SOURCE:Pfizer

DESCRIPTION:

Gene therapy has the potential to transform how we manage rare genetic diseases like hemophilia, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and others by addressing their root cause – genetic mutations.

The Power of Science behind gene therapy inspires our colleagues, like Bob Smith, SVP, Global Gene Therapy Business, to investigate this groundbreaking technology that could, if successful, bring disease-modification to millions of patients worldwide.

Visit our Annual Review to learn more at www.pfizer.com/annual.

KEYWORDS: Pfizer, annual review, gene therapy, rare disease, Innovation

SOURCE:Blackbaud Corporate Solutions

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@jbakule of @SVInitiative explains how companies can put #sharedvalue into practice on the newest episode of the Champions for Social Good podcast hosted by @blackbaud's @RachelHutchssn http://bit.ly/2q4kF9d

KEYWORDS: Blackbaud Corporate Solutions

SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

Israel is five years old. His mother and father say he makes friends wherever he goes, but it’s a far cry from how his life started.

At just five years old, Israel has spent more than four years in foster care. He was put into eight different foster homes, he was separated from his siblings and he was labeled difficult and “unadoptable.” At only three years old, the system gave up on him.

But that’s not where Israel’s story ends. Thankfully, The Milner family came into Israel’s life as his foster parents. Lucky number 8. They say that they knew Israel was meant to be a forever part of their family and after nearly two years in their home, they could adopt him.

Israel’s adoption was finalized on March 2, 2018, after more than four years in foster care. This little five-year-old is now happy, healthy and living the life he deserves.

“Israel truly completed our family. Foster to adopt has changed our whole family, and gave us all a bigger purpose, to love children who need forever homes,” said Israel’s mom.

Welcome home, Israel! 

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption believes that Unadoptable is Unacceptable.

Help us find more forever families for the children who have been waiting the longest for a loving family.

To learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its mission to dramatically increase adoptions from foster care, visit davethomasfoundation.org

Tweet me:At only 3 years old, Israel was deemed "unadoptable" by the #fostercare system. 2 years later @DTFA found him his #foreverfamily. http://bit.ly/2GvtG26 Unadoptable is unacceptable #adoption

KEYWORDS: Dave Thomas, foster care, adoption, Recruiter, forever family, Wendy’s

SOURCE:Smithfield Foods

DESCRIPTION:

COLUMBIA, Md., April 4, 2018 /3BL Media/ — The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., and The Global Good Fund, are pleased to announce their partnership to launch the Veterans Leadership Program. The Global Good Fund, a leadership development enterprise built by and for social entrepreneurs, will identify six veteran entrepreneurs to take part in an eight-month program focused on creating sustainable jobs and supporting job search and placement for underemployed and unemployed veterans.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses that employ more than 5 million people. While many military leadership traits translate well into business, many veteran entrepreneurs face unique challenges in growing and scaling their businesses.

“Smithfield’s generous support of the Veterans Leadership Program will provide new learning opportunities and resources for our participants – catalysts for personal and professional development,” said Carrie Rich, co-founder and chief executive officer of The Global Good Fund. “This partnership speaks to Smithfield’s impressive commitment to finding innovative ways of making a long-term impact for veterans.”

Funded by a $400,000 grant from the Smithfield Foundation, the Veterans Leadership Program will support the needs of its participants through personalized leadership development, executive mentoring, and targeted capital to invigorate leadership growth.

“Part of Smithfield’s social purpose is to honor the service and sacrifice of American veterans. As such, we are proud to support veteran social entrpenuers as they build successful businesses. Through social entrepreneurship, these companies will not only benefit veterans, but also provide solutions to social issues. As a company firmly rooted in sustainability, this is a ‘win win’,” said Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods and president of the Smithfield Foundation. “We are committed to showing our gratitude for these men and women and look forward to witnessing the enduring impact the Veterans Leadership Program will have for years to come.”

Smithfield has a long history of supporting veterans and military families through volunteerism, food and charitable donations, and partnerships. In 2016, Smithfield introduced two new veterans' initiatives — Operation 4000! and Smithfield Salutes. Smithfield Salutes is an employee engagement program that helps veterans working at Smithfield in their transition to civilian life. Through Operation 4000!, Smithfield is working to employ 4,000 veterans—10 percent of its U.S. workforce—by 2020.

To learn more about Smithfield's support of veterans, visit smithfieldfoods.com/veterans.

For more information about The Global Good Fund, please visit globalgoodfund.org.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^Ⓡ, Eckrich^Ⓡ, Nathan's Famous^Ⓡ, Farmland^Ⓡ, Armour^Ⓡ, Farmer John^Ⓡ, Kretschmar^Ⓡ, John Morrell^Ⓡ, Cook's^Ⓡ, Gwaltney^Ⓡ, Carando^Ⓡ, Margherita^Ⓡ, Curly's^Ⓡ, Healthy Ones^Ⓡ, Morliny^Ⓡ, Krakus^Ⓡ and Berlinki^Ⓡ. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About The Global Good Fund

Through its Fellowship program, The Global Good Fund invests in the human capital of high potential leaders committed to social impact around the world.  Fellows are individually paired with senior business executives who serve as mentors and are provided with seasoned leadership development coaches, assessment resources, a network of peer leaders, content expertise, and targeted financial capital.   The Global Good Fund created the 360 MIRROR – the first evidence-based leadership assessment for social entrepreneurs and impact driven corporate leaders – which is available to the public, modeled after the proven tools and services of The Global Good Fund Fellowship since its launch in 2012.

