Latest news with #VisionaryAward
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Pega Industry Awards Honor Outstanding Organizations and Individuals Driving Industry-Transforming Innovation
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA), the Enterprise Transformation Company™, today announced the recipients of the 2025 Pega Industry Awards at its annual PegaWorld® user conference. The awards program recognizes organizations and individuals using Pega's technology to drive exemplary digital transformation and customer engagement. The Pega Industry Awards recognize organizations and individuals in three categories: The Visionary Award, The Innovation Award, and The Impact Award. The Visionary Award recognizes individuals serving as digital heroes within their organization. The Innovation Award is awarded to clients who have implemented a Pega solution to drive industry-transforming innovation. The Impact Award is given to clients who have achieved compelling business values with its Pega solution(s). The Visionary Award recipients are: Leopoldo Martinez, chief operating officer, Banco ABC Brasil Ben Cuthbert, intelligent process automation leader, Vodafone Kurt Van de Moortele, head of selling and ordering platforms, and Laura Hollevoet, product owner lead, B2B quote to first bill, Proximus Katrina Fluss, supervisory program and management analyst, Veterans Affairs Maynd Jolly, CFO and commercialization SVP, growth & client partnerships, enGen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health Venkat Esakkimuthu, director, product development engineering, MetLife, and Sri Mulpuru, principal software engineer, intelligent automation, MetLife The Innovation Award recipients are: The Impact Award winners are: The industry awards were announced during the annual PegaWorld® conference at the MGM Grand held in Las Vegas this week through June 3. The conference brings together industry experts and leaders to help attendees reimagine their technology strategies so they can practically and responsibly turbocharge productivity, unleash innovation, and optimize customer interactions. For more information, please visit: Quotes & Commentary: "In today's business environment, companies are seeking cutting-edge technology to enhance customer service, maximize operational efficiency, and adapt to market disruptions," said Marc Andrews, global managing director, industry markets, Pega. "These recognitions highlight businesses and professionals who are leveraging Pega technology in creative ways to revolutionize customer interactions, service delivery, and large-scale operations. Our clients are trailblazers in their industries, and we're honored to support them on their path to innovation." About Pegasystems Pega is The Enterprise Transformation Company that helps organizations Build for Change® with enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation. Many of the world's most influential businesses rely on our platform to solve their most pressing challenges, from personalizing engagement to automating service to streamlining operations. Since 1983, we've built our scalable and flexible architecture to help enterprises meet today's customer demands while continuously transforming for tomorrow. For more information on Pega (NASDAQ: PEGA), visit All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Business Mayor
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
The winners of the GamesBeat Summit 2025 Visionary and Up-and-Comer Awards
GamesBeat unveiled the winners of its eight annual Visionary Awards during the 2025 GamesBeat Summit event in Los Angeles. The Visionary Award winner is Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) president Patricia Vance, and the Up-and-Comer winner is Strange Scaffold studio head Xalavier Nelson Jr. GamesBeat editorial director Dean Takahashi started the Visionary Awards in 2018 to recognize industry leaders who took a daring, visionary approach to shaping the future of gaming, forging new paths that have mesmerized audiences and redefined the very nature of video games. Two awards are given every year: the Visionary Award and the Up-and-Comer award. This year's ceremony was hosted by Andrea Rene, president of Shortie Media and former executive producer of What's Good Games. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges from all across the industry, including Xbox president Sarah Bond, Women-Led Games founder Charmaine Duff, and veteran developer John Smedley. Patricia Vance has helped steer the ESRB for over 20 years. At the ESRB, Patricia Vance leads the teams responsible for age and content ratings on video games and apps, and enforcing marketing guidelines that've been adopted by the whole industry. She's also a founding member of the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), a non-profit organization that operates a global rating and age classification system for digital games and apps Zebra Partners co-founder Perrin Kaplan introduced Vance on stage, calling her a 'respected pioneer on game content ratings,' and a quiet leader who gets it done better than anyone else. Unlike a lot of award winners who tend to be in the public eye, Kaplan noted that Vance's work is largely behind the scenes, advocating for games and 'protecting our industry's right to govern itself.' In her acceptance speech, Vance said that over the last 45 years, she's had the privilege to work in some of the most dynamic and fast-changing industries, from the early days of cable TV to the explosion of interactive media. But her 'most meaningful chapter' has been her time at the ESRB, which she first joined over 20 years ago. 