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CASE Brings Get-More-Done Lineup of Compact Equipment and Technology to Equip Expo 2025

How I Got Here: Chris Turner, Chief Executive Officer at Yum! Brands

Adama Builds With GoDaddy Airo

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<figcaption>Weatherization Demonstration</figcaption>
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In 2024, <a href="https://eco-act.org/" target="_blank">Environmental Community Action, Inc. (ECO-Action)</a> received a two-year<a href="https://www.drawdownga.org/grants-announced/?page=1&amp;category=58" target="_blank"> Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity Grant</a> to engage community members from low-income, previously disinvested communities in Atlanta to access and participate in climate mitigation strategies to reduce energy burdens, optimize food waste diversion strategies and enhance their quality of life with ecological awareness, education and benefits.&nbsp;

Over the past two years, the grant has enabled ECO-Action to collaborate with residents and leaders in Peoplestown (South Atlanta), Intrenchment Creek (Southeast Atlanta) and Proctor Creek (Northwest Atlanta) to offer monthly community-wide training on issues where climate change and health intersect.
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<figcaption>ECO-Action Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
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They've partnered with community garden leaders to collect food scraps and establish free neighborhood-based composting programs in multiple neighborhoods across Atlanta. They've trained young adults and other community members on weatherization techniques to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy burdens in aging housing stock, and they've educated residents on issues and vulnerabilities at the intersection of climate and environmental justice.

Through monthly gatherings in their own communities, ECO-Action is empowering Atlanta residents to recognize issues and take action. Some of the activities residents have engaged in include planting trees where urban deforestation has occurred, reducing food waste sent to area landfills, and gaining insight into mitigating heat island effects.

A multigenerational approach has been successful for the ECO-Action team as they've trained young adults from the local communities to weatherize the homes of seniors and others in the community that they might not otherwise interact with. They're not just sharing knowledge and improved thermal comfort; they're forging lasting relationships.
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<figcaption>Buckets from the free composting program</figcaption>
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The ECO-Action staff and volunteers recently took funders on a tour of multiple locations in their targeted neighborhoods, exemplifying the grant in action. Some examples included:

Grove Park Community Gardens - This garden included raised beds and fruit trees maintained by community members. The site is equipped with a shed, gardening tools and a central compost collection area where residents can take their food scraps. They’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing feedstock for compost that is processed locally at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture. Finished compost is provided back to the community garden and to highly engaged residents who regularly contribute their kitchen scraps.

Parather-Williams Home in Collier Heights - Ms. Catherine Parather-Williams is a member of the ECO-Action Weatherization Team, and she participates in the household composting program. She has also been the recipient of some weatherization work at her own home. Weatherization interns demonstrated the weatherization upgrades that were made there, sealing cracks and ductwork, installing new dryer vents, replacing filters, and adding insulation.

When asked if she noticed a difference, Ms. Parather-Williams said, “I sleep a lot better at night, it’s more comfortable.” The compost she receives from ECO-Action is used in her front porch container garden where she grows peppers, collards, tomatoes, okra, and herbs.

Rick McDevitt Youth Center in Peoplestown - This is the hub for composting efforts in the neighborhoods of the Intrenchment Creek Watershed, and a portion of the grant was used to make weatherization upgrades to the Center.

The funders had a chance to hear from Donna Stephens, program manager for the Proctor Creek neighborhoods. Ms. Stephens reported that the Proctor Creek team continues to run educational sessions on composting, as well as supporting a cohort of youth ambassadors to recruit community members to participate in the weatherization and composting programs. Between March and August of 2025, neighbors in the Proctor Creek Watershed collected roughly 1,500 lbs of compostable materials.
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<figcaption>Grantees and Funders</figcaption>
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George Epps, program manager for the Drawdown Georgia efforts in the Peoplestown and Intrenchment Creek neighborhoods also reported great success with the program. Mr. Epps is responsible for picking-up the food scraps at a central point, delivering them to Truly Living Well, and redistributing the collection buckets. Between March and August, Intrenchment Creek residents collected roughly 4,500 lbs of compostable materials, thereby diverting them from landfill, and helping avert the associated methane emissions.&nbsp;

Neighbors in the Intrenchment Creek community are also focused on developing intergenerational learning via spring and fall break workshops on weatherization, composting, and urban gardening. The community has also partnered with Pike Nurseries and Trees Atlanta to plant fruit trees in the Peoplestown and the Intrenchment Creek watershed to help address heat island effects from previous urban deforestation.&nbsp;
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<figcaption>Community Garden in Grove Park</figcaption>
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The weatherization interns presented on their ongoing work after the tour. They participated in training at <a href="http://www.southface.org" target="_blank">Southface Institute</a>, learning how to patch and apply mastic and foam to seal gaps, and how to safely construct scaffolding in attics to support insulation work. The Rick McDevitt Youth Center, Little Five Points Community Center, and 12 residents’ homes received a variety of weatherization improvements during the summer.

