Zoom information to be shared via email.

Welcome to SBSI!

Speakers

Maggie Dunn, Director of SBSI

Lilah Kalfus, Co-President of Fuqua’s Net Impact Club

Gerard Pozzi, Co-President of Fuqua’s Net Impact Club

Katie Kross, Managing Director of EDGE

Erin Worsham, Director of CASE

Guardians of the Amazon: Catalyzing Economic Growth Through Conservation

This keynote features speakers from Amanatari, a non-profit joining forces with indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. By fostering trusted partnerships, Amanatari connects these communities with innovation, research, and market access to implement bio-business solutions that combat deforestation, create sustainable livelihoods, and advance climate action. Learn how you can support these collaborative efforts to protect vital ecosystems and drive economic growth.

Introduced by:

Gerard Pozzi, Duke MBA Student

Matias Voto-Bernales, Duke MBA Student

Keynote Speakers:

Alexia Hochschild, Founder, Amanatari

Bernardo Sambra, Founder & CEO, Amanatari

How to Do Well in Banking by Doing Good

This dynamic keynote panel, moderated by Lilah Kalfus, brings together two influential leaders in corporate social responsibility and impact finance. Reba Dominski and Lisa Gutierrez will share their extensive experience and insights on impact investing, CSR, and integrating social good into banking practices. The discussion will also explore innovative approaches to non-profit and corporate partnerships, highlighting strategies for maximizing social and environmental impact in the financial sector.

Moderator

Lilah Kalfus, Net Impact Co-President

Keynote Speakers:

Reba Dominski, SEVP, Chief Social Responsibility Officer and President, U.S. Bank Foundation

Lisa Gutierrez, Director of Business Development, Affordable Housing

Option 1:

Scaling Private Sector Investments to Restore Nature and Empower Local Guardians

What forces are shaping the private sector’s role in restoring nature and biodiversity? What additional solutions are needed to accelerate investments at scale while fostering equitable collaboration with local communities and Indigenous Peoples? Nature is at a critical tipping point, yet businesses rely on its resources and ecosystem services to survive and thrive. As stewards of significant resources, businesses have the unique power to halt nature loss and drive a just, nature-positive transition. Join the session to explore innovative solutions and best practices from industry leaders, and gain actionable insights on how future leaders can champion meaningful change.

Moderator

Lige Nie, Duke MBA Student

Panelists

Tucker Van Aken, Senior Advisor, Systemiq

Ryan Sarsfield, Senior Advisor for Biodiversity Markets, Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Lee Pearson, Co-founder & CEO, Wovoka 

Option 2:

Collaborating for Change: Bridging Corporate, Nonprofit, and Social Enterprise for Community Impact

In addressing complex societal challenges, collaboration between corporations, nonprofits, and social enterprises is essential. This panel explores how these sectors can work together effectively by leveraging their unique strengths to drive meaningful change. Panelists will discuss strategies for building partnerships that center on community needs, share examples of successful initiatives, and highlight the roles each sector plays in fostering sustainable impact. Join us for an engaging conversation on breaking silos and creating transformative solutions through cross-sector collaboration.

Moderator

Ola Jimoh, Duke MBA Student

Panelists

Debbie Kobak,  Managing Director, Arabella Advisors

Rony Cepeda Mekosh, Senior Manager, REDF

Azanique Rawl, Global Community & Crew Experience Lead, Vanguard

Jason Peace, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels of Durham, Inc.

Option 1:

Powering Progress: Shaping the Future of Data Centers and Resilience

How can AI-driven innovation and digital transformation shape the unprecedented demand for data centers? What strategies and technologies are being deployed to address the surging power needs while balancing resilience and efficiency? Global data center energy consumption is projected to more than double by 2030, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and energy efficiency advancements.

Moderator

Tobi Lapite, Duke MBA Student

Panelists

David Brown, Faculty Director for EDGE at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

Sarah Adair, Managing Director, Public Policy at Duke Energy

Option 2:

Driving Innovation: The Many Lanes of Climate Funding

How do various investment models help accelerate cutting-edge climate solutions? What are the unique capabilities and challenges associated with various climate investment models? Join us for a lively discussion with climate investors representing corporate and traditional VC. Our panelists will compare the goals, strategies, and processes within their firms, give a pulse check on the changing tides of policy, and highlight some technologies they are most (and least) excited about in the coming years.

Moderator

Cathy Clark, Faculty Director, CASE at Duke

Panelists

Jessica Lam, Senior Market Specialist, Microsoft

Justin Desrosiers, Managing Principal, SustainVC

Pilar Carvajo Lucena, Head of Investments & Fund Partnerships, Third Derivative

Looking to dive deeper into the trends shaping sustainability and social impact? The Coffee & Networking Break at the 2025 Sustainable Business and Social Impact (SBSI) Conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with professionals and peers.

Join us for engaging conversations covering the following topics:

• Amazonian Conservation with Gautam Ramnath, International Partnerships and Alliances at Amanatari/UTEC

• Circular Economy with Kayla O’Neill Carriker, Manager of Partnership Development at GlobalGiving

• Solar Project Development with Tatiana Gutierrez, Renewables and Sustainability Consultant

Option 1:

Startups to Watch: Pitch Competition

How do impact-driven startups communicate their vision while demonstrating promising financial returns? What are investors focused on today, and what questions do they ask to assess the viability of an opportunity? What makes a startup really stand out? Join us for a dynamic session where a series of founders will “pitch” their impact-oriented business and take questions from a panel of investors. The winner will be determined by YOU, the audience, and will go on to the keynote stage for a spotlight.

Moderator

Kaylin Raby, Duke MBA Candidate

Judges

Dr. Alexis Carpenter, Chief Innovation Officer, AxNano, Inc

Justin Desrosiers, Managing Principle, SustainVC

Founders

Rob Creighton, Founder & CEO, Windlift

Brewer Logan, Founder & CEO, Verenovo

Kelsey Worsham, Co-Founder, Intuition

Malik Epps, Founder & CEO, Collective

Option 2:

Exploring Current Trends in Supply Chain Sustainability

This panel brings together leaders and experts within the sustainability space to explore current trends in supply chain sustainability. Specifically, we will discuss the critical role of transparency in driving sustainability and social impact, and panelists will share insights into current initiatives to enhance supply chain transparency, discuss challenges and opportunities, and highlight emerging trends shaping the future of transparent impact.

Moderator

Hannah Hopkins, Duke MBA Candidate

Panelists

Alison Taylor, Climate Leader in Residence, Duke University

Maggie Monast, Senior Director, Climate-Smart Agriculture, EDF

Carol E. Hee, Principal LCA Consultant at Anthesis Group, Associate Adjunct Professor at Duke University

Let’s Talk Food and Agriculture

Moderator

Mana Caballero, Duke MBA Candidate

Keynote Speakers:

Alison Taylor, Climate Leader in Residence, Duke University

Maggie Monast, Senior Director, Climate-Smart Agriculture, EDF

Christopher Gergen, Chief Growth Officer, 4P Foods

Winner of Pitch Competition Announced!

Making Impact in Today’s World

In this timely keynote conversation, Tiana Epps-Johnson will share insights on driving large-scale sustainability projects through innovative cross-sector collaborations. Drawing from CTCL’s success in mobilizing substantial philanthropic resources, Tiana will discuss the evolving landscape of partnerships between non-profit, government, and private sectors, offering fresh perspectives on the recent election. This dialogue will explore how collaborative approaches can address complex societal challenges, advance sustainability at scale, and shape the future of civic engagement in a rapidly changing political environment.

Keynote Speaker:

Tiana Epps-Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Tech and Civic Life