May 22, 2025
8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Grappone Conference Center
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!
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.
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
Erik Drake
CEO, Coast of Maine
View Full BioJenny Levy
Executive Vice President, People, Community & Environment, Hypertherm
View Full BioMatt Gardner
Managing Partner, Sustainserv
View Full BioLex Meagher
CEO, Kennebunk Savings
View Full BioLatonya Wallace
Director of Community Relations, NH Community Loan Fund
View Full BioSpeakers and Facilitators
Taylor Barry
Student at UNH
View Full BioSam Evans-Brown
Executive Director at Clean Energy NH
View Full BioSara Conklin
Experience Strategist and Behavior Designer
View Full BioAmanda Elkin
Senior Consultant, Sustainserv
View Full BioMike Glinski
Regulatory Affairs Manager, Twin Rivers Technologies
View Full BioLoreley Godfrey
Student at Wellesley College
View Full BioFinn Graff
Student
View Full BioHeather Gunnell
The Culture Champion | Aligning people & business strategies | Executive Coaching and Consulting
View Full BioGerardo Gauthier-Zayas, Ed.D.
Founder and President
View Full BioAmy Labelle
Winemaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker
View Full BioDebra LeClair Psy.D,
Psychologist & Executive Coach, Full Spectrum Wellness and re-Sourced
View Full BioSusan Mercer
Former Director of UX Research, Viator
View Full BioLucas Meyer
Principal, Catalyst Advocacy
View Full BioJustin Munroe
Director of Community & Environmental Projects
View Full BioNate Newman
Associate Consultant, Sustainserv
View Full BioMarie Repucci
Senior Account & Marketing Manager
View Full BioMegan Struthers
Senior Account Executive
View Full BioBeth Tener
Principal, New Directions Collaborative
View Full BioDavid Wagner
Founder and Principal Strategist
View Full BioSponsorship Opportunities Available
To learn more, please contact Michelle Veasey.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor:

Keynote Sponsor: