SISA & SIIA Presents

Social Innovation Symposium 2024

Down to Earth: Making Moonshot Solutions a Reality

Friday, April 5th 2024 | 12:00PM to 6:00PM

Get your tickets today!
Prices starting from $30 per person

About

The half day conference underscores the critical need for immediate action in achieving transformative social and environmental progress. The urgency to address pressing global challenges is paramount. The 2024 Symposium will bring together leaders from private industry and the public sector to discuss how to foster collaboration, implement practical solutions and accelerate the pace of change.

Together, participants will explore innovative ways to create the large-scale changes needed to address social and environmental challenges on a global scale.

Agenda

12:00pm Registration & Lunch

12:45pm Key Note with CEO of Ørsted Americas, David Hardy

02:10pm Panel Discussions

Delineating ESG From Impact Investing

From Farm to City: The Journey of NYC's Food

03:10pm Panel Discussions

Smart Solutions, Sustainable Future: Revolutionizing Social Impact through AI and ML
Urban Decarbonization: The Challenges of Change in the Built Environment

4:10pm Closing Key Notes: 10 Minutes to Change the World

5:00pm Networking Happy Hour

Keynote Speaker

David Hardy
CEO, Ørsted Americas

David Hardy is the Chief Executive Officer of the Americas Region for Ørsted, overseeing integrated clean energy solutions that include offshore wind, land-based wind, solar projects, battery storage, and other initiatives. Under Hardy’s leadership, Ørsted’s portfolio in the Region has grown to include approximately 8 gigawatts of clean energy projects in operation and under development.

Prior to joining Ørsted, Hardy held senior executive roles with GE, Senvion and Vestas, working both in the U.S. and abroad. He is a proud U.S. Navy veteran, having served for more than eight years in the submarine community.

Hardy received an MBA in Finance and Management from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Panels

Advancing Sustainable and Social Finance:
Delineating ESG From Impact Investing

This panel of ESG and Impact Investing professionals will engage in a discussion focused on delineating the various types of investing that take into account environmental, social, and governance factors. This will include exploring ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, impact investing and the distinct aspects that define each approach.

Erica Karp
Executive Director, Finance Leaders Fellowship, Aspen Institute

Andrew Siwo
Adjunct Assistant Professor, NYU Wagner School of Public Service

Andrea Armeni
Director of Social Impact Innovation and Investment Specialization, NYU Wagner

Moderator

Coco Lim

Senior Associate, Insights & Strategy at Acumen

From Farm to City: The Journey of NYC’s Food

Panelists will discuss city agriculture, food sourcing and the supply chain, and restaurants' social impact within New York City. They illuminate how restaurants serve as hubs of cultural exchange and social impact, weaving community ties and contributing to the city's diverse fabric.

Scott Crawford
VP Merchandising,
Baldor Speciality Foods, Inc.

Henry Gordon-Smith
Founder and CEO,
Agritecture

Claire Sprouse
Owner,
Hunky Dory

Jamila Robinson
Editor-in-Chief,
Bon Appétit and Epicurious

Moderator

Smart Solutions, Sustainable Future:
Revolutionizing Social Impact Through AI and ML

Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and machine learning with sustainability in this dynamic panel discussion. From optimizing supply chains to predicting environmental trends, our panel of industry experts will share insights on how these technologies are reshaping our approach to challenges and paving the way for a more resilient and eco-conscious future. Join us to learn more about the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in fostering a greener, more sustainable world.

Alec Crawford
Founder and CEO,
Artificial Intelligence Risk

Maria João Sousa
Executive Director,
Climate Change AI

Greg Kahn
President and CEO,
Emerging Tech Exchange

Becky Duane
Strategic Partnerships, M&A, AI for Social Good
IBM Data and AI

Raphael Carty
Adjunct Associate Professor of Management and Organizations,
NYU Stern

Moderator

Urban Decarbonization:
Challenges of Change in the Built Environment

Cities account for more than 70% of global carbon emissions. In this panel, we explore the decarbonization of buildings and transportation in NYC with perspectives from public, private, and non-profit sectors. Topics include technological innovation, sustainable finance, public outreach, and strategic implementation.

Joe Chavez
Deputy Director, Resilient & Efficient Buildings,
NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice

Stephen Levin
CEO,
Solar One

Aditi Desai
Director of Partnerships, Voltpost

Moderator

Alexander Heil
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service,
NYU Wagner

Closing Key Notes

10 Minutes to
Change the World

There are many challenges remaining in our world that government, nonprofit and for profit businesses strive to change and impact. Our closing keynote session will showcase three speakers sharing insights into creating meaningful change through powering geothermal innovation, championing disability advocacy, and empowering communities.