Opportunity Green Conference 2008 Speakers
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+Keynote SpeakerRick Ridgeway
VP of Environmental Programs and Communication
Patagonia
Rick Ridgeway is currently Patagonia's Vice President of Environmental Initiatives and Special Media Projects. Rick develops, implements and promotes the second two of the company's three-part mission statement to make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
» Read Rick Ridgeway's full bioFind Rick in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+Keynote SpeakerMichael Besancon
Senior Global VP of Purchasing, Distribution and Marketing
Whole Foods Market
Michael Besancon, an entrepreneur and environmental advocate, has spent most of his career in the business of providing natural and organic foods to a population craving a healthier lifestyle. Michael chairs Whole Foods Market's National Green Mission Task Force and has helped the Company lead the charge for environmentally sustainable practices which range from promoting sustainable agriculture and creating farm animal treatment standards to store recycling and composting programs.
» Read Michael Besancon's full bioFind Michael in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+Keynote SpeakerJosh Dorfman
Host/Author, "The Lazy Environmentalist"
Founder & CEO, Vivavi
Josh Dorfman is an environmental entrepreneur, author, speaker, and radio personality. He is the founder & CEO of Vivavi, a provider of contemporary, eco-friendly furniture and furnishings, working with over 40 of today's leading edge sustainable designers. In 2006, he launched ModernGreenLiving.com, Vivavi's companion resource that helps consumers find green homes and green building experts throughout North America.
» Read Josh Dorfman's full bio
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+HostAnnabelle Gurwitch
Actress, Author and Activist, Host of WA$TED on Planet Green TV
When actress, author, and activist Annabelle Gurwitch (Dinner and a Movie) isn't shrinking the ecological footprints of American families as the host of Wa$ted!, she's offering her unique brand of humor and perspective on politics, pop culture and the environment in her column for The Nation Magazine.com, on NPR, and on CNN Headline News.
» Read Annabelle Gurwitch's full bio
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+HostZem Joaquin
Founder/Editor In Chief
Ecofabulous
Inspired and mentored by William McDonough and a cadre of deep, but optimistic, environmental thinkers, Zem has developed a lens that makes it impossible to view products as she once did. As a board member of Global Green, Healthy Child, Healthy World and Teens For Safe Cosmetics and applies her knowledge in her eco-consultancy business, as green contributing editor at Domino Magazine, on television and radio spots and, most emphatically, on www.ecofabulous.com.
Read Zem Joaquin's full bio
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» Day 1 Host - Saturday, Nov 8th
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+Keynote SpeakerJane Savage
Director, Category Integration
Nike Considered Design
Her passion for sustainable design was ignited while earning a BFA degree with a major in Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. Since graduating in 1991, she worked in the kids footwear industry in Boston and New York, and answered the call to Nike in 1997.
» Read Jane Savage's full bioFind Jane in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+Keynote SpeakerCharles Zimmerman
Vice President of Prototype & New Format Development
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Charles R. Zimmerman is currently the vice-president of Prototype and New Format Development for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Mr. Zimmerman is also leading the “Sustainable Buildings Network” at Wal-Mart. This network, among other things, is charged with increasing the overall energy efficiency of new and existing buildings by 20-30 percent.
» Read Charles Zimmerman's full bioFind Charles in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+Keynote SpeakerGreg Owsley
Branding Director
New Belgium Brewing
In his 13 years at the brand hub for New Belgium Brewing, Greg Owsley has grown along with the company from a homespun marketer to a position Dr. Douglas Holt coined as the “1st Cultural Branding Director in America.” Prior to getting on the New Belgium beer wagon, Owsley originally dirtied his marketing fingernails as the fresh markets director at the largest organic vegetable operation in Colorado.
» Read Greg Owsley's full bioFind Greg in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+Keynote SpeakerJonathan Greenblatt
CEO
GOOD Worldwide
Jonathan Greenblatt is a senior advisor to the X-PRIZE Foundation, leading an effort to create a global competition around bottoms-up, entrepreneurial models of poverty alleviation. He is the co-founder of Ethos Water, a former vice president of Starbucks Coffee Company and board member of the Starbucks Foundation.
» Read Jonathan Greenblatt's full bio.Find Jonathan in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+HostBoise Thomas
Alter Eco/Planet Green/Discovery Channel
Boise Thomas is the fresh face of Adrian Grenier's Alter Eco, an environmentally-focused lifestyle show on Discovery Communications' new eco-focused channel Planet Green.
