Sustainability and Social Impact

Are you interested in learning about Sustainability and exploring topics/trends to make a difference?

Hear from experts, have social impact in our community, connect with like-minded peers. Free monthly meetings at HAYVN from 10–11am.

Explore — Ask Questions — Have Social Impact — Make a Difference

HAYVN Sustainability/Social Impact Group is spearheaded by Sam Cherubin and Lisa Miniter.

This group brings like-minded people together to explore and understand what is happening today to help our planet, and ourselves, build a more sustainable future.

Each of us can make a difference!

4 Reasons to Join

• Explore – How to live sustainably to meet our needs without compromising future generations
• Ask Questions – Explore a wide range of topics from monthly featured speakers
• Have Social Impact – Promote social equity and inclusion
• Make a Difference – Learn new ways to live, work and play in more sustainable-driven communities. 

Admission is Free

Monthly Meetings: 10-11am in-person at HAYVN.

Conscious Consumerism: Empowering Your Life and Transforming Your Work ​— June 16, 2023

Featuring Briana Hart, CEO of buyVerde, Silvina Skverer Founder of Thinking Beyond Business and Gavin Watson, Chair of Conscious Capitalism CT

What is conscious consumerism, and why is it important? Join us as we delve into the fundamental principles and values of conscious consumerism, and gain a deeper understanding of its significance.

Practical Tips for Implementing Conscious Consumerism

Explore sustainable and ethical shopping practices by identifying and supporting socially responsible brands and businesses. Learn how to embrace a minimalist lifestyle and make conscious choices that align with your values while being mindful of our planet’s finite resources.

• Navigating Labels and Certifications : Decode eco-labels and certifications to make informed choices that have a positive impact on the environment. Evaluate the credibility and transparency of labeling systems, ensuring you’re making truly conscious decisions.

• The Power of Consumer Activism: Briana Hart, CEO of buyVerde, Silvina Skverer Founder of Thinking Beyond Business and Gavin Watson, Chair of Conscious Capitalism CT will share their journeys, practical strategies and recommendations to become more conscious consumers and business leaders.

• Buy Verde online marketplace: Recognizing the Impact of Consumer Choices: Discover the tremendous impact your choices can have on social, environmental, and ethical aspects. Join us as we hear Briana Hart’s inspiring journey of developing an online marketplace that enables shoppers to align their purchases with their values, supporting businesses that generate social impact.

• Gavin’s Journey: Integrating Conscious Consumerism into Everyday Life : Learn from Gavin as he shares his personal journey of embracing conscious consumerism in both his everyday life and work. Gain practical insights and inspiration to incorporate conscious choices into your own lifestyle.

• Thinking Beyond Business Journey: Learn from Silvina and Soledad how a corporate lawyer and a former CFO embarked on a profound career shift to empower organizations to embrace conscious practices. Gain insights into the strategies to bridge the gap between conscious consumers and businesses, creating meaningful connections that drive positive change. Gain valuable insights into attracting conscious consumers and building sustainable relationships based on shared values.

ABOUT GAVIN WATSON

As VP Operations at Watson Inc., Gavin led several efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. From 2000, Watson began purchasing 100% wind energy buying over 4 million KWH of renewable electricity, reducing the company’s carbon footprint by around 1,000 tons of CO2 annually. In 2000 Gavin bought a new VW Golf Diesel and converted it to run on vegetable oil, then installed a diesel engine in a Porsche 914 and won the 2006 Tour de Sol’s most environmentally friendly biofuel vehicle award. In 2015 through an energy kaizen event, Watson reduced its electrical demand by 25% while at the same time increasing employee engagement. Watson engaged in all three of the programs that United Illuminating had at the time, PRIME, EUA, and BSC.

ABOUT SILVINA SKVERER

Silvina Skverer is a business professional with 10+ years in accounting, auditing, and finance. She holds a BA in accounting from University of Buenos Aires and is trained in ESG strategy development. She is a board member of the CT Sustainable Business Council and the business chair of the Greenwich Sustainability Committee and actively promotes sustainable initiatives within her local community. Her unwavering belief in the power of education and collective action drives her to empower businesses to embrace sustainability as a core value, creating a lasting impact on the world. She initiated several grassroots programs to raise awareness and educate businesses about implementing sustainable practices.

Conscious about her environmental footprint, Silvina has gradually been incorporating the principles of conscious consumerism into her life by driving an electric car, composting, buying used products, extending the lifecycle of household items, and supporting companies that are generating social impact.

ABOUT BRIANA HART

Briana is a former Wall Street executive of 18+ years experience in ESG, big data, launching businesses, running global teams, advising CEOs and boards in various roles at Morgan Stanley, BlackRock and Bank of America. She is committed to giving back to the community – currently serving on the nonprofit board for Family Centers in Fairfield County and previously having served on the board of Room to Grow.

Mark Your Calendars!

• June 16, 2023 – Conscious Consumerism: Empowering Your Life and Transforming Your Work SIGN UP
• Sept. 14, 2023 – Trends in Climate Science – How is the World Changing, What Can You Do Now? SIGN UP
• Oct. 20, 2023 – The Quest for Nutritional Perfection on a Warming Planet SIGN UP
• Nov. 15, 2023 – Sustainability Vendor Pop-Shop SIGN UP
• Dec. 15, 2023 – Government Outlook on Sustainability Policies SIGN UP
• DATE TBD – 2023 Trends in Sustainability & ESG

Missed an Event? Here Are A Few.

To watch them all, plus more videos and events go to HAYVN’s YouTube channel

About Sam Cherubin and Lisa Miniter

“Inside most companies, only a handful of people with “sustainability” roles consider climate issues part of their workday. But in this most all-encompassing challenge in human history, every job must be a climate job.” – Climate Solutions at Work, Project Drawdown.

Sam Cherubin believes integrating sustainability and climate change solutions into his role as a product manager is the hallmark of his 14-year career. Presently Sam serves as Digital Solutions Director/Strategist at Elevance, the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving 40M members.

During his tenure at Elevance, he has focused on designing innovative, sustainable solutions for climate impacts on health. Previous roles include serving as Elevance’s Senior Product Manager/Strategist from 2017 to 2020 and as Product Manager for a boutique consulting firm from 2008 to 2017.

Lisa Miniter is a versatile B2B2C market strategist and partnerships developer who integrates a strong creative orientation in building partnership frameworks, sales development, go-to-market planning, and strategic business writing.  Additionally, she has capabilities in conceptualizing and selling multi-level media packaging with an emphasis on early-stage platforms.   Her sales management experience with integrated media sales has included the U.S., Mexico, and Europe.

Primary Industries:  Sustainability, Regenerative Ag, Hotels, Wellness/Nutrition. 

Learn more about HAYVN’s coworking, event space, and programs.