Wednesday, April 15

6:00p - Doors Open

6:30-7:45p - Live recording of “Forked,” a podcast from FERN (the Food & Environment Reporting Network) that takes on the politics and policy that are turning the American food system on its head.

Host: Theodore Ross
Guests: 
     Sean Sherman, The Sioux Chef
​​     Leah Douglas, Reuters 
 
7:45-8:30p - Light Reception

Thursday, April 16

8:00-9:00a - Networking & Light Breakfast

9:00-10:45a - Morning Session I

Welcome
    Hosts: Frank Sesno & Dr. Imani M. Cheers

Take the Mic - Multimedia Storytelling
    The first of three student story showcases, where you'll hear directly from students about their work and our amazing panel of experts will offer live feedback!
    Our Take the Mic emcee: Matt Scott, Project Drawdown
    Student storytellers: TBA!
Expert panelists: 
    Sadie Babits, Senior Supervising Climate Editor, NPR
    Ben Clark, Documentary Filmmaker
    Kristy Drutman, BrownGirlGreen; Founder, Green Jobs Board

Grounded Narratives: Making Place Matter 
    See a clip of “Preserved”
    Conversation: Ben Clark & Frank Sesno
    Student panel: TBA!

Visual Impact: Art That Moves Audiences
    Derrick Gonzales, Tohono O’odham Community College
    Lindsey Maillard, Institute of American Indian Arts
    Moderator: Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso, Ilíiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program Editor

10:45a - BREAK

11:15-12:30 - Morning Session II

Hot Take
    Kyle Finck, News Content Partnerships, YouTube

Big Story, Short Video: How To Stop the Scroll
    Speaker TBA!

Take the Mic - The Written Word
    Matt Scott, Project Drawdown   
    Student storytellers: TBA!
Expert panelists:
    Sadie Babits, Senior Supervising Climate Editor, NPR
    Ben Clark, Documentary Filmmaker 
    Kristy Drutman, BrownGirlGreen; Founder, Green Jobs Board

Q&A with Matt Scott, Project Drawdown

Research to Reel: Science Stories in Action
    Featuring Rutgers science students turned filmmakers
    Watch a clip of “Mysteries of 9 North”

12:45-2p - LUNCH
Please note that lunch seating is limited. There is reserved seating for our VIP attendees, but otherwise seating is available on a "first come" basis.
    Paul Wahlbeck, Dean of George Washington University’s Columbian College
    KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: The Power of Story on a Global Stage
        Speaker TBA!

2:15-3:30p - Breakouts: Session I
    More information to come soon!

3:45-5:00p - Breakouts: Session II
    More information to come soon!

5:15-7:30p - RECEPTION + Poster Session and StoryFair!
    Co- hosted by the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future (ASF)
    Poster session, featuring GW’s Sustainability students
    StoryFair, featuring students published on Planet Forward (more info coming soon on how to sign up!)

 
Friday, April 17
​​
8-9a - Networking & Light Breakfast

9-10:40a - Morning Session I

Keynote & Conversation
    Ellen Stofan, Ph.D., Under Secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian Institution

Partnerships That Move the Planet Forward
    Sven Lindblad, Founder & Co-Chairman of the Board, Lindblad Expeditions
    Moira Mcdonald, Environment Program Director, Walton Family Foundation
    Cynthia Williams, Global Director, Ford Motor Company

Hot Take
    Kyle Finck, News Content Partnerships, YouTube

Take the Mic - Video Storytelling
    Matt Scott, Project Drawdown
    Student storytellers TBA!
Expert panelists: 
    Sadie Babits, Senior Supervising Climate Editor, NPR
    Ben Clark, Documentary Filmmaker
    Kristy Drutman, BrownGirlGreen; Founder, Green Jobs Board

10:40a - BREAK

11 - 12:30 - Morning Session II

Crafting Stories That Stick (and Spread)
    Kristy Drutman - BrownGirlGreen, Green Jobs Board

Summit Town Hall 
    This is your chance to take the mic in your own hands, and help shape the stories about our planet. What ideas and thoughts do you have? Voice them here!

STORYFEST 2026
Out 2026 Storyfest winners will be revealed! Find out who will travel to East Greenland with Lindblad Expeditions and Planet Forward this summer.

12:30 - 1:00  LUNCH
Grab your lunch and finish out the Summit chatting with your fellow attendees!


Post-Summit Field Trips

2:00-4:00p - BY INVITATION ONLY: All PF Correspondents, Storyfest Finalists, and Pillar School attendees are invited to the World Wildlife Fund for a special post-Summit gathering. Details will be provided!

3:00p - OPEN TO ALL: “Preserved” screening with filmmaker Ben Clark at Arlington Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA. Get your tickets now ($18) to secure your seating!