Wallet Max presents Emerald Summit™ September 18, 2026

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Connecting executive women, sustainable startups, impact investors.

Discover the next generation of bold, innovative, & sustainable fintech solutions that are driving our planet forward

Emerald Summit 2025 Agenda

September 19th, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | New York City

EDT = Eastern Daylight Time

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT

Registration, Breakfast & Networking

The Emerald Summit opens with a warm welcome and a chance to connect before the day begins. Attendees will check in at registration, receive their event materials, and enjoy light breakfast refreshments. Arrive early, settle in, and take advantage of the space to connect with those who, like you, believe that action starts with conversation. Network with peers, investors, founders, and executives who are committed to reshaping systems for people and the planet.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

Bhuva Shakti

Welcome Keynote: Shaping Sustainable Futures With Community

The Emerald Summit opens with a powerful keynote from Bhuva Shakti, founder of Wallet Max and a longtime leader at the intersection of finance, technology, and climate action. Drawing on her journey from Wall Street to venture capital, Bhuva will set the stage for the day by highlighting why community, not just capital, is the engine of lasting change. In this keynote, she will share how collective leadership, inclusive ecosystems, and shared responsibility can unlock the solutions our future demands. ​ From mobilizing climate finance to empowering overlooked founders, Bhuva’s perspective underscores that sustainability cannot be achieved in silos. It requires community: investors, innovators, policymakers, and operators working side by side. Attendees will leave this session with a clear call to action: to view sustainability not as an isolated target but as a shared pathway shaped by collaboration. The keynote frames the Summit’s central theme, building sustainable futures with and through community, and invites everyone in the room to take part in that mission.

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Nicole
Casperson

Keynote: Women, Fintech, and the Future of Climate Finance

In this keynote, Nicole Casperson — journalist, author, and founder of Fintech is Femme — makes the case for why women are the key to building a more equitable and sustainable financial system. Drawing on years of reporting at the intersection of fintech, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, Nicole highlights how women founders and investors are driving innovations that close wealth gaps, expand access, and embed climate responsibility into the core of financial technology.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Anaid Chacón

Meital Peleg Mizrachi

Madeleine MacGillivray

Danielle Azoulay

From Threads to Transformation: The Business Case for Circular Economy

The circular economy represents a $4.5 trillion global opportunity across industries—from textiles to electronics to packaging. This power-packed panel unites three leaders who’ve unlocked profitable circularity: a corporate ESG veteran who’s implemented sustainable practices at scale, a Yale researcher revealing supply chain arbitrage opportunities, and a materials innovator solving pollution crises across sectors.

 

For: Senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs ready to move beyond sustainability theater.

 

Why Now: Digital Product Passports and extended producer responsibility policies launch globally in 2025. Early movers have 18 months to establish competitive advantages before compliance becomes table stakes.

 

Expect: Concrete ROI frameworks, cross-industry investment strategies, and action plans that balance environmental and social impact without sacrificing profitability. No doom-and-gloom—just actionable intelligence on policy positioning, technology priorities, and implementation roadmaps.

 

Circular transformation isn’t just inevitable—it’s profitable for those who act first.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EDT

Nicole

Casperson

Whitney McGuire

Climate Fintech: Fireside Chat

In this conversation, Nicole Casperson sits down with Whitney McGuire, co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn, and former Director of Sustainability at the Guggenheim Museum — to explore what it truly takes to embed equity and climate action into business and finance. Whitney’s 360-degree approach spans law, design, and systems thinking, making her one of the most innovative voices at the intersection of sustainability, social impact, and community empowerment.

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM EDT

Laurel

Hanson

Jillian

Foster

Leanne Spaulding

Michelle Chivunga

Toni-Shae Freckleton

Building Climate Resilience: Accelerating Action to Weather the Anthropocene

We know that investments in preparedness and proactive disaster risk reduction (DRR) save lives and livelihoods and are foundational for sustained economic growth, yet we have yet to unlock their full potential. These investments can help unlock the “Triple Dividend” of Resilience – 1) saving lives and avoiding losses, 2) economic stimulus, job creation, and investments, and 3) generating co-benefits across sectors. This panel highlights speakers with experience in government, academia and the private sector to showcase solutions in policy and practice to build climate resilience and how they can be scaled.

For: Senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs interested in climate resilience.

Why Now: Climate resilience is an imperative – natural hazards and frequent climate-related disasters exacerbate risk, contribute to high capital costs, and suppress investments in growth.

Expect: Perspectives on how to accelerate and scale the action needed to build resilience in the face of the climate crisis.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Lunch & Networking

Take a pause, refuel, and recharge with a curated networking lunch designed to foster meaningful connections across industries and sectors.participants will have the chance to deepen conversations sparked throughout the morning, exchange perspectives on emerging opportunities, and build relationships that can accelerate collaboration well beyond the Summit. This is not just a break, it’s a catalyst for partnerships that turn ideas into action.

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT

Headshot of Manju Seal

Manju Seal

Emily Kreps

Headshot of Maria Springer

Maria Springer

Unlocking Capital Flows For Climate Solutions: A Sustainable Finance Playbook

A practitioner-led panel for climate-tech founders and CFOs moving beyond venture into growth and asset financing. Learn which institutional investors lead large late-stage placements—pensions, insurers, sovereign funds, infrastructure/private credit managers, and banks—and what their investment committees require to approve capital. We’ll unpack proven structures (HoldCo + AssetCo, private placements, project finance), how sustainable debt issuances such as green bonds and blended finance compress cost of capital, the bankability and offtake metrics that matter, and real world success archetypes from multiple regions. Public fixed income financed over $800 billion in climate transition in 2023 (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), underscoring the scale of opportunity. Come ready to convert commercial traction into institutional grade capital.

