Mary Kay

MetLife, Inc.

WESCO International

Face the Future: Mary Kay’s AI Foundation Finder Poised To Disrupt the Beauty Game

MetLife: Protecting the Environment Through Our Products and Services

YWCA Yorkshire Receives Support From Wesco Anixter To Empower Homeless Young Women in South Yorkshire

<img alt="back-to-school event" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9400c725-e2c5-4162-98b2-ca1cd4adfaed" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/back-school-giveaway_entergy_081825.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="780" loading="lazy" />More than 200 community members came together for Entergy New Orleans’ annual Energize NOLA! Community Fair and Back-to-School Giveaway. The free event transformed The Green at Columbia Parc into a lively hub of activity, providing energy-saving tools, community resources, and back-to-school essentials.

Families participated in a variety of activities that combined fun with learning. Attendees enjoyed snowballs, live music, and face-painting, while science enthusiasts explored our interactive Arcs and Sparks demonstration. Students were also gifted backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help them start the academic year prepared and confident.

“Energize NOLA! Community Fair is a celebration of our deep commitment to the city of New Orleans,” said Stephanie Willis, director of public affairs at Entergy New Orleans. “We’re proud to support our neighbors by providing resources that empower families and help students start the school year ready to succeed.”
<img alt="back-to-school event" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de02028d-33de-4ca2-b43f-5919db671015" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/back-school-giveaway2_entergy_081825.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="328" loading="lazy" />The event connected families with valuable community resources. United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Green Light New Orleans shared information about their support services and sustainability programs, while Energy Smart provided free energy-saving tools and practical tips for lowering household energy costs.

Guests also had an opportunity to tour Entergy’s Mobile Command Unit and gain insight into the company’s emergency response and support operations. To add to the excitement, several Entergy employees rode in the company’s bucket trucks, rising 80 feet into the air to provide attendees a firsthand look at the vital work linemen do every day to keep our communities powered.

View original content <a href="https://www.entergy.com/blog/energize-nola-brings-community-together-for-back-to-school-giveaway" target="_blank">here</a>.

Entergy Corporation 
Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at <a href="https://www.entergy.com/" target="_blank">entergy.com</a> and follow <a href="https://www.entergy.com/social" target="_blank">@Entergy</a> on social media.

Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy’s corporate social responsibility initiatives help create and sustain thriving communities, position the company for sustainable growth and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our top CSR priorities are education/workforce development, poverty solutions/social services and environmental programs. Entergy annually contributes $16-$18 million in shareholder-funded grants to approximately 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the communities where we operate. In addition, our employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours in those communities' values at more than $3 million.

Energize NOLA! Brings Community Together for Back-to-School Giveaway – Entergy

<img alt="Annual Summit New York 2025, September 21-24" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce31021c-1dbd-42ae-9c9b-12fa8742d623" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/AnnualSummit_Concordia_081525.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="528" loading="lazy" />August 19, 2025 /CSRwire/ - This September 21–24, the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit returns to New York City as the largest nonpartisan gathering alongside the United Nations General Assembly. Over three days, more than 4,000 decision-makers from business, government, and civil society will come together to address the most pressing challenges shaping our world — from global trade and security to climate action, health innovation, human rights, and emerging technologies.

With high-level keynotes, dynamic panels, and unparalleled networking opportunities, the Summit is where cross-sector collaboration leads to real-world impact.

Secure your spot now and be part of the conversation shaping the global agenda.

<a href="https://bit.ly/ANN25-TicketSales-3BL" target="_blank">Secure your spot</a>

Join 4,000+ Global Leaders in NYC This September

<img alt="Natalie Ruiz, Senior HR Operations Analyst, GoDaddy." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eef95bb6-61a2-4a11-be40-06062c7c10e8" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Natalie%20Ruiz_GoDaddy_8.13.25A1.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="626" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.godaddy.com/resources/news/from-ideas-to-impact-meet-natalie-ruiz" target="_blank">Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library</a>

