GreenBiz 23 Program

Dylan has spent nearly two decades building better environmental and social impacts in the nonprofit and public sectors and the Fortune 500. Prior to GreenBiz, she was a lead strategist on the social innovation team at Verizon, where she introduced climate justice as a core element of the company’s climate approach and worked to address the rural digital divide. Formerly, at power company NRG, she developed climate and water strategy, and helped conceive and launch a consultancy to help commercial customers navigate climate action, resilience, clean energy, and energy efficiency. 

She now applies her experience in the field to lead and build upon GreenBiz’s offerings for sustainability professionals, working to support, drive, and lift up sustainability practice in business. A former music journalist, she lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Dave Stangis is Partner and Chief Sustainability Officer at Apollo and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. Prior to joining Apollo, Dave founded 21C Impact, an advisory firm dedicated to delivering a differentiated impact on business results with a focus on ESG and corporate sustainability initiatives. Previously, he was Chief Sustainability Officer at Campbell Soup Company where he created and led the company’s ESG, Corporate Citizenship, Sustainability & Public Affairs strategies. Dave joined Campbell from Intel Corporation, where he served as the Company’s first Global Director of Corporate Responsibility.
 
Dave currently serves as a mentor to the AgFunder Network. He previously served as Executive Adviser at the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Entrepreneur in Residence at Babson College, and Instructor in Villanova University’s Sustainable Enterprise Executive Education program.

Joel Makower is a well-respected voice on business, the environment, and the bottom line. As a writer and strategist on corporate sustainability practices and clean technology, he has helped a wide range of companies align environmental goals with business strategy. Joel is a bestselling author or co-author of several books on business and sustainability, including his latest, The New Grand Strategy: Restoring America's Prosperity, Security, and Sustainability in the 21st Century (St. Martin's Press).

He is a frequent commentator in print, broadcast and online media, and a sought-after speaker to companies and business groups around the world. In 2012, Joel was awarded the Hutchens Medal by the American Society for Quality, which cited “his ability to tell compelling stories that both inform and inspire business leaders toward profitable action.” From 1991 to 2005, Joel was editor of The Green Business Letter, an award-winning monthly newsletter on corporate environmental strategy. He is a graduate in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley and is an advisor to both for-profit and non-profit organizations. The Associated Press has called Joel "the guru of green business practices."

Suzanne Shelton is the CEO of Shelton Group, an ERM Group Company, the nation’s leading marketing communications agency entirely focused exclusively in the ESG space. She regularly counsels C-level executives at Fortune 1000 organizations on how to best define and leverage their sustainability approaches to drive business results. She currently serves on the board of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the executive advisory board of Cyclyx, and recently served on the board of the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA). Ms. Shelton offers insights and inspiration on conference stages around the country, guest writes for the likes of Fast Company, Green Builder and GreenBiz, and directly manages a team of leaders who, collectively, have made Shelton Group a 30-year success story.

Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators, and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental, and business goals.

Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers. Mike’s experience and expertise ranges from ESG strategy and reporting to sustainability communication strategy and engagement. He has nearly 15 years of experience working with leading companies on sustainability strategy and communications in tech, apparel, food, and climate tech, among others. Throughout his career, Mike has written for GreenBiz, Sustainable Brands and Triple Pundit. He continues to contribute to GreenBiz today, where he writes about the latest trends in sustainable business and communication.

He holds a Master's in Strategic Communication from George Washington University and a Bachelor's in Political Science and History from the University of California, Davis.

Jay Kairam is currently Vice President, Society (ESG) for Diageo North America, the world's leading premium beverage alcohol company. He brings almost twenty years of experience and leadership with government, not-for-profit community and environmental organizations, and the private sector. Prior to joining Diageo, Jay was at Walmart, where he accelerated the company’s sustainability leadership by establishing and implementing the global environmental policy agenda, driving partnerships to support Walmart’s goals to reduce emissions, promote circularity and protect nature. Jay has worked across the country engaging local, state, and federal leaders and NGOs on environmental and social issues. As Program Director for the National Association of Counties, he oversaw a $15M project portfolio delivering technical assistance to county governments across the country. At the Environmental Defense Fund, one of the nation’s preeminent environmental NGOs, Jay led advocacy campaigns in California and nationally to advance clean energy and environmental justice initiatives. Jay served in the Bloomberg Administration in New York City as Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Operations and then as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the Business Integrity Commission, where he championed reforms that transformed the environmental performance of the solid waste sector. In San Francisco, he worked for the Public Utilities Commission, where he led a multi-million-dollar community benefits program that leveraged public-private partnerships to address environmental justice concerns. Jay holds a BA from Vassar College and a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cape Verde. He sits on the Boards of the Anacostia Watershed Society and Fuse Corps and lives in Washington, DC.

Andrew is a strategy and innovation expert with over 30 years of experience working with companies to help identify new, white space opportunities and to build their brands. 

Throughout his career Andrew has guided clients by helping them to see around the corners first and execute new value propositions, business models, products/services, and revenue streams.

Prior to joining PwC, Andrew held many C-Suite roles across various industries and companies including consulting (Kantar), marketing (Havas/Vivendi, Harte Hanks), and media (Bloomberg). He has delivered successful brand and business transformations for leading companies including CVS Health, Global Hyatt, Heineken, Jaguar, Keurig, P&G, Reckitt, Unilever, Volvo, and many more.

Outside of work, Andrew is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and an Advisor at the How Institute for Society.

Kevin Vranes is the global product lead for Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud product. Kevin started in the climate change world with a Ph.D. in Ocean and Climate Physics from Columbia University in 2003, then became a Congressional Science Fellow working for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Since leaving Capitol Hill in 2004, Kevin has navigated between climate- and energy-focused positions in academia, consulting and software. He was the founding Product Manager of Salesforce’s Sustainability Cloud software in 2019 and currently oversees product strategy and execution for Net Zero Cloud.

Julian Moffatt is the Principal Solutions Strategist, ESG for VelocityEHS. Julian contributes his expertise in ESG product creation for VelocityEHS, and oversees the ESG team. Prior to working at VelocityEHS, he has had a multitude of EHS experience, ranging from Vice President of Client Solutions at e3 Solutions, EHS Solutions Manager at Blue292 Inc, and Environmental Health Safety Specialist at Caribou Systems Corporation. Julian studied Environmental Resource Studies at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.

Dr. Spencer Meyer is the Head of Science at NCX and is responsible for ensuring NCX is deploying and advancing the most credible, innovative science on natural capital solutions. He is an innovator and leader with 20 years of experience working collaboratively with NGO, government, private sector, and academic partners to solve natural resource challenges. He is a co-founder of Sebago Clean Waters, an advisor to conservation NGOs and private foundations, and a frequent speaker on forest management, watershed protection, natural climate solutions, conservation finance, and partnership development. 

Lindsay is an attorney specializing in environmental, social, governance (ESG) legal and regulatory matters. She counsels companies in a range of industries on developing and implementing their sustainability strategies, including communicating environmental marketing claims. 

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment, and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. She was selected as an Environmental Law Institute (ELI) Emerging Leader in 2021 and, since 2022, she has served on the Steering Committee of ELI's Emerging Leaders Initiative. The National Black Lawyers recognized Lindsay as a "Top 100" attorney in Washington, DC in 2023. Lindsay was also selected as a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder in 2023.

David is a Product Manager at C3 AI, where he focuses on designing AI-enabled enterprise sustainability software. Prior to joining C3 AI, David was the Director of Research – Projects at the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (now part of IFRS) where he co-led the team that developed the SASB sustainability disclosure standards. David also led efforts at SASB to drive convergence among ESG reporting standards, working extensively with other standard-setters, regulators, investors, and companies. David has an MBA from UC Berkeley – Haas as well as undergraduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering from UC Berkeley.

Rob oversees the development and establishment of Aspiration’s global carbon portfolio as well as the Aspiration carbon credit quality standards. He’s been a leader in the climate change and carbon business for over 12 years, pioneering the very industry standards in carbon markets at the foundation of Aspiration’s business.

Noemí is a trilingual storyteller and strategist with 15 years of global impact communications experience across the nonprofit and corporate landscapes. She started her career in brand strategy at Sesame Workshop producing annual reports. Inspired by the business sector's ability to create positive impact, she joined Change.org where she brought local and global nonprofits onto the world’s largest activism platform, helping to transform the way people, businesses, and elected representatives engage with one another. After leaving Change.org, Noemí spent time traveling and consulting for growing tech start-ups. Eventually, she returned to New York and completed her Master’s degree in Social Innovation & Corporate Responsibility from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University.After a brief stint at a boutique sustainability consulting firm in New York, where she worked with corporate giants to develop ESG strategies and communications, Noemí co founded qb. (stands for queen bee), a small women-owned ESG strategy and communications firm. qb. was born out of the desire to diversify the ESG consulting space and deliver people-first solutions. Today, she leads reporting and disclosure for qb.’s most influential clients, complying with rigorous, ever-changing standards.Aside from running qb., Noemí is a mother of two, a travel fanatic, and a sign language student.

