Profit and Purpose '25 - WCA Sustainable Business Conference

Friday,
September 12, 2025
12:30pm - 5:00pm
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
78 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603
Members: $40.00
Non-Members: $60.00

Join us for the 2025 Profit & Purpose Sustainable Business Conference, where business, government, non-profits, and academia converge to explore innovative strategies for driving sustainable impact.

This year’s conference features a keynote presentation from Justin E. Driscoll, CEO of the New York Power Authority, and four dynamic panel discussions on the evolving role of state and local governments in environmental leadership, navigating ESG in a shifting political landscape, the intersection of climate and healthcare, and bold, student-driven innovations for real-world change.

From seasoned experts to rising changemakers, this event will highlight actionable solutions, policy trends, and cross-sector collaboration—all advancing a shared vision for a more climate centric and sustainable future in Westchester and beyond.

Panel Discussions:

Policy Track Panel A – 2:00pm – 2:45pm

State & Local Government: Stepping Up and Stepping In
With the federal government deprioritizing environmental initiatives and protections, the landscape of environmental decision-making is shifting rapidly. Local and state governments are stepping in.  Where do we see these initiatives headed (in Westchester, NYC, New York State) and what are the potential challenges to these efforts?

Policy Track Panel B – 3:00pm – 3:45pm

Actionable Solutions Competition
Sustainable business is a dynamic area that requires a constant eye towards cutting-edge solutions. When students first gain exposure to sustainable business, they often bring fresh perspectives and new ideas. This panel rewards that student focused innovation.  After putting out a call for sustainable business solutions three finalists will present real-world, practical solutions to advance sustainable business goals. An expert judging panel will select the inaugural recipient of the  Profit & Purpose Action Award, presented by Sustainable Business Law Hub at Pace University and the Westchester County Association.

 

Business Track Panel A – 2:00pm – 2:45pm

Managing Uncertainty – Designing a New Sustainable Business Playbook
Until recently, companies could not operate without seriously focusing on ESG issues.  These strategies may risk political and investor retribution.  Dramatically altered political, social, and policy expectations are creating new business challenges. Should businesses address issues like climate change by taking a stand or by solving a problem, and what are the costs and benefits of each approach? This panel will explore the best strategies for navigating these shifting dynamics.

Business Track Panel B – 3:00pm – 3:45pm

Sustainability & Healthcare
Climate change has profound implications for human health and the healthcare community has a vital part to play in accelerating progress to address climate change.  This panel will explore the critical link between a healthy environment, health equity, and social determinants of health.  We will hear from our major healthcare systems about the critical importance of a healthy planet and the implications for the Hudson Valley. 

Details
12:30: registration/networking lunch
1:00pm – welcome reception including keynote
2:00pm – A Panels
2:45pm – Break
3:00pm – B Panels
4:00pm – networking reception
5:00pm – end


Interested in partnering with us as a sponsor?  Contact Melissa M. Luzzi at mluzzi@westchester.org

 

Sponsorship – $5,000.00

  • 6 tickets
  • Company name and/or logo displayed at the event
  • Company name and/or logo featured on all marketing materials
  • 6’ tabletop display for marketing materials at the reception
  • Acknowledgement as a sponsor during remarks.

 

Supporter – $2,500.00

  • Company name and/or logo displayed at the event
  • Company name and/or logo featured on all marketing materials
  • Acknowledgement as a supporter during remarks.

 

Keynote Presentation

Justin E. Driscoll; New York Power Authority (NYPA)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Justin E. Driscoll is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation's largest state-owned electric utility. He is responsible for developing and implementing the statewide utility's strategic vision and mission, and for overseeing its operations,...
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Speakers Include:

Alice Korngold; Korngold Consulting LLC
President & CEO
Alice Korngold, President & CEO, Korngold Consulting LLC, and her team provide strategy advisory services and facilitate leadership strategy retreats for executives of multinational companies, and board members and CEOs of global, national, and regional nonprofits.
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Angela Iraldi; Skanska USA Building Inc.
Senior Sustainability Manager
Angela is an experienced sustainability consultant, whose entire career has been focused on educating and coaching owners, architects, and contractors on sustainability best practices and implementation. Her areas of focus include LEED, Living Building Challenge, Passive House, zero energy and...
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Briana D'Agati; Deloitte & Touche LLP
A&A ESG Senior Manager, Sustainability & ESG
Briana joined the Sustainability & ESG Services team after completing a two-year rotational role in the firm’s US CFO Program where she served CFOs in all industries helping them think strategically about their key priorities, such as ESG and innovation.
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Elizabeth Gousse Ballotte; PKF O'Connor Davies Advisory LLC
Partner
Elizabeth Gousse Ballotte has more than 20 years of operational and organizational consulting and management experience. Liz specializes in development of sustainability assessments and impact program office implementations across all industries and advices clients on environmental, social and...
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Professor Joshua Galperin; Sustainable Business Law Hub, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
Faculty Director
Professor Joshua Galperin is the Faculty Director of the Sustainable Business Law Hub. He joined the Haub Law faculty in July 2021. Before that, Professor Galperin was on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law since 2018, where he taught Torts, Administrative Law, Constitutional...
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Judith M. Watson, RN, BSN, MPS; Westchester Community Health Center
CEO
Judith M. Watson immigrated to the United States from Jamaica at the age of seven and was raised in White Plains, New York. After graduating from White Plains High School, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving three years on active duty stationed at Ford Island, Hawaii, followed by seven years in...
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Kelly G. Raskauskas; Webster Bank
Senior Managing Director Sustainability, Government and Public Affairs | Office of Corporate Responsibility
Kiley Kemelman; Con Edison
Department Manager of Sustainability and Strategic Programs
Kiley Kemelman has over 15 years of experience, spanning engineering, operations, finance, project management and sustainability. In her current role as Department Manager of Sustainability and Strategic Programs in Con Edison’s Environment, Health & Safety organization, she focuses on the...
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Michael N. Romita, Westchester County Association
President and CEO
Michael N. Romita, a business leader with extensive public policy expertise, was named the President & CEO of the Westchester County Association in March of 2020. Since taking on this role, Michael has helped to create and advance groundbreaking initiatives designed to strengthen the economy in...
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Monika U. Ehrman; SMU Dedman School of Law
Professor of Law
Monika U. Ehrman is Professor of Law at SMU Dedman School of Law and Professor of Engineering (by courtesy) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at SMU’s Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering. Professor Ehrman began her academic career at the University of Oklahoma, where she...
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Noam Bramson; Sustainable Westchester
Executive Director
Prior to joining Sustainable Westchester as Executive Director in January 2024, Noam served for eighteen years as the Mayor of New Rochelle and for ten years as a member of the New Rochelle City Council.
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Pete Harckham; New York State Senate
Pete Harckham was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2018 and re-elected in 2020. 2022 and 2024—the culmination so far of a distinguished career in public service. Currently, he is chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.
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Peter McCartt; Office of the Westchester County Executive
Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability
Peter McCartt has had an extensive and successful business career with a focus over the last 24 years on the environment, energy conservation, clean transportation, and sustainability. Currently he is the Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability for Westchester County.
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SPONSORS

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