Morning Breakout Session
11:00am-12:15pm
(M3) Business Leadership on Carbon and Climate – J
The challenge of carbon linked climate change has become a priority for both business and government. The US initially entered into the Paris Climate Accord, and then pulled out under the Trump administration. Fortunately, Wisconsin has business leaders who understand the impact and consequence of continuously increasing carbon emissions. These leaders have stepped forward with a commitment to cut their own emissions and are leading their business sectors forward. You'll hear about the development of strategies, implementation experiences, and ways these successes are being communicated to others.
Kris Canto – American Family
Kristofer’s passion lies at the intersection of the natural and built environment, where he seeks to understand our interactions with nature, urban systems and each other. Kristofer holds a B.S. in Natural Resources/Landscape Architecture from UW-Madison as well as M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning. He has worked professionally in the private, non-profit and public sectors. Kristopher sees his purpose as transcending systemic barriers that inhabit public-private partnerships by building relationships, identifying innovative solutions, and measuring impact.
Rob Zimmerman - Kohler
Rob is currently the Director of Sustainability at Kohler Co., in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. In his position, he leads efforts to create strategies and tools to capitalize on Kohler’s leadership in design, energy and water efficiency, and sustainability while reducing the environmental impacts of Kohler’s operations, products, and supply chain.
Rob helped create Kohler’s formal sustainability program in 2007 and has been an active member and leader ever since. His areas of emphasis include partnering with executives to align sustainability strategies with other business needs, driving innovation in new products that reduce lifecycle environmental impact, and reporting progress within and outside the company. Rob also establishes and grows relationships with key non-governmental organizations that are global advocates for environmental education, and corporate sustainability. Rob has presented training sessions on water efficiency and sustainability issues at national conferences and universities, written numerous articles for trade publications, and is frequently quoted on water efficiency and sustainability issues in the media. In addition, he is actively involved in developing and implementing Kohler’s corporate responsibility programs, and supporting business development activities in underserved markets.
Clay Nesler – Johnson Controls
Clay Nesler is the Vice President, Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs for the Building Technologies and Solutions business of Johnson Controls. He also chairs the company’s global sustainability council. Since joining Johnson Controls in 1983, Clay has held a variety of leadership positions in research, product development, marketing, strategy and corporate sustainability in both the United States and Europe. Nesler serves on the board of American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the executive group of the US DOE/EPA SEE Action network and is a member of the Alliance to Save Energy International Steering Committee. He helped establish the UN Sustainable Energy for All Building Efficiency Accelerator and serves as chair of the Industrial Advisory Board of the US-China Clean Energy Research Center and is a member of the International Energy Agency Energy Efficiency Industry Advisory Board. In 2009, Clay started the Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency which has been integrated within the World Resources Institute Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, where he serves as a senior advisor to the Building Efficiency Initiative. He is also co-chair of the Johnson Controls/United States Energy Association sponsored Energy Efficiency Forum, now in its 29th year.
The session will be moderated by...
Moderated by Harrison Rayment – Conference Planner, UW Madison
Harrison is currently a Senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Political Science and Environmental Studies. Harrison grew up in Madison Wisconsin, so it was an easy decision for him to attend the University of Wisconsin. Ever since he was a child, he has had a strong interest in the great outdoors, and traveling to remote places. As a result, he has made sustainability and environmental consciousness a priority in his life. After he graduates this upcoming spring, Harrison is looking to attend law school to pursue a degree in Environmental Law. Harrison believes that the most important issues that we currently face can be diminished by acting more sustainably. Harrison argues that for our society to become more sustainable, business and governing bodies must put forth sustainable agendas. He believes that businesses have the greatest opportunity to change consumer habits, while also cutting costs within their own production. Together we can make this world more sustainable, and we need innovative business leaders to be the driving force.