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Comcast to Connect More Than 11,000 Homes and Businesses to Reliable, High-Speed Internet in Six Missouri Cities

Comcast Greater Kansas City

Comcast is connecting more than 11,000 new homes and businesses in six Missouri communities to reliable, high-speed, symmetrical Internet by expanding its network in the region. The expansion of its network will enhance digital infrastructure, promote economic growth, and position residents and local businesses for success in an increasingly digital world. The network expansion in Concordia, Harrisonville, Higginsville, Lexington, Napoleon, and Wellington will bring Internet, mobile, entertainment, and security services from Xfinity and Comcast Business to residents and businesses for the first time. “We are thrilled to welcome Comcast into our local communities,” said Kurtis Gregory, Missouri State Senator District 21. “This expansion ensures residents in these areas will have access to reliable, high-speed Internet. I am excited for the opportunities it will create for education, business, agriculture, and personal growth. Together, we are building a more connected and prosperous future for all and look forward to the positive impact it will have in the coming years.” This multi-million-dollar expansion into six communities will double Comcast’s existing footprint in Missouri. The new project — which will span more than 300 miles and is planned to be completed by 2027 — brings the company’s total investment in technology and infrastructure in Missouri to nearly $100 million over the past three years. “Reliable high-speed Internet is essential in today’s digital economy and Comcast is committed to connecting more Missouri families and businesses to the moments that matter most,” said Jennifer Dameron, director, External Affairs, Comcast Midwest Region. “The communities we'll be reaching with this expansion have been eager for better connectivity and choice for a long time, and we're happy to partner with them and meet their needs.” A Network You Can Trust to be Reliable, Fast and Secure Comcast’s state-of-the-art network is built to enable residents and businesses to thrive in today’s constantly connected world. These six cities join the 64 million homes and businesses across the country to have access to a network that is trusted by essential community organizations like hospitals, schools, transportation systems and first responders, and federal agencies like the Department of Defense and FEMA. It delivers multi-gigabit Internet speeds, 99.9 percent reliability and security built in from the ground up to keep customers safe from cyber threats. Introducing Xfinity for Consumers Comcast’s residential services are marketed under the Xfinity brand, and consumers in these six cities will be able to take advantage of Xfinity’s full suite of products, including Internet, video, mobile, voice and home security. With multi-gigabit Internet speeds, powerful WiFi that reaches every corner of the home, and super-responsive connections with low lag available with its plan, customers have a great experience using their connected devices to stream their favorite sports and entertainment content, video chat with coworkers and friends, learn from home or simply surf the web. Comcast Business to Power Local Workforce For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of all sizes achieve their business goals. Industry analysts and associations have consistently recognized Comcast Business as a leader and innovator in flexible, scalable options as well as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. What it Means for the Local Community Comcast’s commitment to communities goes beyond building the network and aims to increase economic mobility for the local community and its residents. That’s why Comcast created Internet Essentials, a broadband adoption program that offers eligible households low-cost, high-speed Internet and affordable computers. Comcast has also installed three Lift Zones in Greater Kansas City, including two Boys & Girls Club locations in Independence, Mo., and a third located in Olathe, Kan. Lift Zones provide free Internet connectivity and access to hundreds of hours of educational and digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning. "We are incredibly grateful for Comcast's unwavering dedication to our mission,” said Jason Roth, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. “Their partner support through Lift Zones, grants and sponsorships has been instrumental in providing our youth with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Comcast's commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering educational growth aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people in our communities." Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Venice Communications Jayne Siemens +1 816-289-1109 jsiemens@vencomm.com Comcast Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://midwest.comcast.com/

March 05, 2025 07:00 AM Central Standard Time

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LOVER® Cosmetics Demo’s Simple Beauty in 5-Steps on NewBeauty’s TalkShopLive® Channel

