Japan – Olympus Names Wenlei Yang the Newly Established Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

May 31, 2023 | Business

Effective June 1, Wenlei Yang will be named Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling.

Effective June 1, Wenlei Yang will be named Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Olympus Corporation. Wenlei will drive, oversee and implement initiatives related to Olympus’ new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) directions, set as part of the company’s global ESG strategy announced on May 12, 2023.
DEI efforts concerning other pillars, including age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, (dis)ability, religion, opinions and political stance, are all equally important in Olympus. [Image: Olympus]

In this newly established role, Wenlei will drive, oversee and implement initiatives related to Olympus’ new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) directions set as part of the company’s global ESG strategy announced on May 12, 2023. The company will deepen measures to fully realize the DEI principles in all facilities worldwide to foster a healthy organizational culture.

Wenlei joined Olympus in 1992 and held various roles during the following 18 years, mainly in global sales and marketing positions across China, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2010, she was assigned Head of Sales & Marketing Division and General Manager of the Imaging Business and General Manager of Olympus China. Wenlei was then appointed Regional Representative Officer, China in 2019. In 2023, she was appointed Regional Representative Officer, Japan. Moving forward, Wenlei will continue to represent Japan as the Regional Representative Officer and will also lead initiatives related to Olympus’ global DEI strategy.

“Both employees and society hold expectations of DEI that are constantly evolving, and as a leading global MedTech company, we must remain informed of global trends and implement appropriate solutions for Olympus to meet the expectations of our stakeholders,” said Shigeto Ohtsuki, Olympus Chief Human Resources Officer. “The creation of this new role will ensure a strong global governance structure for our DEI program. Together with Wenlei’s multilingual skills and extensive global management experience, her background exemplifies the benefits and goals of being committed to DEI principles. I am confident that Wenlei’s seasoned leadership will propel our organization toward our DEI goals.”

Olympus continuously works to build an inclusive culture and equitable systems, where everyone, including those within the communities it serves, is accepted for who they are, with equal access to opportunities.

The company has formulated a vision and developed a phased plan to advance all aspects of DEI in Olympus. After the foundation is set in the initial phase, company processes and systems will be reviewed through a DEI lens, making DEI part of its daily operations to further contribute to its external partners and the communities Olympus serves.

Four key themes are prioritized at the global level[1] under the DEI strategy

1. Gender and Life Priority: Further support for women employees and all caretakers[2] that may have time constraints due to personal life events.
2. Nationality and Culture: Increase diversity and ensure equitable access to opportunities regardless of nationality, culture or language skills.
3. Career and Experience: Enhance employee professional experience and broaden the perspective of team and organizational coverage.
4. Inclusive Environment: Ensure an environment where everyone can speak up freely and collaborate effectively.

To address the four themes, on top of ongoing initiatives[3], concrete new initiatives will continue to be introduced to global employees.

KPIs and targets to accelerate DEI initiatives

1. Achieve 30% representation of women in management roles globally and 13% at Olympus Corporation (Japan) by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028.
2. Achieve 100% of eligible men in Japan taking parental leave by FY2026.
3. Increase nationality and cultural diversity in the organization and increase employee engagement survey scores.

[1] DEI efforts concerning other pillars, including age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, (dis)ability, religion, opinions and political stance, are all equally important in Olympus. Further increases in diversity and ensuring equity in each pillar will be driven in each region, taking regional features into account.
[2] Caregivers are people who need to work and care for their children, parents, or other loved ones.
[3] Includes global DEI training for managers, enhanced work-life balance support for all genders, increased opportunities to apply for global roles, language learning opportunities, and a pilot Peer Learning Program.

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit www.olympus-global.com and follow our global Twitter account: @Olympus_Corp.

McKinsey Names BlackBerry a Cybersecurity and IoT Convergence Leader

Apr 18, 2023 | Business

Convergence increases the Internet of Things total addressable market by up to 50 percent

WATERLOO, ONTARIO – WEBWIRE –

For the Internet of Things (IoT) to reach its potential as a fully interconnected ecosystem the convergence of cybersecurity and the IoT is critical, according to a new and independent report published by McKinsey, and cybersecurity must be embedded in the IoT as opposed to being a separate software category that is bolted-on. McKinsey states that few companies can converge enterprise IT cybersecurity solutions with IoT platforms, and BlackBerry is a company that is well-positioned to do so. The full report from McKinsey can be viewedhere.

BlackBerry today is organized around the two high-growth markets of cybersecurity and the IoT and is a leader in enterprise and embedded security. The convergence of cybersecurity and the IoT is aligned with BlackBerrys capabilities, uniquely positioning the company to secure the interconnected IoT and expanding the companys differentiation strategy. McKinsey has determined that the convergence of cybersecurity and the IoT, translates to an IoT total addressable market (TAM) of up to $750 billion by 2030, which is 50 percent more than current IoT market forecasts without convergence.