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

Hi, I’m Natalie! I’m currently a Senior HR Operations Analyst at GoDaddy, but my journey here started back in 2020 as an HR Operations Intern. At the time, I was studying Human Resources Management and Business Analytics at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, and the internship felt like the perfect intersection of both disciplines. After completing the internship, I joined the team full-time in 2021. Since then, I’ve graduated from the University of Iowa and relocated to Southern California, where I’m now based. My time at GoDaddy has been full of learning, growth, and the chance to work on meaningful projects that bring people, process, and technology together.
<img alt="Natalie seated at a table with a vase of red flowers on the table." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b788aa45-c522-4085-add5-891a590ab2dd" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Natalie%20Ruiz_GoDaddy_8.13.25B1.png" class="align-center" width="600" height="551" loading="lazy" />What real-life problems does your team solve?

I help support our HR teams that in turn support GoDaddy's employees, primarily through our ServiceNow platform. When an employee reaches out to an HR representative using our Get Help portal, they are doing so through avenues that myself or other members of my team helped pave with close partnership among our HR and ServiceNow Engineering teams.

I've found my niche in HR Operations within reporting, taking data housed in ServiceNow, visualizing it in dashboards, and further analyzing that information. I analyze various types of data to answer questions such as: "How long does it take our HR Partners to resolve employee inquiries?", "Are employees satisfied with the answers they receive?", and "Which types of inquiries require multiple steps to resolve, and how can we streamline these processes?" My team's goal is to make the bridge between our employees and HR Partners as seamless as possible, and I help surface the data that paints that picture.
<img alt="Natalie wearing a straw hat and looking at a canyon." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a67b9494-5d71-4c61-9619-b2ff2fd3897a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Natalie%20Ruiz_GoDaddy_8.13.25C1.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="583" loading="lazy" />What has been your most significant learning experience within the past year?

<blockquote>
I've been leaning into the experimentation mindset that has really picked up speed company-wide. Embracing this has helped me become more courageous and creative in my work.
</blockquote>

I've learned that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to simply give an idea a shot rather than overthink it. Overthinking tends to stall progress, while trying and learning from what doesn’t work keeps things moving. Not everything works the first time, and that's okay!

How has HR Operations evolved in recent years?

I've seen HR Operations evolve significantly since I joined GoDaddy, especially as our workforce continues to grow globally. Our team plays a central role in making sure HR processes are both efficient and consistent across the regions we support. One of our biggest challenges and opportunities is creating a seamless experience for employees, regardless of their location. To do this, we have to design systems that are both intuitive and scalable, while considering local legislation and customs. It's one of the many elements that makes working within the HR Technology space complex yet rewarding.

What aspects of GoDaddy's company culture do you appreciate the most?

I feel there's a strong spirit of collaboration at GoDaddy and a shared willingness to help each other out to reach better outcomes. People are super approachable, curious, and genuinely invested in producing meaningful work.
<img alt="Natalie seated at a potters wheel." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ccfd17ab-28a9-417a-858b-f2c9811a886d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Natalie%20Ruiz_GoDaddy_8.13.25D1.png" class="align-center" width="425" height="567" loading="lazy" />What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I love diving into the arts and music scene. I’ve been oil painting for a few years and recently started exploring ceramics, as well. Taking art classes has become one of my favorite ways to express myself and connect with the creative community here in San Diego. As for music, I don’t play any instruments and I save my singing for solo car rides, but I’m a dedicated concertgoer. If one of my favorite bands is in town, there’s a good chance I’ll be there.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

<ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoDaddyLife" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/godaddylife/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/godaddylife" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://twitter.com/GoDaddyLife" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@godaddylife" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://careers.godaddy/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Career Page</a></li>
</ul>

From Ideas to Impact: Meet Natalie Ruiz

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f758bacf-3104-4ec1-a1ef-d29417a0bf16" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/MetLife_Report_Environment_2025.png" width="640" height="639" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Colleagues volunteer by planting trees on Governors Island in New York City. </figcaption></figure>MetLife continues to pursue opportunities to reduce resource use and waste by implementing digital communications where possible. In many of our regions and businesses, customers can submit claims, make payments and access documentation and other policy information online. In Bangladesh, we surpassed 1.8 million e-receipts to customers, and in Turkey we’ve developed a fully digital gateway for sales, offering products without the need for hard copy documentation or wet signatures.

We often tie tree-planting initiatives to customer engagement, such as by planting trees for product sales or for customers opting into paperless communications. Our MetLife Legacy Trees™ initiative is our pledge to plant a tree in honor of each loved one for whom MetLife has paid a Group Life Insurance benefit.1 While serving as a living memorial for our insureds, the trees also provide clean air, offer shade cover, and reduce erosion and flooding in communities. MetLife works with the Arbor Day Foundation and its network of local tree planting partners to plant trees for the program.

In the U.S., MetLife Legal Plans offers free attorney document review and consultation to Legal Plans group customers’ employees impacted by natural disasters, whether or not the employees are enrolled in the plan. In 2024, following the California wildfires and hurricanes in the Southeast, MetLife also expanded the availability of employee assistance programs and grief counseling for customers.2

Read more about how we are supporting the environment through our sustainability efforts in MetLife's <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>. 
 

1 MetLife Legacy Trees™ is available in the U.S. and Nepal. 2 Programs offered through our provider, TELUS Health.

<img alt="Capitol Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92236b78-650f-477c-8f98-6e79752387ae" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/policy-summit-charts_IWBI_081325.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="550" loading="lazy" />In partnership with Georgetown University’s Global Cities Initiative, IWBI and over a dozen supporting organizations—including AAFA, AIHA, ASHRAE, BOMA, Global Green, Green Building Initiative, Green Seal, ICC, IFMA, NEMA, NIBS and USGBC—spotlight policy as a catalyst for scaling healthy buildings and creating healthier communities

Event features nearly 30 confirmed speakers—from a former U.S. Surgeon General, a distinguished member of Congress, an award-winning journalist, to top leaders from ASHRAE, GRESB, USGBC, JLL, UL Solutions, Brown University, Corvias, Aeroseal, Johns Hopkins University, Savills  and Trane Technologies

NEW YORKA, August 14, 2025 /CSRwire/ - The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), in partnership with Georgetown University’s Global Cities Initiative, is proud to host its second annual <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iwbi-healthy-building-policy-summit-tickets-1115786259739?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">Healthy Building Policy Summit</a> in Washington, D.C., on September 29. This landmark, full-day event is dedicated to exploring the critical role of policy at all levels of government in transforming workplaces, buildings and cities to improve health, build resilience and foster thriving communities.

“Building on our momentum from last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Healthy Building Policy Summit dives deeper into critical areas — from indoor air quality to innovation and private sector leadership — showing how we are doubling down on the policies and partnerships that can turn every building into a force for well-being for everyone, everywhere,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon.

By convening a dynamic cross-section of policymakers, public health experts, private sector innovators, and government leaders, the Summit aims to accelerate bold ideas and actionable policies that advance health through the built environment. “We’re excited to host this policy summit at a moment when decisions on human health are being treated as a core performance metric for public and private places across the built environment,” said Uwe S. Brandes, Professor and Director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, which is hosting the event at the McCourt School of Public Policy on its Capitol Campus. “We'll be exploring how policy, planning, and investment decisions at all jurisdictional levels enhance and protect human health in our buildings and cities."

The Summit will focus on critical topics and timely issues impacting the built environment including indoor air quality, the evidence-based return on investment (ROI) of healthy buildings, as well as the influence of legislation on market transformation. Other key topics include access to healthy environments, the leadership role of cities and states, and the contribution of professional organizations and technical standards in advancing healthy building initiatives.

An impressive lineup of nearly 30 speakers are confirmed, including:

