Sustainability and social impact are at a crossroads in 2024. Acronyms that were once a rallying cry – ESG and DEI – have become charged and controversial. Yet stakeholder demands for responsible business practices have never been louder.
That’s why this October, Fortune is convening the leaders of today’s largest companies to arm them with the tools they need to support more sustainable efforts in the corporate world.
Global agreements on climate, nature, ESG regulation and DEI reporting are forcing companies to continue working on these topics even if, publicly, they turn to “greenhushing” to prevent a backlash. Together we will take a deep dive into these topics and more at our 2024 annual meeting.
2024 speakers will include former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams, Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Impossible Foods CEO Peter McGuinness, Microsoft Chief Diversity Officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, United Airlines Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Riley, Edelman CEO Richard Edelman, Pepsico Chief Science Officer Rene Lammers, and special dinner guest speaker Quavo, rapper, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Who Will Participate?
Senior leaders in Fortune 1000™ companies who have primary responsibility for ESG issues. Titles will include President/CEO, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officers, and senior titles in corporate responsibility, ethics, operations and compliance.
An Advisory Panel made up of the most influential leaders in the areas of diversity, environment and governance been created to direct and drive the critical issues under discussion.
To drive the development of new approaches, new skills, and new organizational structures providing maximum positive impact, Fortune has created the Fortune Impact Initiative™, a membership community dedicated to supporting executives who manage the risks and growth opportunities that put people, planet, and purpose at the core of their business strategies.
Find out how membership in the Impact Initiative can make a difference to you. We also invite you to join our group on LinkedIn here.
Overview
2024 discussion topics will include:
- From ESG to impact: the future of responsible investing
- ESG in the boardroom
- The evolution of global ESG regulation
- Aligning your social impact initiatives with business goals
- ESG accountability and global supply chains
- The DEI backlash and what comes next
- Purpose-driven leadership in an unprecedented global election year
- The political polarization of corporate America
- Sustainability as a business imperative
- The role of AI in social impact
- The clean energy transition
- Navigating DEI reporting and metrics
- Corporate biodiversity targets: the final frontier
- Combatting greenwashing
Impact Initiative Co-chairs
Indrani Sen
Senior Editor, Features, FORTUNE; Co-chair
Fortune Impact Initiative
Kristin Stoller
Editorial Director, Fortune Live Media; Co-chair
Fortune Impact Initiative
Phil Wahba
Senior Writer, FORTUNE; Co-chair
Fortune Impact Initiative
Molly Wood
Founder and CEO, Molly Wood Media; Co-chair
Fortune Impact Initiative
Agenda
DEIA Debate: Reimagining America's Future Workforce
As the landscape of diversity initiatives faces unprecedented legal challenges and mounting pressure from shareholders, the future of DEIA is at a crossroads. Some companies are retreating by cutting DEI roles, while others are doubling down, shifting to skills-based hiring to tap into the 60% of American workers without four-year degrees. As diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) strategies continue to evolve, we’ll explore three different perspectives on how the public and private sectors are redefining what it means to build a workforce that truly reflects America.
Debbie Dyson, Chief Executive Officer, OneTen
Zakiya Carr Johnson, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, US State Department
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Human Resource Management
Moderator: Phil Wahba, Senior Writer, FORTUNE; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
Building Climate-Ready Cities
By 2050, over two-thirds of the global population will live in cities, placing urban areas and their leaders at the forefront of climate change adaptation. American cities, supported by federal initiatives, are building resilience against floods, hurricanes, and extreme heat through innovative approaches like raising roads, restoring natural barriers, and pioneering water conservation techniques. This conversation will explore how municipal governments, in collaboration with state and federal partners, are driving efforts to protect urban populations, prioritize equity, and prepare for future climate challenges, ensuring that every community is equipped to thrive in a changing climate.
Andre Dickens, Mayor, Atlanta
Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor
Moderator: Sheryl Estrada, Senior Writer, Finance, Fortune
Sustainability Goals: Are Market Movers on Track?
As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, major corporations have set ambitious sustainability goals with well-publicized deadlines. But are they actually on track to meet them? Join us for a deep dive into the strategies and innovations market movers are implementing to achieve their targets–and why some companies are falling short.
