This International Women's Day, we honor the global impact of women and their efforts to accelerate the path to equity. Lenovo places Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the center of our work. It's woven into our corporate fabric, and we're dedicated to our mission of creating products, services, and solutions that benefit everyone.

That was the spark that ignited our Work For Humankind initiative, which invited volunteers to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a lasting difference on the remote island of Robinson Crusoe while working from our tech-enabled Hub. As the one-year anniversary of the volunteers' journey to the island approaches, we reflect on the positive experiences of three of the incredible women volunteers.

Emily Ketchen, Lenovo's Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, spoke with several of the women volunteers who visited Robinson Crusoe as part of Work For Humankind: Carissa Cabrera, the founder and CEO of the Conservationist Collective from the United States; Cynthia Mayer, a product manager and communications specialist from France; and Vivian Garcia, an animal welfare lecturer from Mexico. Each reflects on their time on the island and how women's empowerment has influenced them both then and now.

What is your biggest takeaway from Lenovo's Work For Humankind initiative on Robinson Crusoe Island, nearly a year later?
Carissa: The most important lesson I learned from my time on Robinson Crusoe Island last year is the importance of small-scale communities in leading in ocean conservation. The fishermen, divers, and conservationists I met are dedicated to making the blue planet a better place for future generations. We can learn so much from communities like this, and I know that having access to reliable technology will only accelerate their impact.

Cynthia: I'm used to working with engineers, so volunteering was a big change for me. I volunteered with three groups of local artists, which allowed me to practice a different communication style—more people-oriented, more empathy-oriented, and more personal—much different than engineering code, as art is a very personal thing. To collaborate successfully with an artist, you must be nearly as enthusiastic as they are. I treasure the friendship we formed. Art can be a bridge that connects people.

Vivian: My favorite memory is the friendships we formed with island residents and other volunteers. I'm still in contact with some of the Island's residents, who now have better internet access thanks to Lenovo. Another significant takeaway is the professional partnership we formed during the project; following Robinson Crusoe, I collaborated with Island Conservation on another project in Alaska.

Carissa: My main takeaway was that in the new age of remote work, technology opens up endless possibilities. Being able to work in a flexible manner is extremely valuable on an island of only 800 people. My key takeaways extended far beyond access to technology; I left feeling that we would all be better to each other and the planet if we lived like the people on Robinson Crusoe.

Vivian: That I could participate in conservation projects and volunteer while also teaching my students in Mexico remotely via technology!

Were there any women who inspired you during your time on Robinson Crusoe Island?
Carissa: Absolutely. In addition to the incredible volunteers from all over the world with whom I shared this experience, I had the opportunity to form friendships with a number of local conservationists working on ocean solutions. Carolina was leading the charge to expand the marine protected area in the Juan Fernandez Islands, Gloria was ensuring that young children on the island developed a connection to the ocean through diving, and so many others were doing everything they could to protect their land and communities for future generations.

Cynthia: Jaritza is a stunning woman. She is the eldest daughter on the island, and she is actively working to increase international recognition of the Islanders as a Tribe, which will ultimately aid the island in protecting its natural resources and providing greater autonomy to the local population. She is enthralled by the island, its people, its history, and its culture. I met with her several times, and you can tell by the look in her eyes that this isn't just a job for her; it's her life mission. How many people can say they've discovered their life's purpose? I'll be following her stories and progress as she shares more insights into island life.

Vivian: Several, but the women who most inspired me were Jaritza and Myriam. They are both working in different ways to protect the island. Myriam accomplished this through her work with tourists.

How have you used technology to benefit humanity since leaving Robinson Crusoe?
Carissa: Yes. After witnessing and assisting small groups in bringing big ideas to life through the use of technology, I left Robinson Crusoe with the confidence to think bigger in my conservation journey. I discovered that the local sustainable fishing rules were developed by a group of 15-25 fishermen. Anything is possible when small groups of passionate people come together around the same shared values and have access to modern technology and connectivity.

Cynthia: Through my volunteer work, I've come to understand how difficult it is for artists to grasp technology and use it for their own benefit. So I created my own online art gallery for fantasy artists, utilising cutting-edge technology to assist them and provide them with a new source of income. We need better systems in place, including human networks of support, if we want artists to focus on their art.

Vivian: I'll keep using technology to track wildlife species and teach students about the importance of wildlife and nature conservation.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is equity. What does it mean to #EmbraceEquity in your own words?
Carissa: Equity is about ensuring that everyone has equal access to resources such as technology, education, and career paths. Systemic and intentional inequities afflict various demographics around the world. It is up to those of us with privilege, of whatever kind, to ensure that everyone is present at the table contributing to solutions. I've discovered that embracing equity entails making sure programs are diverse, listening to different points of view, and speaking up for those who might not be heard otherwise.

Cynthia: "Embrace Equity" means adapting to an individual's unique challenges or characteristics. It applies equally to men and women, the elderly, people with or without disabilities, people with or without a family, people with or without a religion, and so on. You can customise the work environment you want to provide them with, including the tasks, working style, and schedule. On the other hand, you can tailor your services and products to best serve them. We all deserve to be respected and to be able to thrive.

Vivian: Taking action in our communities to promote equity, harmony, and union in order to ensure that all women have access to the resources they require to succeed.

