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When is it?
Date: October 27, 2023
Time: 9 AM to 5 PM ET /
6 AM to 2 PM PT
Venue: Virtual
Join us for free, register here:
(sliding scale donation)
Can’t make it? Show your support for this event and our other Earth Day initiatives via donation. Our 2024 ESG Awards and Earth Day Summit will be on April 26, 2024 (hybrid).
An Experience Centered on Strengthening Your Business
Practical panel discussions: Tap into the expertise of business and sustainability leaders in our unique speaker sessions.
Interactive workshops: Bring green business skills back to your business and community with our hands-on learning experiences.
ESG Awards: Recognize sustainable startups creating change with our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) awards.
Networking opportunities: Use our networking hour to meet experts, potential partners, and your peers.
Q&A with financial wellness coaches: Looking for advice for improving your cash flow or strengthening your business finances? Our financial wellness coaches are here to help.
The “Make a Difference Day” Agenda
ET = Eastern Time (New York)
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET
Grace Lam
"Demystifying the Role of Carbon Finance in the Global Climate Transition"
Developing and emerging markets require $1.4 trillion in external climate investments by 2030; today, developed countries deliver nowhere close to the estimated needs. A functioning carbon credit mechanism can connect this investment gap with corporate climate commitments, allowing companies to meet their climate goals while accelerating global climate transition. However, the concerns of greenwashing and legitimacy create a division among climate enthusiasts on the role of carbon finance: How should businesses and organizations engage the carbon market in the future?
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM ET
Ushma Pandya Mehta
"How companies can incorporate zero waste into their sustainability journey"
How companies can incorporate zero waste and circularity into their sustainability journey and how that can support their net zero goals. Circularity is becoming of interest to consumers and companies but how to make the shift from the linear business model is still a new and at times challenging. In addition, companies are also looking at their own waste footprint and looking to embrace zero waste principles within their own spaces. We will review some examples of what companies are doing and what can be learned from their efforts.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Lauren van Oss
"Climate Insurance: How pricing climate risk correctly can build communities more resilient to climate change"
Expressing climate risk in financial terms is the only way to motivate climate action at scale, and insurance is at the root of our economy's financial infrastructure. If the insurance industry can incentivize property owners to invest in climate resilience, it has the potential to ripple through the entire economy. This talk will cover why insurance is such a critical part of the climate solution, some of the challenges that are preventing traditional insurance companies from taking more action against climate change, and how these challenges can be addressed with technology.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET
Emily Lonigro
"Certified B Corporations: How to Get Certified and Why it Matters for Your Governance and Bottom Line"
Certified B Corporations: How to Get Certified and Why it Matters for Your Governance and Bottom Line + Q&A This will be a workshop all about how B Corps are working to advance issues like voting access, educational resources, environmental justice, eliminating the pay gap, and more. Additionally, we will discuss the certification process and you’ll receive helpful resources for starting your certification process. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Conscious Consumerism Panel & Q&A
Nimreet Grewal, Melissa Dusenberry & Michelle Meineke (Moderator)
“How Conscious Consumerism Impacts Global Net Zero Goals”
A thought-provoking panel discussion with Nimreet Grewal, Founder of Soneha, and Melissa Dusenberry, Founder of All The Brilliants, where we explore the role of conscious consumerism in our path towards achieving our net zero goals. Learn about how businesses can influence and appeal to responsible shoppers to foster a more mindful consumerism culture.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM ET
Break
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Rebecca Schwartz Altholz
“Sustainably Communicating: How businesses can effectively share their environmental initiatives”
So many brands are innovating and pushing the envelope to protect our environment, but not that many customers know. This talk will focus on how businesses can use social media to educate and share with their current and future customers about their sustainability efforts.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Sustainable Business Finance Panel & Q&A
Amy Schultz, Alexandra Raymond & Shivani Ganguly (Moderator)
“Balancing Profit and Purpose”
Both businesses and consumers struggle with the intersection of impact and finance as they navigate how to incorporate more ways to manage their finances while still leaving a positive impact on their environment. Be part of this insightful conversation and gain valuable knowledge and tools to engage in financially sustainable and socially responsible money practices as a business and a consumer.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Wallet Max Introduction and Awards 2024 Announcement
Wallet Max is an inclusive eco-business marketplace that connects local, sustainable businesses to consumers quickly and efficiently through a planet-positive community.
A portion of our proceeds and sponsor contributions will help to support cash awards for businesses and startups acting on ESG goals. We measure success through the ESG guidelines, as well as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Earth Day initiatives.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Bhuva Shakti
“Circular Economy: How to transition into a greener, cheaper and simpler lifestyle”
Did you know that 7.2% of the current global economy is circular— compared to 9.1% in 2018? This reduction in circularity is due to rising, uncontrolled material consumption. The adoption of a circular economy is a means to address the environmental challenges by minimizing waste, promoting resource efficiency, and reducing our over-reliance on finite resources.
