Money In Focus

eBay Foundation announce the appointment of Rebecca Spencer and Scott Andrews to its Board of Directors. The appointees bring a range of perspectives and experiences from different parts of eBay’s business to the board, complementing the other directors. They will serve alongside Julie Loeger, Beric Alleyne, Patrice Green, Jonathan Jayes-Green, Eve Williams, and Derek Allgood. Rebecca Spencer, eBay’s Chief Accounting Officer, brings to the Foundation an extensive financial expertise and dedication to community empowerment. With six years of experience at eBay, Rebecca is poised to enhance the Foundation’s mission of empowering communities to grow through entrepreneurship.

According to preliminary insights from Mastercard SpendingPulseTM, U.S. retail sales excluding automotive increased 3.8% year-over-year from November 1 through December 24. Mastercard SpendingPulse measures in-store and online retail sales, representing all payment types and is not adjusted for inflation. “The holiday shopping season revealed a consumer who is willing and able to spend but driven by a search for value as can be seen by concentrated e-commerce spending during the biggest promotional periods,” said Michelle Meyer, chief economist, Mastercard Economics Institute. “Solid spending during this holiday season underscores the strength we observed from the consumer all year, supported by the healthy labor market and household wealth gains.” Check here key retail trends for the full holiday season.

President Joe Biden shared deep sorrow over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who peacefully passed away at his home in Georgia at the age of 100. Renowned for his steadfast commitment to human rights and public service, Carter's legacy as a leader and humanitarian resonates profoundly both nationally and globally. Carter, the 39th President of the United States who served from 1977 to 1981, entered hospice care in February 2023, marking a poignant chapter in a life devoted to helping others. In a heartfelt statement released today, President Biden reflected on Carter’s enduring impact, stating, “Jimmy Carter was a man of great humility who left an indelible mark on our nation. His dedication to human rights, democracy, and peace inspired generations, reminding us that we are responsible not only for our own lives but for the well-being of others worldwide.” President Biden went on to say, “Despite the challenges of his presidency, President Carter demonstrated unwavering resolve and resilience. He illustrated that true leadership extends beyond holding an office; it is about how we serve our fellow human beings.” In tribute to Jimmy Carter, President Biden has called for flags to be flown at half-staff and urged Americans to reflect on Carter’s legacy of service and dedication. Read more here:

Fortune Next to Lead has announced its first-ever Most Powerful Rising Executives list, featuring 25 dynamic leaders from Fortune 500 companies who exemplify the skills and operational knowledge necessary to become future CEOs of Fortune 500 firms. These individuals are not only instigating significant change within their organizations, but they are also positioned to influence the future of business in their respective industries and at some of America’s largest corporations. The executives recognized span various sectors, including technology, energy, healthcare, financial services, retail, and consumer goods. Importantly, 44% of those chosen are women, and 52% are people of color, underscoring a growing commitment to diversity in corporate leadership and the advantages of investing in diverse talent. The Fortune Next to Lead: 25 Most Powerful Rising Executives includes Megan Crozier, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant at Sam’s Club; Craig Williams, President of Geographies and Marketplace at Nike; Sarah Bond, President of Xbox; Tim Ryan, Head of Technology and Business Enablement at Citi; and Jennifer Taubert, EVP, Worldwide Chairman of Innovative Medicine at Johnson & Johnson. Click here for the complete list:

The 2025 Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI) will bring together a record 20 professional men’s and women’s teams for the largest-ever preseason event in North American professional soccer history it was announced by event developers and operators AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. With the support of MLS and NWSL, the CVI will host players, coaches and management from each of the clubs who will participate in preseason matches, training sessions and organizational meetings at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. Passes for all exhibition matches are already on sale to the public at https://lnkd.in/e44eWMT3 . The initial schedule of all 26 mens and womens matches (listed below) is highlighted by appearances from 2024 MLS Cup Finalists LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, the first open to the public match played by the MLS’ newest team San Diego FC and the CVI debut of NWSL clubs Houston Dash and Seattle Reign FC. In addition to providing each of the participating MLS and NWSL teams the opportunity to prepare for their upcoming 2025 seasons in optimum weather at world class facilities, CVI will also give fans unprecedented access to watch some of MLS’s and NWSL’s most decorated and popular players and teams in an intimate setting, along with unique fan experiences. Read more here:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® announced that Warner Music Latina will sponsor its Prodigy Scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music. The scholarship will cover tuition and room and board for the 2025 fall semester, as well as wrap around services provided by the Foundation. Warner Music Latina—a powerhouse in Latin music with a legacy of discovering and developing groundbreaking artists across genres— brings its industry-leading expertise and deep commitment to nurturing emerging talent to this partnership. It is the first time in the scholarship’s decade long history that it will be sponsored by a record label. Read more here:

This month, the California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (CA RISE), the nation’s first statewide investment in employment social enterprises (ESEs), distributed its second tranche of funding. A total of 61 enterprises based in 16 counties across California received funding to expand the number of job opportunities in their communities. Employment social enterprises (ESEs) are businesses that hire, train, and support people breaking through employment barriers, such as homelessness or incarceration. Roughly 49% of employees served by the CA RISE cohort of ESEs have been justice-involved and 24% are unstably housed. California leads the nation in scaling this type of work. Governor Newsom approved a $25 million investment to launch CA RISE, as part of the 2022-2023 state budget. CA RISE is funded through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), in collaboration with nonprofit REDF (program lead), and minority-led small business lender Lendistry (fiscal agent). Read more here:

The 2024/25 Cloud Awards – the long-running awards platform recognizing achievements in cloud computing – has named its finalists. Currently in its 14th year, The Cloud Awards covers 36 categories showcasing numerous disciplines within cloud computing. This includes cloud solutions for areas such as CRM, Finance, and HR, and innovative use of technologies for mobile, use of artificial intelligence, and ‘Internet of Things’. Individual projects, strategies and working environments are also celebrated, as well as overall excellence in cloud computing through infrastructure, data management and security. The finals stage contains organizations headquartered from across the globe, with emerging startups standing shoulder-to-shoulder with established household names. Read more here:

In a surprise diplomatic overture, President-elect Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his presidential inauguration. The invitation marks a significant moment in US-China relations, and raises questions about possible shifts in diplomatic strategy as Trump prepares to take office. While the Chinese embassy in Washington declined to comment on the invitation, the move could signal an intent to mend ties that have been strained in recent years. Read more here:

Apple announced plans to expand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of the Apple Store online in summer 2025. The online store will bring customers across Saudi Arabia new ways to shop Apple’s full range of products, with exceptional service and support directly from Apple in Arabic for the very first time. Starting in 2026, Apple will begin opening the first of several flagship Apple Store locations in Saudi Arabia. These retail stores will offer customers in the country even more ways to connect with Apple’s knowledgable team members and find the perfect products and services. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eeM65sp7