  • Prioritize outreach by aligning each target’s mandate, ticket size, and risk appetite with a clear capital ask, defined use-of-proceeds, and disciplined closing timeline.
  • See pathways to package traction, de-risk execution, and choose structures that keep momentum while minimizing dilution and cost.
  • When and how to launch inaugural green and other outcome based bonds in the sustainable debt market.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM EDT

Bhuva

Shakti

Tiya

Gordon

Brandi DeCarli

Shelly

Klose

Lizzy

Kolar

Headshot of Christopher Wood

Christopher

Wood

Headshot of Alison Gregory

Alison Gregory

Headshot of Francois Sevranckx

Francois

Servranckx

Headshot of Bobbie Shrivastav

Bobbie Shrivastav

Headshot of Constanza Gomez

Constanza Gomez

Headshot of Max Interbrinck

Max Interbrick

Headshot of Paul H Richardson

Paul H. Richardson

Headshot of Cassandra Sebastian Pernia

Cassandra

Sebastian

Pernia

Headshot of Manju Seal

Manju

Seal

Headshot of Ani Widham

Ani

Widham

Headshot of Sherri Lane

Sherri

Lane

Headshot of Sherrise Pond

Sherrise Pond

Headshot of Sabriya Stukes

Sabriya Stukes

Pitch Competition & Startup Awards

Twelve startups across climate, fintech and AI will present breakthrough solutions to leading investors. Each pitch highlights innovation, scalability, and impact. Six judges will award prizes to the most innovative and impactful startups.

Among the pitching startups are:

  • Applied Biorefinery Sciences (Christopher Wood)

  • AreaHub (Alison Gregory)

  • Farm from a box (Brandi DeCarli)

  • Green Gooding (Francois Servranckx)

  • it’s electric (Tiya Gordon)

  • Scope Zero (Lizzy Kolar)

  • Solvrays (Bobbie Shrivastav)

  • Sortile (Constanza Gomez)

  • Sparrow Analytics (Max Interbrick)

  • True Flood Risk (Shelly Klose)

  • Tumbleweed (Paul H. Richardson)

  • Zyro (Cassandra Sebastian Pernia)

Among the judges are:

  • Bhuva Shakti (Wallet Max)

  • Jeremy Harper (Remarkable Ventures)

  • Ani Widham (Clarity AI)

  • Sherri Lane (NYC Department of Small Business Services)

  • Sherrise Pond (Anthemis Group)

  • Sabriya Stukes (SOSV)

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Headshot of Monika Murugesan

Monika Murugesan

Headshot of Liubov Volkova

Liubov Volkova

Headshot of Liana Jo Ault

Liana Jo Hunt

Headshot of Saba Khalid

Saba Khalid

Powering Tomorrow: Innovation, Policy, and the Future of Renewables

The renewable energy sector is at a pivotal moment. On one hand, we are seeing record-breaking advances in technology from AI-enabled grid management to breakthroughs in storage and distributed generation. On the other, the pace of deployment is still defined by regulatory hurdles, policy shifts, and the urgency of scaling solutions that match the climate challenge ahead. This panel will bring together leaders from across the renewable ecosystem to explore how innovation and government action are shaping the energy transition, and what it will take to accelerate progress. Panelists will share insights on navigating policy frameworks, driving investment into scalable projects, and rethinking partnerships to deliver impact at speed.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT

Headshot of Ruth Hubbard

Ruth Hubbard

Headshot of Hema Agwu

Hema Agwu

Headshot of Jamila Wright

Jamila Wright

Powering Tomorrow: Innovation, Policy, and the Future of Renewables

Small businesses are the heartbeat of New York City — and they’re on the frontlines of disruption. From hurricanes and flooding in Lower Manhattan to the COVID-19 pandemic that emptied streets overnight, resilience has become more than a buzzword; it’s a survival strategy.

 

This panel brings together entrepreneurs and technology leaders to explore how New York small businesses adapt, recover, and seize opportunity in the face of crisis. Featuring a local merchant alongside Fiserv insights from the Small Business Index, we’ll uncover how creativity, access to technology, and innovation empower Main Street to thrive.

 

We’ll highlight real-world stories — including how businesses and Clover SMB restaurants pivoted during the pandemic, embracing delivery models and digital tools, and how they continue to adapt to climate-related challenges. We’ll also examine how platforms like Clover provide the flexibility and insights SMBs need to stay agile, from rethinking operations to engaging their communities.
Join us to hear how resilience is shaping the future of New York’s small businesses — and why these lessons matter for building a sustainable economy everywhere.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Bhuva Shakti

Pitch Winners & Startup Awards

The Emerald Summit stage transforms into a high-energy arena where innovation meets impact. 12 mission-driven startups – spanning climate, fintech, AI, and technology – will step up to pitch their bold solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges. Each pitch will be judged live by a panel of 6 seasoned investors, corporate executives, and industry leaders. This is more than a showcase, it’s a launchpad. This competition embodies the Summit’s ethos: spotlighting those with courage to build differently, and mobilizing the capital and community they need to scale.

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT

Bhuva Shakti

Closing Keynote: Accelerate Impact Beyond Climate Week

The Emerald Summit closes with a forward-looking keynote from Bhuva Shakti, founder of Wallet Max, who will challenge us to think beyond the events of Climate Week and focus on what comes next. Drawing from her experience as a Wall Street risk leader turned impact investor, Bhuva will spotlight how communities, capital, and technology must continue to work together long after the headlines fade. She will share lessons from Wallet Max’s work building inclusive ecosystems, expanding funding access, and mobilizing leaders across finance, technology, and sustainability.

