America's Most Senior Climate Risk & Adaptation Finance Summit

• What progress was made in climate adaptation policies and initiatives under the Biden administration?
• What changes are we experiencing under the Trump administration, and what impact have recent federal decisions had on private sector interest and incentives?  
• What are the key climate adaptation challenges the government is still facing, and how can these obstacles be overcome to build a more resilient future?
• How can we foster collaboration between the public and private sector to ensure sustained progress towards climate adaptation, regardless of political leadership?

Rohit Aggarwala - Chief Climate Officer, City of New York, NYC Environmental Protection

Jonathan Cook - Senior Resilience & Adaptation Advisor, USAID (Formerly)

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• US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rule will change how companies report climate-related risks that they face.How will climate-related governance imposed by the SEC focus on the higher level of management within companies?
• Will stricter disclosure requirements make it more or less likely for investors to invest in businesses?
• How can companies improve existing systems and processes to comply with stricter disclosure requirements akin to TCFD and European counterparts?

Peter Hall - Adaptation Commissioner & Finance Loop Senior Advisor, Ambition Loop

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William Sisson - Executive Director, Americas, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Laura Zizzo - Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Maifest Climate

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• What are the latest statistics on wildfire, and is the media painting the wrong picture?
• What solutions exist, or are being developed, to synergistically transform how wildfires are managed and fought? How do these change from coast to coast? 
• What partnerships between the public and private sector have improved success when combating wildfires? 
• What local and state policies exist to help support innovation and investment in this area?
• What are some low-cost solutions to reduce or prevent wildfire risks in urban areas, and how can we ensure these solutions reach the most vulnerable, including low-income and at-risk populations?

Julia Hamm - Partner, The Ad Hoc Group

Arvind Satyam - Co-Founder & CCO, Pano AI

Start-ups focusing on wildfire technology will present their solutions to a panel of investor judges.

Stephanie Diaz - Technology & Innovation Senior Associate, BloombergNEF

Mitch Rubin - Senior Director of Innovation, Elemental Impact

Steven Chen - CEO & Co-Founder, Treeswift

Organizations invite attendees to intimate discussions around critical challenges relating to adaptation and resilience. The session will enable the sharing of new ideas among delegates.

• With $208 billion in damages from climate disasters, and projections of $4 trillion in annual climate-related losses by 2030, what are some biggest supply chain-related risks posed by climate that are facing Fortune 500 companies?
• What climate solutions, from a corporate lens, are companies investing in to navigate these risks? What specific examples are there of corporations successfully working with innovators?
• As large, complex organizations, how does this impact their ability to make quick decisions? 
• How are companies using analytics to assess, manage and quantify risk, particularly in long-term infrastructure and resilience investments?

Vien Truong - Co-Founder & CEO, Eco Equity

Franco Amalfi - Director, Sustainability Strategic Initiatives, Capgemini

Bella Tonkonogy - Senior Director, Programs, Climate Policy Initiative

Bruno Grandsard - Managing Director, Midori Sustainable Capital & Services

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10 minutes case setting, 30 minutes breakout discussion, 20 minutes feedback sharing between the audience.

Join us for an in-depth, comparative analysis of two of the most powerful hurricanes to impact the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and uncover the crucial lessons they offer for building resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

This interactive case study session will dive deep into the differences in impact, response, recovery, and long-term resilience strategies employed by the affected communities. Drawing from firsthand accounts, scientific data, and expert insights, we’ll explore how the response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastating destruction contrasts with the more localized and ultimately less catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene, and what these experiences teach us about better preparing for future storms.

Sarah Russell - Managing Director, Project Bellwether, X, The Moonshot Factory

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• How can nature-based solutions (NBS) be integrated into urban planning to enhance resilience against flooding, extreme heat, and other climate-related impacts?
• What are the most effective nature-based approaches for mitigating urban heat islands and improving stormwater management in cities?
• How can nature-based solutions work in harmony with traditional infrastructure to create more sustainable, resilient cities?
• What challenges exist in scaling nature-based solutions for the built environment, and how can policymakers, developers, and communities overcome them?

Ria Perrault - Senior Associate, MaRS Discovery District

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Syd Kitson - Chairman & CEO, Kitson & Partners

Lauren Wang - Director of Climate Programs, Trust for Governors Island

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• How can investors bridge the gap between portfolio risk and climate risk, and what factors do they need to consider when investing in resilience and adaptation solutions? 
• Where are the gaps in financing that, if addressed, could yield significant returns on investment?
• Which areas of innovation are receiving the most support in the adaptation space?
• What are some successful examples of public-private partnerships creating blended finance models for sustainable, long-term adaptation solutions?

Jeff Gitterman - CEO, Gitterman Asset Management

Anna Ponting - Chief of Staff, NYC Environmental Protection

Elias Habbar-Baylac - Sustainability Investment Lead, Cisco Partner, Regenerative Future Fund, Cisco Foundation

Jay Koh - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, The Lighthouse Group

Laura Fox - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Streetlife Ventures

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• How can cross-sector partnerships enhance grid resilience and adaptability in the face of climate change?
• In what ways can innovation be leveraged to strengthen energy infrastructure against climate extremes and ensure reliability?
• How are evolving regulatory frameworks shaping collaboration between utilities and businesses to build a resilient and sustainable energy future?
• With the growth of AI, data centers, and other high-energy industries, is the increasing demand for energy impacting the ability to source renewable energy and maintain grid resilience? How can these sectors contribute to or challenge energy sustainability goals?

