Location

Fox Student Center

All morning keynotes will be held in Geneen Auditorium

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

Dan Vermeer, Executive 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.

Keynote Speakers:

Alexia Hochschild, Founder, Amanatari

Bernardo Sambra, Founder & CEO, Amanatari

How to Do Well 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

Location

Formica Classroom

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 at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Lee Pearson, Co-founder & CEO, Wovoka 

Option 2:

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

Location

General Motors Classroom

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, Manager, REDF

Azanique Rawl, Global Community & Crew Experience Lead, Vanguard

Location

Fox Student Center

Option 1:

Powering Progress: Shaping the Future of Data Centers and Resilience

Location

General Motors Classroom

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

Aulia Ampri, 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

Scott Tew, Leader of Center for Energy Efficiency & Sustainability, Trane Technologies

Option 2:

Driving Innovation: The Many Lanes of Climate Funding

Location

Formica Classroom

How do various investment models help accelerate cutting-edge climate solutions? What do different investors focus on when evaluating and supporting startups? This panel will convene perspectives from venture capital, corporate, and philanthropic investors to share insights on how best to finance climate startups and support solutions to scale. Join us to hear how current and future business professionals can help shape the future of climate in all types of organizations and functions (and more driving-related puns).

Moderator

Cathy Clark, Faculty Director, CASE at Duke

Panelists

Jessica Lam, Senior Market Specialist at Microsoft

Justin Desrosiers, Managing Principal, SustainVC

Meg Rudy, Associate, DRK Foundation

Location

Fox Student Center

Option 1:

The Price of Purpose: Turning Collective Good into Good Business

Location

Geneen Auditorium

How do impact-driven startups communicate their vision while demonstrating promising financial return for investors? How are they balancing short-term pressures with long-term goals? What does a typical founder-investor pitch interaction look like, and how do early business models evolve from inception to successful operation? 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 Student

Panelists

Dr. Alexis Carpenter, Chief Innovation Officer, Triad Growth Partners

Justin Desrosiers, Managing Principle, SustainVC

Rob Creighton, Founder & CEO, Windlift

Brewer Logan, Founder & CEO, Verenovo

Kelsey Worsham, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Intuition

Option 2:

Exploring Current Trends in Supply Chain Sustainability

Location

General Motors Classroom

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 Student

Panelists

Alison Taylor, CSO, ADM

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

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

All afternoon keynotes will be held in Geneen Auditorium

The State of Sustainability

In this timely keynote conversation, Paula Alexander will offer a comprehensive view of the current state of sustainability amidst political shifts and global challenges. She’ll share insights on Clorox’s strategic approach to impactful sustainability goals and discuss how the company is innovating with purpose in today’s complex business landscape. Young professionals entering the workforce will gain valuable guidance on navigating the evolving field of corporate sustainability, along with practical advice for making a meaningful impact in a rapidly changing world.

Keynote Speakers:

Paula Alexander, Senior Director of Sustainability at The Clorox Company

Let’s Talk Food and Agriculture

Moderator

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

Keynote Speakers:

Alison Taylor, CSO, ADM

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

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

Location

Kirby Reading Room