Hosted by Lawrence, New North ESG Summit to engage business leaders on sustainability

Lawrence University will host the inaugural New North ESG Summit on May 2, a gathering of corporate and community leaders in northeast Wisconsin to discuss the power of sustainability and the importance of good Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

New North Inc., the regional economic development corporation for the 18 counties of northeast Wisconsin, is working with the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council to organize the conference. Sustainable Lawrence, a campus-wide initiative that involves students, faculty, and staff members who want to foster a culture of sustainability, is partnering with New North to bring the summit to Warch Campus Center.

“We are ecstatic to be collaborating with New North on this ESG Summit,” said Carter Robinson, Lawrence’s sustainability coordinator. “Creating space for learning and discussion is what institutions of higher learning specialize in, so it is exciting to work with an organization that is facilitating such a space for local leaders. Our students will have opportunities to dialogue with sustainability specialists in the region and further their own professional development.”

Garrett Singer, special assistant to the president, said that hosting the summit gives Lawrence students an opportunity to engage in career discernment and exploration while also deepening the university’s regional commitment to thought leadership, sustainability, and social impact.

“Bringing together corporate partners on our campus will create a forum in which industry leaders and Lawrentians can explore the ongoing implementation of local ESG initiatives and expose our students to viable career pathways and professional opportunities in the sustainability and social impact space,” he said.

ESG includes corporate performance evaluation criteria that gauge a company’s governance mechanisms and its environmental and social impacts. Business and community leaders attending the summit will have an opportunity to explore best ESG practices.

Presentations, panel discussions, and roundtable conversations will take place from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Warch Campus Center. Regional companies such as U.S. Venture, Plexus, Faith Technologies Inc. (FTI), and Menominee Tribal Enterprises will share their own sustainability initiatives. Panel conversations will include such topics as Sustainability Program Basics, Data-Driven Sustainability, Energy and Greenhouse Gas, and Sustainability and Workforce. Networking sessions will allow for additional conversation. More information can be found here.