Mishal Thadani - Co-Founder & CEO, Rhizome

Brenda Dix - Director, Climate Resilience, ICF

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Organizations invite attendees to an intimate discussion around critical challenges relating to urban adaptation development. The session will culminate in the sharing of new ideas with delegates.

• How are inadequate guidelines and thresholds driving up premiums, and what strategies can be implemented to better protect properties in high-risk areas such as those facing heat, water, and wildfire threats?
• How is parametric insurance emerging as a more accessible solution for communities facing unaffordable premiums, with payouts tied to specific climate triggers like rainfall or heatwaves?
• How are insurance models evolving to address the increasing risks facing infrastructure from climate change, particularly in relation to wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat?
• What role do public-private partnerships and policy reforms play in improving the affordability and accessibility of climate-risk insurance for vulnerable communities?

Paula Pagniez - Executive Director, Climate Risk & Resilience, Howden

Francis Bouchard - Managing Director, Climate, Marsh Mclennan

Liz Beardsley - Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council

• How is increasing awareness of climate change driving demand for energy-efficient HVAC solutions, and what role does HVAC play in reducing carbon footprints?
• In what ways are smart home technologies accelerating growth in the HVAC sector, and how do these innovations contribute to greater energy efficiency and climate resilience?
• How is automation transforming HVAC systems, enabling enhanced energy management, performance optimization, and improved resilience against climate extremes?
• What impact are evolving building codes, sustainability goals, and green certifications having on HVAC industry innovation and the adoption of more sustainable practices?
• What emerging trends and technologies will shape the future of HVAC systems in a climate-resilient world, and how can these innovations support the transition to net-zero buildings?

Michael Hernandez - New York Policy Director, Rewiring America

The floor is yours! This debate-style discussion will pose arguments for different investment models to enhance climate and adaptation related financing.

Sara Shoff - Program Manager, GARI

Mitch Rubin - Senior Director of Innovation, Elemental Impact

• What are the most urgent climate-driven risks to urban water systems, specifically in terms of flooding, and how are these risks evolving?
• How can cities enhance water infrastructure resilience to withstand the growing frequency and intensity of flood events? Are there any standout examples of cities successfully adapting to flood risks?
• How can utilities and municipalities use predictive tools and data modelling to anticipate and prepare for flood events, particularly flash floods and prolonged inundation?
• How can cities shift from reactive flood response strategies to proactive, long-term flood resilience planning that reduces future vulnerability?

Julia Kumari Drapkin - CEO & Founder, ISeeChange

Christy Swann - Co-Founder & CEO, RCOAST

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Start-ups focusing on water resilience present their innovations to a panel of investor judges.

Calvin Cupini - Investment Director, Activate

Tom Ferguson - Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures

• Are we inadvertently investing in solutions that worsen conditions for vulnerable communities?
• What does true resilience look like when profit motives exploit disaster and loss of life?
• How do we ensure that adaptation strategies do not perpetuate systemic inequalities?
• Should we question the business models of companies profiting from the crises we aim to prevent?

• How is climate change impacting global agriculture, and what are the most pressing challenges farmers face in maintaining food security?
• What adaptive strategies can farmers implement to cope with changing weather patterns, water scarcity, and shifting crop viability?
• How is AI and digital technologies supporting farmers in building climate resilience?
• What role should policymakers, businesses, and local communities play in ensuring farmers have the resources and support needed to adapt to climate change?

Vasundhara Jolly - Climate Change Specialist, World Bank Group

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Eric Bellefroid, PhD - CEO & Co-Founder, Brekland

Jeremy Kaufman - COO, Propagate

• How can cities quantify and map urban heat islands to better understand their impact on local populations?
• How does the proposed OSHA Federal Heat Standard aim to protect workers from heat-related risks, and how will these protections be enforced in cities?
• What are the most effective nature-based and technology-driven interventions to mitigate urban heat, and how can we scale them?
• How can urban planning and design incorporate cooling strategies to protect vulnerable communities, especially low-income and minority populations?
• What role do public-private partnerships and community engagement play in creating sustainable heat reduction solutions in urban environments?

Katie MacDonald - Co-Founder, Tailwind

• How can governments, businesses, and communities collaborate to accelerate the implementation of climate resilience policies at local, national, and global levels?
• What are the most critical policy gaps that need to be addressed to ensure equitable access to climate adaptation solutions, especially for vulnerable populations?
• How can international frameworks and agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, be strengthened to better integrate resilience-building into global climate policy?
• What role should financial institutions and investors play in supporting the scaling of climate resilience initiatives through policy reforms and incentives?
• How can governments balance urgent climate action with long-term resilience goals, ensuring that adaptation measures are both sustainable and equitable?

Stephen Hammer - Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, New York Climate Exchange

Pallavi Sherikar - Former Senior Advisor to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, U.S. Department of State

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