VX 2020 Program

VX 2020 Day 1: Monday, January 27, 2020

7:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

7:45 AM

VX2020 Welcome 

David Abel, Chair, VerdeXchange
Bill Allen, CEO, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

 

8:10 AM

Morning Plenary

Whither Climate Change Policy & Politics: Can Trump trump Markets? 

As the price of clean renewable energy continues to fall and the futures market makes stranded assets of oil rigs, what is the impact of federal politics on the forward trajectory of the green economy? To what extent have Trump's efforts to end California’s emissions waiver or cap-and-trade program impacted markets? This plenary panel will explore the conflicting political and market forces driving policy and economics of climate change at the local, state, and federal levels with a panel of leaders in industry, government, and politics.

Moderator:
Mary Nichols, Chair, CA Air Resources Board

Panel:
Bob Wieckowski, California State Senator, District 10
Jonathan Weisgall, VP, Government Relations, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Logan Goldie-Scot, Head of Clean Power Research, BloombergNEF
Responder:
Rusty Hicks, Chair, California Democratic Party

 

8:50 AM

Plenary--Concurrent Sessions

Future of Energy Markets: Decarbonized, Decentralized, Digitized & Democratized—So, Who's in Charge Now? 

Moderator:
Jim Kelly, Director, S&C Electric

Panel:
Marcie Edwards, Fmr. GM, LADWP, Member, CA Wildfire Safety Advisory Board
Bob Foster, Board Member, EPCOR Utilities
David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission
Ted Bardacke, Executive Director, Clean Power Alliance

 

Future of Local Governments in Reducing Transportation Emissions

In the past decade, California has made significant strides to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors across its economyleading the way on vehicle electrification, tailpipe emissions regulations, and investment in multi-modal transit. But greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector continue to rise. How can California move the dial and address the climate impacts caused by missing-middle housing in the jobs-rich areas of the state? This panel will address strategies that local jurisdictions can take—from zoning and city planning decisions to permit streamlining and economic development incentives— and the touchpoints in the regulatory, policy and planning authority of local governments—that can be leveraged to influence carbon emissions within their jurisdictions.

Moderator:
Melani Smith, Senior Director, Transit Oriented Communities, LA Metro
Panel:
Kristen Torres Pawling, Sustainability Program Director, LA County CSO
Jen Gress, Chief of Sustainable Transportation & Communities Division, CARB
Christopher Cabaldon, Mayor, City of West Sacramento
Shana Bonstin, Dep. Dir. Community Planning, LA Department of City Planning
Lauren Faber O'Connor, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Los Angeles

 

 

9:45 AM

-ENERGY-

Can California Go 100% Emission Free by 2045? 

Moderator:
V. John White, Executive Director, CEERT

Panel:
Brett Oakleaf, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Jason Rondou, Director, Clean Grid LA Strategy Division, LADWP
Tom Buttgenbach, President & CEO, 8 Minute Solar Energy
David Hochschild, Commissioner, CEC

Responder:
Jim Caldwell, Technical Director, CEERT

 

-WATER-

Governor Newsom's New Water Portfolio Plan:
Preparing California's Water System for Adaptation to Climate Risk 

Moderator:
Felicia Marcus, Fmr. Chair, CA State Water Resources Control Board

Panel:
E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair, CA State Water Resources Control Board
Charley Wilson, Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition
 

 

-TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE-

Innovation in Mobility: A Multi-Modal Future

Moderator:
Seleta ReynoldsGeneral Manager, City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation

Panel:
Dr. Joshua SchankChief Innovative Officer, LA Metro
Matt PetersenCEO, LA Clean Tech Incubator
Dr. Thomas Becker, Vice President of Sustainability & Mobility, BMW Group
 

-BLUE TECH-

Blue Tech for Cleaner Oceans and a Blue Economy

Moderator:
Tim McOsker, President, AltaSea

Panel:
Mark Gold, Deputy Secretary for Oceans & Coastal Policy, CNRA
Dr. Jerry Schubel, President & CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific
Alex Beavers, Chief Innovation Officer, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

