Conference Programming
Agenda
Gain access to important keynote and panel discussions to learn how sustainability implementation is changing all areas of business. Leading experts will address changing aspects including regulatory needs, specific best practices and implementation guides, and how weaving sustainability into business's strategy and bottom line will impact people, business, and the planet for the better.
Thursday, March 21st
7:30 am | Registration Opens
7:30 am | Breakfast and Networking
8:30 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks
-
Craig Smith
Executive Vice-President, Member & Student Services, CPA Ontario -
Dr. Bruce Frayne
Dean of Environment, University of Waterloo
9:00 am | Keynote Presentation: Sustainability Leadership: A Call to Action for All
This keynote address will explore the disruptive influence of sustainability on businesses, the economy, and society. Attendees will gain insight into the impact sustainability has today and what we can expect in the future.
- Barbara Zvan
President and CEO, University Pension Plan (UPP)
9:35 am | Fireside Chat
- Barbara Zvan
President and CEO, University Pension Plan (UPP) - Jennifer Roedding, CA, CPA, ICD.D
Executive in Residence, Hub for Sustainability Integration, University of Waterloo
10:05 am | Networking Break
10:20 am | Panel Session: Climate, Energy, and Nature: Current Trends and Future Initiatives
This interactive panel will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected nature of various challenges, including climate change, energy transitions, and biodiversity. Gain valuable insights into how organizations can spark creative and adaptable responses to these challenges, while also staying informed about the trends and policy drivers shaping effective sustainability initiatives.
- Catherine Abreu
Founder and Executive Director, Destination Zero - Ewa Jackson
Managing Director, ICLEI - Dr. Sarah Burch, PhD
Executive Director of the Waterloo Climate Institute & Professor, University of Waterloo
11:10 am | Panel Discussion: Navigating a Disrupted Economy
This panel will address the broader impacts of sustainability as a global disruptor to business and the economy. Discussion will provide an understanding of the risks and strategic opportunities the disruption presents to organizations, the impacts to customers (B2B and B2C), and what can be done to innovate and pivot to successfully navigate the change. Participants will be armed with ideas to take back to their organizations to incorporate into sustainability strategies and action plans.
- Michael Torrance
Chief Sustainability Officer, BMO Financial Group - Tracy Mann, CA, CPA (Illinois), MAcc
Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), Definity Financial - Ally Karmali
Partner, KPMG's ESG Practice - Jennifer Roedding, CA, CPA, ICD.D
Executive in Residence, Hub for Sustainability Integration, University of Waterloo
12:00 pm | Lunch and Networking
1:15 pm | Speaker Session: The Material Value of Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability
In his presentation Geordie Hungerford will explore Indigenous Peoples perspectives on sustainability, show why they are materially important to business operations today, and suggests some actions that can be taken to incorporate more of these perspectives into current corporate thinking. Mr. Hungerford will use his substantial knowledge base to explore both the legal and financial aspects of these issues and highlight how if the right actions are taken projects can become more sustainable, more profitable, and mutually beneficial.
- Geordie Hungerford
Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Financial Management Board
1:40 pm | Fireside Chat
- Geordie Hungerford
Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Financial Management Board - Tracy Primeau
Founder & Principal, Agile Bear Consulting
2:05 pm | Speaker Session: Weather Gone Wild
Climate change has irreversible impacts. Severe weather events, such as flooding, wildfires, and hurricanes, can disrupt the operations of businesses and those they engage with. Accordingly, investors, issuers and boards must identify and mitigate corporate exposure, with a focus on disclosing material risks. This session will delve into the effects of climate change on businesses and provide tools to help navigate and mitigate these impacts.
- Dr. Blair Feltmate
Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo
2:45 pm | Networking Break
3:00 pm | Panel Discussion: Opportunities and Pitfalls; How to Integrate Sustainability into Your Organization
This panel will explore executive experiences of integrating sustainability into areas such as sustainable procurement, human resourcing (retention and attraction), communication, training and marketing.
- Frances Edmonds
Head of Sustainable Impact, HP Canada - Helen Slinger
Executive Director, Knowledge and Learning, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) - Tom Ewart
Associate Vice-President of Sustainability, The Co-operators Group - Jennifer Lynes
Co-Director, Sustainability and Financial Management Program, University of Waterloo
3:50 pm | Keynote Presentation: We Can Win the Future
This keynote will provide a call to action for strong leadership by executives to drive the integration of sustainability into business practices. By identifying your current position and outlining tangible steps for the short and medium term, this presentation will offer thought-provoking opportunities for executives to take back to their organizations to drive strategic next steps.
- The Hon. Catherine McKenna
Former Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
4:30 pm | Fireside Chat
- The Hon. Catherine McKenna
Former Minister of the Environment and Climate Change - Vivek Goel
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo
5:00 pm | Closing Remarks
- Vivek Goel
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo