Sustainability Insights for You:
UNH Alumni Sustainability Webinar Series
In this webinar series, you’ll hear from UNH alumni who are leading experts in sustainability across industries and sectors. They’ll share diverse perspectives on the key trends, and you’ll gain practical knowledge that you can use professionally and personally.
While sustainability challenges can feel overwhelming - climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, growing inequality, food insecurity, global pandemic - there is exciting collaborative action taking place world-wide and across the private, public and non-profit sectors to bring forward innovative solutions.
More than 25 years ago, UNH committed to sustainability action and impact. Today, you can be proud to know UNH is leading the way. We’re one of the most sustainable schools in the country and one of just a handful to achieve STARS Platinum rating, so it’s especially fitting that we’re bringing together alumni around sustainability topics.
The webinar series is a partnership of UNH’s Sustainability Institute and Alumni Relations.
Alumni Webinar Series Dates
2025-2026 dates coming soon!
Past Webinars & Recordings
Can Corporate Supply Chains Change the World?
For most companies, much of their environmental and social impact occurs within their supply chain. When making purchases, have you ever considered where the raw materials come from? Or who was involved in harvesting, assembling or processing those materials? Join this conversation to learn how companies can engage with the people and places in their supply chains for positive impact for people and planet, and how you can personally support this work by rethinking how and from where you purchase. Speakers include:
- Theresa McKenney ’14, ‘15G, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs, Nemo Equipment
- Josh Austin ‘05, Sr. Manager, Sustainability, High Liner Foods
- Topher Mallory ‘02, CEO, Mexicali Blues Inc.
Policy for Future Generations
We are delighted to bring you a timely event that will discuss the policy we need for a sustainable future – a future that ensures a prosperous economy, resilient infrastructure, and the healthy, thriving ecosystems on which we all depend. We are delighted to introduce Dr. Stephen Bird, the new Director of the Carsey School of Public Policy to the UNH Sustainability Alumni Community. Dr. Bird will be in discussion with Dr. Fiona Wilson, UNH’s Chief Sustainability Officer, as well as leading UNH alumni with expertise at the intersection of sustainability and public policy. Speakers include:
- Dr. Stephen Bird, Director of the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy
- Corley Kenna ‘00, Head of Communications and Policy, Patagonia
- Jennifer C. Jenkins, '98 Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Rubicon Carbon
Hidden Toxics in Our Products & the Transition to Green Chemistry
Ever wondered about the presence of toxic chemicals in our daily lives? What may we be exposed to, what actions are being taken, and what steps can we personally take to limit our exposure? Join us to hear insights from leaders in this space to learn what you should be aware of, ongoing initiatives to help us make smarter choices, and what’s needed for a transition to a green chemistry future. We'll be joined by:
- Ali (Alexandra) McPherson ‘96, Director of the Investor Environmental Health Network, Clean Production Action
- Jeffrey Kohn ‘92, Branch Supervisor of the Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Branch, Environmental Protection Agency
- Stacy Malkan ‘90, Co-founder, managing editor, U.S. Right to Know, author of the book Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry
The State of Sustainability 2023: How Leaders are Responding
Our dynamic panel of UNH alumni, who are sustainability leaders for a range of organizations across sectors, will help us take a broad perspective and the long view. Together, we'll discuss what is on the horizon, grapple with some key issues, and take a look at trends and opportunities.
- Catherine A. Saunders ‘83, Head of Corporate Sustainability and Public Policy, Putnam Investments
- Ryan McPherson '96, Chief Sustainability Officer, University at Buffalo
- Ted Lague ‘11, Director of ESG, Merchants Fleet
The Future of the Transportation Transition
Transportation accounts for almost 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor of U.S. GHG emissions. As the urgency of the climate crisis becomes ever more apparent, the auto industry is accelerating their transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) bringing growing choices for consumers and organizations for fleet vehicles. At the same time, many complexities and issues remain – consumers’ range anxiety, widespread availability of charging stations, and environmental impact of battery materials to name but a few.
In this webinar you will have the opportunity to learn from executives working at the heart of the EV transition – executives who have worked for some of the world’s largest automakers, consultants, entrepreneurs and innovators, to unpack and understand trends in the EV space. Speakers include:
- John Jorn Stech '93, Founder & Principal Shiftgate Consulting
- Daniel Zube '05, Entrepreneur & Inventor
- Daniel C. Zotos '14, Senior Manager of Public Affairs & Advocacy, Redwood Materials
The Role of Entrepreneurs in Building a Sustainable Future
This month’s webinar is a special edition, focusing on the pivotal role that innovators and entrepreneurs play in addressing some of the world’s most complex and pressing problems. You will hear from Dr. Paige Balcom '16, Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CTO of Takataka Plastics, as well as have a ringside seat for the announcement of the winners of the 2023 UNH Social Venture Innovation Challenge (SVIC) and learn about the range of exciting concepts developed by some of UNH’s most passionate and talented students. This is the ultimate “inspiration prescription” – an hour guaranteed to give us all hope amid the dark days of winter!
About Paige
UNH alumna Dr. Paige Balcom ’16 has been named the 2023 Social Innovator of the Year by the University of New Hampshire. The award is among the university’s most prestigious, recognizing leaders with a demonstrated commitment to combining the purpose of a social and/or environmental mission with the rigor and accountability of a financially sustainable, scalable model for change.
Paige’s award as Social Innovator of the Year is especially meaningful as the Londonderry, NH native was a 2015 SVIC winner, part of an interdisciplinary team, Project OASIS, who presented the idea to provide families with fresh vegetables and fish-based protein by developing a low cost, easily maintainable aquaponics system that runs on renewable energy. Paige graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2016 and has been making an impact ever since.
Paige holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley where she focused on Energy Science and Technology & Development Engineering. She has a deep passion for using engineering and entrepreneurship to create jobs and help improve people’s lives. Paige is also a lecturer at Gulu University in Uganda.
Paige pitched on Shark Tank and has received several fellowships and awards including those from the National Science Foundation, UC Berkeley, Fulbright Program, USAID, the Institute of International Education, and the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize.
Unveiling the Current State of Waste and Recycling
Join us to hear key insights from UNH alumni who are leaders in the waste and recycling industry - a topic that affects us all! They'll discuss the current state of the industry and share thoughts on where it needs to head for a sustainable future. Speakers include Mikey Pasciuto ’21, Co-Founder, Scrapp.