 

10:40 AM

-ENERGY-

Powering the Grid of the Future with Distributed Energy Resources
The growth of solar, wind, and storage continue to alter the energy landscape. Recent California power shutoffs demonstrated the rising risks of climate change, but they are also a reminder that policy makers need to boost electricity system reliability and resilience to support the transition to a low-carbon and more electrified economy. As regulators begin to transform California’s electric utilities from the classic model of top-down, one-way delivery service into a distributed system with microgrid resources that manage a host of dispersed generation and storage sources, how is the regulatory and market landscape shifting? Finally, what resources exist for project developers attempting to build community resilience, and where do potential public-private synergies exist? 

Moderator:
Adm. Dennis McGinn, Fmr. US Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Board Member, Customer First Renewables

Panel:
Mike Gravely, Research Program Manager, California Energy Commission
Jason Rondou, Director, Clean Grid LA Strategy Division, LADWP
Dan Cohee, Operations Manager, Morrow Meadows Corporation
Diana Limon, Training Director, Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute
Conrad Chase, CEO, Point Load Power

 

-WATER-

Making California's Local Water Supply Resilient & Sustainable

Moderator:
Michael George, Delta Watermaster, State of California

Panel:
Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District
Liz Crosson, Director of Infrastructure, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
Brian Jordan, VP, TetraTech
Richard Harasick, Sr. Assistant GM, LADWP
Responder:
Felicia Marcus, Fmr. Chair, CA State Water Resources Control Board

 

-TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE-

Automobility 3.0: The Future Is Now

Moderator:
Mary Nichols, Chair, CA Air Resources Board
Panel:
Cynthia Williams, Director—Sustainability, Homologation & Compliance, Ford Motor Company
Loni Mahanta, VP, Public Policy Development, Lyft
Jonathan Levy VP of Strategic Initiatives, EVgo
Jake Levine, Associate & Policy Advisor, Covington & Burling

 


-POLICY/FINANCE-

Part I: Unlocking $1 Billion for Community Development & Green Infrastructure:
Stimulating Deal Flow With Predevelopment Funding 

Moderator:
Kathleen Brown, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips

Panel:
Paul Wassgren, Partner, DLA Piper
Dan Carol, Director, Center for Financial Markets, Milken Institute
Jon Bonanno, CXO, New Energy Nexus
Ann Rogan​, Sr. Advisor - Economic Development, Office of Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs

 

11:30 AM

-ENERGY-

Green Hydrogen Energy: Powering Cities & Vehicles

Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics later this year, with its sights firmly on the being the first Hydrogen-powered games. Japan's transition to a hydrogen society has yet to catch on globally, but California's slow move towards a Hydrogen Highway continues into this decade. The Golden State spent more than $300 million in the past 10 years funding rebates for those who buy or lease hydrogen cars, constructing hydrogen refueling stations, cities who purchase hydrogen-powered transit buses, as well as subsidizing development of hydrogen-driven freight trucks. Will there be a sea change in 2020 to drive hydrogen fuel cell adoption? What role do fuel cells play in building resilient cities? 

Moderator:
Jim Kelly,
Director, S&C Electric

Panel:
Michelle Sim
, Commerical Business Development Manager, SoCalGas
Eiji Ohira, Director General, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Group, NEDO
Joe Cappello, Executive Officer, Iwatani
Jacquelyn Birdsall, Sr. Engineer, Toyota Motor
Janice Lin, Founder & President, Green Hydrogen Coalition

 

-WATER-

Protecting California's Coastline & Vital Ecosystem

Moderator:
Warner Chabot
, Executive Director, San Francisco Estuary Institute

Panel:
Mark Gold
, Dep. Sec. for Oceans & Coastal Policy, CA Natural Resources Agency
Effie Turnbull Sanders, Commissioner - Environmental Justice, CA Coastal Commission
Shelley LucePresident & CEO, Heal the Bay
Christiane Waldron, Business Development Director, Kaneka

