Marking this occasion, His Royal Highness said: "The launch of CEER's first vehicles represents another step forward in Saudi Arabia's progression to build a sustainable and prosperous industrial ecosystem. It further enables the automotive sector as a key driver of economic growth, through attracting investments, empowering national talent, and expanding the private sector's role to further position Saudi Arabia to become a leading regional and global hub for this industry."

EXOBOT sedan and SUV vehicles represent part of a planned portfolio of seven models that will be launched over the next five years, including midsize and compact vehicles with various propulsion options to serve different customer needs. These vehicles will be manufactured at CEER Manufacturing Complex (CMC), the largest automotive production facility in the Middle East and one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Additionally, EXOBOT sedan and SUV feature a distinctive design inspired by Saudi Arabia's landscape, rooted in its culture, and reflective of its vision. Designed and engineered locally, the vehicles have been developed according to the highest global standards, further strengthening Saudi Arabia's position as a rising force in the global automotive industry.

By 2034 CEER is projected to contribute USD 8 billion (over SAR 30 billion) to Saudi Arabia's GDP, USD 21 billion (over SAR 80 billion) to trade balance improvement, and create quality direct and indirect jobs.

The announcement aligns with PIF's efforts to develop an integrated and competitive local automotive ecosystem, as part of PIF's mandate as a key driver of Saudi Arabia's economic diversification. PIF launched CEER in 2022 as the first Saudi vehicle brand, with the aim to support the development of the national industrial ecosystem, attract investments, create opportunities for the private sector, and increase Saudi GDP.

Follow the livestream of the CEER World Premiere on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXzjpmxFcPw

For all news and assets from the CEER World Premiere, head to: https://ceermotors.com/news/

This material is distributed by The Ogilvy Group, LLC on behalf of CEER. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

CONTACT: [email protected]

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IDE approval enables initiation of the pivotal Safety in Ovarian Cancer for Average-Risk Women – Analysis ("SOARA") Clinical Validation Study following Institutional Review Board approval

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercy BioAnalytics, Inc. ("Mercy" or the "Company"), a pioneer in blood-based early cancer detection, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has approved the Company's Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for the Evident™ Ovarian Cancer Screening Test. The approval allows Mercy to use the test in its pivotal SOARA Clinical Validation Study, a prospective clinical study designed to evaluate the safety of the test when used for ovarian cancer screening in average-risk women, following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.

The study is expected to support the Company's ongoing clinical and regulatory program for the Evident Ovarian Cancer Screening Test.

"FDA approval of our IDE application is an important milestone in advancing the Evident Test through the regulatory review process." said Dawn Mattoon, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Mercy BioAnalytics. "We designed the SOARA study to build prospective evidence for our test as we continue working toward making earlier ovarian cancer detection available to more women."

Ovarian cancer remains among the most lethal gynecologic cancers and is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. There is currently no FDA-approved screening test for ovarian cancer. FDA previously granted Breakthrough Device Designation to Mercy's ovarian cancer test.

The Evident Ovarian Cancer Screening Test is powered by Mercy's patented Mercy Halo™ liquid biopsy platform, which uses biomarker colocalization to interrogate highly abundant, blood-based extracellular vesicles and particles that carry cancer-associated signatures from their cells of origin.

Approval of the IDE application permits Mercy to conduct the specified clinical investigation. It does not constitute FDA approval or clearance of the Evident Ovarian Cancer Screening Test.

About Mercy BioAnalytics

Mercy BioAnalytics, Inc. is on a mission to relieve suffering and save lives through the early detection of cancer. Early-stage cancer is difficult to detect, but when found, is more often amenable to curative therapy. Mercy's patented Mercy Halo™ liquid biopsy platform utilizes biomarker colocalization to interrogate highly abundant, blood-based extracellular vesicles and particles that carry unique cancer signatures from their parent cells. Mercy's initial focus is the early detection of ovarian and lung cancers.

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Dr. John Pispidikis Announces New Healthcare Grant for Undergraduate Students Pursuing Meaningful Careers

WARREN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals announces a new educational opportunity for undergraduate students pursuing healthcare or related fields.

Supporting Future Healthcare Professionals

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals focuses on students who view healthcare as both a professional pathway and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students at an accredited college or university and pursue a degree or course of study in healthcare or a related field.

The application requires an original essay responding to the prompt: "How Will You Use Your Healthcare Education to Make a Difference?" Strong submissions are expected to communicate a clear purpose while connecting academic goals with patient care, community service, innovation, leadership, or another meaningful area of healthcare.

Application Deadline and Selection

Applications for the Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals must be completed by May 15, 2027. The selection process considers the quality and originality of each essay, the applicant's commitment to healthcare, clarity of career objectives, and potential to make a meaningful contribution to the field.

The winner is scheduled to be announced on June 15, 2027. As a one-time educational award, the grant provides a focused opportunity for one undergraduate student to receive recognition and financial support while preparing for a healthcare-related career.

A Career Built Around Healthcare

Dr. John Pispidikis holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic, along with nursing degrees from Hardin-Simmons University and Samford University. His academic background also includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics.

Advancing Educational Opportunity

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals is open to eligible undergraduate students regardless of their U.S. city or state. Its national focus allows the opportunity to reach students from diverse educational backgrounds who are preparing for careers across the healthcare sector.

Interested students can review eligibility requirements and application information at the official grant website. Grant-related inquiries and submission guidance are available through [email protected].

About the Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals

The Dr. John Pispidikis Grant for Healthcare Professionals is an educational initiative focused on supporting undergraduate students pursuing healthcare and related fields.

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Ms. Adria Nadine Ross, as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year

BOULEVARD, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Adria Nadine Ross is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year for her contributions to Holistic Health and Energy Medicine.

Adria Nadine Ross has built a distinguished career in holistic health and wellness, recognized for her innovative and compassionate approach to healing through integrative bodywork and energy medicine. Based in San Diego, California, she has spent more than two decades helping individuals achieve physical, emotional, and mental balance through personalized therapeutic care.

Ms. Ross specializes in a broad range of holistic modalities, including craniosacral therapy for adults and pediatrics, the Yuen Method of Chinese Energetics, Reiki, Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sensory Repatterning, Traditional Thai Massage, Reflexology, and Hot Stone therapy. Her practice also includes bodywork for animals, reflecting her belief in holistic wellness for all living beings.

Widely respected for her expertise in craniosacral therapy and energy medicine, Ms. Ross integrates multiple healing approaches to create individualized experiences that support long term transformation and well being. Her philosophy is rooted in the three centers theory, addressing the physical, emotional, and mental bodies simultaneously while emphasizing awareness and education as essential components of healing.

Ms. Ross earned an Associate of Arts in General Education from Cuyamaca College in 2002 and has continued to pursue advanced professional development throughout her career. Her certifications include Reiki Level II, Holistic Health Practitioner certification and licensure, Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork certification, CranioSacral Therapy specialization, and CranioSacral Therapy for Pediatrics specialization. She is also an ordained minister through the Church of Spiritual Humanism.

Throughout her career, Ms. Ross has worked in upscale spas and private practice settings while also serving as faculty and student supervisor at the International Professional School of Bodywork. Her dedication to mentorship and education has helped support the development of future holistic health practitioners.

Her contributions to the wellness community have earned significant recognition, including the San Diego Award for Best Holistic Health Practitioner for twelve consecutive years. In addition to her professional work, she remains actively involved with organizations such as Humanity One, where she serves as senior clergy and board chair, as well as the Church of Spiritual Humanism and the International Massage Association.

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Ross enjoys aerial yoga, woodworking, soap making, writing, reading nonfiction, operating heavy machinery, and fostering dogs. A former state champion gymnast, she continues to value discipline, creativity, and movement as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Looking ahead, Ms. Ross plans to develop a mountain retreat and learning center dedicated to creativity, wellness, spiritual growth, and community connection. Her vision reflects her ongoing commitment to helping individuals cultivate healing, awareness, and personal transformation.

Guided by compassion, innovation, and a deeply holistic philosophy, Ms. Ross continues to make a lasting impact in the field of integrative wellness and therapeutic care.

Contact:

Katherine Green

516-825-5634

[email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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CAMDEN, N.J., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today that it has been included in the fourth edition of the World's Best Companies list for 2026 presented by TIME and Statista Inc.

"American Water is honored to be recognized as one of TIME's World's Best Companies for 2026," said John Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Water. "This inclusion recognizes our commitment to cultivating a positive and productive workplace, delivering strong performance results and advancing sustainable practices as we continue to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to the customers and communities we proudly serve."

