Thursday, March 27th
Almost immediately following the 2022 introduction of ChatGPT, torrents of articles and news reports unleashed a gamut of responses to a new thing called “generative AI.” The barrage of narratives was contradictory, often sensationalistic, and far from elucidating. In this session, four leading proponents for the careful analysis of radical new technologies will share their expertise and perspectives on this incredibly important and urgent topic. Author and podcaster of “Tech Won’t Save Us,” Paris Marx will discuss how Silicon Valley’s AI obsession is accelerating the push to build hyperscale data centers around the world, which have an insatiable appetite for immoral volumes of energy, water, and resources, and why recent developments from China’s DeepSeek won’t change that. Argentinian anthropologist Soledad Vogliano will explore why having nontransparent “black box” AI determining the management of our food systems and biodiversity is a bad idea. Author, journalist and lawyer Claire Cummings will talk about why AI, like biotechnology, will never be meaningfully regulated and why that matters. And author and co-founder of the Tech Critics Network, Koohan Paik-Mander (who will also host/moderate) will speak about how the plan to deploy AI in government and industry will require an immense national, democracy-killing surveillance/extraction infrastructure.
March 27th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Freight & Salvage
Panelists
Claire Hope Cummings
Lawyer, Journalist and Author
Claire Hope Cummings is a lawyer, journalist, and author of Uncertain Peril, an award-winning critique of biotechnology and a vision for the future of food and farming. Her work has been widely featured in print, films, public radio and television, and, as a lawyer, she has represented a number of traditional Indigenous groups in defense of their sacred places. Her current work focuses on the complex relationships among natural and cultural systems and spirituality.
Paris Marx
Host | Tech Won't Save Us podcast
Paris Marx, a tech critic and host of the “Tech Won’t Save Us” podcast, also writes the Disconnect newsletter and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks internationally about the politics of technology.
Koohan Paik-Mander
Co-Founder | Tech Critics Network
Koohan Paik-Mander, a journalist, author and peace and environmental activist, is a co-founder of the Tech Critics Network and serves on the board of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. Her articles appear in The Nation, The Progressive, Foreign Policy in Focus, and other publications. Her article “Whales Will Save the World’s Climate — Unless the Military Destroys Them First” was named by Project Censored as one of the top 25 censored stories of 2021-2022. She is also co-author of The Superferry Chronicles: Hawaii’s Uprising Against Militarism, Commercialism and the Desecration of the Earth.
Soledad Vogliano
Program Manager | ETC Group
Soledad Vogliano is an Argentina-based Program Manager at the ETC Group, a small international research and action collective committed to social and environmental justice, human rights and the defense of the web of life. For the last 4 years, she has been developing ETC’s program on Digitalization, coordinating capacity building and strategic outreach locally and internationally. Before ETC, Soledad worked for years with Ecuadorian Indigenous and peasant movements on the defense of territories, biodiversity and rights. Also passionate about agroecological education, she has developed several initiatives for local food production and community-led communications.
As the “Godmother of Biomimicry,” Janine Benyus famously put: Nature has 3.8 billion years of design intelligence under her belt. The growth of the field of Biomimicry, which explores how to draw from that incredibly sophisticated storehouse of nature’s genius, is one of the most compelling stories of the past two decades – and the story is really just beginning. Join global Biomimicry experts for an action-based workshop designed to advance the conversation. Engage with fellow creative minds in purposeful, facilitated discussions on key topics connected to the core tenants of Biomimicry. You’ll leave feeling empowered and part of a vibrant Biomimicry community, ready to bring transformative ideas to life and make a lasting impact. This session will also provide practical strategies and insights to help you apply Biomimicry principles to your own work. Hosted by Lily Urmann, Technical Manager of the AskNature Hive at the Biomimicry Institute. With Kat Sitnikova, Development Manager at the Biomimicry Institute, Camilo Garzón, the AskNature Program Director at the Biomimicry Institute; Andrew Howley, Chief Editor at the Biomimicry Institute.
Panel Change: Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute, will not be appearing.
March 27th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Panelists
Kat Sitnikova
Development Manager | Biomimicry Institute
Kat Sitnikova is Development Manager at the Biomimicry Institute, where she engages that organization’s supporters in advancing nature-inspired solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges. She is also an organizer and facilitator working at the intersection of self-awareness, community connection and nature-centric design who lives in a land-based intentional community rooted in cooperative living, shared decision-making, authentic relating, and holistic land stewardship.
Andrew Howley
Chief Editor | Biomimicry Institute
Andrew Howley, Chief Editor for the Biomimicry Institute, works to connect scientists, innovators, and conservationists with the public as well as to make the vast collection of materials from the Biomimicry Institute on AskNature.org (an ever-growing body of stories of life’s innovations and adaptations) widely available to inspire and guide sustainable innovation. Previously, Andrew spent 11 years at the National Geographic Society, connecting audiences with explorers and grantees through websites, blogs, social media, live-streamed interviews, and events; and he developed online content at America Online in the late '90s.
Lily Urmann
Technical Manager | The AskNature Hive at the Biomimicry Institute
Lily Urmann, a naturalist and educator, is a Visiting Instructor at Pratt Institute where she teaches "Biology for Biomimicry,” the host of the podcast "Learning from Nature," and the Technical Manager of the AskNature Hive at the Biomimicry Institute. Her previous positions include: Commons Director at Biomimicry Frontiers; Director of Denver Programs for The Kiva Center; and Program Coordinator at the ASU Biomimicry Center. She has also led workshops at the Natural History Institute, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Highland Center for Natural History, the California and American Horticultural Society, and Girls Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (GESTEM).
Camilo Garzón
AskNature Program Director | Biomimicry Institute
Camilo Garzón, the AskNature Program Director at the Biomimicry Institute, leads its platform, program, and publication efforts to expand access to nature-inspired innovation. A writer, editor, filmmaker, multimedia producer, interdisciplinary artist, and award-winning poet, he works in a wide range of disciplines and media, including science storytelling on such varied topics as: culinary biodiversity; leaf-cutter ants; the decolonization of space exploration; and Colombian volcanology, paleontology, and Indigenous hydraulic systems. Camilo has collaborated with many organizations, including: SFMOMA, Scientific American, NPR, and the National Geographic Society. He is also the founder and Creative Director of Cuentero Productions.
Friday, March 28th
It is increasingly becoming evident that we need to heal and regenerate both our planet and our society. What if nature and justice are truly interdependent? Come meet practitioners who are bringing nature’s intelligence into the heart of juvenile justice reform, anti-authoritarian activism, and climate justice activism. Hosted by Biomimicry for Social Innovation founder, Toby Herzlich; joined by: Kristen Rome, Executive Director of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights; Cymone Fuller, Senior Director of Restorative Justice at Equal Justice USA; Stosh Cotler, former ED of Bend the Arc for Justice; and Colette Pichon Battle, Founder of Taproot Earth.
March 28th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm | Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Panelists
Toby Herzlich
Founder | Biomimicry for Social Innovation
Toby Herzlich, founder/Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation, a non-profit dedicated to applying nature’s genius to leadership and social change, is a trainer and facilitator focused on progressive leadership development and building diverse multidisciplinary networks for changemaking. A certified Biomimicry Specialist and educator, Toby’s 30+ years of experience have included: Senior Trainer with the Rockwood Leadership Institute; co-founder of the Cultivating Women’s Leadership training intensives; organizational consulting with such clients as the Sierra Club, Ford Foundation, AgroEcology Fund, National Hispanic Cultural Center, and the Navajo Nation; and the launching of several national collaborative networks, including the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable and the Young Climate Leaders Network. She is also a facilitator with the Volgenau Climate Initiative and Project Positive.
Kristen Rome
Executive Director | Louisiana Center for Children's Rights
Kristen Rome, JD, a Louisiana-based attorney, doula, and writer, currently serves as Executive Director of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, a client-centered nonprofit law office that represents youth in the juvenile and criminal legal systems. A proud native of New Orleans and a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Kristen received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University of New Orleans’ College of Law. (lakidsrights.org)
Cymone Fuller
Senior Director, Restorative Justice | Equal Justice USA
Cymone Fuller, who began her career as a community organizer and spent many years focused on systemic reforms in the youth criminal justice legal system, currently serves as the Senior Director of Restorative Justice at Equal Justice USA, where she supports the spread of community-held restorative justice diversion initiatives across the country.
