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Retiring Solo: Table for One?

In my last article, I wrote about couples retiring together. The dishwasher. The thermostat. The 1,500 Tuesdays. If you are retiring solo, you may have read it with a certain amount of satisfaction, thinking, Thank God I don't have to deal with that. Sorry. This week is about you. There are, admittedly, some advantages to retiring solo. Nobody questions why you bought another pair of golf shoes. The thermostat stays exactly where you left it. If the dishwasher is loaded incorrectly, the list of suspects is short. You can eat dinner at 4:30 or 9:00, watch whatever you want on television, and go to bed with a book without anyone asking when you are going to turn out the light. But retiring solo has its own complications. While you may be living without a partner, you aren't retiring without relationships. In fact, those relationships may matter more than ever. Adult children, siblings, friends and neighbours begin to take on different roles in our lives. Work friendships fade. Social circles shift. Things we once did as two may now have to be done as one. Underneath all of that is a question we don't spend nearly enough time thinking about when we plan for retirement: Who are your people? When Solo Wasn't the Plan There are people who retire solo by choice, people who arrive there after a divorce, and people who would give almost anything not to be there at all. Statistics Canada reported that 4.4 million Canadians lived alone in 2021, representing 15 per cent of adults. Living alone becomes increasingly common as we age (Statistics Canada, 2022). But numbers can only tell us how many people live alone. They can't tell us how they got there, and that matters. For someone who has lost a spouse after decades together, solo life isn't necessarily an exciting new chapter of independence. There is an empty chair at dinner and a quietness in the house that wasn't there before. But I suspect some of the hardest losses are much smaller. There is nobody to ask whether you fed the dog, what time you want to leave, whether you need anything from the grocery store, or what you feel like having for dinner. Nothing profound, just thousands of tiny conversations that made up a life. The older I get, the more I realize how much of life unfolds in those unremarkable moments. We photograph birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and vacations, but sometimes the person drinking coffee across from you on an ordinary Tuesday morning turns out to be the event. For anyone who finds themselves alone because somebody died, I think we need to be careful with our cheerful retirement advice. There is no timetable for rebuilding a life, and grief doesn't respond well to project plans, motivational sayings or well-meaning people telling you it's time to "get out there." Eventually, though, perhaps the question begins to change. "How do I live without this person?" can slowly become "What might my life become now?". That isn't replacing anyone. It's continuing, carrying them with you. Living Alone and Being Lonely Are Not the Same Thing You can live alone and have a wonderfully full life. You can also be married and profoundly lonely. A second toothbrush has never been a reliable measure of human connection. Still, retirement removes something many of us didn't realize work was providing: a surprising number of people. Think about an ordinary working day. Someone says good morning. Someone asks about your weekend. There is coffee, hallway chatter, gossip, meetings, lunch, and the person who drops by your office to tell you something that absolutely could have been an email. None of those interactions seemed particularly important at the time, but together they created the social fabric of the day. Then one Friday you retire, and come Monday morning, most of it is gone. Research supports what many retirees discover instinctively. Social isolation and loneliness are related but not the same. Low social participation among older Canadians has been linked to poorer health and a higher risk of mortality. In other words, those seemingly insignificant interactions may not be so insignificant after all (Gilmour & Ramage-Morin, 2020). I see a version of this in the fitness classes I teach. People don't just arrive, exercise and leave. They come early. They talk. They know who has a bad knee, who just got back from Florida, who has a grandchild who got into university, and who hasn't shown up for a couple of classes. Sometimes I think the ten minutes before class are every bit as important as the class itself. Someone