Past Foresight Immersion Speakers
Exposure to a wide range of industry leaders is a core component of Foresight Immersion. During the first two weeks of the program, meetings with experts and tours of innovative facilities grant access to the forefront of Chicago's sustainability community. Each summer the selections are customized based on the interests of participants (as much as possible). Past speakers and trips have included:
Gary Arnold- Public Relations Coordinator, Access Living
Since 1980, Access Living has empowered those with disabilities through support, advocacy, and education services. The organization, which is located in a flagship building that integrates green and universal design, promotes the inclusion of those with disabilities into every aspect of community life. Gary coordinates external media relations and internal publications. Additionally, he serves as a member of ADAPT and Vice President of Little People of America Inc. 
Joe Borkowski- Development Director, E.ON Climate and Renewables, North America
As one of the world's largest owners of renewable power projects, E.ON delivers energy from technologies that address growing concerns about energy security, energy affordability, and climate change. The company specializes in development, construction, ownership and operation of large scale wind farms and other renewable energy systems. It currently operates wind farms in 12 states, with more under construction. Headquartered in Chicago, E.ON is one of the fastest growing renewable energy companies and plans to invest $10.68 billion in renewable energy and environmental projects between 2007 - 2011. 
Jenny Hirsch- Research and Operations Director in the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change, The Field Museum
The CCUC promotes social change through anthropological research and attempts to identify new solutions to issues such as education, health care, environmental conservation, and leadership development. Most recently, the Center has partnered with Chicago's Department of Environment to engage diverse communities in the Chicago Climate Action Plan. 
Sara Elizabeth Ippel- Founder and Executive Director, Academy for Global Citizenship
Located on the southwest side, AGC is a Public Charter School that empowers all students to positively impact the community and world beyond. Students develop a healthy lifestyle through daily yoga, gardening, wellness instruction, and ecologically sustainable practices throughout the school. In addition to her leadership at AGC, Ippel is the Vice President of Education on the United Nations Association governing board, where she promotes an organic gardening program which cross-culturally connects students with educators. 
Marilyn Jones- Founder, Consolidated Printing Company
Marilyn began Consolidated in her basement in 1973. After becoming aware of the hazardous nature of standard printing practices, Marilyn began to seek out and invent printing products which would protect the health of humans and the environment. The company defines itself by a PrintedGreen360 Program, a promise to incorporate the most sustainable commercial printing practices without sacrificing an ounce of quality. Consolidated has won innumerable environmental awards, including the Governors Pollution Prevention Award (2009) and the Mayor Daley's GreenWorks Award for Market Transformation (2006). 
Burt Klein- President, PortionPac Chemical Corp
Portion Pac Chemical Corporation is a sustainability-minded chemical company built on a foundation of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Portion Pac produces pre-measured detergents and floor waxes that are easy to use, better for the environment, and create less waste than standard cleaning product producers. The company was named one of Inc. Magazine's Top Small Company workplaces for its commitment to employee well-being, and a factory filled with plants and natural light. 
Suzanne Malec-Mckenna- Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Environment
A fifteen year veteran of the DOE, Suzanne held the the post of Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources and Water Quality before her current role. During her tenure, Suzanne has spearheaded key initiatives such as Greencorps Chicago, the Chicago Center for Green Technology, the Calumet Initiative, and the Chicago Conservation Corps. In addition to her duties as Commissioner, Suzanne serves on the boards of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute of Environmental Science and Policy and the Illinois Natural History Survey. 
Barry Matchett- Co-Legislative Director,
Sarah Wochos
Policy Advocate, Environmental Law and Policy Center
The ELPC is a legal advocacy organization that works to solve environmental problems and improve life in the Midwest region. Matchett works on ELPC's Energy Project, implements the new clean energy programs from the Federal Farm Bill, and advocates state based global warming solutions policies. Wochos focuses on clean energy by encouraging development opportunities for municipal electric utilities and discouraging investments in old technology coal plants. 
Steve Perkins- Senior Vice President, Center for Neighborhood Technology
Steve Perkins joined CNT in 1980. As an organization that promotes more livable and sustainable communities, CNT focuses much of its work in the areas of climate energy, natural resources, transportation, and community involvement. During his tenure at CNT, Perkins has worked on such projects as the Amoco Neighborhood Nonprofit Energy Program, the Chicago Energy Savers Fund, and the Housing Abandonment Task Force. He is currently directs CNT's Venture Program, which develops social ventures based on CNT's intellectual property. 
Florian Pfahler- Founder, Hannah's Bretzel
In 2004 Florian launched his business with the vision of being the first casual sandwich shop to focus on organic ingredients, whole grain nutrition, and environmentally friendly practices. The company has grown from its first shop at 180 W. Washington St. to three downtown outposts. Hannah's was the first quick service operation in Chicago to eliminate plastic bags from operations and provide a percentage of organic ingredients found in each breakfast and lunch sandwich along with nutrition information. 
Roger Post- General Manager, Christy Webber Landscapes
Located on Chicago's west side, the award winning Christy Webber Landscapes provides full-service design, construction, and maintenance services with a commitment to innovation and sensitivity to the environment. In addition to residing in a LEED platinum headquarter building, this firm has installed more square feet of green roofs than any other contractor in Chicago. 
Ben Ranney- Principal, Terra Firma Co
As a real-estate development and advisory firm committed to sustainable practices, Terra Firma develops residential, commercial, and mixed use projects which promote energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, and provide sustainable returns for investors and users. Ranney manages the design, construction and development activities of the firm and also sits on the Executive Committee of the Chicago District Council of the Urban Land Institute. 
Harry Rhodes- Executive Director, Growing Home
Growing Home provides job training and transitional employment for homeless, low-income, and previously incarcerated individuals in Chicago through a social enterprise of organic agriculture. Throughout the growing season, participants engage in hands-on training on planting, cultivating, and harvesting, as well learn as sales and marketing skills. Harry has been with Growing Home since its first year of training in 2002, since which he has overseen the program's growth. 
Dan Rosenthal- Restauranteur and Co-Founder, Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op
Dan co-founded GCRC in 2007, when he realized that making his own restaurants more sustainable would not be financially feasible without the support of others. Over 200 restaurants now belong to GCRC, whose mission is to provide members with opportunities to buy environmentally preferable products at a cost-competitive price. Rosenthal also aims to open the largest food composting plant in the country. Chicago Compost LLC, which has leased 44 acres on the south side, will divert waste from members of the GCRC as well as area prisons, colleges, schools, hotels, and landscape firms. 
- Guided Tour, Stickney Water Reclamation Treatment Center
As the world's largest waste water treatment plant, this facility serves 2.38 million people and has an average outflow of 750 million gallons of water per day. Operated by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago, the 560 acre plant dates back to 1930, with the southwest section having been added in 1939. The plant is currently undergoing a $1 billion renovation, which includes solid treatment improvements, modification of skimming tanks, and replacement of electrical systems.