Through a survey of companies across geographies and industries, McKinsey found that digital trust is ranked as a critical element of the purchase decision by 61 percent of IoT buyers. BlackBerrys expertise in delivering unmatched secure connectivity solutions, with unwavering user privacy, is why we are trusted around the world, said John Chen, Executive Chairman & CEO. We are pleased that our long-term strategy, aligned with the two key markets of cybersecurity and the IoT, is validated in these market insights from McKinsey. Our bold thought leadership asserted in 2021 that the convergence of IT and OT is the key to unlocking the value of the IoT and to delivering the next revolution in how we live and work, and the combination of our enterprise and embedded security portfolios puts us in the unique position to deliver on this market need.

The referenced report is published independently by McKinsey and this press release is issued independently by BlackBerry.

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About BlackBerry

BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 215M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint management, endpoint security, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerrys vision is clear – to secure a connected future you can trust.

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.

Altair Names UniQcus Channel Partner for Denmark

Nov 10, 2022 | Business

UniQcus will offer entire Altair’s data analytics solutions to the Nordic region


TROY, Mich. – WEBWIRE –



Altair (Nasdaq: ALTR), a global leader in computational science and artificial intelligence (AI), announced that UniQcus has joined its growing channel partner network. Located in Odense, Denmark, UniQcus will offer Altair’s data analytics solutions to its customers in the Nordic region. UniQcus delivers core experience with SAS programming and has more than a decade of experience in SAS language and World Programming (acquired by Altair) projects. 


“We’re very excited to add Uniqcus to our channel partner community,” said Joakim Lindholm, managing director, Altair Nordics. “The power of UniQcus’ experience in analytics combined with Altair SLC – our compiler that runs programs written in SAS language syntax without translation and without needing to license third-party products – presents a great opportunity for any company looking to improve their analytics capabilities.”


“We are proud to have been a World Programming partner since 2008 and see our new partnership with Altair give customers increased flexibility to leverage their decades of investment in the SAS language alongside modern, open-source coding languages, giving them the true power of a hybrid approach,” said Torben Christensen, chief executive officer, UniQcus. “We are impressed with Altair’s robust technology solutions, unique licensing model, and customer-centered approach. We look forward to the exciting times ahead and, most importantly, to offering our customers best-in-class data analytics solutions.”


Altair works with a global network of channel and technology partners. To learn more or to become a partner, visit: https://www.altair.com/partners/.

About Altair

Altair is a global leader in computational science and artificial intelligence (AI) that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair enables organizations across all industries to compete more effectively and drive smarter decisions in an increasingly connected world – all while creating a greener, more sustainable future. For more information, visit https://www.altair.com/.

NFTE Names 18-Year-Old Josh Kreuger of St. Louis Top Young Entrepreneur of 2022

Oct 16, 2022 | Books, Business

Teen entrepreneurs from across the U.S. competed for $18,000 in prizes at the 17th annual National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

NEW YORK – Oct. 14, 2022 – PRLog — Global nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) celebrated Josh Kreuger, 18, as the winner of last night’s 17th annual National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, presented by the Citi Foundation and Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), with additional support from American Student Assistance. Forty regional champions traveled to New York to compete in the Oct. 13 pitching competition. After a series of elimination rounds, three national finalists took the stage at 787 Seventh Avenue to pitch their businesses to a panel of VIP judges in front of a live audience.

Kreuger, a student at South Technical High School in St. Louis, took first place with his business MODRN Media, a digital marketing agency that trains and employs content creators while offering budget-friendly video production and social media management services to small businesses in the same community. He was awarded $10,000 plus a 45-minute mentorship session with Daymond John, The People’s Shark and the founder, CEO and president of FUBU, a $6 billion hip-hop apparel company.

Of his plans for the money, Kreuger said, “I’ve considered investing it, but if I do spend it, it’s going to be on equipment and a space I can use to train content creators and inspire people who are where I was five years ago.”

Both runners-up were each awarded $2,500. Thomas Vo, 17, from Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas, presented his business Reheats, which makes electric heated gloves for construction workers and other cold weather workers. Abhinav Gorrepati, 14, from Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California, presented CredX, an online educational platform that encourages financial literacy in teens through engaging lessons. An additional $3,000 in prize money was distributed during the semifinal round and at last night’s presentation. The students can use their awards to grow their businesses or further their educational goals.