 


This keynote will emphasize the importance of moving from conversation to execution – accelerating impact through practical tools, partnerships, and governance models that create resilience beyond a single week of dialogue. Attendees will be called to carry the Summit’s momentum forward into boardrooms, investment strategies, startups, and policy agendas. By the end of this session, participants will leave not only inspired, but equipped with a renewed sense of urgency to scale solutions that outlast Climate Week and transform systems for the long term.

06:00 PM - 09:00 PM EDT

VIP Dinner & Networking

The Emerald Summit opens with a warm welcome and a chance to connect before the day begins. Attendees will check in at registration, receive their event materials, and enjoy light breakfast refreshments. Arrive early, settle in, and take advantage of the space to connect with those who, like you, believe that action starts with conversation. Network with peers, investors, founders, and executives who are committed to reshaping systems for people and the planet.

Meet your Host

Cover for 2025 Emerald Summit Event with Bhuva Shakti

Bhuva Shakti
Founder Wallet Max,

Founder Bhuva’s Impact Global

Wallet Max Logo
Bhuva's Impact Global Logo

Bhuva Shakti is the visionary founder and CEO of Wallet Max, a global community of executive women and venture capital investors on a mission to expand fundraising access for high-growth, sustainable startups.

With an MBA from Columbia University and over three decades as a senior executive on Wall Street, Bhuva has led diverse financial portfolios and launched cutting-edge digital transformation initiatives across investment banking, capital markets, and payment networks.

Her TED TALK, EXEMPLIFIES her leadership in risk governance, especially during the 2008 global financial crisis Where she was essential AT driving successful regulatory compliance, mergers, and acquisitions at some of the world’s top banks and credit rating agencies.

Bhuva currently serves as a board director and fractional C-Suite advisor to social impact businesses, and is a keynote speaker championing economic inclusion and climate-fintech innovation.

She is the USA Country Director for the World Business Angels Investment Forum and the Chief Ethics & Culture Officer for Women in AI globally.

Through her advisory firm, Bhuva’s Impact Global, she leads fundraising strategies, product operations, and investor relations for sustainable growth and market expansion.

Learn from Climate-Conscious Business Leaders

From Threads to Transformation: The Business Case for Circular Economy

Anaid Chacón

Co-Founder & CEO

Minette.ai

Minette logo

Anaid Chacón is the CEO and co-founder of Minette.ai, where she is dedicated to eliminating the guesswork from producing and buying well-fitting clothes. Her vision is to remove $400 billion in inefficiency and waste through AI, data systems, and reward structures, making biometric shopping the new standard.
 

She specializes in product development and has 20 years of experience building and operating technology businesses across logistics, retail, fintech, and infrastructure. She has multiple patents on user interaction systems. Anaid holds a Masters in Information Systems Management from Harvard.

Meital Peleg Mizrachi

Postdoctoral Fellow

Yale University

Yale University Logo

Meital Peleg Mizrachi, PhD is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University’s Economic Growth Center, specializing in sustainable fashion, global supply chains, and public policy. Her research examines the intersection of environmental sustainability, labor rights, and consumer behavior, with projects spanning secondhand clothing trade, regulatory frameworks, and cultural influences on consumption. She leads the research field at Moving the Needle, Yale’s hub for sustainable fashion, and serves on the Board of the Sustainable Fashion Consumption Research Network.

Madeleine MacGillivray

Multi-disciplinary climate professional

CiCLO® Textiles

CICLIO LOGO

Madeleine MacGillivray (she/her) is a lifelong climate advocate and sustainability professional with 10+ years of experience across textiles, fashion, and circular economy. Previously at Retrievr, a portfolio company of Closed Loop Partners, Madeleine is the Communications Specialist at CiCLO® Textiles and the Climate program lead at Seeding Sovereignty. Madeleine holds an MS in Sustainability Management at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies and a BA in Environmental Policy from Barnard, having completed her undergraduate thesis on microplastics pollution at Columbia’s renowned Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

Danielle Azoulay

Founder

The CSO Shop

The CSO Shop Logo

With over 15 years of experience in ESG, sustainability, circular economy, CSR, and social impact, Danielle helps companies at any stage of their impact journey to develop and execute strategies that create value, increase stakeholder engagement, and drive positive change. As the Founder of The CSO Shop, a fractional sustainability and social impact consulting and advising company, she works with clients across industries and geographies to identify opportunities, establish and exceed goals, measure progress, and communicate impact.

Building Climate Resilience: Accelerating Action to Weather the Anthropocene

Headshot of Laurel Hanson

Laurel Hanson
Former Senior Advisor

Former USAID

Laurel is a recognized thought leader in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. Her work experience includes managing projects to build the resilience of nomadic pastoralists in Mongolia, working with the Rohingya population in Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Komen, and implementing environmental awareness and climate adaptation projects in Nicaragua. She has also served in global policy focused roles with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in New York, where she supported the 2019 Climate Action Summit and Sustainable Development Goal Summit, and with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), where she was a coordinating lead author on the 2023 Flagship Report “The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security.” Most recently, she worked as a Senior Advisor at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. She holds a Master of Arts in Geography with Distinction from King’s College in London, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Development from Tulane University.

