Kick off the Sustainable Enterprise Conference with an inspiring session that connects local efforts to global challenges, explores the barriers that hold us back, and highlights tangible opportunities for action that build hope and momentum.

Reflecting on the conference’s origins in 2006, we will honor nearly two decades of progress in advancing sustainability across our region. At the same time, we will confront the urgent challenges facing both our communities and the planet, asking what it will take to accelerate meaningful change.

This session will feature Gil Friend, recognized as one of the 10 most influential sustainability voices in America, who will share insights on systems change and our place in a living world. Leadership expert Erica Peng will offer tools for navigating complexity and driving bold solutions, drawing from her work with business and social impact leaders. Geof Syphers, CEO of Sonoma Clean Power, will discuss Sonoma County’s clean energy plan and the role of community-driven solutions in achieving a resilient, low-carbon future. 

Join us as we celebrate progress, address barriers, and ignite a shared vision for a sustainable future—empowering every participant to take meaningful action.

• Gil Friend
• Erica Peng
• Geof Syphers
• Oren Wool

For many, living in northern California means living with on-going stress from wildfire threat. 

In this session, Erica draws on lessons learned and best practices from the past 2 years organizing fuel reduction and evacuation planning in her own neighborhood of 80 homes on a dead-end street in a very high fire hazard severity zone. 

How does our automatic and unconscious fight-flight-freeze survival instinct actually prevent us from taking proactive steps to protect ourselves and our homes from the threat of wildfire?

How can we attend to the inner terrain of our emotions and nervous system to sustain health and well-being amidst on-going stress and threats to our survival?  

Erica has been invited to share her perspectives on the inner terrain that’s missing in wildfire threat and mitigation with the West Contra Costa County Fire Safe Council, Berkeley Fire Department, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, East Bay Wildfire Coalition, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, and Stanford University Wildfire Seminar Series.

More information about Erica’s work is at ericapengconnects.com. She can be reached at erica@ericapengconnects.com 

• Erica Peng

The North Bay’s food system is not only a cornerstone of our local economy but also a critical component of our climate resilience strategy. However, increasing climate risks—including drought, extreme heat, unpredictable weather patterns, and soil degradation—threaten the ability of local farms to produce food sustainably.

This Food Systems Panel, curated by Amie Glass and moderated by Clark Wolf of At the Table with Clark Wolf on KRSO, brings together farmers, policymakers, and food system advocates who are tackling these challenges head-on. Panelists include Joseph Button of Straus Family Creamery, who will share insights on the future of dairy farming in the North Bay; Brittany Jensen of Gold Ridge Conservation District, offering expertise on land stewardship and water resilience; Genevieve Taylor of Ag Innovations, providing a systems-level perspective on food policy and collaboration; and Farmer Elizabeth from Singing Frogs Farm, a pioneer in no-till regenerative farming—a practice that improves soil fertility, increases yields, reduces water use, enhances biodiversity, and sequesters carbon.

Join us for this essential conversation on the future of farming in the North Bay, the systemic risks we must address, and the innovative solutions shaping a climate-resilient regional food system.

• Clark Wolf
• Elizabeth Kaiser
• Brittany Jensen
• Genevieve Taylor
• Joseph Button

You’ve heard the term building decarbonization, but what does it actually mean, and why is it a key piece of the climate puzzle? This session is designed for those who are new to the topic and want a clear, practical understanding of how reducing carbon emissions from buildings can lower costs, improve health, and help meet climate goals.

Experts will break down the fundamentals—what building decarbonization is, how it works, and why it’s essential for businesses, homeowners, and policymakers. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, you’ll leave with a solid foundation to engage in the conversation and take steps toward a more sustainable built environment. Whether you're a building professional, policymaker, or simply curious, this session will provide the knowledge you need to get started.

• Ted Tiffany
• Diane Wheeler-Nicholson
• Mark Westwind

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Sonoma County. To create a safer, healthier, and more equitable transportation system, local jurisdictions and agencies have increased investments in improving transit services and facilities for active modes of transportation. Join us to learn more about these investments and discuss ways to support more sustainable transportation options.

• Tanya Narath
• Torina Wilson
• Chris Barney
• Jared Hall
• Owen Christofferson

What we call natural building is the continuation of many living, revived, and reinvented traditions of community-held building practices based on the use of local materials and multigenerational building knowledge. Standardized industrial construction methods have birthed a whole host of complementary building products, all owned and developed by specific companies who had no impetus to monitor the impacts to the commons, or people working along their supply chains. This has given rise to a culture of construction, which includes expectations around what materials should cost and how they should perform, that is dependent upon a wide array of specific products backed up by a system of intellectual property and legal liability.

• Massey Burke
• Anthony Dente, PE, LEED AP

Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of locally sourced dishes. The menu is designed to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and includes options to suit a variety of dietary preferences.

Redwood Bikeshare is the fun new way to get around Sonoma and Marin counties. Try out their bike at the conference.

Whether you’re running errands, visiting town, or riding recreationally, we welcome residents and visitors to cruise Sonoma and Marin counties with us! You'll need to download the APP available on their website to try the bikes.

Use the code "FreeRide" available the day of the event for those who would like to try it out.

