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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 LaszloProfessor, 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 BloomExecutive 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 BeachSustainability 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 RobockSenior 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 BuchananVice 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

Details

Date:
January 24
Time:
7:30 am - 1:00 pm
Website:
https://fs27.formsite.com/gcpartnership/x8ad8e9rxg/index.html

Organizer

Greater Cleveland Partnership COSE
Phone:
2165922376
Email:
SThomas@greatercle.com
View Organizer Website

Venue

Huntington Convention Center
300 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113 United States
+ Google Map
Phone:
(216) 928-1600