Headshot of Jillian Foster

Jillian Foster
Founder and CEO

Global Insight

Global Insight Logo

Jillian J. Foster is a political scientist researching human behavior at the margins of risk and uncertainty at Yale University. As the founder & CEO of Global Insight—a data and research advisory working across the impact ecosystem—she spends much of her time translating chaotic data into strategy and critical insights that drive growth with corporate, foundation, investment, and startup teams similarly interested in impact. Jillian is a senior advisor to partners at UN DPO, UNHCR, UN Women, and Plan International. Her work has been supported by One Earth Future Fund, UN Action, Rotary International, and the Yale University MacMillan Center Program on Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian Responses.

Headshot of Leanne Spaulding

Leanne Spaulding
Restoration & Data Lead

Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Environmental Policy Innovation Center Logo
Leanne Spaulding is the Restoration and Data Lead at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). She has over 12 years of experience in environmental policy, hazard mitigation, and post-disaster recovery. Most recently she was an IPA Fellow at the Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, where she worked on infrastructure resilience, conservation, and nature-based solutions. Prior to joining DOT, she was a Senior Policy Advisor at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Resiliency.

Toni-Shae Freckleton
Chief New York Liaison Office at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

United Nations logo

Toni-Shae Freckleton is Chief of the New York Liaison Office at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, advising Member States on integrating the Sendai Framework and risk-informed development into global policies. She previously led sustainable development efforts in the Office of the President of the General Assembly (73rd–75th sessions), coordinating the 2019 SDG Summit and 2020 Biodiversity Summit. With 17 years at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, she worked on population, health, migration, and the SDGs. Ms. Freckleton holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Sociology (Demography) from the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Michelle Chivunga
CEO & Investor
Global Policy House

Zambia, United Kingdom, Kingdom of Kush

Global Policy House logo
CEO/Investor Global Policy House and Senior Advisor to several Governments, Multilateral institutions and Family Office Firms and Investment Groups spread around the world. Leading digital transformation and blockchain adoption in Africa and Emerging Markets. Working with Government of Bermuda – African Union (54 Governments) – United Nations – World Trade Organisation – Commonwealth – B20/ G20, ICC, World Economic Forum – World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Powering Tomorrow: Innovation, Policy, and the Future of Renewables

Headshot of Manju Seal

Manju Seal

Managing Partner & Founder

Terra Impact

Manju Seal is the Managing Partner and Founder of Terra Impact, offering strategic advisory solutions that chart clear pathways towards lasting value creation. Considered a forward thinker and trusted advisor she is known for supporting senior decision-makers at the evolving intersection of business strategy and sustainability. Her deep expertise in sustainable debt products enables her to engage effectively with both issuers and investors. She is recognized for her pioneering work in sustainable finance, notably at Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group.
Headshot of Emily Kreps

Emily Kreps

Former Global Head of ESG & Sustainable Finance, Deutsche Bank

Emily Kreps is the former Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance for Deutsche Bank’s Investment Bank and former Head of ESG for the Americas region. She joined Deutsche Bank in 2021, focusing on ESG strategy, client engagement, and sustainable finance across global markets. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Emily led the Global Capital Markets team at CDP where she leveraged over a decade of investment banking experience from Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse for the non-profit sector. She has also held leadership roles in sustainable businesses, including corporate development for renewable energy companies and CFO positions in impact investing.
Headshot of Maria Springer

Maria Springer

Founder & CEO
Capital Department

Powering Tomorrow: Innovation, Policy, and the Future of Renewables

Headshot of Monika Murugesan

Monika Murugesan
Founder & CEO

APEX Specialist LLC

apex specialist logo

As the Founder and CEO of APEX Specialist consulting firm, Monika leverages her extensive background to guide energy and cleantech companies through product strategy, development, and market execution.

Headshot of Liana Jo Ault

Liana Jo Ault
Enscryb General Manager Nokia

nokia logo

Liana Jo Ault is the General Manager of Enscryb, an energy innovation Venture at Nokia. She has global experience with power utilities and energy transition policies. Her team sits at the intersection of grid digitalization, technology and economics building a platform to orchestrate flexibility in the ever changing world of energy and sustainability. Pursuing an MSc degree in Energy Policy, Liana is passionate about sustainable social equity in energy and how distributed renewables can bring about new paradigms and business models.Liana Jo Ault is the General Manager of Enscryb, an energy innovation Venture at Nokia. She has global experience with power utilities and energy transition policies. Her team sits at the intersection of grid digitalization, technology and economics building a platform to orchestrate flexibility in the ever changing world of energy and sustainability. Pursuing an MSc degree in Energy Policy, Liana is passionate about sustainable social equity in energy and how distributed renewables can bring about new paradigms and business models.

Headshot of Liubov Volkova

Liubov Volkova
Director, IR & Corporate Sustainability

FuelCell Energy

fuelcell energy logo
Liubov (Luba) Volkova serves as a Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Sustainability at FuelCell Energy. Liubov leads the company’s investor relations and ESG strategy, integrating sustainability priorities into business performance. With over 15 years of experience across industry, government, and academia—and advanced degrees including a PhD, MS, and MBA—Liubov brings deep expertise in climate strategy, corporate reporting, and capital markets engagement.
Headshot of Saba Khalid

Saba Khalid
Technology-to-Market Advisor Former US ARPA-Energy

Saba Khalid is an Electrical Engineer who started her career at GE Energy (now GE Vernova). During her tenure, she held various roles, including service engineering, cybersecurity, systems engineering, and battery storage Balance of Plant (BoP) design. She then switched hats to become a management consultant at West Monroe within the Energy and Utilities practice, where she helped her clients navigate their strategic technological roadmaps as well as quantify the business value for the transformation and implementation of such roadmaps. It has been rewarding for her to work with clients to help them face the incoming (and ongoing) effects of climate change and translate them to grid resiliency and security. She later worked at Advanced Research Projects Agency- Energy (ARPA-E) as a Technology to Market advisor to expedite grid innovations in the United States, while supporting ideas that can catalyze the next evolution of the electric grid, and address the associated technological challenges. She is now the founder and principal of SK Innovations, advising accelerators, incubators, and entrepreneurs on commercialization strategy, regulatory navigation, and market readiness for grid and energy technologies.

