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Agenda
Wednesday | September 11, 2024
7:30 - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
7:30 - 8:00 AM
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Yoga/Meditation
8:30 - 8:40 AM
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Recap and Opening Remarks
Speaker
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Carla Walker-Miller
Founder and CEO
Walker-Miller Energy Services
8:40 - 8:50 AM​
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Sponsor Spotlight
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY STEWARD PARTNERS
8:50 - 9:50 AM
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The $500 Million Question: Virtual Power Plants, Carbon Capture and Sequestration, and Energy Storage
The future of energy solutions will require a multifaceted approach, incorporating virtual power plants, carbon capture and sequestration, and advanced energy storage. This panel will explore how large-scale projects can be developed and funded to address these critical areas. Join us for an insightful discussion on ensuring that big problems receive big solutions and the necessary funding to drive progress.
Moderator
Paul Dearhouse
Senior Outreach and Business Development Consultant
U.S. Department of Energy
Panelists
Dr. Tony G. Reames
Director of Detroit Sustainability Clinic, U of M School for Environment and Sustainability
Dr. Brandy Brown
Vice President
Michigan Energy Management Energy Systems, DNV Energy Services USA, Inc.
Pam Isom
Founder and CEO
IsAdvice & Consulting, LLC
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David Chauncey
Insights Team Lead
Viridi
9:50 - 10:50 AM
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Breakout Sessions
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY SUPPORTER PARTNERS​
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Track 1
Business Innovation: Clean Energy Entrepreneurship
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Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Decarbonized Economy
Location: Cabot
The decarbonized economy requires real solutions. The gap between what is and what is envisioned is where the real opportunity lies. Entrepreneurs are constantly finding and plugging those gaps. This session will explore how to start and scale clean energy businesses, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic sector.
Moderator
Darnell Johnson
Chair
Urban Efficiency Group
Panelists
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Wafa Dinaro
Executive Director
New Economy Initiative
Nana Arkorful
Founder and CEO
Arke, Inc.
Paul Francis
CEO and Co-Founder
KIGT
Track 2
Upskilling and Education-Higher Education
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Higher Education in the Clean Energy Space
Location: Cartier
The future of the workforce depends on the ability to upskill and educate students from diverse backgrounds. This panel will explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs) in providing high-quality education and training. We will discuss innovative programs, partnerships, and strategies that these institutions are implementing to prepare students for the evolving job market.
Moderator
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Dr. S. Keith Hargrove
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Tuskegee University
Panelist
Dr. Tony G. Reames
Director of Detroit Sustainability Clinic, U of M School for Environment and Sustainability
Dr. William Todd
President
Denmark Technical College
Track 3
Sustainable Development: Driving Equity and Environmental Justice
Location: LaSalle
Moderator
Kerry Duggan
Founder and Managing Partner
SustainabiliD
Panelists
Antoinette West
Senior Manager of Career Pathways
Elemental Excelerator
MJ Chandilya
Founder, President & CEO
Envergia
10:50 - 12:00 PM
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Plenary Session
Indigenous Communities Expediting the Clean Energy Economy
Indigenous communities are at the forefront of addressing environmental justice and sustainability by harnessing clean energy sources. This session will explore how these communities are leading the way in the clean energy transition, highlighting innovative projects, challenges, and successes.
Moderator
Buu Nygren EdD, MBA
President of the Navajo Nation
Chief Commercial Officer
Navajo Engineering & Construction Authority
Panelists
Diana Fuller
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Division Manager
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Brittany Turner
Associate Director
Tribal Programs
Elevate
Paul Dearhouse
Senior Outreach and Business Development Consultant
U.S. Department of Energy
12:00 - 2:00 PM
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Clean Energy Workforce Development Celebration Luncheon
12:00 - 2:00 PM
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Clean Energy Workforce Development Celebration
One of the barriers to deploying clean energy solutions is the dearth of contractors and practitioners who are trained to analyze, manage and retrofit the built environment. Join us as we celebrate recent grads of local programs, welcome them to the industry and commit to keeping them uplifted with good, well paying jobs and paths for personal and professional growth.
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY VISIONARY PARTNERS​
2:00 - 2:20 PM
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EV Entrepreneurship
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My Journey
Natalie King, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the first-ever African American-owned electric vehicle charger manufacturing company in the U.S., Dunamis Charge, will share her entrepreneurial journey. Dunamis Charge, Inc. offers LED lighting, electric vehicle (EV) charger production, and comprehensive energy solutions, marking significant strides in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Keynote
Natalie King
Founder and CEO
Dunamis Charge
2:20 - 3:15 PM
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Pioneering Mobility Solutions
This panel will explore the latest advancements and challenges in the mobility sector, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles, and sustainable transportation solutions. The discussion will highlight the roles of various stakeholders in driving innovation and equity in mobility.
Moderator
Justine Johnson
Senior Vice President and Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Panelists
Nana Arkorful
Founder and CEO
Arke, Inc.
Komal Doshi
Vice President of Beneficial Electrification and Mobility
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Timothy Slusser
Chief of Mobility Innovation
City of Detroit
Thank You
See You in 2025!