Latest news with #OperationHope
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinky Cole Names Tech Tycoon Lauren Maillian President Of Slutty Vegan
Slutty Vegan Founder and CEO Pinky Cole is starting a new chapter—and she's not turning the page alone. In a move that signals bold intentions and even bolder execution, Cole has appointed Lauren Maillian as president of the wildly popular plant-based brand. Maillian officially began her role June 4. 'This is the first time that I have an all-woman staff in my corporate, which is super, super exciting,' Cole shared. 'Especially when I think about who I am to Black women entrepreneurs in America… I know it's gonna be great.' Her optimism hits harder when you understand what she's had to rebuild. Earlier this year, Pinky was involved in a serious car accident that left her physically injured and emotionally shaken. That same season, she quietly lost control of her company—an experience she has since described as one of the most humbling chapters of her entrepreneurial journey. 'I lost the company February 13th. I bought the company back March 28th. And now today, I've appointed my President of Slutty Vegan—who is the second president ever, and the first Black woman.' The leadership shift comes as the brand moves forward into its next phase, which Cole calls Slutty Vegan 2.0. For Pinky and Maillian, it's also a full-circle moment nearly a decade in the making. Their earliest encounter was fairly random and easy to overlook. 'Our very, very, very first encounter was very informal,' Maillian recalled. 'We were both speaking that same year, which I believe was 2017, for John Hope Bryant at the Operation Hope conference, at the bottom of the escalator. That was the very first time. And that same day I had my very first Slutty Vegan burger too.' Cole confirmed the memory: 'I actually remember that now. And it was you and your husband at the bottom of the escalator… and then after that was Indianapolis, right, Lauren?' The two reconnected recently at Kim Blackwell's ExcelerateHER event. That's when the conversation turned from admiration to action. 'It literally felt like business love at first sight,' Cole said. 'I need somebody that can come in and just be my right hand and really take the business to the next level… And today actually is Lauren's first day.' For Maillian, joining Slutty Vegan wasn't just a professional decision—it was personal. 'I remember even saying, like, 'Can I invest? Is there room for me?' I wanted to be a part of Pinky's vision. I wanted to be a part of the way that she was lighting the industry on fire,' she said. With 20+ years of business leadership, including time in VC, media, tech, and food and beverage, Maillian sees this moment as one of alignment: 'This is also very personal for me… very synergistic with the life that I lead and allowing me to show up as Lauren Maillian wholly and fully in every part of my personal and professional life.' 'There's someone very important on Pinky's team that I've worked with… on some really big deals,' Maillian said. 'Everything just clicked for us… And what risk-taking and generating the right rewards looks like. So yeah, full circle in so many ways.' Cole emphasized the significance of their leadership dynamic: 'In Slutty Vegan 1.0, it was very man-heavy… This is a new energy. It's a new opportunity to show that women are dynamic—especially Black women.' And it's not just about identity—it's about execution. 'I am rah rah, this raw energy that is in your face, loud and vibrant,' Cole said. 'I think that Lauren will bring a sense of sophistication and calmness to everything… She can take those ideas and execute them in a way where they can be scalable. And that's literally what has been missing.' Slutty Vegan's growth plan is expansive—and VOAGIES, Cole's new plant-based sub concept, is just the beginning. 'We are reworking systems,' Cole shared. 'Stabilization is important right now… and then we get back into growth mode: CPG, hyper growth, scale, verticals. Now we're putting it on steroids.' Maillian's focus? Innovation through tech, consumer experience, and operational precision. 'We're certainly going to be recreating a playbook of how to be able to build and scale excellence… Every store, every social media interaction, every piece of merch. That is something that is going to be a large part of my focus in the next quarter.' When asked what advice she would share with other Black women looking to build their business, Maillian shared a powerful reflection: 'You don't get everything you deserve, but you definitely deserve everything you get. And that is how I feel in this season.' Pinky Cole echoed that sentiment with her own testimony: 'There are going to be people, places, and things that tell you that you can't do it… Six months ago was the roughest season of my life. And now I'm entering the best season of my life.' RELATED CONTENT: Pinky Cole Switches It Up Again—This Time, It's All About Plant-Based Hoagies Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Al Etihad
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE Armed Forces mark 49 years as nation's shield, symbol of unity
5 May 2025 00:36 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Every year on May 6, the country commemorates the day its Armed Forces were united under one command, one vision, and one flag. The UAE Armed Forces are set to mark its 49th year of serving the nation — as its shield and as a fortress that ensures the security of the the nation gears up for the significant occasion, Aletihad looks back on how far the country's defence forces have come since the unification. In 1976, the military was unified under one command through a decision issued by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the Members of the Supreme was a historic decision made not only to bolster the nation's defence but to strengthen and unify the country — and in the years that followed, the force has expanded its reach beyond the borders. From protecting the homeland, the UAE Armed Forces have now moved to helping maintain peace rapid global transformation, the force has thrived. It kept pace with technological shifts, harnessed the potential of the latest innovations, and ensured that its cadres are well equipped for the times. With the leadership's unwavering support, the UAE Armed Forces have grown stronger. Across borders, they have actively supported international peace and humanitarian efforts. They took part in the Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen, the Arab peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert also joined the Operation Hope in Somalia and Operation Helping Hand in Albania. In addition to military operations, the UAE Armed Forces have supported rebuilding Iraq and provided relief to earthquake survivors in Pakistan. National Service Military education and training are among the force's key priorities as