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LEARNING RESOURCES, HAND2MIND ACHIEVE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TOP WORKPLACES HONOR BY ‘CHICAGO TRIBUNE’

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Employee engagement and unique culture play a pivotal role in educational toy companies’ ongoing success and recognition

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sister companies Learning Resources and hand2mind have been recognized again as two of Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year each company has independently earned this special title and recognition, nominated purely by their own employees. Founded 40 years ago, Learning Resources is a trusted, family-owned manufacturer of educational toys, games and classroom products. Since 1965 hand2mind has been creating industry-leading supplemental curriculum and hands-on teaching tools that thousands of educators rely on in the classroom and parents have also grown to love.

These two sister companies continue to thrive thanks in large part to their loyal, dedicated team members who create award-winning educational resources and toys for children to use both at home and in the classroom. The teams at both companies have collectively strived to find new ways to help address the learning needs of children everywhere. From fine and gross motor skills development to social-emotional learning (SEL) and the Science of Reading, both Learning Resources and hand2mind provide an array of hands-on resources that bring learning to life. Philanthropy remains a top priority for the two mission-driven companies as year after year each has donated thousands of award-winning educational toys, resources, and more to underserved communities and schools. 

“Earning a Top Workplace Award for the fifth consecutive year is an outstanding accomplishment but one that honestly doesn’t surprise me. We truly have an amazing group of talented employees and committed leaders who genuinely care and live by our values each and every day. Through years of dedication and hard work we can all take credit for creating something very special here” said Sybil Worden, VP of Human Resources at Learning Resources and hand2mind. “This award simply helps us know we’re doing something right, and motivates us to keep going…our employees recognize it.”

Employees chose to speak up and leave comments throughout the survey that support the efforts of the organization as a whole, for example, “what motivates me is how we bring to life our core values, the impact we have on young children’s development, and all the great colleagues and management who make work fun,” and “I always recommend to friends and family that this is a great place to work because it is a truly mission-driven organization with great people and a ton of growth potential day in and day out.”

In the survey conducted on behalf of the Chicago Tribune, employees of Learning Resources and hand2mind were asked “why they love their job,” with responses such as: “growth and development aren’t just talked about, but they are truly supported in this organization,” and “our mission is ultra important, we are inspiring a love a learning in every child from every walk of life.” One employee noted, “I am encouraged to be entrepreneurial, creative, innovative in my day-to-day work. New ideas are always considered and we are encouraged to raise our hand with an idea,” and another employee stated, “because I come to work each and every day, and look forward to being among coworkers who have a similar mindset about creating an ultra high quality product to help children grow.”

When employees were asked “why they would recommend working here,” one employee stated “this place is a gem, and you have to work here to truly understand its uniqueness,” another said, “when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, I can honestly say I love coming in to work every day,” and “our HR team does an absolutely amazing job focusing on culture each and every day, and always thinking of the little extra things to make each and every one of us feel valued and appreciated.”

Employees also shared things like “working here I know that I have the potential for personal growth, and I have the ability to fulfill a strong purpose-based mission through my work.” Another employee said that “I feel appreciated and like my actual personal life is taken into consideration here, I’m not just a robot performing a task. People care about me and always make a point to say family first.”

Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplace awards are evaluated solely through employee feedback, nomination and assessment. Per the Chicago Tribune, “a top workplace is considered successful because its employees enjoy their work, embrace their mission and feel like valued teammates.”

“In an era where many companies experienced high turnover, we have been fortunate to have turnover at an all-time low. I think the team here knows we are a “People First” place to work, and invest heavily to promote personal growth and development. We owe much of our success to our team and are honored to have attracted so many great people who are committed to our mission,” said Rick Woldenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Learning Resources and hand2mind. “Winning this Top Workplace Award for the fifth year in a row is an amazing honor and testament to our mission, our company culture and our values as a family-owned business.”

ABOUT LEARNING RESOURCES:
We’re Learning Resources®, and learning is where we play. Trusted by parents and teachers since 1984, our award-winning educational toys help kids develop a lifelong love of learning while building essential school-ready skills—from ABCs and 123s to screen-free coding and STEM, we make learning fun at every age, stage, and skill level. Discover countless ways to learn through play with our award-winning, top-selling products including Pretend & Play® Calculator Cash Register, Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set and Toy of the Year winner Botley® the Coding Robot.

For more information, visit www.learningresources.com, or follow the brand on Twitter @LearningHandsOn, Facebook @LearningResources, and Instagram @learningresources.

ABOUT HAND2MIND:
At hand2mind, we believe children learn best by doing. For over 50 years, teachers and school administrators at thousands of schools and districts across the country have relied on our high-quality, hands-on materials to expand their core curriculum. Offering resources for math, science, STEM, and literacy, our mission is to support teachers, inspire students, engage parents, and champion learning by doing. For more information, please visit www.hand2mind.com or follow the brand on Facebook @hand2mindinc, and Instagram @hand2mindinc. 

