Are you an MBA student or business professional interested in corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship and building amore sustainable world? Then you might want to make flight and hotel reservations to be in Nashville Nov. 1-3.
Building a more sustainable world is the singular focus of the 2007 Net Impact Conference hosted by Vanderbilt University Nov. 1-3. Net Impact is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a positive impact on society by growing and strengthening a community of new leaders who use business to improve the world. Net Impact offers a portfolio of programs to educate, equip, and inspire its more than 10,000 members to make a tangible difference in their universities, organizations, and communities. Net Impact claims its membership is “one of the most influential networks of MBAs, graduate students, and professionals in existence today,” and includes “current and emerging leaders in [Corporate Social Responsibility) social entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, international development, and environmental sustainability who are actively improving the world.”
More than 1,500 graduate business students and professionals are expected to attend the 2007 Net Impact Conference, and be challenged to “think deeply about current issues and trends in the business world” related to creating a more sustainable world, and engaging them to take an action-oriented plan for change back to their communities. The Conference includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, case competitions, debates, and much more.
Here is the “Business and Environment” sessions scheduled as part of the Net Impact conference..
Business and the Environment
Sponsored by Herman Miller
Beyond LEED
Moderator: Marc Heisterkamp – Manager, LEED Corporate/Investment Real Estate Sector
Panelists: Jim Hartzfeld - Managing Director, InterfaceRaise; Ex-Chairman, USGBC Board of Directors
Kim Shinn - Director of Sustainable Design, TLC Engineering for Architecture; Southeast Regional Delegate, USGBC Board of Directors
Steve Gourley - Project Manager, Skanska USA Building Inc.
Climate Change and the Finance Industry
Moderator: Tracey Rembert - Senior Corporate Governance Analyst, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Capital Stewardship Program
Panelists: Stu Dalheim - Social Research Analyst, Calvert Mutual Funds
Kellee James - Economist, Chicago Climate Exchange
Improving Climate Performance & Your Bottom Line at the Same Time
Moderator: Will Martin - Environmental Consultant, Will Martin Company
Panelists: Robyn Beavers - Corporate Environmental Programs Manager, Google Inc.
Kevin Wilhelm - CEO, Sustainable Business Consulting
Greening the Music Industry
Moderator: Glenn Peoples - Blogger, www.Coolfer.com
Panelists: Chris Baumgartner - Music Matters
John Esposito - President and CEO, WEA Corp.
Richard Goodstone - Head of Sponsorship, Marketing and Promotions, Superfly Productions
Henry Juszkiewicz - Chairman & CEO, Gibson Guitars
Green Product Design
Moderator: David Owens - CEO, Griffin Technology Inc.
Panelists: Jonathan Bragdon - Founder, President, Tricycle, Inc.
Wendy Jedlicka - President, Jedlicka Design Ltd.
Gary Moore - Gap, Inc.
Hardy Sullivan - Director of Development, Crypton, Inc.
Free Market or Carbon Tax? Mending the Climate Change Gap between Companies and Congress
Panelists: Michael Shank - Government Relations Advisor, George Mason University
Jyoti Stephens - Sustainability and Stewardship Manager, Nature’s Path Organic Foods
Kevin Wilhelm - CEO, Sustainable Business Consulting
Greening the Supply Chain: Tools and techniques
Moderator: Che Mott - VP Product Development, Aravo Solutions
Panelists: Jim Jarman - Product Line Manager, EcoLab Inc.
Peter Sullivan - Ecomagination Product Manager, GE
Pic Walker - BluSkye
The New Green Media: Spreading the word
Moderator: Alex Tapia - COO/Program Manager, Kilowatt Ours
Panelists: Nick Aster - GM/Media Architect, MotherJones.com, Treehugger.com
Jacob Gordon - Blogger, TreeHugger.com
Carter Harkins - CEO, Intrascopic Media Inc.
Sustainable Planning & Development
Moderator: Ed Jepson - Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee
Panelists: Phil Fawcett - Executive Manager, Boyle Investment Company
Kinny Roper - Cherokee Investment Partners
Jeffrey Simon - President, Actus Lend Lease
Kevin Tankersley - Principal, LandDesign
Beyond Ethanol: A survey of the lesser known alternative fuel options
Moderator: Linda Hwang - BSR
Panelists: Michael Bowman - Echoing Green Foundation
Brian Gurr - Manager, Agriculture, Conservation International
Green Branding: Engaging the Consumer
Moderator: Nick Aster - GM/Media Architect, MotherJones.com, TreeHugger.com
Panelists: Perry Goldschein - Managing Director, SRB Marketing, Inc.
Brian LaValle - Regional Manager, EcoMedia
Marty McDonald - Creative Director/Partner, egg
Introduction to Biomimicry
Moderator: Asheen Phansey - Technology Commercialization Consultant, Aurora Flight Sciences
Panelists: Daniel Arneman - Research Scientist, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Nicholas Beck - Researcher, Terrapin Bright Green
Kevin Stack - Owner, Northeast Green Building Consulting, LLC
E-Waste: Business’ newest environmental hazard
Panelists: Tod Arbogast - Director of Sustainable Business, Dell Inc.
Renee St. Denis - Director of California E-Waste recycling center, Hewlett-Packard
Sarah O’Brien - EPEAT Outreach Director, Green Electronics Council
Green Homes: Creating demand or meeting demand?
Moderator: Justin Southwick - President, Tri-Star Homes, Inc.
Panelists: Joe Cooper - Founder, Ecosouth
Steve Glenn - CEO, Living Homes
Todd Zeitlin - Werthan Zeitlin Ventures
Movie Screening: Kilowatt Ours
Panelist: Jeff Barrie - Director, Kilowatt Ours
Lots of interesting stuff. I, unfortunately, though I live in Nashville, will be able to attend none of it.
