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Supporting Startup Change Makers
The Change Maker Experience
“This program is designed to be a challenge. We ‘afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted,’ with the goal of truly advancing change makers and their solutions”
Next Scheduled Program: February 3 - March 24, 2026
Tuesday, February 3
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Week 1
Solutions
What is your solution? What are your challenges and opportunities? What momentum do you have? What help do you think you need?
This is a chance to get to know the faculty and other change makers. Be prepared to introduce yourself and make a 5-minute presentation with just a few slides.
Week 2
Community
Tuesday, February 10
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Guest Lecture #1
Engaging indiginous cultures
Tony Skrelunas
Former Head of Economic Development
Navajo Nation
Who are your stakeholders? Who are you striving to serve? What is their culture? What are their needs and preconceptions?
Explore how to approach the various stakeholders and gatekeepers in your community. See challenges through a new lens.
Guest Lecture #2
Gate keepers and supporters
Sabrina Watkins
Former Sustainability Director
Conoco Phillips
Leadership
Week 3
Tuesday, February 17
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Are you up to the task of leading your team or organization? What do your colleagues or close friends say are your strengths and developmental needs? Why should people believe in you?
Develop a clearer understanding of who you are as a leader — your gifts and liabilities. Explore how you can mobilize resources with a compelling vision — one that is emotionally exciting, personally relevant and yet plausibe. Be prepared to describe your vision for the future. Help us better understand where you’re taking us.
Guest Lecture #2
How our strengths can be our downfall
Paul Seymour
Executive Coach
Guest Lecture #1
Risks and opportunities for intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs
Libba Pinchot
Co-founder
Climate Unbound and Intrapreneur.com
Tuesday, February 24
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Week 4
Permitting and Practical Constraints
Who has authority over your projects? What is likely to get in your way if you’re not careful? How are you approaching permitting?
Most change will require the permission of planners and utilities. Explore techniques for expediting this process. Learn to set more realistic expectations while innovating based on a deeper understanding of the gatekeepers
Guest Lecture #1
Practical guidance for large-scale energy projects
William Pfleger
Strategy Manager
Schneider Electric
Guest Lecture #2
5 ways to expedite permitting
Gifford Pinchot
Co-founder and Senior Fellow
Climate Unbound
Week 5
Partnering
Tuesday, March 3
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
What partners do you need? How can you make a partnership valuable for everyone involved? Who else do you need on your team?
Strengthen your partnerships or seek new partners to fill gaps; learn how to navigate partnerships with diverse leaders who have similar goals. Expand your definition of partners while learning to be more careful in your choice of collaborators.
Guest Lecture
Partnering with academic institutions
Lincoln Bleveans
Executive Director - Sustainability Utilities & Infrastructure
Stanford University
Guest Lecture
Partnering with government scientists
Jordan Macknick
Government Scientist and Pioneer in Agrivoltaics
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Guest Lecture
Partnering with corporate sustainability and marketing functions
Steve Weinberg
Sustainability Leader
IKEA
Raising funds
Week 6
Tuesday, March 10
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Where can you find needed financial support? How can you meet funders? Are you ready?
Most change makers prefer to spend their time building their operation rather than looking for money. But you’re likely to need more runway than you think, and raising money is probably your greatest challenge.
Guest Lecture
Approaching climate investors
Jackie Logan
CoFounder, President, and Chief Investment Officer
Raise Green (Acquired by Honeycomb Credit)
Guest Lecture
Building relationships with foundations
TBD
Guest Lecture
Advanced grantwriting
TBD
Week 7
Final Pitch
Tuesday, March 17
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
Can you succinctly articulate your vision and plan? What is your most compelling value proposition?
Give a 5-minute pitch for support. View your colleagues’ presentations and share your thoughts about how they can take it to the next level. (We will in invite all guest lecturers to this event.)
Week 8
Graduation
Tuesday, March 24
9:00 - 11:00 am, Pacific time
How has your view evolved? What new directions do you see? What other help do you need?
Be prepared to make a short presentation summarizing what you gleamed from this experience, what you plan to act on, and how you intend to continue learning over time. Be prepared to nominate other change makers for future programs.