# Net Zero Conference

The Net Zero Conference is one of the largest annual conferences in the world dedicated to net zero design. The conference provides tools and knowledge about ways for buildings, products, and corporate operations to transition to net zero, such as moving away from fossil fuel use.
The Net Zero Conference is hosted and produced by Verdical Group, a sustainability and green building consulting firm. The conference focuses primarily on the built environment due to the fact that approximately 40% of global carbon emissions come from buildings, but covers a broad array of sustainability topics including: climate change, net zero buildings, environmental, social and governance (ESG), zero waste, social equity, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate resilience.
Since 2019, the Net Zero Conference has featured the annual Trailblazer Awards Gala, which awards leaders who have made a positive impact on people and the environment.
Verdical Group founder and CEO, Drew Shula, created the Net Zero Conference in 2014. In its first year, the conference had approximately 100 attendees. As of 2023, the conference has grown to more than 1,500 attendees from 53 countries and 45 U.S. states.
The Net Zero Conference has previously been held at the LEED Gold certified Los Angeles Convention Center, but will be held at the LEED certified Anaheim Convention Center in 2024. The event has been featured in media publications such as Metropolis, Canary Media, and Forbes and has been used as a platform for major announcements by USGBC and the World Green Building Council.

## Notable Net Zero Conference keynote speakers

Source:
2023
* Wawa Gatheru, Founder & Executive Director, Black Girl Environmentalist
2022
* Lakisha Ann Woods, CEO, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
* Kate Williams, CEO, 1% for the Planet
* William Bridge, CEO, Global Green
2021
* Jedidiah Jenkins, New York Times Best Selling Author
* Dr. Kimberly Miner, Earth & Climate Scientist, NASA
* Marcius Extavour, VP Energy & Climate, XPRIZE
* Caroline Choi, SVP Corporate Affairs, Southern California Edison
* Ashley Orgain, Chief Impact Officer (CIO), Seventh Generation
2020
* Winona LaDuke, Executive Director, Honor the Earth and two-time Green Party Vice Presidential Candidate
* Jamie Margolin, Co-Founder, Zero Hour
* Zanagee Artis, Co-Founder, Zero Hour
* George Bandy Jr, Head of Worldwide Circular Economy, Amazon
* Jason Pugh, President, National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) & Principal, Gensler
2019
* Edward Mazria, Founder & CEO, Architecture 2030 / The 2030 Challenge
* Amanda Sturgeon, CEO, International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
* Terry Tamminen, CEO, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
2018
* Jason McLennan, Founder, Living Building Challenge
* Mahesh Ramanujam, CEO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
2017
* Dr. Chris Luebkeman, Fellow, Director for Global Foresight, Research and Innovation, Arup
* R Rex Parris, Mayor, City of Lancaster California
2016
* Seth Maxwell, Founder & CEO, Thirst Project

## Notable Trailblazer Award Winners

2023
* Sara Neff, Head of Sustainability, Lendlease Americas
* Indigo Teiwes, Director of Corporate Responsibility, Helen of Troy (parent company of brands: OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey)
2022
* Darcy Shiber-Knowles, Director of Operational Sustainability & Innovation, Dr. Bronner’s
* Andrew Bohenko, Sustainability Coordinator, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
* Lindsay Baker, CEO, International Living Future Institute (ILFI) / Living Building Challenge
2021
* Xavier Roussel, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Dole Food Company
* Ellen Jackowski, Chief Impact Officer (CIO) & Head of Sustainable Impact, HP
* Nicole Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
2020
* Denis Hayes, Chairman & President, Bullitt Foundation, and Founder of Earth Day
* Janine Benyus, Co-Founder, Biomimicry Institute
* Rick Fedrizzi, Co-Founder & former CEO U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Chairman & CEO, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) / WELL Building Standard
* Jason F. McLennan, Founder, Living Building Challenge
* Elizabeth Heider, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Skanska
* Gabrielle Bullock, Director of Global Diversity & Principal, Perkins&Will
* Wanda Dalla Costa, Founder, Indigenous Design Collaborative
2019
* Steven M. Hilton, Chairman, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
* Nancy Sutley, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
* Lauren Sparandara, Sustainability Partner, Google
* Will Vicent, Deputy Director of Building Standards, California Energy Commission
* Lauren Faber O'Connor, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) for the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti