Skip to main content

March 13, 2024

Business Summit focuses on Building a Sustainable Future


Attendees to the Summit will have the opportunity to learn about the latest advances and technologies in sustainable business practices and technology.

”The Business Summit is a great opportunity for folks from all industries to come together and discuss issues of sustainability. Greensboro is lucky to be in the middle of some amazing work around (environmental, social and governance) issues.”

Elizabeth Freeze
Senior Director of Philanthropy

Across North Carolina, manufacturers are deeply involved in efforts to improve their climate stewardship and take action on a wide range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. On March 20, the second Guilford College Business Summit brings together leading industry professionals, investors, and experts to discuss the business case for ESG and balancing governance and sustainable interests.


Building a More Sustainable Future, A Conversation with ESG Leaders will take place at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons. Attendees to the Summit will have the opportunity to learn about the latest advances and technologies in sustainable business practices and technology.


The Summit will kick off with Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory for Nasdaq, interviewing Brooks Raiford, President & CEO of NC Tech Association and a Guilford trustee about technology in North Carolina.


The Summit will feature two panel discussions. Todd Hall, President and CEO of Truliant Federal Credit Union, will moderate a conversation entitled “The Business Case for ESG” that will feature Dhruv Agarwal, Vice President, Sustainability, Innovation, Development for Kontoor Brands, Jeff Lail, Senior Data Analyst of Sustainability and Digital Agriculture for Syngenta, Charles Neidenbach, Director of Board Advisory, for Nasdaq and Kui Ou, Technical Director for Honda Aircraft Company.


In the second panel discussion, Paul Mengert, who chairs the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, will moderate a conversation on “Balancing Governance and Sustainable Interests,” featuring Shree Dorestant, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Greensboro, Linda Giuliano, CEO and Principal for BrightWorld ESG, and Courtney Kamlet, Vice President, Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Vontier.


The Summit wraps up with a closing keynote, “How Sustainability is Driving Business,” from Greg Sigmon, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for UNIFI.


”The Business Summit is a great opportunity for folks from all industries to come together and discuss issues of sustainability,” says Elizabeth Freeze, Senior Director of Philanthropy. “Greensboro is lucky to be in the middle of some amazing work around ESG.”


For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Elizabeth at efreeze@guilford.edu. Proceeds from the event support Guilford College’s Business Department, including an ethical leadership-focused MBA program.