Maria Stockham

"DEI & sustainability teams are linchpins of future-proof organizations: Several rich discussions highlighted the importance of giving sustainability and DEI their rightful attention, resources and integration within successful corporate strategies — even in the face of pressure from anti-woke naysayers." Via Sustainable Brands #Sustainability #DEI #CSR #ImpactSpending https://lnkd.in/gBXTacx5

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Read the latest from our CEO Jim Burness why he thinks Tim Walz is a great choice, especially when it comes to tackling climate change and protecting our environment. His track record speaks for itself. LEARN MORE: https://ow.ly/1wKK50SV6t1 #ElectrifyingAmerica #GreenLeadership #SustainableFuture #ClimateAction #EVRevolution #CleanEnergy #TimWalz #HarrisWalz2024 #GreenEconomy #BringingBackTheJoy

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Monday thoughts: This weekend was low key for me, I spent some time at home, mostly catching up on outdoor chores and reading. I read a rather brief article on the institute of Sustainability Studies and 2024 Stewardship Trends (M&S) (I know some random light reading, but I enjoy reading on sustainability and stewardship because they actually make a major difference in the world and allow me some sense of things that I can change). The knowledge and key results from these types studies really help me stay up to date along with new journal publications. In today’s business landscape, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fundamental shift in how companies operate and grow. Every small change we make towards green and sustainable practices can lead to significant positive impacts on our environment and society. The article "Leading Business Sustainability Trends in 2024" highlights key trends shaping the future of corporate sustainability. It emphasizes the growing importance of integrating sustainability into corporate strategies to address environmental and social issues while gaining a competitive edge. Major trends include the adoption of circular economy models, focusing on Scope 3 emissions, building sustainable supply chains, and incorporating regenerative agriculture practices. The article also stresses the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, digital sustainability, and comprehensive sustainability reporting to meet evolving consumer and investor expectations​. From adopting circular economy models to integrating ESG factors, businesses are increasingly embedding sustainability into their core strategies. By focusing on reducing Scope 3 emissions and building sustainable supply chains, we not only address our environmental footprint but also drive innovation and resilience. Influencing green processes at all levels of business is crucial. Whether it's through promoting biodiversity, adopting regenerative agriculture, or leveraging digital tools for sustainability, every effort counts. I've worked on intiatives where we shifted people to digital portals to reduce paper waste. Managed to create an appointment scheduling and mapping tool for house calls visits that reduced drive time, and wasted time, emissions and saved the company dollars in waste (which accomplished both sustainability and revenue). Most of these started with small ideas, and had huge impact. We individually can turn small steps into monumental strides towards a sustainable future and it just takes someone starting the conversation, taking an action. #Sustainability #CorporateStewardship #GreenBusiness #ESG #ClimateAction links to articles/report (these are pretty short reads) https://lnkd.in/e5sdc4jQ https://lnkd.in/eztZdgWC

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The House on Friday voted, 215-191, to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s vehicle emissions rule, with eight Democrats joining Republicans. Kamala Harris says she doesn’t support an electric vehicle mandate, but that’s what the Biden EPA rule effectively is. The EPA in March finalized greenhouse gas emissions requirements for auto makers through 2032. EPA’s models show that gas-powered cars will make up no more than 30% of sales by 2032. EVs made up a mere 7.6% of auto sales last year and less than 4% for General Motors and Ford. In eight years they will have to increase their EV sales by some 15-fold. The emissions standards are especially punitive for U.S. manufacturers that mostly sell trucks and SUVs. Companies will effectively have to produce one to two electric trucks for every gas-powered one in 2027 and closer to four to one by 2032. Yet electric trucks cost much more to produce than sedans since they require much bigger batteries. Ford lost $44,000 on each EV sold in the second quarter, which is more than some of its trucks retail for. Auto makers are scaling back EV investment amid slowing demand. Ford announced last month it is cancelling production of an electric SUV and delaying an electric pickup. The same week Stellantis delayed retooling a shuttered plant in Belvidere, Ill., for EV production. The Energy Department awarded Stellantis $335 million in subsidies to convert the plant to make EVs. President Biden boasted about the plant in his State of the Union address this year.

