Georgia-Pacific

Saint-Gobain Corporation

The Chemours Company

Georgia-Pacific’s Fordyce OSB Mill Donates $12,000 to South Arkansas College Foundation

E... for Embodied Emissions, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

Chemours: Creating a More Sustainable, Circular Future

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/Meet%20Kelly%20%7C%20Simply%20Engineer_HARMAN_9.5.24A.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

<a href="https://www.harman.com/career/Career-Stories/Pages/Meet-Kelly---Navigating-the-World-of-Engineering-with-Empathy.aspx" target="_blank">Originally published on Life at HARMAN</a>

The Role and Responsibilities

Kelly has been with <a href="https://www.harman.com/" target="_blank">HARMAN</a> for two years and leads the North American Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) lab. The lab specializes in hardware validation testing of electronic products such as amplifiers and head units. Kelly's leadership philosophy centers around empathy, a quality she believes is often underestimated. "Sometimes empathy is overlooked as a leadership strength—but I'm here to challenge that," Kelly asserts. Leading a team of 10, she ensures the lab runs smoothly and efficiently and that the electrical components inside vehicles function as intended. This requires technical expertise, coordination, collaboration, and a deep understanding of her team members' needs and motivations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with coworkers." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87ada528-da19-40ac-9b92-c0519f19ff35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24A.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />The Power of Emotions

Kelly believes being aware and mindful of emotions is crucial for fostering innovation and problem-solving in tech. "Acknowledging emotions allows people to be as creative and open as possible and to think of solutions that may not be obvious." She strives to create an environment where her team feels safe and comfortable, allowing them to thrive rather than just get the job done. This approach encourages creativity and helps overcome roadblocks by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration.

Doubt is Part of Being Successful​

One of Kelly's standout moments at HARMAN was her first meeting as the lead EMC engineer. Tasked with presenting validation results to a customer and negotiating deviations for anomalies observed during testing, Kelly faced skepticism about her ability to lead. She successfully led the meeting through careful preparation and coaching, building her confidence and establishing a strong working relationship with the customer. This experience was pivotal in her development as an engineer and a leader, reinforcing her ability to handle complex technical challenges and negotiations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly giving a high-five." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e37dffdf-44a4-4e7f-9ffa-ca057bd17332" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly._HARMAN_9.5.24B.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Advice for Aspiring Engineers

If you ask Kelly, she will tell you to "Stay hungry for knowledge. If there's something you're curious about, explore it by asking colleagues or managers or conducting your research." Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of networking with a diverse range of professionals, not just within one's immediate circle. "You never know when a relationship can lead to your next career opportunity."

Life Outside of Work

Balancing a demanding career and family life, Kelly often finds herself playing the roles of Uber driver and cheerleader for her kids' extracurricular activities. Whether shuttling them to gymnastics or basketball practice, helping with homework, or cheering them on at competitions, Kelly brings the same dedication and empathy to her family that she does to her work. "It's all about finding solutions and keeping everything running like a machine," she confesses.  
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly sitting at her desk." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b420f558-9e2e-4fc1-9bf0-3aea3a712d6a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24C.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Kelly's journey at HARMAN shows that empathy and leadership are not antithetic concepts but complementary realities. Her ability to balance technical acumen with emotional intelligence sets her apart as a leader in the automotive industry. Whether guiding her team through a technical challenge or supporting her kids through their activities, Kelly's empathetic approach ensures that everyone around her feels valued and empowered.​

In a field that often prioritizes hard skills, Kelly's story powerfully reminds us that empathy and human connection are just as critical for innovation and success.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with her son." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98aad0ad-1866-4fa1-b136-36d6c9ca78b7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24D.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harman-international/posts/?feedView=all" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harman_intl/?igsh=ZzBnMnF1aDNhNTc%3D" target="_blank">Instagram​</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmanInt" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to learn more about our view on leadership and innovation driven by people who feel valued.