 

-TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE-

Modernizing the Grid For EVs, Smart Charging, & New Urban Mobility

Moderator:
David Hochschild, Chair, CA Energy Commission

Panel:
Minh Le
, GM, Energy & Environment, LA County ISD
Marc Bedard, President, The Lion Electric Co.
Geoff Gunn, Electrical Engineering & Energy Business Leader, Arup
Jason Hills, Manager of Substation Engineering & Electrification, LADWP
Katie Sloan, Director of eMobility, SCE
Brett Oakleaf, Partnership Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

 

-POLICY/FINANCE-

Part II: Unlocking $1 Billion for Community Development & Green Infrastructure:
Finding Projects, Maximizing Outcomes 

Moderator:
Arnab Pal,
Director, Center for Sustainable Energy
Panel:
Ramsay Stevens, Program Director, NECA Project Development
Matt Horton, Director, Center for Regional Economics & California Center, Milken Institute
Julia Prochnik, Director Western Renewable Grid Planning, NRDC
Robin Hughes, President & CEO, Abode Communities

 

 12:20 PM

VX2020 Luncheon Served 

Welcome Introductions:
Bill AllenCEO, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
Special Remarks:
Hiroaki IshizukaChairman, Japan New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
 

12:35 PM

Luncheon Plenary:

Reconciling Wildfire Risk with California's Carbon-Free Mandate 

Moderator:
Jim Kelly, Director, S&C Electric
Panel:
Carla Peterman, Sr. VP, Reg. Affairs, Southern California Edison
Maryam Brown, President, Southern California Gas Company
Martin Adams, GM & Chief Engineer, LA Department of Water & Power
David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission
Liam Denning, Columnist, Bloomberg News

1:20 PM

Special Luncheon Remarks:
Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, Chair of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

 

1:45 PM

Introduction:
Bill Allen, CEO, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

Post-Luncheon Plenary:

On Making Sustainability a Mission Priority

Speaker:
Carol L. Folt, President, University of Southern California

 

2:30 PM

-ENERGY-

Building Resiliency with Solar+Storage 

As the climate changes, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, threatening critical infrastructure in cities. Severe disasters expose buildings and underlying infrastructure to long-term disruption, including systems essential for maintaining post-disaster services. Solar photovoltaic arrays with battery energy storage offer a new paradigm for post disaster resilience - a solution that is both cleaner and more reliable than centralized solutions that rely on fossil fuel storage, fuel transport, or fragile regional infrastructure systems to operate. In this panel discussion, we will explore what is at stake, what is being implemented today, and what will be done to address these issues in the future. 

Moderator:
Eliot Abel, Director, Commercial Project Development, Namasté Solar
Panel:
David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission
Jessica Reinhardt, Director, Public Policy, SunRun
Logan Goldie-Scot, Head of Clean Power Research, BloombergNEF
Responder:
Adm. Dennis McGinn, Fmr. US Asst. Secretary of the Navy&Board Member, Customer First Renewables

 

-WATER-

Stormwater Capture & Recycling: Going From Gray to Green Infrastructure

Moderator:
Kathleen Brown, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Panel:
Sheba Hafiz, Infrastructure Practice Leader, Arup
Katy Young Yaroslavsky, Deputy of the Environment, LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
Traci Minamide, Chief Operating Officer, LA Sanitation & Environment, 
Brian Jordan, VP, TetraTech
Dan LaffertyDeputy Director, LA County Public Works
 

 

-TRANSPORTATION / INFRASTRUCTURE-
Transitioning From Heavy-Duty Diesel: Path to NextGen Clean Trucks & Fleets

California has implemented strict emissions standards that apply to heavy duty vehicle registrations beginning in 2020. The need to decarbonize the heavy-duty vehicle sector has been meet with new innovation in zero and low-emissions technologies that come with their own new and unique challenges. This panel will examine how the market is responding to emissions mandates in the heavy-duty sector—including renewed interest and investment in hydrogen fuel cells and other technologies—and the implementation challenges that accompany this transformation for fleet transportation. 