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🥇 Major nature hero moment 📢 Kimberly-Clark made some big announcements in June - and stellar climate journalist Heather Clancy captured it well ( 🔗 below): 🌱 Kimberly-Clark elevated its chief sustainability officer to a C-suite role and committed to stop relying on "natural forests" for its paper products. 🌱 The company has also committed to sourcing 90 percent of its fiber from "environmentally preferred sources." Those include recycled paper, wood from eucalyptus plantations or managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council; and fiber from wheat straw, sugar cane, sorghum and others. 💫 Impressive! ❓ What does stop 'relying on natural forests' mean? 🌲 Good question. According to their website, its a 50 percent reduction in natural forest fiber by 2025 on its way to "natural forest-free" status at a time after 2030. ❓ Hm. How do they define 'natural forest'? 🌲 The definition of natural forests for K-C includes old-growth forests and those that naturally generate, usually those in boreal (Scandinavia, Canada and Alaska) and temperate (South America) ranges. ❓ That sounds pretty great. Who is Kimberly-Clark again? 🗞 Kimberly-Clark is the $20 billion maker of Huggies diapers, Kleenex tissues, Kotex tampons, as well as several hygiene paper products and medical gear. You probably have some of their products - or many - in your home. Very cool! 🌲 This isn't the first time they are leaning in. They have already reduced its use of fiber from natural forests in Canada and Latin America by 39 percent since its 2011 baseline. 🌲 "We’ve had many years now of exploring multiple alternative fibers that are more plant-based, so we feel pretty excited about the future," said Lisa Morden, who was named Kimberly-Clark’s first chief sustainability officer June 4 after about a dozen years in various sustainability, safety and category management functions. "Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our 152-year-old company's innovation strategy and purpose, serving as a guiding principle across every facet of our operations," said Michael Hsu, Chairman and CEO at Kimberly-Clark. 👏🏻 Hats off for this bold move that many in the industry hope will inspire others to follow suite! #nature #naturepositive #sustainability #sdgs #globalgoals #climate

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Shopper behavior and retailing expert Raymond R. Burke (Indiana University) shared research insights on the rapidly evolving area of retail media networks to help practitioners better connect with shoppers and improve “shoppability” in this modern era of retail. View his presentation delivered at the #theARF and #MSI Shopper event, available for all members. #retail #retailmedianetworks #advertising #advertisingresearch #marketing #marketingresearch #RMN

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#Spottedinstore Sustainability initiatives in CPG are fraught with risk, but brands have an obligation to become more sustainable. I am eager to see how this structure evolution works for OIKOS. The new stucture on the left is fully recyclable without an overwrap. The change is subtle, but detectable. The best outcome for most sustainability initiatives is that shoppers and consumers don't notice a change. That means friction wasn't added to the process. I don't know the degree of risk Danone took on with this evolution, but it isn't zero. I hope it works out for them and that others follow suit. Our Win At-Shelf Framework™ and methods combined with our resident sustainability expert Sarah Morrison can help brands understand and navigate these big decisions. #sustainability #cpg #packaging

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A deep dive on regenerative ag? ✅ Understanding supply chain challenges? ✅ Figuring out how to market and sell your brands regenerative sourcing story to retailers & consumers? ✅ Coming together for a healthier, sustainable tomorrow? ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Join me and other leaders and entrepreneurs across the conscious CPG and ag value chain, like Alyssa Vescio from Whole Foods Market and the team from Lundberg Family Farms at this year's Food | Ag | Ideas Week, happening October 7 & 8 in the Twin Cities. Learn more and RSVP: https://lnkd.in/ggjkKyvZ #regenerative #CPG #cnsciousproducts

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Hi 🙂 I’m Kate. I’m Riley’s mom, Founder and CEO of REB VP of Marketing at Incrementum Digital, and I live in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Menstrual pain relief is something near and dear to my heart, and while my career has been focused on e-commerce advertising for the last decade, my daily life has been consumed by endometriosis pain and infertility. I’ve had one baseball sized cyst removed from my abdomen and four ablation surgeries to try to alleviate my pain with next to no relief. Endometriosis has no known cure, and the cause is still unclear - so, women like myself have been told that this pain is something we have to live with for the rest of our lives. This statement makes me sick when I consider accepting it as a fact, so I refuse to do so. I have left countless gyno appointments feeling hopeless about my pain after reviewing all of the birth control options that are the least likely to give me a stroke or autoimmune disorder - anyone experiencing period pain deserves more than this. I’m launching REB (relief for every body) because menstrual agony deserves just as much symptomatic relief as the common cold, flu, or any other common ailment you would find relief for at your average drugstore. Yet, when I walk into the “family planning aisle” I’m met with two things: Pregnancy tests, and menstrual hygiene. An aisle that screams “HIDE YOUR PERIOD BEFORE ANYONE KNOWS IT EXISTS!” Can you imagine the number of relief solutions that would exist if men experienced an hour of endometriosis cramps? Let that sink in for a minute I’ll wait. In this picture I’m wearing REB’s first design ever - The Riley Grace. Each design we launch will be named after a woman in history who has inspired myself and others, and who better to start with than my #1 inspiration for everything, my daughter Riley? 🥰 If you’re here, thank you so much for following my journey - I feel so lucky to be responsible for bringing REB’s mission to life. If you’re like me and you want to see this aisle change for good, follow along and help me bring this company to life. This will be my greatest adventure yet and I’m so grateful you’re here with me. Here’s to relief for ALL. #Ididthiswithcramps