The World's Best Companies 2026 ranking highlights leading global organizations that exemplify excellence in today's corporate landscape. TIME partnered with market research firm Statista, Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, to identify the top 1,000 performing companies in the world using a data-driven evaluation across three dimensions:

- Employee Satisfaction: Based on survey data from a large sample of over 200,000 employees from around the world.

- Revenue Growth: Assessed using data from Statista's revenue database, which contains company growth data for the last three years. Companies had to meet certain criteria to be considered for the evaluation and had to demonstrate positive revenue growth in the last three years.

- Sustainability Transparency: Based on sustainability data among standardized KPIs from Statista's ESG Database and targeted data research.

View the full list of TIME's World's Best Companies 2026 list here.

Additionally, American Water was also recognized as one of TIME's World's Most Sustainable Companies for 2026 and TIME's America's Best Companies for 2026.

About American Water 

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

SOURCE American Water

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Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana receive $25,000 grant to support outdoor STEM education series in Southern Indiana

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, and Indiana American Water today recognize the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana as a recipient of a $25,000 STEM Education Grant, during Free Family Fun at Origin Park, which brought families together for a day of outdoor activities and learning earlier this month. Indiana American Water also supported the event by supplying a mobile water trailer for participants.

The grant will support a three-part outdoor STEM education series for Girl Scouts in Southern Indiana, providing hands-on experiences in scientific research, environmental conservation and pollinator habitat restoration while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.

"At Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, we are committed to helping girls build courage, confidence and character through experiences that prepare them for a lifetime of leadership," said Maggie Elder, CEO, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana. "This grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation will expand opportunities for Girl Scouts throughout our region to explore STEM in meaningful, hands-on ways while learning about environmental conservation and the important role every person can play in protecting our natural resources."

"Programs like this help young people better understand the connection between science, conservation and the communities where they live," said Brittany Montgomery, Senior Manager of Southern Indiana Operations, Indiana American Water. "Indiana American Water is proud to recognize Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana for creating opportunities that encourage girls to explore STEM, develop leadership skills and gain a deeper appreciation for protecting our shared environment."

The STEM Education Grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. The program provides STEM-focused curricular and extracurricular programs for underserved students.

"Supporting organizations that inspire learning and create opportunities for young people is central to the American Water Charitable Foundation's mission," said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. "This grant will help empower students with hands-on STEM experiences that foster curiosity, innovation and a lifelong appreciation for the world around them."

The grant supports communities served by Indiana American Water and reflects the company's continued commitment to community engagement, environmental stewardship and educational partnerships.

Learn more about Indiana American Water's community impact here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About American Water Charitable Foundation

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

About Indiana American Water

Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people. 

About Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana

Girl Scouts dream big and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges - whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or use their voices for causes they care about, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and take action on the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate visit www.gskentuckiana.org.

SOURCE American Water

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Robert "Dean" Day, as an Inner Circle Five Year

COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Robert "Dean" Day is acknowledged as an Inner Circle Five Year for his contributions to Fiber Optic Infrastructure.

Robert Dean Day has built a distinguished career in the broadband industry, recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, and long standing contributions to fiber optic infrastructure across the southeastern United States. With decades of experience in outside plant fiber optic operations and direct sales, Mr. Day has played a meaningful role in advancing broadband connectivity and supporting large scale telecommunications growth.

Throughout his career, Mr. Day demonstrated expertise in fiber optic equipment, broadband solutions, and team leadership. His responsibilities included managing outside plant fiber optic initiatives, overseeing direct sales efforts, coordinating calls and email communications, and directing teams to ensure consistent performance and client satisfaction. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to continuous learning have been hallmarks of his professional approach.

One of Mr. Day's most notable accomplishments was serving as chief negotiator at Nortel, where he successfully led the procurement of an eight point six billion dollar agreement with MCI WorldCom. This achievement highlighted his ability to manage complex negotiations and deliver results at the highest levels of the telecommunications industry.

Mr. Day held roles with organizations such as Calix and most recently retired from CableSouth Construction in January of this year. His career has been recognized with numerous honors, including President's Club distinctions, Salesman of the Year, and the Panhandle Phone Ten Years of Safe and Courteous Beverage Cart Driving Award.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Tennessee Technological University and remains actively affiliated with the Tennessee Broadband Association and the Fiber Broadband Association.

