The Future is Circular: A Discussion on Advancing the Circular Economy
The linear economy serves as the basis for how the majority of our products are designed and manufactured today. Yet, this “take, make, waste” approach to production and consumption is the driver of many of the ecological crises we face: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Circularity, also known as the circular economy, offers an alternative framework to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate nature. Supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many businesses to consider circular economy principles as a means to improve supply chain resiliency. More recently, uncertainty around global trade agreements has had a similar effect.
This discussion will dive deep into the circular economy. We’ll learn about real-world examples of how circular economy principles are being put into practice; look at the market and geopolitical trends spurring circular thinking; understand what factors decision-makers are weighing when incorporating circularity into their value chains; and look at how policymakers, at both the global and local levels, are incentivizing circular practices.
This panel is co-hosted in collaboration with The Carbonauts and Idealist, and will feature the following experts:
Danielle Holly, Executive Lead for North America, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Danielle is the Executive Lead of North America for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, where she’s focused on building the momentum for the circular economy in the US and Canada and leading the North America team. Prior to joining the Foundation, Danielle spent her career at the intersection of business and environmental impact in leadership roles at the Aspen Institute’s Business & Society Program and Common Impact, a nonprofit that pioneered corporate pro bono service, for more than a decade.
Samantha Wittchen, Co-founder, iSpring and Circular Cities Network
Samantha Wittchen is a circular economy professional, designer, writer, and harpist based in Philadelphia. As co-founder of Circular Philadelphia and the Circular Cities Network, she focuses on advancing city-level circularity through integrating policy, infrastructure development and community engagement. As Principal and co-founder of iSpring, she develops circular tech and programs for companies and organizations. For her work at the intersection of the circular economy, technology, design and community, she received the 2024 Rad Award for Innovator of the Year from The Philadelphia Citizen and was named one of the 150 Most Influential Philadelphians by Philadelphia Magazine in 2023.
Katie Durham, Co-founder & CEO, Supra Elemental Recovery, Inc.
Katie Durham is the Co-Founder and CEO of Supra Elemental Recovery, a company transforming how critical minerals are separated and refined for advanced manufacturing. Prior to founding Supra, she was a Partner at Climate Capital, where she invested in early-stage industrial decarbonization startups. Katie started her career in public relations and business development for clean energy companies before transitioning into venture capital and deep tech entrepreneurship. She is a Feldberg Fellow at Columbia Business School and is passionate about strengthening and decarbonizing U.S. supply chains and helping breakthrough science move from lab to market.
Cassie Smith, Senior Manager, Corporate Sustainability, Samsung Electronics America
As a Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability, Cassie is responsible for accelerating the scale and impact of Samsung Electronics’ sustainability programs in the U.S., one of the world’s leading consumer electronics brands in one of its most valuable markets. Cassie oversees sustainability strategy execution and the integration of sustainability practices in the U.S. through strategic partnership engagement and stakeholder collaboration, with a focus on brand reputation and ESG communications. Her previous experience includes working in local government, financial services, and the United Nations Global Compact, where she was responsible for driving corporate engagement on topics of environmental and social sustainability to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strategic programs, partnerships and campaigns.
Moderated by Mikaela Ringquist, NY Chapter Lead, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability
Mikaela currently serves as the NY Chapter Chair for Women in Cleantech & Sustainability. Prior, she worked with the UN Global Compact where she forged strategic partnerships and led their flagship corporate sustainability campaign, mobilizing more than 1,800 companies worldwide around climate action, water stewardship, labor rights, and gender equality. Mikaela previously served on the NYC Fair Trade Coalition board and helped open the city's first Sustainable Fashion Community Center. She has a background in academia and diplomacy, focusing on U.S.-Middle East relations.
Co-Host:
The Carbonauts Sustainability Foundation educates individuals about sustainability, connects them with like‑minded people, and inspires meaningful action at home, at work, and in the community through events and workshops.
Sponsor:
Idealist is a 501(c)(3) organization based in New York. Since 1995 it has helped millions of people turn the desire to make a difference into meaningful action. Built on the belief that people everywhere want to contribute to their communities, Idealist has become one of the world’s most trusted platforms for social impact.
Beverage Sponsors:
https://littlesaints.com/
https://optimistdrinks.com/