Part of a nationwide series of E2 events to highlight the rising local costs of climate change and the economic opportunities of climate action
Climate Change:
How Charlotte Can Meet the Challenge
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022
5:30 - 7:30pm

In-Person in Charlotte, North Carolina

Climate change is a serious and growing threat to the U.S. economy, and North Carolina is no exception. Climate-related disasters inflicted nearly $150 billion in damage to the national economy last year, including up to $1 billion in damage in North Carolina alone. And those figures are just one piece of the puzzle, with rising insurance rates, increasing food costs from flooding and drought, and much more costing North Carolina's businesses and households.

The good news is that we don't need to resign ourselves to these rising costs. With the right actions from Congress and North Carolina's leadership, we can blunt the cost of climate change while simultaneously creating jobs, driving additional economic growth, and attracting new private capital.

Please join fellow business leaders, local officials, E2, and partners for this in-person event to learn more and help move us towards a cleaner, more resilient, and more prosperous North Carolina. We'll also be marking the local release of the new book "Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet", by E2 Executive Director Bob Keefe.

List of event speakers and bios below. Appetizers and drinks will be provided.

All attendees must be vaccinated against COVID-19
PROGRAM
5:30pm: Doors Open
6:00-7:00pm: Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:00-7:30pm: Networking
 
WHERE
Ernst & Young's Charlotte Wavespace
1422 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
Confirmation and more event details will be provided upon registration.

Questions? Contact Riana Ackley at [email protected].
Senator DeAndrea Salvador is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Renewable Energy Transition Initiative, a Charlotte-based organization focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Currently, DeAndrea is the youngest member of the NC State Senate and was most recently honored by Governor Roy Cooper and the NC African American Heritage Commission for contributions and leadership in the field of STEM. DeAndrea previously worked in economic development and government affairs for organizations such as the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, and the Electric Power Research Institute.

DeAndrea was a 2018 TED fellow, a recipient of the UNC Charlotte Young Alumna of the Year Award, and has been selected as a 2022 Grist 50 sustainability leader. DeAndrea is a graduate of UNC Charlotte, where she earned her degree in Economics.
Lisa Shpritz is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Senior Vice President in the Global Environmental Group (GEG), which is responsible for the bank’s global environmental sustainability strategy, including business activities, operational initiatives, employee programs, public and corporate policy, and philanthropic and other sustainable investments. As Global Environmental Operations Executive, she is responsible for achieving BofA’s 2030 environmental operations and supply chain goals.

Lisa holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in the program of chemistry, toxicology and risk assessment, a MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School with concentrations in real estate and sustainable enterprise and a BA in Biology from Cornell University.
Sarah Hazel is Charlotte’s first Chief Sustainability & Resiliency Officer overseeing the city’s Office of Sustainability & Resiliency, where she leads a team to deliver on the City’s mission to become a low carbon, sustainable city. Sarah has put into action efforts that support the City’s climate action goals including: Sustainable fleet and sustainable facilities policies that have led the City to be recognized as a national leader; advancing progress implementing EV charging and municipal solar projects; and launched the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Workforce Training (RENEW) training workforce program. Before entering the public sector, Sarah spent seven years running national campaigns for a mission-based consulting firm. She received her master’s in public administration from UNC Chapel Hill.
Erika Ruane is the Head of City Engagement & Integration at Arrival. In her role, she works with local governments, community organizations, and local schools to support climate action plans, workforce development initiatives, and STEM education to foster Arrival's community presence. In her previous role in the City of Charlotte's Office of Sustainability, she helped write and pass Charlotte's first ever Strategic Energy Action Plan and led Charlotte to LEED for Cities Gold Certification. She is a passionate sustainability leader who believes that safe, reliable, and clean public transportation can have positive effects on quality of life and upward mobility in communities.
Bob Keefe is E2’s Executive Director, overseeing E2’s work across the country and coordinating its staff and chapters stretching from Boston to San Diego. Bob speaks regularly about the economic benefits of smart environmental policies; the clean energy economy; jobs and related issues and has been widely quoted in publications nationwide. Prior to joining E2 in 2011, Bob spent more than 20 years as a political, business and environmental journalist. He is the author of "Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet", and co-authored several other business-related books. 
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) | www.e2.org

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