More info and download the app here: https://redwoodbikeshare.com

Transitioning to a circular economy is key to reducing waste and conserving resources. This session will highlight successful recycling and composting programs, innovative business practices, and policies that support waste reduction in Sonoma County. Attendees will learn how local organizations are closing the loop on waste streams and creating economic opportunities through sustainable practices.

• Leslie Lukacs
• Celia Furber
• Erin Levine

With over 50 years on the front lines of the sustainability movement, Gil Friend—called one of the 10 most influential sustainability voices in America by The Guardian—invites you to an interactive session exploring where we’ve been, where we stand, and what’s next.

Together we’ll consider the challenge of moving beyond sustainability as damage control to doing businesses though we actually belong to the living world, and how a critical diagnosis of the six structural defects of capital-ism points to the strategies that could allow both people and the planet to truly thrive?

Join this dynamic, thought-provoking conversation and leave with fresh insights, new connections, and practical ideas for accelerating the transition to a living, regenerative world.

• Gil Friend

Petaluma is home to a growing network of climate initiatives, including Cool Petaluma, that are successfully engaging residents in meaningful action. This session will highlight key elements of Petaluma’s climate engagement success, from grassroots organizing to collaborative leadership, and explore how these strategies can be replicated in other communities to drive lasting impact.

• D’Lynda Fischer
• Natasha Juliana

Wildfires are increasingly devastating built environments, leaving profound impacts on lives, property, insurance markets, local economies, and ecosystems. In the face of what often feels like an insurmountable challenge, this session explores practical strategies and actionable solutions to mitigate risks, build resilience, and foster hope. Join experts and community leaders to discuss innovative approaches to adapting to wildfires and protecting what matters most.

• Stuart Mitchell, CWMS

With 513,000 acres of forestland in Sonoma County, forest landowners and managers have a substantial task in managing these lands for improved wildfire and climate resilience and protection of our communities and ecosystems from catastrophic wildfires. This session will divulge timely findings on our capacity to meet these challenges head on together, as well as highlight two local businesses that are creating solutions through their enterprises that transform low-value wood into value-added products.

• Temra Costa
• Jeremy Fisher
• Darek Trowbridge

Join us after the event for a special reception celebrating 15 years of GO LOCAL! 

This milestone marks over a decade of Sonoma GO LOCAL championing local businesses and fostering resilient communities. Together, we've shown how supporting locally owned businesses strengthens our economy, reduces environmental impact, and nurtures a vibrant, connected community. 

Enjoy a selection of mushrooms from Mycopia Gourmet Mushrooms, connect with fellow attendees, and celebrate the successes of the local movement while reflecting on the vital role small businesses play in creating a sustainable and thriving future. Let's toast to the power of "local" and the possibilities ahead!

Join Brian Bauer, CEO of Resynergi, for an exclusive tour of their cutting-edge plastic processing facility. Resynergi is pioneering innovative solutions to tackle plastic waste by converting discarded plastics into valuable resources through advanced processing technology.

This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how localized, high-efficiency recycling systems can transform the way we manage plastic waste, reduce environmental impact, and create circular economy opportunities. Participants will gain insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in plastic processing and explore how this technology can be scaled to support sustainability goals in the North Bay and beyond.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see sustainability and innovation in action!

https://www.resynergi.com/

• Brian Bauer

SOMO Cowork: Where Sustainability Meets Wellness

Located within the eco-conscious SOMO Village in Rohnert Park, California, SOMO Cowork offers 24,000 square feet of solar-powered workspace designed to foster productivity, well-being, and environmental responsibility. The fully solar-powered building features modern, flexible workspaces, including a zen garden workstation, lounge areas, and an outdoor deck, creating an inspiring atmosphere for professionals and entrepreneurs.

SOMO Cowork provides a range of wellness-focused amenities, such as yoga and fitness classes, meditation and massage rooms, and a communal kitchen stocked with healthy snacks and beverages. As a hub for collaboration and innovation, it brings together a community that values sustainability, connection, and personal growth.

As part of the conference, attendees are invited to tour SOMO Cowork and experience firsthand how sustainability is seamlessly integrated into the modern work environment. This is an opportunity to explore a workspace designed for the future, where productivity and welness go hand in hand.

www.somocowork.com

• Maciej Plich

Farmer Elizabeth will lead this informative and inspiring tour designed exclusively for guests of the Sustainable Enterprise Conference. While walking the farm with you, Farmer Elizabeth will reveal the intricate web of life that has been created on their multi award-winning biodiverse and sustainable farm. You’ll discuss principles of regenerative farming and increasing soil carbon but also what it's like to have a farming business that employs crew year-round as part of your local food system. Learn how food can be grown while supporting and enhancing the soil and watershed and creating abundant wildlife habitat that also happens to produce food for us humans!

Special Tour of Singing Frogs Farm for Sustainable Enterprise Conference on Saturday, March 29

Please Note: This 90-minute tour will be held at Singing Frogs Farm in Sebastopol on Saturday, March 29, and will require sturdy walking shoes. This event is ticketed separate from the conference.

Register for the tour with this link. Register today.

• Elizabeth Kaiser