Resilient by Nature: How Small Businesses Thrive Amid Climate Challenges

Headshot of Ruth Hubbard

Ruth Hubbard

Director of Product Strategy Fiserv

fiserv logo

Ruth helps data-rich businesses turn complexity into clarity—and insights into income. As a GTM operator and storyteller, she builds commercialization strategies for new data products, craft compelling partner narratives, and unlock monetization opportunities across fintech, payments, and consumer commerce.

Headshot of Hema Agwu

Hema Agwu

Co-Founder

Brooklyn Suya

Headshot of Jamila Wright

Jamila Wright

Co-Founder

Brooklyn Tea

In 2017, Alfonso and Jamila launched Brooklyn Tea as an online business. The two spent the first year participating in street festivals, pop-ups, and private events to get the company’s name out there. In December 2018, they opened their first brick-and-mortar, becoming one of only two Black-owned tearooms in NYC.

Since then, the company has gone on to be featured in The Brooklyner, New York Magazine, Self-Magazine, Goop Magazine, USA Today, News 12, Channel 2 News, a Shonda Rhimes’ Tweet, Beyoncé’s Black Parade List of curated Black businesses, and others. Her company empowers people to explore healthy alternatives, build a strong community through safe spaces, and promote generational wealth.

Fireside Chat

Headshot of Nicole Casperson

Nicole Casperson
Founder & CEO
Fintech Is Femme

Fintech Is Femme Logo

Nicole Casperson is an award-winning journalist, author, content director, professor, and leading voice in fintech.

As the Founder & CEO of Fintech Is Femme, she leads a thriving media platform and community of over 50,000 fintech leaders dedicated to shaping a more inclusive financial landscape.

Leveraging her extensive background as a former finance reporter and editor specializing in B2B sectors, Nicole provides trusted insights and analysis through her must-read newsletter, podcasts, and event series.

Nicole’s impactful contributions span prestigious speaking engagements, regular features in Forbes, and the release of her debut book, Fintech Feminists, publsihed by Wiley, the book covers the profiles of 40+ leaders in fintech and exemplifies fintech is femme’s mission to unlock a better financial future for the world.

Whitney McGuire
Founder & Managing Partner The McGuire Consulting Group

mcguire group logo
Whitney McGuire, Esq. is a trailblazing sustainability consultant with a unique 360-degree approach to crafting holistic sustainability strategies for organizations, particularly in the arts and culture sectors. Leveraging her extensive background as a lawyer, founder, professor, and former Associate Director of Sustainability at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney seamlessly integrates systems thinking, design principles, and legal expertise to drive impactful, long-term sustainability solutions.

Startup Awards Judges

Jeremy Harper

Partner Remarkable Ventures

remarkable ventures logo
Jeremy Harper is currently serving as a Partner at Remarkable Ventures Jeremy has held various positions in consulting, marketing, and research roles at companies such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Unilever, and Albourne Partners. Additionally, Jeremy has experience in academia as a Venture Labs Advisor at Brown University. Jeremy co-founded The Backpage and served as Head of Marketing at t5m.com. Jeremy received their education from Brown University and St. Paul’s School, London.
Headshot of Sherri Lane

Sherri Lane

Assistant Commissioner

NYC Department Small Business Services

nyc small business services logo
Sherri Lane is the Assistant Commissioner of Capital Access & Business Programs for the Division of Business Services at the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). Sherri’s team is responsible for designing and managing programs that help entrepreneurs start, operate, and grow their businesses in New York City. These programs include the NYC Business Solutions Centers and Industrial Business Service Providers – offering free consulting and funding connections in physical locations across all five boroughs. Additionally, her team provides solutions to connect NYC business owners to capital, with a particular focus on businesses that are underserved by traditional financial offerings. Before joining SBS, she was a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting. Her cross-industry engagement experience includes strategic planning, operating model design, strategic sourcing & procurement, and technology integration. She earned her MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business with specializations in Finance, Social Innovation & Impact, and Business Analytics.
Headshot of Ani Widham

Ani Widham

Director of Product – Climate, Biodiversity, Thematics

Clarity AI

clarity ai logo

Ani Widham is the Director of Climate, Biodiversity, and Impact Products at Clarity AI, where she helps drive innovative, data-powered sustainability solutions for investors, corporates, governments, and consumers worldwide.

Prior to joining Clarity AI, Ani held key roles at Bloomberg LP, including in Product Development and within the Sustainable Business and Finance department. In these roles, she served on the Secretariat for the G20’s Financial Stability Board Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the European Commission’s Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG).

Ani holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from Colgate University, and is an active early-stage investor in startups.

Headshot of Sherrise Pond

Sherrise Pond

Investor

Anthemis Group

anthemis logo

Principal at Anthemis Group, a leading venture capital firm that focuses on fintech, insurtech, and climatetech innovation. Sherrise identifes and evaluates early and growth stage investment opportunities that align with Anthemis’ mission to cultivate change in the financial system. She has over 15 years of experience in finance, spanning investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, and credit analysis. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University.

