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Sustainability Summit | Sold Out
January 24 @ 7:30 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details:
Sustainability is more than a buzzword, it’s a market trend impacting large and small businesses in business-to-business and consumer markets. Large public and private companies are pursuing sustainability business opportunities and commitments; in turn, they are seeking supply partners that can help them meet their objectives resulting in a durable competitive advantage for those small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can meet customers’ needs.
The summit is an opportunity to learn more about growth opportunities, business reporting requirements and grant and loan options. This inaugural event will bring together sustainability leaders from large companies, interested SMEs and experts for educational discussions.
The half-day conference will:
- Provide large companies an opportunity to discuss innovation opportunities, sustainability reporting and auditing and board and management practices
- Provide SMEs guidance on business opportunities, new reporting expectations, available resources and best practices.
- Highlight market-driven business and innovation opportunities
- Present financing and grant opportunities from banks, tax credits and grant programs
The conference will consist of keynotes, panels and breakout tracks for both large companies and SMEs.
Program
7:30 AM Registration & Breakfast
8:00 AM Welcoming and Opening Remarks
Baiju Shah – CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
8:10 AM Keynote Address: Chris Laszlo, Professor, Case Western Reserve University
“Sustainability Trends, Challenges and Opportunities”
8:30 AM Panel Discussion– Company Benefits of Sustainable Practices:
Benefits from leading in this trend and how company efforts advance the region’s growth, prosperity, and sustainability
Moderator: Elad Granot, PH.D., Dean – Boler College of Business, Professor of Marketing, John Carroll University
Elizabeth Grove, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lubrizol
Andrew Watterson, President and Founder, Blue CSR Strategies
Sarah O’Keeffe, Director Sustainability & Climate Justice, City of Cleveland
Patrick Bloom, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, Cleveland Cliffs
9:30 AM SMEs Track – What Your Customers Need You to Know:
Sustainability as an SME advantage, reporting requirements and resources
Moderator: Aram Nerpouni, Managing Director of Talent, MAGNET
Michelle Butler, VP EHS and Sustainability, Lincoln Electric
Victoria Avi, Partner and Co-Founder – Venture Forward Strategies
Dylan Beach, Sustainability Senior Manager – GOJO Sustainability Senior Manager
9:30 AM Large Companies Track – Meeting Stakeholder Expectations and Targets:
Sustainability reporting and third-party auditing, information sharing, and competitive considerations; board and management oversight for Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions
Moderator: Richik Sarkar, Partner – Dinsmore & Shohl
Jenita McGowan, Manager Global Sustainability & ESG Excellence – Eaton
Nicole Stika, Senior Business Developer, Sustainability Solutions – World Kinect
Zachary Robock, Senior Corporate Council – Nordson
10:30 AM SMEs Track – Sustainability 101 – The Basics to Meet the New Expectations
Understanding the expectations of large companies; timetable, resources, and best practices for US and Global Companies.
Moderator: Stephen Love, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives, The Cleveland Foundation
Jason Wood, Director Corporate Responsibility – JoAnn
Rishabh Bahel, Energy and Sustainability leader – Nestle
Laura Steinbrink, Managing Member – Emerald Built Environments
10:30 AM Large Companies Track – Innovation and Sustainability for Large Companies:
Sustainability-driven innovation and growth opportunities, ROI on efforts, and green patenting
Moderator: Cathy Vail, Audit Partner and Deputy ESG Leader – EY US-Central Region
Scott Buchanan, Vice President, Environmental, Health and Safety – Avery Dennison
Dr. Steve Fallon, Vice President, Innovation and Sustainability, Coating and Construction Division – Synthomer
Mike Foley, Director Department of Sustainability – Cuyahoga County
11:30 AM Panel Discussion– Financial Resources for Sustainability:
Funding sustainability investments and innovation. Resources from companies, banks, and governments in the form of grants, loans, and support
Moderator: John Mitterholzer, Program Director Climate and Environmental Justice – The George Gund Foundation
Kristi Eberhardt, Managing Director & Head of Sustainable Finance – PNC
Renee Bonnell, Senior Vice President, Utilities, Power and Renewable Energy – KeyBank
Michael Jeans, President & CEO – Growth Opps | Go Green Energy
Courtney Kishbaugh, Director of Innovation, Cleveland Innovation Project (GCP)
12:15 PM Closing Comments, Lunch and Networking
Supporting Sponsors
