Future 500 | Stakeholder Engagement + Sustainability Experts

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Our 2024 Plans (at least some of them!)

Jessica Hammett

Fresh off a planning retreat, we wanted to share some of the goals and events we are planning so you know what to expect from us this year.

We will continue building on our 2023 work on operationalizing EJ (see our blog series), working with our partners to organize cross-sectoral and cross-functional peer-to-peer workshops on integrating EJ strategy throughout the business.

We will be engaging U.S. cross-partisan donors on obstruction of projects of all types, from solar and wind farms to CCS and H2, to new critical mineral mining, to help understand the implications for accelerating and scaling the energy transition.

Responsible Business USA

March 26-27, NYC

The flagship conference returns with a reinvigorated agenda – integrating purpose, communications, legal, finance, risk, and sustainability — unpacking the substance behind responsibe business. Join 650+ senior leaders tasked with ensuring their businesses are positioning for long-term durable financial and purpose-driven success. Learn more here!

We’re excited to participate again in Reuters’ Responsible Business Event in NYC, March 26-27. Our CEO, Erik Wohlgemuth, is moderating a panel of leaders from Albertsons and Manulife on How to take a stand, demonstrate impact, and inspire action in a polarized world.  

Related to this topic, Reuters recently published a whitepaper on companies operating in a world of rising political polarization, outlining how corporate leaders -- Schneider Electric, Oshkosh Corp, General Electric, WBCSD, and others - are working to identify the right tools to craft a transparent sustainability narrative that resonates in different business environments and with diverse stakeholder groups.

Download the complimentary whitepaper here.

GreenBiz

February 12-14, Phoenix AZ

Connect with a vibrant community of peers and trailblazers at GreenBiz 24 (Feb 12-14, Phoenix, AZ) — the premier gathering of sustainable business leaders seeking hands-on, tangible solutions. Choose from over 50 sessions to learn what’s next in decarbonization, supply chain, biodiversity and more. Apply the 10% discount code GB24F500 when you register here!

Our VP, Brendon Steele, will be participating again this year to engage with partners, friends and colleagues and network with new folks as we seek to learn from thought leaders.

Future 500’s Upcoming Events

Our Last and Next Virtual Corporate Gatherings:

CAN Virtual: February 2 @10amPT I 1pm ET

On February 2nd, we held our last corporate network virtual gathering on Anticipating Business Risk from the 2024 Election with Nils Gilman, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Programs for the Berggruen Institute, and the Deputy Editor of Noema Magazine.

We first hosted Nils (then with the Transition Integrity Project) in early 2020 when he shared a prescient set of scenario plans for potential conflict and violence associated with the 2020 Presidential Election and the potential business risks. We're pleased Nils is joining us again to share his outlook for 2024, including how companies should prepare to reduce risk and why and how he thinks business can be critical in promoting political stability in the U.S. and abroad.

CAN In-Person: Corporate Working Group, April 3-4, Atlanta, GA

Please join the Future 500 team and guest speakers this April 3-4 in Atlanta for our next in-person Corporate Working Group, where we'll dive into the evolving dynamics around nature-related disclosures with Dr. Helen Crowley, a natural systems expert based in London who is the Managing Director of Pollination and the former head of Sustainable Sourcing and Nature Initiatives for luxury goods maker, Kering.

We will explore corporate political responsibility with leaders from the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute and Business for America. And, we will continue exploring operationalizing Environmental Justice, sharing rapidly evolving NGO and investor expectations of companies on this and other issues stakeholders will hold companies to account for this year.

Our meeting discussions are confidential, facilitated under Chatham House Rule, designed thoughtfully to encourage people to speak up, ask tough questions, respectfully disagree, and teach others. Bring your ideas, challenges, and active participation, or don’t come at all!

We are finalizing our meeting space, hotel, and speakers, so check our website and social channels for updates. Looking ahead, we are planning subsequent corporate working groups in September in either Chicago or San Jose and in December in Washington, DC.

For more information on our corporate network or to join our virtual session as guest, please email Future 500 VP, Brendon Steele, at bsteele@future500.org.

CERAWeek

March 18-22, Houston TX

Several members of our team, Senior Fellows, and board members will be returning to CERAweek for the third straight year to moderate two panels:

  • How do we build trust between NGOs and the Energy Industry to enable the energy transition?

  • How are Major Donors and Foundations Tackling Energy Transition Challenges?

This is a critical audience to engage in accelerating the energy transition in alignment with social and environmental stakeholders.  

We hope to see some of you there!

Future 500 President Bill Shireman discussing energy transition

challenges with Van Jones last Fall in Houston

Recent Media that Grabbed Our Attention