Sustainability Speakers

Professor Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Peace Laureate (2006) and the founder of Grameen Bank and the concept of social business. Fortune Magazine named him "one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time" for his constant innovation. He is one of only seven individuals in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. His books, including A World of Three Zeroes, provide a blueprint for a new kind of capitalism based on zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions.

Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Fellow and #1 New York Times bestselling author who discovered the world’s "Blue Zones"—the regions of exceptional longevity. He is the Host and Co-producer of the Emmy-winning Netflix series, Live to 100. He is a 3x Guinness World Record holder for distance cycling, lending credibility to his focus on health and endurance. As a keynote speaker, Buettner provides research-backed strategies on longevity, well-being, and happiness, and the core lifestyle changes needed to dramatically improve the health of entire communities.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is a globally celebrated Indian couturier, the founder of the Sabyasachi label, and the only Indian designer to showcase at New York, Milan, and London Fashion Weeks. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and an expert in high-end Indian textiles and global brand positioning. His recent collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan at the Met Gala highlighted his focus on empowering personal expression through custom design.

Janine Benyus is a biologist and the author of the best-selling book, Biomimicry. She is a leading voice on sustainable innovation and the co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute. Her work is a powerful counterpoint to a world of corporate shortsightedness. A compelling keynote speaker, Benyus provides a clear and intellectual overview of the principles of biomimicry, sustainable innovation, and the importance of a more human-centered approach to business. She speaks on leadership, design, and the future of business, offering audiences a clear roadmap for success. Her talks are ideal for leaders and teams.

Henrik von Scheel is the leading architect of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)" and the strategist behind the European Commission’s “Digital Agenda.” His work has influenced 23% of Fortune 500 companies. Recognized as the “most influential management thinker of our times” by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, his keynotes provide the strategic blueprint for Digital Transformation, Decentralized Finance, and Smart Connected Factories in the Industry 4.0 era.

Amy Myers Jaffe is a leading global expert on energy policy, sustainability, and geopolitical risk. She is the Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at NYU and a contributing columnist for The Wall Street Journal. The author of Energy’s Digital Future, she advises major corporations, institutional investors, and multinational agencies globally. Her keynotes provide actionable strategies for navigating the energy transition, managing climate risk in investing, and understanding the global implications of U.S. energy policy and the revolutionary role of AI in the future energy system.

Leyla Acaroglu is a sociologist, a designer, and a leading voice on sustainability, innovation, and social change. She is the founder of Disrupt Design, a company that provides tools and training to help people and organizations create a more sustainable and resilient future. Her work is a powerful counterpoint to a world of corporate shortsightedness. A compelling keynote speaker, Acaroglu provides a clear and intellectual overview of the principles of sustainable design, innovation, and social change. She speaks on leadership, organizational culture, and the importance of a more human-centered approach to business. Her talks are ideal for leaders and teams.

Jeremy Rifkin is an influential American economist and the author of 20 bestsellers, including The Zero Marginal Cost Society and The Third Industrial Revolution. As an economic advisor to the European Union and the People's Republic of China, he guides nations on building a sustainable, low-carbon economy. His keynotes provide cutting-edge insights on globalization, energy security, and the strategic deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) for a Collaborative Commons.

Dr. George Serafeim is a Professor at Harvard Business School and a world-leading authority on ESG strategy. He is a pioneer in building the data around ESG issues and advancing the field of sustainable finance. Co-founder of KKS Advisors, he consults with boards and executives on developing effective sustainability strategies and performance measurements. Named one of the most influential people in ESG investing by Barron’s, his keynotes provide crucial insights on how to build a competitive and sustainable future through robust, data-driven ESG integration.

Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS and the pioneer of the One for One business model, which integrates social giving into the core of a for-profit enterprise. His venture has provided tens of millions of shoes and sight-restoring services globally. The New York Times bestselling author of Start Something That Matters, Mycoskie is a global advocate for purpose-driven business. As a speaker, he shares his story of innovation and perseverance, providing audiences with a blueprint for building a sustainable, profitable company while simultaneously making a profound social impact.

Martin Eberhard is the Co-founder and former CEO of Tesla Motors, where he spearheaded the development of the groundbreaking Tesla Roadster. He is a leading expert on sustainable technology and EV market disruption. With a strong background in electrical engineering and computer science, his expertise lies in automotive innovation and battery technology. His keynotes provide invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, the future of transportation, and the strategic imperatives for leaders navigating the accelerating transition to renewable energy.

Tony Seba is a top-ranked futurist, Amazon bestselling author, and the Co-founder of the think tank RethinkX. He is a world-renowned forecaster of disruptions in energy and transportation.

Adrian Grenier is a famous actor best known for his role in Entourage and his work as a director and filmmaker. He is a prominent advocate for environmental consciousness and sustainable living. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Environment Program and co-founded SHFT.COM, an online community for environmentally responsible consumption. His keynotes inspire audiences to achieve social good by demonstrating how to apply a passion for the environment to both personal and professional life.

Dr. Sylvia Earle, dubbed “Her Deepness,” is a revered oceanographer, former Chief Scientist of NOAA, and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. She holds the record for the deepest untethered walk on the sea floor. A winner of the 2009 TED Prize, Earle is the founder and Chairman of the Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance, dedicated to creating a global network of "Hope Spots" for ocean protection. Her keynotes are a compelling call to action on marine conservation and the urgent need to address the threat of climate change on the "blue heart of the planet."

Dr. Alex Edmans is a Professor of Finance at LBS and a leading expert on responsible business and ESG. His book, Grow the Pie, has been translated into nine languages, and he is a Fellow of the British Academy. As a keynote speaker, his TED Talks have a combined 3 million views on topics like The Social Responsibility of Business and trust in a post-truth world. He provides senior leaders with actionable, research-backed strategies for integrating purpose and profit and navigating the biases inherent in stories, statistics, and studies.

Rebecca Henderson is an influential economist and a professor at Harvard Business School. She is a leading authority on organizational and strategic change, focusing her research on the role of purpose-driven firms in building a more sustainable economy. Her book, Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire, was shortlisted for the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year. As a speaker, she provides a new intellectual framework and a plausible path forward for business leaders, offering both the urgency and the hope needed to solve complex global challenges like climate change.

Sony Kapoor is an influential economist, finance professional, and sustainability expert with a two-decade track record in policy and business. He is the Director of the international think tank RE-DEFINE. His leadership in tackling the eurocrisis and promoting financial reform has been widely recognized. As a highly sought-after speaker, he leverages his unique background—including his role as a Special Adviser to the UN on Green Finance—to provide strategic, multi-disciplinary insights into sustainable finance, economic policy, and global development.

Arundhati Bhattacharya is the first woman Chairman of SBI and the current CEO of Salesforce, India. She is the recipient of the Padma Shri and has been ranked by Fortune among the World's Greatest Leaders. An expert in banking and technology, she spearheaded the launch of Mobile Banking at SBI and introduced sabbatical leave for women employees. Her keynotes provide strategic, high-level insights on corporate leadership, digital transformation, and empowering the challenged and differently abled for societal integration.