Moderator:
Terry O'Day, CEO, InCharge Energy

Panel:
Christian Lafrance, VP Sales & Marketing, Effenco Development
Andrew Lund, Chief Engineer, Product Development Office, Toyota Motor NA
Gary Horvat, Vice President, e-Mobility, Navistar
Bob Stojanovic, Director of EV Infrastructure, ABB Inc.
 

-POLICY/FINANCE-

Workforce Transition Policies for Realizing a Clean New Deal

Moderator:
Jane Oates, President, WorkingNation

Panel:
Carol Zabin, Director, Labor Center for Green Economy, UC Berkeley
Effie Turnbull Sanders, Executive Director, SLATE-Z 
Jessica Ku Kim
Sr. Director of Workforce Development, LAEDC

 

3:30 PM

-ENERGY-

Truly New Energy & Storage Technologies 

Moderator:
Jim Kelly, Director, S&E Electric

Panel:
Andrew McAllister, Vice Chair, CA Energy Commission
Xiaoting Wang, BloombergNEF
Janice Lin, Founder & CEO, Strategen

 

 

-WATER-

Managing Climate Adaptation & Enterprise Risk 

Moderator:
Marcie Edwards, Fmr. General Manager, LADWP

Panel:
Mike Markus, General Manager, Orange County Water District
Harlan Kelly, General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Yasuhiro Kasai Director, Office for Int'l Project Promotion, Infrastructure System & Water Industry, Japan METI
William Funderburk, Partner, Castellón & Funderburk, Fmr. VP, LADWP Board

 

-TRANSPORTATION / INFRASTRUCTURE-

EJ & Community Based Planning Case Study: Goods Movement in the I-710 Corridor

 As a result of population growth, an increase in the number of cargo containers arriving at the Ports, increasing traffic volumes, and aging infrastructure, the I-710 freeway experiences serious congestion and safety issues that all need to be addressed. How can a future zero emission 710 corridor provide a platform for innovative, clean air technologies that balance the needs of at-risk residents, the goods movement sector, and decrease congestion? What design improvements could improve traffic flow, and how should Los Angeles County best achieve traffic goals while preventing another Chavez Ravine of resident displacement?

Moderator:
Veronica Eady, Assistant Executive Officer for Environmental Justice, CA Air Resources Board

Panel:
Michael Cano, Dep. Executive Officer, Goods Movements/State Policy & Programming, LA Metro
Janna Sidley, General Counsel, Port of LA
Jennifer Ganata, Sr. Staff Attorney, Communities for a Better Environment
Laura Cortez, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

 

-POLICY/FINANCE-

Impact Investing & Growing Green Fund Market Opportunities (B3)

Moderator:
Christine Harada, President, i(x) investments

Panel:
Allan Emkin, Managing Principal, Meketa Investment Group
Kirsty Jenkinson, Investment Director, CalSTRS
Daniel Weiss, CEO, Angeleno Group
Albert Lee, Director of Investments, Real Assets, UC Investments
Ken Alston, Chief of Staff, New Nexus Energy
Responder:
Larry Kosmont, President & CEO, Kosmont Companies

 

-WTC-LA-

Global Collaboration for a Local Vision:
How International Companies Can Help Realize LA's Green New Deal 


Moderator:
Stephen Cheung
, President, WTC-LA
Panel:
Brian Goldstein, Executive Director, Energy Independence Now
Norihiko Saeki, Executive Director, JETRO Los Angeles, Special Advisor to Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry, Japan
Tyler Laferriere, Associate Economist, Institute for Applied Economics, LAEDC
Miguel Sangalang, Dep. Mayor for Budget & Innovation, City of LA 

