Thursday, July 11, 2024
180 Maiden Lane
10038 NY – 1st floor
6pm-7:30pm ET
The impacts of climate change are increasingly upon us – from extreme heat to drought to fires. To continue to thrive on our planet for the long-term it is necessary to work together—governments, companies, civil society, and individuals—to reduce the carbon emissions causing climate change and enable the energy transition.
Whether due to the nature of our job, or if we have adequate tree cover in our neighborhood, or if we have access to safe and stable housing, or the historical burden of pollution where we live, each individual and community is impacted differently. How can we support environmental and climate justice? How can we work together to create more resiliency and protect the health and well-being, as well as livelihoods of people living in vulnerable areas? This starts with understanding the systemic reasons behind these historical and ongoing inequities and then working together to address them and build equitable solutions.
In parallel, as governments and companies accelerate their move away from a fossil-fuel- based energy system and towards a clean, renewable energy system, there is a need to foster policies that share the benefits and opportunities of the green transition. This includes access to good jobs with health and safety protections and fair wages and benefits, as well as education and training to make the transition to new green jobs. What is already happening to secure this future, and what more is needed? What role do we have as consumers, investors, and community members to help make a difference?
Join Domini Impact Investments for a lively discussion with Domini’s CEO and Engagement Director and NY-based not-for-profit organizations: WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Solar One and to learn about the role of workers and communities in paving the way for a just and equitable transition for all.
About Domini
Domini Impact Investments LLC (“Domini”) is a women-led SEC registered investment adviser that harnesses the power of finance to help create a better world. With an exclusive focus on impact investing, we aim to help drive positive outcomes for our planet and its people while seeking competitive financial returns. Our continuous innovation and caring, diverse community fuel tomorrow’s prosperity as we endeavor to make “investing for good” the way all investing is done.
About WE ACT for Environmental Justice
WE ACT’s mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT envisions a community that has:
- informed and engaged residents who participate fully in decision-making on key issues that impact their health and community.
- strong and equal environmental protections.
- increased environmental health through community-based participatory research and evidence-based campaigns.
About Solar One
Solar One is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to design and deliver innovative education, training, and technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. We facilitate learning that changes the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging diverse program participants. Our programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a climate-change impacted world.
Speakers
Carole Laible, CEO, will provide opening and closing remarks.
Peggy Shepard
Co-founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Peggy Shepard is co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and has a long history of organizing and engaging Northern Manhattan residents in community-based planning and campaigns to address environmental protection and environmental health policy locally and nationally. She has successfully combined grassroots organizing, environmental advocacy, and environmental health community-based participatory research to become a national leader in advancing environmental policy and the perspective of environmental justice in urban communities — to ensure that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment extends to all.
Mrs. Shepard has been named co-chair of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council as well as chair of the New York City Environmental Justice Advisory Board, and was the first female chair of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the National Black Environmental Justice Network and the Board of Advisors of the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Her work has received broad recognition: the Jane Jacobs Medal from the Rockefeller Foundation for Lifetime Achievement, the 10th Annual Heinz Award For the Environment, the William K. Reilly Award for Environmental Leadership, the Knight of the National Order of Merit from the French Republic, the Damu Smith Power of One Award, the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, and Honorary Doctorates from Smith College and Lawrence University.
Sara Radelet
Chief External Affairs Officer, Solar One
Sara Radelet is Chief External Affairs Officer for Solar One as of February 2024 (after serving as Development Director from 2021-2023). Sara leads on communications, fundraising and partnership development in support of the organization’s operations and programs. Sara has 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on fundraising and organizational management, with prior work in fields of climate change and environment, higher education, and the arts. Prior to joining Solar One, Sara served as Head of Fundraising for C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (in London and New York), and was previously Advancement Coordinator at the American University of Paris. Prior posts include serving as the founding Executive Director of the New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh; and serving as Assistant Director of the Mattress Factory, a cutting-edge artist residency space and arts museum. Sara serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Artists Image Resource printmaking studio, and is a member of Impact 100 NY, serving as a co-chair of a grants review committee. Sara holds a BA in the Liberal Arts from The George Washington University and is a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.
Michaela Ritz
Career Technical Education Program Manager, Solar One
Michaela Ritz is a proud Bronx resident dedicated to cultivating people and the planet. Joining Solar One in 2021, she began as an Environmental Educator and currently serves as the Career Technical Education Program Manager. Michaela has developed years of experience in the areas of youth development, urban agriculture, and community engagement. She has worked with environmentally-aligned organizations such as Rocking the Boat, Wave Hill, and her family’s own non-profit Green Bronx Machine. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences and a minor in Environmental Studies from Skidmore College. When Michaela’s not on the job, she often can be found taking photos or spending time outside adventuring through the city.
Mary Beth Gallagher
Director of Engagement, Domini
Mary Beth Gallagher is responsible for leading Domini’s engagement efforts with portfolio companies, broader stakeholder groups and policy makers, as well as developing initiatives and campaigns in areas such as human rights, climate change mitigation, deforestation, biodiversity, health, and racial justice. In Domini’s work to advance ecological sustainability, Ms. Gallagher encourages companies to adopt policies and practices that advance the low-carbon transition, also in alignment with the needs of workers and community stakeholders.
Ms. Gallagher represents Domini on the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation Advisory Board and the Launching Investor Group for Nature Action 100. She holds a B.S. in environmental science from Boston College and a J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University. She is a Member of the New York Bar, admitted in 2009.