About the Funders:&nbsp;

ECO-Action’s 2024-25 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions &amp; Equity Grant was supported by a funding cohort that included Atticus Fund, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation and its Dobbs Fund, Ghanta Family Foundation, The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Reilly Family Fund, Tull Charitable Foundation and The Wilbur &amp; Hilda Glenn Family Foundation.

About ECO-Action:

Environmental Community Action, Inc. (ECO-Action) helps communities organize to confront environmental health threats, and to strengthen &amp; facilitate participation of communities in preventing and resolving such threats. ECO-Action serves the general population, with special focus on assisting residents of vulnerable communities – most often rural residents, people with limited formal education, those with few resources, women, and people of color. &nbsp;ECO-Action’s work is based on the intersection of three things – threats to human health, environmental degradation and social injustice.

ECO-Action Is Reducing Energy Burdens and Optimizing Food Waste Diversion in Atlanta

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By Jason Hartke, Ph.D.

With over a decade of experience in the smart buildings industry, Kashif Mughees, who leads commercial and partnerships at <a href="https://www.wellstat.io/" target="_blank">WellStat</a>, has built a career on turning complex energy and environmental challenges into opportunities for organizations to embrace solutions that yield powerful economic benefits. An engineer by training, Kashif’s work stands at the intersection of technology, data and human impact, partnering with leaders from across the public and private sectors to apply innovative solutions that advance energy security, environmental performance and healthier indoor spaces.

At its core, WellStat is helping reshape what it means to manage building performance, leveraging intelligent energy solutions and building analytics to help businesses achieve healthier, smarter and more sustainable spaces. The company’s approach combines industry knowledge with real-time insights and IoT analytics, improving operational performance while helping organizations optimize for health.

Kashif has been at the heart of this work, driven by a passion for sustainable energy management, cross-sector collaboration, and data-driven innovation. We sat down with him to learn more about the work WellStat is leading and how the company is addressing today’s most pressing challenges and empowering market leaders to champion health, sustainability, and long-term business resilience.
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Q: How do you see the relationship between energy efficiency and indoor air quality evolving and what kind of synergies should the industry be driving to advance both? 
For too long, energy efficiency and indoor air quality have been treated as trade-offs: save energy or improve comfort. Today, we have the tools and intelligence to achieve both.

In my experience, fine-tuning building systems through real-time insights can reduce waste and maintain healthy air at the same time. For example, in one project, simply adjusting HVAC start times cut energy use without affecting comfort. In another, tracking indoor air quality helped uncover efficiencies that, once fixed, improved both ventilation and performance. Demand Control Ventilation is a great example of this synergy in action, using live occupancy and air quality data to optimize airflow, reduce energy consumption, and maintain healthier environments.

It’s important to stop treating health and efficiency as separate goals and start measuring how they work together to improve overall building performance.
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Q: From your perspective, what is the business case for investing in buildings that prioritize health, well-being and sustainability? How do you communicate that to organizations you work with? 
The value is clear. Healthier buildings are higher performing assets. They attract and retain talent, reduce operational risk and strengthen long-term value.

I often say, if you can measure it, you can prove it, and if you can prove it, you can scale it. That is where data comes in. When leaders see tangible results such as improved air quality, reduced energy costs and greater occupant satisfaction, the conversation shifts from compliance to commercial advantage.

Even in residential developments, we are seeing growing interest in WELL-aligned design and monitoring. Healthier air, balanced humidity and thermal comfort reduce risks associated with damp and mould, while improving overall indoor quality and occupant well-being. These improvements do not just make homes healthier; they protect asset value, reduce maintenance costs and strengthen community trust.

Ultimately, prioritizing health delivers value for occupants while supporting long-term financial performance.

Q: Many organizations face difficulties in implementing these building strategies, such as cost constraints or new technology adoption. What are some of the biggest challenges you see in the field today and how are you working with stakeholders to overcome them? 
The challenge is usually not the technology. It’s getting different teams aligned. Facilities, sustainability and finance teams often have different success metrics. Our job is to connect those dots through shared outcomes.

We typically start small with a pilot project that proves measurable impact. Once the data speaks for itself, adoption accelerates across the portfolio. For example, demonstrating how small operational changes can lead to both lower energy costs and better IAQ helps shift the mindset from “new cost” to “new value.”

By focusing on visibility, evidence and shared success metrics, we help organisations move from good intentions to scalable results.

Q: As the demand for healthy buildings continues to grow, how is WellStat helping demonstrate the value proposition and where do you see the strongest market drivers helping build momentum? 
WellStat is helping organisations quantify what matters most, the measurable link between healthier spaces, operational performance and financial outcomes.

Our analytics platform captures real-time data on air quality, energy and environmental performance, turning it into clear, actionable insights. That enables leaders to demonstrate, not just declare, that their spaces are healthier and more efficient.

Momentum is building across sectors:

• Corporate real estate leaders are investing to attract and retain talent. 
• Developers and owners see WELL as a differentiator in competitive markets. 
• Investors are demanding transparency and data-backed proof of impact.

We are moving into an era where sustainability, health and performance are one conversation, and the organisations that understand that will lead the market.

View original content <a href="https://resources.wellcertified.com/articles/iwbi-signature-interview-series-leveraging-analytics-to-propel-healthy-building-practices/" target="_blank">here</a>.

IWBI Signature Interview Series: Leveraging Analytics to Propel Healthy Building Practices

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<a href="https://www.path.org/" target="_blank">PATH</a> has launched a groundbreaking initiative to address the rising burden of hemoglobinopathies—particularly Thalassemia—in India, with the support of a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation). The program aims to strengthen local health systems and expand access to early screening, diagnosis, and treatment in high-prevalence areas.

India accounts for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37947120/#:~:text=The%20thalassemic%20burden%20in%20India,the%20global%20%CE%B2%2Dthalassemia%20burden" target="_blank">nearly 25%</a> of the global β-thalassemia burden, with an estimated 10,000–15,000 children born each year with Thalassemia Major. Despite this, access to quality care remains limited, and treatment pathways are often fragmented.

This initiative marks among the BMS Foundation’s first grants in India to increase access to screening and build capacity to tackle the life-threatening burden of hemoglobinopathies.

The program will be implemented in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on:

Strengthening screening and prevention: Focusing on high-prevalence districts and prioritizing key population groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and families with known genetic risk factors.

Capacity-building and training: Equipping frontline health workers to deliver timely, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care.

Coordinated care systems: Ensuring linkage to management services, including safe blood transfusion services, iron chelation therapy, and bone marrow transplant facilities, where appropriate.

Strengthening the Centre for Competence (CoC): Enhancing the ambit of existing CoCs for Sickle Cell Disease established by the Government of India under NSCAEM to serve as hubs of excellence for Thalassemia care.

Policy integration and innovation: Supporting alignment of national and state-level actions on integrated Thalassemia management with global guidelines and local realities to inform future efforts to scale up integrated interventions.

“This project is expected to directly impact the population across the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh,” said Neeraj Jain, Country Director, India, PATH. “The project’s goal is to impact over 1.8 million pregnant women, newborns, and families of affected individuals, who will receive integrated screening services during the project period. Enhanced capacity of health care providers and access to better treatment will help improve the quality of life for all individuals diagnosed with Thalassemia.”

Catharine Grimes, President of the BMS Foundation, added, “The BMS Foundation is proud to work with PATH on these critical efforts to close gaps in Thalassemia care in India. Across our global work to address pediatric blood disorders, we are committed to removing barriers and strengthening sustainable systems of care. By implementing evidence-based strategies tailored to local community needs, we aim to deliver a scalable, lasting impact.”

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Awards Grant to PATH to Improve Care for Inherited Blood Disorders in India

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<figcaption>Community Garden Kitchen and Green Mountain Energy Sun Club "Flip the Switch" on Solar!</figcaption>
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MCKINNEY, Texas, October 17, 2025&nbsp;/CSRwire/ - Community Garden Kitchen, a nonprofit founded to combat food insecurity in Collin County, is celebrating a major sustainability milestone with a new 34-kilowatt solar array and 20 kWh battery storage system, courtesy of a $118,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®.

The solar array will support 65% of the restaurant’s energy needs, while the battery storage will maintain food production during weather emergencies or grid disruptions, allowing the nonprofit to remain operational. Energy savings from the sustainability grant are equivalent to serving more than 9,350 additional meals annually, or 180 additional dinners per week.
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<figcaption>The new 34-kilowatt rooftop solar array, funded by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, at Community Garden Kitchen.</figcaption>
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In 2014, Community Garden Kitchen launched with the vision of a restaurant-style kitchen where guests can dine with dignity in a friendly environment. In 2022, a permanent home for the nonprofit was opened in McKinney, where the restaurant operates Monday through Thursday evenings with over 900 volunteers. Community Garden Kitchen is the only facility in Collin County open for dinner to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity. Last year alone, the kitchen served more than 40,000 free meals.

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and $118,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president, Community Garden Kitchen. “The energy savings from the solar array and battery storage will empower us to further our mission of serving nutritious meals and providing a safe space for our community.”