LOVER COSMETICS

LOVER® Cosmetics founder Ashley Maurin Rodden demos the makeup line’s 5-step, simple-beauty makeup regime and magnetic palettes on NewBeauty Magazine’s TalkShop Live channel Tuesday, March 4 at 6:00 p.m. eastern. “After doing hundreds of makeovers, women kept repeating the same two complaints, ‘I don’t know how to do my makeup’, and ‘I don’t have time’. Our 5-step makeup regime and guide show women HOW to do their makeup and our 5-step palettes help women do their makeup fast,” said Rodden. LOVER Cosmetics placed first runner-up in Sept. at MakeupIn’s New York Beauty Tank Competition for its best-selling 5-step palettes and makeup classes. The line also serves as the makeup provider for the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, producing more than 1300 makeup kits for dancers and cheerleaders nationwide. The everyday woman can learn how to simplify her makeup routine, travel and touch ups from the safety of her own powder room on Tuesday. Paris-trained makeup artist Ashley Maurin Rodden is offering a quick, 5-step demo on TalkShopLive. Each palette also has a QR code on the bottom that takes women to a 5-step video. Palettes range from the smokey palette, to a very wearable nude shimmer palette, and the line’s best-selling matte palette that caters to a more mature client. “The four palettes are the colors that are most purchased and put together year after year in my studio. And, they are multifunctional! The taupe color in each is a double for a brow filler, the light shadow services as a highlighter. The wearer can actually use this one palette for a full face,” said Rodden. “Plus, the rectangular space can be used to store lashes, extra lipstick or foundation for a busy woman on the go or for travels.” Each of the palettes are made in the USA, vegan, paraben free, gluten free, EU complaint and cruelty free. The cosmetic line was started by Kansas City’s Ashley Maurin Rodden in 2006 and gained notoriety as the National Sponsor of Miss Teen USA. Rodden spent a summer interning at Chanel, Inc., in New York City and Rodden studied makeup artistry in Paris, France, at the renowned Christian Chauveau makeup school. The Kansas City-based studio services women nationwide, providing in-studio and virtual makeup lessons. The line serves as the makeup provider for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Spirit of America Productions, plus dance and cheer teams nationwide. For more information on LOVER Cosmetics or to visit www.lover-cosmetics.com or email pr@lover-cosmetics.com. Founded in 2006, LOVER® Cosmetics LLC, is a full color cosmetics line. From day one, the goal was to make makeup simple for women. In 2009 LOVER® was named the national sponsor of Miss Teen USA. After hundreds, perhaps thousands of makeovers, the brand relaunched LOVER® Cosmetics in response to women’s two most common makeup dilemmas: 1) “I don’t know how to do my makeup” and 2) “I don’t have time.” The answer: LOVER®’s magnetic palettes, 5-step makeup regime and their soft, natural approach to makeup help women look good and feel good every day. LOVER placed 1St runner up in the nation at the 2024 MakeupIn beauty tank competition in New York. The brand is also the makeup provider for the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade and Spirit of America, designing more than 1300 makeup kits for cheerleaders and dancers nationwide. Contact Details Colleen Mathis, absolute R relations Colleen Mathis +1 917-690-5560 colleen@absoluterrelations.com Company Website https://www.lover-cosmetics.com/

March 03, 2025 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Claim Launches in 10 U.S. Cities