its cadres have always been its greatest the key institutions that supported this vision are the Joint Command and Staff College, Zayed the Second Military Academy, Naval College, Khalifa Air College, Nursing School, The Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School (KBAS), and National Defence the nation is a duty not limited to those in military. Every citizen has a role to play in protecting the homeland and preserving its achievements. To instil values of loyalty and national duty in its citizens, the UAE implemented Federal Law No. 6 of 2014, concerning Mandatory National Service and the Reserve law aims to protect the achievements of the federation, support national development, and safeguard the UAE's borders, resources, and overall security and Federal Law No. 6 of 2014, national service is mandatory for all medically fit Emirati men, pending approval by the National and Reserve Service Committee of the UAE Armed Forces. For women, service is optional, regardless of their educational outlined in the amended Resolution No. 15 of 2022, male recruits who hold a high school diploma or higher are required to serve for 11 months. Emiratis who fail to enlist without a valid excuse by the age of 29 face legal consequences — ranging from one month to one year in jail, a fine between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000, or both. Even after turning 30, they are still required to complete their service. Postponements are allowed in specific cases for those under 29, such as students enrolled in programmes of two years or more, those who achieved a 90% or higher in secondary school, or 18-year-olds still attending morning classes. For those medically unfit for combat roles, national service can be fulfilled through civil, technical, or administrative work, ensuring every citizen contributes to the nation's security and development. Honouring its Heroes The UAE remembers its heroes at Wahat Al Karama, a place built to honour those who gave their lives for the Al Karama — which translates to "Oasis of Dignity" — officially opened on November 30, across the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the landmark now serves as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by soldiers, policemen, diplomats, and civilians since 1971. The anniversary of the Armed Forces' unification reflects a legacy of strength, built on visionary leadership, world-class military infrastructure, and the unwavering dedication of its people. Every May 6, the country honours its past and looks ahead to a future safeguarded by its heroes.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Symetra Partners with Operation Hope on Financial Literacy Program
Commits $350K by 2027 to fund access and programming for underserved adults in Greater Hartford, Conn., area BELLEVUE, Wash., April 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With National Financial Literacy Month underway, Symetra today announced a new partnership with Operation Hope, a national nonprofit focused on financial literacy empowerment and economic education, to bring community financial literacy workshops, coaching and referral services to underserved adults in the Greater Hartford, Conn., area. Symetra has committed $350,000 to fund the first three years of the program, Symetra Hope Inside, through 2027. "Symetra's vision is to create a world where more people have access to financial freedom. We believe financial literacy is essential to creating long-term, generational financial health and security," said Sharmila Swenson, vice president, Public Affairs & Social Impact. "We know that financial education is a powerful tool that helps people develop economic stability and control their financial future, but we also know that not everyone has access to the same information. To help close the gap, we committed to developing a community financial literacy program." Symetra Hope Inside soft-launched in January and expands Operation Hope's services from 47 to 48 states. Delivered by a full-time financial wellbeing coach conducting virtual and in-person workshops, the program is expected to reach over 700 people with more than 2,000 education service touchpoints over the first three years. Participants will receive financial education on a range of topics, including creating a budget, reducing debt, increasing savings, and improving credit scores. "Financial literacy is not just about dollars and cents — it's about dignity and empowerment," says John HOPE Bryant, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. "When individuals understand how money works, they can take control of their future, uplift their families, and strengthen entire communities. At Operation HOPE, we believe that financial education is the foundation for economic opportunity and a thriving democracy." Symetra Social Impact Prioritizing a community financial literacy program is one of the core commitments of Symetra Social Impact. Launched in 2022, Symetra's corporate social responsibility initiative aims to drive transformation across three priority areas — social commitments, sustainability and governance. The program outlined eight initial goals to be achieved by 2025; the Symetra Inside Hope program launch is part of that inaugural set of commitments. About Symetra Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent financial professionals and insurance producers. For more information, visit About Operation HOPE, Inc. Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "Silver Rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved — disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its award-winning community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities. Operation HOPE recently received its tenth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: View source version on Contacts Diana McSweeney(425) Sign in to access your portfolio
CNN
03-04-2025
- Business
- CNN
Ana Navarro: U.S. kids will go hungry due to Trump's trade wars
Four Republican Senators joining Democrats to back a resolution against President Trump's tariffs against Canada. Ana Navarro says the impact on American families will be swift and people who are already having trouble making ends meet will not be able to cope. Operation Hope Founder & CEO John Hope Bryant says too many Americans living paycheck to paycheck already have "too much month left at the end of their money."
CNN
03-04-2025
- Business
- CNN
Ana Navarro: U.S. kids will go hungry due to Trump's trade wars
Four Republican Senators joining Democrats to back a resolution against President Trump's tariffs against Canada. Ana Navarro says the impact on American families will be swift and people who are already having trouble making ends meet will not be able to cope. Operation Hope Founder & CEO John Hope Bryant says too many Americans living paycheck to paycheck already have "too much month left at the end of their money."