Her core competencies include deal execution, financial modeling, valuation, and strategic planning. She has worked on multiple transactions across various sectors and geographies, delivering value for clients and stakeholders. She is also passionate about supporting the development of disadvantaged or underrepresented communities through organizations that specialize in financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.

Headshot of Sabriya Stukes

Sabriya Stukes

Investor & Partner SOSV

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Applied Biorefinery Sciences Pitch

Headshot of Christopher Wood

Christopher Wood
Co-Founder & CEO
Applied Biorefinery Sciences

applied biorefinery sciences logo

Christopher Wood, PhD, is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Biorefinery Sciences (ABS), where he is working to scale and deploy biorefining technologies to replace fossil-derived products with sustainable alternatives. Dr. Wood has personally run many of the trials conducted to develop and optimize ABS’s technology, and has designed, constructed, maintained, and/or operated a range of equipment across the biorefining and paper industries. His experience also includes detailed process and financial modeling for a range of technologies and industries and he is co-author of several articles on biorefinery technology and seven granted patents in biorefinery process engineering. Dr. Wood has strong experience in integration of technical innovations in paper and bioprocess pilot plant operations, as well as operational experience in commercial pulp and paper mills. He holds a PhD in Paper and Bioprocess Engineering and a B.S. in Paper Engineering from SUNY ESF, and an MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University.

Applied Biorefinery Sciences (ABS) produces sustainable energy, chemical, and material products from biomass using its patented water-based biorefining platform. ABS’s lead product is a drop-in coal alternative for power stations in the EU, Japan, and Taiwan: a 250MM tonne / $28B market. Made from low grade biomass that would otherwise rot or burn, such as fire risk reduction cut biomass, urban forestry residuals, and logging slash, ABS’s durable, water-resistant, wood pellets can use the existing logistics chains feeding our customer’s power stations, replacing coal with minimal up-front cost, and at price parity with coal. ABS is currently working toward a demonstration plant to meet test burn volumes requested by utility customers, with next steps involving engineering and siting. ABS’s three initial facilities, expected to be built over the next 7 years, are expected to generate a combined $115MM per year in EBITDA and reduce net CO2 emissions by around 2.3 tons for every ton of coal replaced.

AreaHub Pitch

Headshot of Alison Gregory

Alison Gregory

Co-Founder & CEO

AreaHub

areahub logo

Alison is the CEO and Co-Founder of AreaHub. As a seasoned entrepreneur and senior management executive, she has experience launching and scaling a prior tech and data service company and has held senior roles at top financial service companies, such as Bridgewater, LTCM, and Morgan Stanley.

Prior to AreaHub, Alison co-launched and co-managed, at the Management Committee level, GlobeOp Financial Services (now SS&C GlobeOp), a fast-growing data services start up, which expanded internationally and had a successful exit. In addition, she has served on boards for for-profit companies and nonprofits, and guest lectured for years, mostly at Yale University.

AreaHub’s risk management information resources help clients minimize losses and maximize profitability. Our aggregated and predictive environmental intelligence empowers organizations to identify and manage the risks that can impact their finances, operations, and safety.

Clients leverage AreaHub across a range of applications, from investment decisions to insurance-related, operational continuity, and risk management decisions. Our platform equips leaders with the actionable insights needed to make faster, more informed choices in today’s evolving landscape.

Farm from a box Pitch

Brandi DeCarli
Co-Founder & CEO
Farm from a box

farm from a box logo

Brandi DeCarli is the Founding Partner and CEO of Farm from a Box, a cleantech-powered agtech company building resilient food systems through modular infrastructure and digital tools. A recognized leader in climate-smart agriculture, she is driving a future where regenerative, nutritious food is accessible to all, and where farmers earn a living income through sustainable production. Brandi serves on the Board of Directors for Heifer International. A dynamic speaker, she has presented at TEDx, COP27, and the Explorer’s Club on topics spanning climate resilience, economic empowerment, and the power of collaborative innovation.

Farm from a Box builds local food independence with clean technology and digital tools that power regenerative, climate-resilient supply chains. Our NexGen system integrates clean energy, adaptive irrigation, solar-powered cold storage, and an AI-ready data platform with API-connected market access, enabling farmers to grow, store, and sell more efficiently, increasing profitability. Through our lease-to-own subscription model, we remove upfront cost barriers, build farmer equity, and generate recurring SaaS revenue, creating a scalable network of profitable, climate-smart farms that strengthen local economies and food systems.

Green Gooding Pitch

Headshot of Francois Sevranckx

Francois Servranckx

Founder & CEO

Green Gooding

green gooding logo

Francois Servranckx is a former humanitarian aid worker with over 15 years of experience in corporate impact, sustainability, and strategic partnerships, working with global organizations like Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF, as well as Fortune 500 companies such as HP, SAP, Guardian Life, and LEGO. He holds a Master’s in International Relations and a certification in Business Sustainability Management.