Claim

Viral social shopping platform Claim today announces its expansion into 10 cities around the country, after a 15-month incubation and growth period beginning at Harvard University and eventually serving students across more than 90 campuses in the U.S. The Claim app, which has helped college students get paid to eat and shop while enabling brands to accelerate and reduce the cost of customer acquisition, will now be available to all consumers with the app in these cities. Sam Obletz, CEO and co-founder of Claim, says: “With the increasing expense of digital advertising and saturation of traditional channels, the cost of customer acquisition has gone through the roof. Claim offers an alternative. Since our initial launch, we have been able to help industry-leading brands drive new customer traffic to their locations and build high lifetime value relationships—all while saving students millions of dollars. We’ve been called the most exciting emerging marketing channel out there, which we appreciate because we’re doing something totally new. We directly reapply our partners’ customer acquisition and media budgets to the wallets of high-value customers looking to eat out and shop. And now, we’re bringing this formula, which has proven highly successful in college and university settings, to Gen Z and young professionals at large.” Claim is now “Dropping” in the following cities: Atlanta Austin Boston Chicago Dallas-Fort Worth Houston Los Angeles New York Philadelphia Washington, D.C. Claim’s Head of Marketing, Luke deWilde, notes: “Up until now, Claim users needed to have an email ending in.edu to join. Starting today, anyone in these eligible cities can join Claim and start getting paid to eat and shop—no college email required. If you’re already a Claim user in one of our core cities, you’ll automatically remain enrolled. Drops will be curated based on these cities, and we’ll be following up with several new features that make Claim the perfect way for both residents and visitors to make the most of these towns.” Adds Sam Obletz: “We built Claim to help people discover great brands in a new, better way while enabling brands to find important new customers. Over the past year, we’ve seen the magic that happens when Claimers get out into the real world and visit great businesses like Blank Street Coffee, Gong cha, Chip City, and many others. Being rewarded for trying something new is powerful and habit-forming. And it’s become a reliable recipe for helping to introduce brands to their best customers, and for bringing those customers back repeatedly.” By expanding beyond campuses and into cities, Claim is available to many more people while helping brands connect with new customers, all at scale. For the first time, anyone in these cities, both residents and visitors, can join Claim. When a Claimer invites a friend, both will receive $10 Claims to brands of their choice. Claim is live in the city. For more information, see Claim.co. —Ends— About Claim Claim is a viral social shopping app transforming customer acquisition and retention for food and beverage brands. Combining real-time purchase data and cash-back rewards (Claims), the app’s AI-powered algorithm drives Gen Z to their new favorite restaurants and coffee shops, delivering high-value, repeat customers. Users experience the magic of being paid to eat and shop with friends, earning cash back when they swipe their cards at partner brands. The platform’s unique pay-per-conversion model offers marketers a risk-free growth channel with reliable results and real-world engagement. On Claim, brands replace ads with rewards to win the hearts and wallets of the next generation. To find out more, please visit https://www.claim.co/ Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com

February 20, 2025 11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Miracles for Mya Hosts Second Annual Gala in March to Support Children Battling Cancer

Miracles for Mya

Miracles for Mya, a beacon of hope for families facing pediatric cancer, is thrilled to announce its Second Annual Miracles for Mya Gala on March 8, 2025. The event will celebrate the organization's remarkable impact, including providing over $56,000 in holiday gifts to children battling cancer in 2024. It will also raise crucial funds to continue its mission of delivering joy and support to children with cancer and their families. “Building on the success of last year’s inaugural gala, this year's event promises an unforgettable evening filled with entertainment, raffles, and an opportunity to make a difference, said Misti Alberico Tinajero, President of Miracles for Mya. “All proceeds from the gala will directly benefit Miracles for Mya and our ability to help bring tiny miracles for the families and children battling pediatric cancer.” The gala, priced at $85 per person, offers guests not only a night of dinner, dancing, and an open bar but also entertainment by renowned Chicago DJ Eddie V. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in raffles for prizes that include a $1000 Southwest Airlines Gift Card, a PlayStation 5, and a Go Kart. “The Miracles for Mya Gala is not just a fundraiser; it's a powerful opportunity to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and highlight the profound impact kindness and compassion can have on families in their most challenging moments,” said Antonio Tinajero, Vice President of Miracles for Mya. “The Miracles for Mya Gala is not just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of resilience, hope, and the power of community.” Miracles for Mya Gala When: Saturday, March 8, 2025 5:00 PM Where: Tuscany Falls Banquets 9425 W 191st St Mokena, IL 60448, USA Tickets: Purchase here. Since its founding in 2018, Miracles for Mya has donated over 9,000 toys to children at local area hospitals throughout Northeastern Illinois. The 2024 holiday season was one of the busiest yet, with the nonprofit reaching a significant milestone—providing over $56,000 in gifts to children facing the brave battle against cancer. Over $160,000 in toys and financial aid has been distributed by the charity in the last seven years. About Mya: Started by Mya’s Parents, Miracles for Mya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded after Mya's courageous battle with stage IV Neuroblastoma. Mya was a typical 4-year-old who loved pink, princesses, and all things Disney. Mya’s (and her family’s) life changed on January 11, 2011, when they heard the words “Mya has cancer.” Mya was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma and was high-risk from the beginning. As scary as cancer was, nothing was going to change who this kid was. She was always known for her smile, kindness, generosity, and bravery. Mya fought long and hard over the next 6 years, never once believing that she couldn’t conquer cancer. Throughout her years, Mya left a lasting impression on all whom she encountered. Learn more at miraclesformya.org. To learn more about Miracles for Mya and the charityâs work, visit miraclesformya.org. Miracles for Mya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all proceeds are tax deductible. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://miraclesformya.org/

February 19, 2025 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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VOESH Adds New Foot Care to Love with Solemate Heel Repair Balm Lavender

VOESH New York

After the overwhelming success of the Solemate Heel Repair Balm Mint, VOESH New York is thrilled to introduce the latest addition to its foot care lineup: Solemate Heel Repair Balm Lavender. Building on the excitement surrounding the original formula, this new lavender-scented version promises a soothing experience while delivering the same powerful hydration and nourishment for dry, cracked heels. The Solemate Heel Repair Balm Lavender combines vegan squalane, organic virgin olive, macadamia, and jojoba oils to repair rough, damaged skin and restore softness. The balm is also enriched with lavender essential oil to hydrate and help reduce foot odor, leaving feet feeling refreshed and revitalized. Whether at home or traveling, the waterless stick balm forms a protective layer to lock in moisture and maintain healthier heels with ease. Vera Oh, Co-Founder of VOESH New York, shared, “We created the Solemate collection with the goal of enhancing our customers’ foot health. Since they’re on their feet all day, we wanted to provide a product that brings comfort, confidence, and convenience. Our lavender formula offers a calming, rejuvenating experience that fits seamlessly into any wellness routine.” With the addition of Solemate Heel Repair Balm Lavender, VOESH New York continues to lead the way in at-home foot care, providing high-quality, dermatologist-tested, vegan, and cruelty-free products so you can feel good about what goes on your skin. Take your heels to Cloud 9 with this luxurious, 100% vegan heel balm. Experience instant, visible results in one single swipe! Find your Solemate on voesh.com and in select retailers. About VOESH New York: Founded in 2013, VOESH New York has emerged as a premier destination for clean and efficacious body care solutions catering to head-to-toe wellness. Noteworthy products include Pedi in a Box, Mani in a Box, the award-winning Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, and Collagen Gloves and Socks. VOESH New York is committed to providing 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products because every body deserves better beauty! All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the US Mocra, EU CPNP and UK SCPN, maintaining vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested standards. VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. For more information, visit VOESH New York’s website at Voesh.com or contact press@voesh.com. ### Founded in 2013, VOESH New York has emerged as a premier destination for clean and efficacious body care solutions catering to head-to-toe wellness. Noteworthy products include Pedi in a Box, Mani in a Box, the award-winning Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, and Collagen Gloves and Socks. VOESH New York is committed to providing 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products because every body deserves better beauty! All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the US Mocra, EU CPNP and UK SCPN, maintaining vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested standards. VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. Contact Details absolute R relations Colleen Mathis +1 917-690-5560 Colleen@absoluterrelations.com Company Website https://voesh.com/

February 17, 2025 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Flash Appoints Chris Donus CEO

