ISRI2021, ISRI’s virtual convention, will feature several sessions and award presentations on the main stage. Here’s a sneak peek at those sessions and the speakers to keep an eye out for.
State of the Association and Keynote Featuring José Andrés, April 22, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
ISRI Convention Chair Stephen Moss will provide the welcoming address. ISRI Chair Gary Champlin will provide the State of the Association address. The ISRI Safety Awards will also be presented.
José Andrés
José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, and humanitarian. Andrés is also the chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup, an international company with 31 locations, 1,200 employees, and $150 million in annual revenue. Andrés will discuss why a culture of innovation and creativity not only leads to personal and organizational success, but also a better tomorrow for all.
State of the Industry: Economic Outlook and Impact Study, April 22, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
During this year’s State of the Industry session, economic prognosticators will discuss a variety topics. Attendees will also get access to advanced results of the 2021 U.S. Scrap Industry Economic Impact Study, prepared by John Dunham & Associates. Attendees will leave with the latest tools and resources to advocate for the industry. They will also be able to educate policymakers, the press, and the public about the economic output, jobs, and tax revenue generated by recyclers. The ISRI Design for Recycling® Award will also be presented during this session.
John Dunham
John Dunham is the president of John Dunham & Associates. Specializing in the economics of how public policy issues affect products and services, Dunham has conducted hundreds of studies on taxes and regulation. Dunham’s research is published in a number of refereed journals including Economic Inquiry.
Diversity in the Recycling Industry: Successes, Lessons Learned and Ways to Improve, April 27, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
Regardless of the industry, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A multi-generational panel of recycling professionals will share their perspectives and insight on what the recycling industry has gotten right thus far regarding DEI. Attendees will learn how to adapt and improve their own organizations’ DEI strategies and plans for the future. In this session, ISRI Chair-Elect Brian Henesey will provide the ISRI State of the Industry address. The ISRI Young Executive of the Year Award will also be presented.
Sandy Brooks
Sandy Brooks is the vice president of finance at SA Recycling, where she manages a team of 20 people responsible for accounting, tax, and treasury. During her almost 13 years with SA Recycling, the company has grown from 17 to 82 locations. Brooks currently serves ISRI on the Audit Committee, as VP of the West Coast Chapter, and as co-chair of the Women in Recycling Council (WIR).
Keynote Featuring Gary Cohn, April 28, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
The ISRI Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Shelley Padnos and David Borsuk. Gary Cohn, vice chairman of IBM, will provide the keynote address.
Gary Cohn
For years, Gary Cohn, vice chairman of IBM, has been a prominent trailblazer in the worlds of finance and economic policy. Cohn began his career at U.S. Steel before moving to Goldman Sachs, where he spent 25 years rising through the ranks. From Jan. 2017 to April 2018, Cohn served as the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council at the White House. Cohn will provide insights on the COVID-19 economy and what may lie ahead for U.S. and global market economies.
Environmental Justice: What Is It and Why Is It So Important, April 29, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT
Environmental Justice (EJ) has gained increased importance this year as the Biden administration and many states commit to improve the environment and public health for people of color, indigenous peoples, and low-income communities across the country. ISRI President Robin Wiener and Dan Garvin, co-owner of Colorado Iron & Metal, will discuss with Matthew S. Tejada, director of the Office of Environmental Justice at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about environmental justice, and how recyclers can address the historic and contemporary EJ issues facing the industry. The Youth Recycling Awareness Award will also be presented during this session.
Matthew S. Tejada
In March 2013, Matthew S. Tejada joined the EPA as director of the Office of Environmental Justice. As director, Tejada leads the Environmental Justice Program’s cross-cutting work throughout the EPA and federal government, which includes working with communities, other EPA divisions, federal agencies, academic partners, business and industry, and state, local, and tribal partners to further the EPA’s mission and its efforts to advance environmental justice.
To register for ISRI2021, click here.
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