“In a time when innovative thinking is the new economic currency, the entrepreneurial mindset of our young competitors shines bright,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, NFTE’s president and CEO. “From biodegradable drug-detecting napkins to 3D-printed eyeglasses, this year’s business ideas stand as examples of how our students are engaging in new technologies, environmentally sustainable solutions, and social entrepreneurship. Congratulations to Josh and NFTE’s 2022 class of young entrepreneurs for seeing problems as opportunities for innovation.”

The final round judges were Vladimir F. Galiothe, Managing Director of Equity Derivatives Trading at Citigroup; Alexis Jeffries, Director, Head of Business Product Marketing at Glassdoor; Amanda F. Loyola, Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and NFTE Class of 2008; Dr. Lamell McMorris, Principal and Head of Policy, Regulatory and Government Relations at Edward Jones; and Alysia Steinmann, Metro New York Office Managing Partner at EY US.

Eleven-year-old Josiah Israel of Miami was also honored with the $500 Daniel Treanor Memorial Award presented to a NFTE student who has overcome a significant physical or health-related challenge.

“For many years, Citi and the Citi Foundation have been committed to creating pathways for young people to unlock their professional potential and our longstanding support for NFTE is one of the ways we’ve brought this to life,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation and Head of Citi Community Investing and Development. “This year’s winners join an illustrious group of inspiring young entrepreneurs who are changing the status quo before our eyes, and we can’t wait to see how they will continue to positively shape the future.”

“As the future of work continues to evolve in unpredictable ways, young people who actively draw on the entrepreneurial mindset will be well positioned to adapt, adjust and succeed,” said Erika Patterson, EY Americas Corporate Responsibility leader. “Whether they start their own companies or bring their creative thinking to other jobs, these young innovators will excel, and EY US is honored to be part of their journey.”

About NFTE

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. Visit nfte.com (https://www.nfte.com/) to learn more.

Aon Names Pam Hendrickson To Global M&A and Transaction Solutions Advisory Board, Expanding Size and Scope of Group

Sep 2, 2022 | Business

Addition further supports the growth of Aon’s global M&A and Transaction Solutions practice.

LONDON – WEBWIRE –



Aon plc  (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, announced that its M&A and Transaction Solutions practice has further grown its Advisory Board with the addition of Pam Hendrickson.


Hendrickson, vice chair at The Riverside Company, joins board members John Cullen, former CEO of Aon’s Commercial Risk, Heath and Affinity business in EMEA and current Advisory Board chair; Andrew Ballheimer, former global managing partner at Allen & Overy; Robin Lawther, Student Housing owner and board member of Standard Chartered PLC, Nordea Bank and Ashurst LLP; and Claudio Feser, senior partner emeritus and senior advisor at McKinsey & Company.


“We are excited to welcome Pam to our M&A and Transaction Solutions Advisory Board,” said Gary Blitz, global co-CEO for Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions practice. “Her deep experience and diverse point of view will strengthen our capabilities to provide information and insights that help clients secure investments, enhance returns and drive growth.”


Hendrickson brings tremendous experience and insight to the Advisory Board. As vice chair at Riverside, she monitors and manages policy and political and legislative risk for Riverside and its portfolio companies, supervises certain Riverside funds, and sits on the Riverside Investment Council. Prior to joining Riverside, she served for 22 years at JPMorgan Chase with senior roles in both the Real Estate Division and the Private Bank. Hendrickson is also chair of the Board of the American Investment Council, a member of the Board for Accordion Technologies and a trustee of the National Humanities Center, where she chairs the audit committee.


“The addition of Pam to our Advisory Board  also aligns with the global nature and structure of our business as we continue to build out a truly global M&A advisory business that addresses the broad issues our clients face and helps them to secure their investments and enhance their returns,” added Alistair Lester, global co-CEO for Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions practice.


“I am thrilled to join the M&A and Transaction Solutions Advisory Board and help support how Aon provides thoughtful, extensive and coordinated solutions to clients around the world,” said Hendrickson. “I’ve been impressed with Aon’s innovative approach to developing solutions and insights at a global scale and believe they have set themselves apart as a truly differentiated M&A advisor to help clients make better decisions.”


Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions  is a leading M&A advisor and innovator of solutions and services that help secure investments, maximize deal value and drive transaction success by solving wide-ranging issues facing dealmakers throughout the deal lifecycle. Solutions and services include transactional insurance instruments such as representations and warranties or warranty and indemnity insurance and tax and litigation insurance; specialized due diligence, including people and human capital, insurance, cyber and intellectual property; working capital solutions; and digital, cyber, and intellectual property transaction advisory capabilities.


Working across industries and covering more than 35 countries, Aon’s highly experienced teams use proprietary industry data and insights drawn from the more than 4,000 global deals supported annually.  


About Aon


Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.