Meet HARMAN Engineer Kelly; Navigating the World of Engineering With Empathy

<img alt="Collage of photo's of students participating in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="056d7294-3d55-436e-a59a-18d04af8bee6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ProStartPastaComp_Whirlpool_081524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="751" loading="lazy" />Earlier this year, more than 400 students from across the state participated in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational sponsored by KitchenAid. It’s the highest-level competition for Michigan high school students training for culinary and hospitality careers. Through this program, students had the opportunity to compete against other culinary students, with the winning teams receiving an invitation to the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at the Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. for a unique culinary opportunity.

In the pasta competition, teams of young, aspiring chefs from five high schools were recognized for their pasta creations:

<ul><li>Bay Arenac ISD</li>
	<li>RCTC Ypsilanti</li>
	<li>Gaylord High School</li>
	<li>Allegan ESA</li>
	<li>DCTC Riverview High School</li>
</ul>Last month, these five high school teams were invited to work side-by-side with professional chefs at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. The teams reprised their pasta competition, this time judged by KitchenAid celebrity chefs in front of a live audience. They also had the opportunity to engage in educational sessions led by renowned chefs.

This in-depth experience helped the students gain insight into the hospitality industry and explore diverse career pathways. DCTC Riverview High School was crowned the grand champion with their Red Coconut Curry Pasta creation. Each team member from DCTC Riverview, including their educator, took home a KitchenAid stand mixer, and each participating team received a KitchenAid stand mixer for their classroom.

“The KitchenAid ProStart Pasta Competition took students beyond the kitchen and taught them critical life lessons around preparation, critical thinking, communication, flexibility and teamwork,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the MHF. “These are all skills that directly relate to their future culinary careers, and experiences like this are invaluable at this point in their education.”

Opportunities in the industry are rapidly growing. Hospitality is currently an $18 billion dollar industry in Michigan supporting 595,000 jobs and ranks among the top 10 fastest growing sectors in the state with 20,000 current job openings. The KitchenAid brand hopes to further develop the next generation of culinary professionals across the state through impactful, hands-on education.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhirlpoolcorp.com%2F&amp;n=28067" target="_blank">WhirlpoolCorp.com</a>.

View original content <a href="https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/kitchenaid-brands-support-of-michigan-hospitality-foundation-competition-gives-students-invaluable-culinary-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.

KitchenAid Brand’s Support of Michigan Hospitality Foundation Competition Gives Students Invaluable Culinary Experience

<img alt="Close up of a bird in flight" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8e6c035-3d8f-4858-8626-bc4eec7b4025" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GettyImages-1225473667.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="912" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Freports&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report</a>

In 2023, the American Forest &amp; Paper Association (AF&amp;PA) honored International Paper with a Leadership in Sustainability Award for Resilient U.S. Forests. The award recognized our innovative approach to promoting forest bird awareness and conservation within the forest product supply chain in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). This multi-year partnership aims to integrate bird conservation into our procurement operations and value chain and provide a measurable contribution towards reversing the decline of forest birds.

One of the significant outcomes of this partnership is targeted work with an iconic bird species in the Southeastern U.S.: the Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI). STKIs are one of North America’s most beautiful birds of prey, with distinctive black and white plumage and a long, forked tail. They are also long-distance migrants that spend their spring and summer months in the Southeastern forests of the U.S. and then migrate to their wintering grounds in South America.

Since 2021, working with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, nine STKIs have been trapped and fitted with radio transmitters near International Paper mills in South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. This year alone, five STKIs have received transmitters. These transmitters allow us and our conservation partners to follow the STKIs’ movements across the landscape so we can further understand their specific habitat needs. Additionally, we can enter that data into our ForSiteTM mapping system to target conservation efforts and outreach in the most strategic areas.

This past year, the transmitters allowed researchers to document the amazing journey made by one of the male STKIs captured in Georgia, named Barrington. The bird’s migration started on the Altamaha River, where it led the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a pre-migration roost of over 600 STKIs — the first of its kind outside of Florida. The trackers then followed Barrington for four months on a long and winding journey over the Gulf of Mexico, including a 48-hour stretch over water, before continuing through South America into Bolivia and central Brazil — a truly incredible flight.

Forest certification

Forest certification underpins our commitment to sustainable forest management. Our procurement systems and mills are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain of custody standards and the SFI Fiber sourcing standard.

