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