<ul><li>Dr. Richard Carmona, M.D., MPH, FACS. 17th Surgeon General of the United States</li>
	<li>Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI</li>
	<li>Congressman Paul D. Tonko. D-NY 20th District, U.S. House of Representatives</li>
	<li>Christopher King, Dean, School of Health, Georgetown University</li>
	<li>Holly Paeper, President of Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies</li>
	<li>William McQuade, President, ASHRAE</li>
	<li>Erin Billups, National Health Reporter, Spectrum News</li>
	<li>Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer, GRESB</li>
	<li>Tanya Eagle, Director of Sustainable Buildings, JLL</li>
	<li>Georgia Lagoudas, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Brown University School of Public Health</li>
	<li>Kazukiyo (Kazu) Kumagai, Chief of the Air Quality Section, California Department of Public Health</li>
	<li>Erika Heet, Editor-In-Chief, BuildingGreen</li>
	<li>Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council</li>
	<li>Uwe Brandes, Professor, Director of the Urban &amp; Regional Planning Program and Director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, Georgetown University</li>
	<li>Seydina Fall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Planetary Health, Johns Hopkins University</li>
	<li>Wendy Feldman Block, Executive Managing Director, Savills, Inc.</li>
	<li>Denise Hauck, President, Department of Defense (DOD) Division, Corvias</li>
	<li>Sean McCrady, Vice President, Software and Advisory, UL Solutions</li>
	<li>Dr. Serene Almomen, CEO, Co-Founder, Attune</li>
	<li>Rachel Kohli, Director of Campus Planning, Georgetown University</li>
	<li>Trisha Miller, Vice President, Policy and Market Development, Aeroseal</li>
	<li>Whitney Austin Gray, SVP, Research, IWBI</li>
	<li>Susan Chung, Associate Director, Enterprise Research, Vice President, HKS</li>
	<li>Jonathan Gritz, SVP, Energy Solutions, WellStat</li>
	<li>Jason Hartke, EVP, External Affairs and Global Advocacy, IWBI</li>
</ul>This year’s Summit is supported by leading companies committed to advancing health in buildings. Principal sponsors include Trane Technologies, Aeroseal, UL Solutions and Attune, whose leadership and commitment help make the event possible. The event is also supported by Associate sponsors SafeTraces and Vogel Group, with Daikin serving as host for the Summit’s evening reception. Lutron and WellStat are joining as WELL Summit Series Gold sponsors.

"We now know unequivocally that our buildings are foundational to our health, shaping how we live, work and connect. By positioning them to actively promote well-being, we can unlock a healthier future for everyone," said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States. "The Healthy Building Policy Summit is a signature gathering where we can come together to explore the accelerants that will take these strategies to scale in communities across the country."

“We have a chance to get ahead — to shape the future of our workplaces, buildings and communities through smart policy, effective programs and more strategic use of the vast public funds being directed into our buildings over the next decade,” said Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Global Advocacy, IWBI. “The Healthy Building Policy Summit is the only national gathering dedicated to charting that future and shaping policies and priorities that will deliver on our ambitious healthy building agenda. I’m honored to be partnering with Georgetown and an extraordinary coalition of supporting organizations, industry leaders and media partners, showing that the strongest leadership comes through partnership.”

"Research is the bridge between what we know works for health and how we put it into practice," said Whitney Austin Gray, Senior Vice President, Research, IWBI. “We know that investing in health in the built environment delivers returns far beyond well-being, from stronger business performance to greater community resilience. The Policy Summit is a unique opportunity to showcase the evidence that makes the business case, equipping policymakers to shape the future of healthy building policy."

The event also includes several Supporting Organizations, including American Industrial Hygiene Association, ASHRAE, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, BOMA International, Global Green, Green Seal, International Codes Council, International Facilities Management Association, ISSA - Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Institute of Building Sciences, and U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the Summit’s Media Partners include BuildingGreen, FacilitiesNet and Buildings Magazine.

What Our Supporters are Saying

“Advancing health in buildings is becoming a clear priority for organizations around the world,” said Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies. "We’re proud to support the Healthy Building Policy Summit because it is moving this critical conversation forward and reshaping how we coalesce around policy solutions to ramp up building-scale interventions that improve health and well-being, boost productivity and strengthen our businesses.”

“Collectively, we have the technologies and scientific knowledge—many of them readily available and capable of transforming workplaces and organizations so they can better invest in their people,” said Sean McCrady, Vice President, Software and Advisory, UL Solutions. “The Healthy Building Policy Summit provides an opportunity to break down barriers and build a future where healthy indoor spaces are the norm.”

“The Healthy Building Policy Summit gives us the opportunity to deliver high-performance building solutions in collaboration with stakeholders across the country,” said Trisha Miller, Vice President, Policy and Market Development, Aeroseal. “Fortunately, we’re seeing an important convergence where health, energy efficiency and building resilience are coming together, so we can support these shared priorities at once.”

