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Moving forward, we're featuring new voices in Purposeful Connections! You'll continue to hear insights from Carol, as well as ideas and perspectives from the rest of the Carol Cone ON PURPOSE team.
Last Friday marked National Wear Red Day®, and the start to American Heart Month, as well as the 20th anniversary of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women. This initiative, which I was honored to help build from the ground up, launched in 2004 and has been at the forefront of the fight against cardiovascular disease—the number one killer of women ever since.
Go Red for Women has played a crucial role in bringing attention to the staggering reality that nearly 45% of women over age 20 are affected by CVD, with many unaware of this significant threat. Over the past two decades, Go Red for Women has not just grown in its scope but has also made a profound impact on the landscape of women's heart health. The campaign's research efforts, notably the Strategically Focused Research Network and Research Goes Red, have significantly advanced our understanding and treatment of women's cardiovascular issues. Through educational initiatives and leadership programs like STEM Goes Red and the Go Red for Women National Leadership Council, the campaign is also shaping the next generation of female leaders and addressing the gender gap in STEM fields.
The campaign's success in uniting women towards a common goal showcases the immense power of collective effort in overcoming health challenges. As we don our red and commemorate two decades of Go Red for Women and the movement’s transformative work, we look ahead with optimism and determination. The world needs more movements like this one that cut across divides and drive rapid change—and that always starts with you.
Kristian Merenda, Partner
😻 Mayo, cats...and food waste? Hellmann's parent company, Unilever, has long been a purpose-driven, sustainability-minded CPG leader. Over the past decade, some of the company's biggest brands—like Hellmann's Mayonnaise—have integrated more social impact messaging in their mass media creative. This year, Hellmann's is using its Super Bowl ad (with the help of a talking cat and SNL's Kate McKinnon) to share a message about food waste: Make taste, not waste. (PS—Don't miss the clever inclusion of Unilever's NGO partner, Feeding America.)
🫶 Most admired: Each year, Fortune releases its list of World's Most Admired Companies to explore how the globe's largest companies stack up in terms of corporate reputation. This year, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon topped the list. While there were some big shifts this year, the company in the top spot—Apple—hasn't changed over the past 17 years. Rounding out the top 10 were Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase, Costco, Google, American Express, Walmart, and Nvidia.
🪜 Reskilling the workforce: HR and talent acquisition leaders say one of their biggest challenges is finding skilled talent, and the industries hardest-hit by the talent shortage include education, hospitality, healthcare, tech, and manufacturing. Ultimately, around 90% of HR leaders believe that half their workforce will need to be reskilled over the next five years. That's a significant gap to fill, and a compelling reason for companies to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives for their existing workforces.
🔌 A more resilient electric grid: More than 60% of Americans would be willing to pay slightly more for energy if it meant building a more reliable electric grid, found a new report from WSP*. The WSP Energy Future Report explored Americans' feelings about the nation's aging electric power grid, and what it will take to create a more sustainable and resilient system. Notably, 79% of respondents expressed concern over the state of America's electric infrastructure today, with no major regional or demographic differences among responses. *WSP is a CCOP client.
With the environmental toll of fast fashion evident, consumers are demanding more from the brands they love: top-notch quality, enduring designs, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. We invited Dayna Quanbeck, President of Rothy’s (and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer at the time of recording) to explain how the company is helping consumers understand the harmony between fashion and environmental responsibility.
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