NUSOS 2014: Innovation and the Environment
Innovation is what drives us towards the future. There is always room for improvement, even in the simplest of tasks. At NUSOS 2014, we discussed new ideas to solve new problems, new ideas to solve old problems, and how we as a community can work for a better future.
In choosing such a dynamic and relevant theme, we hoped to attract a diverse group of participants to the conference. The various panels allowed NUSOS to provide a framework for open discussion. We featured speakers from different backgrounds who shared their unique perspectives and opinions regarding innovation and the environment. Our goal was to foster new conversations that would not only lead to a better understanding of the issues, but also to a better understanding of the solutions that can be developed. A recap of our panels and keynote addresses can be found here.
In 2014, we were lucky enough to host NUSOS in conjunction with the Engineers for a Sustainable World annual conference. Students from ESW chapters around the nation attended the Summit on Friday and then on Saturday, they took part in various workshops and competed in the "Inter-Chapter Challenge" for which they had to design and operate renewable-powered remote control boats. Check out a recap of the day's events here.
In choosing such a dynamic and relevant theme, we hoped to attract a diverse group of participants to the conference. The various panels allowed NUSOS to provide a framework for open discussion. We featured speakers from different backgrounds who shared their unique perspectives and opinions regarding innovation and the environment. Our goal was to foster new conversations that would not only lead to a better understanding of the issues, but also to a better understanding of the solutions that can be developed. A recap of our panels and keynote addresses can be found here.
In 2014, we were lucky enough to host NUSOS in conjunction with the Engineers for a Sustainable World annual conference. Students from ESW chapters around the nation attended the Summit on Friday and then on Saturday, they took part in various workshops and competed in the "Inter-Chapter Challenge" for which they had to design and operate renewable-powered remote control boats. Check out a recap of the day's events here.
Keynote Speakers
Mark C. Weick
Director, Sustainability Program Office
and Enterprise Risk Management The Dow Chemical Company Midland, Michigan, U.S.A.
Mark Weick currently serves as Director for the Sustainability Program Office at The Dow Chemical Company. In this role, Mark directs the coordinated planning and implementation of the 2015 Sustainability Goals as well as sustainability integration across the company and business units. Weick is also responsible for directing Dow’s future sustainability strategy, as well as Dow’s Enterprise Risk Management efforts. Weick also leads Dow’s engagement with The Nature Conservancy in the Dow-TNC global collaboration on ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Weick began his Dow career in 1982 as a research engineer in plastic foam technologies, and held various R&D and business leadership roles beginning in 1989. In 2002, Mark was named the Global Product Stewardship Leader for the Dow Building Solutions business aunit, and added responsibility for the Dow Automotive business unit in 2004. Weick was named to his current position in 2007. Mark received a B. S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1982. He is an avid runner, and in 2012, completed his second Boston Marathon.
Director, Sustainability Program Office
and Enterprise Risk Management The Dow Chemical Company Midland, Michigan, U.S.A.
Mark Weick currently serves as Director for the Sustainability Program Office at The Dow Chemical Company. In this role, Mark directs the coordinated planning and implementation of the 2015 Sustainability Goals as well as sustainability integration across the company and business units. Weick is also responsible for directing Dow’s future sustainability strategy, as well as Dow’s Enterprise Risk Management efforts. Weick also leads Dow’s engagement with The Nature Conservancy in the Dow-TNC global collaboration on ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Weick began his Dow career in 1982 as a research engineer in plastic foam technologies, and held various R&D and business leadership roles beginning in 1989. In 2002, Mark was named the Global Product Stewardship Leader for the Dow Building Solutions business aunit, and added responsibility for the Dow Automotive business unit in 2004. Weick was named to his current position in 2007. Mark received a B. S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1982. He is an avid runner, and in 2012, completed his second Boston Marathon.
Jill Boughton
President & CEO W2Worth Innovations
Jill Boughton is Founder and President of W2Worth Innovations – an organization that seeks to catalyze the use of solid waste as a resource as a means for mitigating the larger social, economic and environmental impacts caused by solid waste. She began this recent adventure upon retirement from a successful 24 year career at Procter and Gamble (P&G). Over her career at P&G, Jill managed Product Development activities for several of P&G’s businesses, in categories ranging from Personal Health Care to Paper Products. Her time with P&G included a seven year stint in Caracas, Venezuela, giving Jill firsthand knowledge of social/economic issues important to emerging regions.
President & CEO W2Worth Innovations
Jill Boughton is Founder and President of W2Worth Innovations – an organization that seeks to catalyze the use of solid waste as a resource as a means for mitigating the larger social, economic and environmental impacts caused by solid waste. She began this recent adventure upon retirement from a successful 24 year career at Procter and Gamble (P&G). Over her career at P&G, Jill managed Product Development activities for several of P&G’s businesses, in categories ranging from Personal Health Care to Paper Products. Her time with P&G included a seven year stint in Caracas, Venezuela, giving Jill firsthand knowledge of social/economic issues important to emerging regions.