Flash

Flash, the leader in parking and mobility technology, today announced that Chris Donus, currently the President of Flash, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Donus joined Flash as CFO in 2023 and became President in June 2024. Dan Sharplin, who has served as Flash CEO since 2019, will continue as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. "It’s the perfect moment for Chris to step into the CEO role and lead Flash in its next phase of growth," said Dan Sharplin, Executive Chairman, Flash. "Chris is a proven leader, and as those who’ve worked with him will attest, has the ability to drive execution at speed and at scale that promises to take Flash to new heights." Sharplin will shift focus to strategy and Board leadership, actively supporting Chris Donus and the executive team and steering strategic projects and partnerships. He will continue advancing Flash’s industry leadership and driving its vision for the digital transformation of the industry to a modern marketplace that delivers seamless experiences to drivers and increased value and transparency for owners and operators. Donus will assume responsibility for strategic execution and continue leading the expansion of Flash’s emerging digital demand network, EV charging and parking platforms, and its regionalized branch organization. Donus joined Flash as a seasoned mobility and technology leader in finance and operations. Prior to Flash, he served as COO and CFO at Wheel Health, VP and Business Unit leader of Express Drive at Lyft, and served in President, COO and CFO roles at Silvercar. "I thank Dan Sharplin and the Board of Directors for their support and confidence as well as the incredible opportunity to lead the world class team we've assembled at Flash," said Donus. "I couldn't be more excited for the possibilities that lay ahead – for Flash and for the industry – as we continue the journey to make the transformation of parking a reality." An innovator in parking management technology since 2011, Flash has achieved unprecedented scale encompassing over 16,000 parking assets, 1 billion annual transactions, and 450 million driver touchpoints in the apps consumers use everyday. Flash is leading the industry transformation to a connected mobility ecosystem that delivers a seamless parking experience for drivers and unlocks profitability and asset yield for operators and owners. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

February 13, 2025 08:15 AM Central Standard Time

Mothers’ Milk Bank California Welcomes Dr. Spieler as New Medical Advisor

The Mothers' Milk Bank

Mothers’ Milk Bank California announced today the appointment of Dr. Lauren Spieler, an Osteopathic Physician Board Certified in Family Medicine and Breastfeeding Medicine, as the organization’s new Medical Advisor. Dr. Spieler brings extensive expertise in breastfeeding and postpartum care to the team. Dr. Spieler practices Family Medicine and Breastfeeding Medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa, California, where she has established a Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic. As the Kaiser Permanente Regional Lactation Lead, she focuses on improving lactation services across Northern California. Dr. Spieler also serves as Medical Director for the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition, leading initiatives to support breastfeeding families in the region. Dr. Spieler is dedicated to elevating postpartum and 4th trimester care and is a strong advocate for the mission of the San Jose Donor Milk Bank. She will contribute her knowledge and expertise as the organization continues to expand and improve its services. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Spieler to our team. Her extensive experience and strong commitment to advancing breastfeeding and postpartum care will significantly strengthen our efforts to support families in California and beyond,” said Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, CEO for Mothers’ Milk Bank California. “We are excited to see our programs grow and improve with her leadership.” For more information about Dr. Spieler or Mothers’ Milk Bank California, please contact Andrea Racelis, Communications Manager at (408) 111-2222 or Andrea.Racelis@MothersMilk.org Founded 50 years ago, Mothers' Milk Bank California is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing screened, donated human milk to babies in need. As a founding member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), it helped set standards for nonprofit milk banks across North America. The organization collects, pasteurizes, and distributes safe human milk to hospitals and families, ensuring essential nutrition for infants. Committed to improving lives, Mother's Milk Bank California supports families and advances neonatal care. Contact Details Mothers Milk Bank California Andrea Racelis +1 408-638-2874 andrea.racelis@mothersmilk.org Company Website https://mothersmilk.org/

February 11, 2025 12:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

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Flash Names Jim Zeitunian Chief Technology Officer

Flash

Flash, the leader in parking and mobility technology, today announced the hiring of Jim Zeitunian as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Over his decades-long career, Zeitunian has led the transformation of hardware and software firms into AI-forward technology innovators. As CTO of Flash, he will drive innovation and advancement of the digital parking ecosystem powering Flash’s parking management platform. "Now is a pivotal time in parking and mobility innovation, and Jim's track record of modernizing legacy industries through AI and cloud technologies aligns perfectly with Flash's vision," said Dan Sharplin, Flash's CEO and Chairman. "His expertise in scaling AI platforms will accelerate our transformation of the parking experience, from expanding our AI-enabled Vision camera network to deepening integrations with consumer apps like ParkMobile. Jim's leadership will be instrumental in building the intelligent mobility infrastructure of tomorrow." Zeitunian joins Flash with a distinguished career in technology leadership, including most recently as CTO of Powerfleet, where he transitioned a traditional fleet management business into a data-driven SaaS powerhouse. Earlier in his career, he developed enterprise SaaS platforms at Coupa Software and Thomson Reuters, gaining unique insight into scaling complex technology ecosystems for Fortune 500 businesses. "The parking industry is ready for an AI-driven revolution, and as a pioneer in parking and mobility technology, Flash has positioned itself to lead it," said Zeitunian. "We’re creating an intelligent parking network that will fundamentally change how people and vehicles move through urban spaces. The opportunity to join Flash's talented team to scale this vision globally is incredibly exciting." In the CTO role, Zeitunian assumes leadership of Flash's global engineering, product management and design, and quality assurance teams and reports to Flash president Chris Donus. Priorities include expanding Flash's AI capabilities across its product portfolio, scaling the company's cloud-based operating system to support growing transaction volumes, and accelerating the integration of parking, EV charging, and mobility services into a unified digital experience. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

February 03, 2025 12:00 PM Central Standard Time

Shareholder Group, Detransitioner to Call Out Gender Ideology Harm at Visa, Inc. Annual Meeting on Tuesday

NLPC

National Legal and Policy Center, an investor in Visa, Inc., will present a shareholder proposal at the payment processor’s annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The measure asks the company to investigate risks related to its discriminatory pay and benefits policies – specifically addressing where employees affected by gender-switching advocacy have been psychologically or medically harmed, without providing remedial care – and reporting to shareholders why such compensation gaps exist in the company’s policies. Speaking at Visa’s meeting in support of the proposal will be Claire Abernathy, a 20-year-old detransitioner whose therapy, medical and health insurance providers steered her into drastic body altering procedures when she questioned her gender starting at age 12. Ms. Abernathy will address the company’s board of directors and executive leadership, explaining her difficulties in finding medical care and insurance coverage to attempt to repair the damage done to her body. An excerpt from Abernathy’s planned remarks: By age 12 therapists affirmed my feelings about my body and false identity, and made my parents feel like abusive bigots for not immediately affirming me. The therapy was covered by my parents’ health insurance. Alleged medical professionals put me on a menstrual suppression drug, and at 14 I was put on testosterone and underwent a double mastectomy. It took only 8 months between getting referred for therapy and getting my breasts removed. That is an ideological agenda in search of victims, in the name of medicine, and it’s wrong. “By failing to include detransition care, companies like Visa perpetuate the neglect of a vulnerable population,” said Abernathy. “True equity in healthcare means acknowledging the full range of outcomes in gender transitioning treatments, and ensuring that all individuals have access to the care that they need.” In its shareholder proposal, NLPC itemizes numerous graphic, ghastly body-altering procedures that are drawn from Visa’s employee health insurance coverage through CIGNA, which also covers their minor dependents. Besides early-teen mastectomies like what Abernathy was pressured into, Visa also pays for procedures including penectomies, vaginectomies, orchiectomies, and salpingooophorectomies. “Rather than affirming and funding radical medical experiments on workers and their children – which sound more like something out of a horror movie than legitimate health care – Visa needs to just eliminate this coverage,” said Paul Chesser, director of the Corporate Integrity Project for NLPC. “With detransitioner lawsuits spreading across the country against medical providers and health facilities, corporations that sponsor this ‘care’ won’t be far behind in finding themselves in court.” As NLPC points out in its shareholder proposal, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission considers failure to provide equivalent pay and benefits based on categories including “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” as discriminatory. Even the Securities and Exchange Commission agreed with NLPC that de-transitioning individuals fit under such classifications when considering unfairness in corporate compensation practices, in a decision rendered last year regarding NLPC’s shareholder proposal at Disney. NLPC sponsored similar proposals last year at Johnson & Johnson and PepsiCo. You can read NLPC’s shareholder proposal for Visa at its website. Last year Chesser also composed commentaries for the New York Post and Real Clear Markets that further explained the proposals and their necessity. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

January 28, 2025 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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