Tweet me:.@SmithfieldFoods and the @GlobalGoodFund announce custom leadership development program for #veteran entrepreneurs http://bit.ly/2q5cYzD

Contact Info:

Diana Souder
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
+1 (757) 357-1675
dsouder@smithfield.com

Jamie Turow
The Global Good Fund
+1 (301) 233-5254
jamie.turow@globalgoodfund.org

KEYWORDS: Smithfield Foods, The Smithfield Foundation, The Global Good Fund, Veterans Leadership Program

SOURCE:Scotiabank

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@Scotiabank Scotia Vision Achiever Programme to empower eighth cohort of small business owners https://bit.ly/2HbkbpK @jamaicaobserver

KEYWORDS: Scotiabank, entrepreneurship, professional development, Jamaica Observer, Scotia Vision Achiever Programme

By Tina Morefield, Director, Community Engagment, AT&T

SOURCE:AT&T

DESCRIPTION:

During April, National Volunteer Month, we’re celebrating our employees who go above and beyond to make a positive impact on their community. Throughout the month, employees across the country will be participating in marquee volunteer events with City Year Care Force.

This year, we’re also celebrating 4,386 employees who have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for volunteering more than 100 hours during 2017. The efforts of these incredible volunteers serve as an inspiration to us both in and outside of AT&T, and we’re proud to highlight a few of their amazing stories.

Building a Better Future through Mentoring

Tweet me:.@ConnectToGood "Celebrating our Employees Living a Life of Service" #ATTimpact #NationalVolunteerMonth https://soc.att.com/2q57llS

KEYWORDS: AT&T, national volunteer month, City Year Care Force, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Mentoring, diversity, LGBTQA, Service, impact

By Joe Arvai, Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, and Director of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan

SOURCE:University of Michigan: Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability

DESCRIPTION:

Between 2011 and 2017, Joe Arvai was a member of the U.S. EPA's Chartered Science Advisory Board. He is now among a group of scientists that is suing the agency over Scott Pruitt's actions.

In 2017, just a few days after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, a freshman GOP lawmaker with only a few days on the job of his own, proposed House Resolution 861. Its language was ominous: “The Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate on December 31, 2018.”

I was in my sixth year on the EPA’s Science Advisory Board when H.R.861 was introduced. When I called senior EPA colleagues to assess the threat, I was assured that it would never happen; the nation’s environmental laws, and the agency that makes and enforces them, could not be killed in two years by a 10-word resolution written by a rookie congressman.

Then along came Scott Pruitt.

Since taking over as administrator, Pruitt has overseen the nominations and appointments of a diverse array of lobbyists and corporate insiders while at the same time letting key vacancies languish. He has put the brakes on enforcement, slowed or suspended progressive regulatory actions initiated by his predecessors, and defended draconian budget cuts proposed by the White House.

Continue reading on The Conversation

Tweet me:READ: What is the path forward for the EPA? Forging stronger partnerships with business to craft sensible, adaptable regulations that balance #environmental, #social, and economic conditions. http://myumi.ch/aVDr4 @DecisionLab @erbinstitute @ConversationUS

KEYWORDS: EPA, university of michigan, Erb Institute, Sustainable Business, Scott Pruitt, Joe Arvai, The Conversation, Environmental Protection Agency, thought leadership, sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:General Mills

DESCRIPTION:

Never did I imagine that a brief trip to Africa could have such a profound impact.

In the course of just a few days, I learned how the work of Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) is improving the food value chain across Africa and how that work is also improving livelihoods in the most surprising ways.

While my time in Africa opened my eyes to levels of material need I’d not seen before, it also filled my heart with awe at the power of human resilience.

First, let me tell you a little about PFS.

Founded by General Mills in 2008, PFS is a nonprofit organization cultivating a sustainable African food industry. I have the honor of serving PFS as a board member and I recently had the opportunity to take part in a Board of Directors trip to Nairobi, Kenya, in February.

Personally and professionally, I’m a huge fan of the PFS model. The organization aggregates the know-how, experience and skills of employee volunteers from leading global food companies and shares that knowledge with small and growing food businesses in Africa. It’s one of the smartest forms of “intellectual philanthropy” that I’ve seen.

The idea here is simple: if PFS can help build and strengthen African food businesses by transferring knowledge and technology then they can create increased demand for African ingredients from farmers and local suppliers which in turn could increase food supplies locally and help Africa to feed itself.

Assisting Africa in developing a stable food supply chain is critically important work given that one in four sub-Saharan Africans lacks adequate food to live a healthy, active life.

A major part of our trip entailed visiting food producers (clients) that are benefitting from PFS services and support. Our first client visit was to Soy Afric, a Kenyan-owned and operated agro-processing company specializing in soy-based supplementary food such as corn-soy blend (CSB).

The company was founded by Cornelius Muthuri to meet the needs of non-governmental organizations like World Food Program, UNICEF and USAID– all of which have significant demand for local suppliers in its food aid programs.

Soy Afric is one of PFS’ oldest clients. Over the years, PFS has helped the company on a range of projects, from process optimization to marketing strategy development.

Having been schooled in the workplace organization method “5S” (sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain) by General Mills’ Continuous Improvement specialists over the years.

Next, we made our way across bumpy and dusty roads to visit Mama Millers, a family-owned company specializing in milling maize (corn) grain. Its founder and CEO, Bernard Wainaina, offered an impressive overview of his company, its history, products, employees, challenges and business opportunities. But the best was yet to come.

As his eyes began to sparkle and a smile broadened across his face, Wainaina began to tell us about his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.

My first thought was … “What did he say? Corporate Social Responsibility? There are not even paved roads here …”

As he finished, it was clear he had grabbed the attention and amazement of all.

