Denver Green Careers Forum is an event that will take place on August 22 and 23. This program, presented by ReDirect Guide, is part of the EarthWorks Expo 2009 and is designed to provide insights into Colorado's green job market and resources for job seekers. A program agenda is listed below.
The Green Careers Forum will take place in Expo Hall III at the Denver Merchandise Mart (451 E. 58th Avenue at I-25). Adult ticket prices (at the door) are $9 for two days and $5 for one day (discounts available for youth and seniors). More information on this program is available at the here.
GREEN CAREERS FORUM
Agenda
August 22 and 23, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Greening your Resume, and Your Interview! As interest in green business increases, so does competition in the job market. Learn how you can rise to the top of the applicant pool by talking the talk of green business, and how to accentuate and build your relevant experience. Throughout the weekend, sustainability professionals will be on hand to offer critique and insight on resumes, cover letters, and interview techniques.
SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS
All presentations run 70-75 minutes, including Q&A. Times shown are actual start times; seating begins 10 minutes before.
August 22
10:40 – 11:50 AM
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
A look at preparing tomorrow’s workforce. The work to create a more sustainable society will be far from over when our generation passes the torch on to our children. What steps can we take now to teach our children the importance of taking care of the earth and getting them into the right habits from the start? This presentation will offer ideas to implement in your home, various eco-focused schooling options, as well as potential extracurricular programs that nourish an ongoing understanding of our interconnectedness with our environment.
Featured Speaker: Kendra Sandoval, Founder, Blue and Yellow Logic
Kendra Sandoval has served diverse communities in teaching, social justice, and environmental activism for over fifteen years. She was the Northwest Community Liaison for Mayor Webb and an intern with Greenprint Denver. Kendra served as Outreach Director with Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, and now heads her own social enterprise organization – Blue and Yellow Logic – where she provides consultancy on sustainability and ecological issues.
12:10 – 1:20 PM
Cutting Your Own Trail
Looking for a job that inspires and motivates? Something that will better the planet and still support you financially? Whether you’re looking to start your own company, or join forces with an existing one, this panel of green entrepreneurs examines what it takes to start your own green business, and offers tips to aspiring entrepreneurs in finding your own niche in the evolving market.
Featured Speaker: Stu Galvis, Chief Visionary Officer, Boulder Green Properties
Stu Galvis is a Green Real Estate Consultant with Boulder Green Properties in Boulder, CO and a certified National Instructor for EcoBroker International. An environmental advocate and Certified Climate Project Presenter as trained by Al Gore, Stu works with Realtors®, schools, businesses and the entertainment industry to educate the public about clean, renewable energy, green building and global climate change.
Featured Speaker: Mike Johnson, Founder Dude, ReDirect Guide
Mike Johnsonis the Founder and Co-Publisher of the ReDirect Guide, a sustainable business promotional network, with current local editions in the Front Range of Colorado, Portland, OR and Salt Lake City, UT. A driven entrepreneur and environmental advocate, Mike uses his extensive business experience to develop new products and services, create green jobs, and help sustainability flourish.
3:10 – 4:20 PM
Preparing Yourself to Enter the Green Economy
Familiarizing yourself with green business can have a steep learning curve. Whether you’re interested in green building, renewable energy, product manufacturing, or natural foods, each industry comes with its own set of standards, associations, and history. This workshop will be a conversation on ways to gain additional knowledge to better prepare for a green career and gain the competitive edge you may need through volunteer opportunities, continuing education, and job training programs.
Featured Speaker: Elizabeth Cooperman, University of Colorado Denver
Elizabeth Cooperman is an Associate Professor of Finance & Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado Denver and the MBA Program Director, and Co-Director of the Managing for Sustainability Program. Her research and teaching areas are in Financial Institutions Management and Corporate Finance, and Entrepreneurship. She is currently one of the editors and writers for a joint CORE/UCD book project, "A Simple Path to Sustainability," that will be published by Praeger Publishers.
4:40 – 5:50 PM
Understanding Government Funding in the Green Economy
News networks are abuzz with the billions of dollars being allocated nationally through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Learn how ARRA funds are being allocated in Colorado, ask questions about stimulus funds, how they will be allocated, and how best to take advantage in our current economic climate.
August 23
10:40 – 11:50 AM
Greening Your Workplace
Any business can be a green business. A more sustainable workplace can not only lessen your office's ecological footprint, but can also create a healthier and more productive environment and help your financial bottom line. This workshop will share many easy and practical steps you can take to lay the groundwork towards a healthy, low-impact workspace, and provide examples of business and environmental leaders who have taken inspiring steps toward a more environmentally sustainable business model.
Featured Speaker: Graham Russell, Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE)
Born and brought up in England, Graham Russell has spent 32 years in the US, largely in CEO roles in the transportation and environmental services industries. Later, he devoted himself to consulting work in the recycling, environmental services and cleantech sectors. He became Executive Director of CORE in August, 2008. Russell has a BA from Cambridge University and an MBA in Finance from the UK’s Cranfield School of Management.
1:40 – 2:50 PM
Local Networks for Green Job-Seekers
It’s who you know! There are dozens of sustainability-focused organizations, networking events, professional groups, and volunteer opportunities that are actively weaving a support web for sustainability in Colorado. Learn more from network leaders on how to integrate, meet new people, and connect with potential employers. This panel will be moderated by Sarah Wells, Communications Maven/Stakeholder, ReDirect Guide.
3:10 – 4:20 PM
Growth Sectors for Colorado’s Green Economy
Colorado has positioned itself for rapid green job growth in many sectors. Hear from city and state government, as well as private sector experts about green collar job growth in Colorado and where you can fit in.
Featured Speaker: Lynn Sargent, City of Denver Office of Economic Development
Lynn Sargent’s public service spans nearly 20 years. She is currently a Business Development Representative at Denver’s Office of Economic Development, where her work targets the Energy and Information & Communications Technology industries, focusing on business consulting, retention/expansion, human capital, and the Greener Denver program. Lynn is a graduate of National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s 2008 Executive Energy Leadership Program, and serves on the Board of Advisors for CU’s Global Energy Management program.