Thursday, February 18, 2010

6:00 - 6:30; Reception

6:30 - 8:30; Program

Many of us have adjusted our habits to conserve materials and resources: recycling regularly, installing programmable thermostats, and replacing incandescent lightbulbs with compact flourescents. How do large corporations and institutions adjust their collective habits? How is change initiated, and how is it managed? February's Urban Sustainability Forum will explore how a variety of local institutions and corporations have implemented sustainability policies, and will provide insights in to how any company, large or small, can help mitigate climate change.

Moderator:

Sandy Wiggins, Chairman of e3bank

e3bank is a Pennsylvania-based, full-service commercial and retail bank founded on the triple bottom line to build sustainable enterprise, protect the environment, and invest in social equity. Sandy is also the founder and principal of Concilience, LLC, a national real estate consultancy with a mission to build environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable communities.

Speakers:

Daniel Garofalo, AIA, LEED-AP, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Garofalo directed the creation of Penn's first Climate Action Plan for carbon emissions reduction, which was released on September 15, 2009.

Joseph Tait, CIO of NMS labs. For 35 years NMS labs has provided clinical toxicology and forensic testing - responding to the needs of healthcare providers, medical researchers, coroners, and the criminal justice system with state-of-the-art tests.

Marla Thalheimer, LEED-AP, Sustainability Manager at Liberty Property Trust. Ms. Thalheimer works with Development, Leasing and Property Management professionals to create work environments that limit consumption, improve building performance, and promote employee health and productivity.