To meet the growing customer demand for certified products, our internal FSC forest management group, Certified Forest Management (CFM) LLC, helps small, private landowners become FSC-certified cost-effectively. It has become the largest privately run group of certified landowners in the U.S.

Since 2012, CFM has enrolled and maintained FSC forest management certification for:

920,769 acres in 607 properties across 11 states

<a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffile%2F2024-05%2F2023%2520International%2520Paper%2520Sustainability%2520Report.pdf%3FcacheToken%3Dkxdd2ffOwi2cxWz5&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Read more</a>

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.3blmedia.com%2Ftrack%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.internationalpaper.com%252F%26n%3D67052&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">internationalpaper.com/.</a>

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East &amp; Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.

Honored for Leadership: International Paper’s Commitment to Forest Bird Conservation

<img alt="Darby Aono-Shek" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe6aba86-a4be-4703-bfa2-9e44fd248870" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DarbyAonoShek_clorox_082324.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="486" loading="lazy" />More than four years ago we made a commitment — through The Clorox Company Foundation — to help fight racism and inequality. Some of our financial commitment goes toward supporting Equal Justice Works fellows like Darby Aono-Shek. Darby is working with UnCommon Law to help older incarcerated people, many of whom are Black and Latinx, challenge their illegal parole denials.

Tell me a little bit about the organization where you work and what it does.

I work at an organization called UnCommon Law. We’re based in Oakland, and we fight to ensure that people who are incarcerated in California have access to healing, justice and effective legal representation as they seek release through the parole hearing process. Our attorneys use trauma-informed legal counseling to unpack the underlying factors that contributed to a person’s crime and help them prepare a safe pathway home from prison.

In addition to representing people at parole hearings, UnCommon Law uses litigation to challenge illegal parole denials and address systemic issues within the parole system. We also partner with legislators, community members, impacted families, and loved ones to support legislation that advances the freedom and well-being of incarcerated people.

How did you become involved in this field?

I’ve always known that I wanted to work with people in prison, but I didn’t know anything about California’s parole process until my first year of law school, when I took a class taught by UnCommon Law founder and executive director Keith Wattley.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with UnCommon Law’s work. As part of Keith’s class, each student was paired with an incarcerated person who was navigating the parole process. I was in awe of the strength, courage and vulnerability that people showed going through the process. I thought, “How many attorneys get to learn from and feel inspired by their clients every day? I’d be the luckiest attorney in the world.”

I interned with UnCommon Law during my second year of law school, and I joined the team full-time as an Equal Justice Works legal fellow in 2022.

What are some examples of the challenges that UnCommon Law’s clients have faced?

In California, the parole board holds an extraordinary amount of power over people’s lives with limited oversight to ensure that it wields that power legally. As a result, in some situations the parole board denies parole for illegal reasons, keeping people in prison for years beyond when the law says they should have been released.

For example, the parole board denied parole to a 69-year-old woman suffering from Parkinson’s, early dementia and memory loss from an assault where she was knocked unconscious. Due to her memory issues, she often took pauses while answering the parole board’s questions. The parole board denied her parole, claiming that her difficulty answering questions was proof that she was “manipulative” and “lacking in sincerity.”

In California, parole denials must be challenged through habeas corpus petitions (a legal challenge to one’s imprisonment), but there is no right to habeas counsel for these cases. As a result, pro se litigants (people who represent themselves without an attorney) provide a primary check on the parole board, but systemic barriers and a lack of support make it virtually impossible for most people to do so.

How has your work addressed those challenges?

My fellowship is focused on helping older people who are incarcerated challenge their illegal parole denials. I’m taking a two-pronged approach to accomplishing this: 1) assuming a caseload through direct representation; and 2) focusing on the many people who have been denied parole but don’t have access to counsel.

I’m developing a comprehensive guide to filing habeas petitions without an attorney that will be available to people across California prisons. That way, more people can feel empowered to hold the parole board accountable, even if they can’t afford an attorney.

Clorox Equal Justice Works Fellow Spotlight: Supporting Older Incarcerated People Through the Parole Process

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/1video-connecting-classrooms-how-project-10Million-powers-student-learning_T-MOBILE_082924.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

Technology experts in education say signing up for T-Mobile’s Project 10Million, the company’s initiative aimed at delivering internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households, can help set children up for success in the classroom and beyond — and why it’s as important now as ever.

John Sousa, the Chief Information Officer for the East Orange School District in New Jersey, says the Covid pandemic highlighted a significant issue he had long been aware of: the digital divide among students.

“There was already an imbalance,” says Sousa, reflecting on how online state-required <a href="https://hechingerreport.org/online-testing-is-heading-to-new-jersey-schools/" target="_blank">testing</a> prior to the pandemic exposed the lack of internet access for some families. “The pandemic only exacerbated the digital divide for many of the 11,000 students in our district.”

Of course, Sousa’s school district was far from alone in this challenge. In 2020, between 15 million to 16 million U.S. students were living in households without reliable internet access, according to a <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/the-digital-divide-has-left-millions-of-school-kids-behind/" target="_blank">report</a> by Boston Consulting Group and nonprofit Common Sense.

In response to these growing challenges, Sousa reached out to T-Mobile during the pandemic to explore solutions for improving internet access for his district’s students.

“I got in touch with T-Mobile and asked how we can provide connectivity when as much as 20% of our community is in this gap that exists for families that can’t afford to provide high-speed internet to the students,” says Sousa. “And how can we make it a seamless transition between T-Mobile, the school and the students so that we don’t have overlap or confusion on the exact need we are facing”

<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="https://www.3blmedia.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/2video-connecting-classrooms-how-project-10Million-powers-student-learning_T-MOBILE_082924.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

Sousa says that T-Mobile jumped right in and provided approximately 3,800 hotspots through Project 10Million, the Un-carrier’s $10.7 billion education initiative. Announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, Project 10Million aims to close the digital divide in education by offering free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots for up to 10 million eligible student households. Additionally, the program provides school districts with free or heavily subsidized data plans and ensures that all participants have access to affordable laptops and tablets.

By the end of last year, T-Mobile had <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/reporting" target="_blank">provided</a> $6.4 billion in products and services and connected nearly 6 million students across the country through Project 10Million and other education initiatives.

“The hotspots have given us peace of mind because we no longer have to worry about missing any students who still lack access,” says Sousa. “We’re largely understaffed and don’t have the resources that we would need to manage the project the way that it needed to be managed. T-Mobile’s team worked out all those details, delivered it all and helped get the broadband access out there to students that are stuck in the digital divide.”

Sousa says in a school district with many families who are homeless or living without regular access to connectivity, Project 10Million has become an invaluable service.

As students head back to school this fall, internet access is ever more critical for kids to learn and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Yet today, <a href="https://www.ntia.gov/report/2024/office-internet-connectivity-and-growth-2023-annual-report" target="_blank">24 million</a> U.S. households still lack reliable internet.

That’s why, as families make their annual <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers/back-to-school-checklist-devices-and-gadgets" target="_blank">back to school checklists</a> for new backpacks and pencils, Sousa says he wants those in need to know that adding Project 10Million might be one of the most important things to help prepare for a successful school year.
<img alt="adult and two children on a computer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f554b4a7-702a-4d54-ae03-25b7ce2a7296" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/learning_tmobile_82924.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="600" loading="lazy" />BANNER P10M Study Guide Check List

• Project 10Million is T-Mobile’s $10.7 billion initiative committed to offering free connectivity to up to 10 million eligible students across the country.

• T-Mobile also works with school districts by giving them free connectivity and subsidized data plans. Plus, everyone in the program has access to affordable laptops and tablets.

It’s easy to get started! Check eligibility and sign up for Project 10Million at: <a href="http://www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million</a>

Connecting Classrooms: How T-Mobile’s Project 10Million Powers Student Learning

<img alt="Carol has fun in the snow with friends" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e895f05f-6188-41a6-8ad5-9c9ab35203c9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fun%20with%20friends%20in%20winter%202_0.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="900" loading="lazy" />Covia highlights the dedication and leadership of Team Members who have made a significant impact on the job or in their communities by sharing their stories. Today we recognize Carol DeNure, Office Administrator at Covia’s Blue Mountain plant located in Havelock, Canada. Carol has been with Covia for 17 years as an administrator – supporting Covia Canada’s plants behind the scenes. Read on to learn more about Carol, how she got started with Covia, and how her continued support has helped the organization bloom.

