This September 13-15, a diverse and provocative lineup of 80+ cutting edge planners, designers, policymakers and change makers will gather in downtown Denver to explore critical questions, world-class projects, and compelling solutions to accelerate sustainable, district-scale development forward. Here’s our top 10 pick of the change makers you won’t want to miss at the EcoDistricts Summit.
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Our Top 10 Summit Speaker Rockstars
Ryan Gravel
OPENING KEYNOTE, MAIN STAGE
Urban designer, originator of the Atlanta Beltline, and author of Where We Want to Live, Ryan kicks off our Summit with a provocative question: What role will you play in building the vibrant places we all call home?
Ryan has made it his life’s work to leverage innovative infrastructure design to make our cities healthier and more connected. Visit Atlanta, GA and you’re sure to see his brainchild, the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile multi-use trail and former rail corridor that connects Atlanta neighborhoods around the core of the city.
Rohit Malhotra
KEYNOTE, MAIN STAGE
Founder of the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI), an Atlanta “30 Under 30”, and renown civic engagement whiz, Rohit joins our main stage to explore how to find, test and invest in compelling new methods to tackle tough social challenges in our cities.
On top of housing 25 social ventures in their space, CCI hosted 50 events with over 1,500 civic leaders and entrepreneurs, raising more than $100k in investments for city-changing ventures in the past six months.
Jacqui Patterson
STUDIO PANELIST: A JUST TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, Jacqui Patterson is a powerhouse of experience in environmental and social justice. She joins a compelling, diverse lineup of fellow urban equity leaders to explore community-led climate and energy justice.
Jacqui’s powerhouse list of expertise include researcher, program manager, advocate and activist working on women’s rights, HIV/AIDS, and racial, economic and climate justice.
Ismael Guerrero
MAIN STAGE PLENARY PANELIST: THE DNA OF HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS
As head of the Denver Housing Authority, Ismael is leading cutting-edge, place-based affordable housing innovation to transform Denver’s poorest districts into neighborhoods rich in vibrancy. Ismael joins a main stage panel and has helped formulate compelling mobile tours of the Mariposa and Sun Valley neighborhoods to showcase DHA’s success.
Christine Mondor
MAIN STAGE PLENARY PANELIST: BOTTOM-UP COMMUNITY ACTIVATION
Architect, educator, activist, and EvolveEA Principal, Christine believes design is at the core of the sustainable neighborhood movement. An early partner of EcoDistricts, she’s helped shape the city of Pittsburgh and Millvale, PA’s successful district-scale regen plans.
Glenn Harris
MAIN STAGE PLENARY PANELIST: CIVIC INNOVATION
Leader of the National Center for Social Inclusion and former lead of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, Glenn joins to Summit’s main stage to share his deep knowledge on the interplay of policy and civic engagement as a main stage panelist.
The Center for Social Inclusion works to identify the causes of racial inequity and partners to find policy solutions that promote equity and fairness. While with Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, Glenn helped trained over 7,000 city employees on institutional racism, awarded $1 million in grants to community-led social justice initiatives and doubled city contracts with minority and women-owned businesses.
Michelle Moore
MAIN STAGE PLENARY PANELIST: MILE HIGH ZED
When the majority of people affected by air pollution are low-income communities of color, clean energy is a necessity, rather than a luxury. Founder and CEO of Groundswell, former sustainability team leader at the White House, Michelle empowers vulnerable communities of color to equitably access renewable energy options. She joins a compelling lineup of fellow panelists to explore policy, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Jeff Risom
MAIN STAGE PLENARY PANELIST: CONNECTIVITY
If you’ve been in the sustainable urban design industry long, you’ve likely heard of legendary European urban designer Jan Gehl. Get a dose of Gehl’s inspiration as Jeff — Gehl Institute US Managing Partner — shares his expertise on Gehl’s concept of “People-first Design.” Explore how the design of city streets and neighborhood can affect our behavior and transform our lives.
Hunter Lovins
CLOSING KEYNOTE
“Natural Capitalism” author, sustainability guru, and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, Hunter Lovins shares her take on how citizens, communities and companies can work together to be the most dynamic problem-solving force on the planet. You can even join Hunter at a networking dinner!
Now that you have your list of top must-meets, head over to the Summit site to secure your spot!
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