Transitioning into a circular economy is, by no means, simple— but it isn’t IMPOSSIBLE.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET
Closing Keynote
Alba Forns
“Impact Investing 101: Making a Difference with Your Financial Choices”
Every choice a consumer or business makes when it comes to spending money creates an impact. Purchasing eco-friendly goods and selecting climate-conscious suppliers and vendors are some of the ways to invest in a sustainable future. In this session, attendees can discover practical strategies for impact investing, no matter your budget or business size.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Networking
Learn from Climate-Conscious Business Leaders
Circular Economy: How to transition into a greener, cheaper and simpler lifestyle
Bhuva Shakti
Chief Sustainable Innovation Officer, Wallet Max
Bhuva Shakti founded Wallet Max to support local businesses, promote inclusion, and generate climate action solutions. She also leads Women in AI as the Chief Ethics and Culture Officer and is an early-stage investor in sustainable startups.
Sustainably Communicating: How businesses can effectively share their environmental initiatives
Rebecca Schwartz Altholz, Sustainability Consultant, Earth to Rebecca
Rebecca Schwartz Altholz completed her Master's in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. After her personal passion grew, Rebecca has expanded into freelancing to help businesses communicate their sustainability initiatives.
Conscious Consumerism Panel Discussion
How Conscious Consumerism Impacts Global Net Zero Goals
Nimreet Grewal,
Founder, Soneha
Nimreet Grewal is the Founder of Soneha, a plant-based accessories brand committed to promoting accessible sustainable living. With a mission to plant one tree for every order, Soneha motivates consumers to contribute to a greener future through their purchases.
Melissa Dusenberry,
Founder, All The Brilliants
All The Brilliants is a fine jewelry company specializing in thoughtfully designed pieces, made by women, that amplify your personal style and align with your values.
Michelle Meineke,
Founder, The Write Intel
Michelle Meineke has nearly 20 years' experience in editorial and sustainability, covering a breadth of critical topics worldwide. This encompasses analyzing and setting carbon prices, building ESG roadmaps for net zero targets, and thought leadership on renewables, sustainable finance, circularity, food systems, conservation, and more.
Impact Investing 101: Making a Difference with Your Financial Choices
Alba Forns,
COO, & Co-Founder, Climatize
Alba Forns is the COO and Co-Founder of Climatize, a climate fintech mobile app that enables anyone to invest in climate projects starting from as little as $5. With a strong background in Engineering, Alba holds two Master's degrees in Energy Engineering and in Sustainable Energy Technologies from KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology, as well as a Business and Management course at ESADE, Business and Law School.
Demystifying the Role of Carbon Finance in the Global Climate Transition
Grace Lam,
Founder, NetaCarbon
Grace Lam is the co-founder of NetaCarbon, a climate tech startup with the mission to democratize access to the carbon market for the Global South. Before founding NetaCarbon, she worked at KawiSafi Ventures, a climate VC fund based in Kenya. Grace was also previously an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and was an active member of its sustainability practice in Asia.
Sustainable Business Finance
Balancing Profit and Purpose
Amy Schultz,
Co-Founder, Bolder Money
Amy Schultz is Co-Founder of Bolder Money, a company on a mission to make money human with financial coaching that addresses the emotional side of money.
Alexandra Raymond,
Finance Product Manager, Amazon Studios
Alexandra Raymond is a dynamic Finance Product Manager and FinTech Speaker who champions the power of inclusive product design. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, Alexandra helps FinTech product leaders tap into underserved markets, driving revenue growth and innovation.
Shivani Ganguly,
CFO/COO, New Sun Road
Shivani is a climate tech leader, with 20+ years of experience in finance and operations.
Climate Insurance: How pricing climate risk correctly can build communities more resilient to climate change
Lauren van Oss,
Founding Product Manager, FutureProof Technologies
As the Founding Product Manager at FutureProof, a start up launching the first environmental insurance company. Lauren leads the team building climate-smart tech solutions that align financial risk with climate risk, and motivate investment in resilient communities.
Awarding Emerging Sustainable Businesses
A portion of our proceeds and sponsor contributions will help to support cash awards for businesses and startups acting on ESG goals. We measure success through the ESG guidelines, as well as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Earth Day initiatives. This year’s award categories are:
Inclusive Climate Action Business (SDG 13)
This organization takes urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Best Food Security Innovation (SDG 2)
This organization has made strides to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Most Sustainable FinTech Startup (SDG 8)
This award recognizes a fintech startup with sustained and inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
Get the Highlights of the April 2023 Earth Day Summit
Not sure what to expect? Get a glimpse of this throwback to the April 2023 Summit. In addition to workshops and networking, business, and startup leaders learned more about:
Greenwashing and retail investing
Becoming a certified B corporation
Fostering brand loyalty with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals
Organizing sustainable startup finances
What our attendees had to say:
85%
said they were very interested in the presentation topics.
Over
90%
said that the information they learned at our event applied to their daily life and professional work.
100%
said they were satisfied with our event and were likely to attend our events in the future.
Become a Sponsor
Looking for a platform to inspire change and share your expertise on sustainability in front of a wider audience? Sponsors can leverage this opportunity to build brand loyalty, form partnerships, and make an impact. Currently, we are looking for sponsors interested in supporting our monetary support for our ESG award winners.
Wallet Max provides an intelligent shopping experience for your favorite local and sustainable businesses.