An Environment of Growth and Support

Carol’s journey with Covia began back in 2007 when she was hired to work in accounts payable at our Havelock, Canada location. “I came from an insurance background,” Carol said. “When I started at Covia, it was far different than any job I had worked in before. I wanted to learn everything I could about the organization and how each department worked.”

An office administrator Carol was working with at the time saw her enthusiasm and empowered her to go to different departments to learn about their specific functions and how they contributed to the organization. “I realized then that Covia was really supportive of change – they don’t hold back people who want to learn and try new things.”

While exploring the various departments, Carol became particularly interested in health and safety. Carol began working in the safety department, where a mentor helped guide her through her first few years in the department and eventually passed those responsibilities on to her. "I started taking on more responsibilities within the Safety department - holding ergonomic meetings, joint health and safety meetings, and getting out into the plant more to work with other team members. I loved being more involved."

After some time, an office administrator position became available, and Carol applied and received the job. “I’ve done a lot of administrative work in different roles over the years. I’ve been in this role for a long time, and I love how each day is different than the last.” Carol wears many hats in her position, playing a vital, behind-the-scenes role for several of our Canadian plants.

On any given day, Carol handles payroll, helps in contract negotiations, runs community events, monitors health and safety, manages a community garden at the Blue Mountain plant, and works alongside the environmental department for Wildlife Habitat Certification (WHC). “I’ve worked in so many different aspects throughout my career and I just love it. It keeps me excited to come into work every day.”
<img alt="main office garden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="54644c4a-8abf-4a8f-b8ac-11cc20f9a0bf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Main%20office%20garden%201_1.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="1600" loading="lazy" />Gardening &amp; Environmental Stewardship

In her free time, Carol is a passionate gardener with over two acres of garden she tends at home. “I take a lot of pride in my gardening work,” Carol said. “My hydrangeas are 8 to 10 feet tall and nearly tower over my gazebo.” Carol’s love for gardening has branched into her work life. For the last several years, Carol has helped design, plant, and maintain a garden at the Blue Mountain plant. Her work has started to blossom in recent months as perennials and other flowers are now starting to expand. “I find that my own garden is like a personal oasis,” said Carol. “When we started making plans for the garden at the plant, I figured it could give the community and team members their own oasis to enjoy.”

Outside of the garden, Carol noted that the Blue Mountain team is proud of the work they’ve done for the WHC and the environmental stewardship awards Covia has garnered over the years. “I really thrive on the company being number one when it comes to environmental stewardship. I feel accomplished that we can be recognized at such a high level with WHC.” One of Carol’s favorite programs involves turtle conservation. This program, along with several others, has received praise and recognition from WHC for its impact on the preservation and improvement of biodiversity at our sites.

Connecting with Community

Carol’s administrative duties include coordinating events and community days for the plants she oversees. Carol helps plan and execute open houses where members of the community can visit the plant, learn more about the important work Covia is doing in their area, enjoy refreshments, and participate in educational opportunities.

Carol concluded, “If I can offer the next generation one piece of advice, it’s to find joy in getting up every day. Find value in the work you do and the company you keep.”

Carol DeNure: Helping Covia Bloom

<img alt="Two people in pink high-vis vests talk to another, a table full of black bags between them. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76ed595f-38bf-4a0f-acd8-ad380ad67a6b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/prepare_tmobile_090524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />In the midst of a <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_blank">record-breaking wildfire season</a> and a <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/highly-active-hurricane-season-likely-to-continue-in-atlantic" target="_blank">highly active hurricane season</a>, it’s more crucial than ever to be ready if disaster hits. Yet nearly half of American adults in 2023 believed they were <a href="https://www.fema.gov/about/openfema/data-sets/national-household-survey" target="_blank">unprepared for a disaster</a>, according to FEMA.

T-Mobile has taken significant steps to further prepare its network, teams and emergency response capabilities to keep customers, communities and first responders connected. This National Preparedness Month, here are some tips from T-Mobile that can help you be ready when it matters most.

