Amazon Accelerate Sets New Standard for Sustainable Events

Excited to be at the 2026 AWS Imagine for Nonprofits conference this week, and honored to be joining as one of the keynote speakers alongside so many leaders using technology to drive social impact. At Fair Trade USA, we’re constantly exploring how tools like AI, blockchain, data insights and cloud infrastructure can help strengthen transparency in supply chains, communicate impact to consumers and expand opportunities for farmers and workers around the world. Grateful to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for their support to our movement and for convening such an inspiring community. Let me know if you're attending, I’d love to connect. #AWSImagineNonprofit2026 #TechForGood #EveryPurchaseMatters #FairTrade #FairTradeCertified #FairTradeUSA

Amazon is redefining responsible procurement by extending the lifecycle of its operational assets to deliver measurable community impact. Through its Global Procurement Organisation, leaders like Virginie VAST and Esraa B. are turning Yellow Totes into scalable tools for non-profits, supporting logistics, reducing waste and strengthening local supply chains. With over 2,000 people already benefiting and a target of one million totes donated, Amazon’s model shows how procurement can unlock long-term value beyond cost and efficiency. This initiative highlights how circularity, ESG alignment and smart sourcing decisions can directly support communities while improving operational sustainability. How can procurement leaders embed lifecycle thinking into every asset decision to drive both business and social value? Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/etPkSbyf #Procurement #SupplyChain #Sustainability

Proud to see LiquiDonate continue to drive meaningful impact across both business and community. With over 16M+ items donated, a network of 4,000+ nonprofits, and more than $130M in goods redistributed, the team is redefining how companies think about excess inventory, while cutting logistics costs and reducing waste at scale. Congrats to founders Disney Petit, MBA Petit and the entire Liquidonate team on building a truly category-defining platform. At Maccabee Ventures, we’re proud to support a company turning operational challenges into both economic and social value.  Excited for what’s ahead. ♻️ #Startups #VentureCapital #Sustainability #Innovation #Logistics 

We're now part of the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) community and next month, we'll be at Smart Freight Week 2026.   SFC is a global non-profit organization driving decarbonization across the freight and logistics sector.   For us, joining SFC is a straightforward decision. Because sustainability in logistics doesn’t stop at reporting — it requires transparency that enables better decisions. At pacemaker.ai, we support exactly that.   Being part of SFC is a natural fit and reflects something we've already committed to in practice. Our Transport Emissions module and Book & Claim solution are built on the GLEC framework and SFC standards — the recognized benchmarks for credible, compliant emissions calculation and reporting across global supply chains.   If you’re attending Smart Freight Week in Amsterdam from April 14–16, let’s connect. We’d love to exchange ideas and explore potential synergies around the future of emissions transparency, verification, and collaborative approaches across the supply chain.   Because ultimately, this is what it’s about — making supply chains sustainably better.

What happens after a conference ends? For many of the speakers and organizers behind the Full Circle Summit, the goal was never just to share ideas for a few days. We wanted to showcase where circular thinking - and action! - is already taking root in communities, and define clear pathways to be a part of scaling that work. Because let's be real: structural change doesn’t happen at conferences. It happens when people decide to get involved locally. That’s where we come in! Circular San Antonio is a growing network of businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and residents working together to scale circular solutions across our region. The conversations that start at the summit continue here — through collaboration, shared learning, and real projects that keep materials and value circulating in our city. If you’re interested in being part of that work, consider becoming a member of Circular San Antonio at the individual or organizational level. Learn more about how you can get involved here: https://lnkd.in/g394-NYq

The Cost of "Plenty": A Lesson from a Rain-Soaked Line We often talk about "scarcity" in our boardrooms. We talk about a scarcity of talent, a scarcity of time, or a scarcity of resources to hit our quarterly targets. But then, you see a video like this. A long line of children, standing barefoot in the pouring rain, holding empty plastic plates. They aren't waiting for the latest tech gadget or a career promotion. They are waiting for their only meal of the day. The Hidden Price of Waste In our world of convenience, we view food as a commodity. We order more than we can eat, and we discard what we don’t want. But for these children, food isn’t a commodity—it is life. When we waste, we aren't just losing money; we are disrespecting a resource that millions would endure a storm just to receive. A Call for Conscious Living This isn’t just about food; it’s about Perspective. Gratitude: If you have a roof over your head and a meal on your table, you are wealthier than most of the world. Responsibility: As leaders, parents, and professionals, we have a duty to teach the next generation the value of what they have. Action: Let’s rethink our consumption. Let’s finish what’s on our plates. Let’s support organizations that bridge the gap between "too much" and "not enough." The next time we feel "stressed" by our first-world problems, let’s remember the quiet, shivering patience of these children. The true measure of our success isn't just what we accumulate—it’s how we respect what we’ve been given. Video Courtesy : 100% to the original owner. #Humanity #Gratitude #GlobalAwareness #Sustainability #Perspective #SocialResponsibility #StopFoodWaste #worldfoodprogram

