Physical & Digital Decarbonization: Scaling Sustainability Across AI and Real Estate

The event will feature two panel discussions exploring how organizations are driving decarbonization across both the physical and digital worlds. Together, these conversations will examine the unique challenges, shared responsibilities, and collaborative solutions needed to accelerate a more sustainable future. 2:30–3:30 PM | The Spaces That Shape Us: Bridging Corporate Real Estate, Operations, and Classrooms The built environment is one of NYC's largest sources of emissions, yet the responsibility for reducing its impact is shared across many stakeholders. Landlords drive capital investments, operations teams influence daily energy and waste performance, and schools shape long-term behavior change. This discussion brings these perspectives together to explore shared challenges, points of friction, and opportunities for collaboration. By connecting leaders across the built environment, the conversation will highlight practical solutions to accelerate building decarbonization and create a more sustainable future for NYC. Panelists: • Daniella Zandi | Director of Sustainable Operations, JLL • Meredith McDermott | Chief Sustainability & Decarbonization Officer, NYC Public Schools • Nadav Avihay | Sustainability Associate, SL Green Realty Corp. Moderator: Michael Chen | Workplace Sustainability Program Manager, Okta 4:00–5:00 PM | Responsible AI at Scale: Bridging Tech Innovation, Responsible Technology & Climate featuring Okta, Salesforce and AWS The race to scale AI infrastructure creates real tension: how do you deploy capacity at the speed the market demands while doing so responsibly? This panel tackles both sides. First, the infrastructure challenge: designing and operating data centers with resource efficiency and environmental stewardship as core guiding principles. Second, the governance imperative: upholding rigorous standards for human rights, data privacy, and responsible AI as these systems grow. Presenters will discuss how organizations can pursue scale and responsibility not as tradeoffs, but as integrated disciplines. Panelists: • Alexis Bateman | Head of Sustainability, Amazon Web Services (AWS) • Alison Colwell | Senior Director Sustainability & Responsible Technology, Okta • Amanda Von Almen | Senior Director, Sustainability Intelligence & Decarbonization, Salesforce Moderator: Kari Hayden Pendoley | CEO & Co-Founder, Impact Savvy