Make your phone disaster-proof

Most of us have friends, family and coworkers programmed in our phones. But in an emergency, you may need to contact local police, fire departments or power companies. Program these numbers now so you don’t spend precious time looking them up during an emergency.

When disaster hits, enable your phone’s battery saving mode and dark mode to conserve charge. Keep calls and texts to a minimum. Download the American Red Cross and FEMA apps, subscribe to local authorities’ text alerts and follow them on social networks to receive important updates.

If your power and Wi-Fi connection are still on but your mobile service is down, you may be able to call someone via Wi-Fi.

<ul><li>For Apple phones, turn on Wi-Fi Calling in Settings &gt; Phone &gt; Wi-Fi Calling</li>
	<li>For Android phones, go to Settings &gt; More Connection Settings &gt; Wi-Fi Calling.</li>
</ul>Sometimes during a severe weather event or natural disaster, increased calls and texts at the same time can cause telecommunications networks to become congested. If you have trouble making calls, try texting instead. Text messages are more likely to get through than phone calls because they take up fewer network resources.

Assemble a Go Bag

Save precious time if disaster strikes by having a “<a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/everything-you-need-in-your-go-bag-2023" target="_blank">Go Bag</a>,” which you can grab at a moment’s notice and evacuate.

The <a href="https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a> recommends packing basic supplies including:

<ul><li>Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)</li>
	<li>Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)</li>
	<li>Flashlight</li>
	<li>Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)</li>
	<li>Extra batteries</li>
	<li>First aid kit</li>
	<li>Medications (7-day supply) and medical items</li>
	<li>Multi-purpose tool</li>
	<li>Sanitation and personal hygiene items</li>
	<li>Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)</li>
	<li>Cell phone with chargers</li>
	<li>Family and emergency contact information</li>
	<li>Extra cash</li>
	<li>Emergency blanket</li>
	<li>Map(s) of the area</li>
</ul>You can also create a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/how-to-create-a-family-emergency-plan-2023" target="_blank">family emergency plan</a> ahead of time with steps you and your loved ones can take if a natural disaster hits. This printable plan includes a meeting place and contact information so you can act quickly.
<img alt="Info graphic &quot;Stay Connected During Natural Disasters&quot; with tips." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="036dd199-e273-4fe3-bcd4-408796e32977" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/stayconnected_tmobile_090524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="723" loading="lazy" />Stay safe and calm — T-Mobile’s on your side

T-Mobile’s network engineers prepare for weather conditions throughout the year so they can restore service if needed as soon as possible. But hazardous conditions may cause delays. Downed trees, power outages and other obstacles can hinder restoration efforts. Engineers will make repairs as soon as it’s safe to do so.

T-Mobile’s teams also constantly upgrade towers, network switches, data centers and other critical sites nationwide to make them more reliable, more resilient and better able to withstand disasters across big cities, rural areas and everywhere in between.

This disaster season, T-Mobile has been supporting customers and first responders around the country after hurricane <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/hurricane-beryl" target="_blank">Beryl</a>, hurricane <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-gears-up-for-hurricane-debby" target="_blank">Debby</a> and tropical storm <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/tropical-storm-ernesto" target="_blank">Ernesto</a>. T-Mobile offered Wi-Fi, power, device charging, charging supplies and other services for the community, and supported first responders by supplying Wi-Fi and connectivity for them to access critical applications such as group communication, and patient and asset-tracking platforms.

Amid <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/california-and-colorado-wildfires" target="_blank">wildfires in Colorado and California</a> in August, T-Mobile’s network held up well while emergency teams deployed resources to provide first responders and other public safety agencies with critical support. T-Mobile’s Emergency Response teams worked to keep connectivity uninterrupted and public safety agencies and local officials connected.

T-Mobile is continuously <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond" target="_blank">growing its disaster response capabilities</a> to ensure customers can communicate with loved ones and authorities. Ahead of this year’s disaster season, the Un-carrier has expanded its fleet of network vehicles, hardened its network with permanent backup power solutions, and turned on new 2.5 GHz spectrum to boost critical coverage and capacity for nearly 60 million customers across the country.

T-Mobile is also teaming up with all levels of government, first responder agencies, public utilities, wireless industry partners and others to learn from previous disasters and foster continued collaboration for future response and restoration efforts.

First responders and emergency officials can sign up for <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/resources/wireless-priority-service-wps" target="_blank">Wireless Priority Service</a> (WPS) to automatically get priority access and preemption for voice and priority access for data on T-Mobile’s network at no cost. When seconds matter during times of emergency or network congestion, WPS moves critical communications to the front of the line.

This year, T-Mobile introduced the Community Support Advocates Program (CSAP). With this program, employees across the business get fully trained on T-Mobile’s disaster response protocols and can then offer additional support to communities impacted by disasters across the country. CSAP members, which are growing in numbers, were on standby for hurricanes Beryl and Debby just months after the program’s launch.

Don’t wait until an emergency is looming to prepare. Taking key actions now can help you stay safe, informed and connected during a natural disaster, and help you recover in the aftermath.

For more information from T-Mobile on communications and disaster preparedness, check out <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond</a>.

Follow <a href="https://x.com/tmobilenews?s=20" target="_blank">@TMobileNews</a> on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

This National Preparedness Month, here are some tips from T-Mobile that can help you be ready when it matters most.

Are You Natural Disaster Ready? How To Master National Preparedness Month

<img alt="Representatives from KeyBank and Habitat for Humanity shown with a $150,000 grant check." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c571ab7a-6ef8-4ca5-9728-5068ad2f7a31" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Habitat%20for%20Humanity%20of%20St.%20Joseph%20Co%20Grant_KeyBank_9.4.24A.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="916" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.key.com/personal/index.html" target="_blank">KeyBank</a> and the <a href="https://www.key.com/about/corporate-responsibility/keybank-foundation.html" target="_blank">KeyBank Foundation</a> announced an investment of $150,000 in <a href="https://www.hfhsjc.org/" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County (HFHSJC)</a> to help launch its new Homeownership Training Center and home office.

The vibrant new space, a renovated former medical building in Mishawaka, will be twice the size of HFHSJC’s current location and large enough to accommodate their organizational growth, allowing for more mission-driven services.

Over the next three years, the nonprofit is aiming to:

<ul><li>Welcome 3,0000 individuals into the new Homeownership Training Center to learn about their homeownership programming,</li>
	<li>Offer homeownership classes to approximately 95 families, presenting information on construction and home maintenance, budgeting, life insurance and estate planning, and</li>
	<li>Utilize the space to host informational sessions, celebrations and other events—partnering with local organizations with coinciding missions.</li>
</ul>HFHSJC is also planning to address Black homeownership rates with its new Advancing Black Homeownership (ABH) initiative. The nonprofit is dedicating efforts to educate Northern Indiana community members of the history of discrimination as well as continued inequities in housing by creating additional home-build and roof repair/replacement opportunities specifically for Black homeowners.

By 2027, Habitat plans to build 30 homes for Black families of St. Joseph County by empowering an estimated 80 adults and children who would have otherwise been excluded from homeownership to have access to decent, stable, affordable housing.

“KeyBank’s purpose is to help the communities we serve thrive, and accessibility to homeownership resources is a crucial element,” said Bhumika Norris, Northern Indiana KeyBank Market President. “We are excited to partner with and support Habitat, helping to connect our community members to industry experts and resources in the homeownership arena. This partnership will not only strengthen our community, but it will lead to even greater stability and prosperity that our local families deserve.”

“KeyBank has been an engaged partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County for years,” said Jim Williams, President and CEO of HFHSJC. “We so appreciate their commitment to help address the housing affordability crisis in our community and their investment in our new Home Ownership Training Center. The positive impact of the financial and home ownership education families will receive will be felt for years to come.”

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at June 30, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.key.com/" target="_blank">https://www.key.com/</a>. KeyBank Member FDIC.

KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation announced an investment of $150,000 in Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County (HFHSJC) to help launch its new Homeownership Training Center and home office. 