A few of the CSR projects that Wainaina started at his small company of 20 employees include:

• Building a safe bridge across the snake-filled Sibwani River. The previous bridge was unsafe and put individuals at great risk, requiring those who dared to cross it to do so slowly, on their hands and knees, to avoid the risk of falling into the river below.
   
• Starting an employee savings and investment program that includes education and mentoring in an effort to improve the standard of living for employees who live in a slum area of Thika.
   
• Fortifying its products to improve the health and nutrition of its consumers. Despite significant supply chain challenges including an unreliable source of fortification premix, Wainaina stayed focused on his intent to fortify.  After making significant changes to his ingredient suppliers, he now proudly states that Mama Millers is consistently fortifying, fulfilling the company’s important brand promise.

I learned some very important lessons during my time in Africa:

1. African food producers and entrepreneurs embody a level of determination and resilience unmatched by many.
    
2. Notwithstanding scarce resources (from water to finances to access to decent roads), African entrepreneurs believe in and are demonstrating innovative and impactful corporate social responsibility practices.
    
3. Material possessions do not drive happiness. In the face of less (stuff), there seemed to be room for more (meaningful things in life) … more friendship, more happiness, more laughter and more compassion for one another.

Informed and grateful, I left with a strong desire to do more for those who have less and to live the lessons learned.

If you’re inspired to learn more and get involved at Partners in Food Solutions, visit PartnersInFoodSolutions.com.

This post by Mary Jane Melendez, executive director of the General Mills Foundation, was originally published on LinkedIn.

Tweet me:Learn how @PFSCommunity is improving the food value chain across Africa and how that work is improving livelihoods in surprising ways http://bit.ly/2GxZoQw @GeneralMills

KEYWORDS: General Mills, General Mills Foundation, Partners in Food Solutions, africa

SOURCE:Sea Change Radio

DESCRIPTION:

Sometimes we lose sight of what Audrey Hepburn called “that old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second.” This week on Sea Change Radio, we hear from ProPublica reporter Lisa Song who has done some recent reporting on a little known problem that could have very big effects: the impact of illegal overbuilding of levee systems in the Midwestern flood-prone regions of the Mississippi River. The folks responsible are flouting the rules and lobbying to have them changed. Their argument is that they’re just trying to protect the communities they represent, but the effect is to make other communities far more vulnerable to flood. The valuable reporting that Song and her colleagues are doing to expose the issue will hopefully help to arm future flood victims against the rising tide of these  water district bullies.

Tweet me:This week's @SeaChangeRadio - @LisaLSong of @ProPublica speaks to host @SweetAl about the levee wars along the Mississippi River http://www.cchange.net/2018/04/03/levee/

KEYWORDS: flooding, sea change radio, levee systems, lisa song, Mississippi River, sustainable development

SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

Collecting and analyzing information on companies’ sustainability risks, opportunities, and performance are essential to ensure market efficiency, optimal allocation of capital and reduction of information asymmetry. Vigeo Eiris is an independent rating agency, which plays an important role in translating companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance into tangible assessments for investors and other stakeholders.  We spoke to Elise Attal, Institutional Affairs Manager at Vigeo Eiris, who talked about the critical nature of transparency in building trust among investors. ​

 
What role does sustainability reporting play in companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, and how does Vigeo Eiris fit into this ecosystem?
 
Our role is to assess companies’ level of commitment and ability to recognize their responsibility for risk factors that are material both to their stakeholders and themselves. This is why we believe reporting is an essential component of CSR, as companies have to commit to taking stakeholder expectations into consideration, and be accountable to them. Commitment and accountability are two key aspects of CSR which must be based on understandable, comparable, reliable and accurate reporting, supported by qualitative and quantitative indicators. 
 
To evaluate companies’ CSR performances, Vigeo Eiris has developed its own reporting assessment framework, based on our unique Equitics© Methodology. Our research framework is built upon six domains: the environment, community involvement, business behavior, human rights, governance and human resources. Our framework is highly consistent with the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards: 96% of issues covered by the GRI framework are also included in our assessment.

CSR reporting is gaining more importance in the business world, with investor interest in ESG data on the rise. What is driving this trend?
 
Thanks to legislation, such as the EU Directive on Non-Financial Reporting, finally being transposed into national legislation, and companies’ commitment to improve their disclosure practices, CSR reporting is on the rise. As expectations and scrutiny from all stakeholders continue growing, companies have to become more transparent.  In addition to experiencing peer pressure, they also get a positive incentive to improve their CSR commitments, measures and results. Increased transparency, in turn, decreases information gap and builds trust among investors, who are concerned with sustainability issues. This allows them to make investment decisions based on robust CSR risk and opportunity assessments. 
 
Vigeo Eiris makes assessments mainly based on data published in CSR reports. How does the use of different reporting frameworks play out in your work?
 
We believe multiple reporting frameworks are instrumental in helping companies, as they give them appropriate tools to choose from and refer to. However, as stakeholders are now increasingly asking for better comparability of reporting, company metrics and KPIs, we believe all players and reporting framework providers should pursue their efforts to improve convergence between existing approaches. As such, we welcomed the Corporate Reporting Dialogue, which was launched in March 2016 by key players (GRI, IIRC, CDP, CDSB, IFRS, ISO, FASB & SASB) and provides a comparison of these frameworks, regarding their respective definitions of materiality and their various approaches to CSR reporting.
 
What are the most pressing challenges facing sustainable finance, and how does Vigeo Eiris plan to contribute to solutions?
 