Obiageli obtained her undergraduate degree in Construction Science and Masters degree in Community Development from Prairie View A&M University. She is a community development consultant with a background in economic development, stakeholder engagement, construction analytics and mobility. Obiageli is a native Houstonian that utilizes her own lived experiences growing up in systemically underserved and underinvested communities, to understand problems of the past to help solve problems of the present so they are no longer problems of the future. This drives her passion for her work in being the change she wants to see. She dedicates her time to facilitating relationships and leveraging resources to implement innovative programs within communities and corporations to enhance community development, economic development and social responsibility.

As a sustainability expert with a focus on corporate strategy, Emily helps organizations align communications strategies with growth goals. For nearly 20 years, she has consulted with clients from startups to the Fortune 50 in the food, climate tech, consumer products, financial and energy sectors. At Edelman, she and her team lead advisory services work to help clients research, create and execute impactful programs that deliver business results as well as award-winning fully integrated social purpose communications campaigns.Previously, at GreenOrder, a boutique management consultancy, Emily led sustainability strategy for Facebook, IKEA, Intuit, steelcase inc, Zappos, and a large investor-owned utility. Her work focused on helping companies develop sustainable business models and integrating communications on sustainability for customers, media, investors, partners, and regulators. Emily has also worked at Pacific Gas & Electric Company helping guide strategic analysis of PG&E’s renewable energy portfolio, developing content strategy for the company’s sustainability reports, and shaping policy implementation of California’s climate change law, AB32. Earlier in her career, she worked in forest conservation policy in Washington DC and in Booz Allen Hamilton’s Strategic Communications practice. Emily holds a BS cum laude from UC Berkeley in Natural Resource Management and an MBA from The University of Maryland. She has served on the Advisory Board at SXSWEco from 2012-2016 and was named one of Forte Foundation’s 2017 MBAs on the Move.

Byron leads corporate responsibility and ESG at Organon, a new pharma company focused on the health of women. Prior to joining Organon in 2021, Byron led global ESG communications at Teva Pharmaceuticals and ESG for Teva USA. Before joining Teva, Byron led the healthcare practice at Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a global business network and consultancy focused on building the capacity of large companies to become more sustainable and socially responsible. At BSR, he advised over 25 companies in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industry on their ESG and sustainability strategies. Prior to BSR, Byron managed and developed global health partnerships at Johnson & Johnson, where he engaged a variety of stakeholders in the fields of NCDs, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and digital health. Byron began his career in global health at an HIV/AIDS NGO based in South Africa called mothers2mothers International and later served as a management consultant at Rabin Martin in New York City.Byron earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and his BA from Princeton University.

Kati's career has been fueled by a personal passion for climate action and social equity. She's worked across the public and private sector in the United States, China, and Europe leading projects on sustainability strategy, strategic communications, workplace design + construction, public-private partnerships, and sustainability reporting. She's also created internal communications programs and managed project teams in 20 countries. Currently, she leads Meta's sustainability internal engagement and communications program, oversees the Meta Sustainability Council, and manages cross-functional working groups focused on climate, strategic positioning, ESG and circularity.

Lauren Wylie is the Global Head of Sustainability & Social Impact for Oliver Wyman, a global consulting firm that serves as a critical strategic, economic and brand advisor to private sector and governmental clients. Oliver Wyman is a business of March McLennan, and Lauren leads Oliver Wyman’s work to not only meet its net-zero target, but to exceed the timeline for emissions reduction. During her 15 years as a sustainability leader, Lauren has developed Oliver Wyman’s global Green Champion network and the company’s philanthropic reforestation program focused on informing and engaging colleagues in tree planting and restoration. Lauren also oversees Oliver Wyman’s social impact, volunteering, and fundraising programs worldwide – together known as Oliver Wyman for Society.
 
Lauren lives outside of San Francisco and was appointed to the Sausalito Sustainability Commission in 2019, advises local organizations such as the Marin School of Environmental Leadership, and serves on the Board of Directors for the national nonprofit, EarthShare.