Press Contact:
Nicole Curro
Nicole@carvecomms.com

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SOURCE Learning Resources

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HSBC Mutual Fund launches ‘RedHex SIF,’ its specialized investment platform in India

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May 4, 2026

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MUMBAI, India, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HSBC Mutual Fund has announced the launch of RedHex SIF, it’s dedicated Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) brand in India. The launch marks a significant step in expanding its investment offerings aimed at meeting the evolving needs of investors, seeking more focused and outcome-oriented strategies within a familiar and regulated investment framework.

RedHex SIF by HSBC Mutual Fund, a SEBI approved investment structure, is designed for investors who want greater portfolio flexibility than traditional mutual funds while continuing to benefit from the transparency, governance, and ease associated with the mutual fund structure. RedHex SIF aims to help investors access specialised opportunities through differentiated strategies, while maintaining robust oversight and risk discipline.

Commenting on the launch, Kailash Kulkarni, CEO, HSBC Mutual Fund said, “RedHex SIF is our innovation-led platform for investors seeking differentiated, outcome-oriented strategies, anchored in the trusted mutual fund framework. As markets evolve, we believe alpha will increasingly come from adaptability, risk awareness and differentiated thinking across shifting cycles. We are expanding our product suite in a considered manner, giving investors greater choice, confidence, and access to thoughtfully constructed solutions that meet these evolving market expectations and long-term investment goals.”

Features of RedHex SIF:

₹10 lakh Minimum Investment Threshold: Suitable for experienced, institutional, and HNI investorsFocused investment strategies: Built around clearly defined themes and ideas for precise portfolio constructionTransparency and Flexibility: A familiar mutual fund structure combined with strategic flexibility of advanced investment solutionsRisk-Aware approach: Strong emphasis on risk management and portfolio stability.Built for Evolving needs: More focused, outcome-oriented approach

Notes to the editor:

HSBC Asset Management

HSBC Asset Management should be referred to either in full or as HSBC AM to avoid confusion with any other financial services firms.

HSBC Asset Management, the investment management business of the HSBC Group, invests on behalf of HSBC’s worldwide customer base of retail and private clients, intermediaries, corporates and institutions through both segregated accounts and pooled funds. HSBC Asset Management connects HSBC’s clients with investment opportunities around the world through an international network of offices in 20 countries and territories, delivering global capabilities with local market insight. As at 31 December 2025, HSBC Asset Management managed assets totalling US$866bn (excluding HSBC Jintrust Fund Management Company Limited) on behalf of its clients.

For more information, visit http://www.global.assetmanagement.hsbc.com/ 

HSBC Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management businesses of HSBC Holdings plc.

HSBC India

HSBC India offers a full range of banking and financial services through 31 branches across 19 cities. The Bank is at the forefront in arranging deals for Indian companies investing overseas and foreign investments into the country. HSBC is one of India’s leading financial services groups, with over 47,000 employees in its banking, investment banking and capital markets, asset management, insurance, software development and global resourcing operations in the country. It is a leading custodian in India. 

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,233bn at 31 December 2025, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

Source: HSBC Asset Management India (HSBC Asset Management (India) Private Limited).

Document intended for distribution in Indian jurisdiction only and not for outside India or to NRIs. HSBC AMC will not be liable for any breach if accessed by anyone outside India. For more details, click here.

Investments in Specialized Investment Fund involves relatively higher risk including potential loss of capital, liquidity risk and market volatility. Please read all investment strategy related documents carefully before making the investment decision.

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XRP Healthcare Confirms “One Ecosystem, Two Layers” Model as XRPHAI Rewards Go Live on XRPL Following Successful MEXC Listing

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May 4, 2026

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XRP Healthcare today confirmed the full activation of its unified “One Ecosystem, Two Layers” model, following the successful rollout of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of its XRPHAI rewards system and the initial public listing of $XRPHAI on the MEXC exchange.

DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XRP Healthcare is the first AI healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain infrastructure, and real-world healthcare access into a single, interoperable system.

The update follows the successful initial public listing of $XRPHAI on MEXC, establishing open market access and price discovery for the ecosystem. Live market data and project information are available at: https://www.mexc.com/price/XRPHAI

The XRPH AI App and XRPH Wallet now operate as one connected ecosystem, where users engage, earn, and transact within a unified framework.

Within the XRPH AI App, users earn XRPHAI instantly through verified healthcare-related activity, including AI-driven health assessments, wellness sessions, symptom analysis, and ongoing participation across the platform. This is delivered through XRP Healthcare’s Proof of Health™️ model, where Rewards for Healthy Actions are directly linked to real engagement.

The rewards system operates on a defined dual-token structure, where XRPHAI powers participation and rewards, and XRPH functions as the infrastructure layer and reward multiplier. Users holding XRPHAI increase their participation within the rewards system, while users holding XRPH further amplify their earning capacity through tier-based reward allocation. This structure ensures that engagement and token alignment directly determine reward output.

