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2024 Planet Forward Summit Logo

SOLUTIONS
FOR SURVIVAL

STORYTELLING AND CREATIVITY
TO SAVE THE PLANET

APRIL 18 & 19, 2024

THE JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM

AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

Thanks so much for attending the Summit!

Event Info
We're in an urgent search for solutions.
 
How can you break through the noise and inspire change?

Join us this April at the Planet Forward Summit and see how creativity and storytelling can spark hope and action.

Learn from experts, advocates, storytellers and students. 

Engage your imagination.
Unleash your
potential.


This is about survival.
Agenda

AGENDA

Thursday, April 18

8:30 am - NETWORKING & BREAKFAST

805 21st. St. NW, 2nd floor atrium

9:30 am - MORNING SEGMENT

805 21st. St. NW, Jack Morton Auditorium

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

Katrina Nicole Green, Indigenous Youth Climate Resiliency Through Public Policy Program

WELCOME REMARKS

Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward

Ellen M. Granberg, President, George Washington University

Dr. Imani M. Cheers, Associate Professor, GW School of Media and Public Affairs

 

      10:10 am - HOW WE DID IT: CRAFTING COMPELLING NARRATIVES FROM THE FIELD

Libby Mohn, Planet Forward Correspondent, Middlebury Institute of International Studies

Farron Taijeron, Planet Forward Contributor, University of Guam

Owen Volk, Planet Forward Senior Correspondent, SUNY ESF

MODERATOR: Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer, National Geographic Society

 

      10:35 am - HOW WE FRAME IT: CRAFTING YOUR STORY WITH INTENTION

OPENING REMARKS: Jessica Stahl, Editor for Creative Storytelling, Grist

Rachel Frazin, Energy and Environment Reporter, The Hill

Jesse J. Holland, Associate Director & Assistant Professor, School of Media & Public Affairs, George Washington University

MODERATOR: Tyler Hickman, Planet Forward Correspondent, CU-Boulder

 

      10:40 am - EXPLORER'S STORY: ON THE FRONTIERS OF DISCOVERY

      10:50 am - HOW WE TOLD IT: TURNING VITAL DATA INTO MOVING STORIES

Juan Declet-Barreto, Union of Concerned Scientists

Anna Shah, Planet Forward Contributor, George Washington University

Dr. Neelu Tummala, Co-Director, Climate Health Institute, George Washington University

MODERATOR: Matt ScottDirector of Storytelling and Engagement, Project Drawdown

 

      11:15 am - HOW WE INVENT IT: NEW VENTURE COMPETITION STUDENT WINNERS

Q&A with the winners of GW's New Venture Competition

 

      11:25 am - HOW WE TACKLE IT: STORIES OF COMPLEXITY, SCIENCE, AND THE FUTURE

INTRODUCING: Cassandra Garber, VP, Corporate Sustainability & ESG, Dell Technologies

Artealia Gilliard, Environmental Leadership & Sustainability Communications & Advocacy, Ford Motor Company

Joshua Panganiban, Renewables Lead Project Manager, NextEra Energy Resources

MODERATOR: Frank Sesno, Founding Director, Planet Forward 

     12:00 pm - LUNCH & KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

800 21st. St. NW, Grand Ballroom

*Lunch is first come, first served

Aparna Mukherjee, Executive Director, Society of Environmental Journalists

        1:45 pm - WELCOME BACK

Jack Morton Auditorium

 

IlíIAITCHIK: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INDIGENOUS CORRESPONDENTS PROGRAM

Abby Burgess, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program; Dartmouth College

Mickki Garrity, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program; University of Minnesota

Nizhoni Tallas, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program; University of Arizona

MODERATOR: Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso, Mentor and Editor, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program

        2:05 pm - KEYNOTE: VISUAL STORYTELLING WITH A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC  PHOTOGRAPHER

Andrea Bruce, Photojournalist, Educator, Artist & Write

 

        2:30 pm - EMBRACING CREATIVITY: BE DIFFERENT, BE MEMORABLE​

Joy Reeves, Planet Forward Correspondent, Duke University

Mykah Scott, Planet Forward Correspondent, Tuskegee University

Chris Zatarain, Planet Forward Sr. Correspondent, University of Arizona

MODERATOR: Michelle McCauley, Provost, Middlebury College

        2:55 pm - ANNOUNCEMENT: The Storyfest Winners!!

 

        3:35 pm - BREAK: NETWORKING, COFFEE & SNACKS

 

        4:00 pm - SPECIAL ADVANCED SCREENING!

A Ted Turner Screening: A sneak preview of a new feature film, coming soon to CNN: Blue Carbon (In-Person Only)

 

    

 

        5:30 PM - DISCUSSION

Nicolas Brown, Director, "Blue Carbon"

Jen Howard, Vice President, Blue Carbon Program, Conservation International

Angela Fritz, Senior Climate and Weather Editor, CNN

MODERATOR: Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank

                 

6:00 pm - END OF DAY 1

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Friday, April 19

8:30 am - BREAKFAST

 

9:00 am - WORKSHOPS (click through!)

12:00 pm - LUNCH - Sponsored by Chaia Tacos

*Lunch is first come, first served

1:30 pm - GROUP MEETINGS / DEMONSTRATIONS

3:00 pm - END OF DAY 2

GET INSPIRED

Learn why inspirational stories are the most motivational — and effective — to drive action.

GET SKILLED

Learn the very best in communication techniques that you can apply immediately to your environmental communication.

GET MOBILIZED

Learn how you can create a movement for the planet on your campus and in your community.

GET CONNECTED

Connect with leading journalists, policymakers, innovators, and more and apply for exclusive internship and job opportunities.

 4 REASONS TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

Sponsors

SPONSORS

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Ford Motor Company Logo
Food Tank Logo
Walton Family Foundation Logo
Lindblad Expeditions Logo
Adobe Logo
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GW Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Logo
Middlebury College Logo
Teesside University Logo
Tuskegee University Logo
Island Press Logo
The Greenzine Logo
Planet Forward Advisory Council Logo
SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry Logo
University of Arizona Logo
Mrs. Green's World Logo
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