is expecting you, and there is something wonderfully ordinary and incredibly important about that. Who Are Your People? Couples tend to have a built-in default. Something happens, and you tell your spouse. You need a ride home after a medical procedure, and there is an obvious candidate. You have a terrible day, hear a ridiculous story, or get wonderful news, and you know who you're going to call first. When you're solo, that role can gradually shift to a best friend, sibling, neighbour or adult child. Before long, one person has become the emergency contact, travel companion, dinner date, sounding board, tech support and the person expected to answer the phone when something goes bump in the night. That's a fairly demanding job description. Your daughter may adore you, yet not want to be your entire social life. Your best friend may love travelling with you, but occasionally want to travel with someone else. Your sister may happily drive you home from a colonoscopy. Friendship has limits, but apparently that isn't one of them. Maybe the answer isn't to find your person at all. Maybe it's to find your people. Who could you call at 2 a.m.? Who makes you laugh? Who would notice if you hadn't heard from them for a few days? Who knows when you need company and when you need to be left alone? Who can tell you you're being ridiculous and still survive the experience? We have spent decades being told to diversify our investment portfolios. I think our relationship portfolios deserve the same consideration. And there is another side of independence that we don't talk about enough. Independence is wonderful, right up until the day you get tired of it. There is a difference between being perfectly capable of handling something yourself and occasionally wishing you didn't have to. The furnace breaks, the car won't start, or you have an important medical appointment, and, of course, you can deal with it. Sometimes what you miss isn't help. It's backup. Someone who simply says, "I'll come with you," even though you both know you could go alone. Your Children Love You. They Also Have Lives. Retirement can rewrite the relationship with adult children, too. You retire, and they hear: Mom has time. Suddenly there are grandchildren to pick up, dogs to sit, deliveries to receive, and errands that somehow land on the desk of the person who no longer has one. Much of this can be wonderful. Having more time for family is one of retirement's great gifts, and being involved with grandchildren can bring enormous joy and purpose. But helping can quietly become being on call, just as needing companionship can quietly become expecting your children to provide it. Nobody has necessarily done anything wrong. The relationship changed, and nobody held a meeting. So maybe hold one. Your children can be an important part of your retirement without being responsible for creating it, and you can be important in their lives without automatically becoming the unpaid Uber driver, dog walker, daycare provider, or the person who waits between noon and 5:00 for the new dishwasher to arrive. Love each other. Help each other. Just don't confuse retirement with unlimited availability. Learning to Occupy the World as One Then there are all the little firsts. The first restaurant. The first trip. Maybe, eventually, the first date. You walk into a restaurant and say, "Table for one." The host smiles brightly. "Right this way," and off you go, past the tables by the window, past the cozy booth, and around the corner to a tiny table directly outside the noisy kitchen door. Apparently, this is where they keep the single people. "Table for one" can be funny until you remember that, for some people, it used to be a table for two. But I wouldn't give up restaurants because of it. Sit at the bar. Bring a book. Become a regular somewhere. Ask another solo friend to join you sometimes, and other times don't. Take yourself somewhere nice because good food and a decent table aren't benefits reserved for couples. I especially wouldn't overlook the neighbourhood diner or watering hole. These places often become little communities. One of the women in my spinning class is in her 80s and started a euchre club that became so popular that she now has a waiting list. I love that story because she didn't wait for someone to invite her into a social life. She created one and then invited everybody else. Sometimes community isn't something you find. It's something you build. Travel requires a little nerve, too. There is something liberating about choosing where you go, when you get up, and whether visiting six museums in one