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!
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
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 Scott, Director 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
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.