Sustain Dane Summit: Weaving Stories for Change
The Sustain Dane Summit is an interactive program and unparalleled forum for you to learn, connect, share ideas, reflect, and gain new skills to lead and inspire change.
2021 Program Overview
The Sustain Dane Summit is a day filled with education, inspiration, reflection, and connection! This year our theme is Weaving Stories of Change. We’ll hear from keynote speaker Kimberly Nicholas, sustainability scientist and author of UNDER THE SKY WE MAKE: How to be Human in a Warming World. Every registration has the opportunity to receive a copy of Under the Sky we Make.
The Summit will also feature a panel of local leaders sharing their work towards a sustainable community, networking and conversation among attendees, and a Live Forward Award celebration. We will recognize the projects completed by businesses, organizations, and individuals from our 2021 Accelerate Sustainability Workshop and Master Recycler program. We can all play a powerful role in creating systems that focus on holistic sustainability: a healthy environment, a just economy, and equity and social wellbeing for all. Change happens when inspired people take action.
This year the Summit will be a hybrid program, held both online and in person at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
Networking & Breakfast
7:45AM – 8:30AM
Under the Sky We Make Keynote
8:30AM—9:30AM
Prof. Kimberly Nicholas, PhD | Sustainability scientist, writer, speaker
Kimberly is a sustainability scientist at Lund University. She is the author of UNDER THE SKY WE MAKE: How to be Human in a Warming World, and the monthly climate newsletter We Can Fix It. She has published over 50 articles on climate and sustainability in leading peer-reviewed journals, and her research has been featured in outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, USA Today, Buzzfeed and more. Read Kimberly’s full bio.
Raj Shukla, The Nature Conservancy’s Midwest Director of Freshwater Policy, will be interviewing Kimberly about her new book. Read Raj’s full bio.
Kimberly and Raj’s conversation will cover:
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- How we can harness facts, feelings, and action to face climate change.
- Principles of respect and care for people and nature, reducing harm at its source; and building resilience, the ability to recover from setbacks
- Climate pollution is distributed extremely unfairly
- Maximize meaning and minimize carbon – stories of meaningful achievements and cultivating community that are created from actions and relationships that align with our core values
- Find bright spots where climate action is working and spread them
We will also take some questions from the audience and have the chance for conversation among attendees about our roles in climate action in post-keynote networking.
Additional Features
The program will also feature a panel of local leaders that are walking the talk for sustainability in our community, a Live Forward Award celebration, and a recognition of our 2021 Accelerate Sustainability Workshop program participants and Master Recycler participants. Stay tuned for more details.
Local Leaders Panel
10:00 AM—11:15 AM
This year, our local leaders panel will feature Angela Russell as moderator. Angela is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is the Vice President of the CUNA Mutual Foundation at CUNA Mutual Group. Read Angela’s full bio.
Networking and Lunch
11:30AM—1:00PM
In person registrations will join us for a delicious Vegetable Strudel lunch.
Accelerate Sustainability Workshop, Master Recycler
1:00PM—2:30PM
Live Forward Awards
2:30PM—3:30PM
Congratulations to the 2021 Live Forward Award Nominees!
- Caitlin Williamson, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
- Corey Meek, Promega Corporation
- Cristina Carvajal, Wisconsin EcoLatinos
- David Ropa, Outdoor Classroom/Youth Gardening Program at Spring Harbor Middle School
- Deirdre Steinmetz, Madison Reading Project
- Elena Terry, Wild Bearies Catering
- Elsa Caetano, BikEquity
- Halie Tenor, American Family Insurance and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
- Ian Aley, Office of Sustainability
- Ian Oestreich, Curbside Bicycles
- Ivo Rozendaal, SmithGroup Architects
- Janet Dyer and Eileen Otis, Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) Cares Team
- Jessica Awe + Dustin Klubertanz (Aldo Leopold Elementary) & Sarah Galanter-Guziewski + Summer Hillman, (Stephens Elementary)
- Jessy Servi Ortiz, Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, Women in Sustainability (WIS)
- John Welch, Dane County Waste and Renewables
- Kathy Kuntz, Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change
- Kristie Goforth, Free Bikes 4 Kids
- Oscar Mireles, Omega School
- Sarah Voss, Aldo Leopold Nature Center
- Scott Andersen and Dr. Nicole Andersen, Artisan Dental
- Tara Wilhelmi, EOTO
Recordings
Post-event recordings will be provided to registrants. Re-watch your favorite sessions and share with your professional and personal networks to spread impact.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available—email hello@sustaindane.org for info.
Hybrid Program
Participants will have the option to join us online or in person at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
Registration Deadlines
Monday, November 1 is the deadline for in person registration. Online registration ends on the day of the program. Discounted Early Bird registration ends Monday, October 18.
Thank you to our sponsoring partners and supporting members
Thank you to sponsors! We’re still open to additional sponsorship requests, so if you’re interested in supporting the Summit contact Lucia.
Why Sponsor
- 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
Next Steps for Sponsorship
Email Lucia Hunt at lucia@sustaindane.org to discuss your desired sponsorship level and/or create a personalized sponsorship for your organization. For maximum recognition, secure sponsorship by September 10, 2021, and for recognition in the program, secure sponsorship by October 15, 2021.
Past Summit Highlights