“We’re thrilled to join forces with Community Garden Kitchen to reduce their environmental footprint and, at the same time, help expand their capacity to serve nutritious meals for those in need,” said Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability, Green Mountain Energy. “By empowering our community with the principles of sustainability, we can ensure future generations remain committed to nurturing our planet.”

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $15 million for 174 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.

# # #

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy’s mission is to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy, and to advance sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $16 million for 174 projects across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit <a href="https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/en/sun-club" target="_blank">greenmountain.com/sunclub</a>.

Media Contact: 
Jeanie Davey, Green Mountain Energy 
445-544-1670 
<a href="mailto:Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com" target="_blank">Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com</a>

Angela Poen, Community Garden Kitchen 
214-842-8426 
<a href="mailto:directors@communitygardenkitchen.org" target="_blank">directors@communitygardenkitchen.org</a>

Community Garden Kitchen Goes Solar, Thanks to a $118,000 Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Grant

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<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sustainability/key-takeaways-nycw-2025?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq</a>

This year’s <a href="https://www.climateweeknyc.org/" target="_blank">Climate Week NYC</a> events centered on the theme “Power On,” highlighting progress across climate, finance, technology, and more. As the days unfolded, the discussions moved from the strategic significance of sustainability to practical approaches and insights that can help organizations manage complexity and foster resilience.

Through participation in the week’s events, the Nasdaq team tuned in as leaders further explored the evolving role of technology and the importance of aligning sustainability and finance teams to create enduring value, and how an impactful sustainability strategy is designed to address the intricate climate landscape. The following key takeaways illustrate these principles and how they can be put into action:

1. Sustainability is a Strategic Imperative for Investors and CFOs

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have,” it’s a core expectation from investors. CFOs are now deeply involved in both sustainability education and reporting, reflecting the growing demand for transparency and measurable impact across stakeholders. The week’s activity highlighted that resilience in the sustainability landscape isn’t going anywhere, and organizations must be prepared to adapt and thrive amid constant changes.

2. Approach Sustainability with Simplicity Over Complexity

While the world is becoming more complex, organizations should resist the urge to respond with more complicated processes. A successful sustainability strategy is often principle-based, seeking modern, innovative solutions that offer simplicity and reduce unnecessary complexity. For example, Nasdaq’s sustainability vision is built on three pillars: capital access and innovation, disclosure and transparency, and market infrastructure solutions. This vision is underpinned by a commitment to long-term, actionable initiatives and the belief that adaptability and partnership are essential in a dynamic sustainability ecosystem.

3. Alignment Between Sustainability and Finance Can Help Yield High Returns

Securing buy-in for sustainability initiatives can be challenging. It is important to nurture alignment between sustainability and finance teams, starting at the leadership level. Synergy between these business functions is crucial not only for maximizing tax incentives, but also for ensuring that investments in sustainability yield high returns. In the long term, better sustainability practices help drive growth, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, freeing up capital for further investment.

4. The Power of Networks and Collaboration

Leaders shared that involvement in leadership networks helps provide unique opportunities for peer learning and collaboration, all in the effort to advance sustainability goals. Organizations should consider prioritizing collaboration, adaptability, and a forward-looking mindset to build resilience amid complexity.

Driving Lasting Value Through Sustainability and Innovation

Ultimately, sustainability should be a strategic priority for corporate leaders and investors alike. Success in this space requires not just robust reporting, but also a culture of innovation, strong alignment between sustainability and finance, and a relentless focus on resilience. As the sustainability and climate landscape continues to evolve, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/sustainability/report?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq’s approach</a> offers a blueprint for organizations seeking to turn complexity into opportunity and drive lasting value.

Nasdaq’s Sustainability Technology, Innovation, and Resilience

<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sustainability/how-sustainable-company-leaders-leverage-nasdaq-sustainability-solutions?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Technology and innovation</a> are at the heart of Nasdaq’s sustainability journey. We are leveraging AI and cloud solutions to drive efficiency, productivity, and resilience. In addition to in-house innovation efforts, we are focused on building scalable solutions that can adapt to regulatory and market changes to best support its clients. By fostering inclusive growth through innovation and collaboration, Nasdaq and its clients are well positioned to create enduring value, no matter how the landscape shifts.

Moreover, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/sustainability?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">Nasdaq Sustainability Solutions</a> empowers organizations to address evolving regulatory demands, unlock investor capital, and accelerate decarbonization with best-in-class technology and trusted advisory expertise. Our tools simplify reporting, enhance data quality, and help teams focus on delivering measurable sustainability outcomes. To learn how we can support your organization throughout its sustainability journey, <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/solutions/sustainability#contact?utm_campaign=CPE-25-10-14-Blog-Key-Takeaways-from-Climate-Week-NYC-2025&amp;utm_medium=ContentSyndication&amp;utm_source=3BLMedia" target="_blank">contact us here</a>.

