Net Impact

Net Impact is a nonprofit supporting a grassroots, global movement of students and emerging impact leaders who want to use their skills to make a positive impact for people and the planet. The LMU graduate chapter of Net Impact explores issues related to the role business can play as a force of good.

Sustainability Symposium: The Business Case for De-Carbonization
Wednesday, Apr. 6 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. PT

The state of our global climate and evolving stakeholder demands has left companies with no option but to address climate change. Come learn about how companies are doubling down on climate change and utilizing technology to help create innovative reduction strategies that lead to assured investor confidence and sustainable operations. Hear from leaders in ESG consulting and climate strategy including KPMG and Pachama. Panelists include David Ross, Director, Infrastructure Deal & Advisory, ESG and Climate Advisory, KPMG; and David Bochner, Business Development and Partnerships, Pachama. Hosted by LMU Net Impact Graduate Chapter. Co-sponsored by the Center for International Business Education and Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainability.

Panelists

David Bochner

David Bochner leads Business Development and Partnerships for Pachama, a verified marketplace for forest carbon offsets. Backed by Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Pachama is harnessing the latest techniques in remote sensing (LiDAR, hyperspectral satellite images) and AI (deep learning, convolutional neural networks) to enhance the verification and monitoring of carbon capture by forests and natural ecosystems. The mission is to unlock private sector funding for the critical work of protecting, enhancing, and expanding natural carbon sinks and restore humanity's balance with nature. At Pachama, David's role is focused on the demand side of the business, generating interest and signing on partners such as Shopify, Microsoft, BCG, and Flexport to the platform to support forest projects around the world.

Prior to David's current role at Pachama, David had an extensive career working in technology startups. After getting a BBA from Emory University and a JD from Pepperdine University, David turned his focus to the startup world, first as a Business Development Representative at ZEFR in Venice Beach. He later moved to San Francisco as the first hire at Wove, where he helped build a partnership marketing network of over 300 brands before being acquired by Samba TV. After many years in the space, he sought a transition into more impactful work and was delighted to come across Pachama, a company combining both his background in the technology world and love for nature. He doesn't plan on going back anytime soon.

David Ross

David is an ESG and Climate leader, bringing over 10 years of global infrastructure development and climate advisory experience. He has worked across industries to support corporations, governments and non-profits assess and mitigate their climate challenges in a cost effective and value-driven manner. David is currently a leader in KPMG’s ESG and Climate Advisory team where he helps clients transform their organizations by embedding ESG and climate considerations into their operations. David leads the team’s efforts on decarbonization, renewable energy and electrification, supporting organizations as they plan for and transition to a low-carbon future. More broadly, David has considerable experience in developing and analyzing the business case for multi-million and multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments, in addition to innovative project financing operations, and delivery mechanisms. Prior to joining KPMG, David worked for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency where he managed the Agency’s infrastructure investment portfolio in Southeast Asia; one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

Past Events

April 7, 2021: Net Zero: Investment Imperative and Operational Application

The LMU Net Impact graduate chapter co-hosted its first event on April 7, 2021 with the Institute for Business Ethics and Sustainability and LMU's Center for International Business Education. Exploring the growing impact of climate risk on investment risk and the global financial system, Net Impact's Ava Hojabry, Mara Ley and Alexandra O'Hagan-Padron moderated a speaker panel of sustainability experts.

Panelists:

	Alexandra Hirsch Director, Sustainable Investing, Blackrock Alexandra Hirsch drives platform strategy and product innovation in the Americas for the BlackRock Sustainable Investing team. The Sustainable Investing team is focused on identifying drivers of long-term return associated with environmental, social and governance issues, integrating them throughout Blackrock's investment processes, and creating solutions for our clients to achieve sustainable investment return. Before joining BlackRock, Alex was a principal in the Client Coverage group at Oak Hill Advisors. In this role, she shared responsibility for investor relations and new business development, serving as product lead for a variety of the firm's strategies including private credit, high yield bonds, leveraged loans and customized multi-strategy mandates. Alex received a bachelor's degree in political science from Colgate University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
	Bri Decker Sustainability & Social Responsibility Manager, Avocado Green Brands Feeling inspired by nature and the outdoors from a young age, Bri Decker has spent her entire professional career promoting conservation and social responsibility through a variety of unique angles. Combining over a decade of experience with the political sector, nonprofit and public policy, the outdoor industry, international work, and scaling social enterprises, Bri is passionate about using capitalism to benefit stakeholders and promoting a greater good. She is currently directing Avocado Green Brands' social responsibility and sustainability projects by creating new standards of sustainability within the industry and world at large.
	Caitlin Drown Brand Engagement Manager, Climate Neutral Certified Caitlin Drown is the brand engagement manager at Climate Neutral, focusing on building a movement among the growing network of 300+ brands. She joined the Climate Neutral team having spent years promoting the mission and work of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Caitlin is passionate about using communications, psychology and behavioral science to raise awareness of the climate crisis and empower individuals to get involved. Caitlin grew up on Cape Cod, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University, and now lives in Denver with her chocolate lab mix, Kai.
	Isabella Todaro Certification Manager, Climate Neutral Certified Bella Todaro is the certification manager at Climate Neutral, and works to design and implement a process for 300+ brands to measure, offset and reduce their carbon emissions. She joined the Climate Neutral team after spending her early career in grassroots climate mitigation in East Africa. Bella is passionate about just and scalable climate solutions. Bella studied science, technology and international affairs at Georgetown University. She now lives in Boston and sometimes thinks about getting a cat.