Colette Pichon Battle
Vision & Initiatives Partner | Taproot Earth
Colette Pichon Battle, a generational native of Bayou Liberty, Louisiana, is an award-winning lawyer and prominent climate justice organizer. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Black and Indigenous communities were largely left out of federal recovery systems, Colette led the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy (GCCLP) to provide relief and legal assistance to Gulf South communities of color. After 17 years at GCCLP’s helm, as frontline communities from the Gulf South to the Global South face ever more devastating storms, droughts, wildfires, heat, and land loss, she co-founded Taproot Earth to create connections and power across issues, movements, and geographies.
Stosh Cotler
Organizer, Strategist, and Movement-Builder
Stosh Cotler, an organizer, strategist, and movement-builder with over three decades’ experience in social change work, has launched and scaled organizations at local, state, and national levels, mobilizing diverse communities—from faith leaders to sex workers, rural coalitions to urban formations—to counter racial and religious nationalism, advance multi-racial democracy, and build safe and inclusive communities. She is currently completing an MS in Biomimicry at Arizona State University and participating in the 2026–2028 Biomimicry Professional Program.
4:45 pm: Achieving Digital Inclusion for Social Equity and a Clean, Green Future
Hosted by Women in Cleantech and Sustainability (WCS)
Digital equity is vital to achieving sustainability by ensuring all individuals have access to the digital tools, resources, and skills needed to thrive in a connected world. Bridging the digital divide empowers marginalized communities, enabling participation in education, economic opportunities, and environmental initiatives. Access to technology supports smart solutions such as climate data analysis, sustainable energy systems, and eco-friendly urban planning. Promoting digital inclusion enhances social equity, reduces resource inequality, and accelerates innovation toward sustainable development goals. Digital equity ensures no one is left behind as we advance sustainable solutions for a more resilient, equitable planet. Come hear from leading experts who will share their strategies to make the dream of full digital inclusion a reality. Hosted by: Sara Eve Fuentes, founder/President, SmartWaste, board chair, WCS. With Claudia Garcia, Director of Programs at Tech Exchange; Rhianna C. Rogers, formerly the Biden-Harris Administration’s Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief DEIA Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury; Jessica Groopman, founder of The Regenerative Technology Project.
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm | Golden Bear Room, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Panelists
Sara Eve Fuentes
Chairwoman | Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
Sara Eve Fuentes, Chairwoman of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, is the founder and President of SmartWaste, a minority women-owned and operated start-up with a focus on Waste Technologies, Waste Systems and Vendor Management for Zero Waste programs with core values of “transparency, circularity, and people." With 10 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, Sara has become a dynamic leader in abating commercial waste as well as a passionate advocate for women.
Claudia Garcia
Director of Programs | Tech Exchange
Claudia Garcia, a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and workforce development, is the Director of Programs at Tech Exchange, where she leads strategic initiatives to promote digital equity, career readiness, and STEM access for underrepresented communities across California. With over a decade of experience in student advising, program management, and partnership development, Claudia has designed and implemented impactful initiatives that have helped first-generation college students and marginalized communities succeed in higher education and beyond.
Rhianna Rogers
Co-Founder | Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC)
Rhianna C. Rogers, Ph.D., is a global leader in digital equity, public policy, and interdisciplinary research with 20+ years’ experience in the federal, academic, and non-profit sectors. Formerly the Biden-Harris Administration's Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief DEIA Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, she led initiatives in diversity, AI policy, and digital equity. Also a co-founder of the Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC), former Director of RAND's Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy, and an Ernest Boyer Presidential Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, she has spearheaded multimillion-dollar research and community-engagement projects on equity in technology, health, infrastructure, and education.