afternoon sounds fascinating or like a human-rights violation. Then you discover the single supplement, the travel industry's charming way of saying, "Congratulations on your independence." That will be another $1,800. There may also be a moment when you see something beautiful and instinctively turn to share it with someone who isn't there. That's the part the travel brochures don't mention. But there may also come a morning when you realize you've travelled to somewhere you wanted to go, figured it out, and had a wonderful time. Both feelings can be true. And then, perhaps, there is dating. If you're my vintage, you may remember the old Canadian Togethers dating-service commercial: "Adult, alone, unattached? Tired of the bar scene?" I can practically hear it. Back then, joining a dating service seemed positively daring. Today, strangers can reject one another from the comfort of their sofas with a single swipe. Apparently, this is progress. Some people would rather have another colonoscopy. Others discover, happily, that companionship, romance and sex did not get the memo about retiring at 65. Enjoy it. Take your time. Keep your head along with your heart. Being 70 does not make everyone trustworthy. Age brings wisdom, just not universally. Make Yourself Expected Somewhere The more I think about solo retirement, the less I believe the goal is to ensure you're never alone. Solitude can be wonderful. There is pleasure in having your own space, your own routines, and no one asking why you're eating cereal for dinner. What matters is having somewhere you belong. Become a regular at the coffee shop where they know your order. Join the fitness class where someone notices when your bike is empty. Volunteer somewhere that counts on you. Make the lunch date. Know your neighbours. Join the euchre game, or, like my spinning participant, start one. Put things on the calendar, because Tuesday can quickly become Friday when nobody expects you anywhere. And don't just build a life full of people you can call when you need something. Build one where people call you. Be the person who remembers a birthday, walks someone's dog when they're sick, makes the lasagna, gives a ride, listens to the story, or notices when someone else hasn't shown up. There is enormous purpose in being needed. Connection isn't simply having a support system. It's participating in other people's lives and allowing them to participate in yours. The Public Health Agency of Canada identifies retirement, illness and the loss of a spouse as later-life transitions that can strain our sense of independence and connection, and encourages older adults to stay connected with family, friends, health professionals and community organizations (Public Health Agency of Canada, n.d.). That sounds very official. I would translate it more simply: keep showing up. And if your world starts to feel smaller, pay attention. If loneliness becomes persistent, tell someone. Call a friend. Talk to your doctor. Look for a community group. In Canada, 211 is a free and confidential service that connects people with government and community-based, non-clinical health and social services. In most of Canada, you can simply dial 2-1-1 (211 Canada, n.d.). Asking for company isn't imposing. You may find the other person was hoping someone would call, too. We spend a lot of retirement planning asking whether we have enough money. If you're retiring solo, perhaps there are two other questions worth asking just as seriously: Who are my people? And whose person am I? Maybe that's the real difference between retiring solo and retiring alone. One describes who lives in your house. The other describes how you live in the world. So build your community before you desperately need one. Be brave enough to walk into the restaurant, book the trip, take the class, call the friend, and occasionally admit you'd like some company. Create reasons to get dressed in the morning and places where someone notices your arrival. More importantly, create a life in which your absence would leave a small hole in someone else's day. And if the restaurant tries to seat you beside the kitchen, smile and ask for the table by the window. The couples get the dishwasher. Surely we can give the solos the good table. Don’t retire... ReWire! Sue My Book is Available for Order: I hope you will consider ordering a copy of Your Retirement Reset for yourself, a friend, or someone you love. Published by ECW Press and is available through Indigo or Amazon and McNally Robinson. If you like supporting Canadian booksellers, check with your local independent bookstore too. Most can order it.

Expect a Warmer Winter Due to Super El Niño

A Newsday story on the forecast for a warmer and wetter winter features an interview with Dr. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability. “We expect it to be a wetter winter, but whether that’s big snowstorms or tilting more towards rain, that’s harder to say,” Bernhardt explained. “More precipitation could mean more snow, but then if it’s not cold, then you have more mixed precipitation or rain.”

MEDIA RELEASE: 90 years of students helping students: CAA Manitoba celebrates School Safety Patrol milestone at the Manitoba Legislative Building

For 90 years, generations of Manitoba students have stepped up to help their classmates get to and from school safely. This year, CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the CAA School Safety Patrol® program and the thousands of young Manitobans who have been part of its history. The CAA School Safety Patrol program, CAA’s oldest traffic safety initiative, was developed to protect, educate and empower elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. To mark the milestone, CAA School Safety Patrollers gathered today at the Manitoba Legislative Building for a special day-long itinerary that included a tour of the building, meetings with Ministers, participation in the Speaker's March, attendance at Question Period, and a commemorative 90th Anniversary photo on the steps of the building. This anniversary is about celebrating the generations of young Manitobans who have stepped up to help keep their classmates safe,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president, CAA Manitoba. “Today is a chance to recognize that legacy and the students who are carrying it forward.” From one Winnipeg school to 8,000 Patrollers The program began in Manitoba in 1936 at Greenway School in Winnipeg, where teacher Louise Staples organized Manitoba’s first CAA School Safety Patrol team. Within months, student Patrollers were introduced across the city to help promote pedestrian and road safety in school zones. Today, approximately 8,000 Patrollers at 250 schools participate in the program, working with police services to help deliver it. “For 90 years, this program has really been about students helping students,” says Di Felice. “Generations of young people have put on the patrol vest, learned about road safety and taken on the responsibility of helping their classmates get to and from school safely. That’s an incredible story, and it’s something worth celebrating.” Throughout 2026, CAA Manitoba has been marking the anniversary through activities that recognize current Patrollers and celebrate the program's history. The anniversary campaign includes Patroller recognition at sporting events and community engagement for the people who have been part of the program. Building student leadership and safer school communities CAA School Safety Patrollers receive annual training and are taught to model and encourage safe behaviour among their fellow students. The program also gives young people an opportunity to develop teamwork, volunteerism and leadership skills while playing an active role in their school community. Community partnerships have also been an important part of the program’s history. CAA works with schools, teachers and police, including Winnipeg Police, Brandon Police and Morden Police, to support the CAA School Safety Patrol program in Manitoba. “Our Patrollers may be young, but the contribution they make to their schools and communities is significant,” says Di Felice. “As we mark this achievement, we’re saying thank you to everyone who has been part of this program and especially to the students who continue that tradition today.” CAA School Safety Patrol by the numbers • 1936: Manitoba’s first CAA School Safety Patrol team was organized at Greenway School in Winnipeg. • 90 years: The milestone being celebrated by CAA Manitoba in 2026 • Approximately 8,000 Patrollers: Participate in Manitoba today. • Approximately 250 schools: Participate in the program across Manitoba. • Grades 5 to 8: The program is geared toward students in these grades. To learn more about the School Safety Patrol program, please visit: www.schoolpatrolmanitoba.com

Why Negative Political Ads Work - And When They Backfire

With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, political campaigns are increasingly turning to negative advertising, emotional appeals and artificial intelligence to influence voters. But how effective are these tactics, and when might they do more harm than good? David Schweidel, Professor of Marketing and Roberto C. Goizueta Professor in Business Technology at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, joined CNN Newsroom anchor Fredricka Whitfield on October 25 to examine the psychology behind political attack ads and the growing influence of AI-generated campaign content. View his profile Schweidel, whose research includes political marketing, consumer behaviour and digital advertising, explained why negative messages often have a greater impact on voters than positive campaign advertising. The Power of Negative Advertising Research suggests that advertisements designed to provoke fear or anger can be particularly effective at capturing attention, influencing voter preferences and motivating people to cast their ballots. As Schweidel explained during the CNN interview: "That's what the research has shown, that negative ads tend to stick with people longer than positive ads, getting them more likely to show up at the polls. So increasing voter turnout and moving the needle when it comes to share of the vote." However, the effectiveness of negative advertising comes with risks. Campaigns that push emotional messaging too far may alienate the very voters they hope to persuade. Schweidel noted that economic frustrations, including rising costs for groceries, health care and gasoline, have created an environment in which political campaigns are eager to capitalize on voter anger. AI Adds a New Dimension The conversation also explored the increasing use of artificial intelligence in political advertising, particularly the ability to create realistic images and messages that may mislead audiences. Schweidel warned that voters who encounter these advertisements casually may not take the time to verify their accuracy. Even brief exposure to misleading content can leave a lasting impression, particularly when subsequent advertisements reinforce the same message. The emergence of AI-generated political advertising raises important questions about transparency, authenticity and the ability of voters to distinguish legitimate campaign messages from manipulated content. An Expert Perspective for Election Coverage As campaigns intensify ahead of Election Day, Schweidel's research offers valuable insight into why political advertisements resonate with voters, how emotional appeals influence political behaviour and the implications of AI for election communications. His expertise spans political marketing, artificial intelligence, social media analytics and consumer behaviour, making him a valuable resource for journalists examining the changing landscape of political advertising. David Schweidel is available to speak with media about negative political advertising, voter psychology, AI-generated campaign content and the effectiveness of political messaging. To arrange an interview or connect with David Schweidel, click on his profile below.

Midterm Campaigns Enter Their Final Full Week

The final full week before the November 3 midterm elections is bringing a surge of campaign appearances, advertising and voter outreach as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of Congress. President Donald Trump and prominent Democratic leaders are campaigning across key states, while competitive races in places such as Mississippi illustrate how the political battleground has expanded. Republicans are defending their congressional majorities as Democrats seek to turn dissatisfaction with the administration into electoral gains. The stakes extend beyond which party wins the most seats. Congressional control helps determine which legislation advances, how federal spending priorities take shape and how closely lawmakers investigate executive branch decisions. Continued Republican control could help the president advance his agenda, while Democratic gains could create additional obstacles and strengthen congressional oversight. Voters are also choosing governors and other state officials whose decisions directly affect schools, public services and local economies. For campaigns, the closing days present a challenge: persuading undecided voters while ensuring existing supporters cast their ballots. For voters, the election offers an opportunity to evaluate both candidates’ promises and their ability to govern. The results will help shape the direction of national policy during the remaining two years of the president’s term. 

Augusta University Researchers Uncover New Clues to Dangerous Pregnancy Complication

(From left) Jessica Faulkner, PhD, Champa Woodham, MD, Mona Elgazzaz, PhD, and Safia Ogbi (research manager in Faulkner’s lab) A significant discovery by researchers at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia is shedding new light on preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication affecting an estimated 2% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide. Published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, the research reveals that a protein commonly used to assess preeclampsia risk may also contribute directly to the disease by triggering excess production of the hormone leptin. The discovery establishes a previously unknown connection between two biological markers long associated with preeclampsia and could help researchers identify new approaches to treatment. Jessica L. Faulkner, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia and the study's lead author, explained the importance of the findings. “Preeclampsia patients have elevated levels of both sFlt-1 and leptin, but the relationship between those two factors has remained unclear. Our findings show that sFlt-1 directly increases leptin production and suggest that leptin may be an important link between placental dysfunction and the cardiovascular complications of the disease.” Using human placental tissue, cultured cells and animal models, the research team demonstrated that elevated levels of sFlt-1 increase leptin production, contributing to the blood vessel dysfunction characteristic of preeclampsia. When researchers blocked leptin signaling in pregnant mice, much of that dysfunction was reversed. The research was made possible through collaboration between Faulkner's laboratory and the Medical College of Georgia's Maternal-Fetal Medicine program, led by Champa Woodham, MD. Woodham emphasized the importance of connecting laboratory discoveries with clinical care. “Preeclampsia remains one of the most challenging conditions we manage in maternal-fetal medicine because patients can progress from appearing clinically stable to becoming critically ill very quickly. What makes this research particularly exciting is that it takes sFlt-1, a biomarker we are already using clinically to help assess a patient’s risk and gives us a deeper understanding of how it may actually contribute to the disease process.” Mona Elgazzaz, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Faulkner's laboratory and the study's first author, highlighted the potential treatment implications. “Uncovering the crosstalk between sFlt-1 and leptin is crucial because it introduces new potential targets for treating preeclampsia by modulating the proteins that regulate leptin production.” The findings are especially significant because current treatment options remain limited, with delivery of the placenta remaining the only definitive cure. Although additional research is needed before these discoveries can translate into clinical treatments, the findings offer a promising new direction for understanding and potentially treating a condition that continues to threaten maternal and infant health worldwide. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. For journalists covering maternal health, pregnancy complications, cardiovascular disease and emerging medical research, Augusta University's research team offers important expertise on the science behind preeclampsia and the potential implications of this discovery. To learn more or arrange an interview with the researchers, contact AU's External Communications Team mediarelations@augusta.edu to arrange an interview today.

Could Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Be Affecting Your Oral Health? Augusta University Researcher Investigates