For more information and to register for the event, <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iwbi-healthy-building-policy-summit-tickets-1115786259739?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">visit IWBI’s Summit registration page.</a>

WELL’s accelerating global reach reflects the growing momentum for policies that prioritize healthier spaces worldwide. Last month, global growth and adoption of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) <a href="https://resources.wellcertified.com/articles/6-questions-for-6-billion-square-feet-a-conversation-with-iwbi-s-president-ceo-rachel-hodgdon/" target="_blank">surged to more than 6 billion square feet</a> (557.4 million square meters) of real estate, demonstrating incredible market adoption spanning nearly 100,000 locations across 138 countries that are realizing the positive impacts of people-first places.

 

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found <a href="http://www.wellcertified.com" target="_blank">here</a>.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

About Georgetown University’s Global Cities Initiative

The Georgetown Global Cities Initiative reaches across the entire University community to

explore cross-cutting themes related to urbanization. Through this dialogue, Georgetown aims to align more than 60 faculty scholars and practitioners engaged in urban research who are not otherwise linked through their traditional academic disciplines. The Initiative matches Georgetown’s international research networks with our civic role as a leading local anchor institution in Washington, DC. Research themes include social equity, rapid urbanization, city diplomacy; urban governance frameworks; social entrepreneurship; public health; technology, data and ethics; and changing environmental resources. We invite you to join us in dialogue as we engage one of the most important global trends in the 21st Century.

Media Contacts: <a href="mailto:media@wellcertified.com" target="_blank">media@wellcertified.com</a> <a href="mailto:globalcities@georgetown.edu" target="_blank">globalcities@georgetown.edu</a>

View original content <a href="https://resources.wellcertified.com/press-releases/iwbi-s-national-policy-summit-charts-the-future-of-healthy-buildings/" target="_blank">here</a>.

IWBI’s National Policy Summit Charts the Future of Healthy Buildings

<img alt="Celestine and her grandmother carrying water" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e5aef2a-89bd-4094-87cb-b33e1f6e0100" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Water-Mission_FedEx_071625_4.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="799" loading="lazy" />In the rural community of Kambu, Kenya, 6-year-old Celestine once spent hours each day walking with her Grandma Anne to collect water. Instead of playing with her friends, Celestine carried a five-liter jug on her back, making a two-mile round trip to fetch water from the Kambu River.

“I carry it on my back. I get very tired,” she said.

Sometimes during the dry season, they had to dig in the riverbed and wait for water to rise through the sand. The water in the Kambu River is dirty and unsafe, and animals often tread through it. “The kids get worms from the contaminated water,” Grandma Anne said. 
<img alt="Four school children walking together" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3ca5bfc-1c6c-4f25-90f7-b208f9743abf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Water-Mission_FedEx_071625_1.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="799" loading="lazy" />The contaminated water often made Celestine sick. She missed school, couldn’t play with her friends, and suffered from water-related illness. She is not alone in this struggle. Around the world, water-related illnesses cause children to miss a collective 443 million school days each year.

But in the summer of 2024, everything changed for Celestine and Grandma Anne. With critical support from FedEx, Water Mission completed its largest safe water project in Kenya, serving 9,000 people, including a hospital and seven schools, one of which is Celestine’s. 
<img alt="Celestine and her grandmother carrying water" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef421017-9ddd-43c5-9e43-0b15898a25af" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Water-Mission_FedEx_071625_2.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="799" loading="lazy" />The project is also the first to use an elevated steel tank and underground collection tank. With an Erosion Chlorinator to treat the water, the Kambu project services the community with safe water so that girls like Celestine no longer have to walk for water or become sick from it. These materials used to construct and implement the project were delivered to Water Mission’s Kenya country program via FedEx. 
<img alt="Celestine and her grandmother carrying water" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="25852a23-2da8-4ba4-af2f-d502ea7d8d17" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Water-Mission_FedEx_071625_3.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="799" loading="lazy" />Thanks to this transformational project, Celestine no longer must walk for water or worry about getting sick. "After school, I like playing [hide-and-seek] with my friends,” she says.

