Collaboration on Nature, Feedback Sessions with BSR

By Invitation Only

Date and Time

September 17-September 18, 2024
11:00 am-10:30 am EDT

Location

Webinar

BSR is hosting a constructive feedback session on the development of an innovative and impactful collaborative initiative on Nature. During the session, we invite attendees to provide feedback on our proposed vision, mission and concept for this collaboration, and share insights on how it can be most useful to them in progressing on their nature journeys, in the context of a rapidly evolving nature landscape. We also wish to gauge the interests of our member companies to participate in this collaboration.

Two online sessions will be offered:

• September 17, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT
• September 18, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. EDT

Event sessions are by invitation only. If you are a BSR member or involved in nature-related sustainability programs at your company, please send an invitation request to web@bsr.org.

Scheduled Speakers

• Ricki Berkenfeld, Associate Director, Consumer Sectors and Transformation, BSR
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Ricki Berkenfeld
Associate Director, Consumer Sectors and Transformation, BSR
New York
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Ricki supports BSR’s work in consumer sectors. Her engagements focus on design and implementation of sustainability strategies, with a particular focus on sustainable sourcing of commodities.
Ricki brings with her many years of strategy consulting experience, with strong ability to design and execute research, draw business insights and develop corporate strategies. Prior to joining BSR, Ricki worked at ZS Associates where she advised healthcare companies on their growth marketing strategies.
Ricki holds a BS in Development Sociology from Cornell University.
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Recent Insights From Ricki Berkenfeld
• Action for Sustainable Derivatives: Annual Update on Progress, 2023 / January 15, 2024 / Reports
• Action for Sustainable Derivatives: Annual Update on Progress, 2022 / January 17, 2023 / Reports
• Action for Sustainable Derivatives: Annual Update on Progress, 2021 / November 16, 2021 / Reports
• How the Power of Collaboration Drives Palm Derivatives Supply Chains Toward Being Deforestation-Free / April 6, 2021 / News
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• Gracie Cook, Manager, Partnership Development, BSR
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Gracie Cook
Manager, Partnership Development, BSR
New York
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Gracie primarily works within the Governments and Foundations team to support BSR’s pursuit, across all areas of expertise, of high-impact, private sector-led grants to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Gracie also supports BSR’s Nature team to further member company commitments across various industries including food, beverage, and agriculture; media and entertainment; and consumer products.
Prior to joining BSR, Gracie worked in international development, promoting nature and climate resilience, specifically around forest risk commodities. She has held positions within various multinational corporations where she consulted on, developed, and implemented corporate social responsibility strategies. Gracie has worked both domestically and in the field in Austria and within the informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, where her work informed leading pharmaceutical and engineering companies’ global sustainability strategies.
Gracie has a MA in International Development Studies with specializations in corporate social responsibility and climate/environment as well as a BA in International Affairs with concentrations in international environmental science and conflict resolution, both from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University.
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Recent Insights From Gracie Cook
• Back to Nature: A Call to Action / March 28, 2023 / Insights+
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• Erin Leitheiser, Associate Director, Nature, BSR
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Erin Leitheiser
Associate Director, Nature, BSR
Copenhagen
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Erin helps lead BSR’s nature team where she focuses on the climate/nature nexus, including credits, nature-based solutions (NbS), and beyond value chain mitigation.
She leads engagements with companies to evaluate their nature impacts, devise nature positive strategies, and implement operational and supply chain solutions that further both biodiversity and decarbonization goals. She also works closely with companies on supplier engagement for Scope 3 emissions reductions and nature action, helping to develop resources like the Supplier Engagement Guide and the Climate Fit: Net Zero Training course on the SME Climate Hub. 
Erin brings more than 18 years of experience, including remaining on the faculty at Copenhagen Business School following her prior role as an Assistant Professor. Before academia, Erin worked in CSR and sustainability at Target, where she built external partnerships and developed strategies to drive both business resilience and community impact. She began her career in sustainability consulting, working on public policy and social impact projects for nonprofit, public, and private clients.  
Erin holds a PhD in Sustainability Governance from Copenhagen Business School, a MSc in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BA in Honors History from Gustavus Adolphus College. 
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Recent Insights From Erin Leitheiser
• Is Your Company Ready for TNFD? / September 24, 2024 / Blog
• Scaling Investment in Carbon Credits with Integrity / July 2, 2024 / Blog
• 1.5°C Targets: The Business Case for a Climate Transition Plan / May 30, 2024 / Blog
• How Businesses Can Address the Water Scarcity Crisis / December 14, 2023 / Blog
• How to Engage Suppliers on Scope 3 Reductions / June 22, 2023 / Blog
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• Cameron Steagall, Manager, Collaboration, BSR
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Cameron Steagall
Manager, Collaboration, BSR
New York
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Cameron works to convene multinational corporations interested in utilizing collaborations and partnerships to advance industry solutions related to decarbonization, emissions tracking and reduction, and catalyzing climate solutions. He currently manages the Business Alliance to Scale Climate Solutions (BASCS), Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance (SFBA), and Sustainable Air Freight Alliance (SAFA). Cameron also consults on projects related to transportation, climate and Scope 3 emissions, and equity, inclusion, and justice.
Cameron joined BSR as an Associate on the Transport and Green Freight team, where he helped lead multiple collaborative initiatives, including Clean Cargo, SAFA, and Future of Fuels. He also conducted research and consulted on projects across BSR’s areas of expertise.
Prior to joining BSR, Cameron worked with the Port of Stockton on port modernization, the Blue Economy, and low- and zero-emission fuels. He also worked with the Naval Postgraduate School, Ocean Conservancy, and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES).
Cameron has a MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from the University of South Carolina. He speaks English and Spanish.
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Recent Insights From Cameron Steagall
• Collaboration Crossroads: Recognizing When to Part Ways for Greater Impact / October 24, 2024 / Blog
• Advancing a Just Transition: Lessons from Company Practices / June 12, 2024 / Blog
• Driving Decarbonization: Accelerating Zero-Emission Freight / September 15, 2022 / Blog
• Aviation is Fueling Up for Net Zero / June 7, 2022 / News
• Inside BSR: Q&A with Cameron Steagall / June 24, 2021 / Blog
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