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound are transforming treatment for obesity and diabetes, with some now being used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. But could these increasingly popular medications also affect your teeth and gums? A researcher at Augusta University's Dental College of Georgia is investigating that question, highlighting a potential connection between GLP-1 medications, sleep apnea treatment and oral health. John C. Comisi, DDS, DMD, interim chair and professor in the Department of General Dentistry, recently published a review in Clinical Oral Investigations examining how obstructive sleep apnea and GLP-1 medications may influence the oral microbiome — the complex community of bacteria that helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. A New Question About GLP-1 Medications Obstructive sleep apnea can affect oral health through repeated oxygen disruptions, inflammation, mouth breathing and dry mouth. Treating the condition could improve some of these problems, but GLP-1 medications may introduce additional considerations. “OSA affects much more than sleep,” Comisi said. “The changes that occur throughout the body can also change the environment in the mouth. As we increasingly use medications to treat OSA, we need to understand what those treatments may mean for oral health.” Comisi's review suggests that successful treatment of sleep apnea could improve the oral environment by reducing mouth breathing, acid reflux and other contributing factors. However, reports involving semaglutide have also raised questions about dry mouth and changes in saliva, which plays an important role in protecting against tooth decay and gum disease. “There are potentially competing effects happening at the same time,” Comisi said. “Treating sleep apnea could improve several conditions that contribute to an unhealthy oral environment, while the medication itself could potentially affect salivary function. We simply do not have the prospective human studies yet to know what the overall effect will be.” The review, featured in an Oct. 6 Augusta University Jagwire article, calls for additional research tracking patients using GLP-1 medications, including changes in saliva, oral bacteria, cavities and gum disease. It also highlights the importance of communication between dentists and other health care providers, particularly when patients taking GLP-1 medications require dental procedures involving sedation or general anesthesia. With GLP-1 medications becoming increasingly common, understanding their broader effects on oral health is an emerging area of research with important implications for patients and dental professionals. John C. Comisi, DDS, DMD, is interim chair and professor in the Department of General Dentistry at Augusta University's Dental College of Georgia. His expertise provides a valuable perspective on the intersection of dental health, medication use and emerging approaches to patient care. If you're interested in speaking with Dr. John Comisi about GLP-1 medications, sleep apnea, dry mouth, oral health and the implications of these treatments for dental care, contact  AU's External Communications Team mediarelations@augusta.edu to arrange an interview today.

Companies Are More Committed to Sustainability Than Ever. So What's Holding Them Back?

Corporate commitments to sustainability have reached record levels, but a new report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests that turning those promises into meaningful action remains a significant challenge. The 2026 State of Supply Chain Sustainability Report, based on a survey of 1,810 supply chain professionals across 91 countries, found that 83 percent consider sustainability important or very important to long-term business success, the highest level recorded in the report's seven-year history. Yet the research reveals a troubling disconnect between corporate ambition and the structures needed to achieve measurable results. Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, Director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab and lead author of the report, says the challenge is no longer simply convincing companies that sustainability matters. "Commitment is strong, measurement is expanding, and AI is accelerating," says Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab and lead author of the report. "What comes next is harder: converting commitment into accountability, operational integration into strategic decision making, and incremental decarbonization into genuine transition." Rajagopalan cautions that the next challenge involves turning those commitments into accountability, integrating sustainability into strategic decisions and achieving more substantial reductions in emissions. Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan is a Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and Director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab. Her research focuses on sustainable logistics, circular supply chains, Scope 3 emissions and helping organizations translate sustainability commitments into practical strategies. View her profile The report identifies several important findings: Corporate accountability is lagging: Only 51 percent of companies with publicly stated sustainability goals have formal cross-functional sustainability teams, while just 33 percent have board-level oversight. Tariffs are disrupting progress: Sixty-eight percent of respondents say tariff uncertainty has forced them to delay, reduce or abandon sustainability strategies. AI offers promise, but also challenges: While 87 percent of organizations adopting AI for sustainability report positive impacts, improvements in operational efficiency do not necessarily translate into lower overall emissions. Transportation remains a challenge: Forty-three percent of freight fleets still operate mostly or entirely on conventional diesel, while only eight percent have fully transitioned to low-emission energy. Collaboration is increasing: Participation in joint supplier engagement and decarbonization programs has climbed from 31 to 58 percent in just one year. Perhaps one of the report's most important findings concerns how sustainability is managed inside organizations. Companies with formal cross-functional teams report integrating sustainability into decisions far more frequently than those assigning responsibility to a single department. The findings raise important questions for business leaders. Are sustainability commitments being supported by meaningful governance? Can AI deliver measurable environmental improvements? And how can companies maintain progress when tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and changing policies disrupt long-term plans? For Rajagopalan, the research points to a critical distinction: making sustainability a corporate priority is not the same as making it part of how a business operates. If you're interested in speaking with Dr. Rajagopalan about corporate sustainability, supply chain emissions, artificial intelligence, environmental accountability and the challenges facing global businesses, simply click on her profile to arrange an interview today.