Jessica Groopman
Founder | The Regenerative Technology Project
Jessica Groopman, founder of The Regenerative Technology Project, a platform that seeks to encourage and accelerate the tech industry’s shift towards supporting societal and ecological health, is a technology industry analyst and author who studies the intersection of emerging technologies and regeneration, and advises forward-thinking leaders globally on disruptive innovations. She has published over 50 reports on emerging tech applications and their implications and recently co-authored The Fast Future Blur. Her previous roles include: founding the research firm, Kaleido Insights; Principal Analyst at Tractica, Harbor Research, and Altimeter Group; and Senior Innovation Advisor at Intentional Futures.
Do you love the concept of Biomimicry but because you’re not a biologist or engineer, don’t think it holds any practical applications in your field? Well, if your work is more about leading people, shifting culture, or transforming organizations, there is definitely a place for you in the Biomimicry movement! Come join Biomimicry for Social Innovation’s founder, Toby Herzlich and Gina LaMotte, Managing Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation, for an interactive session in which we’ll explore nature’s lessons on collaboration, trust-building, and leading resilient change.
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm | Ashby Room, Residence Inn
Panelists
Toby Herzlich
Founder | Biomimicry for Social Innovation
Toby Herzlich, founder/Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation, a non-profit dedicated to applying nature’s genius to leadership and social change, is a trainer and facilitator focused on progressive leadership development and building diverse multidisciplinary networks for changemaking. A certified Biomimicry Specialist and educator, Toby’s 30+ years of experience have included: Senior Trainer with the Rockwood Leadership Institute; co-founder of the Cultivating Women’s Leadership training intensives; organizational consulting with such clients as the Sierra Club, Ford Foundation, AgroEcology Fund, National Hispanic Cultural Center, and the Navajo Nation; and the launching of several national collaborative networks, including the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable and the Young Climate Leaders Network. She is also a facilitator with the Volgenau Climate Initiative and Project Positive.
Gina LaMotte
Managing Director | Biomimicry for Social Innovation
Gina LaMotte, Managing Director of Biomimicry for Social Innovation, is a social entrepreneur dedicated to the vision of a thriving, just and regenerative future who has for 25+ years been inspired by biomimicry, systems-change, social innovation, design thinking, and climate justice in her work. In 2008, she founded EcoRise, a nonprofit supporting thousands of K-12 schools nationwide with programs centering youth leadership to advance climate action, sustainability and environmental justice. She also created Gen:Thrive, a national initiative that provides network mapping and data visualization tools to advance health, equity, and climate resilience in K-12 schools.
When we say “Forever Chemicals,” what do we really mean? Recent EPA findings on the PFAS class of chemicals and the resulting extensive media coverage of their implications has helped shine a light on what has been an egregious decades-long history of disregard for public and environmental safety from industry and regulators. The legacy of toxics in the biosphere, from the micro to the macro, is truly horrifying. A reckoning is coming in terms of public health and financial/legal liability. It’s not all bad news, however. The development of new approaches to materials science, green chemistry and circular economics is pointing towards a possible future where the trimmings of the modern world may be able to exist peacefully with ecological systems. Join Dr. Arlene Blum, a legendary leader in highlighting the extreme risks posed by these substances and a tremendous voice advocating for sane policies in response to their clear dangers and two other leading experts to discuss the current state of toxics and where we are headed from here. Hosted by: Arlene Blum. With: Martin Mulvihill, co-founder, Safer Made.
March 28th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm | Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
Panelists
Arlene Blum
Executive Director | Green Science Policy Institute
Arlene Blum Ph.D., biophysical chemist, author, and mountaineer is Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute and a Research Associate at UC Berkeley. Her science and policy work with government and business has contributed to preventing the use of PFAS, flame retardants and other classes of harmful chemicals in products world-wide. Arlene also led the first American—and all-women’s—ascent of Annapurna I and the first women’s climb of Denali. She is the author of Annapurna: A Woman’s Place and Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life.
Martin Mulvihill
Co-Founder | Safer Made
Marty Mulvihill, Ph.D., a chemist and advisor at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (where he served as the initial Executive Director), has developed technologies and created safer chemicals and materials for the personal care, construction, electronics, and textile industries. He is also co-founder of and a managing partner in Safer Made, a mission-driven venture capital fund investing in companies and technologies that: reduce human exposure to harmful chemicals, bring safer products and technologies to market, tell a unique story, have the potential to change their sectors, and protect human health and the natural world.
