ABOUT THE EVENT

Join us in New York City on February 19 for an evening that brings together ideas, people, and real momentum in sustainability.

Sponsored by the Bard MBA in Sustainability, this free event is open to anyone curious about how sustainability is reshaping business, leadership, and careers. The evening will also be an opportunity for students, prospective MBA students, and faculty of Bard Sustainability MBA to meet, network and learn more about the program.

The evening will feature fast paced lightning talks from three sustainability leaders working at the intersection of business, climate, and social impact. Expect sharp insights, candid perspectives, and practical takeaways. The program is intentionally informal, creating space for meaningful conversation over complimentary lite bites and cocktails. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with Bard MBA in Sustainability students and faculty, as well as professionals from across the sustainability ecosystem.

Bard’s MBA in Sustainability is a globally leading business program that fully integrates sustainability vision, real world consulting engagements, organizational transformation and entrepreneurial training, equipping graduates who are changing the game. Learn about our theory of change here.  

This event is open to the public. You do not need to be affiliated with Bard to attend.

Meet the Speakers

Unique Brathwaite | Executive Director of Grad Bag, and faculty member in Nonprofit Management for the Bard MBA in Sustainability

Unique Brathwaite (she/her) is a seasoned nonprofit strategist with over 25 years of experience advancing equity-driven initiatives through leadership development, organizational change, and fundraising. Currently, Unique is the Executive Director at Grad Bag, driving a circular model that diverts dorm-room waste while expanding opportunity for underserved students. Grounded in a deep commitment to equity, she integrates systems thinking and intersectional analysis into her work, guiding organizations through transformative change. Unique has served in a wide range of leadership and internal consulting roles, where she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and relationship-centered practice to complex organizational challenges. Currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Development and Change at Fielding Graduate University, her research focuses on Black women’s leadership and resilience in the nonprofit sector. A proud alumna of Barnard College and Rutgers University, Unique lives in New York City with her family.

Laura Rainier | Senior Director, Analyst at Gartner, and faculty member in Supply Webs for the Bard MBA in Sustainability

Laura Rainier brings 15 years of experience across supply chain management, human rights, and environmental sustainability to her role as Faculty in Sustainable Supply Chain at the Bard MBA in Sustainability. Laura is a Senior Director Analyst focused on Supply Chain Sustainability at Gartner, where she provides actionable, objective insights to executives and their teams through research, tools and client engagement. Her research focuses on decarbonization in supply chains, responsible sourcing, and circular economy. Previously, Laura worked at Li & Fung, a Hong Kong based Supply Chain Solutions provider, in the areas of supply chain sustainability assessment and capability building, human rights, and worker safety. She was a key leader in the development and implementation of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. She served on the Steering Committee of key business and multi-stakeholder initiatives including the Global Fashion Agenda, the Social and Labor Convergence Project, and the UN International Labour Organization’s Global Business Network on Forced Labor.

Renay Loper | Clinical Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Bard MBA in Sustainability, and host of Lead the Change Podcast

Renay is a Clinical Faculty in Organizational Leadership for the Bard MBA in Sustainability, where she focuses on justice-centered transformation in the workplace. Previously, she was the Vice President of Program Innovation at PYXERA Global where she served on the Executive Leadership Team, led five country offices, drove the development of new business and programs, co-led the organization's work on inclusive circular cities, and advised corporate clients on their social impact strategies. Renay also led the organization’s ARC (Antiracist Collective) initiatives, which included internal and external efforts toward dismantling unjust systems. To this end, Renay created Rhetoric to Action, a series of conversations to bridge sectors toward collective action around social and racial justice.

Prior to PYXERA Global, Renay led the grassroots exchange and education grant portfolio at the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and has served in a variety of leadership roles in higher education, nonprofit, and business prior to that. Renay is an avid speaker and facilitator, has authored and edited numerous publications, including a resource journal, Student Affairs Professionals Cultivating Campus Climates Inclusive of International Students (Jossey Bass). Renay serves on the board of directors of nonprofits including Community Change, Harpswell Foundation, and Girl Rising.

NO PITCHING/SALES. We want open, inspiring, agenda-less conversations where people feel free to share. Therefore, there is to be absolutely no pitching or selling of your product or service nor fund-raising. If any attendees feel that this request hasn’t been respected, let us know and that person will not be invited back.

​​​Hope to see you soon!

General Terms & Agreement

By registering for or attending this event, you agree to the following:

Assumption of Risk

Attendance is voluntary and may involve inherent risks, including personal injury, illness, allergic reactions, property damage, or other harm. You knowingly and voluntarily assume all such risks associated with attending the event.

Release and Waiver of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and hold harmless The Carbonauts Sustainability Foundation, including its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, partners, and affiliates, from any and all claims or liabilities arising from or related to your attendance, including claims based on negligence.

The Foundation is not responsible for any injury, illness, sickness, or health condition that may occur as a result of attending the event.

Alcohol Responsibility

Some events may serve or make alcohol available. You are solely responsible for your own alcohol consumption and for arranging safe transportation to and from the event.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Carbonauts Sustainability Foundation is not liable for any incidents, injuries, damages, or losses related to alcohol consumption.

Media Release

You grant The Carbonauts Sustainability Foundation permission to photograph, record, and use your likeness, image, or voice captured at the event for lawful purposes, including marketing, social media, website content, and promotional materials, without compensation.

Ticket Policy

All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, except where required by law. If an event is canceled or changed a refund or ticket transfer will be offered to all registered guests.

Conduct and Removal

You agree to behave in a lawful and respectful manner. The Foundation reserves the right to deny entry or remove any attendee for unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior, without refund.

Event Changes

The Foundation may modify or cancel the event due to circumstances beyond its control. Liability is limited to the extent required by law.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, except where prohibited by law.

If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, do not attend the event.