Häagen-Dazs Celebrates Five Trailblazing Women as the Winners of the Rose Project Are Revealded
Häagen-Dazs has announced the five remarkable winners of The Rose Project, Class of 2024, in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. The global initiative, created to celebrate the brand's female co-founder, Rose Mattus, sought nominations from across the globe to celebrate groundbreaking women making a societal or community impact. Each of the Class of 2024 winners will receive an equal share of the $100,000 USD bursary grant to help them continue their exceptional work, and unleash their potential.
The selection of these five remarkable women by an all-female global judging panel highlights the growing importance of recognizing and empowering women's leadership in diverse fields.
How will the impact of The Rose Project be felt beyond the winners themselves, and what steps can we take to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for women around the world?
Despite a decline in venture capital funding for women-founded startups, which dropped by 12% in 2024, the report found that female founders are increasingly successful in deep tech sectors. According to Female Foundry's report, women who founded deep tech startups are raising more than men in this area, and these startups are securing significant investments. The report also highlights areas of innovation such as synthetic biology, generative AI, and drug development.
The growing success of female founders in deep tech indicates a shift towards valuing diversity in the venture capital industry, but it remains to be seen whether this trend will translate into more equitable funding for women-founded startups across all sectors.
What role can academia play in empowering more women to pursue entrepreneurship, given that the report suggests there is still a stigma attached to leaving an academic environment to start a startup?
Pop star Katy Perry and journalists Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez are set to blast off into space on a Blue Origin rocket, marking the first all-female flight crew in more than six decades. The New Shepard rocket will carry the crew to the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, before returning to Earth via parachute-assisted landing. This historic mission not only showcases the capabilities of private aerospace companies but also highlights the importance of inspiring future generations of women in STEM fields.
The success of this all-female crew could be a catalyst for more diverse representation in the space industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for women in aviation.
As private space companies like Blue Origin continue to push the boundaries of human exploration, what role will governments play in regulating and overseeing these emerging industries?
Best Contracting Services is honoring Alona Alimagno Bowman, Vice President of Operations, during Women in Construction Week (March 2-8, 2025), recognizing her achievements as a driving force behind field operations and a key member of the company's management team. Alona has been instrumental in advancing Best Contracting Services through various roles, including Project Coordinator, Project Engineer, Superintendent, Project Manager, and Project Executive, over her 18-year tenure with the company. Her leadership directly impacts safety, productivity, and quality standards, positioning Best Contracting Services as an industry leader.
The celebration of Alona's achievements highlights the importance of women in construction and serves as a role model for the next generation of female professionals, promoting greater opportunities and mentorship within the industry.
How will Best Contracting Services' commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting women in leadership impact the broader construction sector's diversity and representation in the years to come?
Sol Daurella, the chairwoman of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc, has been thrust into the public eye as her company is added to the FTSE 100 index, despite her preference for privacy. Over 33 years, Daurella has expanded her family's bottling business into one of the largest networks in Europe and Asia, significantly increasing its market value and share prices. As she navigates this new visibility, Daurella faces the challenge of driving growth through increased beverage consumption and strategic acquisitions.
Daurella's rise to prominence highlights the intersection of family legacy and modern business strategy, showcasing how traditional industries can adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape.
What strategies will Daurella implement to leverage her newfound visibility while maintaining her family's legacy in the beverage industry?
A group of women in rural India has discovered an innovative way to earn an income and gain independence through operating farm drones for agricultural services. The "Drone Sisters" initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in 2023, aims to empower women-led self-help groups with drones to enhance agricultural efficiency. By equipping them with industrial-sized drones, the program has enabled rural women to earn up to $52 per day.
This initiative highlights the potential for technology to address socio-economic disparities faced by rural women in India, providing them with a means of economic empowerment and social recognition.
As the use of drones becomes more widespread in agriculture, how will governments balance the need for innovation with concerns over environmental impact and labor rights?