With reliable and convenient access to safe water, she now has time for school and play.

Thanks to Water Mission and FedEx’s commitment to providing access to safe water, children like Celestine are free to enjoy their childhood, pursue education, and build toward the future. 

Click <a href="https://fedexcares.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

FedEx Teams Up With Water Mission To Transform Lives in Kenya Through Safe Water

<img alt="&quot;.&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="858f1b37-059b-4c15-a125-cbd6c82b3647" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Scientific-Conduct_Keysight_072825_1.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="720" loading="lazy" />By <a href="https://www.keysight.com/blogs/en/authors/jenn-mullen">Jenn Mullen</a>, Contributor

The fifth guiding principle of the <a href="https://quantum2025.org/" target="_blank" title="International Year of Quantum">International Year of Quantum</a> invites profound reflection on the very soul of scientific practice:

"Model the ideals of scientific conduct: There is often a disparity between how we hope scientific inquiry is conducted and how it is actually practiced by individuals and institutions. IYQ is an opportunity to communicate and model the ideals of how science should be practiced in the hope that future generations will take up these values."

The monumental challenges of <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/6125-1253/videos/Keysight-Installs-Largest-Quantum-Control-System-at-AIST.mp4" target="_blank" title="scaling quantum systems">scaling quantum systems</a> demand not merely technical excellence, but a renaissance of scientific culture that weaves integrity, collaboration, and transparency into the very fabric of innovation. These ideals transcend abstract philosophical musings—they are the living foundation upon which we architect the quantum future.

The Magnificent Tapestry of Quantum Challenges

<a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/cmp/topics/quantum-information-technology.html" target="_blank" title="Quantum science and technology development">Quantum science and technology development</a> have always been a testament to collaborative inquiry. The foundational revelations of Niels Bohr emerged through passionate discourse across continents, while Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle sparked fierce intellectual debates in the cafés of Göttingen and Copenhagen. Perhaps most remarkably, Albert Einstein's philosophical skepticism—crystallized in the famous <a href="https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200511/history.cfm" target="_blank" title="EPR paradox">EPR paradox</a>—became not a roadblock but a catalyst, igniting decades of work that ultimately unveiled the ethereal phenomenon of quantum entanglement.

This legacy of collaboration continues today, but the scale has expanded exponentially. When researchers first achieved coherent control over a handful of qubits, orchestrating thousands seemed as distant as the stars. Yet here we stand at that precipice, grappling with challenges that cascade into breathtaking complexity. As qubit counts ascend into the kilo range, quantum coherence becomes increasingly fragile, <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/products/modular/pxi-products/quantum-control-system.html" target="_blank" title="control channels">control channels</a> multiply exponentially, and environmental noise threatens to collapse quantum states before they can perform their computational magic.

These represent fundamental systems-level challenges demanding convergence across quantum physics, advanced electronics, <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/3125-1155/solution-briefs/Cryogenic-Noise-Parameters-Extraction.pdf" target="_blank" title="cryogenic engineering,">cryogenic engineering,</a> and software architecture. The most elegant solutions often emerge from unexpected intersections—where a materials scientist's insight might unlock a control breakthrough, or an algorithm innovation might solve a hardware bottleneck.

At Keysight, our quantum engineering teams embrace this multidisciplinary reality with both humility and ambition. Keysight’s <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/3122-1761/data-sheets/Quantum-Control-System-QCS.pdf" target="_blank" title="quantum control system">quantum control system</a> can scale with quantum systems as they scale qubits while maintaining precision for fault-tolerant computation. Our high-fidelity measurement systems enable researchers to peer into the quantum realm with unprecedented clarity.

Engineering Ethics and Quantum Responsibility

The challenges of quantum system design extend into territories where technical mastery must be balanced with philosophical wisdom and ethical foresight. Building quantum computers that maintain delicate quantum states while performing useful calculations requires sophisticated engineering and deep understanding of fundamental physical limits. Developing <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/learn/course.quantum-sensing.html" target="_blank" title="quantum sensors">quantum sensors</a> with unprecedented precision opens doorways to scientific discoveries we can barely imagine, yet raises profound questions about privacy, surveillance, and responsible deployment of technologies that can peer into previously inaccessible realms.