» Read Boise Thomas' full bioFind Boise in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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+HostNurit Katz
Sustainability Coordinator
UCLA
Nurit Katz is a sustainability professional focused on building multi-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration. She was recently hired to lead UCLA's sustainability efforts as the university's first Sustainability Coordinator, where she will foster partnerships among academic, research and operational departments to further campus sustainability.
» Read Nurit Katz's full bioFind Nurit in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
Speakers are listed in alphabetical order:
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Michela O'Connor Abrams
President/Publisher
Dwell
Michela O'Connor Abrams is the President and Publisher of Dwell, the award-winning design and lifestyle media company. In 2006, Dwell hit the coveted Adweek HotList as well as the Advertising Age A-List, and was a Cappell's Circulation Top Ten Performer for the second consecutive year. In 2005, Ms. O'Connor Abrams helped see Dwell to its first major award when the magazine won General Excellence at the National Magazine Awards.
» Read Michela O'Connor Abrams' full bioFind Michela in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Brian Allenby
Manager of Operations & Education
Reverb
In addition to handling day-to-day management of Reverb's operations including tours, events and industry relations, Brian oversees print and web media and marketing for the organization.
» Read Brian Allenby's full bioFind Brian in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Marc Alt
President
Marc Alt + Partners
Marc Alt is president of Marc Alt + Partners, a design, research and brand strategy agency dedicated to sustainable innovation. Current clients include MINI USA, Bloomberg LP, The Green Electronics Council, The Consumer Electronics Association, and Lippincott Mercer. As an advocate of business transformation, Marc develops conferences that attract the leading minds in the fields of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and social innovation.
» Read Marc Alt's full bioFind Marc in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Ben Black
General Partner & Co-founder
New Cycle Capital
Ben Black is the co-founder and General Partner of New Cycle Capital, a venture capital firm focused on investing in businesses that promote The Sustainable Economy. Black was previously on the investment teams at Maveron, a consumer-focused venture capital firm founded by Howard Schultz, the Chairman of Starbucks, and Rosewood Capital, a consumer-focused private equity firm.
» Read Ben Black's full bioFind Ben in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Bruce Brandfon
Vice President and Publisher
Scientific American
Led Scientific American to a revitalized position in the marketplace. During this period all performance indicators are up. Ad pages and revenues are up more than 100% including a 20% revenue increase in 2007. Created solid repositioning for the magazine as the unique intersection and must-read for ambitious leaders in public policy, business, science, and finance.
» Read Bruce Brandfon's Full BioFind Bruce in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Sylvia K. Burks
Partner
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Ms. Burks' practice focuses on the representation of established and emerging technology companies in the areas of corporate securities, mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, intellectual property matters, as well as general corporate representation. Ms. Burks' particular focus is in handling cross-border transactions representing public and private companies based in Europe and Asia.
» Read Sylvia K. Burks' full bioFind Sylvia in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Cher Chronis
Director of Marketing Communications
ASUS Computer International
Cher Chronis is a creative and strategic marketing communications executive who has built and led numerous successful results-driven marketing programs over the past 20 years. She has extensive experience working directly with top executives, investors and the media. Her core strength as a marketing professional is the depth and breadth of experience on both the client and agency sides.
» Read Cher Chronis' full bioFind Cher in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Tim Cole
Director of Environmental Initiatives and Product Development
Forbo Linoleum
Tim Cole has been with Forbo for the past 17 years and involved in the flooring industry since 1970. During his tenure at Forbo, Cole has served as a technical representative, sales manager and director.
» Read Tim Cole's bull bioFind Tim in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Robert Davis
Senior Vice President, Product Development and Quality
Mazda North American Operations
Robert Davis was appointed senior vice president, product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), effective January 1, 2005. In this position, Davis is responsible for vehicle research and development, manufacturing and product quality and future product plans for North America. He reports to Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO for MNAO.
» Read Robert Davis' full bio
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Magali Delmas, PhD
Associate Professor of Management
UCLA
Magali Delmas teaches and conducts research on business and the natural environment. She has published numerous case studies and academic articles on corporate environmental strategies. She is engaged in refining methodologies to measure and communicate firm's and products' environmental performance.
» Read Magali Delmas' full bio
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Mark Dwight
Founder and CEO
Rickshaw Bagworks
Mark Dwight is the founder and CEO of Rickshaw Bagworks, the San Francisco-based manufacturer of messenger bags, computer carrying cases, lifestyle luggage and accessories for the bicycle, outdoor and urban lifestyle specialty retail markets. Dwight founded Rickshaw in May, 2007.