'When I joined [the ESRB] in 2002 there was one glaring vulnerability threatening the integrity of the video game industry: Kids could walk into a retail store and buy a mature-rated video game, no questions asked,' said Vance. 'So we got to work. We launched the ESRB Retail Council and convinced the biggest retailers to step up.' By 2009, the Federal Trade Commission recognized that the video game industry had the strongest selling regulatory code and the highest compliance with that code, outpacing even movies and music. Then a landmark moment came when the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that video games are a form of protected speech, with Vance saying it was a 'powerful validation of what self-regulation done right can achieve.' But she said the biggest challenge the ESRB has ever faced is the rise of mobile gaming and the explosion of digital publishing, and creating a rating process that could scale to meet the high volume of games while also 'enabling developers to access culturally relevant and compliant ratings in different regions around the world across every platform.' This led to the creation of IARC, and today the system is used by 13 storefronts across mobile, console, VR, and PC, with nine regional rating authorities on board. 'So why does all this matter? Because our work helps reduce risk for publishers, protects the industry from unnecessary regulation, and most importantly, by informing consumers upfront, it safeguards your freedom to create the games you want to make,' said Vance. She noted how the ESRB operates quietly in the background of the industry, which is how it should be. It's thankless work most of the time, and she's often felt invisible at gaming conferences and events. 'So I can't tell you how much it means to be recognized today. I accept this award on behalf of my extraordinary team back in New York, who are as passionate about this industry as I am, and who are absolutely relentless in their commitment to our mission,' said Vance. 'And last but definitely not least, we could not do our work without the staunch and ongoing support of the [Entertainment Software Association] and the many industry leaders who serve on our board of directors.' Xalavier is the 2025 winner of the Up-and-Comer award. Xalavier Nelson Jr. is a renowned and prolific indie developer who's worked on over 90 games in the last eight years, with 15 of them coming from his own studio, Strange Scaffold. Unfortunately, he couldn't attend GamesBeat Summit in person to accept his Up-and-Comer award. In a video, Cyan Worlds development director Hannah Gamiel introduced Xalavier, saying that she has yet to meet another developer who makes games with the same level of 'unbridled creativity' that he does. 'To say his perspective on making games is refreshing is an understatement. This quality of his shines in every single game he makes. Xalavier is somehow wonderfully able to carefully harness meaning within a facade of incredibly absurd settings,' said Gamiel. In his acceptance video, Nelson Jr. thanked everyone he's ever worked with at Strange Scaffold and throughout his career, and that without them he wouldn't be here. He joked that receiving this award was existentially dread-inducing. '[This award] is for people whose greatest achievements lie ahead of them. I can think of at least three times in the last few years alone where I went, 'Oh, I don't know if I'll be able to make games anymore,'' said Nelson Jr. Read More Lotte Group taps Arbitrum for Web3 entertainment experiences He urged the audience to keep supporting and showing up for one another, especially in light of the layoffs that've plagued the industry over the past few years. 'That's why, if I can urge for anything from the audience, it is to look at the people around you because systemic issues in this medium — lack of funding, lack of job security — means that the person who's right next to you, no matter what they've achieved, no matter what their talents are, no matter how hard they work and how much you assume they're going to be fine… If they are showing up on your doorstep, if they are here with you right now, you are that person who will make them fine. 'You are that person who needs to show up for them, because otherwise we can't guarantee that they are here tomorrow, that they contribute to the future of our medium and what we can be,' said Nelson Jr.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Foundation Fighting Blindness to Honor Michael Tarloff of C&S Wholesale Grocers at the 2025 New York Night for Sight Gala
