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January 29 and 30, 2026

Washington, DC

Back by popular demand, the next Corporate Affiliates workshop on innovation, corporate strategy and sustainability will be held in our nation’s capital. American University is generously providing event space for the workshop at their beautiful campus in Washington, D.C.

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For annual membership information in the Corporate Affiliates series, click here.

The Innovation and Sustainability Corporate Affiliates Workshop

January 29 and 30, 2026 – Washington, D.C.

Thursday, January 29, 8 am-5:15 pm, followed by networking reception

8:00-8:45 am. Networking breakfast.

8:45-9:00 am. Welcome remarks.

9:00-10 am. “Federal Affairs Leaders Update.” Speakers including leading corporate VPs of government affairs and other leading government affairs representatives.

  • Tommy Gardner, Chief Technology Officer at HP Inc. and Senior Fellow on U.S. Council on Competitiveness.
  • Jennifer Wieroniey, Director of Federal Government Affairs, Michelin.
  • Sarah Gainer, Director of Federal Affairs, Southern Company.

10-11:00 am. “Next Generation Energy.”

  • Bob Stout, Senior Advisor to the Natural Gas Innovation Network (NGIN), and former VP and Head of US Policy at BP America.
  • Other speakers to be added on energy and the role of AI, new technology, and innovative business models.

11:00-11:15 am. Networking break.

11:15 am-12:15. “Big Ideas on Sustainability, Corporate Strategy and Innovation.”

  • Bruce Piasecki, NYT bestselling author and Founder of AHC Group.
  • Ed Saltzberg, Executive Director of the Security and Sustainability Forum and Former Battelle and Dyncorp senior executive.
  • William Throop, author of “Flourishing in the Age of Climate Change” and Professor Emeritus of and former Provost of Green Mountain College.

12:15-1pm. Networking lunch.

1:00-2:00 pm. “Innovation and Sustainability Readout.” The latest reports from S&P Global, large accounting firm, American University Professor, and/or similar.

2:00-3:00 pm. “Corporate Carbon Credit and Climate Tech Innovations.”

  • CEO of ClimeCo Bill Flederbach.
  • Chandler Van Voorhis, Co-Founder and Manager, Acre Investment Management.
  • Chris Carr, President CE2 Strategies.

3:00-3:15 pm. Networking Break.

3:15-4:15pm. “Climate Adaptation & Resilience and Corporate Strategies.”

  • Stephanie Santell, Founder at (Re)wilding and federal climate adaptation expert and former federal advisor.
  • Other speakers to include insurers, finance experts on climate adaptation, and/or corporate risk managers.

4:15-5:15 pm. “Follow the Money: trends in corporate sustainability investment and strategies.”

  • Ted Chapman, Managing Director at Hilltop Securities
  • Other speakers to include leaders from private equity, large banks, and/or corporate strategy leaders on climate and clean energy investment.

Networking reception end of day 1, 5:15-6:30 pm.

Friday, January 30, 8 am to 12:30 pm.

8am-8:45 am. Networking breakfast.

8:45-9:00 am. Day 2 opening remarks, including day-1 recap.

9:00-10 am. “International Business Development – Prospects and Hurdles and the Innovation, Technology and Sustainability Nexus“

  • Scott Tew, Global Head of Sustainability, Trane Technologies.
  • Rob Bernard, Chief Sustainability Officer, CBRE.

10:00-11 am. “Managing Sustainable Supply Chains.” Speakers include scops 3 carbon and supply chain experts/VPs.

  • Arlene Cotie, VP Global Carbon Assets & Quality, Bayer
  • Steve Polski, CEO, Permanent Farming, Inc.
  • Additional leader from major corporation being added.

11:00-11:15 am. Networking break.

11:15 – 12:15. “Communications and Climate – lessons learned on communicating on climate change and sustainability issues internally and externally.“

  • Jeff Hanratty, Managing Director for National Sustainability Programs, Ducks Unlimited.
  • Leading corporate communications VPs/representatives to be added.

12:15-12:30. Closing remarks and adjourn.

*Agenda and speakers subject to change.

Registration transfer policy.  if an individual registrant is subsequently unable to attend a Corporate Affiliates workshop, up to two weeks prior to that event individual registrations can be transferred to the next Corporate Affiliates workshop or credited toward an annual membership.  An individual registration can also be transferred to a colleague from the same company.

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If you would like to suggest topics or speakers, or would like more information,
contact Chris Carr at ccarr@c2-e2.com or Bruce Piasecki at
at brucepiasecki.com.