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NEW RAY DOLBY – MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED, ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS THIRD-YEAR DOCTORAL RESEARCH

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NEW YORK, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Association of Marshall Scholars, together with the family of pioneering sound engineer Ray Dolby, announce the “Ray Dolby – Marshall Scholarship Fund,” an endowment to support Marshall Scholars who will be completing their third year of doctoral research in the United Kingdom.  Ray Dolby studied physics at Cambridge University under the British government’s flagship Marshall Scholarship as part of the class of 1957.  Recognizing the Scholarship’s role in bringing Dolby to the UK at an early stage of his research – work which subsequently transformed the nature of recorded sound across the globe – the Dolby family has given $3.6m (~£2.8m) to establish an endowment bringing comparable advanced research opportunities to future generations of Americans. 

The Ray Dolby – Marshall Scholarship endowment comes as Cambridge University opens the Ray Dolby Centre, supported by £85m from the Dolby estate and serving as the new center piece of the Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics). This national facility for physics will “support a diverse array of physics research and nurture the next generations of engineers, physicists and inventors,” according to Professor Mete Atatüre, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory, “expanding the UK’s science capabilities – in areas such as quantum technologies which are set to create new advanced industries and products.” The Dolby family has given more than £150m in philanthropic support to Cambridge University to revitalise and develop the Cavendish Laboratory and to support a new fund for teaching and research, the Dolby Family Fund for Excellence in Physics.

Ray Dolby OBE (1933-2013) was an inventor, audio pioneer, and founder of Dolby Laboratories, who transformed the sound of entertainment. Dolby’s technical innovations in noise reduction and “surround sound,” among other inventions, helped open new creative possibilities for cinematic and broadcast audio around the world.  Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, and A Star is Born are among the earliest of the 37,000+ films that have been created using Dolby technologies. With nearly 10,000 issued patents, the company and Ray Dolby have been recognized for their path-breaking contributions to the motion picture industry with many Academy Awards, Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars.

Studying for a doctorate at the Cavendish Lab, Cambridge University, was pivotal for Dolby’s career. Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965 – bringing to it, according to his wife, Dagmar Dolby “the spirit of novel research and innovation which he had seen in Cambridge.”  The company took advantage of London being the world’s hub for musical recordings in the 60’s, working with Decca, the BBC, and many others, and eventually growing from a handful of employees to over 2,000 with 47 offices in 20 countries.

Lord Chris Smith, previous Master of Pembroke College, reflects: “Ray Dolby came to Pembroke as a Marshall Scholar to do a PhD in x-ray microscopy; he went on to invent the sound system that revolutionized listening for the world. In subsequent years, he has had a major impact on Cambridge [University], supporting both Pembroke and the Cavendish Laboratory in a myriad of different ways.  His commitment to the enhancement of Cambridge’s facilities and the educational opportunities of our students has been second to none.”      

As the first cohort of Ray Dolby – Marshall Scholars begins their research in the fall, Dagmar Dolby, Ray’s widow, remembers: “Going to England opened Ray’s eyes to the world and the exceptional creativity of the work being done at the Cavendish. It was there that he was inspired to tackle long-standing and difficult problems. Ray always acknowledged the critical role his time spent as a Marshall Scholar at Cambridge was to his development as a scientist.”

The endowment provided by Dolby’s estate augments the British Government funded two-year Marshall Scholarship, deepening and expanding research opportunities for young American leaders studying in the United Kingdom.

The philanthropic giving of Ray Dolby and his family, along with other scholars, over the past decade to their shared alma mater – Cambridge University – is 33 million pounds more than the entire cost of the Marshall Scholarship program in its 70 years of existence (adjusted for inflation) to the British Government.

The Association of Marshall Scholars, made up of over 2,000 recipients of the Marshall Scholarship, builds upon the legacy of the Marshall Plan and the Marshall Scholarship, helping to expand the bounds of human knowledge and deepen ties between the United States and the United Kingdom and their shared democratic values.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-ray-dolby—marshall-scholarship-fund-announced–endowment-supports-third-year-doctoral-research-302465194.html

SOURCE Association of Marshall Scholars

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Colleen Reilly as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

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PORT ST. JOE, Fla., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Colleen Reilly is honored as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Transforming Catering and Event Services in Northwest Florida.

Since 2015, Colleen Reilly has served as founder and CEO of Catering Connections, a company that has redefined catering in Northwest Florida’s beach communities through innovation, collaboration, and community focus. Guided by her motto “Just one call feeds them all,” Ms. Reilly established a unique model by partnering with local restaurants to showcase their specialties, fostering unity among businesses while providing clients with one-of-a-kind event experiences.

With over 15 years of industry expertise, Ms. Reilly specializes in coordinating weddings, family reunions, and corporate events, managing every detail from client consultation to menu planning and flawless execution. Her dedication to service has earned Catering Connections multiple recognitions, including the Couples Choice Award from WeddingWire from 2021 to 2025, the Best of Florida Award from 2022 to 2024, and the Lux Life Hospitality and Catering Award in 2023 and 2024.

Ms. Reilly’s career foundation includes an associate degree in paralegal studies, magna cum laude, from Volunteer State College, a reflection of her meticulous approach to detail and commitment to excellence. Beyond her business, she serves her community as a board member of the Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership and as president of Friends of the Governor Stone Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving maritime heritage in Panama City. Her previous civic contributions include serving five years as a guardian ad litem, advocating for children within the legal system, and volunteering as a school chaperone for international student trips.

