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.
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.” Speakers include corporate strategy VPs and energy leaders on the role of AI, new technology, innovative business models, clean and incumbent energy, and dependability, reliability and energy security.
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.
- 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, GlobeScan, American University Professor or Dean, 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.” Speakers including insurers, finance experts on climate adaptation, and corporate risk managers.
- Stephanie Santell, Founder at (Re)wilding and federal climate adaptation expert and former federal advisor.
4:15-5:15 pm. “Follow the Money: trends in corporate sustainability investment and strategies.” Speakers include CFOs, and leaders from private equity, large banks, corporate strategy leaders on climate and clean energy investment.
- Ted Chapman, Managing Director at Hilltop Securities
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“
- Scott Tew, Global Head of Sustainability, Trane Technologies.
- Other leading Fortune 500 company or strategy leader on international business developments.
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. “Comms, CSOs and Climate.” Speakers include leading corporate comms VPs/representatives from leading comms firms, and CSOs and Fortune 500 companies.
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.
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.