 

4:25 PM

-ENERGY-

Hydrogen Society Roundtable

Moderator:
Brian Goldstein, Executive Director, Energy Independence Now

Panel:
Tanya Peacock, Public Policy & Program Manager, SoCalGas
Gregory S. Huynh, Operating Agent Manager, LADWP
Tyson Eckerle, Dep. Dir. of ZEV Market Development, GO-Biz
Xiaoting Wang, BloombergNEF
Lorraine Paskett, Fmr. GM LADWP, Vice-Chair, MWD Board
Eiji OhiraDirector General, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Group, NEDO
Dr. Sean Chigusa, President & CEO, Tatsuno North America
James Kast, Fuel Cell Business Analyst, Toyota NA

-WATER-

100% Water Recycling by 2035

Mayor Eric Garcetti has a new goal for Los Angeles: recycling 100 percent of our wastewater. The biggest piece of the puzzle involves upgrading the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, the largest such facility in the western United States. How do officials plan to move from recycling less than half of that water to getting back into the cities of Southern California? Are regulations and  technologies ready to send recycled water to groundwater recharge facilities to complete the closed loop water cycle? How will the region finance such an ambitious goal? What other projects are coming online to make inroads towards moving toward maximizing our water resources and eliminating ocean discharges? 

Moderator: 
Shelley Luce, President & CEO, Heal the Bay

Panel:
Jon Liberzon, VP - Business Development, Tomorrow Water (BKT)
Dr. Yasuhiro Matsui, Project Manager, Research & Development, Yokogawa
Gil Crozes, Sr. VP, Carollo Engineers
Rafael Villegas, Program Manager, Operation NEXT, LADWP

Huub Cox, Division Manager Recycled Water, LA Sanitation & Environment
 

-TRANSPORTATION / INFRASTRUCTURE-

Bus Transit: Declining Ridership or Unsung Climate Champion?

Moderator:
Rick Cole, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Panel:
Ben Grunat, Director of Product Planning & Strategy, GILLIG LLC
Sherif Abou-Rayan, Director of Electric Powertrain Programs, Cummins, Inc.
Nadine Lee, Chief of Staff, LA Metro
Alfredo Torales, Strategic Transit Planner, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus
Carter Rubin, Transportation Technical Strategist, NRDC
 

 

—By-Invitation Only—

-WTC-LA-

NAFTA 2.0 (P1)

Moderator:
Stephen Cheung, CEO, WTC-LA

Panel:
Marcela Celerio, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles
Zaib Shaikh, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles
 

 

VX 2020 Day 2: Tuesday, January 28, 2020

 

7:15 AM

Registration and Breakfast

7:45 AM

VX2020 Welcome 

David Abel, Chair, VerdeXchange
Sara Neff, VP, Kilroy Realty, Chair, ULI-LA Innovation Committee
Kevork Zoryan, Chair, ULI-LA

 

8:00 AM

Morning Plenary

Reimagining a Metropolis Through Investment in Transportation 

What does it mean to realize community development through mobility investment?  This opening plenary panel will examine how investment in transit-oriented development is transforming the cities that comprise the Los Angeles region— the opportunities such investment brings, as well as the challenges to meeting such ambitious goals. Considering the size and diversity of the region, what is the vision guiding development of an integrated, accessible, and high-quality transportation system by 2028?

