Sustainable Enterprise Conference 2011 – Expanding an Ecosystem of Sustainability

I had the chance to attend the Sustainable Enterprise Conference in Sonoma this past Friday. It was an opportunity to get plugged in on local efforts, campaigns, and ventures in the realm of sustainability.It was a great experience—I was struck by the sense of community within the sustainable enterprise movement. Like a tuned ecosystem–many of these companies collaborate, pool resources, and both support and are supported by a growing infrastructure of conservation and social responsibility  Here’s a high-level overview of the event and sessions I attended (note: there were a number of other workshop options)…with links so you can continue your research into the various orgs, speakers, and concepts mentioned.
Welcome by Genevieve Taylor (Partner, CircadiaOne), Brad Baker (President/CEO, Codding Investments), and Robert Girling Ph.D. (Author).Keynote address “California Legislation for a Sustainable Future” by California State Assemblymember for the 6th Assembly District Jared Huffman, JD

Keynote address “Ecological Sustainability and Economic Drivers” by Maggie Winslow, Ph.D. (Academic Dean, Presidio Green MBA)

Keynote address “Green Energy in the Golden State Under a Brown Administration” by Panama Bartholomy (Deputy Dir., Effiency and Renewables Division, CA Energy Commission)

Workshop: “Straus Family Creamery Strategic Planning” panel including Edward L. Quevedo (Sr. Counsel & Chair of Sustainability Practice, Paladin Law Group, LLP), Sarah Isabel Parriott (Sustainability Strategy PM, Paladin Law Group), and Deborah Parrish (CFO, Straus Family Creamery), with special guest Albert Straus (Founder of Straus)

Keynote address “Pulp Non-Fiction: Changing the Paper Industry” by Jeff Mendelsohn (President/Founder, New Leaf Paper)

Workshop: “Behind the Scenes with B2B B Corporations: Building the Vision and Infrastructure to Shape, Support, and Scale the Sustainable Business Economy” panel including Matt Reynolds (CEO of Indigenous Designs), Jonathan Storper (Partner & Chair of Sustainable Business, Hanson Bridgett LLP), and Carolyn McMaster (Principal, ThinkShift Communications)

Workshop: “Localization and Sustainability: Tales of Success” with panel including Mike McGuire (4th Dist. Sonoma, County Supervisor), Tom Scott (VP and GM, Oliver’s Market), Nancy Bailey, (GM, Quivira Wineyards & Winery), and Evelina Molina (Co-Founder, North Bay Institute of Green Technology)

Lessons Learned, Call to Action and Closing Statements by Oren Wool (Executive Director, Sustainable Enterprise Conference)

Read More:

• “Sonoma County ‘sustainability’ conference draws hundreds” (pressdemocrat)