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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 the American University School of International Service (SIS), 3498 Nebraska Ave, NW.  Advance registration is required for this by-invitation workshop.

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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.  Dean Vicky Wilkins, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Professor of Public Administration & Policy, School of Public Affairs at American University.

9:00-10 am. “Federal Affairs Leaders Update.”

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

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

  • Julie Pierce, Vice President of Strategy and Planning at Minnesota Power/ALLETE.
  • Bob Stout, Senior Advisor to the Natural Gas Innovation Network (NGIN), and former VP and Head of US Policy at BP America.

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

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

  • 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.
  • Rodney Smolla, Senior Counsel Meier Watkins and former President Vermont Law and Graduate School.
  • Moderated by Bruce Piasecki, NYT bestselling author and Founder of AHC Group

12:15-1pm. Networking lunch.

1:00-2:00 pm. “Innovation and Sustainability Readout.” The latest on sustainability and innovation trends, and key emerging, issues.

  • Roman Kramarchuk, Head of Future Energy Analytics, Policy Analysis, S&P Global.
  • Nicole Darnall, Eminent Scholar Chair in Sustainability, American University Kogod School of Business.

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

  • Chandler Van Voorhis, Co-Founder and Manager, Acre Investment Management.
  • Dan Linksy, Senior VP of Environmental Commodities, ClimeCo.
  • Moderated by Chris Carr, President CE2 Strategies.

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

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

  • Sara Shoff, Director of Strategy and Programs, Global Adaptation and Resilience Investment Working Group.
  • Stephanie Santell, Founder at (Re)wilding, North American Director for Okhtapus, and former federal climate advisor.

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

  • Erin Smith, Sustainability Executive, Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America.
  • Bill Shireman, President and Founder, Future 500. 
  • 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. “The Innovation, Technology and Sustainability Nexus and Driving Value Creation.“

  • Scott Tew, Global Head of Sustainability, Trane Technologies.
  • Rob Bernard, Chief Sustainability Officer, CBRE.
  • Introducer: Denise Naguib, Global Vice President, Sustainable Operations and Stakeholder Relations, Marriott International

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

  • Arlene Cotie, VP Global Carbon Assets & Quality, Bayer
  • Steve Polski, CEO, Permanent Farming, Inc.

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

11:15 – 12:15. “Communications and Sustainability.” Lessons learned on communicating on climate change and sustainability issues internally and externally.

  • Catharine Ransom, Partner at FGS Global.
  • Luke Bolar, Chief External Affairs Officer, Clear Path
  • Jeff Hanratty, Managing Director for National Sustainability Programs, Ducks Unlimited.
  • Introducer: Bill Novelli, Founder of Porter-Novelli, former CEO of AARP, and author of Good Business.

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.

Register Now

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.