Green Gooding is an on-demand rental platform that makes accessing small appliances and event equipment easy, affordable, and sustainable. By partnering with local shops and manufacturers, we offer a convenient alternative to ownership—reducing storage needs, unnecessary production, and CO₂ emissions. With 900+ rentals, 650 customers, and recognition as a Reusies Finalist and NYC Circularity Champion, Green Gooding is proving that smarter consumption can deliver both impact and growth. We’re building a more convenient, community-powered, and climate-smart future.

it’s electric Pitch

Tiya Gordon

Co-Founder & CEO

it’s electric

it's electric logo
Tiya holds 20 years experience in design, leadership, and operations across a range of disciplines for some of the country’s top firms and institutions. She is now venturing to spend the next 20 years building companies that use design to wage war against the Climate Crisis. ​ ​it’s electric has been named as one of the products that will define technological innovation for the rest of this decade and beyond. A public charging solution to address the infrastructural and environmental justice barriers cities face in the deployment of electric vehicle charging. Instead of requiring costly and time consuming new utility connections, it’s electric’s Level-2 charging posts connect behind-the-meter to draw spare electrical supply from adjacent buildings; allowing them to install at zero cost to property owners or cities. Highly scalable, it’s electric is the world’s public charging system powered by buildings.

Scope Zero Pitch

Lizzy Kolar

Co-Founder & CEO

Scope Zero

Scope Zero logo

As co-founder and CEO of Scope Zero, Lizzy is leading Scope Zero’s mission to accelerate employee financial wellness and corporate sustainability. With Scope Zero’s Carbon Savings Account® (CSA), the average employee can save over $5,000 per year, all while driving operational cost savings and net-zero goals for the company. Lizzy previously designed energy- and water-efficiency upgrades for military base housing nationwide, and she studied sustainable design engineering at Stanford University.

Scope Zero is an all-in-one platform for financial and environmental wellness. Our Carbon Savings Account® (CSA) is like a health savings account, except the CSA funds are used for home technology and personal transportation upgrades that help employees reduce their cost of living while advancing corporate ESG goals. For employees, the CSA increases the affordability and accessibility of upgrades — reducing their utility bills, fuel spend, and carbon footprint. For employers, the CSA measures, reports, and reduces scope 3 work-from-home and commute emissions. Together, we can tackle the 2.3 billion tons of carbon emissions from U.S. residential energy consumption and personal vehicle use — empowering employees and employers to drive real change for a more sustainable future.

Solvrays Pitch

Headshot of Bobbie Shrivastav

Bobbie Shrivastav

Co-Founder & CEO

Solvrays

Solvrays logo
Tiya holds 20 years experience in design, leadership, and operations across a range of disciplines for some of the country’s top firms and institutions. She is now venturing to spend the next 20 years building companies that use design to wage war against the Climate Crisis. ​ ​it’s electric has been named as one of the products that will define technological innovation for the rest of this decade and beyond. A public charging solution to address the infrastructural and environmental justice barriers cities face in the deployment of electric vehicle charging. Instead of requiring costly and time consuming new utility connections, it’s electric’s Level-2 charging posts connect behind-the-meter to draw spare electrical supply from adjacent buildings; allowing them to install at zero cost to property owners or cities. Highly scalable, it’s electric is the world’s public charging system powered by buildings.

Sortile Pitch

Headshot of Constanza Gomez

Constanza Gómez

Co-Founder & CEO

Sortile

Sortile logo

Constanza Gómez is the Co-Founder of Sortile, a company transforming textile recycling through AI-powered material identification. She began her career researching Latin American retailers, later earning her MBA from Columbia Business School. Today, she leads Sortile, with 50+ devices deployed and 95% accuracy in textile identification, helping recyclers and brands scale circular solutions.

Sortile is building the AI infrastructure for circular fashion, with smart hardware that instantly identifies textile material, construction, and color, key data points needed for next-gen recycling. As brands face regulatory pressure and recyclers scale capacity, Sortile fills a critical bottleneck: fast, accurate, and scalable sorting. With over 50 devices deployed and 95%+ accuracy, we’re positioned to become the intelligence layer for a $150B+ textile waste problem.

Sparrow Analytics Pitch

Headshot of Max Interbrinck

Max Interbrinck

Co-Founder & COO
Sparrow Analytics

urban sparrow logo

Max Interbrick is the co-founder and COO of Sparrow Analytics, a Switzerland-based startup revolutionizing environmental monitoring through cutting-edge IoT and data analytics. With a keen focus on sustainable innovation, Max has spearheaded partnerships with key players such as the Swiss Post, Uber, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, while driving global collaborations with initiatives like the Universal Postal Union (UPU). A strategic thinker and advocate for actionable ESG solutions, Max actively explores partnerships with industry leaders like SOCAR Energy and CSEM. His leadership ensures Sparrow Analytics remains at the forefront of smart city development, environmental sustainability, and hyperlocal data solutions.

True Flood Risk Pitch

Shelly Klose

Founder & CEO

True Flood Risk

True Flood Risk logo
Shelly Klose is a seasoned entrepreneur, patent inventor, and data scientist with over 25 years of leadership in strategy, analytics, and risk management. She is the founder and CEO of True Flood Risk, a global AI-powered climate data company pioneering property-level flood intelligence. Her patented technology for estimating structural elevation at scale has closed one of the most critical gaps in flood modeling, helping insurers, governments, and communities worldwide strengthen resilience. ​ Today, Shelly serves as a board member of the Flood Mitigation Industry Association, mentors climate-focused entrepreneurs through the World Bank Water Community’s Youth Innovation Challenge & Accelerator, and is co-author of Beyond Big Data: Big Insights in Small Data with R (2016). She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and pursued graduate studies at New York University. ​ ​True Flood Risk is an AI-powered, science based global climate data management platform delivering real-time, property-level flood and resilience intelligence. At the core is our patented, First Floor Height (FFH) technology, which estimates structural elevation with precision—a critical factor in identifying property-level flood exposure. Previously, this data was only available through costly, time-consuming land surveys, making it impossible to collect at scale. By closing property data gaps and integrating real-time monitoring with financial models that identify optimal mitigation, we help insurers, governments, and communities make smarter risk-based decisions, strengthen disaster planning, and protect vulnerable people and property from future floods.

