Agenda: 2024 Business Solves Conference

AGENDA

Sessions and exact timing are subject to change until closer to the event date. Check back regularly for exciting speaker updates.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

2:00 p.m.: Doors Open

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

2024 Citizens Awards Finalist Showcase | Lee Anderson Room

Kick off the 2024 Business Solves Conference with an interactive hour of rich networking and a stroll through our 2024 Citizens Awards finalist exhibition.

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Opening Keynote Series | Great Hall

Tom Kane

Professor of Education

Harvard Graduate School of Education

3:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Corporate Citizens Strengthening Communities | Great Hall

This fast-paced featured event will include 2024 Citizens Awards winner announcements, networking intermissions, and Corporate Citizenship Hall of Fame interactive vignettes.

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Celebratory Reception | Lee Anderson Room

Stay for our popular celebratory reception for award winners and finalists, sponsors, speakers, and registrants. Elegant catering will be provided and networking opportunities will be plentiful.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast | Lee Anderson Room

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Opening Address | Great Hall

Spotlight On: Leading Through Business

9:10 - 9:25 a.m.

Purpose Talk: Why the Future Relies on Purpose-Centered Professionals | Great Hall

We're now living and working in the 4th major economic era, the Purpose Economy, according to social entrepreneur and author Aaron Hurst. As emerging technologies become mainstream, communities experience rapid change, and complex societal challenges persist, purpose-driven leaders will help guide solutions for today and tomorrow. By attending Business Solves, you’ll hear exclusive context and ideas from Aaron Hurst on what it means to lead with purpose. Learn how harnessing this leadership potential can build stronger organizations and communities.

Aaron Hurst

Social Entrepreneur, Author, and Founder

9:25 - 10:10 a.m.

Answering the Call to Elevate Civic Participation | Great Hall

This two-part session will involve you—the audience! Put your thinking cap on and get ready to participate in a special conference edition of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Civics Bee^®, complete with friendly competition and prizes. After the competition, business leaders will discuss why civic engagement matters for their organization and the steps others can take to get started.

Collaborative Civics with:

Damon Young

Chief Business Officer

Kansas Leadership Center

Civic Leadership in the Business Community

Janice Brunner

Group General Counsel and Head of Civic Engagement

Travelers

Dave Leichtman

Director of Corporate Civic Responsibility

Microsoft

Larry Kidd

CEO

:hire

In conversation with:

Hilary Crow

Vice President, Civics

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

10:10 - 10:40 a.m.

Tapping into the Leadership Potential of Potential Talent Pools | Great Hall

Spotlight On: Empowering People

10:50 - 11:05 a.m.

Innovation That Serves - Demo | Great Hall

The Washing Machine Project is a grassroots social enterprise aiming to alleviate the burden of handwashing clothes and empower women by providing remote, low income and displaced communities with an accessible, off-grid washing solution. The Divya Washing Machine.

Navjot Sawhney

Founder and CEO

The Washing Machine Project

Career Pathways for Today's Economy | Great Hall

Our expert panelists will explore proven strategies that help students and workers forge successful careers, whether that’s through gaining education for today’s economy or upskilling and reskilling for evolving business needs and employee roles. Learn how these approaches benefit individuals, strengthen organizations, and contribute to a stronger economy.

Aisha Francis, PhD

President

Franklin Cummings Tech

Amy Nakamoto

EVP and General Manager, Social Impact

Discovery Education

Nan Gibson

Executive Director, PolicyCenter

JPMorgan Chase

In conversation with:

Jaimie Francis

Vice President

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Achieving Economic Mobility Through Entrepreneurship | Great Hall

Vivian Greentree

SVP, Head of Global Corporate Citizenship

Fiserv

Ann-Marie McIntosh

Vice President of Global Brand

FedEx

Sally McCrady

Chair and President

PNC Foundation

Spotlight On: Transforming Communities

GIS: Visualizing the Complexity of Societal Challenges | Great Hall

In this visual presentation by Esri's Brian Cross, head of the Professional Services division, learn how geographic information systems (GIS) help social-impact professionals visualize the complexity of problems and make better decisions toward long-term solutions.

Brian Cross

Director

Esri

Innovation That Serves - Fireside Chat | Great Hall

Ever wondered how to start a social enterprise inside your own organization? Go inside PepsiCo Foundation's food security social enterprise, Food for Good, with Andrea Moribe, PepsiCo Foundation Director of Operations and Impact.

Andrea Moribe

General Manager, Food for Good

PepsiCo Foundation

Business Priorities That Create Community Impact | Great Hall

This panel will share examples from companies that have recently transformed their corporate citizenship approach by doubling down on their business priorities and leading with their unique purpose.

Randy Bumps

VP, Global Affairs and Public Relations

RTX

In Conversation With:

Marc DeCourcey

SVP

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Cleaning and Greening Our Communities | Great Hall

Through multi-stakeholder partnerships, much is being done to preserve our land, sea, and air, and to unlock the innovation required to solve complex environmental challenges. Learn about the results of cross-sector programs that are creating sustainable improvements to protect our natural resources in communities.

Advancing Resilient Communities | Great Hall

As large-scale disasters become more frequent, taking proactive steps to build resilience can reduce risk and lessen their impacts. Recent data shows every $1 invested in disaster preparation saves $13 in damages, cleanup costs, and economic impact. On this panel, leaders from business, government, and NGOs will discuss the challenges they face in fortifying communities and ongoing solutions to achieve true resilience.