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IOP Joins Advisory Committee to plan North Carolina Climate Week 2026

December 12, 2025

EarthShare NC is a collaborative community of nonprofits, businesses, and individuals who are dedicated to fostering a sustainable future for generations to come, both in North Carolina, nationally, and globally. IOP is proud to support the organization and their mission as a corporate partner and by joining the advisory board to help plan the 2026 Climate Week. IOP will be represented on the advisory board by our North Carolina-based Director of Client Services, Diane Colomer Cheadle. Diane is thrilled to represent IOP and contribute to another successful climate week.  

“Joining EarthShare NC’s advisory committee is an exciting opportunity to help shape NC Climate Week 2026 and amplify its impact” Diane said. “Bringing businesses and communities together is essential, and we’re proud to contribute our expertise in sustainability communications to make this event a success.” 

Learn more about EarthShare North Carolina and NC Climate Week 2026 at https://earthsharenc.org/.  

Brilliant Earth Wins Gold in 2025 iNova Awards for Excellence in Corporate Websites

December 3, 2025

IOP is honored that the 2025 iNova Awards for Excellence in Corporate Websites awarded Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Mission Report Gold in the Sustainability Reports category, as well as Bronze for the Corporate Websites: Metals and Mining category. With a highly competitive international field, the iNova Awards honor professionals who contribute to the process of building image, creating profit, and making a difference in the global marketplace.  

IOP client recognized at the 2025 Anthem Awards

November 18, 2025

We are thrilled to share that IOP’s longtime client, Oshkosh Corporation, has been selected as a Bronze Winner at the 5th Annual Anthem Awards for their 2024 Sustainability Report.

Oshkosh’s recognition in the Sustainability, Environment & Climate category is a prestigious honor presented to organizations whose work focuses on environmental-related issues, including concerns for environmental conservation and the improvement of the state of the environment and all living things. The Anthem Awards consider over 2,000 submissions from nearly 50 countries around the world which are reviewed and voted over 10,000 times by jurors and Anthem Community Voice supporters.

Presented by the Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards is the largest and most comprehensive social impact award. Now in its fifth year, it was created specifically to celebrate purpose and mission-driven work from people, companies, and organizations across the globe.

Michelle M. Marks to speak at Sustainable Business Council

October 13, 2025



Michelle will to join a panel on Communicating Sustainability and the Role of Storytelling at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Conference on November 5, 2025.

As sustainability becomes more complex and politically sensitive, how we communicate about it is more important than ever. This session explores the evolving landscape of sustainability messaging, from shifts in corporate communication to the growing influence of storytelling, data visualization, and even audio. Discover how organizations can craft authentic narratives, tailor messages for diverse audiences, and use subtle design cues to encourage sustainable behavior. Whether you’re shaping strategy or sharing impact, this session offers practical insights to make your sustainability communication more effective and meaningful.

📅 Date: November 4 & 5
📍 Location: La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI
🔗 Details and registration at wisconsinsustainability.com/2025conference

Michelle M. Marks to speak at Climate Week NYC

September 2, 2025

HOW AI IS DISRUPTING SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING will dive into AI’s potential and shortcomings–and the risk of standing on the sidelines. This event will be a dynamic conversation with five trailblazers in corporate sustainability, communications and artificial and business intelligence.

With presentations, discussions, Q&A, panel and happy hour this event is perfect for CSOs, CCOs, IROs, and sustainability professionals navigating the intersection of AI capabilities, reporting requirements, and stakeholder engagement in an increasingly complex communications landscape.

🗓 Mark your calendars for September 23rd @ 3pm – 5:30pm

➡️ RSVP HERE: https://sustainserv.com/en/events/sustainservs-nyc-climate-week-event/

IOP to participate in CtrlPrint Webinar

April 23, 2025

We are always looking for efficiencies for us and our clients, particularly in creating annual and sustainability reports. One production option we work with (in addition to Workiva and the traditional process) is CtrlPrint, a system that gives clients full audit trail and the ability to have unlimited edits in layouts.

The webinar is April 28th, 2025 and is free to join. All registrants will receive a recording of the call. Register here.

Norwegian and Hilton win at 2025 Green Good Design Awards

April 18, 2025

IOP’s work for clients Norwegian Cruise Lines and Hilton was recognized in the Green Good Design Awards. Both companies were honored for their 2023 sustainability reports in the Green Graphics category. Only three total companies were chosen for this selective category. 

Green Good Design Sustainability Awards’ goal is to bestow international recognition to those outstanding individuals, companies, organizations, governments, and institutions that have forwarded exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a more healthy and more sustainable universe. These prestigious international awards are sponsored by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. All winning entries become property of the Permanent Design Collection at The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. 

Playing the Long Game: Why Businesses Won’t Abandon Sustainability 

March 4, 2025

Sustainability remains a strategic imperative for businesses, despite political shifts. IOP Principal and Co-Founder, Michelle M. Marks, spoke with Reuters Events about why that is and how smart businesses are navigating these uncertain times.  

The business case for sustainability remains compelling — from operational efficiency and cost savings to maintaining competitive advantage and meeting customer expectations. Smart companies understand that sustainability is integral to long-term success, regardless of short-term political headwinds. 

“I haven’t seen wholesale abandonment… Rather, companies are focusing their efforts on the things they can actually affect,” Michelle tells Reuters. “Smart companies dedicated to long-term thinking will not swing wildly—they stay the course.” 

Download your free copy of the full whitepaper here.

Norwegian Cruise Lines & Hilton Shortlisted for Best ESG Reporting

January 28, 2025

We’re proud to share Norwegian Cruise Lines’ 2023 Sail & Sustain Report as well as Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Report have been shortlisted for Best ESG Reporting at IR Impact‘s 2025 Awards. The IR Awards serve as an important benchmark for companies doing the best investor relations in the US. This is Hilton’s third consecutive year included. Winners will be announced in March.

Michelle M. Marks to moderate ESG Reporting Panel

November 7, 2024

3BL, a leading sustainability and social impact communications partner is convening a session in Charlotte on December 11, 2024 to discuss ESG Reporting, the business communities response to Hurricane Helene and more.

The session on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting practices will include perspectives from Meredith Bandy, vice president of investor relations and sustainability at  Albemarle Corporation, and Emily Vesling, director of sustainability at Trane Technologies. Moderator Michelle M. Marks, managing partner at Ideas On Purpose, will lead the discussion, which is aimed at demystifying how companies are approaching the transition from voluntary to mandatory disclosure.

The event is free; registration is required.

Hilton Wins in 2024 Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Awards

July 24, 2024

Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Awards’ goal is to bestow international recognition to those outstanding individuals, companies, organizations, governments, and institutions that have forwarded exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a more healthy and more sustainable universe. IOP is honored that Hilton’s 2022 ESG Report was included in the Green Corporation category, only two companies were selected. These prestigious international awards are sponsored by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. We are among great company!

Hilton Wins Best ESG Report of the Year, Again!

April 1, 2024

Another year, another IR Magazine win for our clients. We’re thrilled Hilton’s 2022 ESG Report won the Best ESG Reporting (large cap) award for the second year in a row in IR Magazine’s 2024 Awards. The Awards serve as a vital benchmark for leading companies in the US. The Hilton team received several awards and we are thrilled to continue to support their reporting efforts.

See the Report