Creating <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/3123-1069/flyers/Quantum-Communication.pdf" target="_blank" title="quantum communication">quantum communication</a> networks with genuine security advantages demands not just cryptographic expertise but thoughtful engagement with global standards and the complex geopolitical landscape of communications infrastructure. The promise of quantum key distribution offers communications secured by fundamental physics laws rather than mathematical complexity, yet requires deep engagement with international telecommunications standards and regulatory frameworks.

Keysight's quantum initiatives navigate these multifaceted challenges through active participation in governance structures shaping the quantum future. Our engineers contribute to IEEE standards committees defining quantum device measurement protocols. We engage with NIST in developing benchmarks and certification processes ensuring quantum technologies meet reliability and security requirements for critical applications.

A Call to Model the Future

The International Year of Quantum represents more than celebration—it's recognition that we stand at one of the great inflection points in human technological development. The quantum principles discovered in the early twentieth century are finally being harnessed to create technologies that could reshape medicine, transform cybersecurity, revolutionize materials science, and unlock computational capabilities dwarfing today's most powerful supercomputers.

Yet with extraordinary potential comes extraordinary responsibility. <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/7125-1023/white-papers/Navigating-the-Quantum-Revolution-in-a-Year-of-Transformation.pdf" target="_blank" title="The quantum future">The quantum future</a> will be shaped not just by technologies we develop, but by values we embed in them, ethical frameworks we establish for deployment, and educational investments we make in future scientists and engineers.

At Keysight, we understand that scientific conduct is not merely a principle to admire but a practice to live daily. Through our quantum engineering work, we strive to embody the integrity, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity representing the best of scientific tradition while pioneering technologies defining the quantum future. Our commitment extends beyond our research to active support for the broader quantum community through open collaboration, transparent communication, and educational resources that democratize quantum knowledge.

The quantum revolution belongs not to any single institution or nation but to humanity as a whole. Its success depends on our collective ability to maintain scientific ideals while adapting to unique challenges and opportunities quantum technologies present. As we model scientific conduct ideals in this quantum era, we're not just building better technologies—we're building a better future for science itself, one that honors the past while boldly embracing the transformative possibilities that quantum mechanics continues to reveal.

Learn with Keysight: Building the Future of Quantum Engineering

Through Keysight Learn, we've created an educational ecosystem reflecting quantum science's collaborative and interdisciplinary nature. Our resources span <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/learn/bootcamp/142376.html" target="_blank" title="quantum fundamentals">quantum fundamentals</a> to practical challenges of <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/learn/bootcamp/148689.html" target="_blank" title="superconducting quantum systems">superconducting quantum systems</a> – and beyond. Our <a href="https://www.keysight.com/us/en/learn/resources.html?srtby=MOST_RECENT&amp;q=quantum&amp;qlc=en&amp;filters=multimedia%3Abootcamps" target="_blank" title="immersive programs">immersive programs</a> incorporate hands-on simulations, virtual laboratory experiences, and real-world case studies from current quantum research projects.

The quantum revolution will ultimately be defined not by today's technologies, but by the minds we inspire to carry this work forward. Training the next generation requires more than conveying technical knowledge—it demands cultivating mindsets that navigate ambiguity, embrace interdisciplinary thinking, and maintain both scientific rigor and creative imagination.

This is the fifth in an 8-part series exploring the Guiding Principles of the International Year of Quantum.

The monumental challenges of scaling quantum systems demand not merely technical excellence, but a renaissance of scientific culture that weaves integrity, collaboration, and transparency into the very fabric of innovation.

Modeling the Ideals of Scientific Conduct in Quantum Engineering

More than 200 community members came together for Entergy New Orleans’ annual Energize NOLA! Community Fair and Back-to-School Giveaway. The free event transformed The Green at Columbia Parc into a lively hub of activity,

<img alt="Troy Grove plant employees" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b3b2d76-5ce0-4183-9014-13b98c844a57" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/TG_2.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="1096" loading="lazy" />Tucked among the fields just outside the quiet village of Troy Grove, Ill., sits a small but mighty Covia facility that plays an important role in Covia’s <a href="https://www.coviacorp.com/markets/metals-foundry/" target="_blank">foundry</a> and industrial markets.

Covia’s Troy Grove Resin plant may be modest in size, but what happens inside is anything but ordinary. This site is where science meets craftsmanship, where a tight-knit team uses advanced thermodynamics to deliver <a href="https://www.coviacorp.com/products/technisand-trucoat-high-performance-resin-coated-sand/" target="_blank">resin-coated sand products</a> for manufacturers near and far. And like many Covia facilities, Troy Grove’s story is rooted in resilience, continuous improvement, and a deep pride in what they do.
<img alt="Troy Grove plant" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f37eab66-3590-409e-85e3-1ef324234c42" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/TG4.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="341" loading="lazy" />A Tight-Knit Group with a Long History

Covia has operated the Troy Grove Resin plant for more than 30 years, with the facility’s history going back several decades prior.

Covia’s Troy Grove Resin plant stands out for its remarkable employee longevity. Many of the facility’s 17 team members have been part of the operation since Covia acquired the plant in the ‘90s, with one team member’s service dating back even earlier. This deep-rooted experience reflects a strong sense of commitment and continuity within the team.

“Jose Sanchez was here before the plant was even part of Covia and just celebrated 51 years of service in June,” said Operations Manager Jennifer Perry. “He’s a walking history book, and a reminder of what long-term commitment looks like.”

With decades of experience and several deep bonds formed over time, Troy Grove Resin runs on trust, experience, and collaboration.
<img alt="Troy Grove plant employee" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1bc8242d-879a-4e47-aa1a-2f0856d92e40" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/TG_3%20%281%29.jpeg" width="640" class="align-center" height="1158" loading="lazy" />The Process Behind Resin Coated Sand

So, what exactly happens at Troy Grove Resin? The short answer is a combination of heat, chemistry, and precision.

The plant uses the power of thermodynamics to produce resin-coated sand refined to meet each customer’s specific needs. At Troy Grove, first heating sand up to a desired temperature where it is then dropped into a pug mill. Once in the pug mill, resin and cross linker are added to form a reaction. The reaction is then stopped using water before the sand is dried out and exits the mill. Troy Grove Resin can add various additives to generate products specific to each customer. The facility is equipped to produce a wide range of formulas, with a significant portion currently in active production.

After a batch is done in the pug mill, it’s screened, cooled, and packaged — usually in 2,000 to 4,000 lb. bags for coated sands ranging from 30 GFN (Grain Fineness Number) all the way up to 100. No matter the result, the team at Troy Grove has processes in place to deliver quality products for every batch.

“Our SCADA system manages temperature with less than a 5-degree tolerance,” Jennifer explained. “Whether it’s -30 or 100 degrees outside, we aim for exact consistency every single time. That’s what customers count on — and it’s what we’re proud to deliver.”

Safety: A Culture Built to Last

Heat may be a necessity in the resin process, but so is vigilance. Safety isn’t just a policy at Troy Grove, it’s personal for such a tight-knit group.

“Safety starts with us,” Jennifer said. “Many of these guys have worked side-by-side for decades. They’re not just protecting themselves; they’re protecting each other.”

Their commitment to safety has paid serious dividends for team members and their families. The Troy Grove Resin plant is approaching 10 years without a lost-time incident, which is a powerful testament to the team’s dedication to taking care of themselves and everyone else at the facility.

Looking Ahead to the Next Opportunity

The Troy Grove Resin Plant has the processes and determination needed to provide customers with consistent, quality resin-coated sand products, and they don’t plan on stopping there. The team is exploring ways to diversify into new markets and offer new capabilities outside of resin coated sand.

“We are a better plant every day when we come in and we're better than we were five years ago,” Jennifer said. “We want to continue to diversify our portfolio and we're planning on becoming even better as we continue to learn.”

From the heart of Illinois, this small but powerful Covia plant continues to raise the bar – one batch at a time.

From a tight-knit team to temperature-perfect products, explore the people and processes behind Covia’s Troy Grove Resin plant.

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