Keith Dailey, Group Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kroger
Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer, Delta Air Lines
Rene Lammers, Chief Science Officer, PepsiCo
Moderator: Molly Wood, Founder and CEO, Molly Wood Media; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
The Price Tag of Sustainability
Balancing sustainability with affordability is a pressing challenge in our quest for a greener future. What strategies and innovations are essential to keep sustainable food and energy within reach? With 19 million Americans living in food deserts and power bills on the rise, how can we make eco-friendly choices more accessible and affordable for everyone?
Jason Buechel, Chief Executive Officer, Whole Foods Market
Calvin Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Exelon
Moderator: Indrani Sen, Senior Features Editor, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune Impact Initiative
Co-hosted by EVERFI from Blackbaud
A Rapper's Tragedy Turned Advocacy: Quavo's Mission To End Gun Violence
The sight of his nephew being shot and killed outside a private party in Houston in 2022 was the catalyst for rapper Quavo to join the fight to end gun violence in the United States. The Grammy-nominee has since set up a foundation to further this initiative, using his platform to gain awareness for the cause. He’s disbursed nearly $300,000 in grants and partnered with prominent thought leaders and organizations, including Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House Office of Gun Violence. As a special dinner guest speaker, Quavo will discuss what he refers to as “his calling” in a year where more than 5,000 people have died in U.S. gun violence.
Special Dinner Conversation With Quavo, Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist
Moderator: Kristin Stoller, Editorial Director, Fortune
Membership Benefits
The Fortune Impact Initiative™ is a membership community dedicated to supporting executives who manage the risks and growth opportunities that put people, planet, and purpose at the core of their business strategies.
Benefits Include:
Member Networking
- Impact Initiative Annual Meeting (October 2024, Atlanta, GA): The Annual Meeting is a forum for supporting and connecting senior executives responsible for ESG. This meeting will help these leaders build expertise and a holistic understanding of the implementation and measurement of ESG practices across all areas of their business.
- Virtual Calls: These calls provide a forum for Impact members to share ideas and approaches with their peers. They are led by influential leaders in the areas of diversity, environment, and governance to direct and drive the critical issues under discussion.
- Membership Directory: The directory is a valuable tool to view and connect with your peers.
- LinkedIn Groups: Provide both public and private pages so members may network and discuss top of mind topics.
Editorial Coverage
- Fortune.com: Fortune will run an editorial report following the conclusion of the Impact Initiative Annual Meeting.
- Impact Channels: Members will be highlighted on Fortune.com and the Conferences site.
- Impact Newsletter: This newsletter, written by Fortune Executive Editor Peter Vanham, is your source for ESG content.
Fortune Access
- Premium-level Access across Fortune Media Platforms: These platforms allow access to subscriber-only journalism online; an immersive video portal, including every Fortune conference via livestream or on demand; and proprietary research each week.
- Discounted Invitations and Special Opportunities: This benefit allows you to attend select Fortune events throughout the membership year. These events bring leaders together across a variety of industries and disciplines to set the global business agenda and obtain information they need to run their businesses.
Contact Us
The FORTUNE Impact Initiative program is developed with the guidance of FORTUNE editors, whose journalistic perspective provides unique insights into the key trends and dynamic people that are driving business. The program is tailored to the immediate needs of its audience, with themes and speakers carefully selected to deliver maximum value.
For Speaker Inquiries:
To suggest a speaker for Impact Initiative, please complete the form at the link below. There are no exact deadlines for speaker submissions.
Click here to suggest a speaker.
For Participation:
Participation in the Impact Initiative is by invitation only, and subject to approval. The registration fee of $3,500 includes the complete program, activities, scheduled meals, and conference materials.
Email: ImpactInitiative@fortune.com
For Press Inquiries:
Patrick Reilly
patrick.reilly@fortune.com
Amy Galleazzi
amy.galleazzi@consultant.fortune.com
For Sponsorship Inquiries:
Elizabeth Parks
Monica Sembler
E-mail: fortunesponsorships@fortune.com