Key Takeaways From Climate Week NYC 2025

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October 15, 2025&nbsp;/CSRwire/ - The UK is setting a global benchmark in sustainability, driven by businesses that increasingly recognise the competitive, reputational, and financial advantages of sustainable practices. However, progress is uneven across sectors, as each industry faces distinct environmental, social, and governance challenges shaped by differing operational, regulatory, and market priorities. Recognising these differences is crucial to developing targeted strategies, prioritising actions, and implementing practices that deliver measurable sustainability outcomes.

To support businesses in strengthening competitiveness and resilience, the UN Global Compact Network UK, in collaboration with University College London, Newcastle University, and Euromonitor, has launched the report ‘<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">Trailblazers &amp; Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability</a>’, examining how six high-impact sectors in the UK are performing against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on rigorous data and market insights, the report identifies sector-specific challenges, benchmarks performance, and presents actionable recommendations to support effective sustainability strategies.

<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD THE REPORT</a>

You can now download the full report to:

<ul>
	<li>Gain in-depth analysis of UK business progress on the SDGs;</li>
	<li>Access sector-specific insights to strengthen ESG performance and support the integration of sustainability into strategy and operations;</li>
	<li>Understand cross-sector trends highlighting shared barriers, leadership gaps, and opportunities for collaboration and innovation;</li>
	<li>Inform your company’s sustainability strategy with evidence-based findings and global benchmark comparisons;</li>
	<li>Leverage data-driven insights from UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (CoP) data, World Benchmarking Alliance benchmarks, policy context, and market trends to guide decision-making; and</li>
	<li>Explore policy priorities that can shape the enabling environment to help businesses operate responsibly, compete globally, and unlock sustainable investment at scale.</li>
</ul>

You can find more information about the report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>, and please share it with your networks.

Media Contact: 
Lily Venables 
Senior Project Manager (Governance and SDGs) 
<a href="mailto:lily.venables@unglobalcompact.org.uk" target="_blank">lily.venables@unglobalcompact.org.uk</a>

<a href="https://www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/trailblazers-transformers-uk-business-sectors-redefining-sustainability/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

New UN Global Compact Network UK Report Launch - Trailblazers & Transformers: UK Business Sectors Redefining Sustainability

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by Liz Peters

In the recent IWBI webcast, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJwi76SYTmM" target="_blank">From Classrooms to Communities: The Future of Healthy Indoor Air Policy and Advocacy</a>, experts and innovators came together to explore how indoor air quality policy, technology and advocacy are reshaping the built environment, with a focus on the schools, a priority sector for driving action.

“What started as a weekend project spun completely out of control. Eleven years later, here we are.” – Liam Bates, CEO, Co-Founder, Kaiterra, explaining how and why he founded his company, Kaiterra, as a passion project focused on helping people breathe healthier indoor air.

“COVID forced people to understand that the places where we live, work, learn and play isn’t just a tagline–it’s vital for survival and human health.” – Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, Client Development Director, BranchPattern, underscoring a paradigm shift in how we think about health and well-being inside our buildings, where research shows people spend 90% of their lives.

“We can get a little more shoulder behind [modernizing our schools] and make sure we don’t miss a generation.” – Mary Filardo, Executive Director, 21st Century School Fund, emphasizing the urgency to make progress across our nation’s school facilities.

“The kids should be more important than screwing your outdoor air shut. We’ve got to figure out how to do better.” – Glenn Wilson, Applied Air Business Development Manager, Daikin Applied, illustrating that some school facilities are not optimizing for health when they should be.

Moderated by Jason Hartke, IWBI’s EVP of External Affairs and Global Advocacy, the session explored how advocacy, policy and technology are converging to make healthy air a reality–from schools to workplaces to community spaces. From cutting-edge IAQ data tools to policies driving investment in healthier learning environments, the discussion highlighted how schools can lead the way–and how public-private collaboration is spreading those benefits into workplaces and communities everywhere.

From personal passion to public impact 
For Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic of BranchPattern, the conversation starts at home. As a mother and longtime sustainability consultant, she’s seen firsthand how awareness can spark action. “When my teenage son turned on the exhaust fan above our gas stove after attending the WELL Healthy Homes Summit,” she shared, “I realized education is everything. We need to bring that same awareness into our schools.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder for schools 
Mary Filardo, who founded the 21st Century School Fund more than 30 years ago, reminded everyone that America’s schools are massive and underfunded–and that our policy at all levels of government must match that reality. “Every community makes decisions about the conditions in their schools,” she said. “With the civic, education and industry sectors working together, we can get a little more shoulder behind this and make sure we don’t miss a generation.”

Filardo, the lead author of the next State of Our Schools report, which will be released later this year, shared that the annual gap in school infrastructure investment continues to grow at an alarming rate. She emphasized that while the challenge is seeming more insurmountable, there are significant opportunities to drive proven solutions, saying, “If we were doing [facility spending] smarter, holistically, the gap wouldn’t be so big.”

Innovation with heart 
For Liam Bates of Kaiterra, the path to advocacy began with a personal story. When his now-wife’s asthma flared in a polluted city, he wanted to know what was in the air, but he couldn’t find any affordable or accessible ways to measure it. “I took on a small weekend project that spun completely out of control,” he laughed. “Eleven years later, we’re helping people make the invisible visible.”

As a call to action he urged stakeholders to do something, even if they can’t do everything, a great start being measuring. “Imagine if every school in the country had just one [indoor] air quality data point,” he said. “You’d immediately see which buildings are in crisis and which fixes cost nothing at all.”

Doing better by design 
Glenn Wilson from Daikin Applied brought a technician’s perspective—and a dose of urgency. “I can’t count how many times I’ve been on a school roof and seen the fresh air dampers screwed shut,” he said, a cost-saving action that compromises proper ventilation by reducing the amount of outdoor air into the building. “Kids should be more important than saving a few dollars. We’ve got to figure out how to do better.”

The path ahead 
The conversation returned time and time to the theme that our school facilities, and more importantly, the children, teachers and administrators inside them, are too important to continue to underfund our school infrastructure. To move forward and spark action, the panel called for smarter policy, more creative and scalable funding and cross-sector collaboration.

As Hartke summarized, “We’ve spent decades investing [billions] in energy efficiency. It’s time we invest in health with the same intensity.”

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJwi76SYTmM" target="_blank">Watch the full webcast.</a>

View original content <a href="https://resources.wellcertified.com/articles/making-the-grade-on-healthy-indoor-air/" target="_blank">here</a>.

In the recent IWBI webcast, From Classrooms to Communities: The Future of Healthy Indoor Air Policy and Advocacy, experts and innovators came together to explore how indoor air quality policy, technology and advocacy are reshaping the built environment

Making the Grade on Healthy Indoor Air

<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="employees collaborating by windows" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a30ca89f-9d06-4059-a2c9-ded51efb0d68" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Employees%20collaborating%20by%20windows_Cary%2CNC.jpg" width="640" height="800" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>MetLife’s office buildings provide spaces to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing with colleagues, including at our site in Cary, North Carolina.</figcaption>
</figure>

We strive to enable colleagues at all levels to lead with purpose, collaborate effectively and drive impactful outcomes. We cultivate a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that serves as a driving force for meeting our business objectives.

Engaging Our Colleagues

MetLife continues to adopt practices and programs that drive a consistent employee experience, creating connection and engagement.&nbsp;

MOMENTUM is MetLife’s global community of employee-driven networks organized and operating under one umbrella focused on cultivating a great place to work for our employees, everywhere we operate. Led by employee volunteers, the networks are voluntary and open to all employees.&nbsp;

MOMENTUM actively engages our colleagues in career development and community outreach. Our networks sponsor events and learning opportunities that highlight career paths and tools available at MetLife, enabling everyone to thrive. By aligning and amplifying our MOMENTUM networks, community ambassadors— office-based volunteers—actively foster and strengthen community interconnectivity.&nbsp;

Innovation thrives in an inclusive culture, where people feel confident about sharing their ideas. MetLife’s global Experimentation Fund gives colleagues the chance to submit ideas to receive funding for low-cost, quick experiments. In addition, we empower colleagues to challenge the status quo and identify opportunities to improve processes—to “remove pebbles.” Since the “removing pebbles” program’s inception in July 2023, the initiative has saved 1.7 million hours

Listening to Our Colleagues

Listening to colleagues, gaining their perspective on how we are working together and recognizing them when they advance our purpose are essential to nurturing our purpose-driven, inclusive culture. Colleagues provide feedback on our work practices through surveys,&nbsp;Let’s Talk, Live! forums (monthly, CEO-led, global town halls) and virtual and in-person listening sessions with leaders.

The&nbsp;MyVoice survey is part of our Company-wide annual listening program, dedicated to fostering a culture where every colleague’s voice is heard and valued. Sharing and actioning results is a collaborative and inclusive effort—our CEO shares enterprise-wide results at Let’s Talk, Live!, leaders review feedback with their teams, and we engage MyVoice action committees throughout the organization to help identify opportunities and to implement solutions to improve the employee experience. Insights are leveraged to establish enterprise focus areas and help us move forward together.

The 2024 MyVoice surveys had record-high engagement and strong results overall. We improved or maintained year-over-year scores across all survey questions and exceeded industry benchmarks where measured. Areas where employees said MetLife is doing well include culture, balance and flexibility, well-being, learning and development.