 

Moderator: Renata SimrilPresident & CEO, LA84 Foundation

Panel:
James T. Butts, Mayor, City of Inglewood
Stephanie Wiggins, CEO, Metrolink
Phil Washington, CEO, LA Metro

 

8:00 AM

-WASTE CHARRETTE-

By-Invitation Only Session:

Never Let A Good Crisis Go To Waste: VX2020 Waste & Recycling Charrette

Co-Conveners:
Enrique Zaldivar, General Manager, LA City Sanitation & Environment
Shari Afshari, Deputy Director, LA County Public Works
Gideon Kracov, General Counsel, CA Waste & Recycling Association
Christine Arbogast, Solid Waste Expert, TetraTech

 

9:00 AM

 -STREETS  CHARRETTE-

By-Invitation Only Session:

Micromobility & Integrating Tech Solutions for World Class Streets

Co-Conveners:
Adel Hagekhalil, Director, StreetsLA
J. Francois Nion, Executive VP, JCDecaux North America
Rachel Malarich, City Forest Officer, City of LA
Ted Ross, General Manager, Chief Technology Officer, City of LA
Phil Recht, Partner, Mayer Brown
 

9:10 AM

-ULI INNOVATION SESSIONS-

Shifting the Urban Planning Paradigm: An Antidote to Climate Change

Moderator:
Rick Cole, City Manager, City of Santa Monica

Panel:
Vince Bertoni, Planning Director, City of Los Angeles
Gerhard Mayer, Principal Architect, GGLO 
Debra Gerod, Partner, Gruen Associates,  CA AIA Chair
Responder:
Denny Zane, Executive Director, MoveLA

 
Circularity in the Built Environment

The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous sustainable building certification attainable, going beyond the design-based approach of LEED. The challenge sets a new example for sustainable and renewable public spaces, requiring beginning-to-end operational compliance with strict, adoption of new innovative technologies and design, as well as regenerative triple net-zero standards. In our very backyard, the city of Santa Monica has adopted the challenge, along with a $1500 per square foot price tag to meet the challenge and continue on with its commitment to create sustainable buildings and healthy spaces for its community. Are the opportunity costs and benefits being realized? Join us to find out and to learn more about how others are taking on this momentous challenge.  

Moderator:
Terry O'Day, Mayor Pro Tempore, City of Santa Monica

Panel:
Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director & City Engineer, Culver CIty
John Onderdonk, Chief Sustainability Officer, CalTech
Amber Richane, Project Manager, City of Santa Monica Architecture Services
Christian Riber, Business Development Manager, Ramboll

 

-GREEN TECH-

Use of AI, Blockchain & IOT Data To Enhance Efficiency & Sustainability

Across the globe, cities are increasingly adopting sensors to capture data in order to extrapolate information about the challenges the city faces in sectors such as, crime prevention, traffic management, energy use and waste reduction. Many cities have strategically place sensors around urban landscapes to collect information and data  to improve efficiency, reduce management costs, and create opportunity in urban spaces. But constant and omnipresent collection and transmission of data has led to big concerns that these systems are exploited to surveil citizens. This panel will address the opportunities and challenges that presents jurisdictions seeking to harness the power of data for the public good. 

Moderator:
Peter Marx, Fmr, Chief Technology Officer, City of LA

Panel:
Miguel Sangalang, Dep. Mayor for Budget & Innovation, City of LA
John Saez, Business Development Lead, Smart City Team, NTT Data
Nick Merridew, Host Cities Global Leader, Arup

 

-TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE-

Public or Private: Who's Driving Mobility as Service?

Moderator:
Thomas Aujero Small
, City Commissioner, Culver City

Panel:
Dr. Joshua Schank, Chief Innovative Officer, LA Metro
Lilly Shoup, VP Strategic Partnerships, Lyft
Anuj Gupta, Dep. City Manager, City of Santa Monica

 

10:10 AM

-ULI INNOVATION SESSIONS-

Urban Resiliency: Development in a Disaster Prone World

Moderator:
Delia Ibarra, President, City of LA Fire Commission
Panel:
Heather Rosenberg, Associate Principal, Arup
Liz Crosson, Director of Infrastructure, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
John CruikshankSensequake-Okamoto
Hayato Nakazono, Deputy Manager, Pipeline Division, JFE Engineering

 

