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ILFI Living Product Expo 2016: Opening Night Keynote | September 13, 2016

Living Product Expo Keynote with Inspire Speakers Series
At the 2016 Living Product Expo Opening Night Keynote, we heard from thought-leaders in the green building industry and sustainable manufacturing: Amanda Sturgeon, Jason F. McLennan, Leo Gerard, Khari Mosley, and Bart Bleijerveld. They shared their experiences, sources of inspiration, connections to social justice and sustainability, and the importance in shifting the paradigm around materials and manufacturing.

We kicked off the evening with remarks from Amanda on the Institute’s work in breaking the boundaries on sustainable product development standards. In a panel moderated by Khari Mosley, Jason and Leo discussed their experiences growing up in Sudbury, Ontario – witnessing the polluted lakes and barren lands caused by logging and mining industries. This served as a source of inspiration for change, making the connection between social justice and sustainability. Later in the night, Bart shared his story behind the Better Future Factory which finds and develops creative, yet realistic, and sustainable solutions for the most pressing environmental issues. They incorporate the underlying principles of the circular economy to close loops, re-cycle materials, increase value, and develop businesses that contribute to a better future for all.

About the speakers:

Bart Bleijerveld

Bart Bleijerveld

Bart Bleijerveld co-founded Better Future Factory, a multi-disciplinary company focused on design, environmental issues, and­­ engineering. Better Future Factory finds and develops creative yet realistic and sustainable solutions for the most
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Jason McLennan final

Jason F. McLennan

Considered one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and green building movement today, Jason McLennan, CEO and Partner at McLennan Design, is a highly sought out
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Leo Gerard

Leo W. Gerard

Leo W. Gerard is the International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) Union. He also is a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Committee and chairs the labor federation’s Public Policy Committee.
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Khari Mosley final

Khari Mosley

Khari Mosley is the Pennsylvania Regional Programs Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance. He was the Director of Green Economy Initiatives at GTECH Strategies, a nonprofit social enterprise investing in community revitalization
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Amanda Sturgeon ISS

Amanda Sturgeon

Amanda Sturgeon, FAIA, is the CEO of the International Living Future Institute. She joined the Institute in 2010 following a career as a licensed architect with fifteen years experience designing and managing
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An initiative of Green Building Alliance, the Inspire Speakers Series is a sequence of lectures that brings fresh, innovative thinking on topics of sustainability to Pittsburgh, with the goal of inspiring and motivating our citizens and leaders to think bigger and bolder about what is possible for our region.

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Inspire Speakers Series © 2017. An initiative of Green Building Alliance