Recognizing Our Colleagues

The Global Recognition program at MetLife honors the commitment and outstanding performance of our employees. It exemplifies our culture in action by recognizing employees for their contributions toward fulfilling our purpose. Throughout the year, we recognize employees through multiple global channels, including:

<ul>
	<li dir="ltr">Purpose Award, which recognizes individuals or teams who made extraordinary efforts to bring MetLife’s purpose to life and deliver for our stakeholders;</li>
	<li dir="ltr">Above and Beyond Award, which recognizes colleagues for their collaboration, experimentation and customer-focused achievements; and</li>
	<li dir="ltr">Center Stage, a platform for sharing continuous recognition, such as anniversaries, milestones and successes.</li>
</ul>

Read more about MetLife’s purpose-driven and inclusive culture in its&nbsp;<a href="https://sustainabilityreport.metlife.com/report/?cid=prs35nb&amp;utm_id=prs35nb&amp;utm_source=pr&amp;utm_medium=prs&amp;utm_campaign=cm_sr_4q_25_MetLife&amp;utm_content=3bl_3BL-promo&amp;utm_term=&amp;promoid=prs35nb">2024 Sustainability Report</a>.

We strive to enable colleagues at all levels to lead with purpose, collaborate effectively and drive impactful outcomes. We cultivate a purpose-driven and inclusive culture that serves as a driving force for meeting our business objectives.

MetLife: Cultivating a Purpose-Driven and Inclusive Culture

<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/2025-10/mk5k-2025-canada1_Mary-Kay_103025.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

Originally published on <a href="http://newsroom.marykay.com/" target="_blank">newsroom.marykay.com</a>

In its eighth year, the 2025 MK5K brought together hundreds of participants from coast to coast in a powerful show of unity and support for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation <a href="https://www.marykay.ca/en-ca/about-mary-kay/our-commitment/mkacf-2021" target="_blank">(MKACF)</a> in Canada. Taking place both in person and virtually, this year’s event was a resounding success, reflecting the Foundation’s mission to support people living with cancer through Look Good Feel Better® and to help women experiencing domestic violence by providing grants to women's shelters and community outreach programs.
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<img alt="group photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70775765-62b4-45e2-801b-78666443c421" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mk5k-2025-canada-1_Mary-Kay_103025.jpg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>In its eighth year, the 2025 MK5K brought together hundreds of participants from coast to coast in a powerful show of unity and support for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF) in Canada. (Photo Courtesy: Gord Simpson)</figcaption>
</figure>

The main in-person event was held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the scenic Meadowvale Conservation Area in Mississauga, Ontario, where Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants, families, friends, and Walk Champions gathered to walk in solidarity and raise vital funds.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-center">
<img alt="two people standing in front of a banner about the event" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e3ad025-7bf7-471a-ae0c-783cabb59e77" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mk5k-2025-canada2_Mary-Kay_103025.jpg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Taking place both in person and virtually, this year’s MK5K was a resounding success, reflecting the Foundation’s mission to support people living with cancer through Look Good Feel Better® and to help women experiencing domestic violence by providing grants to women's shelters and community outreach programs. (Photo Courtesy: Gord Simpson)</figcaption>
</figure>

Across the country, communities joined in virtually to participate in their own neighborhoods, making the MK5K 2025 a truly national initiative.
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<img alt="&quot;I walk for my friend, Tammy Sweet. I miss you&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e4ceff3-8ad0-4f6f-b700-be976887da4e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mk5k-2025-canada3_Mary-Kay_103025.jpg" width="640" height="1707" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Across the country, communities joined in virtually to participate in their own neighborhoods, making the MK5K 2025 a truly national initiative. (Photo Courtesy: Angie Klotz)</figcaption>
</figure>

“This year’s MK5K event was a powerful reflection of our shared values and unwavering commitment to making a difference,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellehaurilak/?originalSubdomain=ca" target="_blank">Michelle Haurilak</a>, Chair of the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Committee and Marketing Director at Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. in Canada. “From the heartfelt energy at Meadowvale Conservation Area to the incredible participation from communities across the country, it was truly inspiring to witness the unity and purpose behind every step taken. “The support we saw this year reaffirms how deeply our mission resonates – to help people facing cancer feel like themselves again, and to provide safety and hope for those impacted by domestic violence. I am so proud of what we’ve achieved together through the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, and grateful to everyone who walked, donated, fundraised, or cheered us on. Together, we are creating lasting change in the lives of women across Canada.”
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<img alt="&quot;le 20 septembre je marcherai pour les femmes atteintes de cancer et victimes de violence. MK5K Fasions la difference!&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a28a41e3-ccf7-48f8-8d6c-34b69c770571" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mk5k-2025-canada4_Mary-Kay_103025.jpg" width="640" height="701" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>“The support we saw this year reaffirms how deeply our mission resonates – to help people facing cancer feel like themselves again, and to provide safety and hope for those impacted by domestic violence,” said Michelle Haurilak, Chair of the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Committee and Marketing Director at Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. in Canada. (Photo Courtesy: Meggan Grenon)</figcaption>
</figure>