» Read Mark Dwight's full bioFind Mark in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Peter Falt
Director of Strategic Partnering
BMW Group DesignWorksUSA
Peter is passionate about aligning business objectives with design, development, and communication services to reach tough goals. Holding a BFA in Industrial Design, Peter has a history of sustainable design and triple bottom line understanding including water purification, low-cost mobile chillers for local organic farmers, recycling systems, published work in Victor Papanek's The Green Imperative, and good design award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum.
» Read Peter Falt's full bioFind Peter in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Tom Feegel
Founder and CEO
Brand Neutral
He was the founder of the environmental business strategy consulting firm Brand Neutral. He has over 15 years experience leading several successful management consulting firms, specializing in start up and entrepreneurial ventures within large corporations. Over the last few years, he has helped clients increase eco-efficiencies and capitalize on new media to create and sustain competitive advantage.
» Read Tom Feegel's full bioFind Tom in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Colin Finlay
Documentary Photographer
Colin Finlay is one of the foremost documentary photographers in the world. He has been awarded the prestigious Picture of the Year International honor six times. For more than seventeen years, Finlay has documented the human condition with Compassion, empathy and dignity.
In 2007, Finlay also premiered a photo essay that features contrasts between photographs taken in Sudan and Antarctica. The book shows cause and effect and allows the viewer to explore and discover their own conclusions on climate change.
» Read Colin Finlay's Full BioFind Colin in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Andy Funk
CEO and Chairman
Funk Ventures
Andy J. Funk believes that businesses can and should make significant contributions to people, society or the environment. As an accomplished entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, Andy embodies the Funk Ventures philosophy by expertly combining his passion for business and investing with an altruistic vision to impact the world for good.
» Read Andy Funk's full bioFind Andy in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Grace Hawthorne
Co-Founder and President/Publisher
ReadyMade
Grace Hawthorne is cofounder and President/Publisher of ReadyMade, a design and lifestyle brand for Gen X/Y who value creativity, innovation and an independent approach to a sustainable life. Since its launch in 2001, ReadyMade has been inspiring people to rethink their material world through reuse design.
» Read Grace Hawthorne's full bioFind Grace in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Chris Henn
Managing Director – Chief Operating Officer
Esurance
Chris leads Esurance's insurance operations, corporate services, internal audit, and customer service operations. Chris drove the decision to build a claims fleet based on hybrid vehicles and has transformed Esurance's acquisition of office supplies and equipment, transitioning towards more environmentally friendly products. Chris is also the executive sponsor of Esurance's internal green steering committee.
» Read Chris Henn's full bioFind Chris in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Matt Kahn
Professor
UCLA Dept. of Economics
Matthew E. Kahn is a Professor at UCLA's Institute of the Environment. He holds secondary appointments in the Department of Economics and the Department of Public Policy. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Before joining the UCLA faculty in January 2007, he taught at the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
» Read Matt Kahn's full bioFind Matt in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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D'nae Kingsley
Account Manager
AMCI Group
D'nae is the account lead on AMCI's consumer work with Scion. In her previous role at AMCI, D'nae assisted in the development and roll-out of AMCI's Strategic Planning practice. She also worked in Brand Alliances where she identified and implemented successful lifestyle and media partnerships for top automotive brands around the world.
» Read D'nae Kingsley's full bioFind D'nae in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Jonathan Klein
Vice President, Green is Universal Enterprise Marketing Solutions
NBC Universal
In September 2008, Jonathan rejoined NBC Universal to lead strategic sales marketing efforts for Green is Universal, the company's commitment to offering green-themed programming that entertains, informs and empowers consumers to lead greener lives. Beginning next Sunday, November 16th, more than 40 NBC Universal brands will participate in Green Week, featuring more than 150 hours of green-themed content across television and digital platforms.
» Read Jonathan Klein's full bioFind Jonathan in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Evelyn Lee (Blogging Live)
Writer
Inhabitat
Evelyn is a 2010 MBA candidate at UCLA's Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles, CA. Trained as an architect, she received her Masters in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture's (SCI-arc) Metropolitan Research and Design Program. Prior to going back to school, she was program manager for Public Architecture in San Francisco, CA, where she oversaw all aspects of their 1% Program, encouraging architects to give 1% of their time to the public good, pro bono. Evelyn is constantly searching for new avenues to expand her architectural knowledge, and is a freelance writer for a number of written and online publications. When she's away from the computer, Evelyn enjoys running, playing the piano, driving her Prius, and coaching/playing soccer.