Many challenges remain to further develop sustainable finance and socially responsible investment practices, and to align the investment community with long-term sustainability considerations. The increasing recognition of the material relevance of ESG factors motivated Vigeo Eiris to support an initiative calling for all issuers to publish their ESG ratings on all financial instruments as standard practice. 22 major European investors signed up to this initiative, which will scale up existing best practice and has the potential to harmonize how issuers communicate their extra-financial ratings. We are aware of these numerous and significant challenges and will endeavor to respond to stakeholder demands regarding sustainable finance.

As an intermediary between companies and investors, how do you see the future of ESG disclosure?
 
Following the release of the High-Level Expert Group’s interim report on sustainable finance and the current EU consultation, we encourage institutions such as the European Commission to support mandatory ESG assessments by ESG rating agencies for all European listed companies, as well as mandatory disclosure of ESG ratings by companies, just like they do with financial ratings.  
 
We therefore would like to see companies disclosing their ESG rating and ranking more systematically. Reporting should be seen as an efficient tool for stakeholder engagement, internally and externally, and not as a compliance burden.  
 
With the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, companies are able to unlock the transformative power of transparency, while contributing to the common sustainability agenda and reaping the benefits of increased stakeholder trust. Join the global community of organizations advancing the transparency agenda by joining the GRI GOLD Community. 

Tweet me:Evaluating ESG risks, opportunities and performance are essential to ensure market efficiency and optimal allocation of capital. In this Q&A @EliseAttal of @VigeoEiris talks about trends driving #investor interest in #ESG & transparency in building trust: ​http://bit.ly/2EiusOa

KEYWORDS: GRI

Andy Mann describes the creation of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Water Positive Docuseries

SOURCE:Scotts Miracle-Gro

DESCRIPTION:

Over the last year The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation partnered with Andy Mann, a world-renowned National Geographic photographer and adventurer, to document the problem of nutrient pollution in America’s lakes and watersheds. In this video Andy reflects, “I’ve traveled the world sharing the heartbreaking stories of our planet’s water issues, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

View our full docuseries and learn more about water quality issues and solutions here. 

Follow Andy Mann on Instagram.

About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to inspire, connect, and cultivate communities of purpose in the areas of environmental improvement, youth empowerment, and community gardens and greenspaces. The Foundation carries out its mission by funding qualifying charitable entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments, and multi-year capital gifts. The Foundation is deeply rooted in preserving our planet, empowering the next generation, and helping create healthier communities. For more information, visit www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.

Tweet me:Andy Mann discusses the creation of the @Scotts_MGro Foundation #WaterPositive docuseries http://bit.ly/2GevSLh #algalbloom #freshwater #waterpollution

KEYWORDS: Andy Mann, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, algal blooms, fresh water

SOURCE:ReportAlert

DESCRIPTION:

Kuwait City– The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched its second annual Sustainability Report today, the first ever to be in alignment with the guidelines from the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), and the Boursa Kuwait voluntary sustainability disclosure guide.

Being in alignment with these four major sets of standards – the national guidelines of Boursa Kuwait and the Kuwait National Development Plan, along with GRI G4 reporting framework, the de facto international standard for corporate social responsibility reporting, as well as the United Nations goals for sustainable development – reflects the seriousness of NBK’s commitment to pursuing sustainability at the highest levels of practice in the world.  The Boursa Kuwait guide is also aligned with the recommendations of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSEI) and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

After 9 years of reporting about their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic and community activities, last year NBK initiated a new, more comprehensive approach to sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance).  This second Sustainability Report highlights the extensive steps NBK has taken toward becoming a Middle East corporate sustainability leader.

NBK views sustainability as critical to our ability to create innovative products and services and to successfully compete nationally and globally. We are committed to becoming a leading advocate of and a national exemplar in sustainability practices.

Nasser Musaed Al-Sayer
Chairman of the NBK Board of Directors

NBK conducted a broad range of engagement initiatives with their major stakeholders – including surveys, partnerships, reports, meetings, environmental projects, and intensive dialogue sessions – to develop an exhaustive Materiality Matrix of their sustainability priorities, 31 in all categorized into High, Medium, and Low priority.  Then utilizing multiple workshops with executive leaders, NBK systematically mapped those priorities into a sweeping 5-Year Roadmap that includes short-, medium- and long-term goals and milestones.  The second Sustainability Report published today details this comprehensive approach and highlights NBK’s current performance and progress thus far.  The six sustainability-focused priority areas, with illustrative results as reported today, include:

Serving Customers
NBK’s overall customer satisfaction score reached a new record of 93% in 2017, a 2% increase from 2016.  The report summarizes NBK’s management systems for assuring quality of service, customer privacy and data security, effective risk management, and accessibility and services for customers with special needs.

Leading in Business & Governance
NBK invested in digitized innovative new products and services, along with comprehensive corporate governance structures, processes, and culture.

Caring for the Environment
NBK created 33% less material throughput last year due to digitization efforts – and recycled over 115 tons of paper. The company continues investment in a new, LEED Gold-certified headquarters building, incorporating sustainability considerations into its construction and design for more energy- and water-efficient operations.

Giving Back to the Community
Continuing their decades of financial contributions to the advancement of healthcare, NBK donated over $22 million USD to develop the Stem Cell Therapy Unit at NBK Children’s Specialty Hospital, the largest project ever supported by a private sector organization in Kuwait, which provided treatment to more than 900 children with leukemia and cancer in 2017.

Respecting & Developing People
As part of its commitment to building a respectful, competent, customer-centric workforce, NBK provided more than 68,000 training hours in over 80 offerings for NBK employees in 2017.

Contributing to Sustainable Economic Development
In close, collaborative alignment with the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP), NBK has been playing a primary role as the Kuwaiti government’s financial partner in major sustainability-related projects.  Projects newly underway include clean fuel refinery upgrades, solar energy projects, a waste-to-energy incinerator, wastewater treatment plants, innovative solid waste management public-private partnership projects, housing provision, seawater desalination plants, and hospital construction.

About NBK:
Founded in Kuwait City in 1952, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is the country’s longest-serving local bank – and the first shareholding company in Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Over 65 years, NBK has established itself as Kuwait’s leading financial institution.  Today, NBK has more than 140 branches in 15 countries across 4 continents.  NBK’s market capitalization as of 31 December 2017 was USD 14.0 billion.  NBK’s main operational focus is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  NBK also has an important presence in China, France, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The full 2017 NBK Sustainability Report can be found at: nbk.com/nbk-group/our-approach/sustainability

The 2017 NBK Annual report can be found at: nbk.com/nbk-group/investor-relations/financial-reports

NBK on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NBKPage

For additional information about NBK’s sustainability work, please contact:
sustainability@nbk.com      Tel: (965) 22592665 

Read the Report

Tweet me:.@NBKPage is working to become the leader in corporate #sustainability in the Middle East. Read about NBK's new approach to sustainability and #ESG in their new report via @reportalert http://bit.ly/2GxWwyU

KEYWORDS: ReportAlert, National Bank of Kuwait, UNSDG, GRI, Kuwait National Development Plan, esg

SOURCE:World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

DESCRIPTION:

GENEVA, April 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ -- Multi-business Costa Rican company Cuestamoras today joined almost 200 forward-thinking companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Cuestamoras, which was founded in 2008, operates in the health, urban development, hospitality and energy sectors across the Americas. The group is committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth through innovative business models that deliver along economic, social, environmental and ethical values. Its activities include operating pharmacy chains and distributing pharmaceutical products, engaging in innovative real estate development projects and trading energy across Central America.

Cuestamoras CEO Manuel Zúñiga said: "We are very excited to join almost 200 leading global companies at WBCSD. Our purpose of innovating relentlessly to create opportunities for everyone is closely aligned with the focus of WBCSD. This shared vision will help us to deliver maximum positive impact for shareholders, the environment and societies."

WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker said: “Cuestamoras’ cross-cutting activities in a number of sectors offer the opportunity to scale-up sustainability across the economy. WBCSD and Cuestamoras share guiding principles of sustainability and constant innovation, which make this a very exciting partnership. I look forward to seeing what Cuestamoras can achieve through close collaboration with WBCSD and our global network of member companies.”

Cuestamoras becomes WBCSD’s 8th new member company of 2018 and its 10th member headquartered in Latin America.

Tweet me:#Cuestamoras has joined @WBCSD with an eye toward using their relentless #innovation to create new opportunities for meeting #SDGs http://bit.ly/2JmRQgX #socinn #CostaRica

KEYWORDS: Cuestamoras, Costa Rica, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

The recognition highlights eBay’s work to promote economic development in underserved areas.

SOURCE:eBay

DESCRIPTION:

by Hanne Melin and Fabian Stächelin, eBay EMEA

What if we tried to facilitate international selling for entrepreneurs in underserved areas on our platform? What impact could we have on these communities? What new and unique inventory could we source? And what would it take?

eBay partnered with the International Trade Center (ITC) in an attempt to answer these questions. This is a joint development agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations, with which we happen to share a common goal purpose: wanting to see more small businesses participate in and benefit from the global economy. And recently, the WTO recognized eBay for our work as a champion for small businesses in international trade in its Small Business Champions Initiative. 

There is immense social and economic value to be realized by broadening trade participation to include more small enterprises from more places. Studies have shown that international businesses are more productive and resilient. As almost any country is dominated by micro and small enterprises, most economies stand to gain from facilitating their access to world markets. For over five years, our Public Policy Lab has produced research showing that eBay does just that.

The Policy Lab’s research tells us that eBay is used as an export platform by small enterprises in both advanced and emerging economies. Nowhere else do small businesses trade internationally to the extent seen on eBay. On average, small businesses from all over the world sell to buyers in more than 20 different countries annually. In the “traditional economy,” only a fraction of small and independent firms are international and they reach only a handful of markets. 

We are still exploring how best to combine eBay’s platform and technology with ITC’s experience from expanding traditional trade opportunities in developing countries and its network of small businesses in emerging markets.  But we believe we are on to something in how we are collaborating with the ITC SheTrades program.

Through a joint application process, we have singled out 50 women entrepreneurs in primarily Kenya, Morocco and South Africa (check out Sanabora, Wazawazi and Adele Dejak). They are all committed to expanding their existing businesses through eBay and, as part of the project, they are offered a free eBay store subscription for a year, onboarding support and regular training on eBay-specific and general ecommerce issues.

This is not a short-term project for quick sales growth. It is an experiment to build eBay communities in underserved areas at low cost. Perhaps above all, it is a way to demonstrate that platforms and technology are powerful ways of enabling more people in more places to participate in global commerce.

It is extremely rewarding to have the WTO endorse the eBay platform as a way to make the trading system more inclusive and benefiting more people. Encouraged, we will continue driving the SheTrades project forward as we look to expand the model to new partners and new markets. And the Policy Lab will continue explaining to the world the economic and social impact eBay is having.

