Profit & Purpose Sustainable Business Conference
About this Event
Join us for the 2026 Profit & Purpose Sustainable Business Conference, where leaders and changemakers will come together to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sustainable business.
This year’s conference features a keynote presentation from Joris Veldhoven, President of New York Transco, along with three engaging panel discussions examining the intersection of sustainability, policy, innovation, and responsible growth, as well as our student innovation competition. Discussions will explore New York’s changing environmental policy landscape, the future of sustainable business solutions, the role of innovation in advancing environmental progress, and how organizations can responsibly navigate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
Through thought-provoking conversations and practical insights, this conference will highlight emerging trends, actionable strategies, and collaborative approaches to advancing sustainable growth and creating lasting environmental, social, and economic value across Westchester and beyond.
Details
12:30: registration/networking (registration in Ottinger Hall, networking in Tudor Room)
1:00pm – welcome reception & lunch (Tudor Room)
2:00pm – A Panels
2:45pm – Break
3:00pm – B Panels
4:00pm – reception (Courtyard)
5:00pm – end
Agenda
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Opening Sesesion
Info: Keynote presentation from Joris Veldhoven, President, New York Transco
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Policy Panel A - Navigating New York’s Changing Environmental Policy Landscape
Info: This year saw big changes in statewide environmental policy with tactical rollbacks of New York’s landmark climate transition law, environmental quality and land use reform, and a moratorium on large scale data centers. Are the state’s clean energy plans dead, dormant, or delayed? Can we address the housing challenge while still protecting our natural resources? Will we miss out on the economic benefits of AI infrastructure needs? This panel explores the practical significance of these policy shifts for New York’s long term sustainability goals and what they mean for your organization.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Policy Panel B - Profit & Purpose Action Award Competition
Info: Sustainable business is at a crossroads. Risk management is as important as ever, but the shifting political landscape, rapid technological advancement, and regulatory transformation has changed the trajectory of sustainability, ESG, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. To successfully operate in this volatile area requires a constant eye towards cutting-edge solutions that are defensible both in the boardroom and in the eyes of the public. Students often bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to address these challenges. This panel highlights and rewards student focused innovation. After a competitive review process of student submissions, three finalists will present their real-world, practical solutions to advance sustainable business goals amidst today’s challenges. An expert judging panel will then select the second annual recipient of the Profit & Purpose Action Award, jointly presented by the Sustainable Business Law Hub at Pace University and the WCA.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Business Track A - Innovating for Impact: Advancing Sustainable Solutions
Info: Innovation is essential to advancing more sustainable business practices and outcomes. As businesses, governments, and entrepreneurs rethink products, technologies, business models, and policy frameworks, new opportunities are emerging to drive growth while reducing environmental impacts. Advances in areas such as renewable energy, the circular economy, and regenerative agriculture illustrate how innovative solutions can align economic success with environmental stewardship. This panel explores how continued innovation and collaboration amongst law, policy, and business stakeholders can accelerate this transition and generate lasting environmental, social, and economic value.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Business Track B - Responsible AI in Business: AI Value Creation for All
Info: How are businesses capturing the genuine value AI creates while balancing its costs onto people, communities, and the planet? This panel brings together executives operating at the intersection of AI and corporate responsibility to confront the central tension of our moment: How do we capture the genuine value AI creates without externalizing its costs onto people, communities, and the planet?
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Networking Reception
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 40.00 to USD 60.00
