Please join us at The Forum on Friday, March 22, 2024 for
Columbia University Sustainability Management Student Association’s flagship event
This year, our goal is to cultivate a vibrant and interdisciplinary forum focused on driving tangible and impactful sustainability outcomes. Where are we spending real time, money, and effort today to drive the changes of tomorrow?
Our panelists are prominent leaders, influential policy makers, & visionary innovators representing experience from across all forms of industry.
Photos used in event materials provided by SIPA Student and Journalist Cate Twining Ward
The symposium will provide a platform for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, knowledge, current events, industry best practices, and to foster discussions that can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Agenda
Time | Event |
---|---|
8:00-9:00 AM | Registration & Coffee |
9:00-9:45 AM | Opening Remarks and Keynote Speech |
9:45-10:35AM | Green Horizons: Shaping Climate Resilient Futures |
10:35-10:45 AM | Coffee Break |
10:45-11:35 AM | Energizing the Future: Pathways to Clean Energy Adoption |
11:35AM-12:25PM | The Future of Fashion: Impact Fashion Policy |
12:25-1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
1:30PM-2:20 PM | Profit with Purpose: The New Paradigm of Sustainable Business |
2:20PM-3:10 PM | Green Narratives: Storytelling and Art for Global Environmental Impact |
3:10PM-3:20 PM | Coffee Break |
3:20PM-4:10 PM | Revolutionizing Resources: Pioneering the Circular Economy |
4:10PM-5:00 PM | Climate Careers – Understanding the Sustainability Job Market |
5:00PM-7:00 PM | Closing Remarks and Networking Reception |
Panel Information
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speech
This panel is set to delve into a holistic exploration of strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, prioritizing equitable solutions that address the needs of vulnerable communities. Participants will engage in critical discussions around the transformative impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, the potential of new and emerging clean technologies, and the role of innovative urban planning in enhancing climate resilience.
9:00-9:45AM – Add to Google Calendar
- Steven Cohen – Senior Vice Dean, SPS, Columbia University
- Curtis Probst – CEO, NYCEEC
Green Horizons: Shaping Climate Resilient Futures
This panel is set to delve into a holistic exploration of strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, prioritizing equitable solutions that address the needs of vulnerable communities. Participants will engage in critical discussions around the transformative impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, the potential of new and emerging clean technologies, and the role of innovative urban planning in enhancing climate resilience.
9:45-10:35AM – Add to Google Calendar
- Carter Strickland – Chief Sustainability Officer, SUNY
- Jeff Sternberg – Technical Director, Sustainability, Google
- Sarah Charlop-Powers – Executive Director, Natural Areas Conservancy
- Siobhan Watson – Senior Director of Sustainability, NYCHA
- Moderator: Henry Gordon-Smith – Lecturer, SUMA and Founder, Agritecture
Energizing the Future: Pathways to Clean Energy Adoption
This panel aims to delve into the critical juncture of policy formulation, technological advancements, and investment strategies within the renewable energy landscape. It will provide a platform for experts on the forefront of clean technology, shedding light on the most promising innovations set to redefine our energy future. The discussion will revolve around how targeted policies and financial mechanisms can serve as catalysts for the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions. Industry forerunners and experts will discuss how smart urban planning, IoT, and investment in the built environment can support clean energy initiatives.
10:45-1135AM – Add to Google Calendar
- Andy Anderson – EVP, WatchWire
- Kelsey Kane-Ritsch – Senior Program Manager, Rewiring America
- Michael Daschle – SVP, Sustainability, Brookfield Properties
- Scott Donachie – CEO, Companies for Net Zero
- Moderator: Shaun Hoyte – Head of Clean Energy Networks, ConEdison
The Future of Fashion: Impact Fashion Policy
This panel will center around imminent policy changes pertaining to the fashion industry. The proposed NY Fashion Act at the state level and the federal FABRIC Act carry significant implications if enacted, and they intersect with topics discussed in various SUMA (Sustainability Management) classes, such as Fashion Policy, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, ESG-Aligned Corporate Governance, and the forthcoming SEC ruling.
11:35AM-12:25PM – Add to Google Calendar
- Becca Coughlan – Senior Advocacy Manager, Remake
- Cassell Ferere – Founder, PAGE Magazine
- Dana Davis – Chief Sustainability Officer, Mara Hoffman
- Devon Rufo – Senior Sustainability Expert, Quantis
- Moderator: Elizabeth Cline – Professor, Columbia University
Profit with Purpose: The New Paradigm of Sustainable Business
Experts will engage in a meaningful dialogue exploring how businesses can strategically utilize finance and legislative measures to fund genuine, impactful solutions throughout the capital stack. This discussion aims to shed light on the intersection of finance, policy, and purpose-driven strategies, offering insights into effective funding mechanisms for sustainable business.
1:30-2:20PM – Add to Google Calendar
- Minjia Yang – VP & Head of Sustainable Finance, IWBI
- Stephanie Udler – Founder & Sr. Partner, 4800 Partners
- Moderator: Nina Eisenman, VP & Head of Corporate ESG Strategy, Nasdaq
Green Narratives: Storytelling and Art for Global Environmental Impact
In this discussion, we delve into the compelling world of climate storytelling, exploring how journalists, artists, photographers, and storytellers are shaping the narrative around environmental sustainability and climate change in a public and corporate environment. Our speakers will discuss the transformative power of storytelling in driving public awareness and action on environmental issues.
2:20-3:10PM – Add to Google Calendar
- David Stanford – Sr. Director Customer Experience, Cisco
- Enzo Baracco – Photographer and Author
- John Ealer – Senior Production Executive, Cream Productions
- Sophia Li – Climate Journalist and Advocate
- Moderator: Wendy Hapgood – Professor, SUMA and Co-Founder of Wild Tomorrow
Revolutionizing Resources: Pioneering the Circular Economy
Leading figures from industry and policy sectors will convene for a critical dialogue on the shift towards a circular economy, highlighting exemplary case studies and initiatives aimed at achieving zero waste. This discussion will explore the multifaceted challenges and prospects of expanding circular economy practices, providing key insights into how these sustainable approaches can be adopted more widely for greater impact.
3:20-4:10PM – Add to Google Calendar
- Deborah Dull – VP, Global Supply Chain, Genpact
- Kathy Pazakis – COO, TerraCycle
- Ron Gonen – Founder & CEO, Closed Loop Partners
- Thomas Van Haren, COO, Ecovative
- Moderator: Catarina Carvalho – Cities Planning and Design Leader, Arup
Climate Careers – Understanding the Sustainability Job Market
Leaders of some of the most active sustainability job boards of today discuss past and current trends in sustainable jobs. This talk will cover who is hiring and why, how these jobs have changed over the years, and what skills and approaches to the job market lead to success.
4:10-5:00pm – Add to Google Calendar
- Jesse Hynes – Co-Founder and COO/CFO, Climatebase
- Kristy Drutman – Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board
- Steven Zhang – Founder, ClimateTechList
Tickets are SOLD OUT!
Add to Google Calendar – Download Full Calendar Event
days
hours minutes seconds
until
The 13th Annual Sustainability Symposium