The May 15th event will raise funds to drive research providing treatments and cures for blinding diseases. COLUMBIA, Md., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the driving force in the global development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases, will host its annual Night for Sight gala on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Guastavino's in New York City. This special evening will celebrate leaders from the fashion, food, and finance industries to raise critical funds for advancing treatments and cures from the laboratory to the patients who need them. With over 50 potential treatments currently in clinical trials, the need for advancing research is greater than ever. This year, the Foundation is proud to present its prestigious Visionary Award to Michael Tarloff, VP, General Manager, C&S Wholesale Grocers, recognizing his commitment to community support and advancing the Foundation's mission. The event will be co-chaired by Evan Mittman and Jason Ferreira, who are longtime Foundation members and supporters. Attendees will include corporate sponsors, community members, and dedicated supporters of the Foundation's mission. The evening will be hosted by master of ceremonies, Adam Chodak, News 8 evening anchor and managing editor in Rochester, NY who is also affected with Stargardt disease. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner, an exciting silent auction featuring exclusive items, and live entertainment by the Christian McGhee Xtet. The Foundation is proud to announce our guest speaker, Anastasia Pagonis, a two-time Paralympian and gold medalist. Anastasia is not only an accomplished athlete but is also a vocal advocate for disability awareness and mental health, using her platform and social media presence to educate, empower, and inspire others. "We are delighted to announce that Michael Tarloff will be honored at this year's Night for Sight, an event that holds special significance for us at Foodtown and Allegiance Retail Services," says event co-chair Jason Ferreira. "Michael, along with his company, C&S Wholesale Grocers, has been a steadfast supporter of our mission, joining us every year with unwavering commitment. As a parent of a legally blind child, I can personally attest to the invaluable support provided by the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Their efforts have illuminated our path in times of uncertainty, bringing hope to my family and others facing similar challenges. We look forward to celebrating this meaningful occasion together and continuing our work to fight blinding diseases." Individual tickets to Night for Sight are $1,000, and Next Generation (under age 35) tickets are $750. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $2,500 to $100,000. For ticket and sponsorship information, visit or contact Sarah Greulich at SGreulich@ or 917-746-3664. The Foundation thanks Visionary Champion Partner, Amgen, for their support of Night for Sight and Foundation Fighting Blindness events across the country. Event DetailsNew York Night for SightThursday, May 15, 20256:00 p.m. Reception/ 7:00 p.m. Dinner and AwardsGuastavino's 409 East 59th Street, New York About the Foundation Fighting BlindnessEstablished in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the driving force in the global development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases. The Foundation has raised more than $954 million toward its mission of accelerating research that will provide preventions, treatments, and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, Leber congenital amaurosis, age-related macular degeneration, and the spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Visit for more information. About C&S Wholesale GrocersC&S Wholesale Grocers is an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States, servicing customers of all sizes, including independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions. Earning a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index for four years in a row, they are a true representative of an engaged corporate citizen, supporting causes such as the Foundation Fighting Blindness that positively impact their communities. Media Contacts: Sarah Greulich Chris Adams Community Manager, Northeast Vice President, Marketing & Communications SGreulich@ CAdams@ (917) 746-3664 (410) 423-0585 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Mary Alice Stephenson Named to Fast Company's Impact Council
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mary Alice Stephenson, Founder & CEO GLAM4GOOD, has joined Fast Company's exclusive Impact Council. Mary Alice Stephenson, Founder & CEO of GLAM4GOOD Named to Fast Company's Impact Council The Fast Company Impact Council is a collective of the most innovative leaders in business. Members meet several times a year for invitation-only live events, roundtable discussions, and virtual sessions on some of the most promising opportunities and most pressing challenges of our time. These gatherings focus on the role companies and council members can play in shaping the future. Fast Company amplifies members' impact by publishing their thought-leadership and tapping their expertise to inform the publication's coverage of innovation across the business world. "I'm thrilled to join the Fast Company Impact Council and stand alongside such an inspiring group of changemakers. At GLAM4GOOD, we believe in the power of innovation with purpose, and I'm honored to contribute to conversations that shape a more inclusive and impactful future. This council is a powerful platform to amplify ideas, drive action, and collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time." — Mary Alice Stephenson, Founder & CEO, GLAM4GOOD Mary Alice Stephenson is an award-winning philanthropist and recognized leader in social impact. Her work has earned her numerous honors, including Deepak Chopra's Visionary Award, the Voice of Hope Honor from Birch Family Services, the Chris Greicius Celebrity Award from Make-A-Wish, FounderMade's Future of Beauty Award, the Help Hero Award from Help USA, and the Most Innovative People Award from the United Nations' World Summit on Innovation. A trusted voice in purpose-driven work, Mary Alice has had the honor of partnering with former First Lady Michelle Obama for the White House Fashion Education Workshop and with MIT's Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship. 'The Impact Council represents the ideal version of Fast Company's readers,' says editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. 'These are some of the more creative, mission-driven people in business, with some of the most original ideas about how to solve big problems and build the future. It is our great pleasure and privilege to bring this community together.' ABOUT GLAM4GOOD GLAM4GOOD IS A LEADING NONPROFIT THAT REPURPOSES UNUSED MERCHANDISE TO ADDRESS CLOTHING AND SELF-CARE INSECURITY IN AMERICA. THE ORGANIZATION BOLSTERS SELF-ESTEEM AND EMPOWERS DIGNITY WHILE DIVERTING INDUSTRY EXCESS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. Founded in 2016 by Mary Alice Stephenson, GLAM4GOOD has been a pioneering force in addressing clothing and self-care insecurity and fashion sustainability across the US. The organization repurposes unused merchandise from top fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands to help those facing hardship. As an event-driven foundation that provides life-changing experiences, free clothing and beauty giveaways, and confidence-bolstering initiatives to enhance the lives of everyday heroes and people in need, GLAM4GOOD has impacted more than 170,000 people in 32 states, delivering over $75 million in essential goods to individuals and families in need across the country. ABOUT FAST COMPANY Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sierra Club Hosts Annual 2025 Trail Blazers Ball
'In Nature, nothing exists Alone' – Rachel Carson The Sierra Club hosted its annual Trail Blazers Ball, honoring notable figures such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Bill Nye, William Shatner, Quannah ChasingHorse, Jessica Sarowitz, Josh and Rebecca Tickell, and Wawa event, which took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, brought together artists, activists and environmentalists to recognize and honor those on the frontlines of environmental leadership and Sierra Club is an environmental organization, which works to promote clean energy, wildlife protection, among other conservation efforts. The organization is led by Executive Director Ben Jealous, who was the former youngest president of the evening featured an acoustic performance of 'Viva La Vida,' from Coldplay's Chris Martin. Martin also performed an original song, dedicated to Dr. Goodall, from the perspective of the chimpanzees, thanking her for her work. Dr. Goodall even showed Martin how a female chimpanzee greets another male. Other performances included indie duo Aly & AJ as well as the harmonica virtuoso Frédéric Yonnet, whose rendition of Tears for Fears' 'Everyone Wants to Rule the World' was captivating on his harmonica. Goodall, founder of the Goodall Institute and world-renowned activist, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to protect the wildlife habitat of chimpanzees and her work to conserve the natural world.'My hope lies in the energy and commitment of young people around the world once they understand the problems and we empower them to take action,' said Goodall after receiving the award to a standing an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer and philanthropist, received the Visionary Award. The award honors individuals for creating a legacy of environmental the award virtually, Shatner emphasizes urgency of climate change action. 'We must extend all of our efforts to save the planet with the Sierra Club,' said Shanter. 'We must take responsibility for this beautiful oasis for future generations.'Other event attendees included actress Heather Graham, actor and musician Cheyenne Branscum, activist and actress Kristin Bauer, actress, Amber Midthunder, and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, among other notable guests. View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article Get the latest news delivered to your inbox daily! Sign up for Los Angeles Magazine's The Daily Brief below or click here.