Buildings as Grid Players: Virtual Power Plants & Smart Microgrids

Moderator:
Janea Scott, Vice Chair, CA Energy Commission

Panel:
Robyn Beavers, CEO, Blueprint Power
Conrad Chase, CEO, Point Load Power
Alisa Kreynes, Chief Development Officer, Solar Skyrise
Responder:
Sara Neff, VP of Sustainability, Kilroy Realty
 
 

-GREEN TECH-

Renewing Focus on Planet Earth: How Emerging Space Technologies Benefit Environmental Policy Makers & Compliance Agencies

Moderator:
Rafael Spears, Director, Commercial Systems, Aerospace Corp.
Panel:
Darin Toohey, University of Colorado
Jeff Guido, DIrector, Special Projects, Planet
Jen Phillips, Governor's Office of Planning & Research
Jake Singh, Aerospace Corp. 

 

-POLICY/FINANCE-

Enterprise Risk—Why Board Directors are in the Crosshairs of Cybersecurity & Climate Change 

Moderator:
Jules Radcliff, Partner, Radliff & Saiki LLP
Panel:
Ricardo Lara, Insurance Commissioner, State of California
Mark Kroeker, Head of Crisis Management, Disney Worldwide
John SandersDirector of Cyber Security Policy & Operations, Breach Assurance
Dr. Anat Zeelim-Hovav, Ameritus in Management Information Systems, Korea University
Baron Wolt, President & Cofounder, Technology Management Professionals
Chris Reese, Sr. VP, Lockton Insurance Brokers
Evan BirenbaumManaging Partner, Valkyrie Security Group

 

11:00 AM

-WATER CHARRETTE-

By-Invitation Only Session:

Billions of Gallons of Water, But Now What?

Co-Conveners:
Mark Pestrella, Director, LA County Public Works
Martin Adams, GM, LA Dept. of Water & Power
Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District
Liz Crosson, Director of Infrastructure, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
Enrique Zaldivar, General Manager, LA City Sanitation & Environment
Brian Jordan, VP, TetraTech
 

 

11:10 AM

-ULI INNOVATION SESSION-

Tech Innovation & Advanced Materials Impact on Design, Construction & Operation

Moderator:
Sara Neff
, VP of Sustainability, Kilroy Realty, ULI-LA Innovation Committee Chair

Panel:
Eric Corey Freed
, Sustainability Disruptor, Morrison Hershfield
Ryan Tinus, Hudson Pacific
Jessie Buckmaster, Sustainability Manager, Hathaway Dinwiddie
McKinley Hlady, Co-Founder & VP Manufacturing, LifeTec
Conrad Chase, CEO, Point Load Power
Julia Attwood, Head of Advanced Materials, BloombergNEF

 

Building Decarbonization: Carbon Calculators & Building Standards

Moderator:
Andrew McAllister, Commissioner, CA Energy Commission

Panel:
Osama Younan, Executive Officer, LA Dept. of Building & Safety
Panama Bartholomy, Executive Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition
Seth Strongin, Sr. Sustainability Consultant, Arup
Ben Stapleton, Executive Director, USGBC-LA
 

 

-GREEN TECH-

From Climate & Energy Research to the Marketplace

Moderator:
Janea Scott
, Vice Chair, CA Energy Commission

Panel:
John A. Pérez
, UC Board of Regents
David Jacot, Director of Efficiency Solutions, LADWP
Bob Weisenmiller, Fmr. Chair, CA Energy Commission
Andrew Jones, Program Domain Lead for Earth Systems & Society, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

 

-WATER-

LA River Master Plan: Assessing New Recommendations & Rethinking Capture, Storage, Reliability & Recharge

The promise of the LA River continues to provide a canvas for engineering, natural restoration, and water capture dreamers. As policymakers come together to figure out a structure that deploys Measure W and state funding in the short term and also sustains itself in the long-term, is the LA River the largest opportunities for capturing and cleaning stormwater? As veteran water maven Jack Baylis suggested, are inflatable dams that slowly move LA River water into equalization tanks a solution to maximizing our water treatment facilities? Are public-private partnerships a possibility to leveraging the River's potential? Are all river-adjacent communities benefiting from investments equally? What role does landscape design and ecological management play in creating an LA River where Angelenos frequent and cherish as a treasure?  Join experts as they discuss how this Master Plan revision will shape the River for the next decade.

