Molly Aeck is a Managing Director of Southern Company’s New Ventures organization, overseeing the company’s venture capital investing activity in emerging technologies and business model innovations that are transformative to the energy and utilities industry. She works with Southern’s operating businesses to integrate and commercialize these innovations and supports the origination and development of new business ventures. Molly played a key role in creating Energy Impact Partners, the $1B venture fund in which Southern is founding partner and chairman.

Dr. Michael E. Chang is the Deputy Director of the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems at Georgia Tech. His research focuses on the complexity of the urban and regional environment, and how nature, technology, economics, and culture lead to both environmental problems and solutions.  In the past, Dr.

John Heagy is a Senior Managing Director for Hines Southeast. He is responsible for the leasing and marketing of the office projects and for securing corporate services and mixed-use development assignments in the Southeast Region of the United States. John joined the firm in 1996 and has been active in Atlanta's commercial real estate market since 1977.

Danny Johnson is the Manager of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, which is housed in the offices of the Atlanta Regional Commission. Danny works with over 100 jurisdictions across metro Atlanta on regional challenges involving water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management. Prior to taking this position in 2013, Danny worked in consulting for 11 years with CDM Smith and Hayes, James & Associates.

Danny graduated from UGA Engineering in 2002 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and an emphasis in Natural Resource Management.

Michael Oxman joined Scheller College in 2016 as the Managing Director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business where he teaches business sustainability courses and oversees industry outreach, partnerships, and educational initiatives.

Shane Totten is an architect and the Director of Education and Research at Southface. He leads efforts to identify and develop education, training, and research opportunities to pursue Southface’s vision of a regenerative economy, responsible resource use, and a healthy built environment for all. 

Beth Ament is the Associate Director of Market Transformation and Development for USGBC. Beth has more than ten years of experience in Transportation Demand Management, community outreach, project management, sustainability consulting, and team management. She recently worked with the USGBC Georgia community as an independent contractor managing the Host Committee and coordinating education and networking events leading up to Greenbuild 2019.

Andres Villegas is President and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation. In this capacity, he is responsible for advocating for Georgia’s $36.5 billion forest products industry and connecting 10 million Georgians to the states 22 million acres of working forests. The Georgia Forestry Association is focused on ensuring that Georgia remains the #1 forestry state in the nation.

Dennis joined The Kendeda Fund in 2017 and serves as the fund advisor for a variety of sustainability initiatives in the southeast. In 1978, Dennis co-founded Southface, an Atlanta-based nonprofit promoting sustainable homes, workplaces and communities. He ran the organization for 38 years, and under his direction Southface has become a trusted partner to federal and local governments, utilities, businesses and nonprofits, as well as a valuable resource to consumers.

FORMER PRESIDENT OF STUDENTS ORGANIZING FOR SUSTAINABILITY