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Michael Leifer
Cultural Anthropologist & SVP / Executive Director of Social Media
Swirl
Leifer is a Cultural Anthropologist with an expertise in building and maintaining markets and social movements for his clients and partners. He is the author of "Green Social Currency" which will be coming out in early 2009. He was one of the Founding Members of the UCLA World Arts and Cultures Major, and was also the President of the UCLA Honors College. Post college, Leifer Co-Founded and became Executive Director of Erin Brockovitch's Cancer411.org, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families get the information that they need.
» Read Michael Leifer's full bioFind Michael in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Amy Leventhal
Strategic Storyteller
Amy's been a writer for over 15 years—marrying the art of strategy and story as a means of creating meaningful opportunities for connection. She has written about everything from electric cars and biodynamic wines to organic bodycare and luxury hotels, for world-class design firms and advertising agencies including IDEO, SYP, Celery Design, GMO, Hill Holliday, Arnold Communications and Hal Riney & Partners.
» Read Amy Leventhal's full bioFind Amy in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Howard Levine
Founder, COO & General Counsel
Venture Vehicles, Inc.
Experienced general business and legal executive involved with high growth startups since 1999. Howard's background includes finance, corporate restructuring, intellectual property rights, business development and general business law.
» Read Howard Levine's full bioFind Howard in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Paul Ligon
Senior Director of Business Development & Strategy
Waste Management
After a distinguished academic and consulting career, Ligon joined Waste Management Upstream as a business development manager in 2001. He also led the Upstream Enterprise Management business vertical for four years, before moving into his current position in 2007.
» Read Paul Ligon's full bioFind Paul in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Guy Mangiamele
Director of Vehicle Testing and Ideation
AMCI Group
Guy began in the automotive industry in the mid-1980s as journalist—starting at Road & Track and eventually writing and photographing for 11 international publications including Car and Driver, Automobiles Classique (France) and Sport Auto (Germany). His passion for environmental change and alternative-fuel vehicles then took him to CALSTART—an advanced-transportation consultancy dedicated to bringing new technologies to market—where he led their publications division.
» Read Guy Mangiamele's Full BioFind Guy in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Scott Mattoon
Chief Architect of the U.S Western Region
Sun Microsystems
Scott Mattoon is an active advocate for open source and sustainable business. He seeks to apply the principles of transparency, collaboration and sharing in his work as Chief Architect for Sun Microsystems' Western U.S. Market. Scott is technical liaison for Sun to the TED community, and serves as lead systems architect for Sun's support of TED prize winners Cameron Sinclair, Neil Turok and Bill Clinton for their work in Africa.
» Read Scott Mattoon's full bioFind Scott in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Heidrun Mumper-Drumm
Art Center faculty, Humanities + Design Sciences, Graphic Design
Art Center College of Design
A graphic designer and letterpress printer, Heidrun Mumper-Drumm serves as adjunct associate professor in the Graphic Design and Humanities & Design Sciences departments at Art Center College of Design. Since 2003, her focus has been on the incorporation of sustainability principles into design education and the design process.Find Heidrun in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Mary Nickerson
National Manager, Cross-Vehicle Hybrid Marketing
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Mary Nickerson is national manager for Cross-vehicle marketing for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. Inc. She is responsible for leading marketing strategy, development, and implementation for Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, technology and environmental Toyota brand strategy, as well as external communications for Marketing. Previously, she led the Prius and RAV4 EV marketing programs as the national manager of Advanced Technology Vehicle Marketing.
» Read Mary Nickerson's full bioFind Mary in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Joshua Onysko
Founder and CEO
Pangea Organics
Joshua Onysko's commitment to social sustainability launched Pangea Organics six years ago. He envisioned an institute to aid corporations to be more socially responsible and environmentally sound, and heeded a friend's suggestion to make soap to fund the project.
» Read Joshua Onysko's full bioFind Joshua in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Gayle Pergamit
CEO and Co-Founder
Agua Via LLC
Gayle Pergamit is cofounder and CEO of Agua Via. Ms. Pergamit has focused on business development in the disruptive technologies which have characterized the San Francisco Bay Area . Ms Pergamit cofounded AMiX, which pioneered the e-commerce business models which underlie E-Bay and Priceline.
» Read Gayle Pergamit's full bioFind Gayle in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Matt Petersen
President and CEO
Global Green USA
Matt Petersen, Global Green USA President, CEO and board member, joined Global Green USA in 1994. He serves on the Council of Green Cross International, and is Chair of the GCI Energy and Resource Efficiency program. Petersen drives and guides Global Green USA's new programs, including work on water and energy, green power, climate change, and nuclear weapons.
