2026 Theme: HERITAGE PLACE MAKING
MORNING schedule
8:00 amdoors open | coffee | refreshments
8:25 am Introductory remarks
8:30 am WHY ARCHITECTS ARE THE IMPETUS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This architecture track explores how design, planning, and sustainability intersect to shape the cities we live in. Architecture icons share their approaches to human-centered design, adaptive reuse, and the importance of sustainable development.
Dan Pitera FAIA, NOMA, Hon. FALA, Dean at University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture + Community Development (MODERATOR)
Cody Hansen AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, Architect, Albert Kahn Associates
Janet Attarian AIA, LEED AP BD+C , Senior Principal & Senior Mobility Strategist, SmithGroup
Simon David, Founding Principal & Creative Director, OSD
Stefano Boeri, Architect of the Vertical Forest and Urban Planner, Stefano Boeri Architetti
9:15 am Keynote - SUSTAINABILITY FROM THE STATE LEVEL
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate and Secretary of State of Michigan, shares insights on leadership, civic engagement, and sustainability in governance. Her keynote underscores the importance of collaboration, transparency, and innovation in shaping equitable urban futures.
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate, Secretary of State of Michigan
9:30 am MASS TIMBER SHOULD BE AN ELEMENTAL FOUNDATION BUILDING BLOCK
A conversation highlighting the promise of mass timber and how innovative building materials in sustainable architecture align for the future of our cities. Hear how design solutions using timber are changing the future of urban development. While learning firsthand how timber can be a sustainable and equitable solution for mass development in our cities.
Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU (MODERATOR)
Greg Monberg, Director of Architecture, Wightman
Anthony Askew, CEO, City On The Rise Development
Erik Knauss, Architect, INFORM Studio
10:10 amFireside Chat - ICONIC DESIGN AND COMMUNITY
Two leading design voices discuss the future of iconic developments and community integration in Detroit. This conversation explores Michigan Central’s development vision and the architectural strategies driving Bedrock’s urban projects.
Melissa Dittmer, Chief Design Officer, Michigan Central
Jake Chidester, Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Bedrock
10:30 amBreak
10:50 amFireside Chat - THE STATE OF MOBILITY
A robust conversation between two city and state mobility leaders on what mobility looks like today and tomorrow and how a connected future for our communities is really taking shape.
Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Tony Geara, Deputy Chief of Mobility Innovation, City of Detroit
11:10 amDesigning for People and Planet — Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Detroit
Leaders from Detroit’s philanthropic, innovation, and environmental sectors discuss how partnerships in green initiatives align people with innovation while connecting sustainability to grow more resilient communities.
Ivana Kalafatic, Founder & Publisher, Detroitisit (MODERATOR)
JJ Velez, Director of Public Space, Gilbert Family Foundation
Monica Tabares, Vice President, The Greening of Detroit
Kevin Mull, Senior Director - Strategy and Innovation, Bedrock
12:00 pmLunch
Come prepared to enjoy two Detroit favorite food trucks parked in front.
Food Trucks: Jamaican Spice, Egg Roll Diva
1:15 pmFireside Chat – THE POSSIBILITIES OF ORGANIC SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN
An intimate conversation between two powerful Detroit generators of change, speaking on community resilience, neighborhood transformation, and building a culture of sustainability rooted in empowerment.
Shamayim "Mama Shu" Harris, Founder & CEO, Avalon Village
Tepfirah Rushdan, Sustainability Director, City of Detroit
1:35 pmMOBILITY, WHY DOES IT MATTER
Mobility innovators discuss how transportation, technology, and micromobility solutions are shaping the infrastructure of modern cities and improving connectivity for urban environments.
Vince Keenan, Head of Innovation Engagement, Mayor’s Office of Mobility Innovation (MODERATOR)Meaghan Kennedy, Founder, Orange Sparkle Ball; Co-Founder, Penny Pickup
Connor McCarthy, Startup Activations, Newlab Ventures
Lauren Mattar, Director of Mobility Initiatives, NextEnergy
2:20 pmStudent Sustainability Studio Collective Launch
2:45 pmBreak
3:10 pmKeynote - THE POWER OF "&™"
This is not just another executive Keynote address. This is a former executive, turned entrepreneur, armed with the skills and knowledge to inspire us to think out of the box in terms of integrating sustainability into the “&” of the businesses we run. Get ready to take notes!
Matt Elliott, CEO and Founder, Blue Lake Ideas
3:40 pmTHE LIVEABLE FUTURE OF WATER
Hear experts in the water resilience space convene on how we can ensure Michigan is livable in 50 years. To do so, we need to bring our best, most creative minds together. This conversation brings together experts from RU4Michigan to share how they are harnessing the collective strengths of the universities to serve Michigan’s environmental future.
Moushumi Khan, Advisor (MODERATOR)
Vince Nystrom, Strategic Consultant, Research Universities for Michigan
Liesl Clark, Director, Climate Action Engagement, U-M School for Environment and Sustainability
Pouyan Nejadhashemi, University Research Foundation Professor and Director of the Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University
4:25 pmHOW DOES INNOVATION TRANSLATE TO CLEAN TECH
Hear how clean tech can transform energy, materials, and systems once design thinking is applied. The conversation highlights what local and global industry is doing in terms of clean tech and design in the space.
Liesl Clark, Director, Climate Action Engagement, U-D School for Environment and Sustainability (MODERATOR)
Ian Lambert, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, College for Creative Studies
Christy Clark, Director, Sustainability and Compliance, DTE Energy
Andrea Minerdo, Chief Corporate Officer NatPower, Chairman NatPower H
5:10 pmSustainable Urban Air Mobility: Building the Infrastructure for Tomorrow's Cities
As cities worldwide grapple with congestion, accessibility, and sustainability challenges, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) emerges as a transformative solution for urban transportation. This track brings together Detroit-based leaders at the forefront of drone operations and urban air mobility infrastructure to explore how emerging aerial technologies can support resilient, sustainable cities across the U.S. and world.
Rich Fahle, Vice President of Marketing, Airspace Link (MODERATOR)
Michael Healander, CEO & Co-Founder, Airspace Link
Matt Whitaker, Director, Mobility Innovation Platform, Michigan Central
Keith Miao, Founder & CEO, Birdstop
5:50 pmClosing Remarks
6:00 pmAfter Party
Join us for wine and networking!