Menu:

Break-out Session Descriptions & Speakers


Please note that topics, schedules, and speakers are subject to change.

Track 1: Corporate Sustainability

9:45 – 11:00 : Sustainability Consulting: A Client / Consultant Dialogue

Speakers:
• Richard Plewa, Sr. VP and head of Corporate Sustainability, Comerica Bank
• Chris Park, Principal, Enterprise Sustainability Practice with Deloitte Consulting

Moderator: Tom Lyon, Dow Professor of Sustainable Science, Technology and Commerce, Director of the Erb Institute for Sustainable Enterprise

Ever wonder how a real client engagement works in the sustainability consulting world? This consultant-client dialogue will provide insight into what consultants do, showcase the process and the value proposition from both the client and consultant perspective of creating a sustainability strategy, represent the multiple stakeholders (both within Deloitte and in the client’s company) involved in a sustainability engagement, and highlight a particular industry function and how sustainability plays out in that industry.

11:15 – 12:30 : Corporate Climate Change Strategies to Weather Today’s Economy

Speakers:
• Paul Murray, Director of Environmental Affairs and Safety, Herman Miller
• Kirsten Thorne, Public Policy Advisor, Chevron
• Doug Wein, Blu Skye

Moderator: Tom Lyon, Dow Professor of Sustainable Science, Technology and Commerce, Director of the Erb Institute for Sustainable Enterprise

This panel will stimulate discussion about (1) how companies are implementing corporate climate change strategy and (2) how worsening economic conditions and a new political administration will alter their perception and implementation of corporate climate change initiatives. What can corporations do to mitigate risk from climate change and its potential regulation in lean times? What are specific industry challenges? Will a company's strategy change given current economic conditions and the Obama administration? Will the trend toward government involvement in credit markets decrease voluntary adoption of climate change strategy efforts?

1:45 – 3:00 : What’s the Earth Worth? A Case Study on Environmental Valuation

Speaker:
• James J. Fuschetti, Managing Director, Environmental Affairs, JP Morgan Chase

The worlds of environmentalism and finance converge on this unique case study discussion that will explore emerging environmental commodities markets, environmental risk analysis, and the issue of how to value social and ecosystem benefits. This interactive roundtable will actively engage the audience in a discussion with one of the world's leading investment practitioners as he challenges you to maximize profits while internalizing externalities and costs to the environment.

Track 2: Innovation & Design

9:45 – 11:00 : Wal-Mart Better Living Business Competition

Judges:
• Ashley Zwick, Managing Director, Non-profit & Public Management Center
• Michael Finney, President and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK
• Marc Mathieu, Entrepreneur

Wal-Mart, the Zell Lurie Institute, and Net Impact are committed to fostering innovation at all levels. In this spirit, all Ross students are invited to participate in the Wal-Mart Better Living Business Plan Challenge which provides a forum for students to showcase their best ideas on sustainability. This is the first round of a national competition which will take the winners to Bentonville, Arkansas to compete for a $20,000 prize to invest in their idea. If you have a great idea for a sustainable product, business or service, we invite you to participate in this exciting opportunity. Click here for details. Specific questions may be directed to Kimberly Dillon (kkdillon@umich.edu).

11:15 – 12:30 : New Business Models to Address Complex Environmental Issues

Speakers:
• Tom Szaky, CEO, TerraCycle
• Chuck Newman, CEO, ReCellular
• Melissa Vernon, Director of Sustainable Strategy, InterfaceFLOR

Moderator: Rick Bunch, Managing Director, Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise

The industrial mass flow cycle is estimated to result in 99.8% pure waste. As energy and material inputs become scarcer and more expensive, companies will be forced to change their business models to reuse industrial waste products as material inputs for new products. This panel will explore two businesses that are using this new type of business model: TerraCycle and ReCellular. We will give an overview of the businesses and then explore the challenges to implementing this new business model including, economics, managing material supplies, and overcoming barriers to adoption by both consumers and suppliers.

1:45 – 3:00 : Innovative Business Models in Developing Countries: Engines of Poverty Alleviation

Speakers:
• Rex Widmer, GE Healthcare
• Tal Dehtiar, MBAs Without Borders
• Richenda Van Leeuwen, Senior Advisor, Good Energies

Moderator: Ted London, Senior Research Fellow at the William Davidson Institute and Director of Base of the Pyramid Initiative

The goal of this panel is to bring together both “top down” corporate and "bottom up" grass roots social enterprise approaches to product and business model innovations in developing countries. We will explore how each of these business models constitutes an “innovation,” how they engage consumers at the base of the pyramid, and how they can lead to increased wealth, poverty reduction, and improved standards of living for the poor.


Track 3: Community Development & Policy

11:00 – 12:15 : Integrating Demand Side Management with the Energy Goals of the Obama Administration

Co-sponsored by the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy and the Ross Energy Club

Speakers:
• Timothy Duff, Managing Director of Federal Regulatory Policy, Duke Energy
• Robert Robinson, Vice President, Booz & Company
• Dr. David Kathan, Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Mike McNalley, Director, Energy Efficiency and Business Energy Services, DTE Energy Company

Moderator: Meredith Fowlie, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Throughout his presidential campaign, Barack Obama stressed the importance of energy independence and a reduction of fossil fuel use. Many of his proposed strategies are forward thinking and will take many years to implement. But what can we accomplish in the next year or two? This panel addresses the role that demand-side management programs and advanced metering technology could play in quickly reducing a sizeable amount of electricity usage. Specifically, this panel will discuss how and if those programs and technology can improve habits in electricity use to reduce overall electricity consumption.

1:45 – 3:00 : For Profit, Not For Profit, or Both: Organizational Models to Achieve Social Missions

Sponsored by the Non-Profit and Public Management Center

Speakers:
• Bena Burda, CEO, Maggie’s Organics
• Neel Hajra, President and CEO, Non-Profit Enterprise at Work
• Chris Pearson, Executive Director, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (Greater Lansing Affiliate

Moderator: Ashley Zwick, Managing Director, Non-profit & Public Management Center

Increasingly, the lines are blurring between for-profit and non-profit organizations. For profit companies are assuming social missions and non-profit organizations are operating as social enterprises. In this panel we will discuss the blurring lines between for-profit and non-profit organizations, the advantages and disadvantages of being for-profit vs. non-profit when working to achieve a social mission, how for-profit vs. non-profit status can affect an organization’s ability to achieve its mission, and L3C and B corporations.

3:15 – 4:30 : Social Enterprise Financing: From Start-Up Funding to Self-Sufficiency

Speakers:
• Marc Mattieu, Entrepreneur
• Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice President of Community Investment, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Moderators: Teerna Choudhury (MBA1) and Kelly McKenzie (MBA2/MS), University of Michigan

This panel will explore sustainable financing strategies for social enterprise. Topics to be discussed include securing start-up funding, achieving financial self-sufficiency, and ensuring that revenue-generating activities remain appropriately aligned with organizational mission.


Track 4: Sustainability’s Personal Impact

9:45 – 11:00 : Earth’s Stewards: The Role of Religion in Environmental Protection

Speakers:
• Rolf Bouma, Director of Center for Faith & Scholarship, Campus Chapel
• Rabbi Nathan Martin, Assistant Director, University of Michigan Hillel
• Imam Achmat Salie, Director of Islamic Studies, Oakland University

Moderator: John Chamberlin, Professor of Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

The global reach of religions provides an unparalleled opportunity for teaching the importance of sustainability and for exciting people into action. This panel will bring together representatives from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to discuss scriptural perspectives on sustainability and the appropriate modern engagement of faith-based individuals and organizations in the sustainability movement.

11:15 – 12:30 : From Farm to Belly: Lifecycle of an MBA’s Lunch

Speaker:
• Chris Stemen, Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship, Aramark

Ever wonder where the tomato on your burger came from? Who grew it, and how did it end up in the Ross cafeteria? Come learn more about our new food service contractor, ARAMARK, and their Farm-to-Table program. This interactive workshop will delve into the pressures of sourcing and procurement, culinary development, and energy management. Together we will investigate how sustainable food purchasing decisions impact ARAMARK’s bottom line — and your lunch.

1:45 – 3:00 : Transportation in a Carbon-Constrained World

Speakers:
• Dave Berdish, Manager, Social Responsibility, Ford Motor Company
• Susan Zielinski, Managing Director, SMART
• Amy Scarton, Counsel, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, U.S. House of Representatives

Moderator: Tom Gladwin, Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, Director of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise

Responsible for 30% of global carbon emissions, the transportation sector plays a critical role in a sustainable future. This session will explore emerging strategies for carbon mitigation through new market generation, vehicle electrification, public transit, and federal financing. From the GM Volt to "new mobility" in South Africa and India, the panel brings together national leaders in transportation technology, the private sector, public policy, and consumer markets.

3:15– 4:30 : Carbon: What Does it Mean for Your Career?

Sponsored by the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise

Speakers:
• Shannon Bouton, Principal, Climate Change Practice, McKinsey
• Kirsten Thorne, Public Policy Advisor, Chevron
• Eron Bloomgarden, President, Equator Environmental

Moderator: Rick Bunch, Managing Director, Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise

Carbon has changed the face of business today, but what does that mean to you and your career? How does a price on carbon affect the industry of your choice, be it in consumer goods, IT, finance, operations or marketing? This panel will bring together functional experts from diverse industries to articulate why carbon is a game changer and why any student looking to enter the work force in the next few years should care about carbon.