May 22, 2025
8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Ave, Concord, NH 03301

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Join us for an event brimming with inspiration, innovation, and meaningful connections. Dive into engaging sessions featuring interactive exercises, lively discussions geared towards actionable insights, an impactful award presentation, and meaningful networking. Plus, enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, and networking nibbles to fuel your day of learning and collaboration. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Power of US:

Shaping Our Shared Future

 

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Sponsors

In an era of increasing complexity and uncertainty, the need for collective action has never been greater. This conference will delve into the transformative power of sustainable models, community-led initiatives, and business partnerships in addressing systemic challenges. By exploring strategies for strengthening community resilience, fostering collaboration, and empowering individuals, we will unlock the potential to create sustainable and equitable businesses and communities. This event will inspire attendees to harness the power of collective action, drive positive change, and shape a brighter future for all.

New Hampshire’s leading conference for corporate social responsibility includes morning and afternoon break-out sessions that help attendees take sustainable aspirations to actionable efforts.

Keynote Speaker

Benjamin Ola Akande

Benjamin Ole Akande is the Senior Vice President, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer (CCRO) at Stifel Financial Corporation. A Nigerian-born American citizen who is a respected economist, scholar, and global consultant to Fortune 500 companies and institutions in higher education, specifically in the areas of strategy, leadership development, corporate responsibility, and market positioning.

For more than thirty years as a President, professor and global consultant, he has worked to transform public and private organizations positioning them to stay relevant. He is passionately committed to the success of people in organizations and takes pride in nurturing, mentoring and inspiring colleagues. With the experience to recognize when to take calculated risks and the confidence to make tough decisions.

Conference Schedule

Morning

8:00-8:30 Registration and Breakfast

8:00-8:20  Mindfulness Session

8:30-9:00  Morning Kickoff

9:00-10:15 Keynote speaker

10:30-11:45 Morning Break-out Sessions

11:45-12:30 Lunch & Awards Presentation

Afternoon

12:30-1:30 Living Your Values Panel

1:30-2:15 Community Conversations

2:15-2:40 Break

2:40-3:55 Afternoon Breakout Sessions

4:00-5:00 Networking Reception

Breakout Sessions

Conference Breakout Sessions are designed to engage participants across the spectrums of Sustainable and Socially-Responsible Business Operations.

AM Sessions

Corporate Sustainability in a Fast Moving World - Guidance for Companies of All Sizes

In this era of changing rules and expectations, we will explore fundamental ways that companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and satisfy the ever-evolving expectations of a wide variety of stakeholders.

Companies of all sizes continue to be expected to articulate their commitments to sustainability and disclose pertinent data regarding their management and performance across a range of topics. In this workshop, we will share proven strategies for companies to do this in a credible manner that also brings to light the strategic opportunities such efforts may provide. Participants will hear case studies from panelists and will leave with templates and tools to move their organization forward.

Speakers:

Matthew Gardner, Managing Partner, Sustainserv
Amanda Elkin, Senior Consultant, Sustainserv
Nate Newman, Associate Consultant, Sustainserv
Mike Glinski, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Twin Rivers Technologies

Drive Change Without Authority

Have you ever met resistance when asking someone to do something you know is important – maybe even in their best interests? Even when leading from a position of authority, motivating people to act or accept change is difficult. Without being “in charge,” it can feel downright impossible.

Yet there is hope! Join strategist and leadership coach David Wagner as he presents a counterintuitive approach to driving change: prioritizing others’ perspective above your own goals. Drawing on his over 15 years as a consultant and manager, David will share the mindsets and practical skills that he and his clients have used to build momentum behind critical initiatives – *without* relying on authority. Come with your challenges and leave with a clear path for getting key stakeholders on board with your plans.

Speaker:

David M. Wagner

Future-Forward Workplaces: Empowering Generations

At Market Street Talent, we’ve seen firsthand how generational insights shape the future of work. This session dives into the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities of today’s generations—Millennials, Gen Z, and beyond.

We’ll explore:
– How can organizations tailor strategies to empower each generation of talent?
– What role do education, workforce development, and DEI initiatives play in fostering inclusive, thriving teams?

Through interactive polls, fun trivia, and engaging stories, we’ll delve into workplace differences and uncover actionable strategies for leveraging generational strength. Leave with a deeper understanding of leading, hiring, and working across generations. Plus, a few laughs to share with your team!

Speakers:

Marie Repucci

Megan Struthers

Reframing Challenges: Finding New Pathways Forward

When facing forces beyond your control, it’s easy to get stuck in “we can’t because…” thinking. This high-energy session will transform how you approach seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Is your organization navigating funding cuts, adapting to regulatory changes, bracing against political headwinds, or reacting to unwelcome market pressures? Rapid change caused by external forces can lead to uncertainty and paralysis. This session will offer energizing, collaborative, and practical techniques inspired by top innovators to:

• Reframe problems into possibility-focused opportunities
• Generate creative pathways forward when traditional routes are blocked

Bring a real challenge you’re facing, and prepare to see it through a completely new lens. You’ll leave with concrete tools to immediately apply in your organization.

