Mary Kay

MetLife, Inc.

WESCO International

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<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="M...for Modular Construction. Constructing New Worlds" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e180d1b1-4914-4d05-ac3a-bf124b6e14da" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/M..for%20Modular_Saint-Gobain_7.24.25A.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="594" loading="lazy" />With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

A modular building is a structure designed to adapt to different uses after construction. Whether this involves using easy-to-assemble prefabricated modules or movable internal walls, the principle is the same: the flexibility to change the distribution of space in a building over time. This achieves a more agile, more practical and, most importantly, more sustainable building.

<a href="https://www.saint-gobain.com/en/insights/podcasts" target="_blank">Listen here M...for Modular Construction, a Saint-Gobain Podcast</a>

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, <a href="https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/" target="_blank">Saint-Gobain</a> designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024 More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

M... For Modular Construction, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eac02433-de40-4799-8692-103114cda35a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/photo-ella-the-banker_U.S.Bank_7.31.25A.jpg" width="640" height="675" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Shamim Okolloh, right, and her daughter, Ella, left, are joined by a young reader holding the book inspired by Ella and written by Ella's brother, Liam.</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/company-blog/article-library/doctor-youtuber-or-banker-mom-son-write-about-growing-up-to-work-in-banking.html" target="_blank">Originally published on U.S Bank company blog</a>

Shamim Okolloh’s son, Liam, knew he wanted to be an author ever since he devoured the Harry Potter series as an eight-year-old. So when her younger daughter, Ella, declared in first grade that she wanted to be a commercial banker when she grew up, it sparked a powerful idea.

“I know from going into classrooms for community outreach that when you ask kids what they want to be when they grow up, you’ll hear doctor, lawyer, YouTuber. You rarely hear ‘banker’ because the narrative around banking isn’t visible to them,” Shamim said. “So I took my daughter’s interest in banking and my son’s passion for storytelling and came up with our first book.”

In 2024, Shamim and Liam co-authored Ella the Banker, making Liam’s dream of becoming a writer come true while he was in fifth grade. The brightly illustrated book tells the fictional story of Ella, who goes on a second-grade field trip to a bank. There, she learns about the variety of careers in banking and the services banks provide. Inspired, she sets her sights on becoming a commercial banker so she can help entrepreneurs build their dreams.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b185ff31-0ca5-478d-8e81-87cf0dc73ca3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/photo-ella-the-banker_U.S.%20Bank_7.31.25B.jpg" width="300" height="376" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>'Ella the Banker' author Liam Okolloh, left with branch manager Ramone Davis.</figcaption></figure>Shamim opened a dedicated account for the book’s proceeds at the U.S. Bank branch in the Geyer Springs neighborhood of Little Rock, Arkansas. As the staff got to know her and her children, a deeper connection formed.

“They became like part of the family,” said branch manager Ramone Davis. “It’s been inspiring to see a single mother of two bring her vision to life — and to see her son become a published author at just 10 years old. There’s not a lot of representation of women, especially women of color, in the banking space, and even less in commercial banking.”

To expand its impact, the financial education nonprofit Economics Arkansas developed a curriculum to accompany the book for elementary school teachers. Business access advisor Cassandra Kidd, who has known Shamim for several years through their respective community work, helped secure a $2,500 contribution from U.S. Bank to distribute the book to nearly 600 schools across the state.

“Ella the Banker financial education books have supported local Arkansas students and beyond,” said Kristen Polchinski, U.S. Bank’s community affairs manager in the Missouri/Arkansas Market.

“This is a great example of how our <a href="https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community.html" target="_blank">U.S. Bank Community Possible</a> program combines strategic philanthropy with hands-on engagement, creating lasting, positive change – one community at a time.”

Liam’s dream of becoming an author has since grown into a family-led business, centered on financial education and literacy tools for young readers — engaging not just children, but also families, schools, and financial institutions.

The book continues to reach wider audiences beyond classrooms. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. officially declared January 9, 2024, as “Ella the Banker Day.” In July, the Okolloh family will speak at the Texas Bankers Association and Jump$tart Coalition Financial Education Summit at the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas.

They’ve also shared Ella the Banker at numerous events and institutions, including:

<ul><li>The American Bankers Association Bank Marketing Conference in Chicago</li>
	<li>Financial Women in Texas (Waco, TX)</li>
	<li>Little Rock Police Department Summer Youth Camp</li>
	<li>Central Arkansas Library System</li>
	<li>Schools across the state of Arkansas</li>
</ul>The book was also featured as the cover story in Arkansas Next Money magazine, with the headline “A Teen’s Guide to Managing Money.” Over 50,000 copies of that issue were distributed to high schools throughout the state.

To date, more than 2,000 copies of Ella the Banker have been sold directly to consumers — and counting. The book is available at online retailers including Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Barnes &amp; Noble, as well as local bookstores in Little Rock.

“The word I would use to describe Shamim is ‘intentional,’” said Kidd. “The characters are so inclusive that anyone can see themselves in the story. My grandson is only 2, and when I read it to him, he’s immediately drawn to the vibrant, joyful illustrations.”

Building on this success, Shamim and Liam released a second book earlier this year titled Ella the Banker: Let Us Save. This follow-up focuses on savings habits and was inspired by real-life conversations within their family — including favorite activities like recess and forming school clubs. The sequel is available in Spanish.

U.S Bank was proud to be the presenting sponsor at the Ella the Banker: Let Us Save book launch this Spring, Kidd said. Families received free copies of the book along with face painting and snowcones.

“The second book encourages families to visit banks together and reminds our bilingual communities that many banks have Spanish-speaking bankers,” Shamim said.

The family was drafting this second book just as Shamim was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. After undergoing treatment, she is now cancer-free — and says the experience has “only deepened my purpose and resolve.”

Doctor, YouTuber or Banker? Mom, Son Write About Growing Up To Work in Banking

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.

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1f3b8a21-8fd0-4dbd-88ad-80b99dca4bda" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="640" height="720" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Scholarship recipients (left to right) Ryan Wu, Meredith Hawkins, Alyssa Norsworthy and Alexis Hunsicker. Not pictured: Desmond Breland, Grace Gardner and Madelynn Soucie.</figcaption></figure>JACKSON, Miss. August 15, 2025 /CSRwire/ - Entergy is helping high-school graduates from its four-state service area pursue their college and career dreams with $5,000 scholarships from the company’s Community Power Scholarship program.

This year, the 2025 scholarship recipients include seven exceptional Mississippi students and children of Entergy employees who have showcased remarkable dedication to their community, school and workplace. The one-time scholarships are available for students applying for accredited vocational-technical schools and two-year or four-year colleges and universities.

“These remarkable individuals demonstrate unwavering commitment and effort in shaping a bright future and fostering resilient communities,” said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi. “The Community Power Scholarships will support them in taking the next steps of their educational journey and deepening their engagement with the community. Giving back is a core value for Entergy, so we applaud these young leaders for their work.”

The following is a list of the 2025 Entergy Community Power Scholarship recipients from Mississippi and the schools they will be attending:

<ul><li>Meredith Hawkins, Jackson – Mississippi State University</li>
	<li>Alexis Hunter, Jackson – University of Mississippi</li>
	<li>Grace Gardner, Madison – Colorado State University</li>
	<li>Madelynn Soucie, Madison – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College</li>
	<li>Ryan Wu, Madison – Duke University</li>
	<li>Alyssa Norsworthy, McComb – Southwest Mississippi Community College</li>
	<li>Desmond Breland – Delta Technical College</li>
</ul>The seven Mississippi students join 22 other recipients from across Entergy’s four-state service area.

For more than 20 years, Entergy’s Community Power Scholarship program has provided more than $3.6 million in financial assistance to over 730 children of the company’s employees, aiding them in covering their education costs.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ae8a9279-aa74-49ea-8516-79bd7ca61818" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship2_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Desmond Breland – Delta Technical College</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="11cd9333-aaca-4335-891d-7e52aa6852ba" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship3_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Grace Gardner, Madison – Colorado State University</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9cb57a2c-393c-4a6a-b140-c054f5156753" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship4_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Meredith Hawkins, Jackson – Mississippi State University</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c59d5681-b71e-4b38-8fa3-4d3e10945b3c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship5_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Alexis Hunter, Jackson – University of Mississippi</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9336aada-a027-48f7-ad20-f112d88c5ff7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship6_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Alyssa Norsworthy, McComb – Southwest Mississippi Community College</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ea75784d-80cc-407d-9a3e-bebc80fd20c3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship7_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Madelynn Soucie, Madison – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College</figcaption></figure><figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8850e39-07b6-47a0-9f07-ecfb292e1411" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mississippi-power-scholarship8_Entergy_081125.jpeg" width="340" height="1500" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Ryan Wu, Madison – Duke University</figcaption></figure>About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 459,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of 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.entergymississippi.com/" target="_blank">entergymississippi.com</a> and connect with <a href="https://www.entergy.com/social/" target="_blank">@EntergyMS</a> on social media.

Media inquiries: <a href="mailto:entergymsmedia@entergy.com" target="_blank">entergymsmedia@entergy.com</a>

View original content <a href="https://www.entergy.com/news/seven-mississippians-awarded-entergys-community-power-scholarship" target="_blank">here</a>.

Entergy is helping high-school graduates from its four-state service area pursue their college and career dreams with $5,000 scholarships from the company’s Community Power Scholarship program.

Seven Mississippians Awarded Entergy’s Community Power Scholarship

<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/2025-08/AI_Mary-Kay_081325_1.mp4" width="100%"></iframe></center>

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

DALLAS, August 15, 2025 /CSRwire/ - <a href="http://www.marykayglobal.com/" target="_blank">Mary Kay Inc.</a>, a global leader in direct selling and skin innovation, announces the launch of its cutting-edge AI Foundation Finder – an intuitive technology designed to help consumers effortlessly find their foundation match, while empowering Mary Kay independent beauty consultants to guide their customers in finding the right match – right from their phones.

