2024 Greater Houston Environmental Summit

Empower Houston’s Future: 2024 Greater Houston Environmental Summit

Join us for the 2024 Greater Houston Environmental Summit, an inspiring and informative event bringing together environmental leaders, advocates, and enthusiasts from across the region. We’re celebrating our 11th annual Environmental Summit with a full day dedicated to fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on solutions to the health impacts of environmental degradation in the Houston/Gulf Coast region.

?? Date: Friday, October 18th, 2024 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
? Location: University of Houston – Downtown: Science and Technology Building, Fondren Commons Rooms A & B
315 North Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

Why Attend?

  • Actionable Solutions: Engage in sessions that empower you to contribute to local environmental solutions.
  • Collaborative Networking: Connect with experts and passionate activists.
  • Interactive Charrettes: Participate in hands-on discussions addressing regional environmental challenges.
  • Sustainable Event: Experience a zero-waste event in a LEED Gold-certified building
  • Native plant sale: Make your garden more beautiful and  sustainable. Preorder here to ensure the selection you want:

Meet Our 2024 Summit Participants

We are excited to welcome a distinguished group of participants to the 2024 Greater Houston Environmental Summit. Read about them and their work here >>

Participant List

      • John L. Hall, President and CEO of Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC)
        • Diane Wilson, Executive Director San Antonio Estuarine Waterkeeper, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner
      • Ana Bueno, Climate and environment reporter Univision 45
      • Elena Bruess,  Environmental Reporter Houston Landing
        • Keith Downey, President Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood
      • Leticia Gutierrez, Director of Government Relations and Community Outreach Air Alliance Houston
      • Luke Metzger, Executive Director Environment Texas
      • Robin Schneider, Executive Director Texas Campaign for the Environment
    • Lisa Lin, Director of Sustainability Harris County
    • Dr. Stephen Linder, Director Institute of Health Policy, UT School of Public Health
    • Dr. Stephanie Piper, Research Associate Climate and Equity, Houston Advanced Research Center
    • Dr. Stefania Tomaskovic, Coalition Director, Coalition for the Environment, Equity, & Resilience
    • Obiageli Onuba, Community Engagement and Resilience Consultant, qb.
    • Mandi Siebels, Senior Division Manager, City of Houston Public Works Department, Water Division
    • Amanda Tullos, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, LFA, SITES AP, CHPC, FITWEL Ambassador, ENV SP, Principal and Founder GreeNexus
    • Mark Wilfalk, Director City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department
    • Jenny Buergermeister, wellness educator
    • Gavin Dillingham, Ph.D. CCP, Executive Advisor SLB New Energies
    • Jill Kurtz, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C & ID+C, Principal and Director of Building Sciences, Page
    • Yvonne N. Harris, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Diversity Consultant
    • Stuart Nelson, Ph.D., President & CEO Institute for Spirituality & Health
    • Amanda Tullos, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, LFA, SITES AP, CHPC, FITWEL Ambassador, ENV SP, Principal and Founder GreeNexus 
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2024 Summit Schedule

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. Welcome Plenary:
  • Steve Stelzer, LEED AP President, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC), AIA Member Emeritus
8:40 – 9:00 a.m. Opening Keynote:
  • Diane Wilson, Executive Director of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper and Goldman Environmental Prize Winner
9:00 – 9:40 a.m. Making Progress on Health, Equity and Resilience with Winning Strategies
  • Leticia Gutierrez, Director of Government Relations and Community Outreach, Air Alliance
  • Luke Metzger, Executive Director, Environment Texas
  • Robin Schneider, Executive Director, Texas Campaign for the Environment
  • Moderator: Ana Bueno, Reporter, Univision
9:50 – 10:30 a.m. Improving Health in Vulnerable Communities with Data & Analytics
  • Lisa Lin, Director, Office of Sustainability, Harris County
  • Dr. Stephen H. Linder, Director, Institute of Health Policy, UT School of Public Health)
  • Dr. Stephanie Piper, Research Associate, Climate & Equity, HARC
  • Dr. Stefania Tomaskovic, Coalition Director, Coalition for Environmental, Equity, and Resilience (CEER)
  • Moderator: Elena Bruess, reporter, Houston Landing
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break, sponsored by Kirksey
10:45 – 11:25 a.m. Panel: Designing for Resilience and Conservation in an Urban Environment
  • Obiageli Onuba, Community Engagement and Resilience Consultant, qb.
  • Amanda (Mandy) Siebels, Senior Division Manager, City of Houston Public Works Department, Water Division 
  • Amanda Tullos, FAIA, LFA, LEED AP, BD+C & ID+C, SITES AP, SEED AP, ENV SP, FITWEL, Founder, GreeNexus
  • Mark Wilfalk, Director City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department
  • Moderator: Keith Downey, President Kashmere Gardens Superior Neighborhood Council
11:25 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch & Expo
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Luncheon Keynote Speakers
  • Keynote Address: John L. Hall, President and CEO of Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC)
1:15 – 1:25  Overview of the Charrette process
1:25 – 1:30 Brief break
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  • College of Sciences and Technology Building Tour (LEED Gold)
    • Building Overview: Jody Sergi, AIA, LEED AP, Associate Partner & Studio Director, Kirksey Architecture
    • Tour Overview: Dr. Akif Uzman, Dean, College of Sciences and Technology, University of Houston-Downtown
  • Mid-Day Energizer and Wellness Activity, sponsored by Working Partner led by Jenny Buergermeister
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Break & Expo
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.     Concurrent Breakout Charrettes
  • Charrette 1: Making Progress on Health, Equity, and Resilience with Winning Strategies. Led by:
    • Gavin Dillingham, Ph.D. CCP, Executive Advisor, SLB
    • Yvonne N. Harris SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Diversity Consultant
  • Charrette 2: Improving Health in Vulnerable Communities with Data Analytics. Led by:
    • Stuart Nelson, Ph.D., President & CEO, Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center
    • Stephanie Piper, Ph.D.Research Associate Climate and Equity, Houston Advanced Research Center
  • Charrette 3: Designing for Resilience and Conservation in an Urban Environmen. Led by:
    • Jill (Sornson) Kurtz, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C & ID+C,
      Principal & Director of Building Sciences at Page 
    • Amanda Tullos, FAIA, LFA, LEED AP, BD+C & ID+C, SITES AP, SEED AP, ENV SP, FITWEL, 
      Founder, GreeNexus
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.   Breakout Charrettes Readout and Call to Action
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Closing Remarks

2024 Sponsors







2024 Partners








Sponsorship Opportunities

Partner with us to amplify your impact. Sponsorships include pre-event recognition across social media, our website, and newsletters, plus post-event acknowledgment. Explore our Sponsorship Benefits and Become A Sponsor today.

Media Partners

We welcome collaborative Media Partners to promote and provide coverage of the Environmental Summit. Health, equity and environment are hot topic interests in Houston.

Media Partners receive pre-event recognition through social media, website, newsletter and plus post-event recognition provided through a thank-you email blast and recognition in next year’s sponsorship package.  

About The Summit

CEC routinely hosts a diverse and energetic gathering of its members as well as influential leaders, subject matter experts, educators, enthusiasts, volunteers and passionate citizens for a day of inspiration, education and collaboration! These events serve as a community gathering, an information sharing opportunity, and a “homecoming” for the Houston environmental community.

 

 

You can learn more about past Summits by viewing the below programs and announcements:






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