It was an honor to take the stage at the AWS Imagine Conference alongside an inspiring group of nonprofit leaders, technologists, and changemakers. In my keynote, I shared how Fair Trade USA is using technology and AI to deepen impact—not just by scaling solutions, but by strengthening the connection between farmers, workers, fishers, industry partners, and consumers. A few ideas that resonated most: - Agency and empowerment remain at the core of the Fair Trade movement, and emerging technologies are expanding what’s possible. - Innovation only matters when it’s grounded in reality, in the leadership and lived experience of the farmers, workers and fishers we work alongside. - #FairData is critical. Producers must be able to access, own, and use data to strengthen their livelihoods and decision-making power. - Product discovery is being redefined. AI is increasingly shaping what people see, choose, and trust. The opportunity ahead is to embed fairness directly into those decision pathways and leave nobody behind. Watch the full talk to learn more here- https://lnkd.in/ejBuKj6R A special shoutout to my fellow keynote speaker Dr. Lilian Pintea for his perspective on conservation, science, and responsible AI. A powerful reminder that when technology is paired with long-term data and locally led approaches, it can unlock entirely new possibilities for both people and nature (The Jane Goodall Institute). What stood out across the day was a shared commitment to using technology responsibly—as a tool to amplify human potential, not replace it. A sincere thank you to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for bringing together such a strong group of leaders and for your continued investment in solutions that help organizations scale impact. It was a true pleasure to engage in person with your rockstar team (Lauren Stovall, Rick Buettner, MBA, Madeline Wynne Swenson, Andi Garcia, David Levy). We could not be more excited about the momentum and joint work ahead. If you’re building at the intersection of technology and impact, let’s connect—the path ahead calls for deeper collaboration and a shared commitment to mutualism. #FairTrade #FairTradeCertified #FairTradeUSA #ImproveLives #ProtectNature #PurchaseWithPurpose #AWSImagine #AWS #TechForGood #AIForGood AWS Public Sector

B for Benefit 🌟 March marks B Corp Month, a global initiative led by B Lab and supported here by B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It's a global community working toward the same idea: that business can create value beyond profit. It’s something we recognise at FutureBrand too: a global network bringing the best of our thinking to local challenges. I’m proud to say that FutureBrand in Australia has just Re-Certified as a B Corp for another three years ✅ For those unfamiliar, B Corp Certification recognises companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, governance and transparency. For us, that commitment shows up in a very practical ways. Over the past five years, for example, our team has dedicated significant time providing our brand transformation services – 'pro bono' – to not-for-profit organisations working across causes such as autism support, low vision services, cancer research, economic inclusion, environmental conservation and social services. In total, that represents the equivalent of more than $550,000 of our time invested & donated to purpose-driven work. In a world where 'purpose' is often talked about, the real test is whether it translates beyond words into actions. For us, B is for Benefit. By creating work that contributes to better social and environmental outcomes 🙌

🚨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝.   How can we encourage behaviours that benefit society, not just individuals?  🌍 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬... When it comes to organ donations, we often default to opt-in systems where people must actively choose to become donors. What if we flipped the script? Presumed consent (opt-out) might seem like a silver bullet, but the real impact lies in a nuanced approach. The key is to prompt choice at the right moment-like during a driver’s licence renewal. This tactic has led to high registration rates, without forcing decisions during emotionally charged times.  💡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭... Apply this principle to your campaigns. Don’t just rely on defaults... actively prompt your audience to take desired actions. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, attending an event, or supporting a cause, timing is everything. Create opportunities where saying "yes" is easy and natural.  💪 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞... We all know the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, but how can we nudge collective action? Just like with organ donations, we need to create systems that make the right choice the easy choice. Consider incentives for sustainable behaviours, from reusable packaging to eco-friendly transportation.  🚀 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞... Use choice architecture to guide your audience towards actions that not only benefit them but contribute to the greater good. Small nudges can lead to significant societal impact.   #MarketingStrategy #BehaviouralScience #MarketingTips #ConsumerBehaviour #VideoMarketing 

We’re excited to welcome Amazon as KiwiHarvest’s newest Corporate Partner!   As New Zealand’s largest food rescue organisation, and growing fast, strong corporate partnerships are essential to helping us reduce food waste and provide nutritious kai to communities who need it most. Amazon is stepping up in a big way to support that mission.   With Amazon team members based near our branches in East Tāmaki and Rosedale, this partnership also opens the door for hands‑on volunteering. Their staff will have opportunities to roll up their sleeves, join our team on the ground, and directly support the communities they work in every day.   We’re incredibly grateful for Amazon's commitment to sustainability, community impact, and reducing food insecurity across Aotearoa. Partnerships like this enable us to rescue more food, nourish more people, and build a healthier future for us all.   #AmazonInCommunities