Tweet me:.@WTO recognition highlights @eBay’s work to promote #econdev in underserved areas http://bit.ly/2pZ3mGp @ITCnews #SDGs #smallbusiness

KEYWORDS: World Trade Organization, eBay, International Trade Center (ITC), Small Business Champions Initiative

Subaru celebrates the arrival of spring during the Japanese Cultural Festival

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

Cherry Hill, NJ – April 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced its continued title sponsorship of the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. For the 15th year, Subaru will sponsor the Cherry Blossom Festival produced by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP). Taking place this year from April 7th through April 15th, the celebration commemorates the beautiful blossoms and invites people of all cultural backgrounds to experience spring’s beauty and foster a better understanding of Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

The annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival honors Japan’s gift of 1,600 cherry blossom trees to the City of Philadelphia as a sign of friendship in 1926. To welcome the return of spring, family and friends from all over the Greater Philadelphia Area are encouraged to unite under the blossoms to experience a variety of events, including demonstrations of martial arts, ikebana flower arranging, as well as live musical and dance performances.

“The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is a cherished celebration that has encouraged cultural understanding in the local community for more than 20 years,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief executive officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “We are honored once again to partner with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia to welcome the beauty of spring and the unity of diverse cultures.”

The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival will conclude with its centerpiece event, Sakura Sunday, on Sunday, April 15th at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park. Home to hundreds of blooming cherry trees including two from 1926.  Fairmount Park’s Horticulture Center will feature two stages of performances, arts and crafts, the Little Akiba Anime and Cosplay Circle, tours of Shofuso, and much more. Additionally, attendees are invited to participate in the festival’s other events, including Sakura Week cultural activities at Shofuso, Philadelphia’s Japanese house and garden, film screenings, restaurant events, and the annual Cherry Blossom 10K & 5K.

In addition to sponsoring the Cherry Blossom Festival for the 15th year, Subaru is once again sponsoring the following events on Sakura Sunday:

• Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade – Pink petals meet pink pets: pet owners are invited to dress their dogs in pink for a march through the festivities.
• Subaru Sushi Samurai of the Year Contest – Amateur sushi chefs will face off for this esteemed prize in a competition led by Philadelphia’s Queen of Sushi, Madame Saito.

For more information on the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, please visit www.subarucherryblossom.org. Follow @phillysakura and use #phillysakura on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About JASGP

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) is a private nonprofit organization that has brought Philadelphia and Japan closer together for more than 25 years through art, business, and culture. We operate Shofuso, a traditional Japanese house and garden in West Fairmount Park which hosts over 30,000 visitors annually; we produce the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival drawing more than 15,000 participants each year; and we provide Japanese arts, business, and cultural programming for all ages. For more information, visit japanphilly.org.

About Shofuso

Shofuso is a historic Japanese house and garden representing friendship between Japan and Philadelphia from 1876 to present day, and celebrates 60 years in West Fairmount Park. It is open to the public from April through October, Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. Adult admission is $12; admission to senior citizens, students with ID, and children ages 6-17 is $8; admission to Pennsylvania ACCESS card holders is $2; and JASGP members, active duty military with ID, and children 5 and under are admitted free. Shofuso is located at Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA 19131. For more information, visit japanesehouse.org.

Tweet me:.@Subaru_USA returns as the title sponsor of the 2018 #CherryBlossomFestival in #Philadelphia http://bit.ly/2IxO5nV @JapanSocietyPHL @phillysakura

KEYWORDS: Subaru of America, Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP), Shofuso, Subaru Love Promise

SOURCE:World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

DESCRIPTION:

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Climate experts from Africa will meet next week in Kenya to discuss collaboration and technology transfer. Representatives from government, private sector, finance and research institutions will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, 9–10 April 2018.
 
Nationally-selected technology focal points (National Designated Entities, or NDEs) from more than 40 countries including Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa will share experiences and best practices in the region. The United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) will play host to the regional forum.
 
“Africa is facing increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, increasing droughts and extreme rain and floods that have an impact on the security of food supplies. By serving as a bridge between developing countries’ technology needs and the proven expertise of finance, private sector and research experts from around the world, the CTCN builds partnerships that achieve countries’ climate and development objectives”, says CTCN Director Jukka Uosukainen.
 
The CTCN promotes the development and transfer of clean technologies, and provides developing countries with access to free technology solutions at their request by mobilizing relevant technology experts from a global network of more than 400 technology companies and institutions to design and deliver customized solutions. Over 100 technology transfers are currently underway in more than 75 countries for sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to industry and transportation. The CTCN provides expert policy and technology support to developing country stakeholders, coordinated by the NDEs.
 
“Most African countries have chosen clean energy technologies as a part of their environmental solutions. ICRAF supports these efforts through its work in developing cleaner options for woody biomass-based energy, a key technology used across the continent,” said Tony Simons, ICRAF Director General. “In partnership with CTCN, we contribute to environmentally sustainable clean energy solutions by helping countries in Africa to formulate national policies and sub national programs designed to meet their national targets on climate through agroforestry”.
 
As the implementing arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technology Mechanism, the Climate Technology Centre is hosted and managed by the United Nations Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). 
 
The forum is organized together with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), a founding CTCN consortium partner. The Forum will be held during Africa Climate Week along with the Africa Carbon Forum (11–13 April).
 
Venue: United Nations Complex, United Nations Avenue (off Limuru Road), Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
 
Contacts
Ms. Irma Juskenaite, Communications Associate
Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN)
i.juskenaite@unido.org
Tel: +45 4533 5381
http://www.ctc-n.org/
 
Dr Mehmood Hassan, Head of Capacity Building
World Agroforestry Centre
m.hassan@cgiar.org
Tel: +254 703786055
http://www.worldagroforestry.org
 
If you are interested in learning more about technology transfer projects in particular countries/regions or within specific sectors (agriculture, water, energy, industry, finance for technology, etc.), please consult the CTCN Communications Associate.

