Thursday, June 8th, 2023
Widener University, Alumni Auditorium, 1 University Place, Chester, PA 19013
The Conference was free of charge, vegan, zero waste, and accessible by public transit
View the conference:
2nd Annual Sustainability Conference
08:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast and Registration
Location: University Center Atrium and Pride Cafe
09:00 - 9:25 AM
Welcome and Introductions
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Andrew Workman, Provost of Widener University
- Elaine Paul Schaefer, Delaware County Vice Chair
- Tim Kearney, Senator
- Marc Woolley, Delaware County Chief Administrative Officer
09:25 - 10:05 AM
Keynote Speaker – Justin J. Harris
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Justin J. Harris, Climate Equity Collaborative
10:05 - 10:45 AM
Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future!
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Dr. Loyd Bastin, Associate Dean and Professor, Widener University
- Dr. Adelina Voutchkova-Kostal, Director of Sustainable Development at the American Chemical Society (ACS) and leads the ACS Green Chemistry Institute
Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future!
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Dr. Loyd Bastin, Associate Dean and Professor, Widener University
- Dr. Adelina Voutchkova-Kostal, Director of Sustainable Development at the American Chemical Society (ACS) and leads the ACS Green Chemistry Institute
10:45 - 11:10 AM
Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods: Building partnerships to mitigate gun violence and illegal dumping in Chester City
Location: Alumni Auditorium
Melissa Muroff, Program Coordinator, Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, Chief, Environmental Crimes Unit, Assistant District Attorney, Office of the Delaware County District Attorney
11:15 - 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion 1: Creating Sustainable Communities through Partnerships and Resources
Location: Alumni Auditorium
Moderator: Gina Burritt, Delaware County Planning Director
- Ariella Maron, Executive Director, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Frances M. Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County
- Paul K Johnson, Assistant Professor, Montgomery County Community College
- Stephanie Shirk, Client Relationship Manager, Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
Location: University Center Atrium and Pride Café
01:00 - 1:20 PM
Welcome and Awards
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Rebecca Yurkovich, Sustainability and Resilience Manager
01:20 - 1:40 PM
Air Monitoring Research: Science to Inform Policy
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Dr. Peter DeCarlo, Johns Hopkins University, Professor
01:45 - 2:15 PM
Panel Discussion 2: Air Monitoring Research: Science to Inform Policy
Location: Alumni Auditorium
Environmental Health, Justice and Sustainability — Air quality, interventions, and outcomes in environmental justice communities.
Moderator: Lora Werner, Deputy Director, Delaware County Department of Health
- Dr. Peter DeCarlo, Professor, Johns Hopkins University
- Dr. Kristin Ball Motley, Founder, Health Educated, Inc., Compliance Coordinator & Field Supervisor, Saint Joseph’s University
- Eve Miari, Delaware County Programs Director, Clean Air Council
- Justin Dula, Director, Office of Environmental Justice, PA Department of Environmental Protection
02:15 - 2:45 PM
Snack Break
Location: Cafeteria and Expo Area
02:45 - 3:15 PM
Composting: The Intersection of Waste + Wonder
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Gwenn Nolan, Founder & CEO, Mother Compost
03:20 - 4:00 PM
Panel Discussion 3: Sustainable Organization Leaders that are walking the walk
Location: Alumni Auditorium
Moderator: Caroline Hawkins, Strategic Advisor, Cogo
- Tracy Brown Barusevicius, Executive Director, Delaware County Transportation Management Association
- Fabrice Figliolini, Vice President of Finance, IT, Human Resources and Supply Chain, BOIRON USA
- Gamal Sherif, Mayor, Rutledge Borough, Delaware County
- Stephanie Shirk, Client Relationship Manager, Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences
- Richard (Rich) Sikora, Senior Director of Strategy in Boeing Defense, Space & Security
04:05 - 4:20 PM
Delaware County’s First Ever Sustainability Plan
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Francine Locke, Chief Sustainability Officer, Delaware County
- Rebecca Yurkovich, Sustainability and Resilience Manager
04:20 - 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Location: Alumni Auditorium
- Elaine Schaefer, Delaware County Council Vice Chair
- David E. Leaman, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Widener University