As we emerge from the pandemic, how do we create a smarter and more equitable world?
The past 18 months have provided a real opportunity for many people to reexamine and recalibrate what they want from society. With that in mind, how do we move forward with intentionality and thoughtfulness, while at the same time disrupting, if not, dismantling age-old systems and constructs that do not serve our humanity and environment? Jean Oelwang is head of Virgin Unite and has delved deeply into understanding partnerships, which she believes is the key to creating a new paradigm. Partners Mick and Caskey Ebeling are part of her study and they will join to talk about how their work with Not Impossible Labs is enhanced by their particular partnership on so many different levels. Engine No. 1 is a hedge fund, focused on climate change, that recently took on ExxonMobil in an effective way that could have enormous ramifications on the future of our planet. Joining these speakers will be an array of festival guests who will briefly share their own big idea of how we build a new world that works for everyone.
Film: RESIST: The Resistance Revival Chorus
Speakers: Jean Oelwang, Jennifer Grancio, Mick and Caskey Ebeling
In-Person •Sunday, Oct 3 | 11:30 - 1:15pm | Sheridan Opera House
Virtual •Oct 8 - 31
Jean Oelwang (she/her)
Founding CEO and President of Virgin Unite Jean Oelwang works to create collectives and curate dialogues that helps businesses become positive social and environmental forces. She believes that partnerships and collaborations are essential to creating a new global model. Jean has advised the creation of many initiatives, including Ocean Unite, The B Team, The Carbon War Room, The Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator, and The Virgin Unite Constellation. Jean has spoken at TED and TedWomen and will speak to the power of successful partnerships, connection and reinventing society’s framework at the show Into the After.
Jennifer Grancio (she/her)
Jennifer Grancio is the CEO of Engine No.1, which is an impact investing group / hedge fund striving to redesign the framework of our economy with a focus on climate change. With only .02 percent of holdings in ExxonMobil, Engine No.1 has managed to gain four activist seats on ExxonMobil’s board and, subsequently, a voice to begin steering the giant oil and gas company away from non-renewables.
Prior to Engine No.1, Jennifer founded an advisory firm where she worked with CEOs to accelerate business growth. Jennifer graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Economics and International Relation and from Columbia Business School with an MBA, after which she went on to work for PwC and, later, co-found BlackRock’s iShares. Jennifer will speak to how innovation in the financial sector can help lower our carbon output at the show Into the After.
Mick (he/him) and Caskey (she/her) Ebeling
Mick Ebeling is a television and commercial executive producer, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Caskey Ebeling is a film director and executive creative director. Together, Mick and Caskey co-founded Not Impossible Labs, a technology incubator that creates solutions for what they call “absurdities,” using technology that helps humans access the world in new ways. At the show Into the After, the two will speak to their partnership and what they have been able to achieve as a couple, (which is explored in Jean Oelawng’s new project exploring powerful partnerships and connection).
Steffi Reyes-Thomas
Steffi Reyes-Thomas is a Afro-Chicana woman who has been practicing sustainable interior architecture both in San Diego and in Chicago where she was born and raised. First learning how to sing in church, she expanded her music knowledge by studying trumpet and bass. The Resistance Revival Chorus is a big part of Steffi's life as she has been helping to organize the San Diego chapter since 2018. This delicate border region is defined by the many people who cross the border everyday. Steffi has family on both sides of the border. She has learned the many hardships people face as the number of heart-wrenching stories are too many to count. She seeks to RESIST in the best way she knows how, through the music.