Day 3: Finance & Economy
The transition to a sustainable economy depends on smart financial strategies. This day will bring together investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore how funding mechanisms can accelerate the shift toward a green economy.
Since the venue has limited seating, tickets will be given through a lottery system. If you've been accepted to join us at this DC Climate Week's hub location, you will be notified by April 22nd.
Day 3 Agenda
9:30AM – 10:00AM | Registration + Networking
10:00AM-10:30AM EST // Welcome from DCCW and Opening Keynote from Maria Lettini, CEO of US SIF
10:30AM-11:15AM EST // Tapping the Urban Mine: Incentivizing & Scaling Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Led by members of the Circular Supply Chain Coalition, this session will provide key insights, implementation best practices, and context on the latest developments taking place at the intersection of critical mineral supply chains, decarbonization, and environmental justice. Consisting of corporate leaders from leading logistics and technology companies, policymakers and curators from the EU and the United States, and key voices from the environmental justice community, this interactive session will allow you to engage all stakeholders across the supply chain.
Speakers:
John Holm, Senior Vice President, Partnership Development, Pyxera (moderator)
Vanessa Miler-Fels, CSO, Schneider Electric
Rachel Kibbe, CEO of Circular Services Group
Alan Young, Canada Rep
Francesco Maria Graziani, EU Delegation to the United States
11:15AM-11:25AM EST // 10 Min Break
11:25AM-12:00PM EST // Unlocking Capital for Conservation and Climate Resilience
Through a panel discussion with The Nature Conservancy, we’ll examine how capital can be mobilized to support conservation efforts through debt-for-nature swaps, bridge funding gaps, and ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Speakers:
Campbell Moore, Managing Director, The Nature Conservancy
Pajani Singah, Co-Founder, Amazonia Impact Ventures
Andrew Don, Director, Cordillera
David Akana, Program Director, Mongabay Africa (moderator)
12:00PM-12:30PM EST // Unlocking Fair Financing for Energy Transition in Global South
Join Vidya Viswanathan (Harvard University, Global Witness) for a fireside chat with Zeineb Ben Yahmed (Climate Policy Initiative) and Aly Rahim Zulfycar (World Bank) on the challenges and opportunities in unlocking capital for the energy transition in emerging markets. Drawing from ongoing research and practical initiatives, the discussion will explore strategies to mobilize public and private investment across borders, manage financial risks, strengthen stakeholder alignment, enhance accountability of climate finance flows, and channel funding toward just transition goals.
Speakers
Vidya Viswanathan, Member of Board of Directors at Global Witness Foundation, Researcher – Centre for Responsible Investing, Harvard University (moderator)
Aly Rahim , Program Manager, CIVIC: The Civil Society and Social Innovation Alliance.
Zeineb Ben Yahmed, Development & Climate Finance Specialist, Climate Policy Initiative
12:30PM-1:30PM EST // Lunch
1:30PM-2:25PM EST // Interactive Activity: Bridging the Funding Gap in Climate Innovation
Join this interactive session hosted by CIFAR where participants simulate decision-making for seed funding allocations, fostering creative problem-solving and collaboration.
Speakers
Nelly Ramírez-Moncada, CIFAR Secretariat Co-Lead
Amolo Ngweno, CEO of BFA Global (moderator)
Amanda Lonsdale, CEO, Magnitude Global Finance
Daniel Block, Partner, Mercy Corp Ventures
CJ Juhasz, Managing Partner, WWB Asset Management
Michelle Lee, Senior Analyst, Climate Policy Initiative
2:25PM-3:15PM EST // Financing the Future: Building a Resilient Small Business Economy Through Green Investment
Join WACIF for a panel on green financing solutions for small businesses. Explore strategies to expand capital access, support sustainability initiatives, and leverage local and federal funding. The session will also highlight new research on how local organizations can enhance their support for businesses committed to environmental responsibility.
Speakers:
Shannan Herbert, CEO, WACIF (moderator)
Sri Sekar, Chief Investment Officer, DC Greenbank
Megan Carras, Head of Sustainability, WACIF
JB Behrens, Capital Innovation Lead & Loan Officer, Latino Economic Development Center
3:15PM-3:30PM EST // 15 Min Break
3:30PM-4:20PM EST // VC Insights for a Sustainable Future
Venture capital is playing a pivotal role in scaling climate solutions—from carbon removal to clean energy and sustainable agriculture. This panel brings together top climate investors to explore where capital is flowing, how impact is measured, and what it takes for startups to succeed. Join us for a candid conversation on the risks, returns, and realities of funding a net-zero future.
Nick Albanese, VP of Research and Strategy, The Westly Group
Kevin Webb, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Superorganism
Lee Scott, Principal, Trellis Climate
4:20PM-5:00PM EST // Fireside Chat: The Intersection of Climate Finance and Hunger
Join Bread for the World for a fireside chat exploring the critical intersection of climate finance and global hunger. This timely discussion will feature Rev. Eugene Cho, CEO of Bread for the World, in conversation with Kavita Sinhaof the Green Climate Fund, bringing together deep expertise on financial solutions for food security and climate resilience.
Speakers:
Kavita Sinha, the Director of the Private Sector Facility, CEO Green Climate Fund
Rev. Eugene Cho, CEO of Bread for the World (moderator)
5:00PM-5:20PM EST // Closing Remarks from Jackie Roberts, Moderated by Angela Barranco from Climate Group
5:20pm EST // Closing Happy Hour Reception & Exhibition
The speakers and organizations participating during the DC Climate Week event do not represent the views of the event space hosts or DC Climate Week.