Sustainability Professionals Against Silence
What’s happening in the United States right now isn’t politics as usual. It’s a crisis of ethics, democracy, and American values.
In November 2024, one of the largest virtual gatherings in corporate sustainability history brought professionals together to discuss what Trump’s re-election meant for their work. More than a year later, the stakes are clearer—and higher than we ever imagined.
In the past three weeks, the Trump Administration has killed two American citizens in Minneapolis while terrorizing families and using children as bait. Even with video evidence, the administration has told the public not to believe their own eyes as they spew shameless lies.
With near-total control over the right-wing media ecosystem, these lies are filtered through compliant outlets, amplified by social media, and normalized—following the same playbook used by authoritarian regimes around the world.
These are unprecedented times. Everyone will be forced to take a stand—every business, every leader, every person.
At the same time, this administration has declared war on corporate sustainability: withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, DEI labeled a “scourge,” coordinated attacks on ESG, and climate dismissed as a “hoax” while communities burn and flood. Many corporations folded immediately, abandoning years of stated values when they became inconvenient.
Privately, corporate leaders express “universal revulsion.” Publicly, silence prevails. When asked what it would take to speak out, nearly half cited a 20% stock market drop, according to a Yale CEO Caucus survey.
Sustainability professionals entered this field to help build a better future. That future—and the democratic system that makes long-term thinking possible—is now under direct threat.
Sustainability is built on long-term thinking. But democracy is the system that makes all other systems possible. Without the rule of law, there is no long term.
The collapse of the rule of law undermines investment, markets, asset values, jobs, insurability, productivity, and economic stability. Without it, there is no stakeholder capitalism—only power.
These are scary times, but silence won't save us. If corporate sustainability means anything, it has to mean something now.
This isn’t about party. It’s about belief in the rule of law. That no one is above it—including the president. That Americans should not be shot dead in the street by federal agents. And that the business community must stand up for higher values than stock price.
These aren’t Democratic values or Republican values. They’re American values.
What this is
This virtual event convenes sustainability professionals across industries and career stages for an honest conversation about what this moment demands, why silence has consequences, and how collective voices can be found and strengthened.
This is not a political rally or a lecture. It’s a facilitated discussion for those who are done watching from the sidelines as democracy erodes—and who want to explore how to influence their organizations to stand up for the rule of law in America.
The event will feature short firestarter conversations from sustainability leaders and activists, followed by breakout discussions to connect and engage with others wrestling with the same questions.
Speakers include local Minnesotan sustainability leaders including:
-Mignon Senuta, former Global Head and Senior Director, Sustainability & Social Impact at Mattel, former ESG lead at McDonald's
-Stewart Rassier, Founder & Principal Consultant, Responsible Impact Group
-Jon Smieja, former GreenBiz analyst, Director of Circularity, WAP Sustainability
Benefiting the Immigration Defense Network
All proceeds from this event will support the Immigrant Defense Network (IDN), a Minnesota-based coalition of more than 90 immigrant, labor, legal, faith, and community organizations working to protect the constitutional rights of immigrant communities through legal support, rapid response, and know-your-rights resources.
Hower Impact will cover the platform fees, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to IDN.
The goal is to raise $10,000—that means at least 400 sustainability professionals taking a stand together.
About the host
Mike Hower is founder of Hower Impact, a sustainability communications consultancy, and author of the forthcoming book, Sustainability Storytelling. He writes The Sustainability Story Substack and hosts The Sustainability Communicator podcast.