Day Challenge is a signature event of Xylem Watermark, the company’s corporate citizenship platform aimed at providing and protecting safe water resources in communities in need and educating people about water issues. This year, 1700 employees volunteered in more than 190 water-related activities across 93 Xylem sites, including leading students through water presentations and water monitoring, and building water towers in communities that lack access to clean drinking water.

Official production of the Subaru Ascent, a new three-row SUV that will seat up to eight passengers, began at Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant yesterday. To mark the occasion, members of the famous Subaru canine family, The Barkleys, visited SIA to welcome the family vehicle to the Subaru line-up. In addition, SIA presented $8,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare: Almost Home Humane Society, Loving Heart Animal Shelter, Natalie’s Second Chance No-Kill Dog Shelter and North Central Indiana Spay & Neuter.

When Common Impact’s clients ask me what events they should attend to understand the next generation of CSR, employee engagement and for-purpose business, I always point them to the Shared Value Initiative (SVI). SVI held its annual summit this past week in the (finally sunny!) downtown NYC, where hundreds of business, investment and social sector professionals met to hear and discuss the latest in driving a social, environmental and financial bottom line at once.

Giving back is part of JetBlue’s DNA and is core to our mission of inspiring humanity. At JetBlue our culture IS service. Many crewmembers have shared that opportunities to give back are important to their work/life balance. As such, in addition to the award-winning service we provide to our customers, we regularly try to find ways to work in our local communities by providing opportunities for service. In fact, our corporate responsibility initiatives have been cited as a key recruiting and retention tool for JetBlue.

Last week, our annual “JetBlue For Good” Dinner, hosted by our CEO and executive leadership, celebrated individual and team volunteer accomplishments over the past year.

General Motors remains steadfast in its vision of an all-electric future. Today, Chairman and CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed the company's stance on vehicle efficiency standards with employees globally.