On Friday, November 15th, Conyers Davis took part in a powerful panel discussion titled Creating Change at the Greentech Festival (GTF). The GTF Conference serves as a platform for visionaries and leaders to explore sustainable business solutions that drive meaningful change. Moderated by Cassie Rauser, Climate & Sustainability Strategist at Morpho Strategies, the panel also featured Nurit Katz, Chief Sustainability Officer at UCLA; Adam Mendler, creator and host of Thirty Minute Mentors; and Erin Simon, VP and Head of Plastic Waste and Business at the World Wildlife Fund.
The discussion highlighted the ways in which changemakers are leveraging existing systems to tackle the critical challenges of climate change and sustainability, focusing on key themes such as leadership, collaboration, and innovative cross-sector strategies.
Adam Mendler emphasized the core principles of successful leadership: showing up, being present, setting a clear vision, and ensuring actions align with words. Leadership, he noted, is not about job titles but about having a mindset focused on influence and impact. He also emphasized that leadership is about showing up with a goal and doing the work, even when the days are hard, inspiring attendees to embrace their capacity to lead at every level.
Conyers Davis underscored the critical role of subnational leadership in tackling climate challenges. He also pointed to the importance of leveraging private sector innovations and connecting successful local initiatives to broader contexts. Davis highlighted the Schwarzenegger Institute’s role as a “connectanator,” facilitating the transfer of effective solutions across regions, sectors, and beyond.
Erin Simon described the World Wildlife Fund’s initiatives to combat plastic pollution, which affects thousands of species and countless local communities. She stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders, including governments and businesses, to tackle the issue comprehensively. Simon noted that collaboration is key and emphasized the need for systemic change to reduce plastic waste.
Nurit Katz discussed the role of universities in driving sustainability, highlighting UCLA’s efforts to turn academic research into practical solutions. She emphasized the importance of universities practicing what they teach by modeling sustainable practices on campus and fostering connections that lead to impactful outcomes.
The panel also explored strategies for effective climate communication. Davis advocated for articulating a clear vision for the future that resonates with people across political and ideological divides. “You need to meet people where they are,” he advised, urging the use of inclusive and accessible language.
In closing, the panelists shared what inspires them to continue driving change, with many highlighting the people they encounter and the environments they work in as powerful sources of motivation to persevere.
The Creating Change panel served as a compelling reminder of the collective power of individuals, organizations, and institutions to drive sustainability. Whether through leadership, research, or collaboration, the path to a sustainable future is paved with bold ideas and decisive actions. This engaging discussion left participants motivated to take their own steps—big or small—toward creating lasting change.