Speakers:

Sara Conklin

Susan Mercer

What Works: Youth Partnership

Come learn from Youth Climate Leaders and one of their project advisors about how best to authentically partner with young people, elevate their voices and champion their efforts in the workplace and beyond. Spoilers: young people are creative & competent. They want to be taken seriously, and they want jobs that work for people, planet & prosperity.

Our workshop will feature stories of youth impact and lessons learned, exercises (adaptable to workplaces, boards & other community settings) to better recruit, retain and build agency amongst youth, and discussion regarding what authentic youth involvement and empowerment looks like.

Speakers:

  • Aubrey Nelson
  • Loreley Godfrey
  • Finn Graff
  • Taylor Barry

PM Sessions

Building Neighborhood Networks for Collective Action

Neighborhood Networks are an answer to the questions of “how can we activate ourselves and community to create meaningful change,” and “how can we break down silos and build trust between neighbors.” This session will share a roadmap of how to convene neighbors to activate them in systems change work relative to their specific interest areas (environment/housing/public education/mental health). Strategies emphasize the value of trust and belonging among neighbors to catalyze ideas into action.

Speaker: Justin Munroe

Building Resilience: Leading with Strength, Adapting with Agility

In today’s work environment, resilience is a critical skill for both leaders and individual contributors. This one-hour interactive workshop explores how to build and sustain resilience in the workplace, focusing on the dual perspectives of leadership and individual adaptability.

Participants will discover actionable strategies that leaders can use to foster a resilient, supportive culture while also exploring tools that individual contributors can apply to stay flexible, motivated, and balanced amidst change.

Objectives:
– Learn how leaders can build resilience in their teams through communication, trust, and support.
– Discover techniques for personal resilience that individual contributors can use to navigate workplace challenges.
– Gain practical tools to foster a culture of resilience that benefits both leadership and team members.

Speaker: Heather Gunnell

Driving Leadership Commitment to Build Brave and Safe Spaces

Are you prepared to discover the key to creating a workplace where innovation thrives and every voice is acknowledged? Join our dynamic panel discussion, Driving Leadership Commitment to Build Brave and Safe Spaces. This engaging session will examine a systematic approach to nurturing courageous and safe environments based on the principles of psychological safety for transformational leaders.

During the session, the panel will actively engage with the audience to establish, identify, and develop strategies that foster brave and safe spaces for all employees. This session will utilize surveys and tools to enhance the social capital network, cultivate a community of standards working with employee resource groups, and establish intentional allyship in the workplace.

Don’t miss this opportunity to actively engage with thought leaders and fellow attendees, exchanging experiences and co-creating solutions that resonate with your unique organizational challenges.

Speaker: Gauthier-Zayas, Ed.D.

Powering Policy Change: Behind the Scenes on How Businesses Can Move the Needle in the State House

New Hampshire businesses and business leaders have a critical role to play in shaping forward-looking policy—especially on clean energy. In this “high energy” engaging panel, Sam Evans-Brown (Clean Energy NH) will share what it took to pass recent net metering legislation and how business voices helped push it over the finish line. Lucas Meyer (Catalyst Advocacy) and Mike O’Brien (Preti Strategies) will pull back the curtain on how the legislature really works—and how business leaders can most effectively use their influence to drive smart, sustainable change. You’ll leave with real-world strategies, insider know-how, and practical next steps to make an impact on the issues that matter most to your business and community.

Speakers:

Lucas Meyer

Sam Evans Brown

The T.I.M.E. to Build Your Dream

Learn Amy LaBelle’s four-step process to shift your mindset to really understand the value of your time and your days, which will spark explosive productivity in both personal and business goal achievement with new energy and focus. Her talk will position you and your teams not only to conquer every single business goal set but also to master personal goals.

Speaker: Amy LaBelle

Afternoon Plenary Session 12:30-1:30
Living Your Values

How do businesses translate their core values into meaningful action? This panel brings together leaders from diverse sectors to discuss the intersection of purpose and practice in today’s business landscape. The panel will share insights on embedding sustainability, social responsibility, and equity into business operations. Through real-world examples and candid conversation, they will explore how companies can align their values with their strategies to drive lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

Plenary Panel
Jenny Levy

Executive Vice President, People, Community & Environment, Hypertherm

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Latonya Wallace

Director of Community Relations, NH Community Loan Fund

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Moderated by:

James McKim

Managing Partner, Organizational Ignition

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Speakers and Facilitators

Sam Evans-Brown

Executive Director at Clean Energy NH

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Sara Conklin

Experience Strategist and Behavior Designer

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Mike Glinski

Regulatory Affairs Manager, Twin Rivers Technologies

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Heather Gunnell

The Culture Champion | Aligning people & business strategies | Executive Coaching and Consulting

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Gerardo Gauthier-Zayas, Ed.D.

Founder and President

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Amy Labelle

Winemaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker

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Debra LeClair Psy.D,

Psychologist & Executive Coach, Full Spectrum Wellness and re-Sourced

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Susan Mercer

Former Director of UX Research, Viator

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Justin Munroe

Director of Community & Environmental Projects

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Beth Tener

Principal, New Directions Collaborative

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Sponsorship Opportunities Available

To learn more, please contact Michelle Veasey.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor:

logo for Dartmouth Health

Keynote Sponsor: