Latest news with #communitydriven
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Four Cities, One Planet: AEG's People for The Planet BRG Mobilizes Members for Plastic-Free July Initiative
This July, AEG's People for the Planet Business Resource Group (BRG) turned commitment into action, activating a series of community-driven events across four cities in honor of Plastic Free July. From riverbanks to urban parks, the message is clear: sustainability starts with showing up. In Cleveland, the month kicked off with the second annual River Cleanup at Jacob's Pavilion. AEG employee volunteers gathered along the Cuyahoga River, armed with gloves, trash grabbers, and a shared mission to protect their local environment. As they walked the boardwalk and park, they collected plastic bottles, wrappers, and other debris that threatened the health of the river. The event wasn't just about cleaning up—it was about reconnecting with nature and inspiring others to do the same. Next, in Los Angeles, the focus shifted from plastic to trees. In collaboration with TreePeople, volunteers gathered at Huntington Park for a morning of urban forestry. They cared for recently planted trees by removing invasive weeds, watering, mulching, and adjusting support stakes. The work was hands-on and humbling, a reminder that climate action can be as simple—and as powerful—as nurturing a tree in your own neighborhood. Later in the month, the movement is heading west to Denver, where People for the Planet will team up with Keep Denver Beautiful for a regional street cleanup around the Mission Ballroom and AEG Presents and AXS offices. The event will bring together employees who will work together to remove litter from sidewalks, parking lots, and green spaces. As the month draws to a close, the final activation is scheduled for Detroit, where People for the Planet will join Conscious City Cleanup for their 3rd Annual Cass Park Cleanup. With music playing and community energy high, volunteers will collect trash while enjoying a morning walk through the historic neighborhood. Across all four cities, the impact is tangible. Dozens of bags of waste are being removed from public spaces. Trees are being tended to. Conversations are being sparked. And most importantly, a sense of shared purpose is being ignited. Plastic Free July serves as more than a campaign—it is a catalyst for connection, education, and action. Through these events, AEG's People for the Planet BRG demonstrates that environmental change doesn't require grand gestures. It starts with people—coming together, rolling up their sleeves, and doing the work. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from AEG
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
This Women's Network Turns Conversations Into Capital
Nathalia Rojas and Maggie Rose Macar, Founders, No Pressure Networking In a world where deal-making often happens on golf courses or behind closed doors, No Pressure Networking is flipping the script. What started as a conversation between two women who met in an accelerator program has grown into a bold, community-driven initiative that's rewriting the rules of women's networking and how founders and investors connect. Meet the founders of No Pressure Networking, Nathalia Rojas and Maggie Rose Macar. In six months, No Pressure Networking has facilitated over $2 million in deal flow, which proves that when you center relationships and intention, impact follows. No Pressure Networking is a women's networking group intentionally built to bring together investors and founders, not just to exchange business cards, but to forge real relationships that lead to real deals. It's a vibrant, women-centered space where venture meets vulnerability, capital meets connection, and collaboration leads the way. Networking Without the Pressure Rather than leading new introductions with pitches and business cards, relationship-first networking creates room for real conversations. These environments offer connection over transaction, allowing trust to form organically. This is an important element for women who often invest based on relationships and alignment in values. When networking is done right it's not just about making introductions, it's about building confidence, expanding your circle, and finding partners and allies who want to grow with you. And a growing number of women are using these gatherings to do more than connect - they're writing checks, mentoring founders, joining boards, and redefining what influence looks like. Why Traditional Networking Doesn't Always Work for Women Many networking groups are designed with outdated models that don't reflect how women operate in business. Women often report feeling excluded from the informal power structures where deals are made or feeling like they must 'perform' to be taken seriously. That's why intentional networking spaces matter. When inclusion, trust, and accessibility are at the forefront, these spaces offer a different kind of value. Whether it's a large panel event or a small dinner gathering, women benefit from environments that are curated to foster connection, not competition. Real Conversations That Lead to Real Outcomes A key reason this kind of networking works is because it removes the pressure. Without the need to impress or sell right away, founders and investors alike can get to know each other as people. In these more relaxed, intentional settings, conversations go deeper and often lead to business collaborations, partnerships, or funding opportunities. This isn't just good for women, it's good for the entire ecosystem. As more women step into roles as investors and decision-makers, capital starts to flow in new directions. And that ripple effect is how systemic change begins. The Value of Safe, Supportive Spaces These networks are also important for building confidence. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or exploring angel investing for the first time, stepping into the unknown can bring up doubt. But when you're in a space where vulnerability is welcomed and questions are encouraged, you realize you're not alone. The bottom line is that No Pressure Networking is not just a movement, it's a model. One that shows you the power of designing for women from the ground up, and one that proves that when you remove the pressure, everything grows faster, including trust, capital, confidence, and impact.