A leader who blends innovation with service, Ms. Reilly continues to grow Catering Connections while deepening her commitment to the local community. Looking ahead, she remains dedicated to expanding her company’s impact, bringing people together, and creating meaningful experiences through food and fellowship.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-colleen-reilly-as-a-pinnacle-professional-member-inner-circle-of-excellence-302753052.html

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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Media Contributor Kianga Moore to Host Executive Media Roundtable On AI’s Transformational Impact in Retail

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Leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint, and New Nexus Group to Explore Real-Time Decision-Making, Resilience, and Growth in a Volatile Market

NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As retailers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, supply chain volatility, and rapidly shifting consumer expectations, the upcoming convening of a high-level roundtable discussion will examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the retail landscape in real time.

Moderated by Media Contributor Kianga Moore, to be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 11h00am (EST), the roundtable will bring together senior leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint and New Nexus Group to discuss how modern enterprise platforms are leveraging AI to drive agility, efficiency, and long-term resilience across the retail ecosystem.

The discussion will additionally focus on how AI is enabling retailers to respond dynamically to changing demand signals, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen interoperability across increasingly complex vendor and marketplace networks.

“Retailers today are operating in a constant state of disruption”, stated Kianga Moore. “This roundtable will explore how AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but a strategic asset for anticipating change and building more resilient, adaptive American enterprise.”

Key discussion topics will include remarks on how, for example, enterprise AI platforms are helping retailers respond instantly to fluctuations in consumer demand, pricing pressures, and external supply chain disruptions and the role of AI in enhancing interoperability across vendors, partners, and marketplaces to create more agile and resilient retail infrastructures in 2026.

Rob Gonda, Chief Technical Officer at Vendormint, stated that, “Interoperability is the backbone of modern retail. AI enables seamless communication between platforms, vendors, and marketplaces—turning fragmented systems into cohesive, responsive ecosystems that can adapt under pressure.”

Discussion topics will also include machine learning’s ability to optimize ad spend, improving personalization, and delivering measurable ROI while maintaining brand trust and regulatory compliance.

Eric Howerton, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of AdFury.ai, added that,”AI is fundamentally changing how brands approach customer acquisition. By leveraging machine learning through fine-tuned, retail-specific agentic flows, we can not only optimize ad spend in real time, but we can also ensure messaging is personalized, compliant, and aligned with evolving consumer expectations.”

And indeed the roundtable will include discussions on how AI-powered predictive analytics can help businesses anticipate economic, technological, and geopolitical disruptions ahead—and plan accordingly.

Cheryl Yarbrough, Vice President of Partnerships at New Nexus Group added that, “Resilience in retail is no longer built in quarterly planning cycles-it’s built in real time. AI gives organizations the ability to identify disruptions before they cascade, pivot strategies before momentum is lost, and maintain continuity when the market moves faster than any human team can react alone.”

The roundtable will be held via Zoom TeleConference, with questions from the press and key stakeholders to follow opening remarks and a 30-minute Q&A between the moderator and the panelists.

For all media inquiries and to register to attend, please contact: Sam Amsterdam, Amsterdam Group Public Relations Inc. – Sam@AmsterdamGroup.net / +1 (202) 910-8349

Vendormint (https://vendormint.com)New Nexus Group (https://www.newnexusgroup.com)AdFury.ai (https://www.adfury.ai)

Samuel Amsterdam
Communications Counsel
Vendormint
samuelamsterdam@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-contributor-kianga-moore-to-host-executive-media-roundtable-on-ais-transformational-impact-in-retail-302753148.html

SOURCE Vendormint

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Fairway Home Mortgage Earns Prestigious USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award For 6th Consecutive Year

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Fairway CEO Steve Jacobson Named #1 Leadership Award Winner of Companies With 2500+ Employees

MADISON, Wis., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fairway Home Mortgage announced that it has earned the prestigious 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award. This is the sixth year in a row Fairway achieved this honor.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 40,500 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement. USA TODAY showcased the winners at the National Awards Summit in Nashville. Watch the video of the event here.

“Being recognized with this award reflects Fairway’s commitment to bringing our people together face-to-face,” said Fairway’s CEO and Founder Steve Jacobson. “Companies are better when their people are around each other. People need each other and they learn from each other, and we’re very intentional about creating opportunities for in-person collaboration at Fairway.”

Jacobson demonstrated that in-person collaboration when he traveled to Knoxville this week with Fairway Senior Vice President Dan Richards to spend time with one of Fairway’s branches and their local real estate partners. “We engaged in real conversations about the market, discussed what people are seeing on the ground, and talked about how Fairway keeps showing up for clients,” said Richards. “It’s a reflection of the same hands-on approach that has defined Fairway’s culture for more than two decades.”

“To be named a Top Workplace for six consecutive years speaks to Fairway’s leadership, our mindset, and the empowerment of our staff,” said Fairway’s Chief People and Engagement Officer Julie Fry. “Our strength isn’t just what we offer employees. What sets a top workplace apart is the daily commitment to people—prioritizing connection, valuing contributions, and creating an environment where employees feel energized to serve because they feel valued first.”

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance.

“Earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market”

About Fairway Home Mortgage
Madison, WI- and Carrollton, TX-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender licensed in all 50 states. Fairway is the #2 overall retail lender in the U.S.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fairway-home-mortgage-earns-prestigious-usa-today-top-workplaces-award-for-6th-consecutive-year-302753183.html

SOURCE Fairway Home Mortgage

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