Businesses must adapt in the face of climate change. Not only do they need to reduce their own emissions, but they must remain flexible enough to handle the disruptions expected ahead because of climate change. To do this, with speed and at scale, requires use of digital tools, data transparency and collaborations across entire value chains. Throughout this discussion the panelists will cover how to couple digital technologies and software with innovative collaborations and partnerships to accelerate decarbonization of products, production, and supply chains across industries and around the globe.
Eryn Devola - Head of Sustainability, Siemens Digital Industries
Eryn Devola is the Vice President of Sustainability for Siemens Digital Industries, where she leads the Sustainability horizontal market to manage the strategy for profitable sustainability for Siemens and our customers. Eryn has been part of the Siemens team since 2012, most recently as the North America Director of Sales for Siemens Large Drive Applications. Her career includes roles of increasing responsibility across quality, plant management, operations, and sales.
She has long had a passion for sustainable product development and production. Eryn completed an NFS Fellowship focused on Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing and has applied the knowledge she gained there to many roles in her career. Eryn has a bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technology University, and an MBA from the University of Louisville.
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Julia Thayne - Senior Principle, Climate-Aligned Industries, RMI
Julia Thayne is Senior Principal of Climate-Aligned Industries at RMI, founded as Rocky Mountain Institute, where she leads efforts to build out Clean Industrial Hubs in Los Angeles, Houston, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Her projects include renewable electricity, clean hydrogen, and low-carbon fuel investments to decarbonize industry and aviation, shipping and trucking. An expert in accelerating equitable climate action in cities, Julia helps companies, governments, and NGOs translate ambitious visions into programs with positive community impact. She served as an executive officer at the LA Mayor’s Office, where she oversaw 8 City of LA Departments, including airports, ports, and city planning. During COVID-19, she helped disburse $150 million in financial assistance to businesses and NGOs, including 50 miles of Slow Streets, donation of 1 million N-95 masks to 400+ NGOs, and 20,000 restaurant-cooked and taxi-delivered meals per week for homebound seniors. Previously, Julia consulted on technology, innovation, and sustainability initiatives for 35+ cities across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. She hosts a YouTube channel on micromobility, called Ride On!, and founded a transportation technology NGO, called Urban Movement Labs. She holds a Master’s in Science in City Design from the London School of Economics, and a bachelor’s in economics from Emory University.
Kristen Siemen - Vice President of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors
Kristen Siemen is Vice President of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer at General Motors, leading its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040. Prior to this, she was executive director of global energy strategy and held senior engineering positions at the firm. Passionate about promoting inclusion and gender equality, Siemen helped create GM’s Take 2 career-reentry program, co-leads the GM Women Ally Program, and is its executive representative for the Society of Women Engineers. Her recognition includes being named to the Crain’s Notable Leaders in Sustainability, Future 50 Tech, and Sustainability Magazine Top 100 Women in Sustainability lists. Siemen is an advisory board member of Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science, from which she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.
Tisha Livingston - CEO, Infinite Acres
Tisha Livingston is the president and cofounder of 80 Acres and CEO of Infinite Acres, two indoor-farming companies dedicated to revolutionizing the way produce is grown and shipped around the globe. Using the latest automation and data technology, Livingston is working to make the world's fruits and vegetables more nutritious, climate resistant, less environmentally taxing, and better-tasting.