Moderator:
Yuval Bar-Zemer, Principal, Linear City

Panel:
Mia Lehrer, President, Studio MLA
Joe Edmiston, Executive Director, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Andy Lipkis, Project Executive, Accelerating Climate Resilience
Keith Lilley, Assistant Deputy Director, LA County Public Works

 

12:00 PM

VX2020 Luncheon Served 

 

12:35 PM

Welcome 

Introductions:
Rick Cole, City Manager, City of Santa Monica
Christine Harada, President, i(x) investments

Plenary Keynote:
Bill Gross, Founder & CEO, Heliogen, Founder & Chair, Idealab 

 

1:30 PM

-ULI INNOVATION SESSION-

Healthy By Design: Amenities for Impact in Neighborhoods & Buildings

Moderator:
Gail Goldberg, Fmr. ULI-LA Executive Director, Fmr. Planning Director, City of LA & City of San Diego
Panel:
Randall Lewis, Principal & Executive VP, The Lewis Group 
Rachel Malarich, City Forest Officer, City of LA
Cindy Montañez, Executive Director, TreePeople
Kristen Torres Pawling, Sustainability Program Director, LA County Sustainability Office

  

-ENERGY-

Battery Storage: Lithium's Not the Only Game in Town (But It's A Pretty Good Game)

Moderator:
Steve Sullivan, Fmr. Managing Director, SoCal Edison

Panel:
Benoit Couture, President, Lithion Recycling
Dr. Yoshihiro Hirata, President & CEO, Innovation Core SEI Inc. (Sumitomo Electric)
Jonathan Weisgall, VP of Government Relations, Berkshire Hathaway Energy

 

-WRISE/YPE-Post-luncheon Afternoon Session-1 hr 40 min.

Renewable Energy Finance & Investing—Perspectives from Innovators & Young Professionals

Kick-Off:
Alison Brown, Director, WRISE LA
Yair CraneCo-Chair, YPE LA
Noah Perch Ahern, President YPE LA

Opening Remarks:
Christine Harada, President, i(x) investments

Moderator:
Kiran Srivastava, Lead Associate, Energy Practice, Booz Allen Hamilton
Panel:
Jaime Carlson, Sr. Advisor, SoftBank Energy
Sohinaz Sotoudeh, Dir. of Power Marketing, EDF Renewables 
Julia Balas, Attorney, Morrison Foerster

 

2:25 PM

-HOUSING-

VX2020 Special: Housing Unpacked—Who Will Accept the Challenges?

California's response to the homelessness and housing affordability crisis will certainly contribute to defining the state for the generation to come. The issues of homelessness, adequacy of the supply of affordable units, densification and infrastructure, gentrification, and upzoning are all interconnected. The question for policymakers is: what outcomes are intended, and what provisions are included to address unintended consequences? How are cities marshaling and deploying integrated, holistic services to help individuals find housing? What role should the state play in housing, zoning, and local infrastructure investment that can align incentives with community plans? What lessons are being learned from the largest homeless housing voter initiative in history, and what short-term solutions can be deployed in 2020 to provide immediate support?

Moderator:
David Abel, Chairman, VerdeXchange

Panel:
Mark Ridley Thomas, Supervisor, District 2, LA County Board of Supervisors
Zev Yaroslavsky, Director, LA Initiative, UCLA Luskin School of Public Policy & Fmr. LA Couty Supervisor, District 3
Kerry Cavanaugh, Editorial Writer, LA Times
Alisa Orduña, Senior Advisor on Homelessness, City of Santa Monica

 

3:15 PM

Closing Reception