
The Sustain Dane Summit is a day filled with education, inspiration, reflection, and connection! This year our theme is Building Our Social Change Ecosystem. Our community is filled with talented visionaries, guides, healers and more. What’s your role? All of these roles are welcome and necessary to work together to address climate change and create a sustainable future with well-being for all. At the Summit we will learn about and workshop our understanding of different roles that create equitable and enduring social change, the systems of power we are drawn to take action to change, how to sustain your efforts through times of fatigue and healing, and the network of connections we build together.
We’ll hear from speaker Deepa Iyer, writer, strategist, lawyer, and racial justice advocate for the keynote address and workshop session. Her new book, Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection will be available complementary to participants at the Summit.
Program Outline
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast & Networking
8:30 – 10:00 Welcome, Keynote, & Workshop
10:00 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 10:50 Dane County Climate Goals & Progress Updates
10:50 – 12:00 Local Leaders Panel
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch & Networking
1:30 – 2:30 Live Forward Awards
2:30 – 3:00 Closing & Networking
Attendees that are requesting time for professional development from their employer can download this sample email text and flyer.
2022 Program Overview
Keynote & Workshop
8:30 AM — 10:00 AM

Deepa Iyer | Writer, strategist, lawyer, and racial justice advocate
She is joining us in conversation about her new workbook and her tool for mapping our social change roles. In our lives and as part of sustainability movements and organizations, many of us play different roles. And yet, we can often get lost and confused, or we are newcomers to ongoing efforts and don’t know where to start, or we are catalyzed into action in the midst of a crisis in our community. Her keynote and workshop will help us:
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- Understand the different roles that create equitable and enduring social change
- Learn about how to identify our roles through what we value and our vision for the future
- Identify the systems of power we are drawn to take action to change
- Recognize that working for change can cause fatigue, and learn how to sustain your efforts
- Discover how to build connection with our teams, organizations, networks, and/or movements
- Reflect on our goals for social change
Additional Features
Local Leaders Panel
10:50 AM — 12:00 PM
These innovative community builders will join us in conversation about their work, their vision for sustainability in our region, and how they maximize their impact with their social change roles.

Maria Redmond | Director of the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, State of Wisconsin (Moderator)

Cedric Hodo | Chief of Operations & Executive Director of Building and Auxiliary Services, Madison Metropolitan School District
Cedric Hodo has held his position since April 2021. MMSD is the second largest school district in Wisconsin, with more than 26,000 students in 52 schools. Mr. Hodo provides leadership to several district-wide departments, including maintenance and facilities, operations, food and nutrition, and auxiliary services. One of his current responsibilities is oversight and management of the District’s $317M voter-approved facilities and operating referenda, one of the largest in the state’s history. Keep Reading.

Delaney Gobster | Sustainability Director, Little John’s Restaurant

Christopher Peguero | Communities of Belonging Program Manager, Promega Corporation
In 2021 Christopher and his family moved to Fitchburg. Christopher is now the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Communities of Belonging Program Manager at Promega. Through Christopher’s leadership, Seattle City Light’s Environmental Equity Program ssupported regional BIPOC led environmental organizations. Christopher says, “In all the leadership roles I have held, I have promoted the transformative power of collaborative, community-driven solutions versus extractive relationships with BIPOC communities. I believe that communities closest to the struggle of systemic racism and oppression are experts in knowing the solutions to overcome those struggles. When everyone in our community is able to thrive—we are all collectively stronger, healthier, and better for it.” Keep reading.

Tim “Pio” Piotrowski | Chief Beer Officer, Delta Beer Lab
Live Forward Awards
1:30 PM — 2:30 PM
The Live Forward Awards recognize local changemakers and inclusive leaders who are accelerating sustainability and advancing community well-being. Join us to elevate the innovation and impact happening in our own neighborhoods! Check out our past winners here.
2022 Winners

21-22 Students
Patrick Marsh Middle School

DaMontae January
Madison Community Cooperative

Fernando Perez
Madison Community Cooperative

Yi “Louis” Liu
Kohler Co.

Congratulations to the 2022 Live Forward Award Nominees:
21-22 PMMS 7E Students, Patrick Marsh Middle School
Anne Gillespie, Shorewood Elementary School
DaMontae January & Fernando Perez, Madison Community Cooperative
Health Occupations and Professions Exploration (HOPE) Students/Interns, UW Health
Heartland Farm Sanctuary Staff/Volunteers
Katie and Kevin Gibbons, Hodge Podge
Leah Kinmonth, TDS Telecom’s Green Associate Resource Group
Milton Rogers, Impact Employment
Netzahualcoyotl “Ned” Smith; Latino Academy of Workforce Development & Virent: Renewable Energy
Tim “Pio” Piotrowski, Delta Beer Lab
Shed & Caroline Farley, Linda and Gene Farley Center for Peace, Justice & Sustainability
Yi “Louis” Liu, Kohler Co.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available—email hello@sustaindane.org for info.
Registration Deadlines
Register by October 28 to ensure we can accommodate dietary requests and to receive a printed name tag.
Member Registrations
Member organizations receive complimentary registration based on their membership size and level. See below for the number of registrations for each size & level.

Summit Sponsorship
Interested in additional visibility at the Summit? Learn more in the sponsorship packet here. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $10,000. Through sponsorship of the 2022 Summit, you can:
- Elevate your organization’s commitment to sustainability in Dane County
- Participate in meaningful learning, networking, and professional development
- Gain business development as a leader in corporate social responsibility
- Be visible through extensive marketing, press releases, and online promotions
Email Lucia Hunt at lucia@sustaindane.org to discuss your desired sponsorship level. For maximum recognition opportunity, secure sponsorship by September 30, 2022.

Thank you to our 2022 Summit Sponsors!

Past Summit Highlights




Summit Local Leaders Panel Reflection
by Colin Steven Chval Overview As part of our annual Sustain Dane Summit on November 18, 2021, three local leaders were invited to join a panel focusing on the Summit theme of “weaving a story of change” and holistic sustainability. The talented moderator of...
Summit Keynote Reflection
by Colin Steven Chval Introducing the Summit On November 18th, 2021, we hosted our annual Sustain Dane Summit, bringing together a diverse and talented group of individuals to help them connect, share, and learn about ways to accelerate sustainability for equity and...