Technology

Kieran Blanks, MBA, Workforce Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Accepted into Forbes Nonprofit Council

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2024

Forbes Council Welcomes Blanks to Its Prestigious Network of Leaders, Aiming to Maximize Impact and Drive Innovation Across the Public Sector

ST. LOUIS, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kieran Blanks, MBA., a visionary leader in workforce innovation and social entrepreneurship, has been inducted into the prestigious Forbes Nonprofit Council. This invitation-only community brings together world-class chief executives, senior leaders and entrepreneurs who are reshaping the public sector.

Blanks, Founder and CEO of The Blankslate Group, brings a unique blend of business acumen, human-centered systems thinking, and technical expertise to the council. As the inaugural Vice President of Workforce Systems at Cortex Innovation District, he was appointed to lead the $7 million investment from the state of Missouri to advance workforce training and to oversee the strategy and execution of a portfolio of education-to-employment solutions. Under his leadership, Cortex’s Workforce-related efforts gained national recognition, cited by Drexel University as a prime example in “The Next Wave of Innovation Districts.”

His notable achievements include:

Spearheading the $7MM Missouri Tech First Initiative in collaboration with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the State of MissouriInvitations to Capitol Hill to collaborate with CompTIA, Senate, and Congress on workforce and technology legislation, policy, and funding, shaping our nation’s tech-enabled workforce strategy.Engagement with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce on the $280 billion CHIPS and Science ActSpeaking at NVIDIA’s 2024 GTC Conference on the “Bridging the Divide” panel, focused on closing gaps in AI education and resources.

“We are honored to welcome Mr. Kieran Blanks into the community,” said Scott Gerber, Founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Nonprofit Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

Upon joining, Blanks shared his vision: “The Forbes Nonprofit Council is a launchpad for collaboration and growth. This powerful community of leaders and doers provides a platform to share insights, expand my professional network, and amplify our impact. Together, we can tackle society’s most pressing challenges and redefine what’s possible in the nonprofit world. I am excited to leverage this opportunity to drive innovative solutions where they are needed most.”

As a member, Blanks will collaborate with other leaders, share insights through articles, and contribute to Expert Panels on Forbes.com, enhancing his industry influence.

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

ABOUT THE BLANKSLATE GROUP

The Blankslate Group is a leading provider of growth strategy, technology, and human-centered design solutions. The firm is dedicated to infusing innovation, security, and emerging technology into scalable products, services, and user experiences. For more information, visit The Blankslate Group website.

ABOUT KIERAN N. BLANKS, MBA

Kieran N. Blanks, MBA, is a forward-thinking executive with over 14 years of experience in driving organizational growth and fostering systemic change. Specializing in high-impact ecosystem building, capitalization, and systems-level work, he is recognized for his strategic vision and innovative approaches. Kieran excels in steering large-scale projects that transform strategies encompassing people, systems, and technology, integrating human-centered design and UX acumen into his approach.

Residing in St. Louis, Missouri, Kieran continues to advance innovative and sustainable workforce solutions. For more information, visit Kieran Blanks’ personal website.

Media Contact

Sascha Betts, Ph.D, Communication Strategy, The Blankslate Group, 1 314-816-9838, contact@theblankslate.us, www.theblankslate.us

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Technology

OCR Canada Rebrands to Levata

Published

12 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2024 /CNW/ — OCR Canada Ltd., Canada’s leading solutions provider of automated identification data capture (AIDC) products, software, and services for businesses across industries and government organizations, is pleased to announce its rebrand to Levata as of January 1, 2025. This transition unites Canada’s operations with Levata’s global identity, streamlining the company’s messaging while honoring OCR Canada’s more than 40-year legacy of trusted service and expertise.

The name OCR, which originally stood for Optical Character Recognition, reflects a technology that no longer represents the company’s comprehensive offerings. Rebranding to Levata supports the broader strategic vision of uniting Levata across markets under one multinational brand to better communicate the full value Levata delivers to its customers.

“This rebrand is an exciting milestone for Canada,” said Tony Mastrangeli, Executive Vice President & GM of Canada. “While our name is changing, the exceptional service, expertise, and relationships our customers rely on remain the same. Levata will continue to empower businesses with tailored solutions, just as OCR Canada has for more than 40 years.”

The transition follows a successful history of growth in Canada, with OCR Canada joining Levata in 2014. Since then, the Canadian arm has expanded its expertise through strategic acquisitions and established itself as a leading provider of AIDC solutions across industries.

“This rebrand marks the next step in Levata’s long-term vision,” said Dan Nettesheim, CEO of Levata. “By uniting under a single, global identity, we are amplifying our global message that we enable our customers to elevate their potential. Today, we provide solutions beyond OCR and barcoding, we also offer leading technology and services for enterprise mobility, RFID, networking, IT infrastructure, and more to help customers succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.”

To complement this transformation, Levata Canada will launch a French-enabled eCommerce platform in January 2025, further enhancing customer access and experience.

For more information about the rebranding, visit www.Levata.com/en-ca/news/ocr-canada-rebrands-to-levata.

About Levata
Levata enables customers to elevate their potential by providing strategies, solutions, and services that power modern environments. With a broad suite of technology products to enable enterprise mobility, a digital supply chain, a secure workplace, and an elevated customer experience, and the services to move businesses forward, Levata unlocks the power of thousands of organizations worldwide. Levata has operated as a market leader in full-stack technology solutions for over 40 years. Learn more at www.levata.com.

Alana Tufford, Director, Enterprise Marketing
Levata
905-475-5505 x242
branding@levata.com

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Technology

“Intangible Cultural Heritage in China” Now Airing on CCTV

Published

12 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Intangible Cultural Heritage in China, a landmark cultural series jointly presented by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, takes audiences on an immersive journey where tradition and innovation converge. Through interactive and engaging experiences, the program has ignited nationwide interest in China’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as audiences witness the dynamic transformation of ancient traditions into contemporary practices. A new episode continues on CCTV-1 at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024.

Staying true to its core theme of “bringing heritage to life through people, crafts, and daily practices”, this series celebrates master artisans while showcasing the creative evolution of traditional culture. It illustrates how ICH enriches modern life, catalyzes new development modalities of cultural tourism, and strengthens regional economies through the harmonious integration of heritage preservation and tourism development.

In the Shandong episode, viewers are transported to the Ancient City of Langya in Linyi. CMG host Long Yang explores the city’s heritage districts alongside distinguished guests Shan Jixiang, Chairman of the Expert Committee of the China Cultural Relics Academy and Director of the Palace Museum’s Academic Committee, and acclaimed actress Kara Hui. Together, they unveil Shandong’s extraordinary cultural legacy through masterful demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, immersive workshops, authentic Lu cuisine experiences, and an enlightening journey across the storied lands of Qi and Lu.

Watch the premiere at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024 on CCTV-1, with exclusive streaming available on www.yangshipin.cn. Stay tuned!

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intangible-cultural-heritage-in-china-now-airing-on-cctv-302339194.html

Technology

Thinkfree showcases AI-Driven future workplace at CES 2025

Published

1 hour ago

December 27, 2024

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Thinkfree, a global software company in productivity tools and AI technology, will participate in CES 2025, taking place in Las Vegas from January 7 to January 10, 2025. During the event, Thinkfree will present its vision for the future workplace powered by AI technologies.

Thinkfree will present scenarios showcasing the potential of AI to revolutionize productivity in next-generation workspaces, including autonomous vehicles and smart offices. Visitors will explore how Thinkfree solutions enable efficient data access, accurate information discovery, key detail summarization, and streamlined collaboration in mobile or in-vehicle work environments.

Thinkfree’s suite of advanced solutions powers these transformative experiences, including Thinkfree Office Online – a web-based productivity suite, Refinder AI – an AI-powered enterprise search and assistant solution, Thinkfree Drive – an integrated cloud storage and office platform, and Thinkfree Intellect – a tailored knowledge management service designed for enterprises.

Deekay Kim, CEO of Thinkfree, stated, ” As the digital transformation of work environments progresses, Thinkfree is committed to harnessing our expertise in productivity tools and AI to drive efficiency in the future workplaces, such as autonomous vehicles and smart offices. CES 2025 will provide us with the perfect platform to highlight our innovations to the global market and encourage partnership that will help define the future of work.”

Visitors to Thinkfree’s booth in North Hall, Booth #8676, at the Las Vegas Convention Center can experience solutions such as Thinkfree Office Online and Refinder AI, with experts on hand to offer guidance on technology integration and partnership opportunities.

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