Outside of his professional career, Mr. Day enjoys University of Tennessee football, card collecting, attending games, and visiting historical sites. As he enters retirement, he looks forward to continued learning and engagement with fellow executives, guided by a philosophy centered on curiosity, collaboration, and shared success.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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As the UN prepares to name a new Secretary-General, a new Gallup report finds a median 50% of the world approves of the organization's job performance while 26% disapproves — giving the organization a net approval score of +24

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United Nations enters a pivotal period of leadership transition, a median 50% of adults worldwide approve of the job the organization is doing, while 26% disapprove — resulting in a net approval score of +24 — according to Gallup's new report, How the World Rates the United Nations.

The report draws on Gallup World Poll surveys conducted across 137 countries in 2025. It finds that views of the UN are more positive than negative overall, even as public opinion remains far from a global consensus: The organization enjoys broad support in many countries, faces entrenched resistance in others, and is barely visible to some. The findings arrive as wars, humanitarian crises and deep geopolitical divisions strain the multilateral system and the UN prepares to name a new Secretary-General.

Even in this environment, the UN's 50% median approval is higher than Gallup's 2025 median approval ratings of the leadership of Germany (48%), China (36%), the United States (31%) and Russia (26%), although the questions are not directly comparable. China, the United States and Russia are all permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Approval Outweighs Disapproval in Most Countries

- Majorities approve of the UN in 67 of the 137 countries surveyed. In 92 countries, approval exceeds disapproval by at least 10 percentage points, and another seven lean positive by smaller margins.

- Far fewer countries view the UN negatively. Majorities disapprove in only nine countries, and disapproval exceeds approval by at least 10 points in 19 countries.

- Net approval ranges from +75 in Vietnam, +74 in Cambodia and +71 in Laos to -61 in Israel, -58 in Russia and -48 in Tunisia.

The UN Holds a Positive Edge in Nearly Every Region and Among Youth

- Support is strongest in Southeast Asia (+51 net approval) and sub-Saharan Africa (+43). Positive views also prevail across Europe, South Asia, Northern America and Post-Soviet Eurasia.

- The Middle East and North Africa is the only region where disapproval is substantially higher than approval, with a net approval of -23. Opinion in Latin America and the Caribbean is closely divided.

- Adults aged 15 to 29 have the highest median net approval in every region except Northern America, where views differ little by age.

Approval and Disapproval Don't Tell the Whole Story

- Across many countries, sizable numbers say their view of the UN depends on the circumstances, report being unfamiliar with the organization, or say they do not know enough to offer an opinion — suggesting views are less settled than they appear.

- Familiarity is most limited in South Asia, where a median 16% say they are unaware of the UN. Latin America and the Caribbean has the highest median percentage of those who don't know or refuse to answer, at 16%.

- At the country level, the pattern is sharper: 41% in South Korea say their view depends on the circumstances, 35% in Lesotho are unaware of the UN, and 45% in Bahrain don't know or refuse to offer an opinion.

Views From the Security Council and Where the UN Operates

- Among 2026 Security Council Member States with 2025 data, approval ranges from 79% in Denmark to 15% in Russia. Among states set to join in 2027, approval tops 60% in Zimbabwe, Portugal and Austria, compared with 39% in Kyrgyzstan.

- Where the UN has a substantial operational presence, approval is no more uniform — reaching 70% in Kosovo but falling to 9% in Israel, underscoring that presence alone does not translate into approval.

"President Lincoln once said that with public sentiment, nothing can fail, and without it, nothing can succeed. If Lincoln was right, the United Nations has what it needs. Around the world, far more people approve than disapprove of the job the UN is doing. That may be the most underreported fact in geopolitics," said Jon Clifton, CEO, Gallup.

The full report — including regional breakdowns, Security Council analysis, country-level results and the complete methodology — is available at gallup.com.

About Gallup

Gallup delivers analytics and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. For more than 80 years, Gallup has measured public opinion and global sentiment to inform decision-making worldwide.

SOURCE GALLUP, INC

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LG Energy Solution's Battery Energy Storage System Qualifies as NVIDIA DSX Ready BESS

- LG Energy Solution's BESS offering has qualified as DSX Ready BESS

- Advanced AC-coupled ESS solution helps accelerate time-to-power for large-scale power applications

- Localized North American value chain strengthens ability to meet growing ESS demand

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) today announced that its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has qualified as NVIDIA DSX Ready BESS. This qualification reinforces the company's ability to support reliable and scalable power infrastructure for AI-driven environments.

