Panels and Speakers

“The days where we can get anything we want at the price we want are over in the era of climate change.”
- Dr. Sanjay Patnaik, Director of the Center on Regulation and Markets at The Brookings Institution

Climate change is a large-scale and increasingly relevant topic. From rising waters to erratic weather and large scale fires, the devastating effects of climate change are seen by everyone. However, there is a lesser known, everyday impact for which the average consumer pays the price. From your daily coffee, weekly grocery bill, or monthly energy bill, climate change has a hand in all these rising prices. IBES was happy to host multi-disciplinary panel on Wednesday, January 22 from 5:30-7 PM in Hilton 100 and where we discussed how everyday decisions can help mitigate the impact, particularly in the wake of the devastating LA wildfires. 

Our distinguished professors and student facilitators included: 

• Clare Beer: Assistant Professor of Urban & Environmental Studies
• Dane Lazarus: Science, Research, and Policy Specialist, University of Southern California Sea Grant Program
• Emily Jarvis: Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Junghoon Park: Assistant Professor of Management
• Trevor Zink: Associate Professor of Management and Sustainability
• Naomi Alvarado: CSE '26, B.S in Statistics and Data Science
• Nicolas Salkin: CSE'25, B.S in Physics and Mathematics Double Major

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it can make our lives more convenient, but it can also create new unforeseen issues. Tools such as ChatGPT can offer many advantages to students; however, there is a question of how to use them ethically and effectively. When the shortcomings of AI are misunderstood, day-to-day lives can become impacted by biases, a lack of creativity, and misconstrued information. 

A panel of LMU faculty from the disciplines of computer science, business, history, and sociology will unravel some of the mysteries of AI. Get all of your questions answered and more at this student-facilitated panel. A reception will follow where students can continue the discussion with panelists. The event featured:  

• Dr. Anna Farzindar, CSE Clinical Professor of Computer Science
  Bio on Dr. Anna Farzindar
• Dr. Elizabeth Drummond, BCLA Associate Professor of History
  Bio on Dr. Elizabeth Drummond
• Dr. Arvin Mesgari, CBA Associate Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics
  Bio on Dr. Arvin Mesgari
• Dr. Sarah Adeyinka-Skold, BCLA Assistant Professor of Sociology
  Bio on Dr. Sarah Adeyinka-Skold
• Naomi Alvarado, CSE 26' Statistics and Data Science Major
  Bio on Naomi Alvarado
• Wesley Ng, CSE 26' Computer Science Major
  Bio on Wesley Ng

On November 9th, IBES hosted an evening of conversation and networking with five LMU alumni who are building impactful careers in sustainability. Students were fortunate to hear how these past Lions started and developed sustainability-focused careers in diverse fields such as textiles, fashion, technology, electronics, and construction:

• Emily Hand CSE '14 – Director and Chief of Staff, Verdical Group
• Mara Ley CSE '18, MBA '22 – Sustainability Manager, Vuori Clothing 
• Saul Menjivar-Peña CBA '18 – Corporate Partnerships Manager, Plug and Play 
• Will Portman CBA '22 – Graphic Designer, Ambercycle 
• Ernie Roberts CSE '10 – Head of Global Sustainability, Belkin International

In addition to discussing their impactful work, our panelists shared insight on sustainability issues and trends they're seeing in their respective fields.

IBES presented a two-day sustainability series which highlighted sustainable entertainment in North American and British Entertainment. 

On March 16, Zena Harris of the Green Spark Group and Lydia Dean Pilcher from the Green Production Guide shared about the industry's impact on reducing the carbon footprint. Anna Joyner from the Good Energy Project discussed the way they support screenwriters in incorporating climate awareness in to popular shows and new films.

On March 17th, Katy Murdock of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and albert discussed certification of green practices in the British film industry.

Meet the speakers here:  

• Zena Harris, Green Spark Group
• Lydia Dean Pilcher, Green Production Guide
• Anna Jane Joyner, Good Energy Project
• Katy Murdock, British Academy of Film and Television

Corporate Responsibility & Global Business - A conversation with Jennifer Leitsch, VP, Corporate Responsibility at CRBE

Discussion with Patrick Temple-West, journalist with Financial Times Moral Money series, which explores the fast-growing, international shift towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing.