 |
| Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power, Inc. |
“At Florida A&M, sustainability is more than a buzzword;
it has been a part of our history since designation as a Land Grant agricultural
university in 1890,” said FAMU President Elmira Mangum. “As a research
institution with expertise in renewable energy, water quality and food science,
we will lead the charge on the nexus approach by breaking silos to spark
creative collaborations and accelerate innovation, while training a future
generation of problem solvers."
The summit will connect participants with a growing global network of public and private sector industry thought-leaders, innovators, policymakers, corporations, next-generation scholars, researchers, and other stakeholders working in the energy, water, and food sectors.
Unconventional “idea hacks” held during the summit will
allow participants from diverse perspectives and disciplines to work together
to tackle complex issues surrounding energy, water, and food production. The summit
will also include a tech expo to showcase the latest industry innovations.
The opening event will be held today at the Clean Energy
Tech Center, located at 3954 W. Pensacola St. It will continue over the next
two days with all other events taking place at the Alfred Lawson, Jr.
Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, located at 1800 Wahnish Way.
Scheduled speakers include: Will Allen, former pro
basketball player and CEO of Growing Power, Inc.; Charles Fishman, New York
Times best-selling author of “The Wal-Mart Effect” and “The Big Thirst;”
Bridgette Bell, alumna and senior manager of Global Sustainability for Yum!
Brands, Inc.; Phyllis Newhouse, president and CEO of Xtreme Solutions, Inc.;
Dimitri Corpakis, head of unit, research, and innovation at the European
Commission; Istvan Kenyeres, CEO and co-founder of Biopolus, Hungary; Larry
Robinson, distinguished professor, FAMU School of the Environment, and Dean
Minardi, CFO of Bing Energy International.