NVIDIA DSX Ready is a qualification program for partner products and solutions that meet applicable NVIDIA DSX reference design requirements, helping customers identify trusted building blocks for AI factories. The NVIDIA DSX AI Factory Platform unifies AI factory design and operations across compute, networking, power, cooling, facilities, and software.

LG Energy Solution's BESS meets the applicable NVIDIA DSX Ready requirements for AC energy storage solutions. By accelerating time-to-power, the solution helps customers bring capacity online faster while addressing critical power management challenges such as AI load smoothing, voltage ride-through, and enhanced power reliability.

The qualified product's key strengths include:

- Modular 2.5 MW / 5.1 MWh battery blocks that enable scalable deployments and rapid capacity expansion to meet evolving power and energy requirements

- An integrated AC solution that supports agile grid-forming capability, fast response times, voltage ride-through, and AI load smoothing

- AC solution architecture designed to meet applicable UL[1] and NFPA[2] requirements, providing enhanced safety and reliability

LG Energy Solution has established a leading position in the North American ESS market, backed by a fully localized value chain spanning battery cell manufacturing, pack production, and system integration. By leveraging its network of five regional production facilities, the company plans to secure more than 50 GWh of LFP[3] battery cell production capacity by the end of 2026, further strengthening supply chain resilience and local manufacturing capabilities while meeting growing demand from data centers, infrastructure developments, and utility-scale energy storage projects.

In addition to its expanding manufacturing footprint, LG Energy Solution offers differentiated ESS capabilities spanning system integration, as well as both DC battery container and PCS integrated AC battery container solutions. Combined with IRA-compliant solutions eligible for applicable Investment Tax Credit (ITC) incentives and a localized service network across North America, the company is well positioned to support customers requiring rapid deployment, large-scale power solutions, and reliable long-term operational support.

"Being selected as a partner for NVIDIA's first-ever DSX Ready program validates the strength and competitiveness of our BESS products," said Chang Beom Kang, Head of ESS Battery Division at LG Energy Solution. "Building on our differentiated local manufacturing capabilities and technology leadership, we will further expand our digital infrastructure business and accelerate growth in this rapidly evolving market."

About LG Energy Solution

LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With more than 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 100,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia, includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com.

SOURCE LG Energy Solution

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Shayla Williams Fender, as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shayla Williams Fender prominently featured as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence, for advancing human-centered business transformation through AI and UX Strategy.

Shayla Williams Fender has built a dynamic career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and human centered design. As Chief Strategist and founder of The Groundswell Strategy, she helps entrepreneurs and founders harness artificial intelligence and thoughtful systems design to build businesses that operate efficiently while remaining aligned with their purpose, values, and personal well-being.

Ms. Fender specializes in UX and AI transformation consulting, user experience research, experience strategy, workflow architecture, automation, and neuro-affirming business design. Through The Groundswell Strategy, she works with founders and coaches to identify operational challenges, automate repetitive responsibilities, and create AI-driven systems that improve productivity and provide greater freedom to focus on meaningful, high-value work.

Her professional journey began in public service with the Mayor's Office in Hartford, Connecticut, where she worked in community relations and constituent services. She later served in state government supporting AmeriCorps programs through grants administration before advancing into nonprofit and federal government positions focused on program management and strategy. These experiences strengthened her understanding of how systems, policies, and organizational structures directly affect the people they are intended to serve.

After earning a User Experience Design Certification from Bentley University, Ms. Fender transitioned into UX research and consulting. She subsequently joined Slalom Consulting, where she supported Fortune 500 companies and government agencies on experience strategy and transformation initiatives. Drawing on this multidisciplinary background, she launched The Groundswell Strategy as a consulting and coaching practice dedicated to helping entrepreneurs align technology, operations, and purpose.

Ms. Fender earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Williams College. Her professional and community affiliations include Growth Hub 360 and Black Girls Achieve. She is also the founder of Claiming Williams Day, reflecting her longstanding commitment to community engagement and creating spaces where diverse perspectives and experiences are recognized.

Looking ahead, Ms. Fender plans to continue expanding The Groundswell Strategy and advancing AI-driven, human centered approaches to business transformation. Her work is centered on helping founders create sustainable systems that support both organizational performance and quality of life.

Guided by a philosophy that technology should serve people rather than overwhelm them, Ms. Fender champions soul-aligned, neuro-affirming systems that deliver meaningful results and peace of mind. She remains committed to helping entrepreneurs build businesses that feel as good as they perform while creating greater time, financial, and personal freedom.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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