GoDaddy Inc.'s You Empower pilot cohort has proven the power of one-on-one personalized coaching for entrepreneurs eager to improve their small business' digital presence and branding by leveraging its deep expertise as the world's largest services platform for entrepreneurs worldwide.

GoDaddy You Empower is a 12-week, skills-based, full-time employee volunteer assignment that pairs employees with Empower by GoDaddy non-profit community partners. The pilot's goal was to provide an enriching professional development experience for GoDaddy employees while also providing much-needed additional digital support and training to microbusinesses in the Empower by GoDaddy program. Most participating entrepreneurs prioritized developing skills in website creation and digital presence, as well as other critical marketing, social media, and branding tools.

Empower by GoDaddy is the company's signature social impact program, which provides digital tools, training, and resources to entrepreneurs from underserved communities in order to accelerate their small business journeys. Empower by GoDaddy works with non-profit partners to understand local communities and the small business landscape in order to identify gaps and develop customized, neighborhood-based programs to support entrepreneurs at all stages.

Empower by GoDaddy created You Empower as a 12-week pilot in which three GoDaddy employees collaborated virtually and in person with three Empower by GoDaddy non-profit partners. Impact Hub Baltimore, Better Business Bureau of the Pacific Southwest, and Alabama State University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) were among the initial program partners.

At the end of the pilot cohort, Empower by GoDaddy's non-profit partners reported that the GoDaddy volunteer coaches' one-on-one attention, deep expertise, and highly encouraging and personable support propelled participating entrepreneurs' website content, strategy, and operations forward. Feedback also indicated that the entrepreneurs were motivated to create or update their websites and strengthen their marketing and digital efforts as a result of the coaches' individualized, constructive guidance and accountability.

“Most of the entrepreneurs were intimidated at first,” explained Mesha McMiller, a GoDaddy You Empower volunteer. “The entrepreneurs were hoping to convert more customers whether through driving product purchase, scheduling appointments, etc., so we helped them dial in on their goals and get to where they wanted to be.”

All three GoDaddy You Empower volunteers were asked to keep journals throughout the program, reflecting on their personal and professional experiences, and were interviewed at the end. Among their thoughts were:

“Over the course of several years, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge that has enabled me to successfully connect customers with the right product to meet their needs in the way of websites, digital media and server technology. You Empower allowed me to take those interactions further. I was able to not only connect with the entrepreneurs in a personal way but could also act as a sounding board and coach as they published and revamped their websites, began using social media pages, or set in motion plans to expand their online audience. The entrepreneurs highly valued the coaching we provided and were eager to learn and finally present their work. The experience was deeply satisfying and empowering. I cannot wait to see how the You Empower program evolves and affects not only the entrepreneurs we serve but also other employees here at GoDaddy.” said Mesha McMiller, GoDaddy Website Specialist II

“You Empower granted me the ability to work on the ground with people I’ve always had a connection with – small businesses making an impact in their community. Through getting to know them personally and seeing them with their first online win – what I had been doing with GoDaddy for years now finally clicked. This is why I love my job and the people I get to interact with every day. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see the program grow to help others feel the same.” said Cody Mahaffey, GoDaddy Marketing Services Account Manager III

“This experience afforded me the opportunity to see things I would have never seen [being in Alabama]. The program gave me an understanding of who I am – the uniqueness of who I am. I now approach my work with even more conviction. I can help anyone lean in more and stretch.”   said Desmond Sweet, GoDaddy Learning Program Manager.

GoDaddy offers the following key insights from its You Empower pilot to other companies looking to build full-time, skills-based employee volunteer assignments with their community partners:

 

“I’m thrilled that hundreds of Empower by GoDaddy entrepreneurs received the additional skills-building and coaching that they sought,” said April Skeete, GoDaddy employee engagement leader.

“I’m very proud of how committed GoDaddy is to truly being there for entrepreneurs throughout their journey with ongoing support, no matter an entrepreneur’s circumstance or background. These efforts really signify how GoDaddy lives out its mission of making opportunity more inclusive for all.”

CNH Industrial's global agricultural brands, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture, were recognized at SIMA 2022. SIMA, held in Paris, France from November 6 to November 10, is a showcase for the most recent technological innovations in agriculture. The agricultural show is celebrating its centennial this year.

On the first day, the Brands won Farm Machine 2023 titles. Case IH received the award in the "XXL" category for its Quadtrac AFS ConnectTM tractor line. The Quadtrac range has evolved with multiple upgrades, including wireless connectivity. The T4F tractor from New Holland won the category of "Best Specialized Tractor." Its VisionViewTM cab provides the comfort of an open field tractor in a structure that must manoeuvre in tight spaces.

New Holland also received two Bronze Medals in the SIMA Innovation Awards, which recognize innovative products, services, and technology in five categories.

The category-winning From Harvest to Storage Grain CamTM Mobile Grain Loss Calculator app assists farmers by calculating the percentage of grain lost during harvesting using photographic data, generating a report that informs optimized machine settings to increase yield.

The Brand was also awarded a medal in the Livestock, Renewable Energy Category for its role in promoting a circular economy through its farm-based fuel production model for tractors, which contributes to a low carbon footprint. New Holland is the first to market a methane-powered tractor, making farming more energy efficient and self-sufficient.

These prestigious Awards recognize how we are advancing agriculture through innovation, sustainability, and productivity.