Fast Company Impact Council

Registration and Refreshments

Welcome

Keeping Business Human

Featuring Josh Silverman, CEO, Etsy

In this post-pandemic, possibly recessionary economy, e-commerce companies and the small businesses who sell on their platforms are facing stiff headwinds. How does a beloved marketplace navigate this uncertainty, drive growth, and incorporate more AI, all while keeping commerce “human”? The chief executive responsible for Etsy’s financial turnaround and ESG accountability talks about what’s next, what’s needed to help small businesses thrive, and how he continues to balance profit and mission–even in uncertain times.

Navigating the “Perfect Storm” of Hunger

Featuring Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO, Feeding America

Tens of millions of Americans face heightened levels of food insecurity as grocery prices keep rising, emergency pandemic benefits expire, and relief measures such as the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, resurface in partisan budget debates. How does America’s largest hunger-relief organization manage this “perfect storm,” and how can businesses help—and not hinder—its efforts? Its leader talks about rethinking and depoliticizing our food systems, the innovative community solutions and partnerships that are already at work, and how she stays focused and hopeful about her mission to end hunger.

More Than One Hollywood Story

Featuring Lena Waithe, Founder, Hillman Grad and Rishi Rajani, CEO, Hillman Grad

While the push to diversify representation in Hollywood has made important gains, there’s still a temptation for industry executives to think of racial and ethnic groups as monoliths, rather than communities within communities. The Emmy Award–winning actor and creator behind The Chi, Master of None, and Ain’t No Mo’ is working with her business partner to change those perceptions and tell more authentic stories. They join us to discuss how they push past the obvious in storytelling and mentor the next generation of creative talent to do the same.

Age (and Ageism) and the AI Era

Featuring Colette Stallbaumer, General Manager, Microsoft 365 and Future of Work, and Jean Accius, President and CEO, (CHC) Creating Healthier Communities

Increasingly, older workers across industries are feeling pressure to catch up with their more tech-savvy junior colleagues, while Gen Z employees–many of whom have only known remote work–are struggling to grow without critical in-person mentorship. At the same time, neither age group is sure exactly how AI will affect their jobs down the line. How can organizations create a workplace for different generations to see themselves as complements, not competitors, and what role will technology play in that process?

Battling the “Anti-Woke” Warriors

Featuring Rakia Reynolds, Founder and Executive Officer, Skai Blue Media, and Mark Miller, Chief Strategy Officer, Team One

From Walt Disney to BlackRock, companies that speak out on ESG priorities are coming under attack as “woke.” How should leaders think about navigating this heated political moment, staying true to their principles, and making sure their actions match their words?

Skills, Not Degrees: Rethinking the Labor Force

Featuring Donnel Baird, Founder and CEO, BlocPower, and Carolyn Cawley, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Amid a labor shortage and reckoning with economic inequality, organizations are increasingly reconsidering educational requirements for various roles and tapping candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. How can your company do the same?

Shaping Your Company’s Culture in 2023

Featuring Chris Kay, CEO, Saatchi and Saatchi London, and Thai Randolph, CEO, Hartbeat

Work has fundamentally changed, and many executives are struggling to keep up. How do two big names from creative industries think about inspiring their teams, encouraging innovation, and retaining valuable talent?

How to Actually Use AI

Featuring Rob LoCascio, Founder and CEO, LivePerson, and Suma Nallapati, Chief Information Officer, Insight Enterprises

A boot camp on the tech behind the hype. What are the possibilities and limits of generative AI, what impact can it have on your organization, and how can you avoid potential legal and ethical pitfalls?

Session to Be Announced

Closing Remarks 

Cocktail Reception