Tumbleweed Pitch

Headshot of Paul H Richardson

Paul H. Richardson, Jr.

Founder & CEO

Tumbleweed

tumbleweed logo
Paul H. Richardson, Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Tumbleweed, a purpose-driven technology company helping families navigate aging, caregiving, and legacy planning with greater ease and compassion. With a background in organizational psychology and 20+ years in healthcare and technology, Paul has led programs, scaled innovation, and championed inclusive, human-centered solutions. He is also the host of the Sandwiched Podcast, amplifying the voices of caregivers and industry experts, building community to the 63 Million US caregivers. Paul is an advocate for equity and brings dignity to aging and end-of-life care. ​ ​Tumbleweed is a digital legacy and caregiving support platform that helps families organize records, capture wishes and life stories, and make complex decisions easier before and after a loss. Our AI-guided experience meets users where they are; whether in advance care planning or navigating death, Tumbleweed connects them to the right tools at the right time. Trusted by insurance carriers and employers, Tumbleweed empowers the Sandwich Generation to plan ahead and focus on what matters most. We also extend our impact through the Sandwiched Podcast powered by Tumbleweed, where real stories from caregivers drive awareness and human connection around these critical issues.

Zyro Pitch

Headshot of Cassandra Sebastian Pernia

Cassandra Pernia

Founder & CEO

Zyro

zyro logo
Cassandra Pernia is the founder and CEO of Zyro, a product leader and first-generation founder driven to rebuild systems that exclude everyday people. With over 15 years of experience in product, marketing, and growth at companies like AmEx and Jet.com, she has built multiple 0-to-1 products and taught product strategy at General Assembly. Cassandra’s grit and mission stem from her background as the daughter of an undocumented single mother, fueling her vision to make technology equitable, human-centered, and impactful. ​ Zyro is the only consent-first AI bestie that flips the data economy to work for people, not platforms. Consumers use Zyro to confirm their preferences, store them in a secure vault, and get rewarded for sharing. Brands gain access to clean, verified demand that lowers CAC and ensures compliance. In closed betas, Zyro captured 2–3x more high-quality signals than industry benchmarks with 67% first-session completion and 72% satisfaction. Starting in commerce, Zyro is building the trust layer of the internet — where verified data powers better decisions, sustainable growth, and more equitable digital ecosystems.

What you can expect

Value Driven Content

Expert-led conversations at the intersection of fintech and climate tech. Enjoy exclusive insights, actionable strategies, climate-aligned investment, and next-gen innovation. This isn’t theory—this is the blueprint for climate fintech in action.

A Curated Network

Bringing together high-impact founders, investors, and executives focused on building a more sustainable financial future. Expect intentional matchmaking, strategic alignment, and connections that catalyze global change.

Elevated Experiences

from the Fintech Is Femme team ensures thoughtfully designed spaces and seamless event flow, creating an atmosphere that inspires meaningful connections, engaging discussions, and high-impact collaborations.

Main Character Energy

Join a room led by the builders, backers, and big thinkers driving climate fintech forward. This is where climate meets capital—with purpose, power, and presence.

NYC or Nowhere

Happening during Climate Week NYC, join global leaders converging in New York to shape the future of finance, climate, and tech— The city that never sleeps is where change happens.

Real Thought Leadership

A collaboration between journalist Nicole Casperson and climate fintech leader Bhuva Shakti, this summit brings together bold ideas at industry depth to shape the future of climate tech and finance.

Who’s in the Room

Taking place at the intersection of NYC Climate Week, the UN General Assembly (UNGA), and NYC Fashion Week — our summit annually brings diverse groups of impact enthusiasts and futuristic innovators.
 

  • As climate intersects with all sectors, we see corporate executives in healthcare, food, climate, fintech, tech/AI, fashion, and more.
  • Startup founders, small-medium-businesses, tech builders – climate, fintech, AI, data, infrastructure (from Seed to Series B+).

  • Investors (Angels, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Family Offices, Fund of Funds) – investing from pre-seed through IPOs.

  • Corporate Boards, Executives, Middle Management – Board directors, CEO, C-Suite (CTO, CIO, CFO, CAIO, Sustainability Officers).

  • Policymakers and public sector leaders – NYC state/city officials, local regulators, financial institutions, Wall Street professionals.

  • Additional Participants – students, university leaders, community organizations, local/global media representatives (covering NYC Climate Week, UNGA, and NYC Fashion Week both on the ground and virtually).

Emerald Summit™ 2024 ©Wallet Max.

Missed our Last Summit?

Watch the recordings of our summit in October 2023 on demand.

Our Sustainability Speaker Alumni

The key to positive environmental, social, and governance impact lies in the extraordinary power of knowledge. Our summit is designed to unite powerful, inspiring change-makers and thought leaders who share your passion for creating a better world. See our alumni speakers who have joined us to create a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Sponsor Our Cause

Do you want to invest in the future of sustainability or want to align your brand with our initiatives? We invite you to sponsor our summit and other community events! Get in contact to learn more about how you can showcase your brand through our sponsorship packages.

Volunteer With Us

We are looking for volunteers based in New York who can join our cause to make a difference. We will match your passions and skill sets with meaningful opportunities that align with your own mission, such as organizing events and administrative assistance.

Check out our other Summits

Want to know more about our speakers, topics, agendas in the past?

Have a look at all our past Emerald Summits.