Tweet me: Climate experts from 48 African countries to meet in #Nairobi to explore #climatechange technologies http://bit.ly/2Emuq7G @ICRAF @UNFCCC_CTCN #Africa

KEYWORDS: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), africa

Company wins PR News 2018 Award for Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Report

SOURCE:Aflac

DESCRIPTION:

COLUMBUS, Ga., April 5, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at U.S. worksites, announced today that it has been named winner of PR News' 2018 CSR Awards and Nonprofit PR Awards for its Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Aflac’s 2016 CSR Report, “Everyone Has the Power to Do Good,” features employees and independent sales agents who have championed social responsibility efforts in their respective communities.

"We are thrilled that PR News has recognized Aflac with this award, because it is the content of the report that drives the quality of the report,” said Aflac Senior Vice President, Chief Brand and Communications Officer Catherine Hernandez-Blades. ”We are proud of our reputation as a company that does things the right way, with transparency, honesty and ethics. It has been our company’s commitment for more than 60 years, and this award serves as confirmation that doing good in the community is very good for business.”

PR News recently celebrated the communicators who work hard to make the world a better place via corporate social responsibility and nonprofit initiatives. The awards luncheon, which took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., featured campaigns, stories and programs, plus a keynote from Bob Filbin, chief data scientist at Crisis Text Line. The award winners were judged on the impact of the communications campaigns executed in the last 18 months and on the positive influence these companies and programs have had on society.

Notable highlights from Aflac’s report include raising more than $110 million in contributions for childhood cancer support services and research; strengthening the company’s emphasis on diversity, gender parity in pay, and ethics in the workplace; and reducing the businesses’ carbon footprint through its Smart Green program. In the report, Aflac employees and independent sales agents licensed to sell Aflac products, who embody this year's theme, “Everyone Has the Power to Do Good,” share stories about their work, bringing to life Aflac's ethical business practices, a productive and diverse workplace, philanthropic efforts and environmental sustainability initiatives. Aflac’s report is guided by GRI standards and focuses on key CSR dimensions, as defined by Reputation Institute, considered the gold standard in reputation tracking.

In addition to the Sustainability/CSR Report win, Hernandez-Blades received the CSR Professional of the Year award.

Visit Aflac’s CSR microsite to access this year’s report.

ABOUT AFLAC

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 12 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2018, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the 20th consecutive year and included Aflac on its list of World’s Most Admired Companies for the 17th time. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol.

Media Contacts

Darcy Brito, 706.320.2358 or dbrito@aflac.com

Analyst and investor contact – David A. Young, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX 706.324.6330, or dyoung@aflac.com

Tweet me:.@Aflac wins @PRNews 2018 Award for Outstanding #CorporateSocialResponsibility Report http://bit.ly/2JkTvnl #CSR #ESG

KEYWORDS: Aflac, PR News CSR Awards

SOURCE:World Environment Center

DESCRIPTION:

La Red de Innovación e Impacto, un proyecto financiado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, lanzó El Poder de Crecer, un concurso que busca identificar y premiar a organizaciones que están empoderando micro emprendimientos en Centroamérica.

El Poder de Crecer: Concurso Impulsado por La Red de Innovación e Impacto selecciona candidatos innovadores para que unan fuerzas con los actuales miembros de La Red (Alumni) con el fin de:

• Acelerar la innovación y la creación de empleos en microempresas centroamericanas en los sectores de agricultura, agroindustria y textil;
• Construir la capacidad de expansión de las microempresas hacia nuevos mercados regionales e internacionales, con un enfoque en el mercado estadounidense; y,
• Generar prosperidad económica para toda Centroamérica.

Hacer clic aquí para leer más en AgExport Hoy.

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Sobre el Poder de Crecer

El Poder de Crecer: Concurso Impulsado por La red de Innovación e Impacto crea alianzas entre organizaciones con objetivos similares para apoyar a microempresas y organizaciones miembros de La Red. El Poder de Crecer seleccionará candidatos innovadores para que unan fuerzas con miembros de La Red (alumni) con el fin de: acelerar la innovación y la creación de empleos en microempresas centroamericanas en los sectores de agricultura, agroindustria y textil; construir capacidad de expansión de las microempresas hacia nuevos mercados regionales e internacionales, con un enfoque en el mercado estadounidense; y, generar prosperidad económica para toda Centroamérica. Los ganadores recibirán un paquete completo de asesoría, hasta USD 43,000 para promover su solución propuesta y acceder a una alianza con una organización miembro de La Red de Innovación e Impacto con el fin de trabajar juntos hacia el mismo objetivo. Visita powertogrow.wec.org para conocer más y aplicar.

Sobre La Red

El Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos ha estado financiando al World Environment Center (WEC) y sus aliados, Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel), y RioSlum Studio, con el  fin de seleccionar organizaciones que están acelerando el desarrollo de negocios sostenibles y promoviendo el crecimiento económico sostenible en América Latina y el Caribe. El Programa, La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La Red), se creó en el 2014 y reúne a 30 soluciones innovadoras de 11 países en la región.