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Receives $150,000 Grant From KeyBank To Launch New Homeownership Training Center

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="438a3229-d828-4dfd-bad0-72ac022b90e1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/idaho_cadence_090424kh1.jpeg" width="640" height="959" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>My wife and I soaking it all in before the parade started.</figcaption></figure>Recently, I traveled from my hometown and remote work location in southeast Idaho to participate with fellow Cadence employees in the Silicon Valley Pride Parade. Although I have attended a handful of large-scale Pride events in Seattle, Denver, Boston, and Salt Lake City over the years, I have never marched in one—and I have never attended a Pride with professional colleagues.

Cheers to Cadence for these blissful milestones!

When I graduated from Idaho State years ago, I wanted to move to Silicon Valley, Seattle, or Portland, where I’d be free to live more openly. I am an only child, however, and with my mom only having a few years left to live, it was important that I stay close. I got a great job at a local semiconductor manufacturer and fell in love with mountain biking. As my career grew in a place where the commute between home, office, and the trails was mere minutes, my childhood home in Idaho simply became my home. When my mom passed away, my community and coworkers became my family.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ed2ba13-64fa-492e-bf9f-1e0d2191e5bc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/idaho_cadence_090424kh2.jpeg" width="640" height="900" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>The Cadence employees and family members posed for pictures before the parade—the kids were ready with the bubble blasters!</figcaption></figure>Cadence Culture

In a 20-year career that’s spanned digital test, design, and marketing, I’ve tackled a lot of technical and organizational challenges. Through serendipitous timing and a solid networking connection, I joined Cadence in February of this past year.

To combat the sense of isolation that can develop while working remotely, I’ve joined a couple of Cadence’s Employee Resource Groups and paid keen attention to company communications pertaining to my areas of interest involving the LGBTQ+ community, STEM education and outreach, and volunteer opportunities. In the realms of community involvement and professional engagement, I am deeply motivated by the mantra: Be the kind of adult you needed as a child.

Growing up in somewhat rural Idaho, I would have benefited greatly from seeing other women and LGBTQ+ people succeeding in technical careers, participating in community endeavors, and simply being happy contributors to society. During this past Pride Month in June, I saw that the Cadence Giving Foundation donated to <a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/" target="_blank">The Trevor Project</a>, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth, and that the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group would be a sponsor of <a href="https://www.svpride.com/" target="_blank">Silicon Valley Pride</a> and take part in San Jose’s downtown Pride Parade. I told my wife we had to go!
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59518d85-8f57-483c-9f2e-5112b09c3d51" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/idaho_cadence_090424kh3.jpeg" width="640" height="753" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>I held the Cadence banner with Rene Spring, who leads the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, to my right and Kelly Dev, who coordinated the day's employee fanfare, to my left.</figcaption></figure>Cadence Pride

Employees from across the Cadence organization came out in support. We had representation from engineering, marketing, legal, program management, human resources, and customer support. We had our spouses, friends, kids, and kids’ friends. We had managers, directors, and executives—oh my!

Teens blasted bubbles while we waved and walked. Along with our smiles, we shared umbrellas and sunglasses with paradegoers—all were perfect for the sunny San Jose day.

As we lined up and waited for the parade to start, I made an effort to introduce myself and talk with the young people in attendance because that’s what I craved at their age—to be seen and included, to be treated like I belonged, and to grasp that no matter what my current situation might be, I can always contribute and have a place in this world.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d59a062-0c22-4118-87fc-ddeb21b03aca" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/idaho_cadence_090424kh4.jpeg" width="640" height="960" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>So many bubbles and so many smiles made for some great pictures!</figcaption></figure>In a nutshell, that’s what Silicon Valley Pride was about this past weekend—including one another, fostering a sense of belonging, and celebrating our unique contributions to this world. With my career changes in this past year entailing remote work along with everything encompassed in a new role at a new company, it’s like those messages were directed right at me.

I love that I got to hear those messages and experience it all as a Cadence employee with other Cadence employees. After enjoying the day and reliving moments through everyone's festive photos...it's time to get back to work!
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0b5640db-c777-402c-a741-bc7f99a253b3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/idaho_cadence_090424kh5.jpeg" width="640" height="959" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>A new work friend surprised me with this candid in my email the next day. Proud to say that "We are Cadence."</figcaption></figure>

Recently, I traveled from my hometown and remote work location in southeast Idaho to participate with fellow Cadence employees in the Silicon Valley Pride Parade.

Latest