Business of Sustainability Initiative Speaker Series

Sarah Adair – April 3, 2025

Sarah Adair, managing director of public policy at Duke Energy, discussed the energy transition from the perspective of a utility firm. Safak Yucel, initiative associate academic director and associate professor of operations management, moderated the conversation.

Daniel Sierra – March 20, 2025

Daniel Sierra, compliance director at Puro.earth, discussed carbon removals and industry challenges and opportunities. Safak Yucel, initiative associate academic director and associate professor of operations management, moderated the conversation.

Tim Dunn – February 6, 2025

Tim Dunn, chief investment officer and managing partner of Terra Alpha Investments, discussed financing sustainable models. Vishal Agrawal, initiative academic director and Henry J. Blommer Chair in Sustainable Business, moderated the conversation.

Christina Shim – April 11, 2024

Christina Shim – April 11, 2024″: “Christina Shim, IBM’s Chief Sustainability Officer, discussed the intersection of AI and sustainability. Qiuping Yu, associate professor of operations management and business analytics at Georgetown McDonough, moderated the conversation.

Dan Gabaldon (SFS’86) – March 21, 2024

Dan Gabaldon, a senior partner at Roland Berger, discussed his extensive career in the energy sector and included topics such as the energy transition, clean hydrogen, and energy storage. Safak Yucel, assistant professor of operations management at Georgetown McDonough, moderated the conversation.

Danielle Nkojo – February 15, 2024

Danielle Solomon Nkojo, sustainability lead at Ralph Lauren, discussed circularity and sustainability in the fashion industry. Vishal Agrawal, Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in Sustainable Business and academic director of the Business of Sustainability Initiative, moderated the conversation.

Natasha Braginsky Mounier (SFS’91) – February 1, 2024

Natasha Braginsky Mounier (SFS’91), former global ESG director at Capital Group, discussed the financing of sustainability strategies from the capital markets and investors’ perspective. Maya Burney (MS-ESM’24), a Georgetown Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management student, moderated the conversation.

Sargon Daniel (B’04) – April 27, 2023

Sargon Daniel (B’04), founder of Nexus Renewable Power, discussed solar energy, energy storage, and how these technologies can transform the energy landscape. Safak Yucel, assistant professor of operations management at Georgetown McDonough, moderated the conversation. 

Peter Blommer (C’85) – March 20, 2023

Peter Blommer (C’85), vice chairman of the Blommer Chocolate Company, discussed supply chains and the evolution of sustainable business practices in the confectionery industry. Academic Director of the Business of Sustainability Initiative, Vishal Agrawal, the Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in Sustainable Business and Director of the Business of Sustainability Initiative moderated the conversation.