Mary Francia is a Partner at H.I. Executive Consulting (HIEC), a leading global executive search firm focused on hiring Board, CEO, and Senior-level technology executives globally. She leverages her technology strategy knowledge with her P&L and business management experience in the Americas, Europe, and Asia in Telecom, Consumer Electronics, Media, and Healthcare to bring transformational leaders to her clients and coach executives in the right direction and path.

Mary led the Board Practice and the Miami Latin America Offices for Odgers Berndtson, a global executive search firm and a Strategy, Go to Market, and Innovation Consulting Firm. In her corporate roles as Vice President and Strategic Partner at Alcatel-Lucent (now NOKIA), she tackled strategic issues the CEO and Board identified in the product portfolio, talent, and supply chain and led strategies for markets like China and India. At Royal Philips, she was globally responsible for business innovation, creating new revenues and market channels for connected entertainment and healthcare devices with telecom operators launching products like Internet Radios, IPTV, and remote patient monitoring.
Mary has been on boards for over 30 years in family, industry, and non for profit boards. She is currently Board Advisor at Competent Boards on ESG Board Education and Equitas Tech, an Investor Tech Consultancy.

Mary is an Italian American born in Peru and fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, an MBA in International Business, and Certifications in International Corporate Governance, ESG, DEI, and Climate change. 

Helle Bank Jorgensen is an internationally recognized expert on sustainable business practices, with a 30-year record of turning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks into innovative and profitable business opportunities. She works with many global Fortune 500 board members and executives, as well as smaller companies and investors.Helle is the founder and chief executive of Competent Boards, which offers online climate and ESG programs that draw on the experience of over 180 renowned board members, executives, and investors. Hundreds of directors and senior executives have enrolled in these programs to mitigate the risks and seize the opportunities presented by ESG and climate change.Helle serves at:-Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence’s Sustainability & ESG Insights Council;-World Economic Forum (WEF) Expert Network for Corporate Governance, Leadership, and Emerging Multinationals;-His Royal Highness Prince of Wales A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) Global Expert Panel;-The Non-financial Digitisation Working Group of the Impact Management Project (IMP);-The Reuters Panel of Expert Judges for the Responsible Business Awards;-Canadian Climate Governance Experts –- a Commonwealth Climate & Law Initiative;-Chair of the Advisory Committee of the ESG Exchange.In 2020 she was awarded the Global Impact Award and named one of "5 people in ESG to look out for." She was also selected as one of LinkedIn's Top Voices in the Green Economy in the US and Canada for 2022. Ms. Bank Jorgensen is the author of the newly published book Stewards of The Future: A Guide for Competent Boards, an Amazon bestseller.

Chris Lee represents Kailua, Waimanalo, and Hawaii Kai in the Hawaii State Senate. He currently serves as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, and previously chaired the House Committee on the Judiciary and House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. He has authored laws making Hawaii the first state to commit to 100 percent renewable energy, a carbon negative economy by 2045, and eliminating all fossil fuels from ground transportation. He has worked to advance efforts on climate change and the electrification of transportation. Chris also serves as Vice President of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, and is a graduate of Oregon State University.

Nadia’s career has focused on the design of complex rules and regulations to help bring new, green technologies to market. Prior to joining Antenna Group as Vice President of Public Affairs and later as Chief of Staff to the CEO, Nadia served as Head of U.S. Government Relations for General Motors (GM) Cruise, GM's zero-emissions self-driving car company. Here, Nadia helped craft new laws and regulations for self-driving cars in over 40 U.S. cities, while also serving as the Co-Chair of the Autonomous Vehicle Subcommittee for the Bay Area Council and on the Policy Advisory Committee for sf.citi. She also proudly served as Founder & President of Latinx@Cruise, one of the company’s first official cultural diversity initiatives.Prior to Cruise, Nadia drove public policy and new market design for Advanced Microgrid Solutions, an advanced energy storage company based in San Francisco, CA. Nadia also worked in Washington, DC, where she supported Federal Governmental Affairs for NextEra Energy / Florida Power & Light, the world's largest renewable energy developer and the largest electric utility in the nation. Here, she oversaw political engagement with the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch on issues relating to renewable energy, public utilities, and tax reform.In 2021, Nadia served as Co-Chair for the Vermont Climate Council's Just Transitions Subcommittee, specializing in the state’s investments in low-emissions and job rich sectors and technologies to address the effects of climate change. She currently serves on the Board of the ACLU of Vermont and supports the Aspen Institute's Latinos in Society program in partnership with the White House on the U.S. Latino Economic Agenda. Nadia's professional background also includes roles at the U.S. Department of State and the Human Rights Watch.