» Read Matt Petersen's full bioFind Matt in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Rob Reed
Founder
Max Gladwell
Rob Reed is the visionary behind Max Gladwell, a leading independent blog that covers the nexus of social media and green living. Max Gladwell is not a person but rather an ideal and worldview. It represents the belief that our social and environmental problems are solvable, that entrepreneurs will lead the way to those solutions, and that social media will play a central role. Reed is also co-founder of Media Maxwell, a social media and cause marketing firm.
» Read Rob Reed's full bioFind Rob in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Adeo Ressi
Founding member, The Funded
Trustee, X Prize Foundation
Adeo Ressi is Founding Member of TheFunded.com, an online community of entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review funding sources worldwide. Adeo also serves as a Trustee of the X PRIZE Foundation, which inspires radical human achievements through competition. TheFunded.com is the seventh start-up that Adeo has founded or built, four of which were acquired and three of which are still operating. The last company, Game Trust, Inc., was acquired by Real Networks, Inc. (RNWK) at the end of 2007.
» Read Adeo Ressi's full bioFind Andeo in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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John Marshall Roberts
Communication Consultant
Evenson Design Group
John serves as communications consultant for several client organizations, including Evenson Design Group, a sustainable branding and design firm in Los Angeles. A former psychology professor, John's unique insight into the psychology of the communication design process has made him a prominent contributor to several pioneering entertainment projects over the past decade, including two $200 million dollar plus theme park designs.
» Read John Roberts' full bioFind John in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Cynthia Ruiz
President, Board of Public Works
Los Angeles Board of Public Works
Environmentalist and community activist Cynthia M. Ruiz was unanimously confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council to a seat on the Board of Public Works on July 19, 2005 and serves as its president. Commissioner Ruiz, who was one of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's first commission appointees after his election as mayor, previously served on the Board of Public Works in 2003-04.
» Read Cynthia Ruiz's full bioFind Cynthia in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Stephanie Ryan
Consultant
B Corporation
Stephanie started her career at Innovation Associates consulting firm (founder, Peter Senge, author of best seller, The Fifth Discipline), where she designed and delivered leadership programs on the disciplines of organizational learning to corporate clients. Currently, Stephanie is working with B Lab, a non-profit that certifies triple bottom line companies. She believes the emerging sector of private companies for public benefit is a key leverage point for today’s economic and social challenges.
» Read Stephanie Ryan's full bioFind Stephanie in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Al Seckel
Founder and Visionary
GlobalSolver Foundation
Al Seckel, a renowned cognitive neuroscientist and award-winning author in the field of visual perception, has been very active in creative thinking and science-related issues for over thirty years. He has lectured extensively all over the world and has been a featured speaker at the TED conferences.
» Read Al Seckel's full bioFind Al in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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David Stokols
President and CEO
AMCI Group
David Stokols is President and CEO of the AMCI Group, based in Los Angeles, California. AMCI is a global company specializing in alternative marketing, product education, brand and culture building, and, product testing for the automotive industry. Offices are located in L.A., Detroit, N.Y., San Diego, London, Brussels and Beijing.
» Read David Stokols' full bioFind David in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Tom Szaky
CEO, Founder
Terracycle
Tom Szaky is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of TerraCycle, Inc., producer of the world's first products made from and packaged in waste. TerraCycle has won the Home Depot Environmental Stewardship award twice, and been named by multiple organizations as the most eco-friendly products in Mass Distribution.
» Read Tom Szaky's full bioFind Tom in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Russ Walker
Executive Editor
Grist
Russ Walker joined Grist as executive director in July 2008. Prior to Grist, he was assistant managing editor for nation and world at washingtonpost.com, where he managed a ten-person staff of editors, news producers, and reporters focused on building unique online components to complement the daily journalism of The Washington Post.
» Read Russ Walker's full bioFind Russ in the Opportunity Green Agenda:
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Haily Zaki (Blogging Live)
Writer
Inhabitat
Lacking the skills or the patience to be a designer herself, Haily Zaki is a PR maven, freelance writer and secret agent in Los Angeles who contents herself by promoting, writing about, and surrounding herself with great design. Besides running Secret Agent PR and working with some of the best architecture and design brands in LA, Haily is a contributing writer for The Architect's Newspaper, the Epoch Times, and any other publication that likes her story ideas. She's also a co-organizer of de LaB (design east of La Brea) - part design lab, part social experiment for creative professionals who work, live or play on the Eastside of Los Angeles.