ARM & HAMMER has partnered with GRAMMY® winner Meghan Trainor to promote its innovative POWER SHEETS Laundry Detergent through a fun campaign titled "Toss Like This." Trainor's catchy rendition encourages consumers to simplify their laundry routines by using these concentrated sheets, which eliminate the need for bulky plastic bottles and enhance eco-friendliness. This collaboration not only highlights the convenience of POWER SHEETS but also reflects growing consumer demand for sustainable and easy-to-use household products.
This partnership exemplifies how brands are leveraging celebrity influence to advocate for eco-friendly practices while simultaneously addressing consumer pain points in everyday tasks.
What impact might this campaign have on consumer attitudes toward sustainability in household products and the broader laundry detergent market?
For Rhiannon Duke, quitting med school for leggings was the best thing she could have done. She had always thought medicine would be her career, but after struggling in medical school, she started thinking about an events business and eventually landed on creating her own inclusive leggings brand. Despite facing financial struggles and initial doubts from others, Duke persevered and turned her product into a successful online marketplace.
This inspiring story highlights the power of turning a passion project into a viable business venture, particularly for women who may face challenges in finding products that fit their needs.
How will Rhiannon Duke's success with inclusive leggings inspire other entrepreneurs to pursue their own niche markets and create more diverse product lines?
Katy Perry will blast off into space on an upcoming all-women flight on Blue Origin's New Shepherd rocket, marking the first time since the Soviet Union's Valentina Tereshkova's solo mission in 1963 that a crew has comprised only women. The 11-minute suborbital flight will take passengers past the Karman line, internationally recognized as the edge of space, and is part of Blue Origin's NS-31 mission. This historic event is expected to inspire generations to come, with Lauren Sanchez credited for bringing the mission together.
This extraordinary feat highlights the growing trend of women breaking down barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields like aerospace engineering and space exploration.
What role will this milestone play in challenging societal norms around female participation in STEM industries and paving the way for future generations of women astronauts?
Huda Beauty has announced the sale of its fragrance brand KAYALI to co-founder Mona Kattan and private equity firm General Atlantic, allowing the beauty company to buy back a stake previously held by TSG Consumer Partners. Founded in 2018 by Huda Kattan and her sisters, Huda Beauty has gained significant social media traction, positioning itself ahead of competitors in the beauty industry. The restructuring aims to restore full founder ownership and maintain KAYALI's independence under Kattan's leadership.
This move signifies a growing trend in the beauty industry where founder-led companies are reclaiming control from outside investors, potentially setting a precedent for similar brands.
How will the dynamics of founder ownership impact the strategic direction and innovation within the beauty sector in the coming years?
The United Nations Secretary-General has warned that women's rights are under attack, with digital tools often silencing women's voices and fuelling harassment. Guterres urged the world to fight back against these threats, stressing that gender equality is not just about fairness, but also about power and dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester. The international community must take action to ensure a better world for all.
This warning from the UN Secretary-General underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat the rising tide of misogyny and chauvinism that threatens to undermine decades of progress on women's rights.
How will governments, corporations, and individuals around the world balance their competing interests with the imperative to protect and promote women's rights in a rapidly changing digital landscape?
Irina Novoselsky, who grew up in Ukraine and moved as a refugee to the US as a child, became Hootsuite’s first female CEO in 2023. The White House's decision to allow social media companies to have a seat at press briefings has led to a shift in power dynamics between traditional outlets and new media platforms. Novoselsky believes that CEOs must be seen and heard on social media or face being ghosted by the current generation, which she attributes to Gen Z's purchasing decisions.
The growing importance of social media for businesses is not only driven by the needs of younger generations but also by the fact that trust and influence now lie with this demographic.
How will Hootsuite's new CEO navigate the challenges of balancing traditional business strategies with the demands of a rapidly changing social media landscape?
Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting and leader of the Christian Democratic Union party CDU, is racing against time to win over crucial Greens' party support for a massive 500 billion euro infrastructure fund and borrowing rule overhaul. The proposed reforms could jolt markets and spark debate about whether they will revive Europe's largest economy. Germany's conservatives and the SPD are working together on the proposals, which aim to address concerns about economic growth and competitiveness.
This move marks an unusual shift for conservative German politics, as it relies heavily on coalition-building efforts and seeks support from a key environmental party like the Greens.