Sobre el World Environment Center

WEC es una organización sin fines de lucro neutral, independiente, global, que fomenta el desarrollo sostenible a través de las operaciones de sus empresas miembros y en alianza con gobiernos, organizaciones multilaterales, organizaciones no gubernamentales, universidades y otras partes interesadas. La misión de WEC es promover los negocios y su valor social fomentando soluciones a problemas relacionados con el desarrollo sostenible

Sobre Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée

Baastel está reconocido por sus servicios de calidad en Monitoreo y Evaluación (M&E), Gestión Basada en Resultados (GBR), planificación estratégica, gestión de proyectos y programas y construcción de capacidad individual e institucional en estas áreas. La reputación sobresaliente de Baastel en la industria se ha estado construyendo sobre un historial de éxitos nacionales e internacionales y experiencia respaldada por la atención al detalle, calidad, transparencia y neutralidad.

Sobre RioSlum Studio

RioSlum Studio ofrece servicios de desarrollo de marca y mensajes, diseño y estrategia de comunicación para empresas audaces con una visión atrevida. Construimos marcas cautivadoras que evocan emoción, exigen atención y atraen negocio. Lanzamos RioSlum Studio para asegurar que todas las empresas, desde startups de un empleado a corporaciones globales, tengan acceso a los servicios de desarrollo de marca y comunicación de alta calidad que necesitan para llamar la atención a nivel global.

Tweet me:Si te lo perdiste: AgExport Hoy: Invitan A #Mipymes Para Acelerar Su #Innovación via @AGEXPORTGT https://tinyurl.com/yan7dorr #elpoderdecrecer @StateDept http://bit.ly/2Ixgla5

Contact Info:

Lucia Furlan
RioSlum Studio
+502-57425129
press@wec.org

KEYWORDS: sustainability, World Environment Center

SOURCE:World Environment Center

DESCRIPTION:

La Red de Innovación e Impacto, un proyecto financiado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, lanzó El Poder de Crecer, un concurso que busca identificar y premiar a organizaciones que están empoderando micro emprendimientos en Centroamérica.

El Poder de Crecer: Concurso Impulsado por La Red de Innovación e Impacto selecciona candidatos innovadores para que unan fuerzas con los actuales miembros de La Red (Alumni) con el fin de:

• Acelerar la innovación y la creación de empleos en microempresas centroamericanas en los sectores de agricultura, agroindustria y textil;
• Construir la capacidad de expansión de las microempresas hacia nuevos mercados regionales e internacionales, con un enfoque en el mercado estadounidense; y,
• Generar prosperidad económica para toda Centroamérica.

Click here to read more on AgExport Hoy.

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About Power to Grow

Power to Grow: The Innovation Challenge Fueled By La Red de Innovación e Impacto aims to support micro-enterprises by creating partnerships between mission-aligned organizations and current La Red member companies. Power to Grow selects innovative organizations to join forces with La Red companies (Alumni) towards: accelerating innovation and job creation opportunities for Central American micro-enterprises in the agriculture, agro-industry, and textiles sectors; building capacity of micro-enterprises to expand to new regional and international markets, with a focus on the U.S. market; and, generating economic prosperity across Central America. Awardees will receive a comprehensive support package, up to $43,000 to promote their solution, and partnership with a current member of La Red de Innovación e Impacto working towards the same goal. Visit powertogrow.wec.org to learn more and apply.

About La Red

The U.S. Department of State has funded the World Environment Center (WEC) and its partners, Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel), and RioSlum Studio, to select organizations who are accelerating business development and promoting sustainable economic growth in Latin America. The Program, La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La Red), was established in 2014 and is a collection of 30 innovative solutions from 11 countries in the region.

About World Environment Center

WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and societal value by advancing solutions to sustainable development-related problems.

About Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée

Baastel is recognized for its quality services in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Results-based Management (RBM), strategic planning, project and program management, and building individual and institutional capacity in these areas. Baastel’s outstanding reputation in the field is built on a record of international and national successes, and expertise that is backed by attention to detail, quality, transparency and neutrality.

About RioSlum Studio

RioSlum Studio offers branding, design, messaging, and strategy services to daring companies with bold vision. We build compelling brands that evoke emotion, demand attention, and attract business. We launched RioSlum Studio to ensure all companies, from one-person startups to global corporations, have access to the high-quality branding and communications services they need to command global attention.

Tweet me:ICYMI: AgExport Hoy: Inviting #MSMEs to Accelerate their #Innovation via @AGEXPORTGT https://tinyurl.com/yan7dorr #elpoderdecrecer @StateDept http://bit.ly/2El5td3

Contact Info:

Elysa Neumann
RioSlum Studio
+1 (774) 275-4836
press@wec.org

KEYWORDS: sustainability, World Environment Center

SOURCE:Scotiabank

DESCRIPTION:

As a veteran of the tech start-up world, Nicole German understands what’s needed to help female founders get ahead. Now, as vice-president, enterprise digital marketing, at Scotiabank, she’s helping to get those resources into the right hands.

By Shelley White

Every day, talented female entrepreneurs across Canada are innovating — pushing the boundaries of their creativity. But what needs to be done to help women-founded startups survive, thrive and take their businesses global?

“Women have amazing ideas and concepts. We need to bring them to fruition,” says Nicole German, a woman who knows a thing or two about success in the startup world.

A global brand-builder and digital marketing guru — and current vice-president, enterprise digital marketing, at Scotiabank — Nicole has spent more than 20 years helping companies scale and grow, from scrappy tech startups to powerhouse players like SAP and LinkedIn.

Continue reading on Women of Influence

Tweet me:Regarding #digitaltransformation: "The goal is about: How do we be more nimble? How do we collaborate more? How do we break down silos and traditional walls?” Nicole German for @Scotiabank https://bit.ly/2H5Cgpd @WomenOfInflnce #diversity #careers #tech

KEYWORDS: Women of Influence, Scotiabank