2023

2023 Speakers

Emily Darchuk

Founder and CEO | Wheyward Spirit

  • Bridging her background in food science, research, and entrepreneurship, Emily focuses on utilizing excess whey from the dairy industry to create a more sustainable farm-to-flask spirit. By repurposing a previous waste stream, Wheyward Spirit has developed a closed-loop system and has plans to scale their model to be a national brand.

Jocelyn Bridson

Director, Environment and Community Impact | Tillamook County Creamery Association

  • Jocelyn has over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of science, management, and communication. After joining Tillamook in 2020, she has worked collaboratively to establish strategies and implement stewardship projects across farms, facilities, and their fleet. She also leads the Certified B Corp's philanthropy programs which center around food security, agricultural advocacy, and healthful children.

Erin McCusker

Senior Vice President and Leader, SATO | LIXIL

  • Erin leads businesses and initiatives to deliver on LIXIL’s global purpose of making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. SATO is the award-winning flagship social business developing innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions that create a better life, every day, for communities around the world.  By finding synergy between public, private, and community stakeholders, Erin speaks to how businesses can be a force for good while aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Peter Rushford

CEO/Founder | Shār

  • A life-long entrepreneur, Peter’s 37 years working in the Outdoor Industry led to launching shār, an “earth-first” farm-to-table snack food company. Shār’s award winning “impossibly good trail mix” comes in 100% plastic free, compostable packaging. Shār donates 20% of net profits to The Conservation Alliance, members of 1% for the Planet, and they are Climate Neutral Certified.

Rob Quaempts

President | Wenaha Group

  • For over 25 years, Rob has developed an extensive background in long term economic development and construction management. As President of Wenaha Group, a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians, and a nationally recognized entrepreneur, Rob's character exemplifies teamwork, transparency, collaboration, and integrity. Rob started Wenaha Group because he believes communities are strongest when they work together to achieve greatness.

Scott Coughlan

Director of Sustainability | Alaska Airlines

  • Scott Coughlan joined Alaska Airlines in 2022 and leads the development and implementation of strategies to monitor and reduce emissions in key business functions. With an international career in directing cross-functional teams and reporting with senior executives, Coughlan is developing innovative competitive advantages for Alaska Airlines.

Cate Havstad-Casad

Founder | Casad Family Farms Range Revolution

  • A stubborn optimist and natural entrepreneur, Cate's tenacity toward building businesses that make the world a better and more beautiful place define her career. Cate is a founder of both Casad Family Farms and Havstad Hat Company. On her farm and through her hat business, her dedication to sustainability shines through.

Guru Larson

Director of Sustainability | Columbia Sportswear

  • Oregon MBA alum Guru S. Larson has been part of the Columbia Sportswear network since 2009 and currently oversees sustainability strategy across product, operations, and supply chain. This includes understanding the business's environmental impacts, identifying and executing continuous improvement, and reporting performance.

2023 Panels + Breakout Workshops

  • Sustainability Challenges of Stakeholders

  • Ecosystem of Stakeholders

  • Choices Marketplace

    Dangerous Opportunities

    Voices of the Future