Erin Meyer
Executive Director of Spence Farm Foundation & Chef
www.spencefarmfoundation.org
For someone whose Italian ancestors grew vegetables, made spaghetti sauce, and treated dinner as a family gathering, my love affair with really good food started in my Nona’s kitchen. This love has been interwoven into my life and experiences ever since.
I believe that our food system is broken and we need to fix it. This is not only for us, but also for those that will follow in our footsteps. It is our responsibility to identify why it is broken and provide solutions on how we can fix it. This requires change: in how food is produced, stored, prepared, and consumed. As our food system improves, we will be healthier, happier, and be rewarded with an improved society. As Executive Director of Spence Farm Foundation, that is my mission and passion.
My heritage, passion, and experience have given me the opportunity to be a part of the Spence Farm Foundation. We are working to build a healthy food system through the education of farmers, chefs, institutions, and people who are interested in improving the health of their environment and their community.
Executive Director of Spence Farm Foundation & Chef
www.spencefarmfoundation.org
For someone whose Italian ancestors grew vegetables, made spaghetti sauce, and treated dinner as a family gathering, my love affair with really good food started in my Nona’s kitchen. This love has been interwoven into my life and experiences ever since.
I believe that our food system is broken and we need to fix it. This is not only for us, but also for those that will follow in our footsteps. It is our responsibility to identify why it is broken and provide solutions on how we can fix it. This requires change: in how food is produced, stored, prepared, and consumed. As our food system improves, we will be healthier, happier, and be rewarded with an improved society. As Executive Director of Spence Farm Foundation, that is my mission and passion.
My heritage, passion, and experience have given me the opportunity to be a part of the Spence Farm Foundation. We are working to build a healthy food system through the education of farmers, chefs, institutions, and people who are interested in improving the health of their environment and their community.
Panelists
Innovation and the Economics of Being Green
Daniel Brown Co-Founder of Midwest Sustainable Cities Symposium
Noel Kullavanijaya Principal at Equilibrium Capital Group
Chuck Templeton Managing Director of Impact Engine, Director of Getable, Director of TaskRabbit and Director of Auctions by Cellular
The Power of Re-thinking and Pioneering Energy
Dan Boss VP of Research and Development at GAF
Neal Saiki CEO of NTS Works and Founder of Zero Motorocycles
Doug Wogstad Technology Manager of Small Wind Turbines
Green Minds: Sustainability in Higher Education
John Pumilio Director of Sustainability at Colgate University
Randy Waymire Northwestern Engineers for a Sustainable World Co-President and Student
Keith Woodhouse Environmental History Professor at Northwestern University
Inventing the Materials for a Sustainable Future
Yip-Wah Chung Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Director of the NSF Summer Institute on Nanomechanics, Nanomaterials and Micro/Nanomanufacturing
Andreas Roelofs Interim Division Director and Industrial Liaison of Argonne’s Nanoscience and Technology Division and for the Center for Nanoscale Materials
Emily Walzer Managing Editor at Textile Insight Magazine
Creating Eco-smart Communities & Policy
Mindy Agnew Sustainability Coordinator of Zero Waste Schools Group
Sarah McFarland Taylor Northwestern University Professor of Religion and Author of Green Sisters: A Spiritual Ecology
Karen Weigert Chief Sustainability Officer at City of Chicago
Eating Your Greens: Innovations in Agriculture & Food
Amber Gribben Co-owner of Urban Worm Girl
Wes King Executive Director for Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Jim Rakocy Founder of The Aquaponics Doctors
Daniel Brown Co-Founder of Midwest Sustainable Cities Symposium
Noel Kullavanijaya Principal at Equilibrium Capital Group
Chuck Templeton Managing Director of Impact Engine, Director of Getable, Director of TaskRabbit and Director of Auctions by Cellular
The Power of Re-thinking and Pioneering Energy
Dan Boss VP of Research and Development at GAF
Neal Saiki CEO of NTS Works and Founder of Zero Motorocycles
Doug Wogstad Technology Manager of Small Wind Turbines
Green Minds: Sustainability in Higher Education
John Pumilio Director of Sustainability at Colgate University
Randy Waymire Northwestern Engineers for a Sustainable World Co-President and Student
Keith Woodhouse Environmental History Professor at Northwestern University
Inventing the Materials for a Sustainable Future
Yip-Wah Chung Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Director of the NSF Summer Institute on Nanomechanics, Nanomaterials and Micro/Nanomanufacturing
Andreas Roelofs Interim Division Director and Industrial Liaison of Argonne’s Nanoscience and Technology Division and for the Center for Nanoscale Materials
Emily Walzer Managing Editor at Textile Insight Magazine
Creating Eco-smart Communities & Policy
Mindy Agnew Sustainability Coordinator of Zero Waste Schools Group
Sarah McFarland Taylor Northwestern University Professor of Religion and Author of Green Sisters: A Spiritual Ecology
Karen Weigert Chief Sustainability Officer at City of Chicago
Eating Your Greens: Innovations in Agriculture & Food
Amber Gribben Co-owner of Urban Worm Girl
Wes King Executive Director for Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Jim Rakocy Founder of The Aquaponics Doctors