A first in the direct selling industry, this AI Foundation Finder uses advanced artificial intelligence to scan a customer’s face on their mobile phone and provide personalized shade recommendations in just seconds. What sets this AI-powered tool apart is that it is informed by a scientifically developed scale offering an inclusive and nuanced understanding of human skin tones. The technology captures the user's skin tone using their camera and then matches it to the most accurate Mary Kay foundation shade by analyzing the user’s skin tone and the corresponding RGB values of the Mary Kay foundation products[1]. Mary Kay holds exclusive rights to the tool, making it a true direct selling industry disruptor[2].
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Person using Mary-Kay's foundation finder tool on their phone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="228a1b57-630e-4cb5-ba94-a44ab5de76aa" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/AI_Mary-Kay_081325_2.png" width="640" height="486" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>“The launch of our AI-powered Foundation Finder reflects a continued commitment to innovation in personalized beauty,” said James Whatley, Mary Kay’s Chief Information Officer. “By leveraging an exclusive AI technology in the Direct Selling channel, we’re able to provide shade recommendations in seconds, while making the consumer experience intuitive, inclusive, and enjoyable. Our Mary Kay independent beauty consultants will now have a powerful digital partner that elevates their business, enhances customer trust, and reimagines how beauty is delivered in a tech-enabled world.” (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)</figcaption></figure>“AI Foundation Finder fuels our vision to be a beauty disruptor in the direct selling space and beyond,” said <a href="https://marykayglobal.com/leadership/lucy-gildea/" target="_blank">Dr. Lucy Gildea</a>, Mary Kay’s Chief Brand and Scientific Officer. “We are pioneering AI shade matching globally, helping consumers meet their foundation match within the diverse range of foundation finishes in the Mary Kay® Flawless Face portfolio. Embracing beauty tech marks a unique opportunity to elevate the category and cultivate our next-generation beauty community.”

The AI Foundation Finder aligns with a rising demand for hyper personalized, tech-enabled beauty solutions amid broader cultural and technological shifts. As the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World by Euromonitor International for three consecutive years[3] in 2023, 2024, and again in 2025, this launch further reflects Mary Kay’s commitment to digital innovation, inclusivity, and empowering our beauty entrepreneurs around the world.

“The launch of our AI-powered Foundation Finder reflects a continued commitment to innovation in personalized beauty,” said <a href="https://marykayglobal.com/leadership/james-whatley/" target="_blank">James Whatley</a>, Mary Kay’s Chief Information Officer. “By leveraging an exclusive AI technology in the Direct Selling channel, we’re able to provide shade recommendations in seconds, while making the consumer experience intuitive, inclusive, and enjoyable. Our Mary Kay independent beauty consultants will now have a powerful digital partner that elevates their business, enhances customer trust, and reimagines how beauty is delivered in a tech-enabled world.”

The tool is now available in select markets and will be rolling out globally in the coming months. For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.marykay.com/en-us/tips-and-trends/pages/merchandising-pages/foundation-finder-tool-8-25?iad=tt_hero2_model_color_foundation-finder-825" target="_blank">here</a>.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Person using Mary-Kay's foundation finder tool on their phone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a3130410-a62c-4227-b5e6-69a1572a75f9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/AI_Mary-Kay_081325_3.jpg" width="640" height="1200" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>“AI Foundation Finder fuels our vision to be a beauty disruptor in the direct selling space and beyond,” said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Mary Kay’s Chief Brand and Scientific Officer. “We are pioneering AI shade matching globally, helping consumers meet their foundation match within the diverse range of foundation finishes in the Mary Kay® Flawless Face portfolio. Embracing beauty tech marks a unique opportunity to elevate the category and cultivate our next-generation beauty community.” (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)</figcaption></figure>AI Foundation Finder Highlights: 

<ul><li>Beauty tech: The user’s camera captures real-time tracking of the user’s input video or images with precise detection of 151 facial feature points.</li>
	<li>Inclusiveness: The Mary Kay AI Foundation Finder is based on a proprietary 10-shade scale designed to accurately represent a wide range of human skin tones with inclusivity and precision in mind.</li>
	<li>Performance: In our consumer tests, 83% of consumers expressed that they would be likely to purchase their recommended match. In the Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant (IBC) tests, 100% of the Mary Kay IBCs said they would be very likely to use the tool in their business.</li>
	<li>Access: AI Foundation Finder is integrated into the online shopping experience, accessible from <a href="http://www.marykay.com" target="_blank">www.marykay.com</a> or through the <a href="https://www.marykay.com/en-us/tips-and-trends/makeover-and-beauty-tools/ecatalog" target="_blank">iCatalog</a>, consumers can easily scan and instantaneously find their foundation match.</li>
	<li>Privacy: The AI Foundation Finder does not store or process biometric data.</li>
</ul>***

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. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. 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" target="_blank">X</a>.

 

[1] RGB code stands for red, green, and blue code. It is a color model used in digital imaging and computer graphics to represent colors. Each color is represented by a combination of red, green, and blue values, typically ranging from 0 to 255. [2] Mary Kay Inc. holds the exclusive rights to the tool for the first 12 months from launch.  [3] “Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data”

Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in direct selling and skin innovation, announces the launch of its cutting-edge AI Foundation Finder – an intuitive technology designed to help consumers effortlessly find their foundation match

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