Kain Roomes, Founder and CEO of XRP Healthcare, said: “We have now brought together application, rewards, and infrastructure into one connected system. Users can engage with the XRPH AI App, earn XRPHAI through real activity, and benefit from a model that links participation directly to value.”

Laban Roomes, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of XRP Healthcare, added: “This update confirms the transition from concept to a working ecosystem. The integration of XRPHAI rewards with XRPH infrastructure creates a clear structure where engagement, token participation, and utility operate together.”

At the infrastructure level, the XRPH Wallet now operates as a blockchain payment rail for XRP, XRPH, and RLUSD, enabling transactions across pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals without requiring the transmission of sensitive patient data. This establishes a direct bridge between digital rewards and real-world healthcare services.

XRP Healthcare confirmed that XRPHAI has a maximum supply of one billion (1,000,000,000) tokens, with only one hundred million (100,000,000) tokens currently in circulation. The issuing address has been permanently disabled (“blackholed”), meaning no additional tokens can ever be minted. Token supply data is publicly verifiable via CoinMarketCap. Full tokenomics are available in the XRP Healthcare Whitepaper at:

https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/whitepaper

Global smartphone adoption continues to expand, with more than 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide, with the majority of new growth occurring in emerging markets. As device affordability improves and connectivity increases, mobile platforms are becoming the primary gateway to digital services. The XRPH AI App and XRPH Wallet are designed to operate within this environment, enabling users to access AI-driven healthcare support and earn XRPHAI in seconds directly from their mobile devices.

The company reported strong early engagement with the XRPH AI Rewards System, particularly across regions where access to traditional healthcare infrastructure is limited, reinforcing the platform’s role in expanding access to healthcare services through a mobile-first model.

In parallel, XRP Healthcare continues to integrate real-world utility through its Prescription Savings Card, accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies across the United States, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Safeway. This enables users to access discounted medications while participating in the broader ecosystem.

The XRPH AI Rewards System and XRPH infrastructure will continue to expand through ongoing updates, including enhanced reward tier visualisation, additional earning mechanisms, and further integrations across both digital and physical healthcare environments. XRP Healthcare will also pursue additional exchange listings to support broader market access and liquidity, while exploring strategic partnerships aligned with its platform expansion.

Further information on the XRPH AI Rewards System is available at: https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/

A detailed breakdown of how to earn, unlock, and boost XRPHAI rewards can be accessed here: https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/blog/understanding-the-xrph-ai-rewards-system-how-to-earn-unlock-and-boost-xrphai

Additional details on the XRPH infrastructure layer can be accessed at: https://xrphtoken.com/infrastructure

About XRP Healthcare

XRP Healthcare is the first AI healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger, developing a mobile-first ecosystem that integrates artificial intelligence, blockchain infrastructure, and real-world healthcare services to expand access globally.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding platform expansion, infrastructure development, and ecosystem growth. Actual results may vary as ongoing updates and integrations are implemented.

Media Contact
Sarah James
info@xrphealthcare.com 

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Consello Appoints Olivia Pirovano as Global Chief Strategy Officer

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May 4, 2026

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Pirovano brings more than two decades of international experience across strategy, operations, and asset management to support Consello’s growing advisory capabilities

LONDON, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Consello, the leading global advisory and investment platform, today announced the appointment of Olivia Pirovano as Global Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Pirovano will help shape the firm’s global strategy and advise clients on their most important priorities as part of Consello’s integrated advisory platform.

Pirovano joins Consello as the firm continues to expand its leadership team to meet growing demand from CEOs and boards for senior, operator-led advice. She brings more than two decades of experience, having advised some of the world’s largest companies on mergers and acquisitions and investor relations, and worked across North and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Over the course of her career, Pirovano has built a track record of helping organizations navigate complex challenges, drive operational transformation and accelerate growth across sectors and markets. She most recently served as the Global Head of Strategic Initiatives at Teneo and previously served as President of African Innovations, a payments processing solutions company. Earlier in her career, she led the Market Intelligence Research Team and served as Director of Strategy and Communications at Financial Dynamics.

Pirovano will be based in Consello’s London office.

About Consello

Consello is an Advisory and Investing Platform with offices in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dublin, Belfast, London and Abu Dhabi.

Consello’s distinct advisory practices provide the complete strategic counsel today’s leaders need to grow and transform their organizations. Consello’s advisory expertise spans Corporate Advisory; M&A; Management Consulting; Talent; Risk; and Sports and Entertainment. Dedicated teams operate in each practice, led by a leadership group with deep operational experience across industries, business growth stages and market cycles and with an expansive set of global corporate relationships.

Consello’s investment business, Consello Capital, identifies high-potential mid-market companies and invests capital and expertise to transform their growth.

Consello Media Inquiries

media@consello.com

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