2025 Greater Houston Environmental Summit

Mobilizing The Eco-Movement

The Citizens Environmental Coalition (CEC) will convene 200 diverse stakeholders at our 2025 Greater Houston Environmental Summit – Mobilizing the Eco-Movement, to address Houston’s pressing local challenges that we face due to increased climate stressors, changes in the political climate, and financial constraints. Many of the Greater Houston area’s environmental leaders will participate along with business, political, and community leaders to review the 2024 Summit Calls To Action and the resulting Working Groups research to determine avenues for collaborative community wide programming in 2026.
This year’s summit calls for collective action in the face of accelerating environmental and climate crises. As environmental and societal challenges grow more complex, the need for deep collaboration across organizations and communities has never been greater. This year’s summit brings together local leaders, changemakers, and community voices to build shared power, align strategies, and drive real solutions.

THE TIME TO ACT BOLDLY AND TOGETHER IS NOW.

🗓️ Date: Friday, October 17th, 2025
⌚ Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm 
📍 Location: University of Houston – Downtown, Science and Technology Building, Fondren Commons Rooms A & B, 315 North Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

CEC Members

$75 Early Bird (ends Sept. 16)
$100 Regular

Non-Members

$125 Early Bird (ends Sept. 16)
$150 Regular
$15 Students (must have discount code)

Interested in volunteering?
Email brooke.campbell@cechouston.org.

Exhibitors

$50 CEC Member
$100 Non-Member

Limited to 10.

Includes:

  • 5-ft table and two chairs
  • 1 complimentary attendee registration
  • 1 complimentary parking pass
Attendee + Speaker Registration
Sponsor + Exhibitor Registration

2025 Summit Schedule

Coming soon.

Speakers

Morning Welcome Speaker:  Sallie Alcorn, Houston City Council Member, At-Large 5

Morning Keynote Speaker: Jackie Medcalf, Founder and CEO, THEA (Texas Health and Environment Alliance)                                                          Topic: Where a Toxic Legacy and Floodwaters Collide, Keynote Morning Speaker

Opening Luncheon Speaker:  Letitia Plummer, Houston City Council Member, At-Large 4

Luncheon  Keynote Speaker: Jim Blackburn, Rice University Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law and Co-director, SSPEED Center                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Topic: Facing the Political and Financial Storm in the Midst of Increasing Environmental Stressors

Closing Luncheon Speaker: Abbie Kamin, Houston City Council Member, Dist. C

Panels

Panel 1: Addressing Increased Environmental Stressors in Greater Houston 

Addressing climate-driven threats to health, infrastructure, and equity in Houston through mitigation, adaptation, and long-term planning.

Moderator: Ana Bueno, Environmental Reporter, Univision

Panelists:

  • Andy Escobar, Campaign Manager, CEER – Coalition for Environment, Equity, & Resilience
  • Denise Ma, Water Conservation Program Coordinator, Harris-Galveston Subsidence District
  • Dan Potter, Ph.D., Director of the Houston Population Research Center, Kinder Research Institute for Urban Research
  • Erica Villareal, Teacher, Channelview ISD

 

Panel 2: Navigating the Changing Political Climate for Environmental Progress 

Advancing climate action and resilience in Houston and Texas through community engagement, policy navigation, and environmental justice amidst political and regulatory uncertainty.

Moderator: Doug Peterson, Advisory Board Member Exploration Green Conservancy

Panelists:

  • Daniel Cohan, Ph.D., Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University: author of Confronting Climate Gridlock
  • Jennifer Hadayia, MPA, Executive Director, Air Alliance Houston
  • Jarvis Johnson, Environmental Strategist, Black United Fund of Texas (BUFTX), Former City Council Member and State Representative
  • Melanie Oldham, Founder and Executive Director, Better Brazoria: Clean Air and Water

 

Panel 3: Overcoming Financial Hurdles to Achieve Environmental Goals

Advancing environmental initiatives in Houston through innovative financing, green workforce development, and investment in sustainable infrastructure and energy.

Moderator: Marina Badoian- Kriticos, Director, Strategic Initiatives and External Engagement, HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center)

Panelists:

  • Ashley Britt, Vice President of Finance & Risk, Octopus Energy
  • Elisa Macia Donovan, Vice President and General Counsel, Coastal Prairie Conservancy
  • Sara Martinez, Senior Director of Community Impact & Community Resilience Officer, Greater Houston Community Foundation
  • Mary Vazquez, Vice President, Community Outreach, United Way of Greater Houston

 

Panel 4: New Tools in the Toolbox: Innovation for Environmental Resilience and Sustainability

Strengthening community resilience by combining storytelling, technology, green infrastructure, and ethical AI to inform and advance climate solutions.

Moderator: Alex McCray, Communications Education & Outreach, City of Houston

Panelists:

  • Colley Hodges, Director, Sustainability, Houston Zoo
  • Stephanie Piper, Research Associate, Community Development and Resilience, HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center)
  • Deepa Poduval, Senior Vice President and the Global Sustainability Leader, Black & Veatch
  • Amanda Tullos, CEO, Founder, GreeNexus Consulting

2025 Summit Sponsors & Partners

Breakout Session Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

Mobilize the Eco-Movement

Partner with us to amplify your impact at the 12th annual Greater Houston Environmental Summit, taking place October 17, 2025, at the University of Houston–Downtown. As a sponsor, you’ll connect with mission-aligned organizations and civic leaders while building brand visibility in a values-driven community. Sponsorships include pre- and post-event recognition across social media, the CEC website, and newsletters, plus exclusive opportunities to engage directly with Summit participants.

Your support helps make the Summit accessible, inclusive, and action-oriented—fueling real progress on environmental issues that matter to Houston communities. 

View the sponsor packages ranging from $500 – $4,000.

Sponsor Registration

Questions? Contact Amanda Kuhl at amanda.kuhl@cechouston.org.

Media Partners

We welcome collaborative media partners to promote and provide coverage of the Environmental Summit. Health, equity, and environment are hot topic interest in our region. 

Media partners receive pre-event recognition through social media, website, and newsletter recognition plus post-event recognition through an email blast and recognition in next year’s sponsorship package.

To request a media pass email info@cechouston.org with your name, organization, and the hours you plan to attend.

Past Summits

Breakout Session Sponsors