Expert Industry Panel & Breakfast
ESG: Opportunities & Challenges of Responsible Infrastructure
As the impact of global climate change grows, so have concerns about the negative impact of infrastructure projects on socio-economic-environmental ecosystems.
The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) into infrastructure projects provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to reduce risks and to demand a change that promotes investment in innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. This change in industry mindset is gaining traction and many are hungry for assurances about the integrity of ESG implementation in infrastructure projects.
Join us for an expert panel, networking, and canapés as we explore the opportunities and challenges in driving ESG initiatives in current & future infrastructure in the USA.
Our expert panel speakers will share the latest thought leadership and best practices in the world of responsible infrastructure.
Panel Speakers
Dr. Cris Liban, Chief Sustainability Officer, LA Metro
William Gorham, Vice President, Plenary
Blair Schlecter, Director - Business Development and Programming, Stantec
Zafar Alikhan, Infrastructure & Sustainability Manager, TRC Companies
This event has been organised specifically for Government and Advisory Professionals, across legal, financial, technical and policy backgrounds, in the transport and infrastructure sector in Los Angeles.
The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) into infrastructure projects provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to reduce risks and to demand a change that promotes investment in innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. This change in industry mindset is gaining traction and many are hungry for assurances about the integrity of ESG implementation in infrastructure projects.
Join us for an expert panel, networking, and canapés as we explore the opportunities and challenges in driving ESG initiatives in current & future infrastructure in the USA.
Our expert panel speakers will share the latest thought leadership and best practices in the world of responsible infrastructure.
Panel Speakers
Dr. Cris Liban, Chief Sustainability Officer, LA Metro
William Gorham, Vice President, Plenary
Blair Schlecter, Director - Business Development and Programming, Stantec
Zafar Alikhan, Infrastructure & Sustainability Manager, TRC Companies
This event has been organised specifically for Government and Advisory Professionals, across legal, financial, technical and policy backgrounds, in the transport and infrastructure sector in Los Angeles.
Location
Ace Hotel
Segovia Hall
29 S Broadway,
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Segovia Hall
29 S Broadway,
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Date & Time
December 8, 2022
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
COST
Free to attend
Speakers
Dr. Cris B. Liban P.E., ENV SP
Chief Sustainability Officer
LA Metro
Cris oversees LA Metro’s internationally recognized Environmental, Sustainability, and Energy initiatives.
Cris is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles County Beach Commission and the Vice-President of the City of Los Angeles Board of Transportation Commissioners. He also sits on the Green Bonds Development Committee for the State of California. He previously led the American Society of Civil Engineers National Committee on Sustainability where he oversaw the development of an international standard for sustainable infrastructure, a guide for the incorporation of climate science into engineering practice, and a guide for green procurement. He is currently the lead author for the Transportation Chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
Cris is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles County Beach Commission and the Vice-President of the City of Los Angeles Board of Transportation Commissioners. He also sits on the Green Bonds Development Committee for the State of California. He previously led the American Society of Civil Engineers National Committee on Sustainability where he oversaw the development of an international standard for sustainable infrastructure, a guide for the incorporation of climate science into engineering practice, and a guide for green procurement. He is currently the lead author for the Transportation Chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
William Gorham
Vice President - Business Development & Partnering Group
Plenary
Will currently cultivates new projects and serves as the initial contact with public sector clients, assembling optimal project teams to successfully win and deliver projects. He provides ongoing client relationship, stakeholder management, and strategic insight during the procurement, delivery, and operations phases of infrastructure projects.
Prior to joining Plenary, Will worked at an LA-area public and government relations firm providing energy and environment clients with strategic planning, media relations and community outreach assistance. He started his career as an analyst for a strategy consulting firm providing strategic market analysis across a variety of industries.
Prior to joining Plenary, Will worked at an LA-area public and government relations firm providing energy and environment clients with strategic planning, media relations and community outreach assistance. He started his career as an analyst for a strategy consulting firm providing strategic market analysis across a variety of industries.
Blair Schlecter
Director - Business Development & Programs
Stantec GenerationAV™
Blair knows that autonomous technologies are transforming how our transportation networks operate. This belief guides him as the director
of business development and programs for Stantec GenerationAV™, Stantec’s autonomous vehicle (AV) consulting arm focused on accelerating AV adoption. An attorney and policy expert by trade, Blair now focuses on implementing strategies to educate our clients’ understanding of AVs and how to use these technologies effectively.
Driven by an interest in sustainable transportation and all the benefits AVs can bring, Blair regularly provides key new insights in this field through industry events and various writings, including transportation technology forums and published articles.
of business development and programs for Stantec GenerationAV™, Stantec’s autonomous vehicle (AV) consulting arm focused on accelerating AV adoption. An attorney and policy expert by trade, Blair now focuses on implementing strategies to educate our clients’ understanding of AVs and how to use these technologies effectively.
Driven by an interest in sustainable transportation and all the benefits AVs can bring, Blair regularly provides key new insights in this field through industry events and various writings, including transportation technology forums and published articles.
Zafar Alikhan
Infrastructure & Sustainability Manager
TRC Companies
Zafar has over 25 years of experience in the engineering and environmental industry to promote liveability through green mobility and other infrastructure in the US, and in Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa. His expertise lies in ESG frameworks, sustainable financing, project development, and decarbonization.
He currently leads the Infrastructure Sustainability and Resilience practice at TRC. Zafar has a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from UCLA, a Master of Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s in Management & Finance from Harvard.
He currently leads the Infrastructure Sustainability and Resilience practice at TRC. Zafar has a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from UCLA, a Master of Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s in Management & Finance from Harvard.
Schedule
8:00 Am - 9:30 Am
Guests arrival, welcome standing breakfast
9:30 Am - 10:30 Am
Welcome; Live Expert Panel
10:30 Am - 11:00 Am
Live Q&A; Closing
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Drinks & networking