Will the proposed reforms succeed in revitalizing Germany's economy and setting a precedent for other European countries to follow?
Flora, a startup led by Weber Wong, aims to revolutionize creative work by providing an "infinite canvas" that integrates existing AI models, allowing professionals to collaborate and generate diverse creative outputs seamlessly. The platform differentiates itself from traditional AI tools by focusing on user interface rather than the models themselves, seeking to enhance the creative process rather than replace it. Wong's vision is to empower artists and designers, making it possible for them to produce significantly more work while maintaining creative control.
This approach could potentially reshape the landscape of creative industries, bridging the gap between technology and artistry in a way that traditional tools have struggled to achieve.
Will Flora's innovative model be enough to win over skeptics who are wary of AI's impact on the authenticity and value of creative work?
Rolls-Royce's mid-term targets have been lifted to reflect its confidence in future profit growth after a plan to improve engines and cut costs helped its results beat expectations, pushing its shares up 15% on Thursday. The company's CEO described it as a "burning platform" in need of a fundamental turnaround. Rolls-Royce has announced a dividend of 6 pence per share and launched a 1 billion pound share buyback.
This announcement may signal a broader trend towards founder-led companies reclaiming control from outside investors, potentially leading to more innovative and agile businesses in the beauty sector.
How will the increasing influence of founders in the beauty industry impact consumer trust and loyalty in the coming years?
Katy Perry will fly to space during Blue Origin's next crewed mission, marking its 11th human flight. The pop star will join CBS host Gayle King and Bezos's fiancé Lauren Sánchez aboard the New Shepard rocket this spring, alongside research scientist and activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe. Blue Origin has previously taken 52 people to space since its first human flight in 2021.
As a cultural icon known for her energetic performances, Perry's presence on the mission could serve as a catalyst for increasing public interest in space travel and its accessibility.
What role do you think celebrities like Katy Perry can play in promoting STEM education and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators?
In his new book, Sahil Bloom presents a compelling argument that wealth extends beyond mere financial metrics, outlining five distinct types of wealth: time, social, mental, physical, and financial. Bloom emphasizes the importance of recognizing time as the most valuable asset and advocates for a broader understanding of fulfillment that includes meaningful relationships and personal growth. By shifting the focus from a singular pursuit of money to a more holistic view of wealth, he encourages readers to ask deeper questions about what truly constitutes a rich life.
Bloom's perspective challenges the conventional belief that financial success equates to overall happiness, prompting a reevaluation of societal values surrounding wealth and fulfillment.
How might redefining wealth impact individual life choices and societal norms about success and happiness?
Margaret Miles-Bramwell's life and legacy will be remembered as one of positive impact, with her Slimming World business expanding into a network of over 3,500 consultants and 700,000 members. Through her charity work and entrepreneurial ventures, she changed the lives of countless individuals struggling with weight management. Her commitment to community-building and empowerment in the weight loss industry is an inspiration to many.
The legacy of Margaret Miles-Bramwell highlights the power of community and support in overcoming personal struggles, a lesson that can be applied beyond the realm of weight loss to various areas of life.
How will her impact on the obesity crisis and related health issues continue to shape the lives of millions of people around the world after her passing?
Giorgio Armani's latest womenswear collection, "Roots," showcased a 90-year-old veteran blending earthy tones with sparkle for dazzling evening wear. The autumn/winter 2025 line featured golden, sandy, beige, and grey jackets and tops worn with loose or silky trousers, before transitioning to darker tones of green, brown, and blue for sleek coats, dresses, tops, trousers, and knits. For the evening, models wore light and dark grey jackets, dresses, and crop tops paired with skirts that sparkled with shiny sequins.
This eclectic mix of earthy and sparkling elements reflects Giorgio Armani's ability to balance tradition with innovation in his designs, making each collection a testament to his enduring style.
How will the success of this "Roots" collection impact Armani's position as one of the most respected names in Italian fashion, where heritage and creativity are highly valued?
Ricegrowers has demonstrated promising growth through its returns on capital, with an ROCE of 17% surpassing the Food industry average of 7.6%. This improvement is largely attributed to increased profitability as the company effectively reinvests capital into its business. By achieving compound interest-like growth, Ricegrowers positions itself for long-term success.