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⏰ REMINDER, the DEADLINE is TODAY to comply with California, Colorado, and Oregon producer registration requirements in EPR laws for paper and packaging products: ✅ There is no cost to register with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA). ✅ CAA’s registration form does not include brand information, or any other kind of data not explicitly referenced in the form. What *is* required on the form❓❓❓ ✅ Confirmation the company is an obligated producer based on its understanding of the legal definitions. ✅ Producer’s legal business name. ✅ States in which the company is likely to be considered an obligated producer. ✅ Primary contact’s email address and phone number. ➡ Companies will have an opportunity to update information if needed.

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FOOD for THOUGHT> This is essential content for those of us in the now-controversial space of equity-building in agriculture where we've basically been told we need to watch our language. What's the purpose of DE&I, by whatever name you might call it? For many of us, like Andres, the purpose is rooted in social justice. But diversity, equity and inclusion practices have benefits beyond the justice imperative - benefits that have to do with markets, talent and bottom lines. This conversation is ostensibly about big biz and car manufacturing, but the same truths apply to agriculture (which, of course, is also big biz and manufacturing). Shall we stay the course and be quiet? Jump ship? Or lean in to the ideas that everyone deserves a fair shot to reach their full potential AND that diversity BY THE DATA leads to more innovation, opens new markets, enhances engagement and optimizes talent. Listen through to the questions. Proud of the work of my friend Andrés T. Tapia - follow him and look up his books for more good stuff.

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Hey LinkedIn friends, what ethical and sustainable brands do you stand behind? In my work with Corning's #sustainability employee resource group, I was doing research into how to approach the holidays sustainably and came across this article about Americans spending a staggering 9.8 billion dollars during Black Friday in 2023: https://lnkd.in/e7HsBW4U. With this in mind, I'd like to put a larger focus on giving from ethical or sustainable brands when gift-giving (aside from the homemade gifts, of course 😉). What ethical and sustainable brands do you endorse?

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An exciting panel on people management with power trio Keri-Lynne Shaw, Julie Staudenmier and Anna A. Tavis, PhD, 3 very different walks of life with an incredible impact on their teams and, ultimately, themselves. My takeaways: ✔️ as an individual - know your worth and continue investing in yourself; ✔️ as a leader - develop your team to the best of your ability, even when that growth eventually continues outside your company; and do not avoid difficult conversations, they are often the most important you need to have; ✔️ as an organisation - think in terms of acquiring skills and human capital rather than matching a job description to a resource; and democratise coaching at all levels, powered by AI, to better prepare the leaders of tomorrow, especially for managing people. #gemba #iese #purpose #leadership

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When inventory's status isn’t visible to your entire enterprise, it isn’t visible to your customers. Read Aptos' latest eBook to understand how integrated Merchandising solutions can prevent inventory from becoming invisible.

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Need help navigating EPR requirements? Come stop by Retail Council of Canada’s sustainability conference today!

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Congrats to Gemline on becoming the largest promo firm to achieve B Corp certification! For companies pursuing this path, a request: be transparent by disclosing impact scores across categories like Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. Don’t just celebrate the certification—share where you’re excelling and where there’s still work to be done. True leaders provide a path for others by being humble, open, and honest. The reality is, businesses haven’t always driven the change they claim, which is why ESG has faced criticism. Without clear examples and concrete steps forward, it’s hard for others to follow. If transparency isn’t prioritized, B Corp could risk becoming just another label, slowing the systemic change we urgently need. By embracing this level of openness, companies can ensure B Corp certification stays meaningful and truly reflects progress toward balancing profit and purpose. Let’s push for transparency to keep raising the bar.

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