MK5K 2025 by the Numbers:

<ul>
	<li>Hundreds of walkers participated across Canada</li>
	<li>53 fundraising teams</li>
	<li>248 individual donors</li>
	<li>3 generous sponsors: Staples Print, Formcor, and Corona Jewellery</li>
	<li>Fundraising continued until October 1, 2025, allowing even greater reach and participation.</li>
	<li>Total amount raised: $40,235</li>
</ul>

"We are incredibly proud to partner with the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, whose unwavering commitment to uplifting women aligns so closely with our mission at Look Good Feel Better®,” said Susan Larkin with Look Good Feel Better®. “Together, we are helping people facing cancer reclaim a sense of control, confidence, and self-esteem during one of the most challenging times in their lives. This partnership strengthens our ability to reach more people across Canada with the support and care they so deeply deserve."
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<img alt="group photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f45aede-d643-4e3b-a645-24839e6318e7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/mk5k-2025-canada5_Mary-Kay_103025.jpg" width="640" height="853" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>“Together, we are helping people facing cancer reclaim a sense of control, confidence, and self-esteem during one of the most challenging times in their lives. This partnership with the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation strengthens our ability to reach more people across Canada with the support and care they so deeply deserve," said Susan Larkin with Look Good Feel Better®. (Photo Courtesy: Gord Simpson)</figcaption>
</figure>

The MKACF maintains a strong partnership with <a href="https://lgfb.ca/" target="_blank">Look Good Feel Better (LGFB),</a> a national Canadian charity committed to supporting individuals facing cancer. LGFB focuses on helping patients manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer and its treatments – such as skin changes, hair loss, and the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes - with the goal of restoring confidence, emotional well-being, and a renewed sense of self. Through its campaigns, Mary Kay and its Foundation help raise awareness of LGFB’s work, amplify stories, and encourage community support.

About the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF) in Canada:

<ul>
	<li>The MKACF is committed to improving the lives of women across Canada through two key pillars:
	<ul>
		<li>Support people living with cancer through Look Good Feel Better®.</li>
		<li>Provide grants to shelters and outreach programs that serve women and children fleeing domestic violence.</li>
		<li>Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $3.63 million, with 99% of all donations going directly to programs that empower and protect women.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Shelter Grant Program: Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence
	<ul>
		<li>In 2025, the MKACF Shelter Grant Program will provide $120,000 in grants to 12 shelters and outreach programs, each receiving $10,000 to enhance services for women and children in crisis.</li>
		<li>Application period: July 15 – September 30, 2025</li>
		<li>Grant recipients announced: November 25, 2025 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women)</li>
		<li>Rooted in Mary Kay Ash’s legacy, this initiative provides financial support to programs that offer safety, empowerment, and hope to survivors of domestic abuse.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Look Good Feel Better® Program Impact
	<ul>
		<li>As a long-standing national supporter, MKACF has donated over $1.3 million to the Look Good Feel Better® program, helping over 10,000 women annually regain confidence during cancer treatment.</li>
		<li>1300+ trained volunteers, including many Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants.</li>
		<li>Programs offered at 110 hospitals and cancer centers across Canada.</li>
		<li>10,000+ Canadians received direct services through LGFB workshops in 2024.</li>
		<li>1,500 workshops were delivered across Canada in 2024.</li>
		<li>950 workshops will be held in 2025.</li>
		<li>97% of participants would recommend the workshop to someone else who is facing cancer.</li>
		<li>Complementary 2-hour workshops provide guidance on skincare, makeup, wigs/scarves, and breast care.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

The MKACF extends heartfelt thanks to the thousands who made the MK5K 2025 a success — from Independent Beauty Consultants and Walk Champions, to donors, volunteers, and sponsors. Their generosity and compassion help transform lives and bring light to women facing life’s most difficult challenges.

For more information about the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation or to donate, please visit <a href="https://www.marykay.ca/en-ca/about-mary-kay/our-commitment/mkacf-2021" target="_blank">here</a>.

****

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at <a href="https://marykayglobal.com/" target="_blank">marykayglobal.com</a>. Find us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marykayglobal" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marykayglobal/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/marykayglobal/mycompany/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, or follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryKayGlobal">X</a>.

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In its eighth year, the 2025 MK5K brought together hundreds of participants from coast to coast in a powerful show of unity and support for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF) in Canada.

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