The impressive turnaround in Ricegrowers' ROCE suggests that the company's management has successfully implemented strategies to enhance operational efficiency and profitability, potentially setting a benchmark for industry peers.
How will this trend impact the company's ability to maintain its competitive edge and continue growing in the face of increasing market competition?
Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Demi Moore walked the red carpet, showcasing their stunning fashion choices for the 97th Academy Awards. The event saw an array of celebrities gracing the red carpet with elegance and poise, each one vying for attention and admiration. As the night unfolds, the winners will be announced, solidifying the stars' status in the world of cinema.
This year's Oscars marks a turning point in Hollywood's diversity efforts, with a record number of nominees from underrepresented groups, sparking conversations about representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
Will this shift in representation lead to more nuanced storytelling and characters on screen, or will it simply be a reflection of the status quo?
Oura Ring's readiness core is getting a big upgrade, with the algorithm now taking into account the biometric changes of the menstrual cycle. This update ensures more accurate assessments of daily well-being and acknowledges the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's physiology. The company's goal is to provide more personalized information to empower women to navigate their unique cycles.
By accounting for menstrual cycles in its Readiness Score, Oura Ring may be paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of female health and wellness in the digital age.
Will this move lead to a broader recognition of the importance of menstrual cycle tracking in healthcare and research, and how might it inform policy decisions around women's reproductive health?
The most prestigious early-season stage race is set to start on Monday, March 10th, as cycling fans around the world tune in to watch Jonas Vingegaard's bid for victory. The 'Race to the Sun' will feature three flat stages, three summit finishes, and a team time trial that could shape the pecking order ahead of the final mountainous weekend. With no Tadej Pogačar on the start list and last year’s winner Matteo Jorgenson backing him up, Vingegaard is hot favorite for the win.
The unpredictable nature of stage racing can be a double-edged sword for favorites like Vingegaard, who must navigate the complexities of team dynamics and individual rider form to emerge victorious.
Will the absence of Tadej Pogačar from this year's start list create a power vacuum in the peloton that other riders are poised to capitalize on?
Foreign retailers such as Primark, Mango, and Aritzia are rapidly expanding their presence in the U.S., with many new stores opening across the country, including in previously under-represented regions. The U.S. has become an attractive market for international brands due to its large consumer base and relatively resilient spending habits compared to other countries. As a result, global fashion retailers are shifting their focus towards the U.S. market, seeking to capitalize on growing demand and influence.
By expanding into new markets, these retailers can tap into emerging demographics and trends in the U.S., potentially gaining an edge over local competitors who may be struggling with declining sales and store closures.
How will the increasing global presence of foreign retailers affect the sustainability and cultural relevance of traditional American brands, which have historically dominated the domestic market?
Huda Beauty has announced the sale of its fragrance brand KAYALI to co-founder Mona Kattan and private equity firm General Atlantic, allowing the beauty company to buy back a stake previously held by TSG Consumer Partners. Founded in 2018 by Huda Kattan and her sisters, Huda Beauty has gained significant social media traction, positioning itself ahead of competitors in the beauty industry. The restructuring aims to restore full founder ownership and maintain KAYALI's independence under Kattan's leadership.
As more beauty companies explore similar restructurings, it will be interesting to see how this trend affects the industry's innovation and competitive landscape.
What role do private equity firms play in shaping the entrepreneurial ethos of beauty companies, and are they truly acting as partners or just seeking short-term gains?
Moderna's stock price surged nearly 16% higher following a court ruling in Germany that found Pfizer and BioNTech had violated a COVID-19 patent held by Moderna. The company, best known for producing the Spikevax vaccine, will receive compensation from its rivals for the use of the patent in developing their own COVID jab, Comirnaty. This decision establishes a significant precedent for intellectual property protection in the pharmaceutical industry.
This high-profile court victory highlights the increasingly important role of patents and intellectual property in shaping the competitive landscape of the biotech industry.
How will Moderna's newfound leverage over its intellectual property portfolio impact its ability to negotiate with other companies and drive future innovation in the field of mRNA vaccines?