Why do so many entrepreneurs, investors, financial managers and philanthropists attend the Bioneers conference?
The 2011 Bioneers conference will illustrate how achieving an environmentally healthy and more equitable society requires a radical re-thinking of our guiding economic ideas, practices and policies to conform to the “biological bottom line” and to address equity. The rich program features an exceptional array of innovators worldwide who illuminate numerous “new organizational species” of enterprise, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy, as well as breakthrough technologies and strategies.
Among many highlights, Amory Lovins, Chairman and Chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, presents “Reinventing Fire,” a new roadmap to how the U.S. can get completely off oil and coal by 2050, led by business for profit, sped by smart policies, and driven by informed customers. As the planet’s most important thinker about energy efficiency and energy’s links to resources, security, development and the environment, he’s a consultant to businesses and governments around the globe.
Daynma Baumeister of the Biomimicry Institute will survey the forefront of Biomimicry technologies and business opportunities bursting from this revolutionary design science of “innovation inspired by nature.”
Roxanne Brown, assistant Legislative Director of the United Steelworkers (USW), offers a keynote on “Blue and Green: Working Together to Secure a Sustainable Future,” detailing how the clean energy economy presents transformational economic and environmental potential for the nation, including green jobs on a large scale.
Anim Steel, Director of national Programs at Boston’s famed The Food Project, describes the Real Food Challenge, a campaign he co-founded to re-direct $1 billion of college food purchases away from industrial agriculture towards local, fair, sustainable and humane sources.
A remarkable global assemblage of business innovators gathers to explore “Sustainable Business, Big Challenges, Big Opportunities, Big Changes” for big and medium-sized companies seeking to make “green” changes in their sectors. It features: Thomas Ursem, Rabobank International’s Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility from Holland, voted World’s Third Most Sustainable Bank; Hiu Ng, Chairwoman and co-founder of Fairklima Capital in China where she is a leader in socially responsible business; Meiny Prins, CEO of Priva, a leading Dutch environmental services company, voted “Dutch Businesswoman of the Year; and Hugo Steensma, former director of Sustainable Asset Management and CEO of Rabobank North America.
“Business-As-Unusual: New Models of Enterprise, Ownership and Social Entrepreneurship” is a far-ranging panel illuminating the emerging topography of diverse new organizational species that harness commerce and trade for common good. Hosted by Michael Marx, Executive Director, Corporate Ethics International and Business Ethics network, it features Steven Hill, leading political thinker and groundbreaking author of Europe’s Promise: Why the European Way Is the Best Hope for an Insecure Age; Deborah Hirsh of “B Lab,” a nonprofit supporting the community of Certified “B Corporations” with comprehensive social and environmental standards; Bodhi Garrett, eco-tourism entrepreneur and founder of North Andaman Tsunami Relief in Thailand; and Jenny Kassan, Managing Director of Katovich Law Group, board member Sustainable Business Alliance.
“Shifting Values: Women, Money and Power” features an all-star cast of women leading economic transformation in an economy where women in North America control 85 percent of consumer spending and are increasingly transforming the face of philanthropy. The lineup includes the legendary Lynne Twist, author and founder of the soul of Money Institute and co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance; Barbara Sargent, Executive Director of Kalliopeia Foundation and co-founder of new Field Foundation; and Melissa Bradley, CEO of Tides Foundation,
A hands-on session called “Campaign Connection” probes the surprising success and moment behind “Pursuing Happiness Instead of Chasing Growth: Creating a Happiness Initiative in Your Community,” with John DeGraaf of the Happiness Project and Laura Musikanski, Director of Sustainable Seattle. Around the world, countries and cities are starting to measure happiness as an alternative to the GNP, while creating partnerships for action. Learn how you can use Sustainable Seattle’s model to conduct a happiness initiative in your community.
In a special event, the 2011 Bioneers conference will host the rousing BENNY Awards by the acclaimed Business Ethics Network. On behalf of its 150 member groups, BEN is the ringmaster for this exciting event that celebrates this past year’s most dedicated activists and best campaigns working to bring environmental and social transformation to big business. Winners will be announced live.
For a complete list of “Eco-nomics” programs and the entire 2011 Bioneers conference program: http://www.bioneers.org/conference/2011-bioneers-brochure
Bioneers 22nd Annual Conference
Thursday, October 13, 2011 – Monday, October 17, 2011
Marin Center
(415) 499-6400
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, California 94901
